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Written by Pavitra Sampath |Published : April 2, 2014 7:05 PM IST
Corriander or dhania is a common sprinkle and condiment used in most households especially in India. It not only adds to the flavour of a dish but also lends it a very appetizing aroma. But there is much more to this humble leaf than just flavour. Here are the 10 health benefits of coriander leaves.
Want to fight diabetes naturally?
With Indian quickly becoming the diabetes capital of the world, it's no wonder people are looking for newer methods to fight the disease naturally. Well, coriander can help you. In a study published at the British Journal of Nutrition {1}, found that the extract from coriander leaves have certain compounds that when released into the blood caused anti-hyperglycaemic, insulin releasing and insulin like activity, that helped to keep one's blood sugar levels in check. So, add some coriander leaves to your daily meals and keep diabetes at bay.
Wish to lower your cholesterol levels ?
Cholesterol levels or your lipid profiles are often a point of concern during a check up. And if you want to lower your cholesterol levels and keep your lipid profile looking pristine, coriander leaves are exactly what you need. Coriander leaves contain a compound called coriandrin, that helps to manipulate lipid metabolism thereby lowering your cholesterol levels. Moreover the leaves are packed with antioxidants, that also help keep cholesterol levels in check. A study published in the Plant Food for Human Nutrition {2} found that the leaves were great in reducing the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in the human body.
If all this science talk is not for you, there is some ancient wisdom attached to the benefice effects of leaves as well. According to Ayurveda{3}, the leaves have a very potent effect on the way the body digests food and absorbs fats, making it a perfect natural drug to keep cholesterol levels under control.
Looking for a way to keep high blood pressure under control?
If you suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure, turn to coriander for some blood pressure lowering benefits. How does it work you ask? Well, coriander has a high amount of cholinergic compounds and calcium antagonists (both components that help regulate your blood pressure) that act very well as hypotensive agents when released into the body. More over the leaf has a strong diuretic activities that help lower ones blood pressure as well.{4}
Want to set your digestion on track?
If you suffer from indigestion ever so often then coriander can help you with that as well. Packed with nutrients and properties that help the stomach contract and digest food efficiently{4}. So adding some raw corianderleaves to your meal might be the best thing you could have done for your digestive tract.
Looking to banish that swelling or inflammation?
A study published in the Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft{5} found that dhania leaves were excellent in reducing inflammation naturally. Being an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids , omega-6 molecules, lipolotion and coriander oil (a compound that helps reduce the inflammatory response in the body), coriander was very effective in reducing swelling and inflammation in all parts of the body. So if you have a swollen legs due to arthritis or have some other form of inflammation, load up on coriander leaves for some relief.
Want to fight infections naturally?
Coriander has a very potent antibiotic compounds and volatile oils that act as very effective antimicrobial agents. These compounds are found especially in fresh and uncooked coriander leaves and their extract. Moreover the leaves can be used to treat fungal, bacterial and yeast infections as well. {6}
Have a better chance of beating cancer?
Coriander leaves contain some very essential nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C, E, ferulic, caffeic acid, kaempferol and quercertin. All of these not only provide nutrition to your body but they also act as very strong antioxidant agents that help to clean up all the free radicals in our body the ones that are responsible for causing cancer. A study published in the Journal of Food Chemistry {7}found that the extracts from coriander were extremely efficient and very effective in stopping the entire oxidative process protecting you from cancer, ageing and wrinkles.
Give your immunity a boost?
Packed with phytonutrients and vitamins, coriander is a great way to give your immune system that much needed boost. Being an antibacterial and antifungal agent in its self, coriander is exactly what you need when it comes to beating that common infection.
Get a good night's sleep?
The humble dhania has sedative properties. In this case not only do the leaves have the quality, but the seeds are much more potent. How it works is that the essential oils present in coriander produce a sedative-hypnotic effect on the body, calming the nerves and bringing all the chemicals into symmetry. A study done by the Department of pharmacology, School of medicine, Shiraz University of medical sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Up your vitamin K intake?
Being deficient in vitamin K has a number of implications on one's health. It can not only lead to several problems with the clotting of your blood but it may lead to cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. This is where coriander comes into play. Being a rich source of vitamin K, the tiny leaves present the body with an easy way so that it can be used efficiently by the body.
Reference:
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