Cilantro, also called coriander, is an especially flavorful herb commonly added to Mexican, Chinese and Thai dishes. Its leaves are usually eaten raw as part of salads, salsas, stir-fries, and soups, while its seeds are typically dried and ground into a pungent spice. Like all plant foods, cilantro contains fiber, which promotes healthy digestion. Cilantro also displays a variety of properties that may help prevent gastrointestinal infections, inflammation, bloating, and heartburn.
Source of Fiber
Cilantro leaves are a fair source of fiber, similar to other herbs, but not as good as more fibrous leafy greens such as spinach. More specifically, 100 grams of raw cilantro leaves — a little less than half a cup — contain approximately 3 grams of dietary fiber and 92 grams of water. That’s not a lot of fiber — daily recommendations are at least 25 grams for adults — but every little bit helps to promote digestion by stimulating intestinal contractions and regular bowel movements. The high water content of cilantro leaves also helps prevent the mucous membranes that line the intestines from getting too dry, which increases the risk of constipation.
Antioxidant Properties
The leaves and seeds from the cilantro plant contain compounds that act as antioxidants, according to a study published in a 2004 edition of the journal “Food Chemistry.” The researchers concluded that cilantro contains phenols — more so in the leaves than the seeds — that inhibit unwanted oxidation processes during digestion. Antioxidants destroy free radicals, which help prevent oxidation damage to tissues that line the stomach, intestinal tract, and blood vessels. Oxidation damage causes inflammation and premature aging, which can negatively impact digestion and is linked to a higher risk of cancer.
Antibacterial Properties
Cilantro leaves also contain compounds that deter the growth and proliferation of certain bacteria, according to a study published in a 2004 edition of the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.” The researchers discovered that cilantro leaves display antibacterial activity against Salmonella species, which commonly contaminate food and cause digestive problems and severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea are common symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning, which may be deterred by the addition of cilantro leaves to dishes.
Other Potential Digestive Benefits
Cilantro is reputed to have other carminative properties that can benefit digestion, such as the ability to relieve gas, bloating, stomach cramps, nausea, indigestion and heartburn, However, there is currently no scientific research that definitively proves these claims. On the other hand, cilantro is safe to eat in moderate amounts, fairly nutritious — especially in terms of vitamins A, C and K — and worth a try if you have digestive problems, but do so under the supervision of your doctor.
Important Notice: This article was originally published at www.healthyeating.sfgate.com by Johnathon Andrew where all credits are due.
Disclaimer
The watching, interacting, and participation of any kind with anything on this page does not constitute or initiate a doctor-patient relationship with Dr. Farrah®. None of the statements here have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The products of Dr. Farrah® are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information being provided should only be considered for education and entertainment purposes only. If you feel that anything you see or hear may be of value to you on this page or on any other medium of any kind associated with, showing, or quoting anything relating to Dr. Farrah® in any way at any time, you are encouraged to and agree to consult with a licensed healthcare professional in your area to discuss it. If you feel that you’re having a healthcare emergency, seek medical attention immediately. The views expressed here are simply either the views and opinions of Dr. Farrah® or others appearing and are protected under the first amendment.
Dr. Farrah® is a highly experienced Licensed Medical Doctor certified in evidence-based clinical nutrition, not some enthusiast, formulator, or medium promoting the wild and unrestrained use of nutrition products for health issues without clinical experience and scientific evidence of therapeutic benefit. Dr. Farrah® has personally and keenly studied everything she recommends, and more importantly, she’s closely observed the reactions and results in a clinical setting countless times over the course of her career involving the treatment of over 150,000 patients.
Dr. Farrah® promotes evidence-based natural approaches to health, which means integrating her individual scientific and clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research. By individual clinical expertise, I refer to the proficiency and judgment that individual clinicians acquire through clinical experience and clinical practice.
Dr. Farrah® does not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of any multimedia content provided. Dr. Farrah® does not warrant the performance, effectiveness, or applicability of any sites listed, linked, or referenced to, in, or by any multimedia content.
To be clear, the multimedia content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any website, video, image, or media of any kind.
Dr. Farrah® hereby disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental, or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is, and without warranties.
