A Cheap Green Plant.. Lowers Blood Pressure and Protects Against Cancer
Al-Khamisa News Network - Gaza
Doctors and nutritionists say many overlook the most important green herb that should be added to food because it is the cheapest and at the same time offers remarkable benefits for the human body, including protection against cancer and lowering blood pressure.
A report published by the British newspaper Metro, reviewed by Al Arabiya.net, quoted doctors and nutritionists confirming that the basil plant can protect the human body from cancer and also maintain blood pressure balance.
The herb “basil” is a green herb resembling parsley and mint, often used by Italians in making pizza or pasta sauce. It is commonly believed that Italians discovered it, but some say it was discovered in India and Southeast Asia more than 5,000 years ago.
Certified nutritionist Gillian Culbertson from Cleveland Clinic says, “Basil contains nutrients and compounds that can help prevent chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.”
According to the specialist, basil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits and may enhance mental health depending on the type of basil and its form.
The Metro report says basil has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years to treat cardiovascular diseases, with animal studies showing its ability to lower high blood pressure.
Gillian adds, “Basil also contains eugenol, an oil that may help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.” This applies to all types of basil, including extracts, leaves, and powders.
Basil also helps prevent cancer, as the delicious taste of this herb is not only for pizza but can also assist in preventing certain types of cancer.
A study published in the Journal of Molecules in 2016 found that sweet aromatic basil oil inhibits the growth of human colon cancer cells.
In fact, five different types of basil were found to have anticancer properties, obstructing the growth and division of cancer cells, ultimately destroying them.
Gillian says, “There is increasing evidence that basil could be an effective tool for cancer prevention. However, researchers need to conduct more studies on humans to confirm these promising results and understand the appropriate amount of basil.”
She explains, “Human studies are still in their early stages but have shown some interesting potential benefits in blood sugar management and type 2 diabetes.”
This comes from studies where scientists found that basil extracts contributed to lowering blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, and similar effects were found in animals using basil extract.
Nevertheless, Gillian says more efforts are needed to understand the long-term impact of this herb on blood sugar health.
Researchers found this herb rich in antioxidants, substances that prevent or slow cell damage by neutralizing molecules that can harm cells, known as “free radicals.”
Gillian says, “Your body produces free radicals in response to stress and inflammation. Free radicals also come from environmental exposures like cigarette smoke and ultraviolet rays.”
She adds, “But antioxidants act as a shield against free radicals – and the health problems they cause.”
If you do not protect yourself from these harmful molecules, you may develop cataracts, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer.
