CILANTRO (CORIANDER)
Cilantro is one of the popular Mediterranean herb which commonly recognized as leaf-coriander in Asia. It is widely employed in savory dishes in almost all parts of the world. The herb carries many notable plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health-promoting properties. Plant coriander is quite similar to dill in terms of utility where both its leaves as well as seeds can be used in cuisune.Botanically, coriander herb belongs to the family ofApiaceae, in the genus: Coriandrum. Scientific name:Coriandrum sativum.
Health benefits of cilantro leaves (coriander)
-Cilantro herb is very low in calories and contains no cholesterol. However, its deep-green leaves possess good amounts of antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins, and dietary fiber, which may help reduce LDL or "bad cholesterol" levels in the blood.-Its leaves and seeds contain many essential volatile oils such as borneol, linalool, cineole, cymene, terpineol, dipentene, phellandrene, pinene, and terpinolene.
-The leaves and stem tips are also rich in numerous anti-oxidant polyphenolic flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, rhamnetin, andepigenin.
-The herb is a good source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure. Iron is essential for red blood cell production. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
-It is also rich in many vital vitamins, including folic-acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin-A, beta carotene, vitamin-C, which are essential for optimum health. Vitamin-C is a powerful natural antioxidant. 100 g of cilantro leaves provide 30% of daily recommended levels of vitamin-C.
-It provides 6748 IU of vitamin-A per 100 g, about 225% of recommended daily intake. Vitamin-A, an important fat soluble vitamin and anti-oxidant, is also required for maintaining healthy mucusa and skin and is also essential for vision. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin-A and flavonoids (carotenes) may help protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
-Cilantro is one of the richest herbal sources forvitamin K; provide about 258% of DRI. Vitamin-K has a potential role in bone mass building through promotion of osteotrophic activity in the bones. It also has established role in the treatment ofAlzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.
-Wonderful! Cilantro leaves provide only 23 calories/100 g, but their phyto-nutrients profile is no less than any superfoods around us!