Cilantro, popularly known as coriander, is a herb with long history of safe and healthy use. It has mostly been used in Asian and Mexican cooking for its distinct fragrance and amazing flavor. However, the best thing about a sprig of cilantro is that it comes packed with lots of nutrients, which contribute to our health considerably. To top it all, it aids in weight loss, which is one of the biggest concerns of today around the world.
A Little Bit About Cilantro
Cilantro belongs to the carrot family and looks like another well-known herb called parsley. In ‘The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies’, it is mentioned to be a native to India that reached China nearly 2,000 years ago. Hence, it is often referred to as ‘Chinese Parsley’. Cilantro sprigs have flat, light green leaves that taste like anise. Apart from its worldwide use in cooking, the herb also has some excellent medicinal benefits. In ancient Greece, cilantro had been used to treat indigestion, abdominal gas, bloating, inflammation (both internal and external), cramps, nausea, poor blood circulation, constipation, mental stress, and so forth. Though there is no clinical evidence that cilantro can aid in our weight loss, the herb is actually believed to help us shed off excess body fats and stay away from obesity.
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Cilantro, popularly known as coriander, is a herb with long history of safe and healthy use. It has mostly been used in Asian and Mexican cooking for its distinct fragrance and amazing flavor. However, the best thing about a sprig of cilantro is that it comes packed with lots of nutrients, which contribute to our health considerably. To top it all, it aids in weight loss, which is one of the biggest concerns of today around the world.
A Little Bit About Cilantro
Cilantro belongs to the carrot family and looks like another well-known herb called parsley. In ‘The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies’, it is mentioned to be a native to India that reached China nearly 2,000 years ago. Hence, it is often referred to as ‘Chinese Parsley’. Cilantro sprigs have flat, light green leaves that taste like anise. Apart from its worldwide use in cooking, the herb also has some excellent medicinal benefits. In ancient Greece, cilantro had been used to treat indigestion, abdominal gas, bloating, inflammation (both internal and external), cramps, nausea, poor blood circulation, constipation, mental stress, and so forth. Though there is no clinical evidence that cilantro can aid in our weight loss, the herb is actually believed to help us shed off excess body fats and stay away from obesity.
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Why Cilantro For Weight Loss?
As we’ve said earlier, cilantro is supposed to promote weight loss in humans, but the claim is not backed by scientific data. However, several studies have been conducted to get an idea about how the herb can impact our body weight and how it can turn out to be a natural remedy for weight management. Based on those findings, we can definitely say that cilantro is a good choice for supporting weight loss. Want to know more? Here we go:
- Hormonal Effects
Cilantro is an amazing natural source of ‘limonene’, which is a highly active hormone causing significant reduction in our belly fat. According to scientists, limonene plays a key role in keeping our stomach flat by inhibiting the absorption of saturated fats. It essentially stops the fats from bulging round the belly as well as dissolves the already accumulated fats, thereby promoting weight loss to a great extent.
- Low In Calorie
It is already proven that a weight loss diet needs intake of less calories. While kick starting a perfect diet for weight loss, one should make sure that it is considerably low in calorie and contains highly nutritious foods (vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients) in order to keep the body healthy. Studies have revealed that cilantro is a sure bet for it as (1/4)th cup of the herb surprisingly holds only 1 calorie, and it is also quite rich in vital vitamins (A, C, E, K, pyridoxine, thiamine, riboflavin, folate, niacin) as well as minerals (copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, phosphorous, manganese).
- Digestive Aid
When it comes to treating digestive issues, cilantro is considered as a super effective natural remedy. It stimulates our digestive tract to release enough digestive juices, thereby promoting digestion and keeping problems like flatulence, intestinal gas, etc. away. It facilitates the peristaltic action of our gastrointestinal tract, which is required for smooth bowel movement and curing constipation. Moreover, the herb can help our body a lot in assimilating essential nutrients from ingested foods so that we can feel fuller for a long period. All these are important for shedding off excess pounds as well as preventing weight gain.
- Heavy Metal Detoxifier
If you want to lose your extra body weight successfully, you have to make it a point to help your body get rid of toxic heavy metals like mercury, aluminum, led, etc. Being a ‘chelation agent’, cilantro acts as a full body detoxifier for us that is needed for metal elimination. It loosens the intracellular deposits of heavy metals from tissues by transforming them to neutral states from charged states. This averts the possibilities of hormonal imbalances and ensures that there is no weight loss-resistance.
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How To Consume Cilantro For Weight Loss?
Here are some ways to include cilantro in your weight loss diet:
- Juice up a couple of sprigs of cilantro with some cold water, add a pinch of salt and drink it.
- Increase the strength of your cilantro juice by adding some more green fruits or veggies to it.
- Add cilantro to your soups, stews, salads, and curries for extra flavor.
- Prepare am ayurvedic tea by using cilantro and sip it hot.
Cilantro has a very strong aroma and only a little amount of the herb is sufficient for adding great flavor to your dishes. Hence, make sure that you consume it in moderation even when trying to lose additional body weight. Apart from this, cilantro is absolutely safe and healthy for our body. So, give it a try, today!
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