Cilantro Herb
(and several other varieties)
Health and Nutritional Benefits
Both raw cilantro leaves and coriander seeds are good for weight loss and optimum health, but their nutritional profiles are different.
Nutrition Facts
One cup of raw cilantro leaves or stems weighing about 16 grams provide:
| Calories | 3.68 |
| Carbs | 0.587 g |
| Protein | 0.341 g |
| Fat | 0.083 mg |
It is also rich in vitamins A, C, K, and E and has a moderate content of dietary minerals, particularly manganese, iron, and potassium.
Coriander seeds generally have lower content of vitamins but they provide significant amounts of dietary fiber, iron, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and selenium.
Health Benefits
Aside from enhancing the taste and adding flavor to a wide array of recipes and dishes, cilantro also boasts a number of health benefits.
- Researches suggest that cilantro helps alleviate pain and inflammation. In one study, it was found out that the group who took 15 mL of coriander fruit syrup, together with a traditional migraine medicine, for a month experienced less severe and less frequent migraine attacks.
- Cilantro seeds, oil, and extract can help lower blood sugar by promoting enzyme activity and removing sugar from the blood.
- Cilantro contains several antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals from the body and prevent cellular damage. Antioxidants also fight inflammation, boost immunity, and kill cancer-causing cells.
- Cilantro was also known to reduce sun damage to the skin and provide protection against UVB radiation damage.
- The essential oil extracted from the leaves of cilantro plant contains anti-fungal properties, providing potent treatment for fungal infections.
Grow cilantro and enjoy the many culinary and nutritional benefits the plant is able to offer – from its stem, leaves, seeds, and roots.