Ashitaba (Angelica Keiskei Koidymi) is an Asian herb for which the earliest records witness that its use is dating back from 2,000 years ago. The ashitaba benefits are numerous, and it’s known to lower blood sugar levels, increase energy, boost your mood and even protect the body from heart conditions. It’s also chock full of calcium, beta carotene, folic acid, iron and riboflavin.
Ashitaba contains chlorophyll that stimulates the production of red blood cells, performs detoxification of the blood and liver and promotes the growth of physiological intestinal flora.
The ashitaba benefits are well known that can help with weight loss. Its leaves, stems, roots and even juice made from it can be used to amplify weight results and cut down on rates of obesity. In fact, a recent study actually proved it.
How Ashitaba Helps You Lose Weight
Ashitaba helps aids with weight loss in a number of ways. First, it is very fibrous, which helps to clear out your digestive tract, reduce bloating and remove toxins from your body. All of this can result in weight loss (and a healthier body on the whole.)
The ashitaba plant is also full of chalcones, chemical compounds that come with dozens of health advantages and benefits. These chalcones can lower your cholesterol, regulate your blood pressure and even promote a better metabolism, which means you lose more weight in less time.
Chalcones are also known to improve mood and treat anxiety, and since stress and anxiety are two of the biggest culprits in weight gain, this can improve your weight loss results as well.
Ashitaba is also known to increase energy levels. And the more energy you have, the more likely you’ll be to hit the gym and burn those calories. It’s a win-win.
Ashitaba is Rich with Vitamins and Minerals
Ashitaba contains 11 different vitamins and 13 minerals, such as beta carotene, vitamin B2, vitamin C, iron, vitamin B1, B3, B5, B6, biotin, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, sulfur etc.
Germanium is a mineral in trace amounts that promotes the production of interferon, which in turn prevents the penetration of viruses and bacteria in the body cells.
Coumarins are powerful antioxidants that have anticancer characteristics.
Chalcones are flavonoids and powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage by free radicals, which is associated with rapid aging process, degenerative diseases and cancer. They reduce the excessive secretion of gastric juice which can lead to gastric ulcer. At the same time they are strengthening the immune system, regulate the blood pressure and cholesterol levels and show antiviral and antibacterial properties. They give ashitaba diuretic and laxative effect and maintain metabolism in good condition.
Ashitaba through chalcones can stimulate the production of the nerves growth factor (NGF) which helps in maintaining brain health, helps with peripheral neuropathy and Alzheimer’s disease and nerve damage in those who suffer from diabetes. Chalcones can help in the situation of heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis and carry out the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Ashitaba contains vitamin B12, which promotes the production of blood cells, increases attention and concentration, increases production of the growth hormone and enhances the immune system.
Ashitaba Benefits and Medical application
As if aiding in weight loss weren’t enough to convince you, ashitaba also comes with a number of other health benefits that anyone would enjoy.
One of the biggest is its nerve growth factor. This little protein plays a huge roe in how our brain interactswith neurons throughout our body. When NGF is low, it can cause problems like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, dementia and more.
As ashitaba is high NGF, it actually aids neuron growth and helps fight off these unfortunate conditions. It can also improve memory and overall cognitive function.
Ashitaba has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-ulcer, antithrombotic and strong antitumor effects, inhibiting lung and skin cancer.
Here are some examples of the ashitaba benefits and medical applications:
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as acute and chronic gastritis, abdominal cancer, duodenal ulcer, gastric atony, chronic enteritis, chronic hepatitis, hemorrhoids, etc.;
- Boost your mood and prevent anxiety;
- Treat anemia and hypertension;
- Improving cardiovascular health and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, anemia and high blood pressure;
- Chronic fatigue, pain, aging;
- Boost libido and improve sperm production;
- Asthma, colds, diabetes, neurosis, Alzheimer’s disease, insomnia;
- Lower glucose and blood sugar levels;
- It has laxative and diuretic effect;
- Alleviate digestive disorders and heart burn.
It can even treat cancer. According to a study by Meiji University, ashitaba helped slow the growth of skin and lung cancers in mice. Though it has yet to be tested on humans, the results are definitely promising.
Via: WebMD
