Cilantro is considered to be one of the most popular herbs around the globe. It resembles a flat leaf parsley at initial glance, but the moment you sniff it, the mind is transported to the Mediterranean, Asia, and India. Cilantro is known to provide a boost to the flavor of a meal without any kind of addition of salt or other seasonings. It is known to be a versatile herb and the reason is because it is used in everything from curries and noodles to salads. It is a flavorful and bright herb that has an unlimited culinary application. But not many people are aware of the innumerable healing properties and benefits provided by cilantro.

One of the main reasons why cilantro is considered to be unique is basically due to its versatility of application. It is a green, leafy herb that brings a fresh, citrusy flavor to any food which is seasoned with it. Once cilantro flowers, it is produces seeds, and the flavors present in the leaves also intensify, plus it also yields the famous coriander seeds, which have their own health benefits as well. Coriander is considered to have a warm and nutty flavor to it, thereby making it a perfect complement for sausages, pickles, and breads. It is also considered one of the main spices in Garam Masala, used widely in the Asian region, especially India.

Cilantro is very low in saturated fat and cholesterol. There is no presence of caloric value in this herb. It is also considered to be a good source of dietary fiber and contains various vitamins such as A, E, C, and K. It also has calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. The presence of vitamin K and calcium in cilantro is known to be useful in building the strength of the bones, hair, and teeth. Cilantro is also considered an anti-diabetic plant in certain parts of Europe, and studies have shown that cilantro helps lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and builds up the health of the heart, thereby improving the cardiovascular function, along with many other health benefits.

Nutrition Facts

Cilantro contains 35.5mg of calcium, 16mg of magnesium, 63.3mg of potassium, and 20.6mg of phosphorus. The benefits of cilantro are known to stem from its abundance of various vitamins. The nutritive value of coriander is known to come from the presence of minerals, and it is  also considered to be a good source of vitamin C, apart from phosphorus, zinc, calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium. Coriander has been around for thousands of years, used to help in the treatment of digestive problems, bacterial or fungal infections, gas, and also to prevent instances of food poisoning. Certain studies have shown that it helps lower blood sugar levels and also kills parasites present in the digestive tract.

Benefits

• Cleanses the body of heavy materials and protects against oxidative stress: There are certain metals, such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, and aluminum, which are known to reside in the tissues, which lead to various heart diseases, neurological issues, imbalances in the hormones, and infertility. Cilantro is scientifically called coriandrum sativum since it has shown to bind itself to these various toxic metals or chemicals, helps in loosening them from the tissues, and facilitates in the elimination of these toxic metals from the body. In one study, it was shown that cilantro helped protect the body against lead-induced oxidative stress, while in another study, it was found that cilantro was useful in accelerating the removal of various heavy metals from the body. In various research studies, it has been confirmed that cilantro is beneficial in flushing out the stubborn heavy metal deposits which tend to stay around within patients, even when the initial symptoms in them have faded. Cilantro is also known to contain some amazing antioxidant properties thanks to the flavonoid quercetin. This is known to help protect the body against any kind of damage caused by free radicals. Oxidative stress is linked with a number of degenerative disease, including heart-related diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, arthritis, and many such other medical conditions. In one study conducted recently, it was seen that cilantro actually protects the body against oxidative stress through its highly effective antioxidant properties.
• Adds flavor to food: Coriander, as we all know, can be added throughout the process of cooking, but cilantro is known to lose its signature strength and health benefits during the heating process. Hence, it is always best to chop the cilantro leaves just prior to serving a hot dish. By doing so, it not only increases the flavor of the food, but at the same time, the nutritive value of cilantro would also be retained. If you are preparing any raw items wherein no heating is required, such as smoothies, salsa, or salads, it can be added at any point of time.
• Improves quality of sleep: Cilantro is known to benefit the sleep cycle in a natural way and also calms down the nerves so as to allow the individual to sleep peacefully. The quality of sleep improves due to the sedative effects of cilantro. In one study, it was found that high levels of cilantro extract produce the same levels of anti-anxiety effects as one of the popular prescription medicines called diazepam. But, as we all known, medications do have their own side effects, and the same goes for diazepam as well. Cilantro, on the other hand, does not have any such side effects.
• Helps lower blood sugar levels: The leaves and stems of cilantro are known to help lower blood sugar levels. But this study was carried out in animals. One of the most significant studies published showed that when diabetes has been diagnosed, cilantro can be beneficial in supporting the functioning of the liver and also helps in balancing the blood sugar levels in the body. Chop a few cilantro leaves coarsely and the cilantro stems finely. Add these chopped leaves and stems to salads, smoothies, or salsas for the most effective results in lowering the sugar levels and also for the improvement of the overall health of the individual.
• Helps protect against heart disease: As per the American Heart Association, it has been observed that a diet rich in potassium is considered to be an important part of controlling blood pressure levels, because it is said to reduce the effect of sodium in the body. A rise in blood pressure levels can increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and thickening of the heart muscles, which can prove to be fatal. Apart from lowering the blood pressure levels, cilantro benefits are known to actually help in dissolving the cholesterol build-up present in the arteries, thereby protecting the body against heart-related diseases and atherosclerosis.
• Prevents urinary tract infections: As we all known, UTIs, or urinary tract infections, are caused by E. coli, staphylococcus bacteria, genetics, or diabetes. Due to the antibacterial properties of cilantro, it is said to help keep the urinary tract healthy and also free it from any kind of infection or unhealthy bacteria. If a UTI does occur, cilantro coriander seeds are also known to be helpful in providing relief from the UTI symptoms.