Today we will talk about one of the symbols of Italian cuisine, basil. This plant in addition to being a faithful companion in our recipes is also a plant with incredible active ingredients, especially if eaten raw. In fact, it contains many vitamins and mineral salts, despite an essentially negligible calorie intake and a very low glycemic index.
It can therefore be combined with all our dishes even in the case of diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity. The best represented minerals are: first of all potassium, like all aromatic plants even basil is full of potassium and low in sodium instead.
Then we have iron, if we ate 200 grams of fresh basil every day we would have already satisfied our daily iron need. This mineral, the lack of which causes anemia and poor oxygenation of the tissues with resulting chronic fatigue. It is often lacking in our diet, especially in the case of a vegetarian or vegan diet.
Finally, we have all the vitamins of group B are present in fresh basil, but in particular we consider it relevant to point out the considerable presence of riboflavin and folate. Fresh basil contains about 20% of the full amount of folate recommended daily, while riboflavin is a very important vitamin for metabolism.
If you eat raw basil you need to know the effects on the body: be careful
In fact, both this herb and extracts of other aromatic herbs have been tested against some fungi, such as candida albicans. The basil extract in this case has demonstrated fungistatic and fungicidal activity. Then, thanks to the presence of vitamin C, folates and anthocyanins, fresh basil has antioxidant properties. Finally, basil also seems to have galactogenic properties. Therefore it can be valid in case of breastfeeding, in case it was considered safe by your doctor and anxiolytic properties.
In a study by some scientists, in particular, the anxiolytic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of this aromatic herb and its essential oil is proven. The effect was compared to that of the more common drugs, with such positive results. So we can conclude in venerating this incredible plant and how its extracts are sources of fundamental nutritional properties for our body, so do not underestimate this plant.