Plant Lignans - Why Are They So Useful?

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Video: Plant Lignans - Why Are They So Useful?

Video: Plant Lignans - Why Are They So Useful?
Video: Study of Ruta & Lignans 2024, November
Plant Lignans - Why Are They So Useful?
Plant Lignans - Why Are They So Useful?
Anonim

You probably haven't heard of plant lignans. The reason is that their health benefits they became clear relatively soon, and they themselves are still gaining popularity.

What are plant lignans?

They are a type of ingredient in plants that are known as polyphenols. In essence, they are part of the structure of cells. They are rich in phytoestrogens, which are important for the hormonal balance in our body.

Plant lignans have many health benefits. Only some of them - several studies prove that they help maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer.

Polyphenols they also protect against heart disease, which is a major cause of death in developed countries. They also take care of the metabolic balance - they reduce the risk of diabetes and improve the insulin response. They are also known for their anti-inflammatory action due to their rich content of antioxidants.

Vegetable lignans
Vegetable lignans

Vegetable lignans are obtained through plant foods. Most lignans are found in seeds of all kinds. Regular consumption of flaxseed, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds is an easy and tasty way to get them. It is the richest in polyphenols flaxseed. In order to absorb them better, we can consume them ground, because in this way their processing is better. It is important to grind them immediately before consumption, because otherwise its useful properties are lost.

Rich in lignans are all other plant sources that are rich in fiber. This means in practice most fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains.

How do plant lignans work in the body?

They bind to estrogen in the body in two ways. First of all, they block the influence of estrogen, which reduces the risk of hormonal problems, including hormonal cancers (breast, uterine, ovarian, prostate). However, if estrogen levels are low, lignans promote their production and prevent our body from reaching an imbalance. Thanks to this action, they also relieve the symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis.

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