Copyright dailyrecord
A popular spice regularly used in curries and stews could help cut your risk of developing serious health conditions. Studies indicate that coriander seeds may help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. This might also reduce your risk of associated issues such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke . Research published in Current Cardiology Reviews showed that the seeds could decrease low-density lipoproteins (LDL) - often called "bad" cholesterol - as well as fats called triglycerides. The study noted: "The seeds of coriander have a remarkable hypolipidemic action. The levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly in the tissues of the animals of the experimental group which received coriander seeds. "The level of LDL and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased while that of high density-lipoprotein ('good') cholesterol increased in the experimental group compared to the control group." Another study, published in the Journal of Environmental Biology in 2008, involved feeding coriander seeds to laboratory rats. The results showed that animals given the seeds had lower levels of "bad" cholesterol, known as low-density lipoprotein, whilst showing higher levels of "good" cholesterol - high-density lipoprotein. The research said: "The level of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol decreased while that of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increased in the experimental group compared to the control group." Moreover, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2009 discovered that the seeds of the herb could effectively lower blood pressure, also known as hypertension. The study said: "These results indicate that coriander fruit exhibits gut stimulatory, inhibitory and hypotensive effects mediating possibly through cholinergic, Ca(2+) antagonist and the combination of these mechanisms respectively. "Diuretic activity adds value to its use in hypertension." In general terms, a normal total cholesterol reading in the blood should be five or less millimoles per litre (mmol/l). More specifically, a normal high-density lipoprotein level should be one or more mmol/l. Conversely, your low-density lipoprotein should measure four or less mmol/l. To ascertain whether your cholesterol levels are high, your GP will need to conduct a blood test. If you're worried about your blood pressure, you should keep track of it using a home testing kit or ask a pharmacist or doctor to take your reading. Coriander seeds can be used in cooking whole or you can buy them ground as a powder form. The plant of the coriander is also popularly used as a herb.
