You’ve probably sprinkled a little cilantro on top of your tacos, pad thai or pho. But is cilantro good for you?
It can be. Research shows that cilantro benefits may include regulating blood sugar levels, supporting brain health and more.
## What is cilantro?
“cilantro is an herb that’s very popular in a lot of Mexican, Caribbean and Southeast Asian cooking,” says registered dietitian Alexis Supan, RD, LD. “It’s primarily used to add flavor to a dish.”
The fresh leaves and stems – which are known as cilantro in the United States – comes from the Coriandrum sativum plant. In many countries and cultures, the herb is called coriander, not cilantro. In the U.S., that term is usually reserved for the seeds or dried leaves.
A quarter cup (or 4 grams) of cilantro has approximately:
* 0.92 calories
* 0.1 grams of protein
* 0.04 grams of fat
* 0.2 grams of carbohydrates
* 0.2 grams of fiber
* 2% of your daily vitamin K needs
* 2% of your daily vitamin A needs
* Small amounts of vitamin C,potassium,magnesium and folate.“`html
4 Potential Health Benefits of Cilantro
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Cilantro, also known as coriander leaves, is a popular herb used in many cuisines around the world. But beyond its culinary uses, cilantro may offer several health benefits.
1. may Lower Blood Sugar
Some studies suggest that cilantro may help lower blood sugar levels. Research indicates that cilantro may improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
“Cilantro contains compounds that may help the body use glucose more effectively,” explains supan.However, she cautions that more research is needed to confirm these findings.
2. May Protect Your Brain
Cilantro contains antioxidants,like lutein,which may help decrease inflammation in your brain.
“We know decreasing inflammation in the brain helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease,” reports Supan. “But there needs to be more studies to understand if there’s a connection between brain health and eating cilantro.”
3. May prevent foodborne illnesses
Cilantro contains the antimicrobial compound dodecanal, which may help your body fight off foodborne illnesses, like salmonella. But Supan says that this is just a theory and more research is needed.
“There aren’t any studies where someone ate food that contained both salmonella and cilantro and resolute that the cilantro prevented food poisoning,” she adds.
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