
Wasabi is not only a spicy and numbing taste that many Japanese and foreigners like Thai people like, but it also has health benefits that you may not have known about.
What is wasabi?
Wasabi is a Japanese herb, a cruciferous vegetable that grows naturally in streams, valleys, and mountain rivers in Japan. It also grows in parts of China, Korea, New Zealand, and North America, especially in shady, moist areas.
Nutritional value of wasabi
Wasabi is famous for being used as an ingredient in many types of Japanese food, such as sushi and noodles. Most often we see grated wasabi or wasabi powder. In fact, the spicy taste we get from wasabi comes from the root, which is rich in dietary fiber and contains many vitamins and minerals, สมัคร ufabet such as:
- calcium
- phosphorus
- potassium
- zinc
- iron
- magnesium
- sodium
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Folate
Benefits of Wasabi
Reduce the risk of cancer
Wasabi contains some beneficial compounds, such as isothiocyanates (ITCs), which are cancer-preventive compounds commonly found in cruciferous plants.
One study found that ITCs extracted from the wasabi root inhibited the formation of acrylamide by 90 percent, a chemical reaction between proteins and sugars caused by heat. Acrylamide is a chemical that can be formed in some foods, especially French fries, French fries. And coffee, during high-temperature cooking processes such as frying and grilling.
Studies have shown that dietary acrylamide consumption is associated with certain cancers, including kidney, endometrial. And ovarian cancers. ITCs and compounds found in wasabi have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in humans, including colon, oral, pancreatic, and breast cancers.
In addition, some observational studies have found that higher consumption of cruciferous vegetables, such as wasabi, may reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including lung, breast, prostate, and bladder cancers.
Reduce inflammation
Wasabi is a plant with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the immune system’s response to infection, injury, and toxins. When inflammation occurs and becomes chronic, it can lead to other diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Studies involving animal cells indicate that ITCs in wasabi can inhibit pro-inflammatory cells and enzymes, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cytokines. However, studies on wasabi’s ability to reduce inflammation are limited and it is unclear whether it has anti-inflammatory properties in humans. Further studies are needed.
Prevent food poisoning
Wasabi can resist the growth of E. coli O157:H7, a type of bacteria that causes severe gastrointestinal diseases, and Staphylococcus aureus, which when contaminated with food creates a toxin called enterotoxin and affects the digestive system. These two types of bacteria are the most common causes of food poisoning.
However, for this property of wasabi, further research is needed to confirm it.
Prevent tooth decay
Dr. Narumon Taweesart, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, stated that wasabi contains isothiocyanates that may have antibacterial properties in the mouth that cause tooth decay, such as Streptococcus mutans bacteria.
However, even though the Thai Ministry of Public Health revealed that wasabi has medicinal properties that may be applied as an ingredient in toothpaste to prevent tooth decay in the future, there are currently only a few studies that study the benefits of wasabi in preventing tooth decay. Therefore, it cannot be concluded that wasabi really has such properties. Further studies should be conducted to apply the results to oral health care.
Lose weight
Many people believe that spicy food can help you lose weight because it increases your body’s energy expenditure. In an experiment on rats, it was found that extracts from wasabi leaves that rats eat together with high-fat food may help prevent obesity from high-fat food.
However, the above research is only an experiment on animals, not directly tested on humans. Therefore, it cannot be confirmed whether wasabi can really help reduce obesity in humans or not and how safe it is. Therefore, further studies and trials of wasabi on humans should be conducted to confirm this hypothesis clearly and apply it for future benefits.