7 interesting benefits of wasabi for the health of the body

Shoyu aka soy sauce is the main complement to any time you eat sushi and sashimi. However, some other people like to add flavor to their sushi bites with the addition of pickled ginger and wasabi. Yes, wasabi is a paste-shaped complement with a distinctive green color. Besides being delicious, this Japanese plant also offers a myriad of good benefits for the body. Anything, huh?

What is wasabi?

Source: Steamy Kitchen

For those of you who have or often eat sushi, you must be familiar with the green complement. This complement is called wasabi which is usually served alongside your Japanese dishes, such as sushi and sashimi.

Wasabi itself is actually included in an herbal plant, which is still in the same family as cabbage or cabbage (Cruciferae / Brassicaceae). As the name implies, a food complement that has a Latin name Eutrema japonica or Wasabia japonica it does come from the stem of the wasabi plant.

The plant stems are shredded and processed further, so that they can produce a food complement with a paste-like texture. Even so, the roots and leaf stalks also contain a strong enough taste so they are often processed into food ingredients.

No wonder, Eutrema japonica has a distinctive aroma that is quite pungent accompanied by a slightly spicy taste. In contrast to the spicy chili sauce which seems to burn the tongue, the taste of Wasabia japonica that's not the case. The food complements that can be easily found in this Japanese restaurant, give a spicy taste that pierces from nose to head.

In detail, this herbal plant usually grows in spring and requires a harvest time of approximately 18-24 months. Wasabi itself usually has a height of up to 60 centimeters (cm), with a root length of about 10-20 cm and a diameter of 3-5 cm.

Similar to the color after processing, wasabi that is still raw aka unprocessed also has a green color in all parts.

What are the nutrients in wasabi?

Source: Betty-Crocker

Luckily for you who like this one Japanese food complement. The reason is, it is not only delicious because it adds to the taste of food. However, wasabi also has a lot of nutritional value. In one deep, Wasabia japonica can contribute carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and a little fat.

Not only that. You can get a number of vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Wasabi also contains various minerals that can help supplement the body's daily needs. Starting from calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc.

This plant, also known as Japanese turnip, is rich in beta-carotene, glucosinolate and isothiocyanate in it. This isothiocyanate content contributes to the spicy taste of wasabi. That's why when you eat wasabi, your nose will run dry without realizing it.

What are the health benefits of wasabi?

Although it is often labeled bad because of its pungent taste and smell, it turns out that wasabi has various good benefits for the body. Here are various benefits of wasabi that are important to know:

1. Lowering the risk of cancer

Eating wasabi can actually lower your risk of developing cancer. Not without reason, this is thanks to the powerful phytonutrient content in it called isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanate, which gives it a spicy taste, is a phytonutrient compound with strong anticancer effects.

A study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention proves this. The results of these studies found that isothiocyanate compounds can help prevent the growth of lung cancer cells and esophageal cancer.

Even when the size of the cancer cells is still very small. These compounds are able to kill cancer cells without damaging the healthy parts around these harmful cells. Do not stop there. Isothiocyanate compounds are also believed to reduce the risk of developing other cancers, including digestive cancer.

2. Maintain heart health

Apart from exercise and avoiding fatty foods, eat processed foods Wasabia japonica it can also help you maintain a healthy heart. This is because wasabi contains antihypercholesterolemic which can reduce high cholesterol levels in the body.

As a result, complementary foods will indirectly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders, strokes and heart attacks.

3. Treating pain due to inflammation

Scientists from the University of California in the United States found that wasabi can relieve pain caused by inflammation or swelling of the joints. This is believed because this Japanese plant contains isothiocyanate compounds which are directly related to transient potencial receptors (TRP).

TRP is the part of the brain that is responsible for recognizing various sensations, so they can transmit pain signals. Here, the isothiocyanate compound works by stopping the flow of these pain signals. That is why, the pain will gradually fade away.

4. Antibacterial effect

Another interesting benefit of wasabi is that it can fight bacterial infections in the body. A study published by Frontiers in Microbiology confirms this. According to him, wasabi can help fight bacterial attack Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Staphylococcus Aureus .

Bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a type of bacteria that commonly lives in the intestines of humans and animals. Most cases of mild diarrhea are usually caused by bacterial counts E. coli which increased. However, several other types such as E. coli O157: H7 could cause more severe condition.

Take, for example, a serious intestinal infection, which can lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and high fever. While bacteria Staphylococcus aureus that gets into the food, can develop to cause infection. Symptoms of this infection can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting.

Interestingly, it turns out that wasabi has antibacterial properties that can help neutralize toxins and the development of harmful bacteria in the body. In addition, this food complement with a distinctive green color is also able to kill bacteria that are present in food.

This is evidenced by a study conducted at Chiba University, Japan. The experiment found that involving wasabi in the process of planting potatoes made the potatoes thrive. In other words, the potato plant will grow healthier than not using wasabi.

Another research published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology. Adding wasabi culture to tomato plants can reduce the chance of bacterial infection. As a result, tomato plants will grow fresher and more fertile.

5. Relieve breathing problems

For those of you with breathing problems, for example asthma, the scent of wasabi can relieve symptoms. This is thanks to the gas component contained in wasabi. The components that trigger the pungent aroma can give a strong reaction to the respiratory tract and sunis.

Some people may feel a bit dizzy and spicy when they smell the wasabi scent. But make no mistake, this scent is actually good for your respiratory system.

6. Smooth digestion system

As mentioned earlier, the benefits of wasabi are important in preventing bacterial attack. In this case, wasabi is actually also useful for reducing the growth of bacteria in the intestines. That is why, the complement in sushi is believed to prevent the risk of gastric inflammation and gastric cancer.

Even more than that. This good effect can also be used to prevent food poisoning from eating raw fish, which usually comes in the form of sushi and sashimi. Eating wasabi regularly is a good choice for improving the work of the digestive tract, especially the intestines.

This is because the ingredients in wasabi can help eliminate toxins in the body thanks to its antibacterial properties. In addition, because of its high fiber content, this plant can also aid digestion. You also avoid the possibility of experiencing constipation (constipation), which is difficulty defecating.

7. Prevent obesity

A study in Nutrition Research and Practice, found that wasabi was able to prevent the possibility of obesity. Yes, these results were obtained through experiments conducted on experimental animals that were often fed high-fat foods.

As you may already know, consuming too many sources of fat can lead to drastic weight gain and obesity. Uniquely, mixing hot water with wasabi to produce an extract can have an antiobesity effect.

After being routinely fed high-fat foods, the experimental animals were given neutralizers in the form of extracts from hot water and wasabi. The final results showed that there was a reduced risk of obesity in the experimental animals given the extract, compared to those not.

Although the experiments are still limited to experimental animals, the benefits of this wasabi do not rule out the same effect on the human body.

Does wasabi have any side effects?

Source: CBC

Like all other foods, wasabi also has side effects when consumed in excess. For those of you who can't eat sushi and sashimi without wasabi as a complement, you should still be careful.

Because it does not rule out, eating too much Wasabia japonica can have dangerous side effects. Here are various side effects that may arise when you eat too many of these food supplements:

1. Interferes with liver function

Behind the benefits that are good for improving the work of the digestive system, but eating too much of this complement actually gives the opposite. Eat Wasabia japonica in large quantities it will actually inhibit the absorption process in the body.

Without realizing it, this will later damage the normal function of the liver. Whereas it should be, the liver plays a role in various activities in the body. Starting from removing all toxins in the body, breaking down saturated fats, and storing glucose (blood sugar) in the form of glycogen.

On the other hand, the liver also has a function to produce blood proteins, produce bile, to store excess nutrients and return them to the bloodstream.

2. Increases the risk of bleeding

Wasabi can increase the likelihood of bleeding, in people who do have a bleeding disorder. Not only that, this Japanese food complement also makes you easy to get bruises if you have a bleeding disorder.

3. Slowing blood clotting

The risk of bleeding is caused by eating too much of this complement, namely because it works to slow blood clotting in the body. Especially for people with blood disorders.

Therefore, complementary foods with a distinctive green color are also not recommended to eat a lot before surgery. The reason is, there can be a risk of causing a lot of bleeding during the operation.

So, even though it has a variety of good benefits, it is important to pay attention to the amount of consumption Wasabia japonica . Especially for those of you who are pregnant and breastfeeding, you should consult further regarding its safety with your gynecologist.

Can wasabi cause an allergic reaction?

If you have tried wasabi before but don't feel any particular reactions, this is a sign that you do not have an allergy to this food item. On the contrary, you are said to have allergies Wasabia japonica if you develop allergy symptoms after eating it.

This usually happens because you are allergic to the ingredients in it Wasabia japonica the. Take for example, the content of spices such as capsaicin and allyl isothiocyanate in these food ingredients can cause various symptoms.

In contrast to the pungent effect of these compounds, the allergic effect can cause quite different symptoms. Just the usual spiciness will only cause watery eyes, burning mouth, and irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose. In this case, the effect is physiological and comes straightforward.

Meanwhile, when you are allergic to compounds inside Wasabia japonica , then it may take some time for the symptoms to appear. You may experience diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain, nasal congestion, and swelling of the lips.

Even more than that, you may complain of itching all over your body. The itching sensation can get worse, causing a red rash on several parts of the skin. Researchers believe that these allergic effects arise because of a special relationship with the body's systems.

To be precise, the relationship between the neurological (nervous) system and the spicy compound content in Wasabia japonica . The spicy and pungent aroma of wasabi sends a special signal to the brain. As a result, the brain responds to this by telling the body that you have eaten this food.

Either in large or small amounts. Even though it is possible, in fact your body cannot accept the complementary intake of sushi completely. This condition then causes itching and other allergy symptoms in the body.

It would be nice not to underestimate the complaints you feel after eating certain foods. If you feel something is wrong with your body after consuming wasabi, contact your doctor immediately to find out the cause and treatment.

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