A tasty spice commonly found in curries and stews might help reduce your chances of developing certain severe health conditions. Research suggests that coriander seeds may assist in reducing cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
This could also lower your likelihood of related problems including heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Research published in Current Cardiology Reviews demonstrated that the seeds might reduce low-density lipoproteins (LDL) – commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol – along with fats known as triglycerides.
The study stated: “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.”
The study states: “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.”
Generally speaking, a normal total cholesterol reading in the blood should be five or less millimoles per litre (mmol/l). More precisely, a normal high-density lipoprotein level should be one or more mmol/l.
Meanwhile, your low-density lipoprotein should measure four or less mmol/l. To determine whether your cholesterol levels are elevated, your GP will need to carry out a blood test.
If you have concerns about your blood pressure, you should monitor it using a home testing kit or request that a pharmacist or doctor takes 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.