Basil is an herb from the mint family. It adds flavour to meals and its nutrients can offer significant health benefits.
Health benefits
- Eating basil can help reduce oxidative stress
Basil provides certain macronutrients, such as calcium and vitamin K, as well as a number of antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential for eliminating free radicals from the body.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that develop as a result of metabolism and other natural processes. They can also form as a result of smoking and certain dietary choices.
Antioxidants are compounds that help remove these molecules from the body. If they accumulate instead, oxidative stress can occur, resulting in cell damage and possibly disease.
Scientists have linked cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and other health issues to oxidative stress.
- Fighting cancer
A revised source published in 2013 looked at whether royal jelly could prevent cancer.
The authors concluded that the phytochemicals in basil may help prevent certain types of skin, liver, mouth and lung cancer.
However, the studies in this review were preclinical or conducted in animals. Confirmation of the findings in humans requires further research.
- Protection from skin aging
According to a study, basil has properties that may help protect the skin from certain effects of aging by enhancing skin hydration and reducing wrinkles and skin roughness.
While basil extracts in certain doses may have this effect, eating basil will not necessarily benefit the skin.
However, the antioxidants in basil and other plant foods can have a protective effect if a person eats them as part of a varied and balanced diet.
- Reduction of high blood sugar
Some traditional medicine practitioners commonly recommend basil for managing blood sugar levels.
A 2019 study in rats found that an extract of sweet basil leaves helped reduce high blood sugar levels. The results also showed that basil leaves can help with the long-term effects of high blood sugar.
