The basil is one of the most widely used herbs, widespread and known to the world. This plant is rich in minerals and anthocyanins: beneficial as a digestive, purifying the liver and improving mood. As tasty and beneficial as it may be, it is often said that raw basil can be wrong.
The Basil
The basil is a plant widely used in cuisine. In addition to flavouring dishes, basil also has fundamental health properties for the body. Basil lowers blood pressure levels, so it is helpful as a natural remedy in case of high blood pressure and arterial hypertension, promotes digestion and prevents the appearance of acidity and heartburn by regulating the edge of the gastric mucosa, has antioxidant properties helpful in counteracting ageing and abnormal cell multiplication responsible for the onset of tumour pathologies. We usually use basil in cooking by putting a couple of leaves in the sauce, on pizza, next to tomatoes or on meat. But if someone thought of eating raw basil, could there be problems?
Basil: How To Use It
Basil is a plant often used in cooking. You need to add a few leaves for each recipe, and once the dish is done, it will become much tastier. According to many nutritionists’ points of view, basil is one of those few plants that possess antioxidants. The beneficial properties that basil possesses can fight the ageing of cells. Moreover, they can counteract some cancer pathologies. Moreover, basil facilitates digestion, keeps pressure stable, and stimulates gastric secretion. People often ask themselves if it is possible to eat raw basil. Let’s see what nutritionists recommend.
Basil: Why Is It Not Recommended To Eat Raw Basil?
So, if you’ve heard a person say, ” Don’t eat raw basil “, then you need to specify why. The point is not to eat raw basil, which is not of interest since it is usually avoided from the plate before the meal. The real problem that can lead to certain conditions would be eating cooked basil. Ingesting cooked basil would increase toxicity levels.
However, when basil is cooked, it releases two hazardous substances, tarragon and estragole, which facilitate the appearance of tumours. This problem could only occur if we ate two kg of basil every day for many years. We are talking about out of the ordinary quantities in which probably no one would think to ingest at all. Therefore the substances present in cooked basil can very well be considered non-dangerous.
Basil: Here Are The Contraindications
Eating basil is not a problem. The important thing is not to overdo it. However, if we exaggerate, we will encounter some ailments such as stomach pain and diarrhoea. Among other things, we must be cautious because many people could be intolerant or allergic to basil leaves.
Basil: How To Take It
Basil is a very precious ally in the kitchen, which has its origins in Asia and Africa. Basil is inserted as an ingredient in vegetables, salads and mixed soups and is consumed without problems. It is suitable to specify that basil can be ingested both raw and cooked, always respecting the recommended daily dose. To take advantage of all the beneficial properties, it is recommended to ingest it fresh, possibly before bringing the dish to the table.
Cooking eliminates the taste and smell of basil. This happens when the plant reaches drying. For this reason, it loses its original flavour, making the latter devoid of flavours. It is recommended to be able to apply proper conservation to the food, in this way it will be possible to keep it fresh for a longer time. Therefore, it is recommended to keep everything in the refrigerator for a few days, after which it is recommended to use the basil leaves immediately. Finally, basil can be frozen for up to 6 months.
