Diabetes mellitus is a condition wherein high levels of glucose are present in the bloodstream. This is caused by insufficient glucose production or resistance to insulin activity. Studies have shown that over 150 million are suffering from diabetes mellitus worldwide.
Although there are existing treatments for diabetes, some of them have been linked to side effects, such as nausea, upset stomach, weight gain, and tiredness. In addition to these, some medications for diabetes mellitus can cause kidney and liver complications. These unwanted side effects call for the exploration of potential treatments in the form of herbal medicines.
Coriander is a plant that originated from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, but can easily be grown in different conditions. Its leaves and seeds are commonly used for cooking because of their aromatic property. Aside from this, coriander also contains various compounds that make it a potential treatment for various diseases, such as diabetes.
In this study, the researchers reviewed relevant articles published in PubMed. They searched for these articles using the keywords "Coriandrum sativum" and diabetes. These results were then filtered using the following inclusion criteria: 1) biological activity: antihyperglycemic or antidiabetic activity of coriander, 2) plant material: coriander extract, 3) study design: experiments done in vitro and/or in vivo, and (4) language: articles written in English. In addition to this, they also excluded ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological surveys, case reports, and expert opinion or consensus statements since these made use of coriander mixed with another product. From an initial literature search result of 16 studies, only five studies were able to pass all of the set criteria.
From their review of the five studies, researchers concluded that coriander can potentially reduce blood sugar level in diabetic animals. Additionally, two articles have shown coriander can possibly increase blood insulin levels. One article also claimed that cholesterol levels improved with coriander treatment.
Overall, these suggest that coriander can potentially be used to treat diabetes mellitus to avoid unwanted side effects of diabetes medications. (Related: New study prompts caution for all those taking diabetes medication: some drug brands may increase the spread of cancer.)
Other health benefits of coriander
Aside from its potential use in treating diabetes, coriander also has other health benefits, such as:
- Regulating blood pressure – Studies have shown that coriander can reduce the blood pressure of patients with hypertension. This is achieved with increased interaction between calcium and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, leading to the relaxation of blood vessels.
- Preventing allergies – Coriander has potent anti-histamine properties that inhibit the effects of allergies and hay fever. In addition to this, coriander can also reduce the swelling of the throat and glands, as well as, inhibit anaphylaxis and hives.
- Aiding in digestion – The rich aroma of coriander can trigger the proper secretion of enzymes and digestive juices in the stomach. Studies have also shown that coriander intake can reduce indigestion.
- Improving eyesight - Antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and beta-carotene are abundant in coriander. These prevent vision and macular degeneration and reduce strain on the eyes.
- Strengthening bones – The integrity of bones is improved with coriander intake, since coriander is known for being rich in calcium and other minerals integral to bone regrowth and durability.
- Treating mouth ulcers – Citronellol in coriander is a potent antiseptic that can speed up the healing of mouth ulcers. Aside from this, citronellol can also prevent bad breath.
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