Oksana Laryushkina
In terms of the amount of nutrients, sorrel surpasses almost all greens.
The opinion of nutritionist Kristina Plotnikova.
How best to use sorrel
Sorrel is a leafy vegetable that is desirable to include in a healthy diet. This is the main green that goes well with green cabbage soup, it goes well with eggs, fish, sour cream. It is better to eat young leaves of small size, which contain less acid and have a delicate taste. Old leaves have a high concentration of oxalic acid, while young leaves contain a lot of malic, citric, ascorbic and even coffee.
The main season for quality sorrel is May and early June. In autumn and winter, you can find sorrel grown in greenhouses in stores.
What is the use of sorrel
Sorrel contains:
- a large amount of potassium: 362 mg per 100 g;
- B vitamins that help resist stress;
- vitamin K, which strengthens blood vessels and promotes the absorption of vitamin D;
- folic acid, iron, magnesium and a large amount of fiber;
- vitamin C, which is superior in content to lemons and spinach.
Sorrel has a calorie content of 22 kcal per 100 g and a glycemic index of 15, making it ideal for blood sugar control. In ancient times, sorrel was considered more of a medicinal plant than an ordinary food. Now it is also widely used in traditional medicine. Decoctions are used for rinsing the mouth, treating skin problems, coughs and sore throats, and to relieve the symptoms of menopause. Sorrel reduces blood pressure, is included in the diet for cholecystitis as a choleretic agent, and treats beriberi. Sorrel also prevents the appearance of cholesterol plaques.
Harm and contraindications for use
Due to the high content of oxalic acid, sorrel is not recommended for daily use even by a healthy person. In the body, it binds calcium, turning into oxalates, which are deposited in the kidneys in the form of stones. In addition, oxalic acid exacerbates gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Any problems with the gastrointestinal tract from oxalic acid are exacerbated even during remission. Usually, patients follow the recommendations of the attending physician and do not violate the diet.
Healthy lifestyle channel with life hacks, diets, exercises in telegram! Subscribe