4 Reasons Why You Should Start Cooking With Sweet Basil
Basil is a herb that most people should be keeping in their homes. Basil is a leafy green herb that is part of the mint family. It originated in Asia and has many different varieties, but sweet basil is the most common variant. This herb is filled with healing properties and has many amazing health benefits according to GoodNet.
Packed with antioxidants
Basil is filled with minerals, vitamins, essential oils, and the antioxidants lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. These incredible antioxidants can help to reduce levels of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can cause damage to cells and increases the risk of developing chronic health conditions including cancers, heart disease, and diabetes.
Heart healthy
Cardiovascular disease has been treated with basil in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Basil has been used for so long in medicine because it works! The herb has compounds that can help improve cholesterol levels and reduce blood pressure. Those two complications are the leading cause of heart disease.
Improves blood sugar
A 2017 study found that basil, when used as an extract, can actually cause a significant decrease in blood sugar levels. This can be helpful for those with type 2 diabetes or other blood sugar imbalances.
Has antibacterial properties
Sweet basil can also protect against infections, which is another incredible benefit. The oils that basil contains can help to fight off many different types of infections, including respiratory, urinary, and skin infections. The herb also has anti-viral properties which can help against nasty viruses like the flu and colds.
