Bitter tasting foods are not very popular with many people. However, the bitter substances it contains have a very positive effect on our health and can prevent numerous diseases.
What are bitter substances?
As the name suggests, the key characteristic of all bitter substances is their bitter taste. They are found in many different plants and are often used in herbal remedies. Bitter substances are generally said to improve blood circulation and digestion and to stimulate the appetite. They also have an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect.
Foods that provide you with a considerable amount of bitter substances are e.g.:
chicory
artichokes
grapefruits
iceberg lettuce
Spices, such as ginger, fennel, cinnamon and cardamom
Medicinal herbs such as yarrow, hops and dandelion
Bitters are also available as dietary supplements and can be swallowed as pills and capsules. However, this is not recommended, as the positive effects are largely triggered by chewing the food in the mouth. Even the bitter taste that we perceive through our tongue has a digestive effect and stimulates the production of gastric juices and bile.
Bitter substance cynarin for liver and bile
The bitter substance cynarin is found in large quantities in artichokes and has many positive effects on health:
The bitter substance promotes the formation of bile and thus stimulates digestion. Cynarin is an effective remedy, especially for bloating, flatulence and other digestive problems.
Cynarin has a protective effect on the liver. It may even support the regeneration of liver cells. However, this has not yet been scientifically clarified.
There is evidence that regular use of Cynarin lowers LDL cholesterol and helps raise “good” HDL cholesterol levels. With its antihypertensive effect, the bitter substance therefore plays an important role in the prevention of arteriosclerosis.
You can get cynarin by eating artichoke hearts. If you don’t like them, you can also add the substance in the form of extracts or as artichoke juice.
The bitter substance in grapefruit: naringin
The bitter substance naringin is mainly found in grapefruit and pomelos. If it is broken down in the stomach, it produces the secondary plant substance naringenin. This is associated with a number of positive health effects:
Like all flavonoids, naringenin is also said to have an antioxidant effect. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals in our body, which allows them to protect us from oxidative stress and the diseases that result from it.
Naringenin also has a cholesterol-lowering effect and thus prevents cardiovascular diseases.
Like all bitter substances, naringin also has positive effects on our digestive system. There is even evidence that naringenin can prevent colon cancer.
Note: Taking naringin with some medicines may make them less effective. In such cases, talk to your doctor beforehand about the extent to which eating grapefruit is safe for you.
Lactucin as a natural pain reliever
Lactucin is found in many bitter-tasting leafy greens, such as iceberg lettuce, endive, radicchio, chicory, and frisée. The bitter substance has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, studies prove the positive effects in neurodegenerative diseases. There is evidence that lactucin promotes the growth of nerve processes.
Lactucin also has a strong pain-relieving effect. In an experiment in which the bitter substance was administered to mice, it came relatively close to the effects of conventional painkillers.