Often we do not even suspect what kind of minerals lie behind the ordinary appearance of the products given by nature. Today I want to talk about one of these amazing gifts. This will be discussed later on the properties, composition and calorie capers.
Capers are unblown flower buds of the bush of kapernik. The first mention of this plant is found in the “Tale of Gilgamesh”, which is considered the oldest literary monument. About the properties of capers quite often in his writings and spoke Avicenna. Currently, capers are used not only for the preparation of healing tools of traditional medicine, salted and pickled buds become a pleasant highlight of meat and fish dishes, add them to salads and sauces, use them as an ingredient during the creation of solyanka, borscht and other first courses. Especially capers got accustomed in Italian, Moroccan, Greek and Turkish cuisines.
Capers: composition and caloric content
Capers in their raw form are characterized by a bitter taste, but after processing the bitterness goes away, and you can enjoy useful buds to the fullest extent. Properties of capers due to its amazing composition. In addition to the standard set (proteins, fats and carbohydrates), capers contain dietary fiber, sugars and fatty acids, glycosides, essential oils, saponins, enzymes, pectin, they are saturated with vitamins (A, E, C, K, B), minerals (iron , iodine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, sodium, selenium, phosphorus, zinc). People who care about their body should not be afraid that the inclusion of caper buds in the diet will add extra centimeters at the waist, since capers are rather low-calorie - 100 grams of the product contain about 23 kcal.
Useful properties of capers
Enumeration of useful substances in capers will remain only in words, if you do not report on the effect of each of them on the body. So, rutin, which is listed as a part of buds, helps stabilize blood pressure. To improve the condition of the skin helps quercetin - one of the flavanols that make up the capers, the substance relieves inflammation and neutralizes allergic reactions. It also provides protection against cancer, because it maintains normal DNA structure.
In ancient Greece, caper buds were used in the fight against meteorism, and the ancient Jews believed that capers were the most powerful aphrodisiac. Broths of buds were also used as a means for healing wounds, for relieving toothache, they were also considered effective in diseases of the heart and thyroid gland.
Capers: harm
The benefits of capers are high. However, unfortunately, all the good should be in moderation. This statement is also relevant in relation to these buds. To abandon the use of the product should be with individual intolerance. Rutin, which, as you remember, is listed as a part of buds, is considered a strong allergen, therefore, with a tendency to allergic reactions, as well as during pregnancy and lactation, it is better to stop using capers. In gastritis and stomach ulcers, pickled capers should not be abused. Remember that capers are high in sodium, therefore, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences before consumption, buds should be soaked, preferably in olive oil. Dear visitors of our portal, and what useful or perhaps opposite to the harmful properties of capers do you know? We will be grateful if you share your knowledge in the comments to this text.
