Dandelion is the humble garden weed that may be a nightmare for gardeners but it has been proven to pack a lot of punch for those of you fighting to keep fat at bay and maintain a healthy waist line. So if you are looking for naturally produced weight loss herbal supplements then its time to think; Dandelion Tea For Weight Loss! In this article I will explore the benefits of dandelion and dandelion products such as the extract from the roots of the plant that support weight loss with few or no side effects. However people on diabetes, anti-lipid and anticoagulant medications should probably avoid or use dandelion with caution.
It’s Official: Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Reduces Absorption Of Fat From The Intestines
According to the Review of Diabetic Studies Journal, Taraxacum Officinale (the scientific name for dandelion) has potent compounds that show anti-obesity activity at the cellular level. Some of the naturally occurring phytochemicals that have been shown to inhibit pancreatic Lipase, repress obesity and support the digestive system include sesquiterpene lactones, taraxasterol (TS), taraxerol, chlorogenic acid (CGA), and CRA. These components are non-toxic and can be used for their anti-inflammatory, choloretic , anti-oxidative and anti-rheumatic properties. They are also shown to have hypoglycaemic effects.
Dandelion Has An Impressively High Nutrient Content
Studies show dandelion is a rich source of β-carotene (The Journal of Pharmaceutical Innovation 2015) , which protects cells from cellular oxidative damage. Chicoric acid (CRA) has been found to be the most abundant component of dandelion, in leaves and stems. With an even higher concentration of polyphenols in flowers and leaves than in the stems. Apparently methylsterol levels are higher in the winter, while sitosterol and cycloartenol ester levels increase during the summer. Other nutrients found in the weed include vitamins (A, C, D, E, and B), inositol, lecithin, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, sodium, calcium, silicon, copper, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese.
Love your gut: dandelion helps you have a happy tummy
Carbohydrates such as inulin, carotenoids (e.g. lutein), myristic fatty acid, minerals, glucose, fructose, and sucrose, choline vitamins, pectin and mucilage, are also found in the roots of this common weed. With a whopping 45% of the roots consisting of inulin, a complex carbohydrate (fructo-oligosaccharides) with many benefits such as the elimination of pathogens from the gastrointestinal tract, and repression of obesity, cancer, and osteoporosis. It is also used as a coffee substitute and flavour enhancer in drinks. So I bet you will never see the humble weed in the same way again.
Some Of The Products And Uses Of Dandelion As A Weight Loss Aid
So how do you use dandelion and supplements made from this weed? The entire plant is apparently safe for use as long as you don’t have an allergy to it. Obviously you must ensure that you obtain your leaves, roots, stems or extracts from a reputable source to ensure you have the best experience without any surprises. Dandelion tea can be made from your own hand picked dandelions or you can find the tea on the supermarket shelves.
Makes A Cooked Or Raw Green Salad
Apparently the leaves and flowers make a nice dish of greens when sauteed with onions and your favourite spices. A caffeine free drink is also produced from the roasted roots of the plant and has the taste of chicory, these are more likely to be obtained from a health food store or online. The dandelion root extract is marketed by a variety of stores and online and comes with the recommended dosage.
So Go Ahead And Get creative With Your Weight Loss Efforts: Dandelion List Of 14 Benefits
- Easy to make tea – wash well, steep in boiled hot water for 3-5 minutes and enjoy
- Or buy dandelion tea bags from the supermarket
- Enjoy the green leaves and yellow flowers in your salad
- Steam the leaves and have as a dish of greens packed with nutrients
- Buy the caffeine free drink and enjoy instead of coffee
- Buy the root extract to give your metabolism a boost
- Use daily to reduce fat absorption to increase weight loss
- Support your efforts to reduce cholesterol naturally
- Has diuretic effects and helps reduce water retention (especially around that time of the month for women)
- Is not the most expensive natural weight loss herbal supplement whether you harvest it from your back garden or buy it from the stores
- Has anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic effects
- Hepatoprotective – supports the liver
- Anti-diabetic; has hypo glycaemic effects
- Relieves constipation and bloating