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WE LOVE to drink sorrel, but we are often unaware of its health benefits.
Consumed as a part of its Christmas tradition, sorrel also contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, calcium, niacin and riboflavin. It also contains a group of compounds called flavonoids, which not only give its deep red colour but are now being recognised as a powerful antioxidant which rids the body of free radicals that can cause deadly diseases if they are not removed from the body.
Sorrel and cancer cells
It is also believed that the flavonoids present in sorrel may be a useful deterrent against certain types of cancer and help to enhance the body's immune system in general. Recent studies conducted by the Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica, revealed that sorrel could kill certain types of cancer cells.
Sorrel tea is consumed in many countries such as the Sudan, Senegal and Egypt on a daily basis and researchers in Mexico have reported a significant reduction in the triglyceride levels of persons who consume sorrel. Elevated levels of triglycerides are associated with heart disease.
Recent advances in medicine and a greater understanding of human nutrition have led researchers to recognise the existence of a number of substances normally occurring in plants, known as nutraceuticals, which can enhance human health. There is now an acceptance of the link between diet and health and this has evolved into the concept of nutraceuticals and functional foods.
Dr. Stephen Defelice defines nutraceuticals as "any substance that may be considered a food or part of a food which in addition to its normal nutritive value provides health benefits including prevention of disease."
Nutraceuticals have been associated with the prevention and or treatment of at least four life-threatening diseases cancer, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. Examples of nutraceuticals are food supplements that contain substances called phytochemicals. These include vitamins, antioxidants, dietary fibre and free fatty acids.
Sorrel water
Scientists from the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) proved that 'sorrel water' significantly decreases cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and contributes to protection against heart diseases. As a preventative measure in heart diseases it is a good habit to consume sorrel water daily to decrease the risk of heart disease. It helps to prevent the clogging of arteries resulting from excessive levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Sorrel has also been recognised for its diuretic properties and as an aid to weight loss.
Abigail Aguilar Contreras, a Mexican professor of sciences, recommends the daily drinking of a litre of sorrel water, prepared from 10 grams of sorrel, engaging in physical exercise under doctor's supervision and taking other measures such as avoiding cigarettes, stress, excess calories and saturated fat.
The Hope Gardens Jamaica sorrel chutney and sorrel squashes and several other new exotic sorrel products are delicious, nutritious and convenient ways of enjoying the many benefits of sorrel. These products, rich in vitamin C, are currently available at leading supermarkets and gift shops. This suite of sorrel products produced by the Scientific Research Council (SRC) and marketed by Marketech Ltd. (its subsidiary), under the Hope Gardens Jamaica label, are available for divestment.
The SRC is assisting with the sustainable development of a local sorrel industry, cognisant of the associated health benefits and the potential to create employment and earn foreign exchange.
Article contributed by Rosylyn Fisher, Scientific Research Council.
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DRINK IN THE RED SORREL DOES A BODY GOOD
published: Thursday | November 25, 2004
The Scientific Research Council (SRC), located in Hope Gardens, St. Andrew, notes that sorrel contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, calcium, niacin, riboflavin and a group of compounds called flavanoids.
Flavanoids give sorrel its deep red colour and is also recognised as a powerful antioxidant that helps to rid the body of free radicals that can cause deadly diseases. In essence the flavanoids present in sorrel may be a useful deterrent against certain types of cancer and, in general, can help to enhance the body's immune system.
Studies carried out by Dr. Juliet Bailey-Penrod at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, suggest that sorrel could prove detrimental to certain types of cancer cells.
In addition, scientists from the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) have proved that 'sorrel water' significantly decreases cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and contributes to protection against heart diseases. Sorrel also helps to prevent the clogging of arteries resulting from excessive levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
MORE THAN A DRINK
There's more ways to having this Christmas favourite than drinking. The SRC, which has been big on sorrel, has developed sorrel chutney and squash and the Ebony Park Heart Academy in Clarendon will soon have its sorrel jelly and jam on the market.
Juley Wynter-Robertson, Ebony Park's senior instructor and plant supervisor of Agro processing, says that the passage of Hurricane Ivan in September left them short of crops such as pepper and vegetables but an abundance of sorrel. She says that situation promoted a brainstorming session on how to use their bounty of the red stuff and from that they came up with the idea for a sorrel jelly and jam with no preservative or additives.
As an excellent source of vitamin A and C Wynter-Robertson recommends these products as a great filling for deserts, fruit salad, meat sauce, and cold cuts, especially salami.
Consumed as a part of its Christmas tradition, sorrel also contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, calcium, niacin and riboflavin. It also contains a group of compounds called flavonoids, which not only give its deep red colour but are now being recognised as a powerful antioxidant which rids the body of free radicals that can cause deadly diseases if they are not removed from the body.
Sorrel and cancer cells
It is also believed that the flavonoids present in sorrel may be a useful deterrent against certain types of cancer and help to enhance the body's immune system in general. Recent studies conducted by the Northern Caribbean University, Jamaica, revealed that sorrel could kill certain types of cancer cells.
Sorrel tea is consumed in many countries such as the Sudan, Senegal and Egypt on a daily basis and researchers in Mexico have reported a significant reduction in the triglyceride levels of persons who consume sorrel. Elevated levels of triglycerides are associated with heart disease.
Recent advances in medicine and a greater understanding of human nutrition have led researchers to recognise the existence of a number of substances normally occurring in plants, known as nutraceuticals, which can enhance human health. There is now an acceptance of the link between diet and health and this has evolved into the concept of nutraceuticals and functional foods.
Dr. Stephen Defelice defines nutraceuticals as "any substance that may be considered a food or part of a food which in addition to its normal nutritive value provides health benefits including prevention of disease."
Nutraceuticals have been associated with the prevention and or treatment of at least four life-threatening diseases cancer, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. Examples of nutraceuticals are food supplements that contain substances called phytochemicals. These include vitamins, antioxidants, dietary fibre and free fatty acids.
Sorrel water
Scientists from the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) proved that 'sorrel water' significantly decreases cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and contributes to protection against heart diseases. As a preventative measure in heart diseases it is a good habit to consume sorrel water daily to decrease the risk of heart disease. It helps to prevent the clogging of arteries resulting from excessive levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Sorrel has also been recognised for its diuretic properties and as an aid to weight loss.
Abigail Aguilar Contreras, a Mexican professor of sciences, recommends the daily drinking of a litre of sorrel water, prepared from 10 grams of sorrel, engaging in physical exercise under doctor's supervision and taking other measures such as avoiding cigarettes, stress, excess calories and saturated fat.
The Hope Gardens Jamaica sorrel chutney and sorrel squashes and several other new exotic sorrel products are delicious, nutritious and convenient ways of enjoying the many benefits of sorrel. These products, rich in vitamin C, are currently available at leading supermarkets and gift shops. This suite of sorrel products produced by the Scientific Research Council (SRC) and marketed by Marketech Ltd. (its subsidiary), under the Hope Gardens Jamaica label, are available for divestment.
The SRC is assisting with the sustainable development of a local sorrel industry, cognisant of the associated health benefits and the potential to create employment and earn foreign exchange.
Article contributed by Rosylyn Fisher, Scientific Research Council.
*******
DRINK IN THE RED SORREL DOES A BODY GOOD
published: Thursday | November 25, 2004
The Scientific Research Council (SRC), located in Hope Gardens, St. Andrew, notes that sorrel contains a wide range of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, calcium, niacin, riboflavin and a group of compounds called flavanoids.
Flavanoids give sorrel its deep red colour and is also recognised as a powerful antioxidant that helps to rid the body of free radicals that can cause deadly diseases. In essence the flavanoids present in sorrel may be a useful deterrent against certain types of cancer and, in general, can help to enhance the body's immune system.
Studies carried out by Dr. Juliet Bailey-Penrod at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, suggest that sorrel could prove detrimental to certain types of cancer cells.
In addition, scientists from the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) have proved that 'sorrel water' significantly decreases cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and contributes to protection against heart diseases. Sorrel also helps to prevent the clogging of arteries resulting from excessive levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
MORE THAN A DRINK
There's more ways to having this Christmas favourite than drinking. The SRC, which has been big on sorrel, has developed sorrel chutney and squash and the Ebony Park Heart Academy in Clarendon will soon have its sorrel jelly and jam on the market.
Juley Wynter-Robertson, Ebony Park's senior instructor and plant supervisor of Agro processing, says that the passage of Hurricane Ivan in September left them short of crops such as pepper and vegetables but an abundance of sorrel. She says that situation promoted a brainstorming session on how to use their bounty of the red stuff and from that they came up with the idea for a sorrel jelly and jam with no preservative or additives.
As an excellent source of vitamin A and C Wynter-Robertson recommends these products as a great filling for deserts, fruit salad, meat sauce, and cold cuts, especially salami.
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