5 Health Benefits of Latin America's Favorite Cilantro

Cilantro is a Latin staple that is often used to spice up salsas and provide that deep flavour to homemade chimichurri sauce. However, this Latin staple is more than just a garnish -- in fact, it's a superfood.

Global Healing Center reports on the many benefits of cilantro. From cleansing agent to protection from various diseases, here's a list of health wonders that cilantro can do to you:

Toxic Metal Cleansing

This herb is a powerful, natural cleansing agent or "chelation agent," according to Global Healing Center. Cilantro has chemical properties that attract toxic metals, loosening them from the tissues. People intoxicated with mercury exposure reports feeling better after consuming cilantro for an extended period of time.

Metals usually enter our body through consumption of non-organic food, conventional water supplies, eating fish, using deodorants, smoking, cooking in aluminium vessels or foil, taking over the counter drugs such as antacids, using vaccines or metal fillings in teeth. These can cause cancer and serious heart problems.

Cardiovascular Health

Aside from being cholesterol fee, cilantro is also rich in antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins and dietary fiber, reports Stylecraze. All of these nutrients are essential in reducing LDL or the bad cholesterol and increasing HDL or the good cholesterol. That's why it's good for the heart. It helps dissolve cholesterol build up in the arteries too. This is most beneficial to people suffering from atherosclerosis and heart disease.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Cilantro was also found to reduce hypertension by lowering blood pressure, according to Stylecraze. It is also a good source of potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese and iron. The perfect combination of high potassium and low sodium lowers the blood pressure. Meanwhile, iron is essential in red blood cell production and manganese is a cofactor in the antioxidant, superoxide dismutase.

Treats Anxiety

Cilantro may also act as a mild laxative as it relaxes the muscle. It is found to calm the nerves and, in effect, relieving anxiety. A great way to replenish your body with B vitamins is to drink cilantro juice mixed with cucumber and celery. Drink it at the end of the day to help de-stress your body, according to Stylecraze.

Digestive Aid

Cilantro leaves are found to relieve indigestion as well as the feeling of nausea, reports Stylecraze. Cilantro enables digestive tract to produce digestive enzymes as well as more digestive juices. As a result, it settles the queasy stomach and prevents flatulence. Its antioxidant properties were also found to promote healthy liver function.

Here's a bonus clip on how to use cilantro on your dish: