Capers

The capers are the buds of the capparis spinosa, a plant with the shape and dimensions of a bush, it grows on the rocks, cliffs and limestone soils. The buds are small and tasty, but sometimes you can find the fruits of the Capparis spinosa, with a flavor very similar to the traditional capers but larger and with an elongated shape. Capers are rich in mineral salts such as potassium, calcium, copper, magnesium and phosphorus, and vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E and K, but they contain also important antioxidants like rutin, which helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, quercetin, with anti-inflammatory properties and kaempferol, helpful, as it seems from scientific studies, in cancer prevention. In particular the quercetin, as reported in the book "The Smartfood diet" written by Eliana Liotta with a group of italian researchers, would act on the DNA, by slowing aging and diseases to it related. However, it is better not to exceed with this food, especially in case of high blood pressure, because capers contain a lot of sodium even if soaked.