It is said that, thanks to its medicinal and toning properties, even Genghis Kahn used it. We are talking about sea buckthorn, whose berries have been known and appreciated for centuries for their hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties. Therefore, today's article is dedicated to the incredible health benefits that sea buckthorn berries can bring.
Sea buckthorn, beneficial properties for the heart, brain and immune system
Sea buckthorn is a valuable source of vitamin C, containing between 500 to 900 mg per 100 grams of fruit (Zielinska et al, Lipids Health Dis, 2017). Suffice to say that orange contains from 20 to 70 mg per 100 grams of fruit. Sea buckthorn also provides carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamin E, which are characterized by important antioxidant properties, and phytosterols, useful for heart health thanks to their cholesterol-lowering action. Sea buckthorn also contains vitamins of groups B, P and K, as well as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, iron and magnesium (Zielinska et al, Lipids Health Dis, 2017). But the real characteristic of sea buckthorn is its richness in unsaturated fatty acids that come in an almost unique composition. In fact, sea buckthorn provides a high amount of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, such as alpha linolenic acid, capable of stimulating neuronal transmission, preserving the right level of cholesterol in the blood and counteracting conditions such as dry eye, and linoleic acid, which strengthens the skin barrier and regulates the production of sebum, counteracting acne and greasy skin. And that's not all, in fact sea buckthorn also provides the rare omega 7 fatty acids, such as palmitoleic acid, and omega 9, such as oleic acid. Palmitoleic acid protects the heart, since it helps reduce cholesterol levels (Marsinach et al, Lipids Health Dis, 2019). Not only that, palmitoleic acid helps to counteract hepatic steatosis, or fatty liver, improves insulin sensitivity and strengthens the immune system (Marsinach et al, Lipids Health Dis, 2019). Oleic acid shows a powerful cardioprotective function since it counteracts arteriosclerosis. Of the sea buckthorn you can find mainly two products, the juice, obtained by pressing the berries and with a high antioxidant power, and the oil, obtained from the seeds and berries of the plant and characterized by an almost unique composition of unsaturated fatty acids and by the presence of phytosterols (Gatlan et al, Int J Environ Res Public Health., 2021).
Sea buckthorn juice
To take advantage of the antioxidant and anticancer power of sea buckthorn, it is possible to take its juice. Sea buckthorn juice, which is cloudy due to the high presence of proteins, also acts by protecting the intestinal microbiota and this is reflected in a state of well-being of the whole organism, including the immune system (Gatlan et al, Int J Environ Res Public Health., 2021 - Jaśniewska et al, Antioxidants, 2021). You can drink a small glass of pure juice, or dilute it in another juice or centrifuge. However, despite the juice being so beneficial, if you suffer from kidney stones, do not use sea buckthorn for long periods of time as, as it contains oxalates, it can promote the formation of urinary gravel.
Sea buckthorn oil
Unsaturated fatty acids abound in sea buckthorn oil, as well as phytosterols that occur in greater quantities than other vegetable oils such as extra virgin olive oil, making sea buckthorn oil a valid ally for health of the heart, arteries, brain and immune system (Marsinach et al, Lipids Health Dis, 2019). Not only that, sea buckthorn oil is anticancer, supports the body and strengthens it, is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant (Olas et al, J Ethnopharmacol, 2018). Sea buckthorn oil is also very useful in cases of inflammation of the gastric mucosa and ulcers, thanks to its healing action, and finally helps to keep the skin healthy and young (Jaśniewska et al, Antioxidants, 2021). Sea buckthorn oil can be found in herbal medicine shops and pharmacies in the form of pearls.
