Capers: what kind of product is it, what are the benefits and harms for the body

22.05.2023 01:30

Capers are not a product that is found in every refrigerator.

And it’s not at all that they are a rare delicacy with a high price.

They have a specific taste that must be skillfully combined with other ingredients in finished dishes.

Capers: What They Are and Where They Should Be Used

Many people mistake capers for vegetables. In fact, they are flower buds collected before they open from the herbaceous plant Caper spinosum, which grows in the Mediterranean coast.

In their raw form they are dangerous to eat, so they undergo a process of preservation and pickling.

Capers
Photo: © Belnovosti

They are not considered a staple food, but are a kind of seasoning widely used in Mediterranean cuisine. Capers have a piquant taste, imparting it to sauces, fish, meat and vegetables.

Composition of capers

Eating capers in jars can cause digestive problems. You can eat no more than a tablespoon of this delicious delicacy at a time. But even these 10 g can saturate the body with 0.1 g of fat, 0.2 g of protein, 0.5 g of carbohydrates and the same amount of fiber.

Being an unopened bud, capers have a high concentration of useful substances, vitamins and minerals. It is especially rich in sodium, about 9 mg, which can cover the daily dosage of the element in one go, which will have a positive effect on the work of the heart, blood pressure indicators. The product also contains a lot of iron, magnesium, copper and zinc, vitamins A, E, C, K, which are important for the work of all internal organs.

Health benefits of canned buds

In stores you can find canned capers and marinated in oil and vinegar, which makes their taste even more expressive. Despite the processing, the product can bring invaluable benefits to the body:

• fights inflammation and premature aging due to the high content of antioxidants;

• elimination of skin inflammation, hyperpigmentation from the inside;

• a number of studies have shown that regular consumption of capers suppresses cancer cells in the stomach;

• weight maintenance due to low calorie content, replacement of less healthy sauces;

• normalization of the liver function, suffering from fatty liver disease, which did not develop due to alcohol addiction;

• prevention of type 2 diabetes, migraines and genitourinary inflammations;

• strengthening the health of blood vessels and the heart.

Capers and possible harm

The only possible harm from capers is if a person significantly exceeds the daily dosage of 10 g. Such an irresponsible attitude can provoke allergic reactions in the form of hives, digestive difficulties and increased blood pressure due to the high sodium content.

Doctors strongly advise against eating capers for people with gastritis, stomach ulcers and pancreatic diseases because they are preserved with vinegar and salt.

Eating capers is a guarantee of good health, youth, and beauty. However, it is important to remember that this is a canned product with a rich composition. You need to be careful with it and remember the contraindications.

Author: Elena Gutyro Internet resource editor

Content
  1. Capers: What They Are and Where They Should Be Used
  2. Composition of capers
  3. Health benefits of canned buds
  4. Capers and possible harm