What Is Corn Silk Tea
Corn silk tea is prepared from corn silk, which is made up of long…
…silky strands that grow inside the husks of corn ears. Maize silk is formed from the stigma, which are the yellowish thread-like strands that grow from the female flower of the corn plant. Traditional Chinese medicine uses corn silk tea to treat bladder infections (TCM). Many people think that corn silk tea may heal a variety of ailments. Scientists have looked at a handful of them, such as heart disease and excessive blood sugar. So yet, scientists have been unable to confirm such assertions conclusively.
Nutrition Information
Although the fiber in corn silk can help with digestion, corn silk tea does not have as much fiber. Corn silk tea has no discernible vitamins, minerals, or other substances. Corn silk tea has the following ingredients in six ounces:
- 0 calories
- 0 grams of protein
- 0 grams of fat
- 0 grams of carbohydrates
- 0 grams of fiber
- 0 grams of sugar
Corn Silk’s Potential Advantages
Despite the fact that corn silk is commonly used in herbal medicine, research on it is scarce. However, preliminary research indicates that it may have health advantages, particularly for some inflammatory diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Provides Antioxidants
Antioxidants are plant chemicals that protect cells in your body from free radical damage and oxidative stress. One of the primary causes of a variety of chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and inflammation, is oxidative stress. Corn silk tea contains a high concentration of flavonoid antioxidants. Numerous in vitro and animal studies show that its flavonoids decrease oxidative stress and protect against free radical damage. Many of the advantages of corn silk may be attributed to these chemicals.
Has anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation is a normal immunological reaction in your body. Excessive inflammation, on the other hand, has been related to a number of diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. Corn silk extract has been shown in animal and test-tube experiments to decrease inflammation by inhibiting the activity of two key inflammatory chemicals. This stringy plant fiber includes magnesium, which aids in the regulation of your body’s inflammatory response. Having said that, human research is required.
May Manage Blood Sugar
According to certain studies, corn silk may help reduce blood sugar and control diabetic symptoms. In one animal research, diabetic mice fed corn silk flavonoids had considerably lower blood sugar levels than a control group. A recent test-tube research also indicated that the antioxidants in this maize product may aid in the prevention of diabetic kidney damage. Although these findings are encouraging, more research in humans is required.
May Lower Blood Pressure
Corn silk has the potential to be an effective therapy for high blood pressure. For starters, it promotes the removal of extra fluid from your body. As a result, it may be a natural alternative to prescription diuretics, which are frequently used to lower blood pressure. Furthermore, a recent rat study found that maize silk extract dramatically lowered blood pressure by decreasing angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (ACE).
In a single 8-week trial, 40 patients with high blood pressure were given escalating doses of this supplement until they reached a dosage of 118 mg per pound of body weight (260 mg per kg). When compared to a control group, their blood pressure dropped considerably, with those given the highest dosage seeing the largest drop. More human research is still required.
May Reduce Cholesterol
Corn silk may also help to reduce cholesterol. In one animal research, mice fed corn silk extract had substantial decreases in total and LDL (bad) cholesterol while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. Another research in mice on a high-fat diet found that those who got corn silk had much lower total cholesterol than those who did not. Nonetheless, human research is required.
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