Maslačak: potencijalne koristi, doziranje i nuspojave

Maslačak se znanstveno naziva Taraxacum officinale . Nisu to samo dosadni korovi koji se ističu u vašem dvorištu. U tradicionalnoj medicini znalo se da se koriste zbog njihovih ljekovitih svojstava.

Studije na životinjama pokazuju da maslačak može pomoći u liječenju dijabetesa (1). Više istraživanja rasvjetljava moguće zdravstvene koristi maslačka, uključujući borbu protiv upala i raka.

Ovdje ćemo istražiti različite načine na koje ovaj cvijet može pomoći u promicanju vašeg zdravlja i dobrobiti.

Koje su potencijalne zdravstvene koristi maslačka?

Bioaktivni spojevi u maslačku mogu pomoći u borbi protiv upala, pa čak i raka. Oni također mogu pomoći u smanjenju razine šećera u krvi. Iako njihov sadržaj kalcija i vitamina K može ojačati kosti, njihov sadržaj željeza može pomoći u prevenciji anemije.

1. Može pomoći u borbi protiv upale

Utvrđeno je da stanice tretirane spojevima maslačka imaju nižu razinu upale. Polisaharidi maslačka posjeduju protuupalna i antioksidativna svojstva koja u tom pogledu igraju obećavajuću ulogu (2).

Maslačak djeluje tako što smanjuje proizvodnju proupalnih citokina, koji su spojevi obično uključeni u upalu tijela (3).

U drugoj studiji koja uključuje miševe s upalom pluća, utvrđeno je da maslačak (Taraxacum mongolicum, uzgajan u Kini) poboljšava stanje (4).

2. Može smanjiti rizik od raka

Studije rađene na korijenu maslačka (i ekstraktima limunske trave) otkrile su da on ima potencijal protiv raka. Utvrđeno je da korijen inducira apoptozu (smrt stanica raka) i pojačava učinke kemoterapije. Ovo je istraživanje provedeno na stanicama raka prostate (5).

Ekstrakt korijena maslačka mogao bi biti netoksična i učinkovita antikancerogena alternativa. Uspio je pokrenuti programiranu staničnu smrt stanica raka u modelima kolorektalnog karcinoma. Molekularna složenost (određeni parametar koji je uključen u otkrivanje lijekova) ekstrakta korijena mogla bi biti odgovorna za ovu aktivnost protiv raka (6).

Također je utvrđeno da ekstrakt korijena maslačka sprječava rak jetre (7). Slični učinci zabilježeni su i kod raka gušterače (8).

Iako su ova otkrića ohrabrujuća, potrebno je više istraživanja kako bi se razumjelo i utvrdilo kako maslačak može spriječiti i liječiti rak kod ljudi.

3. Može li pomoći liječenju dijabetesa

Cikorna i klorogenske kiseline u maslačku imaju veliki potencijal kao antidijabetički nutraceutika i lijekovi za regulaciju dijabetesa. Kiseline sadrže fenolne spojeve koji mogu pospješiti antidijabetičko djelovanje cvijeta (1).

U studiji je utvrđeno da i listovi maslačka i korijenje imaju slične terapeutske učinke na osobe s dijabetesom. To bi moglo promicati dugoročno zdravlje i dobrobit pacijenata (9). Međutim, treba istražiti dugoročni učinak konzumiranja maslačka.

Ostali bioaktivni spojevi maslačka koji nude antidijabetičke pogodnosti uključuju fenole, flavonoide, fenolne kiseline i triterpene. Korijen maslačka sadrži inulin koji sadrži složene ugljikohidrate. Oni pomažu u normalizaciji razine šećera u krvi (1).

4. Svibanj promiče zdravlje srca

Miševi tretirani ekstraktima maslačka pokazali su dramatično smanjenje razine triglicerida i kolesterola. Kada su miševi hranjeni hranom s visokim udjelom masti i dodavanjem ekstrakta, primijećeno je smanjeno nakupljanje lipida u jetri (10).

Slični nalazi primijećeni su u istraživanju zečeva. U kunića koji su se hranili masnom prehranom, uvođenje korijena maslačka poboljšalo je antioksidativni status i snizilo razinu kolesterola u serumu. Korijen se također bori protiv oksidacijskog stresa i može promicati zdravlje srca (11).

Maslačak također može promovirati zdravlje srca snižavanjem razine krvnog tlaka. Biljka sadrži kalij (12). Studije pokazuju da redoviti kalij u prehrani može pomoći u snižavanju razine krvnog tlaka (13).

5. Može vam pomoći u mršavljenju

Utvrđeno je da maslačak ima učinke slične popularnom lijeku za mršavljenje (Orlistat), koji djeluje inhibirajući lipazu gušterače. Lipaza gušterače je enzim koji se oslobađa tijekom probave i pomaže u razgradnji masti. Inhibicija ovog enzima može promijeniti način na koji se masnoća apsorbira u tijelu, što može pomoći u gubitku kilograma (14). Međutim, potrebne su daljnje studije kako bi se rasvijetlili učinci maslačka na pretilost kod ljudi.

Maslačak je gorka biljka. Studije pokazuju da gorko bilje, kad se uzima kao čaj prije jela, može potaknuti želučane izlučevine i pospješiti razgradnju kolesterola i masti. Na taj način mogu nadopuniti vaše napore za mršavljenje (15).

6. Svibanj promiče zdravlje kostiju

Zelje maslačka dobar je izvor vitamina K i kalcija (12). Obje ove hranjive tvari povezane su sa zdravljem kostiju.

Poznato je da vitamin K povećava tvorbu kostiju. Također može regulirati ravnotežu kalcija i metabolizam kostiju. Uz povećanje mineralne gustoće kostiju, vitamin K također smanjuje stope prijeloma (16).

Unos kalcija također pozitivno utječe na zdravlje kostiju. Ima važnu ulogu u sprečavanju gubitka kostiju i prijeloma (17).

Spojevi u maslačku sadrže prebiotike za koje je utvrđeno da pojačavaju apsorpciju kalcija. Na taj način oni mogu imati ulogu u zdravlju kostiju (18).

7. Može poboljšati zdravlje jetre

Korijen maslačka može promovirati zdravlje jetre na više načina. U studiji bi mogao ublažiti bezalkoholnu masnu bolest jetre izazvanu prehranom i također smanjiti oksidativni stres izazvan alkoholom (19).

Neka istraživanja također sugeriraju da maslačak može pospješiti oporavak od ozljede jetre (20).

8. Svibanj jača imunitet

Sadržaj flavonoida maslačka može imati velik utjecaj na ljudski imunološki sustav. Sadrži masne kiseline kratkog lanca za koje je utvrđeno da jačaju imunološku funkciju i sprječavaju zarazne bolesti u odbijene svinje (21).

Maslačak također može hraniti krvne stanice u tijelu. Studije miševa pokazuju da to može pomoći u postizanju normalne ravnoteže crvenih krvnih stanica i bijelih krvnih stanica. Na taj način može potaknuti imunološki sustav (22).

9. Može spriječiti anemiju

U ovom je pogledu dostupno manje podataka. Neka istraživanja navode da maslačak može pomoći u prevenciji anemije jer sadrži željezo (23). Jedna šalica nasjeckanog maslačka (55 g) sadrži oko 2 mg željeza (12).

10. Može spriječiti zadržavanje vode u bubrezima

Tu mogu pomoći diuretska svojstva maslačka. Visok sadržaj kalija maslačak čini dobrim diuretikom (24).

In a study, intake of dandelion increased the urinary frequency in subjects over a period of 5 hours (25). Hence, this plant shows promise as a diuretic in humans and may help prevent water retention in kidneys. However, if you have kidney disease, consult your doctor before using dandelion.

11. May Boost Skin Health

Studies show that dandelion extracts can protect the skin from UVB damage. They exhibited protective effects against photoaging (26).

In folk medicine, dandelion (especially the sap of the plant) was believed to be used to treat warts and eczema, among other skin disorders (27).

Some evidence also states that the sap of dandelion may be used to combat acne (28). However, more research is warranted in this regard.

These are the ways dandelion can make your life better. Though we know a few of the nutrients present in this plant, well, there is a lot more. In the following section, we will take a detailed look at dandelion’s nutrition profile.

What Is The Nutritional Profile* Of Dandelions?

Nutrient	Unit	1Value per 100 g	1 cup, chopped = 55.0g
Water	g	85.6	47.08
Energy	kcal	45	25
Protein	g	2.7	1.49
Total lipid (fat)	g	0.7	0.39
Carbohydrate, by difference	g	9.2	5.06
Fiber, total dietary	g	3.5	1.9
Sugars, total	g	0.71	0.39
Minerals
Calcium, Ca	mg	187	103
Iron, Fe	mg	3.1	1.71
Magnesium, Mg	mg	36	20
Phosphorus, P	mg	66	36
Potassium, K	mg	397	218
Sodium, Na	mg	76	42
Zinc, Zn	mg	0.41	0.23
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	mg	35	19.2
Thiamin	mg	0.19	0.104
Riboflavin	mg	0.26	0.143
Niacin	mg	0.806	0.443
Vitamin B-6	mg	0.251	0.138
Folate, DFE	µg	27	15
Vitamin A, RAE	µg	508	279
Vitamin A, IU	IU	10161	5589
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)	mg	3.44	1.89
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	µg	778.4	428.1
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated	g	0.17	0.094
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated	g	0.014	0.008
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated	g	0.306	0.168

* values sourced from USDA , dandelion greens, raw

That’s an impressive nutritional profile, isn’t it? Including dandelions in your diet is quite easy. Up next, we will discuss a few simple ways to do just that.

How To Consume Dandelions

• The simplest way to consume dandelions is to include them in a salad. Just toss a few dandelion greens into your evening vegetable salad.
• Sauteéd dandelions are another good option. Cooking dandelions removes their bitterness. You can boil the greens for about 5 minutes and then transfer them to a pan with garlic and hot olive oil. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes. Eat as it is.
• You can also use dandelion flower petals in your preparations. You can add the petals to your bakery items like muffins, cookies, or even plain bread.

The most popular way of enjoying the goodness of dandelion is in the form of tea. But how do you make it?

How To Make Dandelion Tea

The process is simple.

1. Throw the dandelion roots into a food processor and process.
2. Dry them at 250o F in an oven until they are completely dry.
3. Roast in the oven at 350o F until they turn brown.
4. Add the roots to water in a pan and bring to a boil. You can add 2 tablespoons of the root for every 16 oz of water.
5. Simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Strain the liquid and drink.

What Is The Ideal Dosage Of Dandelions?

The American Botanical Council recommends the following doses (29):

• For the powdered root, the dosage is 3 to 4 grams, thrice daily.
• If you are taking a decoction, boil 3 to 4 grams of powdered root in 150 ml of water.
• In case of an infusion, you can steep 1 tablespoon of cut root in 150 ml of water.
• If you are having a tincture, stick to 10 to 15 drops, thrice daily.

You can get the supplement here.

Before you start making dandelion a regular part of your diet, you need to be aware of its side effects.

Do Dandelions Have Any Side Effects?

• May Cause Allergies

Dandelions may cause allergic contact dermatitis. This can be attributed to the presence of compounds called sesquiterpene lactones, which are irritants. The symptoms of these allergies include dry and itchy eczema-like reactions (31).

• May Interfere With Blood Thinners

Dandelion is rich in vitamin K, which aids blood clotting. Dandelion may interfere with blood thinners like Warfarin (32).

• May Cause Kidney Failure In Susceptible Individuals

There is less research on this. However, a herbal remedy containing dandelion as one of the primary ingredients caused renal failure (33). If you have kidney issues, please avoid dandelion and check with your doctor.

There is no information on the safety of dandelion during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hence, consult your doctor in this regard.

Conclusion

Though they seem like simple weeds, dandelions may have several benefits. However, more research is needed to establish these benefits for humans. Also, be aware of the possible side effects and consult your healthcare provider before including dandelion or its supplements in your diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dandelion tea contain caffeine?

Ne, nije. Ali postoji kava od maslačka, koja je mješavina nalik kavi s učincima kofeina. Možete ga dobiti ovdje.

Uspava li vas maslačak?

Ne, nije poznato da je maslačak hrana koja izaziva san.

33 izvora

Stylecraze ima stroge smjernice za izvor i oslanja se na recenzirane studije, akademske istraživačke institucije i medicinska udruženja. Izbjegavamo koristiti tercijarne reference. Čitajući našu uredničku politiku možete saznati više o tome kako osiguravamo da je naš sadržaj točan i aktualan.

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