(NaturalHealth365)  Cilantro refers to the leaves of the Coriandrum sativum plant – an annual herb that offers several health benefits.  It’s a popular addition to many dishes because of its delicious flavor.

However, this herb is not just tasty; it’s also packed with phytonutrients, antioxidants, and essential vitamins like vitamin C, K, and A.  Known for aiding in blood sugar control and fighting the production of free radicals within the body, many studies show that it can help reduce the toxic burden of heavy metals.

Many everyday things contain toxic metals, including the air, water, and even our food.  While your body needs trace amounts of some metals (like copper), the big concern is often getting too many metals with no biological value, like mercury or lead.

Research has also highlighted cilantro’s broader health benefits, particularly its potential role in managing metabolic health. A 2023 review published in Molecules found that Coriandrum sativum polyphenols exhibit protective effects against obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, further emphasizing its value as a functional food.

Today, we’ll focus on cilantro and how to support your body’s natural detoxification process.

See how cilantro targets toxins inside the human body

Our bodies are regularly exposed to toxic metals like lead, arsenic, aluminum, and cadmium.  Technically speaking, to be clear, aluminum is not a “heavy” metal – but, still quite harmful to human health.

Unfortunately, those toxins can build up within the bones and muscle tissue.  When these toxic metals reach dangerous levels, they cause chronic inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, and a variety of poor health outcomes, such as chronic fatigue and brain fog.

Simply put, most holistic healthcare providers will tell you that the end result of too many metals in the body is oxidative stress – which can lead to impaired organ function, hormonal imbalances, cardiovascular damage, and an increased risk of cancer.

Many studies have shown that cilantro works as a natural chelating agent, helping the body eliminate toxins.   Other foods that help detoxify the body include garlic, wild blueberries, lemon water, spirulina, chlorella, barley grass juice powder, and Atlantic dulse.

In addition, studies show that people suffering from mercury exposure began to feel more clear minded after they consumed a significant amount of cilantro over time.  Other studies have shown that cilantro helps protect the body against oxidative stress caused by lead poisoning.

Please note: When dealing with any kind of toxicity issues, it’s best to work with a qualified, holistic healthcare professional.  You don’t want to cause more harm than good – when starting any detoxification program.

Additional protective health benefits

Beyond cleansing toxic metals from the body, cilantro offers many other significant health effects.

For example, this herb helps prevent damage to the heart, aids in better sleep quality, and reduces the overall risk of oxidative stress, which supports healthy cell function.  It also promotes a feeling of calmness, encourages normal blood sugar, supports brain health, and, thanks to the vitamin K it contains, supports bone health.

Cilantro tea is often used to support good digestive health.  Plus, the nutrients – like vitamin A – boost eye health, and cilantro oil even shows promise in fighting oral forms of candida.

You can enjoy cilantro’s health benefits by consuming it fresh or taking concentrated extracts.  While cilantro leaves are a delicious addition to many dishes, the fresh form of this herb goes bad quickly.  So, to best harness the health benefits, consume them within a couple days of purchase.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
Medicalnewstoday.com
Lifeextension.com
WebMD.com
NIH.gov