The humble dandelion who knew 1

 I was listening to the radio a day or so ago and the subject of weeds vs flowers came up and the conversation drifted to Dandelions. Dandelion advocates claim that the flower has many potential health benefits and dandelion has been used in many forms of traditional medicine for centuries.

The discussion reminded me that when I was young my parents would make dandelion wine, which because of my age, I never got to taste. I am not sure if dandelion wine has fallen out of favour with homemade winemakers but there are some benefits to dandelion wine. t's a good source of vitamins A, B, and C and potassium. It contains antioxidants. Dandelions are considered a digestive tonic, so you can use the wine as a digestif after meals. Dandelions may also help reduce inflammation. The advocates of dandelions say they are a health benefit, however, many of the claims need additional research to prove dandelions’ effectiveness in humans.

A dandelion is a weed if it is in the wrong place, but it also has the potential to help you stay healthy by:

Providing antioxidants

Dandelions may have various health benefits. Antioxidants work to neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. The human body produces free radicals naturally, but they cause harm by accelerating aging or the progression of certain diseases.

Reducing cholesterol

Dandelions contain bioactive compounds that may help lower a person’s cholesterol. Some compounds in dandelion may decrease triglyceride and cholesterol levels, both of which are key risk factors for heart disease. One study from 2010 examined the effects of dandelion consumption in rabbits. Its results found that dandelion root and leaf could help lower cholesterol in animals on a high-cholesterol diet. However, testing on humans is necessary to help determine how effective dandelion could be for lowering cholesterol.

Regulating blood sugar

There is some evidence to suggest that dandelions contain compounds that may help with regulating blood sugar. In 2016, some researchers proposed that dandelion’s antihyperglycemic, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties may help treat type 2 diabetes. However, further research is required to make any definitive claims.

Reducing inflammation

Some studies indicate that dandelion extracts and compounds may help reduce inflammation in the body. In one 2014 study, researchers found that chemicals present in dandelions had some positive effects on reducing inflammatory responses. They conducted the study in cells and not in human participants, which means that more studies are necessary to conclude that dandelion reduces inflammation in the human body.

Lowering blood pressure

There is little research to support the use of dandelion for lowering blood pressure. However, dandelions are a good source of potassium. There is clinical evidence that shows that potassium can help reduce blood pressure. For example, research has found that people taking a potassium supplement saw a reduction in their blood pressure, especially if they already had high blood pressure.

Aiding weight loss

Some researchers have proposed that dandelion could help people achieve their weight loss goals. This is based on the plant’s ability to improve carbohydrate metabolism and reduce fat absorption. A small study of mice found that chlorogenic acid, a chemical present in dandelions, may help reduce weight gain and lipid retention. Strong evidence to support this claim is lacking, however.

Reducing cancer risk

Some limited, but positive, research has indicated that dandelion may help reduce the growth of certain types of cancer. So far, studies have looked at dandelion’s impact on cancer growth in test tubes and found that it may help with slowing the growth of colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer. However, as with other potential benefits, more research is required to show how effective dandelions can be as part of cancer treatment.

Boosting the immune system

There is growing evidence that suggests that dandelions can help boost the immune system. Researchers have found that dandelions show both antiviral and antibacterial properties. For example, one 2014 study found that dandelions help limit the growth of hepatitis B in both human and animal cells in test tubes. More research is now required to determine the impact of dandelions on the immune system, however.