Follow one Slimming diet it requires some commitment. This is why we often give in to the temptation to rely on the most disparate remedies - from the famous pineapple stem to glucomannan, through green coffee, chitosan and so on and so forth, reaching the mallow.
This officinal plant (scientific name: Malva sylvestris L.) native to Europe, North Africa and Asia, it sometimes comes recommended as an ally for weight loss. But what exactly is the role of mallow in a weight loss diet?
The uses of mallow
The use of the mallow for medicinal purposes it goes back a long time ago. Greeks and Romans exploited its emollient and laxative properties, e over the centuries this natural remedy has found use against various ailments, such as toothache, stomach problems, cough, sore throat, tonsillitis, cold and rheumatism.
However, the evidence of its benefits collected to date is few; as regards specifically the use of mallow as an adjuvant in a slimming diet, at the moment there are no studies that certify its usefulness.
However, this plant has some interesting properties that could also be useful during a food program for weight loss.
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Mallow as a diuretic, laxative and anti-inflammatory
In fact, as mentioned, mallow is considered a laxative, and from this point of view it can be an excellent ally in the purification of the organism: the intestine is one of the organs through which the body gets rid of waste.
Furthermore it is also considered a diuretic, and also from this point of view it can help the body to purify itself; in fact, diuresis is another of the natural mechanisms by which the body eliminates waste.
Finally, the mallow contains several antioxidant active ingredients, and through these molecules can exert a anti-inflammatory effect useful when you are battling overweight.
In fact, excess weight is associated with a state of generalized inflammation which is often considered the factor behind the association between obesity and associated pathologies.
To trigger this state of inflammation is the adipose tissue, which is not simply a reserve of fat but a real organ capable of producing substances with an inflammatory effect.
A weight loss diet can reduce inflammation, e the active ingredients of mallow could help fight this side effect overweight.
In particular, its polyphenols, its vitamin C, its vitamin E and its beta-carotene can be useful; besides the mallow is also a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular of alpha-linolenic acid - the precursor of omega 3 with anti-inflammatory activity.
The flowers they are particularly rich in vitamin C while it is in the leaves that the highest concentrations of polyphenols, vitamin E and unsaturated fatty acids can be found.
In general, both the leaves and the flowers and fruits of the mallow have been associated with a 'antioxidant activity; however, it seems that the potentially most useful part is precisely the leaves, while the fruits have been associated with a lower anti-inflammatory capacity.
A non-slimming aid
In itself, therefore, the mallow does not help to lose weight, but it is potentially useful for weight loss by fighting the side effects of the accumulation of adipose tissue and helping the body to get rid of waste.
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