Wasabi, or Japanese horseradish, is one of the strongest spices in the world. It owes its spicy flavor and intense aroma to isothiocyanates - compounds formed when grinding the fresh rhizome of the plant. They are also responsible for the he alth properties of wasabi. Check the effect of wasabi on he alth.

Wasabi( Japanese horseradish ) is a plant in the Brassicaceae family that occurs naturally in the mountain rivers of Japan, Korea and Taiwan. It is also grown in New Zealand and North America.

On the market, wasabi is available in the form of a rhizome, stem, dried powder or paste, which is prepared from the rhizome. The leaves of this plant are also edible.

Wasabi is most often eaten as a paste, as an addition to sushi, sashimi. Wasabi can also be used to flavor other dishes. S alty snacks with the addition of dried wasabi powder mixed with sugar, oil and s alt are popular in Japan.

Wasabi is a very expensive spice and difficult to obtain due to the high costs of growing this plant, even in Japan it is difficult to get real wasabi.

Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) - he alth properties

  • wasabi has antibacterial properties

Isothiocyanates in wasabi have antibacterial properties. They inhibit the growth of bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. For this reason, wasabi can prevent, for example, food poisoning.

  • wasabi anti-inflammatory

The aforementioned isothiocyanates reduce inflammation of, for example, joints. Wasabi thus relieves the pain associated with arthritis.

Wasabi owes its pungent taste and strong smell to isothiocyanates - compounds formed when grinding the fresh rhizome of the plant. The feeling of sharpness after eating wasabi is short-lived and felt most strongly in the nasal passage.

  • wasabi can prevent the development of tumors

Including wasabi in your diet may prevent certain types of cancer, such as stomach, nipple and melanoma. Isothiocyanates, which are involved in the elimination of free radicals, are responsible for the anti-cancer properties of wasabi.

  • wasabi can prevent cardiovascular disease

Wasabi has a beneficial effect on the lipid profile, it can lowerblood cholesterol. In addition, the compounds contained in wasabi prevent platelet aggregation and the formation of clots, thus reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

  • wasabi relieves symptoms of asthma

The isothiocyanates contained in wasbi, especially 6-methylsulfinylhexyl isothiocyanate, alleviate the symptoms of asthma.

Worth knowing

Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) - calories, nutritional values ​​

Per 100 g:

Energy - 109.0 kcal
Protein - 4.8 g
Fats - 0.63 g
Cholesterol - 0.0 mg
Carbohydrates - 23.54 g
Fiber - 7.8 g

Minerals(% of RDA for an adult)

Potassium - 568.0 mg (16%)
Sodium - 17.0 mg (1%)
Calcium - 128.0 mg (13%)
Phosphorus - 80.0 mg (11%)
Iron -1.03 mg (10%)
Magnesium - 69.0 mg (17%)
Zinc - 1.62 mg (15%)
Copper - 0.155 mg (17%)

Vitamins

Vitamin B1 - 0.131 mg (10%)
Vitamin B2 - 0.114 mg (9%)
Niacin - 0.743 mg (5%)
Vitamin B6 - 0.274 mg (21%)
Folates - 18.0 µg (5%)
Vitamin A - 2.0 µg (0.2%)
Vitamin C - 41.9 mg (47%)

Nutritional Value: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference,% Daily Recommended Intake, based on the NUTR Nutrition Standards, 2022

Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) - how is wasabi made?

Source: youtube.com/ONLY in JAPAN

Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) - contraindications

Wasabi also has side effects. Consuming wasabi in large amounts can damage the liver because it contains hepatoxin, which the liver cannot process in large amounts.

Wasabi can cause allergies. People who have contact with this spice for the first time and people with other allergies should consume wasabi with particular care.

Wasabi can also be dangerous for people suffering from bleeding disorders. Additionally, after consumption of wasabi, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pains may occur.

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Worth knowing

Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) - price, where to buy?

Original wasabi in Poland is very difficult to obtain. Wasabi rhizomes can be purchased online, but the price for 1 kg is about PLN 1,200.

Wasabi or wasabi powders available in supermarkets and online stores contain only a few percent of this plant or no content at all. The rest are horseradish, mustard, dyes, aromas and spices.

When buying, it is worth paying attention to the composition specified on the label.

Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) - use in the kitchen

Wasabi is used in cooking mainly as a seasoning - most often eaten with sushi or sashimi. Wasabi also works great as an addition to sauces, dips, as well as fish and meats.

About the authorMarzena Masna, dietitian SOS Diet, dietary catering, WarsawA graduate of dietetics at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. She gained professional experience in dietary clinics, the Nursery Complex of the Capital City of Warsaw and Warsaw hospitals for adults and children. She constantly deepens her knowledge by participating in conferences on proper nutrition, as well as diet-prevention and diet therapy of diseases. Currently, a dietitian at SOS Diet, dietary catering, where he deals with nutritional advice for clients, creating recipes, preparing the menu and supervising the quality of meals.

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