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Edible flowers can help protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
 
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06 May 2014, 09:00

Experts recommend people to diversify their diet with flowers to protect themselves from cancer. As it turns out, some flowers contain substances that prevent the development of cancerous tumors.

In their new research project, scientists have found that if a person starts eating garden flowers, it will help reduce the likelihood of developing cancer, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Edible flowers (tree peonies, Chinese honeysuckle, etc.), which have been used by chefs in the Middle East for several centuries, contain a large number of phenolic substances that have an anti-cancer effect on the body.

Researchers believe that some flowers are well suited for various additives in ready-made dishes, which will not only improve the taste, but also serve as an excellent prevention of serious diseases. In addition, adding flowers to dishes can extend the shelf life, especially of those products that are exposed to the open air for a long time, since some flowers contain antioxidants. Famous British chefs have repeatedly recommended using edible flowers for cooking, such as lavender, primrose, and rose petals.

Traditional medicine has long used some flowers to prepare medicinal drinkable decoctions or tinctures.

Scientists have also recently proven the benefits of tea with added bergamot extract. According to experts, daily consumption of such tea will help reduce cardiovascular diseases. The benefits of tea in this case lie in the addition of bergamot, which reduces cholesterol in the body, which in turn reduces the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. Bergamot tea has a distinctive taste and aroma, and studies have found enzymes in its composition. A distinctive feature of such substances is the ability to attack proteins that provoke heart disease. As experts note, such supplements are as effective as statins (drugs that reduce the content of harmful cholesterol in the body). However, unlike statins, enzymes practically do not cause side effects.

Scientists associate the positive effects of tea with the flavonoids it contains, which are known to have an anti-cancer effect. At the same time, tea lovers can safely add milk, lemon, sugar, etc. to their tea, which will not affect the effectiveness of the drink at all. According to research, one cup of tea contains about 200 milligrams of flavonoids.

Scientists are constantly discovering new properties of products that are already familiar to everyone, in addition to the benefits of tea, scientists have proven the benefits of such a favorite drink as coffee. Men who want to reduce the likelihood of developing prostate cancer should drink five cups of coffee a day. This amount of caffeine will help reduce the likelihood of oncology by 1/3. In other words, the likelihood that cancer will reach the second stage of development is reduced by 25%, and the fourth - by 33%.

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