Page 71 - BBC - The Scientific Guide to a Healthier You

IS FOR
WWHEATGRASS
Wheatgrass is simply the leaves of the
young wheat plant. It contains roughly
the same nutrient content as the same

weight of spinach or broccoli. As a
food, it’s fine, if a little unpleasant
tasting. As a medicine, the evidence
is very weak. Some small studies have
found that it reduces the symptoms of
ulcerative colitis and the side effects of
chemotherapy, but most of the claims
that it oxygenates the blood or rids
the body of toxins are not supported
by science.

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Xi Yang Shen may lower
blood sugar and boost
the immune system

Chromium in Brewer’s IS FOR
yeast is beneficial for
some diabetics Z ZINC
Over 300 enzymes in your body require
zinc to function. Dietary deficiency is
more common in vegetarians, because
IS FOR IS FOR phytates present in whole grains and
X XI YANG SHEN YYEAST legumes inhibit zinc absorption. Zinc

Also known as American ginseng, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Brewer’s supplements seem to help protect
both this and Asian ginseng contain yeast) is a good source of selenium, against AMD (age-related macular
chemicals called ginsenosides and chromium and B-complex vitamins degeneration) and conflicting evidence
gintonin. Despite a long history of (but not B12 – that’s a myth). The most suggests it may reduce the symptoms
use in Traditional Chinese Medicine, important micronutrient is chromium. of the common cold. But zinc can be
the evidence for the health benefits Numerous studies have shown that very toxic at high doses and interferes
of ginseng is fairly weak. A few small it helps type 2 diabetes sufferers by with antibiotic medication, so use
trials have found that it lowers blood increasing their tolerance to blood supplements with caution.
sugar and also boosts the immune glucose and reducing the amount of
system. But claims that it improves insulin they need. There is also some RATING
‘wellness’, reduces stress or acts as limited evidence that it lowers the
an aphrodisiac are not backed by
LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol and raises HDL
GETTY, ALAMY well-designed studies. ‘good’ cholesterol. by LUIS VILLAZON
Luis is a science and tech writer, and
RATING
RATING
author of How Cows Reach the Ground.

BBC SCIENCE FOCUS MAGAZINE COLLECTION 71