Sumac is a species of flowering shrub from the plant family Anacardiaceae. Its scientific name is Rhus coriaria. There are over 200 different species of sumac, all belonging to the genus Rhus. However, Rhus coriaria is a species often cultivated as an herbal medicine and for food use. You can brew fresh sumac fruits as tea and benefit from the properties of sumac in this way. You can also dry and powder them and use them as a spice.
It contains a wide range of chemical compounds with strong anti – oxidant activity. Anti – oxidants protect cells from damage and reduce oxidative stress in the body. Various studies have shown that it has the effect of inhibiting free radicals. And one of the properties of this spice is its protective effect against liver damage.
The anti – oxidant compounds may be the main reason for the properties of sumac and its wide therapeutic potential. Among other benefits of sumac are its anti – inflammatory and anti – microbial properties.
Also, some research shows that it contains small amounts of several essential nutrients, including vitamins C, B6, B1, and B2. Considering the benefits of this fruit, we will continue to investigate the effect of this healing substance on various diseases and the treatment of infections.
Fatty liver
You’ve probably heard a lot about fatty liver, and maybe you have it yourself. Recently, researchers have paid much attention to the role of herbal medicines in the control of fatty liver disease. So maybe you want to know if it has an effect on fatty liver or not.
One of the methods that researchers use to observe the effect of a medicinal plant on a specific disease is to compare the effect of the plant with a placebo. In one trial, 80 patients with fatty liver were randomly assigned to 2000 mg of sumac powder or placebo daily for 12 weeks.
The results showed that after 12 weeks, subjects in the sumac group had a greater reduction in liver fibrosis and liver enzymes compared to placebo. In conclusion, sumac powder along with a low – calorie diet for 12 weeks is useful for managing fatty liver disease. And you can use the benefits of sumac to improve your fatty liver.
Sumac is good for the skin
It has a protective effect on the skin. Modern research has confirmed that sumac can help inhibit the growth of bad cells or clear damaged skin cells. You can use the benefits of Sumac to reduce skin inflammation and sun damage. This means that in addition to applying sunscreen on your skin, you can also eat this fruit for protecting your skin.
Most of the fat in Sumac is composed of two types of fat called oleic acid and linoleic acid. Oleic acid is a type of mono – unsaturated fat that is usually associated with heart health and is the primary fat found in some common plant foods such as olives and avocados.
Linoleic acid is an essential poly – unsaturated fat that plays a role in maintaining the health of skin and cell membranes. Therefore, the use of sumac properties for facial skin is undeniable.
Weight Loss
Research has shown that sumac has anti – lipase activity. In addition it has an enzyme that accelerates the breakdown of oils and fats and partially prevents fat absorption in the small intestine. But you cannot rely only on the properties of sumac to lose weight. Eating sumac along with a basic and correct diet along with exercise can help you stay fit.
Diabetes and high blood sugar can have a very unpleasant effect on many aspects of human health. In the short term, diabetes can have symptoms such as fatigue, headache, frequent urination, and thirst. But over time, high blood sugar has more serious consequences, including nerve damage, kidney problems, and impaired wound healing.
Some research suggests that sumac may help maintain normal blood sugar levels. Since it may lower blood sugar, avoid taking it at the same time as blood sugar – lowering drugs.
Sumac is useful for bones and vessels
High cholesterol is one of the biggest causes of cardio – vascular diseases. By accumulating in the arteries, cholesterol causes them to contract and tighten, which in turn increases the effort of the heart muscles to supply blood and causes problems in blood flow. So sumac can reduce cholesterol.
It has long been known as an anti-fat food. New research has confirmed these properties of sumac and has shown that by reducing cholesterol, sumac improves heart function. And it reduces the risk of heart disease.
Osteoporosis is a common disease, especially in elderly women in which the bones become weak. In this case, the person is at a high risk of bone fracture. The risk of developing osteoporosis increases steadily with age.
A study conducted in 2015 showed that its extract changes the balance of some specific proteins involved in bone metabolism. And as a result, it reduces bone loss.