How Basil Boosts Your Health: Nutrition Professionals' Advice on How Much to Eat

Basil image

Perspective from Leticia Soares

Postgraduate Degree in Public and Family Health/Bachelor Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics · 5 years of experience · Brazil

Benefits

• Basil has a strong antimicrobial activity. In a recent study Basil showed to have antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of basil might be attributed to the high contents of linalool, a substance with potent antimicrobial activity, that is found in the basil essential oil.
• Basil is a potent antioxidant. Basil contains a wide range of essential oils rich in phenolic compounds and other substances including polyphenols such as flavonoids and anthocyanins, which are known by their antioxidant properties.
• Basil has anti-inflammatory activity. Basil essential oils, including eugenol, citronellol and linalool are enzymes that may help to improve symptoms related to inflammation and inflammatory diseases, including respiratory illnesses.

Quantity Recommendation

• The edible parts of basil are the leaves, stems and seeds. Basil can be used as a base for recipes such as salads, juices and tea and also as an essential oil or seasoning for food. There is no official recommendation on basil intake, however, basil can be consumed every day without problem. For basil tea it is recommended to use ten leaves for one cup of tea and it can be consumed a maximum of 3 cups of tea per day.

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Perspective from Vilte Puisyte

BSc (Hons) Food Science & Nutrition, MSc in Business with Entrepreneurship · 2 years of experience · UK

Benefits

• Basil can protect against aspirin’s damage to your gut and flora, particularly preventing ulcers.
• Basil can improve fasting blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Basil can reduce depression related to chronic stress.

Quantity Recommendation

• The suggested dosage ranges from 300 mg to 2000 mg per day for general preventative purposes. When used as a treatment, the recommended dosage is 600 mg to 1800 mg taken in multiple doses throughout the day. All parts of the plant can be used and consumed.

→ Basil: How much should you eat? Experts weigh in.

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This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.