8 benefits of wasabi for childrens health

Due to the hot and spicy nature, few parents think about adding wasabi to their child's diet. However, in fact, wasabi's benefits to the health of children are also highly appreciated.

Wasabi or mustard is a famous spice with a characteristic spiciness and a strong scent that you cannot find in any other spice. With this feature, wasabi is rarely used by parents to prepare food for children. But, is it okay for children to use this spice? If you are wondering this, please see the following sharing of aFamilyToday Health for some more interesting information.

Wasabi - A typical spice of Japanese cuisine

Wasabi (Wasabi japonica) is a cruciferous plant native to Japan. This plant usually grows in cool climates, is considered quite difficult to grow because it can only grow in areas with suitable climates and soil.

According to many archaeological evidence, since ancient times, this plant has been used in healing. Today, in Japanese cuisine, wasabi is often eaten with sushi , sashimi to increase the flavor of rice and raw fish. In addition, wasabi also contains allyl isothiocyanate - an antibacterial chemical that helps to fight the bad effects of raw seafood, reducing the risk of abdominal pain.

Should children eat wasabi?

You can still give wasabi to your child, but when feeding your child such pungent spices, you need to be very careful. You should not feed your child every day and do not eat too much at a time because it will affect the digestive system. If using wasabi to prepare baby food, you should also avoid using too much.

8 benefits of wasabi for children's health

Despite its pungent taste, but with the health of children, wasabi also brings many benefits:

1. Antibacterial properties

Wasabi contains active ingredients that help in antimicrobial action. Specifically, wasabi contains isothiocynate, a substance that works to prevent the growth of bacteria strains. In particular, wasabi also helps prevent food poisoning by neutralizing and destroying most of the mold spores. With these abilities, wasabi is truly a great spice that you should use to prepare baby food.

 2. Anti-inflammatory properties

One of the other important benefits of wasabi is anti-inflammatory. When added to the diet, wasabi will help the child's body eliminate ulcers, lesions in the mouth, nose and other organs. In addition, this spice also works to clean sinuses and treat congestion . In particular, the isothiocynate in wasabi also helps prevent asthma and inflammatory bowel disease .

3. Prevent tooth decay

Wasabi works to prevent tooth decay in children very effectively. Several studies have shown that the chemical compound isothiocynate in this spice inhibits the growth of streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that grows inside the oral cavity and is the cause of tooth decay. . In addition, this compound also works to prevent sugar from sticking to and harm your baby's teeth.

4. Wasabi is a natural disinfectant

Wasabi is capable of destroying bacteria e.coli, staphylococcus and pylori . With great antibacterial ability, wasabi is really a very good natural disinfectant for the child's body, helping to prevent harmful bacteria from entering and causing disease.

 5. Detoxify the body

Wasabi is a natural detoxifier because this spice contains compounds that help the liver to remove toxins and carcinogens from the child's body. In addition, wasabi also helps to remove toxic compounds stored in the fatty tissue of the liver.

6. Improve digestive system

Wasabi is a food "friendly" with the intestine because it helps remove harmful toxins from the child's body, prevents the risk of diverticulitis . In addition, this spice is also rich in fiber, good for the functioning of the intestine and aids in digestion. Wasabi is also a miracle remedy for the treatment of digestive ailments such as diarrhea and anorexia.

7. Wasabi is good for the circulatory system

The 6-MSITC compound in wasabi has the effect of inhibiting platelet aggregation, preventing the formation of blood clots, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in children . Wasabi is good for circulatory system, helps improve cardiovascular health and keeps young skin smooth.

8. Fight against colds and allergies

Eating wasabi can help prevent colds , flu or allergies. Allyl isothiocyanate compounds in this spice help fight germs that cause colds, flu and respiratory diseases. However, mothers need to be careful when giving wasabi to children if they are taking drugs that are metabolized in the liver. Because if used too much, wasabi can cause drug interactions and liver damage.

Notes that mothers should not ignore when giving wasabi to children

Wasabi's health benefits for children are highly appreciated. However, since this is a spice with pungent properties, when deciding to give it to your child, you should also consider the following:

Do not give too much to children because it can harm the liver because the hepatotoxin in wasabi. If your baby consumes only a small amount, it does not cause problems, but if absorbed in large amounts, the child's body will not be able to process and damage the liver.

Wasabi may cause allergies in some children. Therefore, when feeding your baby for the first time, you need to observe your baby closely to see if he or she has allergy symptoms .

If you still have questions about how to give wasabi to your child, you can consult a doctor and ask for more advice. Based on the child's health status and medical history, the doctor will advise you an appropriate solution.

Wasabi is not only used to accompany sushi but also can be a condiment to eat with many other dishes. Therefore, you should try to combine wasabi with other children's dishes to increase flavor and help children enjoy the health benefits that this spice brings.