Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.)
Benefits of Milk Thistle
- Digestion
- The liver
- Where it's from: Europe
- Form: Extract
- Food source: Plant
What is Milk Thistle?
Milk thistle, the national flower of Scotland, is a plant native to Europe and has been used in traditional herbal practice for thousands of years, particularly for digestion and the liver. Its main active ingredient is a group of flavonoids known together as 'silymarin'. This substance is why milk thistle is so interesting to nutritionists.
What does the research say about Milk Thistle?
Silymarin has been studied for its effect on glutathione, an antioxidant the body makes itself and one of the main compounds the liver uses to process substances. Silymarin has been studied extensively in relation to the liver, and the pharmacology of silymarin, including its effects on liver cells, has been reviewed in detail.
Silybin, the main component of silymarin, has been the subject of a wide range of research, including its role in the digestive tract. Silymarin also has antioxidant activity, meaning it 'scavenges' and neutralises unstable molecules called 'free radicals'.
Good digestion is much more important than most people think. It shapes how well we absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat, which the body relies on for all its processes.
You may also be interested in reading '5 signs your liver needs a detox' and 'How to naturally improve digestion'. Discover 'What causes bloating', 'Common reasons you might be bloated' and '10 practical tips to reduce bloating'.
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