Ancient Aphrodisiac Dating Back 2,000 Years Boosts Immunity Against Diseases

Overview

It is a common occurrence that when medical researchers delve into ancient healing traditions, they discover the remarkable health benefits of foods and herbs that have been used for centuries.

Take arugula, for example, a leafy green vegetable that was considered an aphrodisiac by the Greeks and Romans. Modern scientific research now confirms that arugula can indeed enhance reproductive function, among many other incredible health benefits.

Recent studies on arugula have revealed that this cruciferous vegetable not only improves sexual and reproductive functions but also offers protection against modern pollutants that were unknown to ancient civilizations. Additionally, it supports the body's defenses against cancer and boosts the immune system's ability to combat harmful inflammation.

Helps Combat Illness at the Core

One of the impressive advantages of arugula is its ability to assist the body in dealing with a prevalent toxin found in our food, water, and air—a toxin associated with cancer.

This toxin, known as BPA (bisphenol A), is commonly used in the production of plastic for food containers, water bottles, and the inner linings of aluminum cans used for food and drinks.

Studies indicate that BPA can leach into our food and beverages. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that the levels of BPA consumed are too low to impact health significantly, many researchers disagree with this assertion.

Research suggests that BPA can accumulate in the brain and prostate, affecting a child's behavior and potentially contributing to conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.¹ Exposure to BPA may also increase the risk of thyroid issues, obesity, and cancer.²

The positive news is that laboratory tests conducted by researchers from Italy and Tunisia demonstrate that the natural compounds in arugula can help mitigate these issues, particularly in terms of protecting testicular function from BPA-induced damage.

The study revealed that an arugula extract acts as an antioxidant, shielding testicular cells from BPA harm and maintaining healthy testosterone levels.³ Furthermore, the researchers observed that arugula can enhance sperm health by reducing mitochondrial damage caused by BPA.⁴

Anticancer Properties

Research focusing on how arugula aids in cancer prevention often centers on a compound called erucin, a component of arugula chemically similar to sulforaphane, a key anticancer compound found in broccoli.

A study at the University of California, Santa Barbara, highlights how erucin can disrupt the cellular processes necessary for breast cancer cells to form larger tumors. Moreover, erucin interferes with the spread of cancer cells throughout the body while promoting apoptosis—a process of programmed cell death—that renders these cells ineffective.⁵

The researchers suggest that erucin could enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs in killing cancer cells. Consuming arugula in salads may provide the benefits of erucin, aiding in halting the growth of pre-cancerous cells before they become malignant threats.

In addition, a notable study from Harvard indicates that erucin may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in women.⁶

Erucin has also demonstrated its health benefits by protecting the walls of veins and arteries.

Supports Cardiovascular Health

Deterioration of artery and vessel walls due to aging and oxidative damage from free radicals is a significant risk to heart health, leading to heart disease and widespread inflammation.

Studies reveal that erucin can halt this degenerative process, acting as an antioxidant to counteract the damage caused by free radicals and preserving the integrity of blood vessel walls.⁷ This action prevents blood vessels from leaking and spreading inflammation from the circulatory system to other organs.

All this research provides compelling reasons to include arugula in your diet.⁸ If you appreciate arugula's distinctive peppery taste, incorporating it into your salads will not be a challenge.

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20498677/
3. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2019.0170?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub 0pubmed
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0890623818302478
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4065051/
6. https://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanther/6/1/334.full.pdf
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8232611/
8. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/03/arugula-rocks-come-at-me-spinach/585571/