Having a fiery red color, sumac is a spice that is commonly grown in countries with subtropical climates such as Africa, North America, and East Asia. However, this spice with a slightly spicy taste has become a favorite seasoning for chefs in the Middle East and Mediterranean region.
Sumac is a flowering shrub that belongs to a family known as Anacardiaceae. The scientific name of Sumac is Rhus coriaria. Sumac grows all over the world, including various parts of the Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa.Sumac has more than two hundred different species, all of these species belong to the genus Rhus. Sumac is cultivated for culinary use as well as for medical use.
Sumac produces dense clusters of bright red, pea-sized fruit. The fresh fruit of Sumac is used to make tea and its fruits are dried for culinary uses. The poison Sumac should not be confused with Sumac as it is totally different species.
In addition to giving a delicious taste to a portion of food, sumac has a variety of good benefits for the body, such as the following five. Learn More about the Benefits….
1. Fights bacteria that attack the body
The food or drink we consume is not completely clean. If not processed hygienically, bacteria can secretly sneak up and attack the body. When the immune system is low, bacteria can cause poisonings such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Therefore, we must balance the body by consuming something that has antimicrobial properties, such as sumac. A study shows that sumac contains tannins that can be useful in fighting salmonella bacteria.
2. Fighting bad cells or free radicals
Air pollution and exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays coupled with the consumption of unhealthy foods can give rise to bad cells that fight healthy cells. Many call them free radicals.
Free radicals can cause a number of serious diseases, such as premature aging to heart disease. As reported on the Dr.Ax page, sumac is a concentrated source of antioxidants that can help the body neutralize free radicals and maintain a healthy body.
3. Overcoming women’s problems
Sumac is packed with a number of good ingredients needed by the body, such as protein, fiber, tannins, essential oils, nitrates, and so on, which function in overcoming women’s problems, as reported by the BabaMail page.
The women’s problems in question consist of extreme vaginal discharge, menstrual disorders, stomach cramps to a small amount of breast milk. Consuming it as tea or juice, sumac can help overcome the above problems.
4. Treating urinary infections
Urinary tract infections are easy to attack women because the location of the urine disposal and the anus are close, so the risk of bacterial infection is greater than in men. This can be minimized by maintaining cleanliness and consuming foods such as sumac.
Sumac can also be considered a diuretic plant which basically means it’s useful to remove toxins from our body. That’s why sumac is often used as a traditional medicine to treat urinary health problems.
5. Prevent the occurrence of cancer
Cancer is included in the list of the deadliest diseases in the world. Every year the number of cancer patients is increasing in addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, controlling the mind to stay positive, and exercising regularly. Maintaining health by eating nutritious foods is also necessary, especially those that can help prevent cancer, such as sumac.
Quoted from the Health Benefits Time page, sumac is a plant that has anti-cancer properties. For this reason, these spices are often used as herbal medicines for treating cancer patients while undergoing chemotherapy.
Those were the five benefits of sumac, a chef’s mainstay spice that can be used as medicine. There are many more benefits of sumac that cannot be conveyed in detail. If you are curious about the benefits, try to make food made from sumac and prove the benefits!
6. Contains many important nutrients
Sumac has many important and essential nutrients including fiber, healthy fats, and some essential vitamins.
According to 2014 analysis nutritionally dried sumac is made up of approximately 71% carbs, 19% fat, and 5% protein. Oleic Acid that is monounsaturated fat is found in Sumac. Linoleic acid that is a type of essential polyunsaturated fat that plays a very important role in maintaining healthy and fresh skin. The fruit of Sumac is made of fibers that are very important and essential for the body. It contains many essential vitamins including Vitamin C, B6, B1, and Vitamin B2.
7. Sumac is Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidant compounds are richly found in Sumac. That is the reason Sumac is richly used in therapeutics processes. The antioxidants found in Sumac include tannins, flavonoids, and anthocyanin. These antioxidants are very important for the body as they protect the body from oxidative stress. Sumac has anti-inflammatory effects.
It is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory spices. It is full of antioxidants and has the strong ability to neutralize free radicals that can cause cancer, heart disease, and signs of aging. Daily intake of sumac will lower the risk of cardio vascular diseases.
8. Promote balanced blood sugar
Some researchers suggest sumac may be an effective tool to balance blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
9. Alleviate muscle pain
The use of Somac is very effective to alleviate muscle pain. Sumac group also contributes in significant increases in circulating antioxidant levels.
10. Culinary uses of Sumac
Sumac is commonly used in culinary spices. It enhances the flavor of the dishes. It has a rich red color and its fragrance is citrus. The flavor is similar to lemon juice. It is commonly used as sweet and sour beverage also known as sumac lemonade.
11. Contains Herbal supplements
Commercially Sumac is available as a herbal supplement. It is taken as a capsule form, or you can also take it as a tea or tincture.
12. Supports metabolic and cardiac health
Along with anti-inflammatory properties Sumac has antibacterial features that support metabolic as well as cardiovascular health.
13. Uses of Sumac in cooking
Sumac is widely used for cooking purposes as it has countless benefits in preventing many diseases.
