Is Perilla Good for Weight Loss?

Perilla (perilla frutescens) is a herb that is native to Asia and belongs to the mint family.

This herb has many uses and is commonly used in Asian cuisine. It is one of 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. The leaves, seeds, seed oil and sprouts are the most used edible parts in Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine.

For medicinal use, the plant is used to fight bloating, stomach problems, lung ailments and a variety of other issues.

But is the perilla herb good for weight loss? How can you use perilla to help lose weight?

There are numerous studies to back up perilla’s effect on weight loss due to it’s rich nutrient content. Read on to find out why perilla is a very important herb to include in your diet as a supplement.

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5 Ways Perilla Can Help You Lose Weight

The entire perilla plant is rich in many nutrients which makes it valuable in terms of medicinal use. The herb can be used to treat a variety of ailments from migraine to anxiety and depression.

When it comes to diet and weight management, the perilla plant has a number of properties that can not only help you lose weight but also maintain a healthy body. It is high in omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin C and important phytonutrients which are all valuable to weight loss.

Here are some nutrients present in perilla that can help you lose weight.

• Luteolin
• Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
• Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
• Dietary fiber
• Low carbohydrate content
• High omega-3 content
• High omega-6 content
• Vitamin C

1. Luteolin

Luteolin may be the most important component present in the perilla herb when it comes to weight loss. This naturally occurring dietary flavonoid has been shown to activate brown adipose tissue (BAT) – the process of recruiting brown fat – and start thermogenesis. When these two co-dependent processes occur, it helps to increase metabolism, boosting fat burning and dissipating energy as heat.

By reducing excess fat storage, luteolin reduces the risk of related diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Perilla extract has been used in different weight loss supplements for its luteolin content and actions that promote metabolic health and weight loss.

2. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)

Perilla, specifically the seed oil of the plant, is one of the richest sources of this omega-3 fatty acid. Alpha-linolenic acid is also found in kiwi seeds, chia seeds, flaxseed and hemp seeds. It is a necessary nutrient for normal human growth and development.

Studies have shown that alpha-linolenic acid increases metabolism and activates thermogenesis resulting in increased burning of calories. This has led to reduced fat mass, body weight, waist size and blood triglycerides in subjects.

Alpha-linolenic acid also promotes good cardiovascular health.

3. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)

EGCG is a type of plant-based compound known as a catechin. Catechins belong to a larger group of plant compounds known as polyphenols.

This nutrient is best known as the major active compound found in green tea where it is found in very high concentrations. We know that green tea is very beneficial to our health and may play a role in reducing body fat.

EGCG is also found in lesser quantities in other teas, fruits and nuts and is present in the perilla plant.

When taken regularly with caffeine, it can help with weight loss by reducing body fat and weight over time.

4. Dietary Fiber

Perilla leaves are rich in dietary fiber, providing 7 grams per serving. Foods rich in dietary fiber promotes healthy digestion and leaves you feeling satisfied much longer which are ideal conditions for weight loss.

It is also important to note that perilla is sugar free and rich in carbs with 7 g in each 100 g serving.

5. Vitamin C

Perilla is a rich source of vitamin C which may not directly lead to weight loss but there is some relation to high vitamin C intake and lower body mass indexes.

Getting sufficient amounts of vitamin C can help increase boy fat oxidation during moderate intensity exercises while a deficiency in the vitamin can hinder weight and body fat loss.

Perilla leaves are a good source of vitamin C so its good to include it in your diet if you plan on losing weight.

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Conclusion

The perilla plant has numerous medicinal benefits and has been used to treat various ailments and conditions. It’s an effective treatment for obesity due to compounds in the leaves, seeds and oil that enable processes that reduce fat storage and maintain a healthy body.

The flavonoid luteolin is particularly important as it recruits brown fat stores and activates thermogenesis which burns unwanted fat stores.

Perilla may be found in various supplements as perilla extract due to it’s invaluable use in weight management and overall health.