subject: Destroy Disease Causing Microorganisms And More With Coumarin [print this page] Coumarin is a hydroxycinnamic acid and phytonutrient that has been hotly debated in health and fitness circles. On the 1 hand it does have a number of promising health benefits but on the other hand there are a number of potential health risks associated with its consumption. In this article I will be looking at both sides of the argument and providing a full overview of coumarin.
1) DISCOVERY:
A.Vogel was the first person to isolate coumarin in 1820. In 1868 it was synthesised by William Henry Perkin.
2) HEALTH BENEFITS:
The health benefits of coumarin have yet to be fully confirmed but the early evidence is very promising. Coumarin may act as an analgesic (a substance that relieves pain), anticoagulant (a substance that stops the blood from clotting), anti-inflammatory (a substance that minimises unnecessary inflammation) and antiseptic (a substance that inhibits the growth of disease causing
microorganisms).
It may also act in a protective capacity and prevent arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats), cancer (a disease where your cells start to grow in a rapid, uncontrollable way), osteoporosis (reduced bone mineral density), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), high blood pressure and asthma (a respiratory disorder that makes breathing very difficult). However, more research is required before these potential health benefits can be confirmed.
3) RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE (RDA):
Coumarin is not believed to be essential in humans so no official RDA has been set. However, due to the possible adverse effects associated with consuming high levels of this nutrient, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.1 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of bodyweight.
4) FOOD SOURCES:
Coumarin can be sourced from a range of plant based foods but the exact amounts they contain are not known. Some of the best food sources of this hydroxycinnamic acid are apricots, cherries, cinnamon, strawberries and tonka beans.
5) OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS:
Natural coumarin sourced from plant based foods is believed to be safe. However, artificially adding this phytonutrient to other foods or products can be very harmful to your health and lead to bruising, excessive bleeding, kidney damage, liver damage and even lung cancer. It can also interfere with the effects of blood thinning medications. To avoid these nasty effects make sure you avoid artificial coumarin, stick to natural food sources and limit your intake to the TDI of 0.1mg per kg of bodyweight.
6) SUMMARY:
There is still a lot to learn about the health benefits and health risks of coumarin. However, the available evidence suggests that natural plant based sources of this phytonutrient are safe. So make sure you fill up on the fruits and vegetables listed and give your body a healthy dose of this hydroxycinnamic acid.
