12 Amazing Benefits of Capers for Skin, Hair and Health

  • What Are Capers?
  • Capers Nutritional Value
  • Health Benefits Of Capers
  • Medicinal Uses of Capers
  • Skin Benefits of Capers
  • Hair Benefits of Capers
  • Side Effects of Capers
  • Cooking Tips
  • How to Buy Capers?
  • Storage Tips

Capers Nutritional Value

Each 100 grams capers contain 5 gram carbohydrate, 0.4 gram sugar, 3 grams dietary fiber, 0.9 gram fat, 2 gram protein, 4 mg vitamin C, 138 IU vitamin A, 24.6 mg vitamin K, 0.88mg vitamin E, 0.652 mg niacin, 0.139 mg riboflavin,1.7 mg iron, 2960 mg sodium, 40 mg potassium, and 96 KJ energies.

Health Benefits Of Capers

1. Antioxidant Powers:

Capers are rich in flavonoid compounds including rutin and quercetin. Both these compounds are potent sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to prevent free radical, which can cause cancer and skin related diseases.

  • Rutin helps in smooth circulation of blood and it can be very helpful in treating strained blood vessels.
  • Recent research reveals quercetin has analgesic, anti- inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-carcinogenic properties (2).
2. Mineral Mine:

Capers contain minerals like iron, calcium, copper and high levels of sodium (3).

  • Calcium helps in building strong bones, and teeth.
  • Copper combines with certain proteins to produce enzymes that act as catalyst to help a number of body functions.
  • Iron helps our muscle to store and use oxygen. It is a part of many enzymes that help our body to digest food.
3. Vitamin Vitality:

These tasty herbs are storehouses of vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin K, niacin, and riboflavin (4).

  • Vitamin A improves eyesight and helps us see in the dark. It may also reduce the risk of certain cancers. This essential vitamin helps our body fight off infection and retains our immunity system.
  • Vitamin K plays a vital role in bone health. It lowers the risk of blood clotting.
  • Niacin protects against cardiovascular diseases and also supports cognitive functions, the nervous and digestive system.
  • Riboflavin, also called vitamin B2, helps the body to convert food into fuel that keeps us energetic. It is also known to support adrenal function. Thus it helps to maintain a healthy nervous system.
4. Fiberlicious Good:

Capers are potent sources of fiber (5). Fiber reduces constipation. A tablespoon of capers contains 0.3 grams of fiber, about 3 percent of your minimum recommended daily fiber intake.

5. Bad Enzyme Buster:

People who include fat and red meat in their daily diet should eat capers since it destroys certain byproducts found in meat and foods which are rich in fat. These byproducts are often responsible for cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Medicinal Uses of Capers

6. Rheumatism Relief:

Capers have been used as a treatment for rheumatic pain (6) in ancient Greece.

7. Relieves Flatulence:

Caper relieves stomach ache and flatulence (7). In addition, these spicy buds are eaten for improving appetite.

8. Diabetes Buster:

Capers help to keep diabetes in check. Capers contain chemicals that keep blood sugar in check. Avoid consuming high quantities of capers if you are already using diabetes medicine as both tend to lower blood sugar (8).

9. Congestion Relief:

These are also known to prevent chest congestion. It reduces phlegm (9).

Skin Benefits of Capers

10. Dry Skin Relief:

Capers are good for dry skin (10). They can be used directly on the skin to keep it moisturized.

11. Skin Aid:

It is also used in treating skin disorders such as skin redness, irritation and pimples. Hence, capers are used in skin care products (11). In addition, caper helps to slow down the aging process due to its antioxidant properties.

Hair Benefits of Capers

12. Promotes Hair Growth:

Capers are widely used in hair care products too since it is rich in vitamin B and iron. Both are known for promoting hair growth. Vitamin B helps blood circulation in our body. Thus it sustains the overall health of hair since blood circulation is a primary condition for healthy and shiny hair. Iron helps to prevent hair loss.

Cooking Tips

Capers are used to bring flavor in a variety of sauces including remoulade or tartare. They are great when cooked with cheese. Knowing the amazing health benefits, you can add them as a replacement for salt while cooking salmon, chicken, turkey, red meat, vegetable and salad. Its tender shoots are also used in different dishes.

How to Buy Capers?

When it comes to capers, the dark green ones in smaller sizes are the best. Peppercorn sized capers from southern France are considered the finest capers in the world.

Storage Tips

Capers are usually sold in brine. Store them in the fridge. You must ensure that they stay dipped in brine so that they do not get dry.

The benefits of capers are many. These exotic fruits are known for their exotic flavor and tanginess. Capers can reduce cancer risk and promote eye, bone, brain, and digestive health. They also ease constipation because of their fiber content. They aid in the treatment of rheumatism, diabetes, and congestion as well. However, excess consumption may trigger unusual thirst and increase the risk of osteoporosis and high blood pressure. Hence, moderate consumption is advised.

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