Wasabi: 6 Health Benefits

Wasabi is that green, paste-like substance that often appears on your plate near a sushi roll. If you've ever tasted it, you're well aware of the after-burn that lingers down your throat, after the initial mustard-like taste. Along with that spice, wasabi also provides the body with Vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and iron, among other nutrients. Wasabi health benefits include the ability to improve gut health, fight inflammation, prevent tooth decay and even kill cancer cells.

Wasabi Health Benefits

1. Kills Harmful Food-Borne Bacteria

Wasabi health benefits include the ability to kill food-borne bacteria. According to a study conducted at Chiba University's Laboratory of Plant Cell Technology in Japan, using wasabi on potatoes made them more resistant to disease. Wasabi has natural antibacterial properties that can help fight illnesses and infections caused by harmful bacteria. (1)

2. Prevents Tooth Decay

Wasabi health benefits include the ability to prevent tooth decay. Wasabi's antibacterial properties can help prevent the development of yeast, mold and bacteria in the body. By destroying harmful bacteria in the mouth, wasabi works as a natural defense against tooth decay.

3. Kills Cancer Cells

Wasabi health benefits include the ability to kill cancer cells in the body. Wasabi contains phytonutrients called isothiocyanates, which have powerful anti-cancer properties. Isothiocyanates are sulphur-containing compounds that can be found in cruciferous vegetables. As a cancer-fighting food, wasabi health benefits include the ability to help prevent lung, esophageal and gastrointestinal cancer. (2)

4. May Help Reduce Pain Caused by Inflammation

Wasabi health benefits include the ability to reduce pain caused by inflammation. Researchers found that the isothiocyanates in wasabi are able to trigger a reaction in TRP receptors, which send pain signals to the brain. TRP receptors are also responsible for inflammation. By blocking these receptors, wasabi health benefits include the ability to work as a natural painkiller.

5. Improves Gut Health

Wasabi health benefits include the ability to naturally improve gut health. Research has shown that wasabi can help suppress bacteria in the gut that can lead to gastric inflammation and even stomach cancer. By improving the health of the digestive tract, wasabi can also help prevent diverticulitis, food poisoning, constipation and leaky gut syndrome. (3)

6. Works as a Smoke Alarm

We've covered wasabi health benefits, but there's another interesting way wasabi can be useful. Japanese scientists found that wasabi's pungent aroma can be used as a different type of smoke alarm for those who are hearing impaired. When smoke is detected, this smoke alarm prototype they created sprays wasabi extract into the room, to alert those who cannot hear the alarm. In a preliminary study, 13 out of 14 test subjects were awakened by the smell of wasabi within two minutes of the smoke alarm being triggered. One subject woke up within ten seconds!