Terpenes: their benefits and what foods contain them

Terpenes are the cause of the most pungent flavors and also part of the beneficial effects on health of certain foods. Are basic components of essential oils and they are present in aromatic plants, spices and many fruits.

Researchers have studied their effect against cancer, viruses, bacteria and high cholesterolamong other health problems.

What are terpenes and what are they for?

In plants, these aromatic substances serve to attract insects. involved in reproduction or to repel pests.

The strong smell of pine resinwith whose essence of turpentine the white spirit was made, It is due to its very high content of terpenes (the word comes from turpentineturpentine in English).

As a food ingredient What do we humans consume? terpenes promote health under certain circumstances.

In general, terpenes act as antioxidants that protect lipids, blood and other body fluids from attack by free radicals. The most studied are the effects of limonene and carvone terpenes.

Without terpenes, fruits, aromatic plants and spices would be completely bland.

What effect do terpenes have on health?

Currently studying the possible utility of d-limonene as an aid in cancer therapy. At Charing Cross Hospital in London (United Kingdom) successful studies have been carried out with patients suffering from breast and bowel cancers.

High doses of terpenes are used in medical research, well above the amounts found in food. However, according to Watzl, “there are clear evidence that a diet rich in terpenes helps reduce the risk of cancer“.

Some terpenes have an antibiotic effect. He carvacrolwhich is found in savory and thyme, is especially active against germs present in food.

Besides, it is possible that terpenes regulate cholesterol synthesis in the liver.

What foods contain terpenes?

Almost any plant food with a strong aroma contains terpenes; especially the fresh vegetables that smell of flowers, citrus, mint, grass and pine. This is the case, for example, of lemon.

Are terpenes lost when cooking?

Terpenes react with light and oxygen. Therefore tend to break down on contact with cooking water and air. To avoid its disappearance as much as possible, It is best to eat foods rich in terpenes rawconsuming them immediately after being prepared.

Besides, the terpene content is higher when the fruit is left to ripen on the tree. Hence the importance of consuming products seasonal and if possible grown in the environment where you live

How are aromatic plants taken, cooked or not?

Parsley, dill or mountain celery should not be heatedbut chopped and sprinkled fresh on the ready dish.

Other terpenes, such as those present in cumin or dried bay leaves, develop best when slightly heatedso they can be cooked for a few minutes.

Are terpenes present in juices?

Yes, but the freshness of the juice matters. The freshly squeezed at home they generally have higher amounts of terpenes than commercial products.

One study showed that the limonene content in packaged orange juice decreased by 25 to 60 percent within two weeks of being packaged.

Where are there more terpenes, in the pulp or in the skin?

Most of the terpenes in citrus fruits are found in the skin.. That is why it is important not to replace oranges with their juice and to buy organically grown fruits whose surface is free of fungicides.

Grated peels can be used on desserts or as flavoring of other dishes.

Are terpenes found only in food?

No, are the main components of essential oils used in perfumery and aromatherapy. They are also added to paints as solvents.

Through smell its effect is different to that produced by ingestion: they produce a stimulating or relaxing effect on the nervous system.

Do they have nutritional importance?

Beta-carotene or provitamin A is chemically a terpene and therefore a source of an essential nutrient, but most terpenes are not. They are considered essential for health. Terpenes are included within the phytochemical substances with beneficial effects, especially on the immune system.

How many terpenes are known?

It is a very large family made up of thousands of substances. The subclass of carotenoids is made up of more than 700 substances. Among the most well-known and abundant terpenes are geraniol, limonene, terpineol, lycopene, linalool, retinol, borneol, capsaicin or cineole.

Do they protect the respiratory system?

A subclass of terpenes, limonoids help to eliminate the mucus that congests the lungs. In people affected by respiratory diseases, limonoid supplementation reduces the need to take antibiotics, as well as the frequency and intensity of coughing, acute bronchitis or expectoration.

Is it true that they cause allergies?

Some hypersensitive people may react with allergic symptoms to certain terpenes.

For this reason the law made it compulsory to declare the presence of terpenes on the label of cosmetic products such as d-limonene, geraniol or farnesol. Anyway, they are reactions infrequent.