Basil Nutrition
Basil is very rich source of many essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.
Basil is a very good source of iron, and calcium, and a good source of potassium and vitamin C.
It is low in calories and contains no cholesterol.
You can read the detailed nutrient content below. You can also Learn all about the other health benefits of basil with fascinating trivia and our favorite basil recipes at : 7 Benefits of Basil – The Royal Herb
- Basil herb contains exceptionally high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin A, cryptoxanthin, lutein andzea-xanthin. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.
- 100 g of fresh herb leaves contain astoundingly 5275 mg or 175% of daily required doses of vitamin A. Vitamin A is known to have antioxidant properties and is essential for vision. It is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural foods rich in vitamin-A has been found to help the body protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
- Vitamin K in basil is essential for many coagulant factors in the blood and plays a vital role in the bone strengthening function by helping mineralization process in the bones.
- Basil herb contains a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.
- Basil leaves are an excellent source of iron, contains 3.17 mg/100 g of fresh leaves (about 26% of RDA). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Source: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/basil-herb.html
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Basil herb (Ocimum basilicum), Fresh leaves, |
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Principle |
Nutrient Value |
Percentage of RDA |
|
Energy |
23 Kcal |
1% |
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Carbohydrates |
2.65 g |
2% |
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Protein |
3.15 g |
6% |
|
Total Fat |
0.64 g |
2% |
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Cholesterol |
0 mg |
0% |
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Dietary Fiber |
1.60 g |
4% |
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Vitamins |
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Folates |
68 µg |
17% |
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Niacin |
0.902 mg |
6% |
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Pantothenic acid |
0.209 mg |
4% |
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Pyridoxine |
0.155 mg |
12% |
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Riboflavin |
0.076 mg |
6% |
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Thiamin |
0.034 mg |
2.5% |
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Vitamin A |
5275 IU |
175% |
|
Vitamin C |
18 mg |
30% |
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Vitamin E |
0.80 mg |
5% |
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Vitamin K |
414.8 µg |
345% |
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Electrolytes |
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Sodium |
4 mg |
0% |
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Potassium |
295 mg |
6% |
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Minerals |
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Calcium |
177 mg |
18% |
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Copper |
385 mg |
43% |
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Iron |
3.17 mg |
40% |
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Magnesium |
64 mg |
16% |
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Manganese |
1.15 mg |
57% |
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Zinc |
0.81 mg |
7% |
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Phyto-nutrients |
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Carotene-ß |
3142 µg |
— |
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Crypto-xanthin-ß |
46 µg |
— |
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Lutein-zeaxanthin |
5650 µg |
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