Good news for caper lovers! a compound commonly found in pickled capers, activates proteins essential for normal brain and heart function in humans.
The Science Behind the Snack:
- The study, published in Communications Biology, revealed quercetin’s ability to directly regulate proteins crucial for various bodily processes.
- These processes include heartbeat, thought, muscle contraction, and the functioning of the thyroid, pancreas, and digestive system.
- Quercetin, a plant-derived bioflavonoid, modulates potassium ion channels in the KCNQ gene family. These channels play a significant role in human health, and their dysfunction is linked to several common diseases like diabetes, heart arrhythmia, and epilepsy.
Capers: More Than Just a Flavorful Bud:
- Capers, the unopened flower buds of the Capparis spinosa plant, have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
- This research adds another layer to their appeal, making them a perfect snack that combines their unique olive-like taste with impressive health benefits.
