People who eat these vegetables frequently develop fewer cancers, particularly colon cancers. This evidence comes not only from laboratory experiments but also from analyses of disease patterns among certain groups of people. Saponins, found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, are a class of nutrients comprising sugars hooked up to an alkaloid, steroid, or triterpene compounds. Some varieties are 100 times sweeter than sucrose and healthy. Researchers are investigating these compounds for their functions as immune system effects ranging from increasing antibody formation to anticarcinogenic and antitumor actions.
Saponins also have a cholesterol lowering effect which reduces the risk of heart disease.
Dietary phytochemicals have been studied for their role in preventing chronic diseases as well as fighting microbes, fungal infections, and tumor-suppression. Foods ranging from soybeans, chickpeas, asparagus, bean sprouts, tomatoes, potatoes, oats and spinach contain saponins in high amounts and these substances can be extracted from certain tropical plants such as the rosary pea, Chinese sweet leaf tree and from the roots of the Brazilian legume, Periandra dulcis, the most potent sweetener, the compound periandrin V., with roughly 200 times the potency of sucrose. In addition to their health benefits, saponins are tasty as well. All Rights Reserved. Read Our Privacy Statement and Disclaimer .