Have you seen people drink waterleaf juice? Have you tried it before without knowing so much of the side effect?
You see, it is important that you understand the good and bad sides of a thing before you try it.
Waterleaf juice is one of such juices that you need to take with caution.
Really, this leaf is rich in nutrients and it is so amazing to add to your diet. For instance, it is a great source of vitamin A.
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But consuming waterleaf raw (think – blending to juice) is not so much a safe thing to try.
There are concerns with taking waterleaf raw and you should know them.
Side Effects Of Taking Water Leaf Juice
Waterleaf is a rich source of oxalate or oxalic acid and this compound is the reason there is need for caution.
Also, oxalate is in some other leafy greens and legumes.
Interestingly, your body also produces this compound as waste.
Furthermore, oxalic acid and its salts occur as end products of metabolism in a number of plant tissues.
1. Lowers Amount Of Calcium Available To Your Body
According to a study, when you consume waterleaf, the oxalate in it binds calcium and other minerals (1).
This makes it hard for your body to absorb the calcium and minerals in other foods you eat.
Unfortunately, women could be more at risk when they take waterleaf juice. They need higher amount of calcium because of menstruation and even when they need to conceive.
2. Formation Of Kidney Stone
Additionally, oxalic acid may cause stone formation in the urinary tract when the acid is excreted in the urine (2).
As a result, those with kidney disease or at risk of kidney stone formation are not advised to take foods that are high in oxalate.
This stones are formed when calcium and small amounts of oxalate mix to form crystals.
The stones can cause problems in some people when the oxalate levels are high and urine levels are low.
According to experts, you may not notice when they remain small. However, they become a problem when they join together to form larger stones.
What To Do
Due to these concerns that oxalate blocks the absorption of nutrients and causes formation of kidney stones, it is advisable that people who are at risk and those who have kidney issues should not be given waterleaf juice.
Some persons take it as a detoxifying agent.
If you desire to try waterleaf juice, a study says the occasional consumption of high oxalate foods as part of a nutritious diet does not pose any particular problem (3).
However, to enjoy your waterleaf, you should cook it.
Cooked waterleaf has approximately 50% less soluble oxalate than its raw counterpart (4).
Another thing to do is to soak any food that is high in oxalate. this reduces the oxalate content by leaching.
To lower the chances of kidney stone occurring, eat vegetables and foods that are low in oxalate.
Broccoli, cheese, and canned fish with bones are low in oxalic acid.
These foods also contain high levels of calcium.
Do not just drink green juice because someone is taking it. Be sure it poses no health risk to you.