Some of the health benefits of wasabi for your children include high content of dietary fiber, carbohydrate, and protein. It is also well known for its antimicrobial actions, anti-inflammatory properties, digestive aide, and other medicinal and health benefits. It also helps in building cardio-vascular health in your child as well as helping in prevention of cavities in his or her teeth. It is also known as a natural sanitizer and has detoxifying properties that can help your baby rid his or her body of toxins and possible carcinogens.
Can I give Wasabi to my Baby?
Wasabia japonica or Eutrema japonica is a member is found in the Brassicaceae family together with cabbages, horseradish, and mustard. The root of the Wasabi is used as a condiment and has a very strong aroma.
When introducing a food as spicy and piquant as wasabi in your child’s diet you need to be very cautious. Make sure that your baby is eating solids before introducing wasabi in his or her diet. It is good to remember that it is not an everyday food and should be given once in a while to avoid irritable bowel due to over-consumption. One must be careful not to use too much at a time when including in your baby’s food.
7 Health Benefits of Wasabi for Your Baby
Despite its strong flavor, Wasabi has many medicinal and health benefits for babies. We have mentioned few of the health benefits of wasabi for children below.
Antimicrobial Properties: Wasabi contains antimicrobial agents which are useful for eliminating bacteria. The Isothiocynates vapors prevent the growth of various strains of bacteria, yeast and mould. Another one, Sawa Wasabi combined with ITCs blocks Helicobacter pylori. This ability to eliminate bacteria makes it an excellent addition to your baby’s diet spectrum.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Wasabi paste is an important anti-inflammatory agent as it helps eliminate inflammation in sores, injuries among others. The herb is popularly used to clear clogged sinuses and blocked nasal passages. The green paste from wasabi is a significant anti-inflammatory agent that gets rid of inflammation in injuries and sores except in your mouth, nose and allied systems where it causes inflammation on the contrary. It provides useful benefits in this manner preventing further injuries, infections and sores. The isothiocynates action in wasabi also prevents asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.
Prevention of Cavities: Wasabi helps in getting rid your child’s mouth of the obnoxious cavities which cause you to run with your child to the dentist regularly. The bacteria responsible for this are the streptococcus mutans. Some studies conducted have shown that wasabi inhibits the growth of the said bacteria in the mouth due to the presence of the chemical compound isothiocynates. Isothiocynates prevent sugars, which lead to cavities, from sticking on your baby’s teeth, thereby successfully preventing them from causing harm to your baby’s pearly whites.
Natural Sanitizer: Wasabi has the ability to fight e.coli and staphylococcus as well as destroying pylori bacteria. This is because of its anti-bacterial action. It therefore acts as a natural sanitizer in your child’s body preventing it from falling prey to harmful bacteria and infections.
Detoxifying Effects: Wasabi is a natural detoxifier as it helps the liver to get rid of toxins and carcinogens from your toddler’s body. Its photochemical help get rid of toxic compounds stored in your baby’s liver’s fatty tissues.
Boosts Digestion: Wasabi peas are perfect food for the intestinal tract as it gets rid of harmful toxins from your baby’s body. This has the effect of reducing the possibility of suffering from diverticulitis. It is also rich in fibers which helps to maintain regular bowel movement in your baby and aids in proper digestion. Wasabi is also used to solve digestion complaints like diarrhea and poor appetite. The herb is used as a digestive stimulant.
Low calorie Food: Wasabi prepared with peas makes a great low-calorie food which is suitable for children fighting childhood obesity. It is a suitable substitute for other high calorie and fatty snacks such as chips and high sugar and processed store bought snacks. If your child is overweight or is suffering from childhood obesity, you can consider taking this combination instead of unhealthy foods snacks which not only effect your child’s body weight but can also lead to other serious obesity related conditions such as lethargy, low energy and stamina, decreased energy level and severe heart related diseases later on in life.
Precautions While Giving Your Child Wasabi
Having considered wasabi health benefits, it is important to be aware of the areas of concern with the vegetable. Too much wasabi can cause some damage to your baby’s liver.
There is a chemical component, hepatotoxin, present in wasabi that is not a problem when taken in small doses. However, large wasabi amounts in your toddler’s body may make it hard to process this toxin that has a negative effect on the liver.
Wasabi may trigger allergic reactions in some children. It is always best to wait three days in between feeding your child new foods. This way, if your child does have an allergic reaction, you will know which food caused it.
As always, if you have any questions about your child’s diet, whether or not to serve them wasabi, it is always best to consult with your child’s physician. He or she will be able to answer your questions and discuss your concerns in more thorough detail having knowledge of your child’s medical history.
