Cilantro, also known as fresh coriander, is a green, leafy herb used in Asian, Caribbean and Latin American Cooking. Cilantro is a source of vitamin K, which is often found in leafy greens. This fat soluble vitamin is essential to a number of body functions, including blood clotting and bone health.
Significance
Along with vitamins A, C and D, vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin meaning that any excess is stored in the liver and fatty tissues throughout the body. Vitamin K helps you blood clot normally, so that when you are cut or injured, you do not bleed to death. Vitamin K may also help your body build stronger bones. Deficiency of vitamin K is not common, but may occur in people who have been on several rounds of antibiotics. If you are deficient, you may experience bleeding and, over the long term, osteoporosis.
Amount in Cilantro
In just nine sprigs of cilantro, you get 62 mcg of vitamin K. Adult males need 120 mcg per day and women 90 mcg per day. Vitamin K can affect the way certain blood thinner medications work, so check with your health care provider before adding supplements or large servings of foods that contain vitamin K. Other foods that contain significant amounts of vitamin K include spinach, beef liver, kale, broccoli, soybeans and asparagus.
Uses
Stir chopped cilantro into guacamole or salsa to add an herbaceous note. You can also make a pesto by pureeing cilantro with walnuts, olive oil and garlic. You can also add chopped cilantro to tacos, soups, stir fries and coconut milk curries.
Considerations
Some people find the flavor of cilantro off-putting, describing it as soapy. When purchasing cilantro, look for perky, deep-green leaves that show no signs of wilting. Wrap cilantro in a moist towel and store in a cool section of your refrigerator, or place the stems in a jar of water in your refrigerator. While the stems of cilantro are edible and nutritious, the leaves are more often used for garnish and cooking.
Member Comments