Saponins have properties due to their chemical structure that characterize them by the ability to create a soapy foam when they are stirred in a solution, forming a kind of "detergent." This behavior allows them to easily bind at a molecular level with water and other substances, such as cholesterol and fats.
In this sense, saponins will present a behavior such as a foaming or emulsifying agent. This capacity to generate a bridge between two polar opposite molecules , as occurs with water and oil, allows saponins to interact with the molecules present on the surface of the cell membrane.
The amphiphilic structure of saponins allows them to associate at a molecular level with cholesterol molecules located on intestinal cells. Once the union is generated, the saponins will promote the formation of pores on the surface of the cell, producing an increase in its permeability and stimulating the flow of other substances and nutrients from the bloodstream.
Saponins can contribute to improving our health, and among these we find the following properties:
Diuretics
Expectorants
Anti-catarrhal
Anti-inflammatory
Antispasmodics
Aphrodisiacs
Antioxidants
Cardioprotective
Hormonal level optimizers
Hepatoprotective
Adaptogens
Where are saponins found?
In plants, saponins are found especially in plant skins where they form a protective wax layer. They also form an important part of the active immune system of plants and perform a function as a "natural antibiotic" for
Benefits of Saponins
Reduce Cholesterol
Saponins bind with bile salts and cholesterol in the intestinal tract, acting as a "bile acid sequestrant." Bile acids are compounds used to digest fats that are made by the liver from cholesterol. Saponins bind with cholesterol, forming small micelles, which contain bile and pathogens (molecules that are too large to be absorbed through the intestinal wall) so they pass through the digestive tract and are excreted in the feces. Saponins cause a decrease in cholesterol by either preventing its reabsorption and increasing its excretion.
Anticancer Properties
Saponins may prevent the risk of cancer. This may be due to the immune system-modulating effects of saponins that increase anti-tumor activity in the body. Stimulation of bile acid secretion in the intestinal tract and antioxidant activity may also contribute to this.
Antioxidant Effect
Antioxidants prevent cell damage by protecting lipids from radical oxidation reactions. Saponins prevent cholesterol oxidation in the colon, which may also help reduce colon damage and cancer risk. They also prevent DNA and protein degeneration and protect cells from free radical damage.
They also help maintain a better texture and firmness of the skin, allowing you to look much younger despite the passage of time. They also strengthen hair and nails.
Immune System Booster
Saponins break down and cleanse the clogged matter on the walls of the colon and encourage the growth of good bacteria and decrease harmful bacteria. This healthy balance makes for a naturally healthier immune system for the body, helping to eliminate the causes of frequent colds and flu, parasites, fungus and other bacterial infections, as well as digestive disorders and constipation.
Saponins can also reduce and delay the onset of pathologies related to the deterioration of the bone system, such as osteoporosis, where the gradual loss of bone density occurs. Thus, the resulting symptoms, such as joint pain or stiffness, can be mitigated. In elderly people, it is a benefit in the event of possible accidents where fractures may occur.
