Tannins are called tannins - special active organic compounds found in some plants. These substances can be recognized by an astringent sensation in the mouth after consuming the products in which they are contained. Tannins have a wide range of effects on the body.
Where are tannins contained?
The name tannins are due to the bark of oak, which has long been used for tanning (softening) of the skin. Tannins can be found in various parts of the plant - bark, fruits, leaves. A lot of tannins in some food products that have a vegetable origin - tea, coffee, chocolate, persimmon, blueberry , quince, garnet, grapes, nuts and spices. Among the trees most of all tannins contain willow, pine, aspen, heather, beech.
The ability of plants to accumulate tannins is influenced by biological factors: the amount of sun, soil moisture, time of day, etc. And for each plant there are their own patterns that determine the individual level of tannins. A specific pattern is that young plants are more rich in tannin than old plants. The biological role of tannins for plants is not fully understood. There is an assumption that the bactericidal action of these substances, which prevents rotting, is important for the flora.
Properties of tannins
The influence of tannins on the human body is very wide. In the past centuries, medicinal substances from the bark of plants used to bind and neutralize the poisons that enter the body. They treated with their help bacterial infections, disorders of the GI tract, cuts, burns and abrasions. In emergency cases, tannins help to quickly stop bleeding.
The use of tannins is also in the ability to strengthen blood vessels - it's not for nothing that Venotonics are so popular today with the extract of a red grape rich in catechin (a kind of tannin). Tannins possess also effective antioxidant properties, i.e. promote the rejuvenation of the body.