Wasabi Fails As Decongestant

While searching for a decongestant alternative for patients with high blood pressure and heart disease, otolaryngologist David Cameron turned to wasabi, the well-known sushi accompaniment. Thinking the horseradish root could give more than just a pop of heat but actually act as a decongestant, he asked 22 people to assess their ability to breathe through their noses before and after eating wasabi straight up. (It’s a great party trick). Comparing nasal measurements before and after the hit, he noted that nasal congestion actually increased after the wasabi test, with 15 participants’ nasal passages growing narrower and seven expanding only a little. Oddly, participants believed their noses felt clearer afterwards. The diagnosis: Keep wasabi in the pantry, not in the medicine cabinet. http://www.specialtyfood.com/do/news/ViewNewsArticle