Floriphagia & Nutritional Benefits to Consumption

By: Makeeda Bandele-Asante

CP in Dietetics

Howard University

The consumption of flowers as food, known as floriphagia, is an ancient practice gaining popularity among consumers. Blended in smoothies, frozen in ice cubes, encapsulated in sweets, topped on savory toast, and on top of salads are a few ways you can incorporate edible flowers into your diet.

Just like other produce, flower care and food safety are important in the use of edible flowers. Some tips include:

• Use flowers as soon as possible after purchase

• Verify the appropriate storage time, typically 2-6 days in an airtight refrigerated container

• Rehydrate droopy flowers with a 10 minute ice bath

• For drying, spread the flowers out to dry for a few hours in the sun or in a dehydrator

• Look out for mold, especially in prepackaged containers

This practice is one way to ingest bioactive substances, such as antioxidants, which target free radicals in the body to reduce oxidative stress that could lead to cell damage and conditions, such as cancer.

Image 1. Amazing Edible Flowers You Can Eat And Their Benefits. Country Homestead Living.

Image 2. Can we Eat Some Vivid Enchanting Flowers? Crunch Stories.

The study titled Borage, Calendula, Cosmos, Johnny Jump up, and Pansy Flowers: Volatiles, Bioactive Compounds, and Sensory Perception aimed to assess the main volatile and bioactive compounds of the five edible flowers. Reviewed were monomeric anthocyanins, hydrolysable tannins, total flavonoids, and total free radical reducing capacity.

More information is needed on proper taxonomy, which is the level of organism classification, as it helps to classify organisms and understand biological information. More understanding of toxicological profiles of plants involves the analysis of adverse effects of chemical substances on organisms and the practice of diagnosing and treating exposures to toxins and toxicants. Both studies are directly connected to health.

Image 3. Borage, calendula, cosmos, Johnny Jump up, and pansy flowers: volatiles, bioactive compounds, and sensory perception. SpringerLink.

Knowing of the proper cultivation, handling and preparation for commercialization is important as floriphagia rises in popularity. Location of the growth of these flowers is important. Pesticides and herbicides can be absorbed into the body if consumed on these flowers. Flowers located on the side of the road, from florists, or garden centers may be treated with these chemicals, making them unfit to consume. Soil type and fertilization also matter regarding nutritional profile and the growth needs of the plants. Information on allergens is important for producers to provide, as some consumers may be allergic to these flowers, so introducing them gradually and intentionally in the diet is crucial for some.

Some edible flowers have nutrient composition information on the US Department of Agriculture Nutrient Database. More research is needed on the nutritional, therapeutic and chemical features of edible flowers. Studies such as Nutritional Content, Functional Properties and Conservation of Edible Flowers Review have identified bioactive substances such as vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavins, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, iron and potassium in flowers. One study found the flower species with the highest mineral content were chrysanthemum, dianthus, or viola. Potassium was the most abundant mineral, which assists in muscle and nerve growth and development, heart function, and balances nutrient levels in the body.

Image 4. Natural Bioactive Compounds Useful in Clinical Management of Metabolic Syndrome. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute.

All in all, floriphagia can increase sustainability and biodiversity when cultivated correctly. Aesthetically and nutritionally, edible flowers revitalize home gardens with beautiful shapes and colors. Practicing floriphagia with cultural importance is a way to connect with one's heritage.

References

Lara-Cortes, E., & et al. (2013, September). [nutritional content, functional properties and conservation of edible flowers. review]. Archivos latinoamericanos de nutricion. Retrieved April 10, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25362819/

Takahashi, J. A., & et al. (2020, March). Edible flowers: Bioactive profile and its potential to be used in food development. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.). Retrieved April 10, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32036873/

Cunningham, E. (2015, May). What nutritional contribution do edible flowers make? Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Retrieved April 10, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25911345/

Fernandes, L., & al, et. (2019, March). Borage, calendula, cosmos, Johnny Jump up, and pansy ... Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329007426_Borage_calendula_cosmos_Johnny_Jump_up_and_pansy_flowers_volatiles_bioactive_compounds_and_sensory_perception

Cunningham, E, d. (2015, May). What Nutritional Contribution Do Edible Flowers Make? Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(15)00263-4/fulltext