Why is cascara banned in the UK?
Banned due to safety concerns under EU’s Novel Food Regulation for containing harmful compounds when consumed in large quantities. Cascara represents an eco-friendly solution for reducing waste in the coffee industry, but faces regulatory hurdles. Cascara sagrada is a shrub used for its laxative effects, but it is not FDA-approved for this use due to safety concerns. Cascara sagrada can cause serious side effects like dehydration and electrolyte loss, especially if used long-term.Side Effects People with an intestinal obstruction, Crohn’s disease, appendicitis or abdominal pain should not employ this herb. Long-term use or abuse of cascara may result in weakened bowel function. It may also cause a loss of electrolytes (especially the mineral potassium).Cascara sagrada has been reported to cause liver damage [25]. A 48-year-old man developed cholestatic hepatitis and hypertension shortly after he started to use the herbal laxative cascara sagrada, which contains an anthracene glycoside.Cascara use is not recommended because there are insufficient data for establishing its safety, and there have been reports of liver injury with high doses. It is, however, unlikely to cause colorectal adenomas or carcinomas.
What does cascara do to the body?
Cascara sagrada contains chemicals that stimulate the bowel and have a laxative effect. People use cascara sagrada for constipation, emptying the colon before a colonoscopy, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Side effects, toxicity, and interactions Do not use cascara if you have chronic intestinal problems. These include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, sprue, appendicitis, stomach ulcers, any unexplained stomach pain, or irritable bowel syndrome. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use cascara sagrada.Cascara is used as a laxative for constipation, as well as a treatment for gallstones, liver ailments, and cancer. Some people use it as a “bitter tonic. In foods and beverages, a bitterless extract of cascara is sometimes used as a flavoring agent.How long does it take cascara to work? As with most herbal laxatives, it can vary from person to person, but if often takes six to 12 hours. When used as a laxative, the appropriate dose of cascara sagrada is typically considered to be the smallest amount required to maintain soft stools.