Eating common plant extract could prevent bowel condition that five million people live with

I always ignored my mum when she told me eating plants was good for me and, like many of us Brits, always preferred a Greggs over a bowl of rabbit food.

But as it happens, turns out she was right.

New scientific investigations using rats have discovered that one particular Mediterranean plant extract can be used to treat a particular gastrointestinal disorder, known as ulcerative colitis.

What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease which is known to cause inflammation and ulcers in the large intestine, per the NHS.

People who suffer with ulcerative colitis often report flare ups, as the condition comes and goes.

More often than not, the inflammation and ulcers are located around the rectum.

Ulcerative Colitis is a life-long disease that currently doesn't have a cure (Getty Stock Images)

Some of the side effects of ulcerative colitis are:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Rectal bleeding
• Constant urge for bowel movements (even when empty)
• Fever and fatigue
• Weight loss

Ulcerative colitis is a lifelong condition, and as it stands there is no known cure. However, some anti-inflammatory medicines have proven to be effective at helping keep the symptoms under control, but, many of these come with side effects, that can impact your health.

What common plant could help those with ulcerative colitis?

The extract that has been tested comes from the Arbutus unedo plant, more commonly known as the strawberry tree.

Experiments with extracts from the plant was conducted on rats, EurekAlert! reports, and led to some positive results in reducing proteins that promote oxidative stress and inflammation.

The author of the research paper, Soumaya Wahabi, PhD, of the University of Jendouba, in Tunisia, stated: "Our findings suggest that Arbutus unedo should be studied further in preventative and therapeutic approaches to gastrointestinal disorders."

The strawberry tree can be found around the Mediterranean and Southern Ireland (Getty Stock Images)

What is the strawberry tree?

The strawberry tree, also known as Arbutus unedo, is an evergreen tree or shrub that can be found in the Mediterranean, as well as parts of south Ireland.

It's common name comes from the fruits it grows which resembles strawberries. Although, while the fruit might look like a strawberry, they're not sweet, and therefore are more commonly used in cooking.

In Portugal, the fruit from the strawberry tree is used to make a traditional liqueur called medronho. It's not a particularly rare plant, and can be grown in environments, and types of soil found across the globe.

As well as being used for food and drink, the strawberry tree is often purchased as a ornamental feature due to its striking fruit, which helps make it stand out.