They are naturally occurring glycosides extracted from different plants.

Subtypes:

They include asparanin A, asparanin B, sarsasapogenin, protodioscin, dioscorin, diosgenin, pisumsaponins I, pisumsaponins II, pisomosides A, pisomoside B, spinosaponin, esculeoside A, esculeogenin B1, esculeogenin B2, and soysapogenol I.

Food sources:

Fruits: Rambutan, and soapberries (Chinese litchi).

Vegetables: alfalfa sprouts, amaranth, asparagus, green peas, spinach, soybeans, tomatoes, and yams.

Health Benefits:

1. Have anti-inflammatory activities.
2. Display anti-cancer activities.
3. Help lower an elevated blood pressure (dioscorin).
4. May help reduce blood sugar level (pisomosides and pisumsaponins).
5. May increase bone density (esculeoside A).
6. Relieve symptoms of menopause (esculeoside A).
7. May lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels (spinosaponin).
8. May increase the production of male hormones (diosgenin).