Final answer:
Eating the lotus in the Odyssey causes Odysseus's men to forget their mission and desire to stay on the lotus-eaters' island, highlighting themes of temptation and forgetfulness.
Step-by-step explanation:
While there's limited research on the human health effects of consuming lotus, it's thought that these antioxidant compounds might protect against diseases that stem from oxidative stress. In particular, they may have anticancer effects, protect against Alzheimer's disease, and prevent liver damage.
Eating the lotus in Homer's Odyssey has a profound effect on Odysseus's men. The lotus is a plant that causes those who eat it to forget their purpose and desire to return home. When some of Odysseus's crew consume the lotus offered by the inhabitants of the land they are visiting, they begin to lose their memory of home and their mission, becoming indifferent to their past lives and their obligations.
Overcome by the narcotic effect of the lotus, these men wish to remain on the island, forsaking their journey. This episode highlights the dangers of temptation and forgetfulness.