The rich culinary tradition of our country has helped us relish and savor various types of vegetables and fruits, thereby deriving numerous health benefits. One such famous vegetable, which is greatly valued and earns our interest, is the drumstick or Moringa oleifera. It denotes twisted pods. Also, this vegetable has been used extensively in Indian culinary dishes for more than a hundred years. Drumstick lends its unique flavour to dishes, whether it is a sambhar or some vegetable curry; drumstick will provide all the essential nutrients. Let’s find out more about what drumsticks are and the benefits of drumsticks.
Nutritional Value of Drumstick
Drumstick leaves and pods are a storehouse of essential nutrients, whereas the leaves are primarily rich in nutrients. It is one of the finest sources of iron, zinc, and potassium. Seeds and Fresh Pods are a perfect source of oleic acid, a healthy fatty acid known to promote cardiovascular health. Moringa leaves are unique among all the greens as they are rich in a substantial amount of protein, which is approximately 9.8 grams of protein per 100 grams. Dry, powdered leaves are a perfect source of high-quality essential amino acids.
Health Benefits Of Drumstick
1. Strengthens Bone
Drumstick is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, and iron, minerals that help strengthen bones in growing children. Adding drumsticks to your diet regularly can also help restore bone density in older adults and ease symptoms of osteoporosis. Its anti-inflammatory properties support the treatment of arthritis and can aid in healing bone fractures.
2. Augments Immune System
Drumsticks are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which help the body fight the common cold and prevent various infections. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties help reduce symptoms of cough, asthma, and wheezing. Drumstick soup can bolster the immune system and help keep illnesses at bay.
3. Promotes Gut Health
Drumstick, which is blessed with the richness of essential B vitamins such as riboflavin,
Thiamine, niacin, plays a vital role in stimulating the secretion of the digestive juices, and it helps in the smooth functioning of the digestive system. Also, it aids the digestion process by helping in the breakdown of carbs, protein, and fat into simpler forms. However, the umpteen amount of fiber presence in drumsticks will regularise the bowel movement, and it helps in maintaining health.
4. Regulates Hypertension
The goodness of bioactive compounds isothiocyanate and nizaziminin in drumstick will assist to prevent the thickening of the arteries and lessens the chance of developing high blood pressure. The presence of a rich antioxidant profile in drumsticks will improve the circulation of blood and nutrients to the heart, thus regulating hypertension.
5. Kidney Health
By adding regular addition of drumsticks to the diet will help in reducing the development of stones in the bladder and kidneys. The presence of a good amount of antioxidants may help in clearing out the toxins out of the body.
6. Reduces The Risk Of Cancer
Regular addition of drumsticks in your meal plan is a good way to boost the antioxidant profile. The abundance of Vitamin A,C, Beta-Carotene, and Niazimicin help in suppressing the formation of cancer cells. Furthermore, the rich antioxidant profile scavenges the free radicals.
7. Improves Liver Health
The liver is a crucial organ that is responsible for flushing out toxins out of the system. It supports the gall bladder in bile secretion. The hepatoprotective function of the drumstick will shield the liver from the harmful toxins. In addition, drumstick will stimulate the production of glutathione that is the liver from the harmful toxins. Furthermore, the drumstick is valuable in shielding the liver against the damage caused by anti-tubercular drugs and speeds up the healing process.
8. Cures Edema
Edema is a condition where fluid builds up in particular tissues in the body, and it is painful. The natural anti-inflammatory properties of drumstick will lessen the swelling and will also modulate the immune response. Thus averting further aggravation of the condition.
9. Fights Infection
The potent anti-fungal,anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of drumstick are efficient in battling infections that are caused by E. However, the superior anti-bacterial profile of drumstick is beneficial in preventing infections of the throat, skin, and chest. However, drumstick has quercetin, a potent antioxidant that is efficient in treating tuberculosis, and it is valuable in treating fungal skin ailments.
10. It regulates diabetes
Drumsticks are naturally low in calories, and it heaped with essential minerals, vitamins, and fiber will help significantly bring down blood sugar spikes. There are various studies that reveal that the plant compound isothiocyanate in moringa is effective in improving tuberculosis. However, it is valuable in treating skin ailments.
11. It promotes good vision
The presence of antioxidants in drumsticks is beneficial in treating dry eyes. Moreover,
the eye-friendly nutrients in drumsticks avert the thickening of the capillary membrane.
Side Effects of Drumstick
Drumstick seeds, leaves, pods, and flowers are perfectly safe for consumption. However, large quantities of seeds and pods might exhibit some side effects. Moringa root and the root extracts are unsafe when taken by mouth as the root contains spirochin and a toxic substance. By consuming drumsticks in a huge amounts might lower blood pressure and slow your heart rate due to an abundance of alkaloids. Consuming the bark of the drumstick might induce uterine contractions. Also, it is not recommended to consume drumstick supplements with hypertensive drugs, as it might lower the blood pressure.
Wrapping It Up
Drumstick has many bioactive compounds that interacts with certain drug-metabolising enzymes which resulting in alterations in drug absorption, metabolism, and elimination from the body, and possibly causing toxicity and failure of treatment. The leaf extract of the drumstick inhibits one of such enzymes that is responsible for the detoxification of medicines.
