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Nutritional Value Of Drumstick And Its Leaves
Nutritional Value Of Drumstick And Its Leaves
Out of all green leafy vegetables available, drumstick leaves (Moringa Oleifera) contains 23791.91mcg total carotene and highest β-carotene content 16165.33 mcg/100gm FW and can be a suitable protocol for dietary diversification/improvement strategy especially to eradicate vitamin A deficiency.
Apart from β-carotene content they are also a good source of ascorbic acid, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and has low levels of oxalates. They are a rich source of protective nutrients essential for healthy vision, bones, blood and skin. The are also rich in various polyphenols, which act as antioxidants and are recommended for protecting against (Cardio Vascular Diseases) CVDs.
Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that high intakes of vitamin A/ carotenoids present in fruits and vegetables are associated with reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, age-related macular degeneration and some cancers.
Medicinal properties
Juice is used for treating insect bites and rheumatism. Leaf paste has healing properties when applied to wounds. Seed oil is used to treat gout and flowers are used as a tonic.
(Excepts from Dr Vanisha Nambiar’s presentation Nov 2006)
What is Drumstick?
Botanical Name :: Moringa oleifera
Indian Name :: Sanjana
Drumstick tree called the “Power house of minerals” is the most common tree in India. Its leaves,fruits, flowers, barks and seeds have medicinal values and are used in various manners in all dishes. Invaluable in preventing cardiac diseases; researchers have stated that the nutritional value of the leaves is equivalent to 7 times the Vitamin C in oranges plus 4 times the calcium in milk plus 3 times potassium in bananas plus 2 times the protein in milk plus 4 times the vitamin A in Carrot.
It is an exceptionally nutritious vegetable tree with a variety of potential uses. It is antibacterial and a wonderful cleanser.It is considered one of the world’s most useful trees, as almost every part of the Moringa tree can be used for food or has some other beneficial property. In the tropics, it is used as forage for livestock, and in many countries, Moringa micronutrient liquid, a natural anthelmintic (kills parasites) and adjuvant (to aid or enhance another drug) is used as a metabolic conditioner to aid against endemic diseases in developing countries.
A traditional food plant in Africa, this little-known vegetable has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and support sustainable landcare.
The leaves are highly nutritious, being a significant source of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, protein, iron, and potassium. The leaves are cooked and used like spinach. In addition to being used fresh as a substitute for spinach, its leaves are commonly dried and crushed into a powder, and used in soups and sauces. Murungakai, as it is locally known in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, is used in Siddha medicine. The tree is a good source for calcium and phosphorus
Moringa leaves and pods are helpful in increasing breast milk in the breastfeeding months. One tablespoon of leaf powder provide 14% of the protein, 40% of the calcium, 23% of the iron and most of the vitamin A needs of a child aged one to three. Six tablespoons of leaf powder will provide nearly all of the woman’s daily iron and calcium needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
It is commonly said that Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas,” and that the protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of milk and eggs. However, the leaves and stem of M. oleifera are known to have large amounts of their calcium bound in calcium oxalate crystals, which is not a form of calcium available to the body. Whether the claim of “more calcium than milk” includes this non-bioavailable calcium needs to be addressed.
Food Value of Drumstick
Nutritionaly, drumstick pods and leaves are of great value as sources of acrotene, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C. The leaves, flowers and fruits of drumstick which are used as vegetable have great nutritional value. The tender fruit is used in samber and most dishes in South Indian homes. The leaves and flowers are used to prepare curry and cake.
Drumstick (Pods)
Food Value
Minerals and Vitamins
Moisture – 86.9%
Calcium – 30 mg
Protein – 2.5%
Phosphorus – 110 mg
Fat – 0.1%
Iron – 5.3 mg
Vitamin C – 120 mg
Fibre – 4.8%
Small amount of Vitamin B Complex
Minerals – 2.0%
* Values per 100 gm’s edible portion
Carbohydrates – 3.7%
Calorific Value – 26
Drumstick (Leaves)
Food Value
Minerals and Vitamins
Moisture – 75.9%
Calcium – 440 mg
Protein – 6.7%
Phosphorus – 70 mg
Fat – 1.7%
Iron – 7 mg
Vitamin C – 220 mg
Fibre – 0.9%
Small amount of Vitamin B Complex
Minerals – 2.3%
* Values per 100 gm’s edible portion
Carbohydrates – 12.57%
Calorific Value – 92
Natural Benefits and Curative Properties of Drumstick
Almost all parts of the drumstick tree have therapeutic value. The leaves are especially beneficial in the treatment of many ailments due to their various medicinal properties and their rich iron content. They are used as food also.
Tonic for Children:- The leaves serve as a tonic for infants and growing children. For better results, juice should be extracted from leaves, filtered and mixed with milk. This mixture becomes an excellent tonic for healthy and strong bones and for purifying bloodstream.
Pregnancy and Lactation:- Taking this tonic regularly by expectant mothers will provide them with necessary calcium, iron and vitamins. It will also help them overcome sluggishness of the uterus, facilitate easy delivery and reduce post delivery complications. A vegetable prepared from leaves increases breast milk after child birth. The vegetable is prepared by boiling the leaves with salt and water. The water is then drained off and they are smeared with ghee and eaten.
Respiratory Disorder:- A soup prepared from drumstick leaves is highly beneficial in the treatment of respiratory diseases like asthma, bronchitis and tuberculosis. This soup is prepared by adding a handful of leaves to 80 ml. of water and is allowed to boil for five minutes. It should then be allowed to cool. A little salt, pepper and lime juice may be added to this soup
Infections:- Drumstick soup made with leaves and flowers as well as boiled drumsticks are highly valuable in preventing infections of all kinds such as that of the throat, chest and skin. This is because drumstick has antibacterial properties very much like penicillin and other antibiotics.
Sexual Disorders:- A soup made with drumstick flowers boiled in milk is very useful as a sexual tonic in the treatment of sexual debility. It is also useful in functional sterility in both males and females. The powder of the dry bark is valuable in impotency, premature ejaculation and thinness of semen. About 120 gm. of the powder of the dry bark should be boiled in 600 ml. of water for about half an hour and 30 ml. of this. mixed with a table spoonful of honey, should be taken three times daily for a month to cure these conditions.
Digestive Disorders:- Drumstick is also valuable in digestive disorders. A teaspoonful of fresh leaf juice, mixed with honey and a glassful of tender coconut water, is given two or three times as a herbal medicine during the treatment of cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, colitis and jaundice.
Urinary Disorders:- A tablespoonful of coagulated fresh leaf juice, mixed with a glass of fresh juice of cucumber or carrot, is an effective medicine for scanty urination and constant burning in urethra due to high acidity of urine. A teaspoonful of the juice with 10 gm. of rock salt once daily, is used to cure excessive urination of non diabetics.
Beauty-Aid:- Fresh leaf juice applied with lime juice is useful in the treatment of pimples, black heads and keeps one’s face fresh.
{Source: Various reference materials. Photo courtesy – Arjun. Inspiration : KBG Menon}
Added reading:
Gujarat Govt. Will Soon Be Using This Desi Superfood to Fight Malnutrition!
The scientists of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) have been advocating for the inclusion of moringa leaves in one’s daily diet after discovering that these have miraculous healing properties.
The scientists of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) in Gujarat, who have been advocating for the inclusion of moringa leaves in one’s daily diet after discovering that these have miraculous healing properties.
Consuming drumstick leaves on a daily basis can not only improve one’s immunity and tackle malnutrition but also fight inflammatory ailments that have been identified as potent causatives to cancer, heart ailments and even diabetes (reports Times of India).
Based on this information, the state National Health Mission (NHM) department has now decided to widely publicise the benefits of Moringa across Gujarat and encourage the citizens to consume not just drumstick fruits but also its leaves and bark in a statewide bid to fight malnutrition.
Schools should promote health – Letters to the editor – The National Dt. 01 October 2012
Schools should promote health
Watching the flow of students returning to a reputable school near my home after the summer holidays, I noticed that most the children are overweight.
Because many schools do not have adequate play areas, I think that classroom-based exercise, and health-awareness programmes should be conducted at the start of each day.
Even five minutes each morning could change the students’ outlook, making them more health and fitness conscious.
Smoking outside the school gate is another unhealthy practice that is quite common.
Schools say they are powerless in this matter as it happens off their premises. Therefore, I think it is up to health authorities to check what is going on near schools and take action against students who smoke in public – and their parents.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read this in original, please visit The National online
Helmets – use quality ones and follow road rules
Helmets – While enforcing the helmet rule, Traffic authorities should make sure that proper quality helmets are being sold. And considering cases of road side vendors, they should join hands with appropriate standards authorities to ensure that the standards noted on these helmets are genuine and approved. The photo attached is an example of a rider here in UAE, who is carrying a helmet for him as well for his partner. Many times we see pillion riders not wearing helmet and the rider riding extremely fast cutting dangerously through the city traffic and that through the roads with numerous potholes and bumps.
Ride and Reach home safe.
‘Abandoned’ Cars gather dust at Abu Dhabi airport
ABU DHABI // Scores of luxury cars and sports utility vehicles are gathering dust in the short-term car park at Abu Dhabi airport.
According to the airport’s website, vehicles should be left there for no more than three days. And few would choose to with parking costing Dh240 a day.
But many of the cars have clearly been there for months – long enough for tyres to go flat and windows to become caked with sand and salt.
Beneath the grime, the marques are a checklist of luxury – BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, a Chevrolet Camaro S5 and a Jaguar XK8.
Also accumulating dust are sport utility vehicles such as a Nissan Prado, a Ford Escape, a Ford Edge and a Chevrolet Avalanche.
Others include a Kia Optima, Kia Rio, Honda Civic, Honda City, Nissan Altima and Nissan Tiida, Mazda 3, Hyundai Accent, Toyota Yaris, and a Peugeot 207.
“I’ve seen a few cars here that are covered with dust,” said MT Hassan, a Sudanese public relations officer.
“Maybe some of the owners will return, while others may have already left the country. We really don’t know.”
Ramesh Menon, 45, a technical officer at an Abu Dhabi government company, suspects the latter.
He visited the airport in mid-July. When he returned this week, the same cars remained parked.
“If there is a genuine owner who has parked there by mistake, he or she will claim it,” Mr Menon said. “If it is deliberate, the car should be auctioned off to the public.”
The flat tyres are a giveaway, he added. “Abu Dhabi airport has tight security measures. I don’t think someone will go to the car park and puncture the tyres.”
As on dirty cars everywhere, passers-by have inscribed messages in the dust. Some, including a black Ford Edge Sport and a white Honda Civic, bear the time-honoured “clean me”, while the rear windscreen of a blue-green Hyundai Tucson claims its owner has “gone fishing”.
A check on some of the number plates through the police website reveals the cars have a number of traffic and Salik fines.
One, a black Jaguar XK8 with Abu Dhabi plates, has accumulated Dh1,350 in fines – two for speeding in Abu Dhabi in June and July, and another for speeding in Dubai in May.
A grey Nissan Altima with Abu Dhabi plates had five Dubai police fines totalling Dh3,100 between December 2010 and April 2011.
A green BMW saloon, also with Abu Dhabi plates, had two Dubai fines from October 2009, and another from April 2010, totalling Dh1,900. A Kia Optima had a Dh100 fine from Oman, while a Kia Rio racked up nine Salik fines, totalling Dh450, between November 2009 and February 2010. Both cars have Dubai plates.
“The authorities should now consider removing them to allow other cars to park in this area meant for short-term parking,” Mr Menon said. “These cars are eating up a lot of space and it gives a bad image to the city.”
A spokesperson for the Abu Dhabi Airports Company yesterday declined to comment.
Several cars sit covered in dust, seemingly abandoned at the Abu Dhabi Airport short-term parking lot as seen on Wednesday afternoon, August 1, 2012. Silvia Razgova / The National
To read it in original, please visit THE NATIONAL online
Hungry Drivers
This year being one of the hottest and longest Ramadan days, it is a matter of concern for all who are on the road right before iftar. On the first day of Ramadan, I happened to witness and experience at least three near-accidents in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah roads. This is really dangerous and I hope that no one gets hurt. Could the relevant authorities come out with clear guidelines, stricter rules and fines to those who drive extremely fast?
From Mr Ramesh Menon
You may please read the below article and actions which followed the above report:
Police warn motorists to drive safely — especially before iftar
Message of safety for Holy Month
Message of safety for Holy Month
The Holy Month of Ramadan is underway and with it comes renewed worries over road safety.
This year will be one of the hottest and longest Ramadan fasting periods in recent memory; it is a matter of concern for all who are on the road during the period just before breaking the fast.
On the first day of Ramadan, I happened to witness and experience at least three near misses on roads in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
Watching these dangerous driving habits made me think that it would be helpful for authorities to come out with stricter rules and fines for those who drive dangerously prior to iftar.
In addition, it would be a great move if warnings and messages about the dangers of speeding during this time were made at various iftar tents and prayer halls around the country. It would also be appropriate for religious scholars to offer messages about the dangers of careless driving.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit The National Online.
You may also read the below article and actions which followed the above article:
Dubai police report 3,605 traffic accidents since start of Ramadan
Road Safety Campaign – Measures to initiate safe transport of material on city roads
On a recent visit to Bangalore, I happened to notice trucks transporting sand and other construction materials without appropriate covering of the containers.
It is causing spill on the road, and also dangerous to vehicles following behind.
A request was submitted to Bangalore Traffic Police to review, observe and consider appropriate guidelines and actions to restrict this.
In return, BTP, have come back informing that they have noted my request and will inform field staff to take necessary action, as appropriate.
Road Safety Campaign – Measures to initiate clear display of number plates
On a recent trip to Bangalore, I happened to notice that there are many trucks on the Bangalore city roads and highways connecting to it fitted with a Crash Guard at the back, which hide the number plate. Even from close distance, one can never find out the registration number of these vehicles.
I was thinking of a scenario in which these trucks causing an accident. It will be impossible to track them easily.
If not already in place, we should have clear guidelines to display the registration number of the vehicles in a clearly visible manner.
A request was submitted to Bangalore Traffic Police to review, observe and consider appropriate guidelines and actions to restrict this.
In return, BTP, have come back informing that they have noted my request and will inform field staff to take necessary action, as appropriate.
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