Curry Leave
Curry Leaf Health Benefits and Uses
There are many plants to choose from when it comes to dieting. Greens like spinach, celery and cabbage have been popularised in the fitness and cooking industries for packing an optimal amount of nutrients to embark on the weight-loss journey; but curry leaves on the other hand hasn’t received the same amount of love and attention. Native to South Asia primarily, curry leaves are deceptively healthy despite its presence in some of the unhealthiest dishes out there. If done right, here is how the curry leaf can provide health benefits and have its uses.
Health Benefits and Uses of Curry Leaf
Abundant in Plant Compounds
First and foremost, curry leaves are stacked respectably against other greens in the nutrition department. Linalool, alpha-terpinene, mahanimbine and other compounds commonly found in plants can be found in curry leaves. Primarily, these compounds are suited as antioxidants to help the body detox and keep it immune from unwanted bacteria and viruses.
Granted, these chemicals are not elixirs by any means, but serve as an immunity benefit overall. In addition, curry leaf extract also can assist in protecting against oxidative damage on the heart, kidneys, brain and nervous system too.
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Reduces Risk of Heart Conditions
Curry leaves have a compound called mahanimbine that assists in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. As a result, this not only suppresses the rate of fat storage that could lead to obesity, but it also reduces the risk of heart failure.
Consuming this leaf semi-regularly is the key to allowing the body to decrease its cholesterol levels after a while, but a simple dish or two with some leaves alone, may not amount to much change. It is also worth noting that heart conditions that are less related to cholesterol may not see benefits from curry leaves.
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Reduces Risk of Diabetes
In addition to reducing cholesterol, curry leaves also reduce blood glucose levels significantly. More specifically, these leaves protect insulin-producing cells within the body that are responsible for damage prevention from external substances.
The pancreas is the main source of insulin production and benefits from copper, zinc and iron from the leaves directly. This makes curry leaves a serious candidate for plant-based diets that can mitigate long-term risks if consumed regularly.
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