Drumstick benefits are several due to their high nutritional content. Drumsticks, also known as Moringa oleifera, are a type of vegetable that is commonly used in South Asian and Southeast Asian cuisines.
Do you know? There are many amazing foods stocked up in our Indian kitchens. Drumsticks are one such amazing super vegetable that is greatly loaded with powerful health benefits. Drumsticks are one of the super plant species where almost every part of the plant like stems, pods, leaves, and flowers are edible and highly nutritious.
Drumsticks are easily available yet unique vegetables because of their high nutrient content. It not only adds taste and flavor but also adds health-beneficial properties, thus making it a must-include vegetable in your diet.
What are drumsticks?
Drumsticks are the common name for Moringa Oleifera. Drumsticks belong to the family Moringaceae. Drumsticks are drought-resistant plants native of the Indian subcontinent. Drumsticks are also cultivated in tropical, sub-tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and South America. Drumsticks are fast-growing plants.
Drumsticks are loaded with many nutritional and medicinal properties which help in treating different ailments. Moringa, horseradish, and ben oil tree are other common names for drumsticks.
Nutritional Facts of Drumsticks:
Drumstick benefits are many, they are powerhouses of amazing nutrients, Phyto-nutrients and anti-oxidants.
Drumstick leaves are the nutrient rich part of the plant being a great source of protein, antioxidants like vitamin C, beta carotene, vitamin B (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and pyridoxine), vitamin K and good amounts of iron, calcium, zinc, selenium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous.
Drumstick pods and seeds are rich in omega 9 fatty acid (oleic acid) which helps in heart health.
Nutritive values per 100 gm:
Energy – 92 kcal
Protein – 6.7 g
Fat – 1.7 g
Carbohydrates – 12.5 g
Fibre – 900mg
Vitamins:
Carotene – 6780ug
Thiamine – 0.06 mg
Riboflavin –0.05mg
Niacin – 0.8mg
Vitamin C – 220mg
Minerals
Calcium – 440mg
Iron – 0.85 mg
Magnesium –42mg
Potassium –259mg
Zinc –0.2mg
Drumstick Benefits for Health:
Drumstick benefits are several and surprising due to their rich nutritional content. Drumsticks benefits for health are as follows
Strengthens your Bone Body:
Drumsticks are great sources of nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron which plays a key role in bones and joints health. These potent nutrients in drumsticks benefits in strengthening the bones in growing children and eases the symptoms of osteoporosis in elderly by improving bone density.
Anti – inflammatory properties in drumstick benefits in the treatment of arthritis and fractured or damaged bones and ligaments.
Boosts Immune System:
Regular consumption of drumsticks boosts immunity as they are packed with antioxidants. Vitamin C Quercetin, Chlorogenic acid, beta carotene are the powerful antioxidants which prevents seasonal infections like common cold, flu, cough and also controls high temperatures in fevers.
The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties present in drumsticks safeguards against many infections and lessens the symptoms.
Promotes Digestive Health:
Drumsticks are loaded with nutrients like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B12 which plays a vital role in digestive health. These nutrients stimulates the secretion of digestive juices and aids in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, fats into simple forms thus helping in the smooth functioning of digestive system.
The antibacterial properties and anti biotic compounds present in drumstick benefits in ceasing the growth of infection causing bacteria and pathogens. Dietary fibre present in drumsticks regularizes the bowel movements.
Manages Diabetes:
Drumsticks are low in calories and loaded with essential nutrients like vitamins,minerals,fiber and plant compound like isothiocyanates helps to minimize blood sugar spikes.
Research shows that isothiocyanates present in drumstick benefits in lowering the levels of glucose and insulin resistance thus regulating blood glucose levels.
Drumsticks also aids in smooth functioning of gall bladder which in turn helps in regulating the blood glucose levels in our body.
Good for Liver Health:
Liver is the important organ which flushes out toxins from the body and aids gall bladder functioning. Drumsticks protects the liver from harmful toxins.
The drumstick has been found to stimulate the production of glutathione – a substance that combats toxic substances which may help relieve stress on the liver, which is at risk of being caused by toxic substances. Furthermore, it shields the liver from any damage caused by Anti-tubercular drugs and aids in speedy recovery.
Promotes Respiratory Health:
The powerful anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of drumstick are effective in combating infections. Various studies have found that the “superior” anti-bacterial profile of drumstick prevents various infections.
One study found that drumstick’s anti-bacterial properties can help treat tuberculosis. It also contains quercetin, an antioxidant which is good in treating lung problems like tuberculosis.
Drumsticks have also been associated with reducing respiratory obstructions, improving lung function, and increasing the ability to breathe.
Some research shows that drumsticks extract can help alleviate asthma symptoms in patients with respiratory disorders.
Manages Hypertension:
The powerful bio active compounds like quercetin, niaziminin, isothiocyanate and antioxidants present in drumsticks evades the thickening of the arteries and improves the circulation of blood and nutrients to the heart thus regulating blood pressure.
Improves Kidney Health:
The antioxidants in drumstick benefits in clearing the toxins and enhancing the functioning of kidneys and gall bladder thus reducing the development of formation of stones in kidneys and gall bladder.
Reduces the Risk of Cancer:
Beta carotene, vitamin C, bio active compound like niazimicin in drumsticks suppresses the formation of cancerous cells. Good amounts of these antioxidants safeguards against free radical formation and helps in lowering oxidative stress that damages the cells.
Low oxidative stress reduces inflammation thus drumstick benefits in preventing chronic inflammatory conditions like cancer and heart diseases.
Brings Down Cholesterol:
Drumsticks have a reasonable amount of fibre. Fibre helps lower high cholesterol by carrying the excess cholesterol out of the body. Studies show that drumstick benefits in lowering high cholesterol levels, hence preventing heart diseases.
Drumstick as an Aphrodisiac:
Drumsticks have antioxidant properties and can help lower oxidative stress levels, reducing overall stress in the body.
Drumsticks as a blood purifier:
The presence of antibiotic properties in drumsticks helps in improving blood flow, which enables more oxygen to circulate thus enhancing the quality of blood.
Drumstick as a Supplement:
Drumsticks are a great source of potent vitamins and minerals. Drumstick leaves or pods acts as an excellent supplement to the body.
Drumsticks treats Edema:
Edema is accumulation of fluid in tissues of the body. This fluid can cause pain and inflammation. The natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in drumstick can alleviate and reduces inflammation, preventing farther complications or pain.
These are the potent and amazing drumstick benefits for health. so include them in your daily diet and enjoy all the drumstick benefits and stay healthy.
Drumstick Benefits in Pregnancy and Lactation
Drumsticks benefits are several for pregnant and lactating mothers as they are powerhouses of nutrients such as protein, fibre and vitamin like B, C ,A, K and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium which are very important for improving overall health and development of both mother and fetus.
Pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness and fatigue can be minimized by adding drumsticks to the diet. Folic acid in drumsticks help to combat birth defects like neural tube defects.
Drumsticks leaves can also improves breast milk production.
Drumstick Benefits for Skin:
Improves Skin Health:
Drumsticks are rich in vitamin B, beta carotene, vitamin C and other essential nutrients which are beneficial for good skin health. Drumsticks have cleansing and hydrating properties which shields the skin from harmful pollutants making skin flawless. The following are few drumstick benefits for skin:
As An Anti-Ageing Tool:
The amazing nutrient profile in drumstick leaves are beneficial in reducing wrinkles, acne and signs of aging. In addition, they can also be used as a natural skin care remedy for improving skin tone and tightening the skin.
Deals with Acne:
The antibacterial properties in drumsticks prevents acne break out. Drumsticks are effective in flushing out toxins and impurities from the blood by acting as a blood purifier and thus making skin healthier and clearer.
Vitamin C and collagen protein present in drumstick benefits in tightening the skin by acting on larger pores.
Drumstick Benefits for Hair:
Drumstick benefits for hair are many due to their rich nutrient content and they include:
- Drumsticks are rich source of amino acids, antioxidants like vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron, Zinc which are responsible for healthy and nourishing hair.
- Pro Vitamin A, Beta carotenes present in Drumsticks plays a key role in the growth and development of the tissues and cells of the scalp thus reducing hair fall.
- Drumsticks are rich in Vitamin B which plays a crucial role in the production of red blood cells which improves blood flow and nutrient supply to the scalp thus promoting strong and healthy follicle growth.
- Drumstick leaves are extremely beneficial in problems like less hair growth and baldness as iron present in drumsticks acts as a natural stimulant and helps in the growth of new hair.
- Zinc present in drumsticks helps in repairing damaged hair follicles. it also corrects the functioning of the oil glands present around hair follicles.
- Antioxidants in drumsticks reduces free radical formation and oxidative stress which in return reduces stress, as stress is the most common cause for hair fall now a days thus drumstick consumption controls hair fall.
- The healthy fats present in drumsticks improves hair growth and health.
Drumstick Benefits for Females:
Drumsticks are significantly beneficial in improving sexual health. A rich source of zinc, makes the process of spermatogenesis better which plays a vital role in female sterility.
The vital nutrients in drumsticks also improves the quality of pregnancy by reducing symptoms of pregnancy like morning sickness, boosting immune system, helping in the overall development and growth of the fetus, improving the milk production in lactating mothers.
Drumstick Benefits in Male fertility:
Improves Prostate Health:
Drumstick leaves and seeds being rich in glucosinolates, sulphur containing compounds have anti-cancer properties which is beneficial in the treatment of prostate cancer, a most common cancer in men. It also lowers the levels of prostate – specific antigen, an antigen which is responsible for prostate cancer.
Drumsticks also beneficial in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a common age related condition in men, typified by the enlargement of the prostate making it difficulty in urination.
Helps with Erectile Dysfunction:
Drumsticks are beneficial in Erectile Dysfunction. The abundance of nutrients in drumsticks enhances the blood flow to the penis thus making it erect. Polyphenols, plant compounds present in drumsticks increases nitric oxide production which decreases blood pressure thus enhancing blood flow to the penis. Drumsticks also decreases the levels of stress hormones.
Enhances Fertility:
Infertility is the most common problem in men due to reduced sperm production and sperm motility.
Presence of potent antioxidant properties in drumsticks helps in repairing the oxidative damage that interfere with sperm production and sperm DNA damage thus improving sperm quality. These antioxidants propels stress thus boosting sexual drive.
The amazing properties in drumsticks improves testosterone levels thus improving sexual vitality and libido.
Possible Adverse effects and Precautions
UNESCO claimed drumsticks are easily digested and non-toxic source of nutrition, but few precautions to be kept in mind before consuming. Below are the few possible side effects:
- All parts of drumsticks are edible and safe but roots contain some neuro-paralytic toxins which are responsible for paralysis. So avoid consuming roots of drumsticks.
- Drumstick leaves may have laxative properties which may lead to stomach upset, gastric distension, diarrhea. Avoid eating excess, consume as per recommendation.
- Avoid consuming raw as eating them uncooked may cause heartburn. Cook and consume.
- Nausea may be a side effect if eaten in excess so consume drumsticks in moderation.
- When the person is on blood thinning medication, avoid consuming drumsticks as drumsticks are good sources of vitamin K which may increase the chance of bleeding.
Bottom line:
Drumsticks are super vegetables with amazing nutrient profile loaded with numerous health benefits. Drumstick benefits are several in various medical conditions like diabetes, blood pressure, digestive health, heart health, inflammatory diseases like arthritis. The antioxidants and valuable nutrients in drumsticks benefits in improving eye, skin, and hair health and also in sex health. It improves fertility in both men and women. In addition, drumsticks protects against oxidative stress and acts as an Aphrodisiac.so include drumsticks in your daily diet and enjoy a good healthy health with amazing drumstick benefits.