10 Incredible Health Benefits Oha leaves
Oha Leaf (Rosewood) is one of the nutritious green leafy vegetables use for cooking numerous soups such as oha soup.
People consumes oha leaf not just because of its sweet taste but due to its nutritional composition.
It plays a pivotal role in many bodily functions, and covers a wild range of health benefits.
The evergreen leaf, Oha is botanically known as Pterocarpus Mildraeddii and belongs to African countries.
However, oha leaves are predominantly grown in Igbo land, the Eastern Nigeria, where it form a major staple in various traditional dishes.
Today, oha leaves have spread to many African countries including sierra Leon, Ghana, Cameron , cote d ivoire among others.
This health-promoting leaf is actually a perennial plant, and extensively harvested between November and December.
Oha leaf grows about 20-60meters tall with trunks, and could be cultivated through budding or cutting.
Despite the fact that, Oha leaves are not popularly consumed in different part of the world, does not limit it commercial value in the Igbo speaking region and non Igbo speaking regions of waste African countries.
According to researchers, Rosewood leaf is packed with vital nutrients and phytochemicals attributed to the indispensable medicinal and health benefits of it.
Nutritional Profile (100g)
Energy 237kj ( 57kcal)
Water 85g
Protein 3.8g
Fat 0.8g
Carbohydrates 8.2g
Fiber 1.13g
Calcium 72mg
Iron 4.7mg
Magnesium 28mg
Zinc 3.1mg
(Udoh et al.., 1995; Akpanyung et al..,1995)
This article will explore 10 incredible Health Benefits Oha leaves
1. May Prevent Cancer
Filling in your pot with oha leaf, earn you a lot of nutritional and medicinal benefits as it possesses notable nutrients and natural compounds such as vitamin C, alkaloid and dietary fiber.
These properties enable our body to produce antioxidant which can tactically eliminate free radicals- primary causes of gene mutations and cancer in human body.
The presence of dietary fiber and alkaloid in oha leaf helps regulate bowel action and help guard against colon and rectal cancer.
2. Reduce Heart Diseases
Several researches have demonstrated that consumption of green leafy vegetables helps impede susceptibility of heart- related diseases.
This is as a result of the dietary fiber, and natural compounds found in oha leaf. Fiber is very crucial at reducing accumulation of fat in the arterial walls of the body.
Additionally, regular intake of oha leaf will not only inhibit fat deposits on the arteries and high cholesterol but promote normal blood circulation to the entire body.
3. Maintains Blood glucose levels
Studies have shown that oha leaf contains abundance of dietary fiber and phytochemicals properties that may keep diabetes at abay.
It is generally believed that dietary fiber slow down formation of sugar in the blood, thus preventing high blood glucose levels.
It also assist at revamping insulin sensitivity which foster proper functions of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulate blood glucose levels.
Taking required amount of oha leaf per day is said to improve general well- being of the body.
4. Digestive system
Oha leaf is superb in terms of digestive system as it helps modulate digestive health and absorptive process.
Oha leaf is said to facilitate secretion of essential hormones needed to enhance ideal digestion of food, and maintain gut health.
Equally, symptoms of indigestion are systematically reduced, when you add oha leaf in your daily meals.
5. May Reduce Blood Pressure
Untreated high blood pressure contributes to various daunting diseases in the body such as kidney disease, diabetics and among others.
According to nutritionists, consumption of oha leaf helps our body relax blood vessels which maintain normal blood flow, and this is linked to the presence of potassium found in it.
6. Promote Immune system
Eating varying green leafy vegetables is very significant as their packed with nutrients and antioxidant that can profoundly maintain immune system and protect against pathogenic diseases.
Immune is a protector, and requires nutrients packed food like Oha leaf.
It contains vitamin C, amino acids, zinc, alkaloid and many others ( 1) . These nutrients are very potent at reviving immune system.
Regardless of the amount of vitamin C, found in oha leaf, it helps increase production of red blood cells in our body. Our body makes use of antioxidant to neutralize toxic substance which can cause immune depression.
7. Constipation
Constipation occurs when bowel movements becomes less frequent and stools becomes difficult to pass out of the body.
Oha leaf has properties that can ensure proper bowel movement. As mentioned earlier, it contains dietary fiber that helps decrease chances of constipation.
Therefore, incorporation of it in your dishes, aid at scrapping out symptoms of constipation and the maintenance of the gut.
8. Help Reduce Anemia
Anemia is associated with poor blood volume in human body. It is characterized with numerous symptoms like fatigue, weakness, fever etc.
It is loaded with vitamin C, iron, protein, and zinc. Iron is a components of hemoglobin which help in oxygen circulation. Also vitamin C contributes in absorption of iron in the body.
9. Good For eyesight
Consumption of oha leaf is very advantageous in the improvement of eyesight, owing to its natural compound such as beta- carotenoid.
This compound is a precursor which can be converted to vitamin A. Vitamin A is scientifically known for elimination of symptoms linked to eye problems.
10. Skin & Hair Care
Oha Leaf contains substantial amounts of protein. This helps maintain our skin and hair care.
Additionally, the bioactive compounds in it enable the body fight off dandruff, ezcme to mention but a few.
Conclusion
It is a delicious green leafy vegetables use in preparing soup.
It contains nutrients and phytochemicals which promote overall well-being.
10 Incredible Health Benefits Oha leaves include immune boosting, help maintain Skin, hair, blood glucose, digestive system, anemia, eye