Melokhia

Molokhia is only one name of dozens for this leafy plant of the corchorus species, which is commonly utilized in egyptian and middle eastern cuisine. It is also known as mulukhiya, molohiya, mloukhiya, and a number of other translations, depending on where in the word you happen to be using this beneficial vegetable! the historical usage and the bitter taste may be the reason that molokhia isnat too common around the world, but the taste and consistency is not much different than okra or various other cruciferous vegetable leaves. When boiled, molokhia makes a kind of broth, making it a common ingredient in soups.

Molokhia originated in egypt, but has since spread throughout the mediterranean and middle eastern region, and is just beginning to appear in western markets, particularly exotic import stores. Interestingly enough, depending on the national cuisine you are sampling, you may find molokhia used in a variety of different ways, including as salads, soups, curries, garnishes, spices, or flavoring agents. However, its versatility isnat the only reason for its popularity. There are more than 30 vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals in molokhia, as well as certain organic compounds that significantly contribute to human health. Letas take a closer look.

This vegetable contains a great deal of potassium, the nutrient that causes blood vessels to dilate, which works to alleviate high blood pressure. So, regularly consuming this vegetable can certainly help maintain healthy blood pressure, and moreover, considerably minimize the risk of hypertension. Vasodilation, associated with consumption of molokhia, also promotes increased blood circulation, in turn keeping blood clots at bay.

Protecting heart health is a critical concern in modern life, and molokhia can significantly aid in that goal by lowering blood pressure levels. The high potassium content in molokhia means that the blood vessels and arteries will be relaxed, because potassium is a vasodilator. This increases blood flow and oxygenation levels to the body and reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system.

Circulation: in addition to lowered blood pressure, molokhia also contains significant levels of iron, which are key components in the production of red blood cells. High iron levels means a reduced chance of developing anemia, while also ensuring that circulation in the body is at optimal levels, which can boost energy levels.

Digestion: dietary fiber is one of the major elements of a personas diet that can easily be overlooked, but dietary fiber is key for regulating your digestive processes. Like most leafy vegetables, molokhia is high in dietary fiber. This means that this egytpian leaf can optimize your digestive process by eliminating constipation, bulking up stool to speed up digestion, increase nutrient uptake efficiency, and reduce symptoms like bloating, cramping, and excess gas.

Molokhia is not only nutritious but versatile enough to go well with any food. The leaves are often stewed with beef, chicken, lamb, and rice. They are also used to make the molokhia soup, which is often served along with rice.

Although blood pressure reduction is already on the positive side for molokhiaas side effects, the high fiber content also helps to balance cholesterol levels in the blood stream, as dietary fiber binds with abada cholesterol and removes it from the body. This reduces your chances of developing atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

One of the other highly praised elements of molokhia is the magnesium found within it! the good content of magnesium in molokhia means that you can eliminate sleep disorders, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, because magnesium facilitates the release of certain hormones in the body that relax and soothe the nerves. Increasing magnesium intake has been known to result in restful, uninterrupted sleep patterns.

The combination of vitamin a, e, and c makes molokhia a wonderful food to eat if you want to increase the strength of your immune system. Vitamin c stimulates the function of white blood cells, while vitamin a and e are two other antioxidant vitamins that protect everything from the skin and eyes to the organ systems, thereby preventing the development of cancer, chronic heart disease, macular degeneration, and other chronic diseases caused by the activity of free radicals.

The vegetable leaves are choc-a-bloc with beta carotene that changes to vitamin a in the body. It is observed that the leaves contain two- to five-fold more beta-carotene than spinach leaves. Beta-carotene, known for its antioxidant properties, is effective at keeping eyesight healthy and even prevent age-related macular degeneration.

The leaves of this egyptian vegetable are a good source of soluble fiber that is known to reduce blood cholesterol. Dietary fiber adheres to cholesterol particles and prevents their circulation in the bloodstream. This cholesterol-lowering effect of dietary fiber can protect heart health by preventing artery blockages.

Additionally, molokhia owing to its high fiber content can assist to keep the digestive system running smoothly. Improved digestion means you are unlikely to suffer from constipation or sluggish digestive system that causes bloating and stomach cramps. So make sure you add molokhia in your diet to optimize your digestive system.

You can rev-up your immune system by regularly consuming molokhia. This green vegetable is known to contain a healthy dose of immune-boosting nutrients. Molokhia is a good source of vitamin a, c, and e, all of which contribute in keeping the immune system healthy.

Calcium and magnesium that provide strength and firmness to bones are also present in high amounts in molokhia. In fact, it is estimated that molokhia has 9 times the calcium content of spinach. Moreover, it also contains trace minerals, such as selenium, that also assist in bone health. So for better bone health and to prevent osteoporosis, make sure to include molokhia in your diet.