The rich culinary tradition of our country has helped us to relish and taste several types of vegetables and fruits thereby derive out the umpteen health benefits. One such amazing vegetable that is greatly valued and earns our interest is drumstick or moringa oleifera.
Every single part of the tree is valued and used as a superfood that beat chronic diseases or as a vital component in traditional medicine. The leaves and pods are commonly eaten in parts of India and Africa.
Moringa obtains its name from the Tamil word, murungai, denotes twisted pod. This humble vegetable is used extensively in Indian culinary dishes for more than a hundred years. Be it delectable sambar or avail, or any meat curry, soups, pickles etc., drumstick renders its unique flavour to the dishes.
- The pods are rich source of vitamin C.
- Fresh pods and seeds are an excellent source of oleic acid, a health-benefiting monounsaturated fat.
- also contain good amounts of many vital B-complex vitamins such as folates, vitamin-B6 (pyridoxine), thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and niacin. Much of these vitamin functions as co-enzymes in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism.