Curry leaves are widely available in all of our residences or nearby areas. For flavor, we mostly use it in sambar or lemon rice as tadka. Curry leaves are thought to be an excellent source of fiber, protein, calcium, folic acid, β-carotene and magnesium. However, it is one of the richest sources of calcium, so you should eat at least one handful of curry leaves daily to increase your bone density.

It is also a very effective in weight loss, reducing sugar, blood pressure and blood cholesterol because it contains lots of fiber and antioxidants in the form of β-carotene . In our body β-carotene is converted to vitamin A also known as Retinol, which is essential for healthy eyesight. Retinol also has an anti-ageing properties and that is why it is most commonly used in anti-ageing skin creams.

Nutritive value of curry leaves

Curry leaves for increasing bone strength

These days we cannot rely solely on milk to fulfill our calcium needs, as not all places have access to good quality milk. Milk is being adulterated in number of  ways for commercial gain—even cow’s fodder is not healthy. Moreover, injections are administered to increase milk production.

All these things make milk very unhealthy, and that is why there is an increased risk of osteoporosis even in milk consumers. In osteoporosis our bone mass decreases which leads to decrease in bone strength and increased risk of  fractures. Thus, curry leaves are something that all of us should eat empty stomach in morning in order to get it’s benefit. 

These people are increased risk of developing osteoporosis

1.     Menopausal women

2.     People who eat lots of junk food or packed food with higher salt content. Junk food contains excess salt which can lead to loss of calcium from bones.

3.     People who take steroid medications or diuretics.

4.     People who drink lots of alcohol or cola drinks.

5.     People who have family history of bone diseases like osteoarthritis

Curry leaves for increasing muscle mass

Curry leaves also contains good amount of protein. Protein also known as building block of our body is very essential for repairing damage cells and tissues. People who want to build muscles or are physically active, pregnant women, children of growing age and old age people need more protein in their diet. Protein is also needed for fast recovery after fever or illness. 100g of curry leaves provides 6g of protein which is same as one small egg. So, if you are vegetarian you must include curry leaves in your daily diet to fulfill the requirement of protein.

Curry leaves for pregnant women

Folic acid helps in the formation of red blood cells and is especially necessary for pregnant women. In pregnancy folic acid deficiency can lead to neural tube defect in baby. Therefore women of child bearing age are suggested to take folic acid even before conceiving. 100g of curry leaves contains 100 μg of folic acid which is approximately similar to the folic acid content of spinach.

Curry leaves for weight loss and obesity related health problems

Fiber plays a crucial role in weight reduction and curry leaves contain a high amount of fiber, with approximately 6g found in 100g of fresh curry leaves. Research has shown that consuming curry leaves at a rate of 30g per kilogram of body weight can lead to reduced cholesterol, triglyceride levels and weight loss. For example, if your weight is 70kg, it is recommended to consume at least 2g of curry leaves daily.

Curry leaves for better vision or eyesight

In today's world, young girls and boys are wearing glasses at an early age due to the increased screen time from mobile and laptop usage. In such situations, it is essential to incorporate vitamin A-rich foods into your diet. Among all vegetables and fruits, curry leaves contain the highest amount of Beta carotene. This Beta carotene is then transformed into vitamin A, which aids in improving eyesight and reducing the need for glasses. Around 7560 μg of Beta carotene can be found in 100g of curry leaves.

Curry leaves for other health problems

Curry leaves provide a significant amount of magnesium, with approximately 44g of magnesium is found in 100g of curry leaves. Our modern unhealthy eating habits can lead to a lack of magnesium in our body. Furthermore, people who take medications for gas or acidity may also suffer from magnesium deficiency. Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart disease, and osteoporosis have been found to be associated with prolonged deficiency of magnesium. Adding magnesium to your diet may also alleviate restless leg syndrome and support better sleep quality. Therefore, you must consume curry leaves every day if you want to stay healthy and protect against numerous diseases.

Summary

Curry leaves are readily available in our homes and is easy to grow. Additionally, it is inexpensive and nutrient-dense. Curry leaves are high in fiber, protein, calcium, magnesium, folic acid and beta-carotene. You can store it in powder form and take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. When making powder, leave it in a room for a few days and let it dry naturally rather than letting it dry in the sun. It can also be roasted in a pan and powdered.