India is currently celebrating its 7th Rashtriya Poshaan Maah, a nationwide campaign to address the issue of malnutrition and anaemia, which continues to be a significant public health concern in the country (Anwar, 2020). Rashtriya Poshan Maah is celebrated every year in September, during which the government gives out a theme to drive the campaign, and this year's theme is "Poshan Jagrukta se Poshan Abhiyaan".
The prevalence of anaemia in India is staggeringly high, with more than half of Indian mothers and children being anaemic (Monsang & Singh, 2018). Nutritional anaemia comprises the second most common group of deficiency disorders after protein-energy malnutrition.
Anaemia, characterized by a low level of haemoglobin in the blood, is a major public health problem worldwide, particularly among women of reproductive age in developing countries (Monsang & Singh, 2018). As a clinical dietician, I have witnessed many anaemia-related cases ranging from a 10-year-old to the most elderly person- which has caused some complications to the overall health of the individual.
This article aims to explore the potential of the humble drumstick leaf in combating anaemia, a widespread nutritional deficiency in India.
The Moringa tree, also known as the drumstick tree, is native to India and grown in Africa, and South America. It is a tree with many benefits and is rightly known as the "miracle tree".
Every part of this tree– the leaves, fruits, pods, flowers, roots, and even sap and oil have medicinal properties; however, the leaves hold a strong nutritional impact and are fit for consumption. Moringa leaves are rich with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, hence promoting a wide range of health benefits.
Nutritional Richness of Drumstick Leaf
Drumstick or Moringa leaf are powerhouse of nutrients essential for everyone- esp. females during their reproductive lifecycle.
About 100g of Moringa leaf contains: (Singh et al., 2019)
Carbohydrates - 0.1 to 10.6g
Proteins - 25-30g
Fibres- 0.1 to 28.5g
Lipids- 0.1 to 43.9g
One cup of fresh, chopped leaves (21 grams) contains:
• Protein: 2 grams
• Vitamin B6: 19% of the RDA
• Vitamin C: 12% of the RDA
• Iron: 11% of the RDA
• Riboflavin (B2): 11% of the RDA
• Vitamin A (from beta-carotene): 9% of the RDA
• Magnesium: 8% of the RDA
-This content of micronutrients was given by https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods
These leaves are rich in Vitamin C - an important vitamin which helps the body to maintain immunity by fighting bacteria and viruses. Vitamin A another major source found in these leaves, around 100g of moringa leaves contains 378mg 0r 42% DV of vitamin A. Vitamin A is an antioxidant which helps the body to maintain immunity and vision. Vitamin B complexes such as Vitamin B6 and Riboflavin function as coenzymes in the metabolism of macronutrients.
These leaves are also rich in minerals, especially iron which is extremely important for preventing and managing anaemia. (Khan et al., 2017) (Karthivashan et al., 2016) (Padma et al., 2022), Iron offers around 22% DV, while manganese offers around 46% DV. Manganese helps the body form connective tissue, bones, blood clotting factors, and sex hormones. It also plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, and blood sugar regulation. Manganese is also necessary for normal brain and nerve function.
Moreover, these leaves are also great sources of antioxidants - lutein and zeaxanthin which have a protective effect on the eyes.
Drumstick Leaf as a Remedy for Anaemia
As seen above, moringa leaves are rich in minerals such as Iron - an important nutrient in the treatment of nutritional anaemia. Combining Vitamin C and iron together facilitates the absorption and bioavailability of iron.
Anaemia and moringa leaves have been extensively studied in many research papers, with promising results.
In a study, Moringa leaf powder was found to significantly increase haemoglobin levels in preschool children with anaemia, suggesting its potential as a food-based strategy to combat iron deficiency anaemia. Another study reported that daily supplementation of moringa leaf powder for 3 months improved haemoglobin levels, serum ferritin, and total iron binding capacity in adolescent girls. In another study, Moringa leaf extracts exhibited a strong in vitro anti-anaemic potential by increasing haemoglobin levels, red blood cell count, and packed cell volume. These findings highlight the immense potential of moringa leaves in tackling the widespread issue of nutritional anaemia in India.
Tackling Anaemia with Drumstick Leaf
Incorporating drumstick leaves into the daily diet could be a cost-effective and sustainable way to address anaemia in India. These leaves can be easily incorporated into various food preparations such as curries, dals, and soups, or even consumed as a nutritious green smoothie or tea. Given the high prevalence of anaemia, particularly among women and children, the incorporation of nutrient-dense drumstick leaves into the diet could play a significant role in improving the overall nutritional status and health of the population.
Inputs and Photos Courtesy: Aishwarya Umesh Patil. She is associated with the Venugram Hospital, Belagavi as a Clinical Dietitian. She has done her post-graduation in NUTRITION & DIETETICS from the Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and has published an article, Impact of social media on eating behaviour among adolescents in the KLEU journal and has also presented a research paper at an international symposium in Mysuru. She is also a Guest lecturer at Bhartesh Nursing College in Belagavi.
Chennagide Sir
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