Benefits of Bitter African Leaves that Nourishes Your Body

According to healthline – The benefits of African leaves are probably not much known to Indonesians. Because, the plant known as the bitter leaf in the Western world, indeed originates from the countries on the Black Continent. In addition, the bitter taste, it turns out, does not make society “fear” to eat it, because of the benefits of African leaves, has long been believed.

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What Are the Benefits of African Leaves for Health?

The African leaf is known by the medical term Vernonia amygdalina, and comes from the Asteraceae family. In the wild, the tree is very small, but can grow up to 10 meters. Before further discussing the benefits of African leaves, know that African leaf has this nutritional content:

Protein by 33.3%

Fatty: 10.1%

Rough fiber: 29.2%

African leaves also contain essential minerals for the body, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. No wonder, many people believe that the benefits of African leaves are very nutritious. What are the benefits of African leaves?

1. Reduced cholesterol

High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even Alzheimer’s. According to a study published in the Journal of Vascular Health and Risk Management, African leaves can lower the level of bad cholesterol in the body.

In an animal study, supplements containing African leaf extract were able to lower the level of bad cholesterol by 50%. Not only that, the benefits of African leaves are also called to increase the level of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.

So far, there has been no study of the benefits of African leaves and its ability to lower the level of bad cholesterol, in humans. Further research is still needed.

2. Preventing various diseases.

Preventing a wide variety of diseases is a very “striking” benefit of African leaves. African leaves contain flavonoids, a compound that has antioxidant properties, and is believed to prevent a variety of diseases, such as high fever. In fact, a glass of African leaf juice, is believed to be a natural remedy that can treat malaria.

In a report titled Food Chemistry, the researchers mentioned that African leaves are a source of antioxidants that can prevent oxidation processes in the body. In addition, African leaves are believed to be a healthy intake, which can prevent many diseases.

3. Preventing breast cancer

Staying active, eating low-fat foods, andining weight, can lower your risk of breast cancer. In a study titled Experimental Biology of Medicine in 2004, the benefits of African leaves were also believed to prevent the risk of breast cancer.

In fact, a study from Jackson State University, USA, proved that African leaves can inhibit the growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells.

4. Preventing Heart Disease

African leaves are a source of unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Your body needs both of these unsaturated fatty acids, but can’t produce them. Then, eating African leaves could be the solution.

A 2001 study found that these unsaturated fatty acids could prevent the “coming” of heart disease. In the study, participants who consumed more linoleic and linolenic unsaturated fatty acids had a reduced risk of heart disease, up to 40%. This is how the benefits of African leaves work!

5. Strengthen bones and teeth.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can be found in African leaves. No wonder that African leaves, called can heal bones and also teeth.

In addition, African leaves also contain vitamin K, which can maintain bone health and prevent fragility of bone tissue or osteoporosis.

6. Treatment of diabetes

African leaves are used as a natural remedy for diabetes in African continental countries, with fairly high success rates. In an animal study, the ethanol extract contained in African leaves was able to lower blood glucose.

Since African leaves are still quite foreign in the ears of Indonesian people, never consume them, without the recommendation and supervision of a doctor. Because, there can be dangerous side effects, which can even harm yourself.

In addition, studies in humans, still to be done, to prove some of the benefits of African leaves above. Therefore, it is best not to take African leaves, before first consulting a doctor.

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