International Journal of Research p-ISSN: 2348-6848 e-ISSN: 2348-795X Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ Volume 02 Issue 02 February 2015

Molokhia- The Wealth for a Better Health

Dayal Bhawana* and Singh Neetu** Department of human development and family studies School for home sciences Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (central university) Vidya Vihar, Raibareli road Lucknow-226025, Uttar Pradesh Email: [email protected]

Molokhia also spelled as mloukhiya, molokhia, molohiya, mulukhiyya, malukhiya is the of commonly utilized in Egyptian and . The name of the dish, molokhia, is a derivative of the word mulukiya – which literally means ‘kingly’, or “of the kings. It looks as green and leafy as spinach and as sticky as a ladyfinger. Inspite, of the various health benefits of molokhia it is not much known infact its scientific implementation is not known to the compounds that significantly local people. The reason can be its contribute to human health. historical usage or the bitter taste that it isn’t common around the world but its thickness and NUTRITIONAL HEALTH AND consistency is quite similar to other cruciferous . It is a WELLNESS FROM with various name and undoubtedly MOLOKHIA innumerable health benefits. Molokhia is used in a variety of This easy to grow plant has been a different ways, such as salads, 100 g of molokhia contains: soups, curries, garnishes, spices, or Carotene 10,000 µg flavoring agents. However, its 500mg versatility isn’t the only reason for Potassium 650mg its adaption in the diet but because Iron 3.8mg There are more than 30 vitamins, Vitamin B1 0.24mg minerals, and trace minerals in Vitamin B2 0.76mg molokhia, as well as certain organic

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 658 International Journal of Research p-ISSN: 2348-6848 e-ISSN: 2348-795X Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ Volume 02 Issue 02 February 2015 valuable source of fibre and and make it soft and smooth, and minerals from generation. Molokhia resist early aging. This dietary fibre could be termed as the “Powerhouse has a cholesterol-lowering effect, of Nutrition”. Packed with essential minerals such as calcium, iron, relieves constipation, and prevents potassium, and magnesium, as well obesity and diabetes, including as Vitamins C, E, and K, molokhia colorectal cancer and other lifestyle- and the other greens in its family are related diseases. The combination of veritable powerhouses of nutrition. vitamin A, E, and C makes molokhia Though the fresh leaves can be a wonderful food to eat if you want stored in a plastic or paper bag in the to increase the strength of refrigerator, much like spinach or field greens, molokhia assumes a your immune system. Molokhia is unique mucilaginous texture when particularly impressive because it chopped and cooked. helps in increasing bone health and protecting against osteoporosis. Nutritionally, it has three times the Between iron, calcium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus as kale and and selenium, not to mention a four times the amount of riboflavin. dozen other peripheral minerals, It also provides 70% of the Recommended Daily Amount value molokhia can guarantee strong and of and 25% of vitamin A. durable bones for many years to The plant has an activity come. with a significant alpha- equivalent . Some of the Why have molokhia on your most prominent nutritional plate? components of molokhia include fibre, potassium, iron, calcium, Controls blood pressure magnesium, phosphorous, and Increases RBC Production selenium, as well as vitamin C, E, K, Improves digestion B6, A, and niacin. It also Balance cholesterol levels contains certain antioxidant carotenes and antioxidant elements, Boost immune system making a well-rounded and highly Protects against osteoporosis beneficial addition to your diet Anti-inflammatory agent Molokhia possesses properties that Quite known half of the population can boost our immune system to today is suffering from some or help prevent cancer, premature other type of deficiency and the aging, osteoporosis, fatigue, high dependence of people on medicine is blood pressure, and anaemia. Its more rather than the natural vitamin contents moisturize our skin remedies. Even if they opt for certain remedies that are natural they

Available online: http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ P a g e | 659 International Journal of Research p-ISSN: 2348-6848 e-ISSN: 2348-795X Available at http://internationaljournalofresearch.org/ Volume 02 Issue 02 February 2015 tend to be more costly so why not and removes it from the body. use to adapt something that is easily Thus reducing the chances of accessible, cheap and can be easily other heart diseases. grown. For that reason molokhia can 5. Immune System: The three come to the rescue for a lot of vitamins i;e, A,E and C makes people belonging to all the classes. a perfect combination for 1. Blood Pressure: molokhia has boosting up the immune a significant role in system of our bodies. Vitamin controlling bp because of its C stimulates the function of high potassium content, as it white blood cells, while is a vasodilator and because of vitamin A and E are two other this the arteries and blood antioxidant vitamins that vessels relax causing lesser protect everything from the strain on cardiovascular skin and eyes to the organ system. systems, thereby preventing 2. Circulation: the significant the development of cancer, levels of iron present in chronic heart disease, macular molokhia helps the body to degeneration, and other produce RBC, increased level chronic diseases caused by the of RBC in the body reduces activity of free radicals. the chances of anaemia and 6. Inflammation issues: the improves circulation thus vitamin E content of molokhia boosting the energy levels. is quite rare, most of the 3. Digestion: dietary fibre just people take its like other leafy vegetables in supplementation due its food- quite high in molokhia, which based rarity. Therefore helps in optimizing the molokhia can be an ideal digestive process by a eliminating constipation, d reducing cramping, bloating d and increasing nutrient uptake i efficiency. t 4. Heart health : the high fibre i content of molokhia helps in o reducing cholesterol from n blood stream as fibre binds itself to the bad cholesterol t

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o the diet if one is suffering from arthritis, gout or other inflammatory diseases.

Recipes of Molokhia

Molokhia as a green leafy is many times confused with spinach but neither it is spinach not it can be used as a spinach substitute. It is widely used in making soups it looks quite slimy when cooked. The use of molokhia in recipes is of wide variety it can be used in non-veg recipes, in soups, can be eaten with rice, and can be prepared as . Few of the most common recipes include chicken stock with rice, Egyptian molokhia soup, Egyptian style molokhia.

References:

[1] www.organicfacts.net/health- benefits/other/health-benefits- of-molokhia.html [2] http://www.foodnetwork.ca/re cipe/egyptian-molokhia/

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