Moringa (Drum Sticks): The Super-food (By: Prachi S. Mahajan)

Moringa (Drum Sticks): The Super-food

Author: Prachi S. Mahajan (M.Sc.  Agriculture)

Moringa, scientifically known as Moringa oleifera (Drum Sticks), is a versatile and highly beneficial plant that has been revered for its nutritional and medicinal properties for centuries. Native to parts of South Asia and Africa, Moringa is now cultivated in various regions worldwide due to its incredible adaptability and numerous health benefits. Moringa is often referred to as a "superfood" due to its exceptional nutritional value. The various parts of the Moringa tree, such as leaves, seeds, flowers, and pods, are rich sources of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. (Illustration for Benefits of Moringa and Value Added Products from Moringa)

Here is a breakdown of the nutritional components found in 100 grams of Moringa leaves:

1. Vitamins:

Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene): Appro. 6780 μg (microgram)

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): About 220 mg

Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol): Around 47 mg

Vitamin K: Roughly 301 μg

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Approximately 0.257 mg

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): About 0.66 mg

    Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Around 2.22 mg

    Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Roughly 1.2 mg

    Folate (Vitamin B9): Approximately 40 μg

2. Minerals:

    Calcium: Approximately 185 mg

    Magnesium: Around 147 mg

    Phosphorus: Roughly 112 mg

    Potassium: Approximately 337 mg

    Iron: Around 4 mg

    Zinc: Approximately 0.6 mg

Fenugreek Seeds: Nutrition and Versatility (By: VM Jawale)

Fenugreek Seeds: Nutrition and Versatility

Author: VM Jawale (BBM eCom.)

Common household seeds that are frequently used for gardening, cooking, or other purposes include sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds (also known as linseeds), poppy seeds, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, caraway seeds, fenugreek seeds, dill seeds, basil seeds, cardamom seeds, ajwain seeds (also known as carom seeds), nigella seeds (also known as black cumin or kalonji), quinoa seeds, amaranth seeds, and various types of millet seeds. (List of benefits can be seen in the illustrative image below)

Curcumin in Turmeric: Importance, Factors and Geographical Differences (By: Dr. Prashant and Dr. Ravindra)

 Curcumin in Turmeric: Importance, Factors and Geographical Differences

Author: Prashant B. Kale (Ph.D.), Dr. Ravindra Satbhai (Ph.D.)

Introduction:

Turmeric, a popular Indian medicinal plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, has gained recognition for its numerous health benefits. The rhizome of turmeric, known as Curcuma longa L., is widely used in South East Asian countries for its flavor, color, and spicing properties in food preparations. It is an integral part of traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. Turmeric and its active component, curcumin, have garnered considerable attention due to their diverse biological activities. This article explores the variation in curcumin content in turmeric, the factors influencing it, and the geographical differences observed.

1. Importance of Curcumin: Curcumin, derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, is a linear diarylheptanoid known for its excellent medicinal properties. It is a small molecular weight polyphenolic compound and one of the primary ingredients in turmeric and curry powders. Curcumin has been reported to exhibit various pharmacological, microbial, and medicinal properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects.

Millet: A Powerhouse and Versatile Grain in a Healthy Diet (By: Prachi S. Mahajan)

Millet: A Powerhouse and Versatile Grain in a Healthy Diet

Author: Prachi S. Mahajan (M.Sc.  Agriculture)

Introduction: In recent years, millet has gained recognition as a nutritional powerhouse and a versatile grain. With its numerous health benefits and diverse culinary applications, millet has become an important component of a balanced diet. Since India is the richest source of biodiversity in millets the Indian Government proposed to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Therefore Food and Agriculture Organization and United Nations have recognized 2023 as an International Year of Millets or IYM2023. This is to greater efforts in producing millets given their nutritional properties and resilience in adapting to climate change.

             IYM2023 is a significant global initiative that shines a spotlight on the crucial role of millet in addressing food security challenges around the world. By promoting millet as a sustainable and nutritious food source, this initiative aims to raise awareness about its health benefits, versatility, and potential to combat hunger and malnutrition. The efforts serve as a platform for fostering research, innovation, and policy development to enhance millet production, consumption, and trade globally, contributing to the overall well-being of communities and the achievement of sustainable development goals. Specifically, the importance of millets can be elaborated with the following points:

1. Nutritional Content: Millet is packed with essential nutrients, including dietary fiber, vitamins (such as niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin), minerals (like iron, magnesium, and phosphorus), and antioxidants. This grain provides a balanced combination of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, ensuring that your body receives a wide spectrum of essential nutrients. From its rich nutrient content to its gluten-free nature, millet offers a range of advantages that make it worth incorporating into our daily meals.