Sajina
The scientific name of Sajina is “Moringa Oleifera”. It is called the 'drumstick tree' in English because of the shape of the seed pods.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Sajina is native to South Asia. It grows almost all over the world except in colder countries.
Sajina is used in traditional treatments for diseases such as gonorrhea or malaria in the region.
Along with its nutritional and medicinal properties, Sajina is also called the ‘wonder tree’ and ‘nutritional dynamite’.
Sajina leaves are rich in minerals and vitamins. Apart from potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C, they contain protein and carbohydrates. They boost the body’s immunity by combining many nutrients.
Nutritional value of Sajina leaves:
Sajina leaves are very helpful for gut health. They assist in reducing various digestive problems like indigestion, excess gas accumulation in the stomach, and heartburn. They also help relieve constipation.
Sajina leaves are rich in antimicrobial and antibacterial compounds, which help fight skin infections, urinary tract infections, and digestive problems.
Sajina leaves are also helpful for:
- Disease prevention
- Maintaining hormonal balance
- Increasing testosterone hormone in men
- Acting as an anti-inflammatory, relieving various body pains
- Playing a role in the protection of bones and teeth due to their richness in calcium and phosphorus
Sajina leaves contain vitamin C, acting as an antioxidant that prevents skin from showing signs of aging.
Sajina leaves contain vitamin A, which helps in maintaining healthy eyes.
Warning:
Consuming too many Sajina leaves can cause nausea, stomach problems, and loss of appetite.
Apart from taking blood pressure medicine, taking Sajina leaf powder or juice regularly reduces blood pressure.
The stems attached to the leaves contain harmful substances that can harm the immune system.
Caution should be taken when consuming Sajina leaves during pregnancy.
Chia Seed
Chia seeds are a nutritious food. They contain 5 times more calcium than milk, 7 times more vitamin C than oranges, 3 times more iron than spinach, twice the potassium of bananas, 3 times more protein than chicken eggs, and 8 times more omega-3 than salmon.
Chia is the seed of the mint plant called Salvia hispanica, primarily grown in the desert regions of Central America and Mexico. Experts suggest it was part of the ancient Aztec diet. Chia seeds resemble basil seeds, are white and black, and are small like sesame seeds.
However, many people are unaware of the nutritional value of chia seeds or how to incorporate this superfood into their diet.
Nutritional value of chia seeds:
Nutritionists consider chia seeds a superfood due to their high content of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants such as quercetin, kaempferol, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid, potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, and soluble and insoluble dietary fiber.
This nutritious food can be consumed daily, but benefits are seen with consumption over 3-4 days.
Benefits of eating chia seeds:
- Chia seeds contain omega-3, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease and harmful cholesterol.
- They enhance body strength and performance.
- Rich in antioxidants, chia seeds boost the immune system.
- They aid in weight loss by improving the metabolic system.
- Chia seeds help maintain normal blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of diabetes.
- They are rich in calcium, particularly beneficial for bone health.
- Chia seeds promote colon health, potentially reducing the risk of colon cancer.
- They assist in detoxifying the body.
- Chia seeds alleviate stomach inflammation and gas problems.
- They contribute to better sleep.
- Chia seeds have potential cancer-preventive properties.
- They aid digestion.
- Chia seeds alleviate knee and joint pain.
- They may help manage attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- They promote healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Chia seeds are a good source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce inflammation and support healthy digestion. The omega-3 fatty acids and caffeic acid in chia seeds may reduce gut inflammation, alleviating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
