Know the Benefits of Kangkung Vegetables for Body Health
Know the Benefits of Kangkung Vegetables for Body Health – Basically all types of vegetables will certainly be very good for our health and our bodies also need it all. Kangkung (Ipomoea aquatica) is one of the most popular vegetables in Indonesia. Abroad, this semi-aquatic tropical plant is known as water spinach, swamp cabbage, and ong choy.
You can find them in water or damp soil. The length of the stem is about 2-3 meters or more and can float in water. The flower shape is like a trumpet with a white color and a light purple middle.
Usually, kale is stir-fried with garlic, chili, ginger, oyster sauce, and other spices. So, what are the benefits of kale for health that we can get?
1. Contains bioactive components such as phenols and flavonoids
Based on a study in the Journal of Physics: Conference Series in 2019, it is proven that kale contains various bioactive components, such as flavonoids and phenols.
This study looked at two types of water spinach, namely water spinach and land water spinach. As a result, water spinach showed higher antioxidant activity than land kale.
Phenol is beneficial to human health thanks to its antioxidant potential and prevents cellular definition of health damage from free radicals. Meanwhile, flavonoids have anti-inflammatory effects and are able to prevent the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive diseases such as dementia.
2. High in potassium and iron
According to research published in the Journal of Applied Sciences in 2007, it is known that kale leaves have high water content, crude fiber, crude fat, and carbohydrates. However, the crude protein content is low.
The mineral elements are quite high with extraordinary concentrations of potassium and iron. In addition, the leaves contain moderate concentrations of sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. In low levels, it contains copper, manganese, and zinc.
Potassium helps regulate fluid balance, nerve signals, and muscle contraction, while iron helps red blood cells deliver oxygen from the lungs to cells throughout the body.
3. Significantly lower blood sugar levels
Kangkung is considered a plant that has antidiabetic effects. Research published in ResearchGate in 2016 aimed to investigate the hypoglycemic activity of kale in diabetic male rats (due to streptozotocin induced at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight).
The male rats involved had an average body weight of 200-220 grams. The result, oral consumption of two fractions of kale for 15 days was effective in reducing fasting blood sugar levels in diabetic rats significantly.
The percentages of decrease in the rat serum glucose concentration were 51 percent and 31 percent, respectively. So, it can be concluded that kale has a potential antidiabetic effect when given orally.