There are many plants to choose from when it comes to dieting. Greens like spinach, celery and cabbage have been popularised in the fitness and cooking industries for packing an optimal amount of nutrients to embark on the weight-loss journey; but curry leaves on the other hand hasn't received the same amount of love and attention. Native to South Asia primarily, curry leaves are deceptively healthy despite its presence in some of the unhealthiest dishes out there. If done right, here is how the curry leaf can provide health benefits and have its uses.

Abundant in Plant Compounds

First and foremost, curry leaves are stacked respectably against other greens in the nutrition department. Linalool, alpha-terpinene, mahanimbine and other compounds commonly found in plants can be found in curry leaves. Primarily, these compounds are suited as antioxidants to help the body detox and keep it immune from unwanted bacteria and viruses.

Granted, these chemicals are not elixirs by any means, but serve as an immunity benefit overall. In addition, curry leaf extract also can assist in protecting against oxidative damage on the heart, kidneys, brain and nervous system too.

Reduces Risk of Heart Conditions

Curry leaves have a compound called mahanimbine that assists in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. As a result, this not only suppresses the rate of fat storage that could lead to obesity, but it also reduces the risk of heart failure.

Consuming this leaf semi-regularly is the key to allowing the body to decrease its cholesterol levels after a while, but a simple dish or two with some leaves alone, may not amount to much change. It is also worth noting that heart conditions that are less related to cholesterol may not see benefits from curry leaves.

Reduces Risk of Diabetes

In addition to reducing cholesterol, curry leaves also reduce blood glucose levels significantly. More specifically, these leaves protect insulin-producing cells within the body that are responsible for damage prevention from external substances.

The pancreas is the main source of insulin production and benefits from copper, zinc and iron from the leaves directly. This makes curry leaves a serious candidate for plant-based diets that can mitigate long-term risks if consumed regularly.

Can Prevent Cancer

Still a far cry from an actual cure for cancer, curry leaves can prevent the illness altogether via preemptive measures. As an extract, the leaf has shown to prevent the viability of cells being a candidate for cancer to begin with. By killing off cancerous cells before developing, the studies have noted that the doses of leaf extract leaves regular cell generation untampered. Research has indicated that regular doses of curry leaf extract is required to observe the deterioration of cancerous cells and more study is required to see where this anti-cancer agent can lead to in the healthcare industry.

Good For The Eyes

Believe it or not, carrots aren't the only source of Vitamin A that can benefit the eyes. Curry leaves possess this nutrient in a decent amount of quantity to boot and is one of the plant's more underrated benefits. Vitamin A tackles both macular degeneration and vision loss at the same time.

Also, Vitamin A plays a key role in suppressing eye inflammation and infections by boosting the body's immune system too. Vitamin A's benefits will clearly benefit long term for optical health and curry leaves are one of the best greens to consume to maintain good vision.

It Can Heal Wounds

The curry leaf is one of the most versatile plants and it's easy to see why. Ingested, the plant has a myriad of benefits, but it can be good for the body if used differently. When Curry leaves are ground into paste with some water, the "ointment" you'll make does wonders on open wounds, burns and boils.

Carbazole Alkaloid is a plant-based compound that catalyzes natural healing and the curry leaf has this in spades. Specifically, this compound is responsible for closing the wound and even resuming hair growth on the damaged skin. As long as the wound isn't too deep, the curry leaf ointment will be useful.

Slows Down Alzheimer's

Till this day, Alzheimer's does not have a clear cure, but that doesn't mean it cannot be slowed or prevented. Studies have shown that curry leaves' expertise in boosting the body's immune system includes tissues and arteries within the bloodstream that results in brain damage and memory loss too. As a solution to damaged cells, Curcumin (curry leaf extract) has been noted to protect the enzymes within the brain cells that are vulnerable to deterioration. Much like its ability to prevent cancer, the studies have shown a possible future where curry leaves one way or another could revolutionize the medicinal field in the near future.