3 Unique Health Benefits of Lotus Leaves and Lotus Fruit

Lotus leaves and lotus fruit have been used in traditional Eastern medicine to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from constipation to psoriasis. While it’s generally recommended that you see your doctor if you’re having any sort of health issue, here are three unique health benefits of lotus leaves and lotus fruit that might convince you to try them yourself, or give them to your family members as herbal remedies.

1) Great source of antioxidants

The pink lotus flower is a great source of antioxidants, so much so that it has even been said to help reduce mortality in women. A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University found that eating lotus fruit can lower a person’s risk for death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all causes. The antioxidant properties are believed to be what do so. It seems that adding lotus fruit or leaves to your diet can help protect you from certain diseases as well as aging-related illnesses. In fact, there may even be benefits associated with some forms of neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s as well as Parkinson’s; however, further research is needed before these claims can be substantiated.

2) Protects against high blood pressure

The pink lotus flower may prevent hypertension. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes that one study found an extract from pink lotus seeds reduced blood pressure by up to 10 percent in rats with hypertension. The results are not conclusive, but they do show promise; more studies will be needed to prove that it works in humans. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before adding any supplement or herbal remedy to your diet; these changes could potentially make your hypertension worse.

3) Helps with weight loss

The pink lotus flower helps you lose weight, specifically fat, because it contains niacin—also known as vitamin B-3. This nutrient plays a role in helping your body produce adiponectin, a hormone that helps to increase your body’s ability to use insulin for energy. An adequate amount of adiponectin also increases leptin production and activity. Leptin is a protein made by fat cells that keeps your appetite in check; if you don’t have enough leptin, you will likely be more hungry than if you do.