Leafy Vegetables as Natural Sources of Minerals and Vitamins and Their Role in Human Health: A Review

Arshed Alhafadhi; Rakhaa Alnassrallah; Ahmed Alobaidi; Ali Almansarawi; Nada Alshemari; Ahmed Ali Al-Salhi Al-Salhi; Sabah Al-Shatty

doi:10.47134/phms.v2i4.498

Authors

Arshed H. Alhafadhi Medical Laboratories Department, College of Health and Medical Technologies, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
Rakhaa S. Alnassrallah Department of Prosthetic dental techniques, College of Health and Medical Technologies,Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
Ahmed F. Alobaidi Department of Horticulture and Landscape Planning, College of Agriculture, University of Tikrit, Iraq
Ali H. Almansarawi Department of Field Crops, College of Agriculture and Marshes, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq
Nada A. Alshemari Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq
Ahmed Ali Al-Salhi Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture and Marshes, University of Thi-Qar, Iraq
Sabah M. Al-Shatty Department of Food Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47134/phms.v2i4.498

Keywords:

Leafy Vegetables, Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Antioxidants

Abstract

This review aims to assess the nutritional composition and health-promoting effects of selected leafy green vegetables—celery, basil, arugula, garden cress, and radish—and their potential contribution to preventing chronic diseases. Recent scientific evidence (2020–2025) was analyzed from clinical, epidemiological, and biochemical studies highlighting the physiological effects of these vegetables. The review methodology focused on identifying bioactive compounds, including nitrates, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals, and evaluating their effects on key health outcomes such as cardiovascular performance, metabolic regulation, and digestive function. Results indicate that regular consumption of nitrate-rich leafy vegetables significantly contributes to lowering blood pressure, improving vascular elasticity, and reducing oxidative stress. Bioactive components such as flavonoids and polyphenols enhance lipid metabolism, decrease LDL cholesterol, and support antioxidant defense systems. Furthermore, dietary fiber and phytochemicals from arugula, celery, and basil positively influence gut microbiota composition and intestinal health, while compounds in radish and garden cress demonstrate glucose-regulating and anti-inflammatory properties.Overall, incorporating a diverse range of leafy green vegetables into daily diets serves as an effective, low-cost nutritional strategy to improve cardiovascular, metabolic, and digestive health. The findings underscore the need for further controlled clinical trials to determine optimal intake levels, synergistic effects among different species, and precise biochemical pathways underlying these health benefits.

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