What does pandan extract do to your body?

Pandan is a staple herb and spice in Thailand, Malaysia, and across the whole of Southeast Asia. The unique scent and taste it gives to food makes it a popular choice for cultivation, but it has many uses. Cab drivers in Vietnam are especially fond of pandan leaves, using them as air fresheners for their cars.

Pandan is most often consumed as a paste, powder, infused water extract, or made into an essential oil. The leaf is seldom eaten directly, save in a few select dishes. 

Many people grow their own pandan since, left undisturbed, it will mature into a small tree with leaves about two meters in length. Pandan’s medicinal properties have been remarked upon for centuries and modern science has only recently begun to research its benefits more extensively.

Health Benefits

Preliminary research into pandan has identified a number of important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants known to support health. For instance, pandan is a rich source of vitamin A, an essential compound for eye health that may even help to prevent cancer. 

Although more research is needed, many potential health benefits of pandan have already been found, such as: 

Arthritis and Joint Pain Relief

Traditional medicine prizes pandan for its role in pain relief, especially arthritis and joint pain. Researchers have found that oils made from pandan extract are rich in phytochemicals known to relieve symptoms of arthritis. As an added benefit, they can also help ease headaches and earaches.

Heart Disease Prevention

Studies support the claim that pandan leaf is good for the heart. Indeed, pandan leaf was found to be a particularly excellent source of carotenoids—a class of antioxidants. These are known to reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arteries of the heart due to plaque buildup. 

Skin Care

In Southeast Asia, the dried, crushed leaves of pandan are often used as a topical treatment for minor burns, sunburn, and other skin problems. Although more studies are needed, preliminary research shows that the tannic acids in pandan provide fast cooling action for minor burns.

Control Blood Sugar

Consuming pandan may help people better control their blood sugar after eating. More research is needed, but some initial studies have shown that people who drink pandan tea after a meal have lower blood sugar than people who don’t. 

Nutrition

Pandan is an excellent source of vitamins and antioxidants known to help boost the immune system and prevent conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. 

Some of the vitamins and antioxidants in pandan include: 

• Beta-carotene
• Vitamin C
• Thiamin
• Riboflavin
• Niacin