Moringa Health Benefits

Moringa, also known as the drumstick tree, has been used in traditional Indian medicine for centuries, but this unique plant has only recently made its way into Western medicine. Once it gains more widespread adoption, it’s expected to become one of the world’s most popular superfoods thanks to its high nutritional value and powerful medicinal properties. If you want to know more about Moringa’s health benefits, keep reading!

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1. It’s a good plant-based source of protein

Of all plant sources, moringa contains one of the highest levels of protein. It’s actually an excellent source of protein for vegans, as most other plant-based proteins are deficient in one or more essential amino acids. Protein from Moringa contains all nine essential amino acids.

Protein is an essential nutrient that boosts the immune system, regulates mood, repairs muscles, produces energy, and builds muscle. Moringa leaves contain about 17 percent protein by weight. For comparison, 1 cup of chickpeas has 15 grams of protein and 1 cup of quinoa has 8 grams.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that adults should consume 56 grams of protein per day; with just two tablespoons of moringa powder, you’ll have met your daily quota—without adding any meat to your diet! As a bonus, since moringa doesn’t contain any cholesterol, there’s no risk of high blood pressure.

2. Packed with Vitamins, Minerals, and other nutrients

When purchasing any herb or supplement, it’s important to know what nutrients are available in that product. The benefit of moringa is that it has all the vitamins you need to stay healthy, including vitamin A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, C, D, E and K as well as minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium.

It also contains over 90 different antioxidants, which help fight free radicals and reduce inflammation throughout your body. Some of these antioxidants include rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin.

In addition, moringa is high in phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are compounds found naturally in plants that may have a positive effect on health when consumed regularly. Some phytonutrients found in moringa include phenolic compounds, anthraquinones, chalcones, and coumarins, among others.

3. Regulates menopausal symptoms

More and more research points to moringa as an effective natural remedy for menopause symptoms. A study published in Clinical Biochemistry found that dried moringa significantly reduced symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, mood swings, loss of libido, and night sweats.

Moreover, the women who participated in these studies didn’t experience any adverse side effects from eating moringa leaves; furthermore, they experienced significant improvements in their quality of life.

While research is not clear on how moringa works to relieve menopausal symptoms, researchers speculate that it may have something to do with how moringa regulates estrogen levels.

Estrogen plays a role in regulating body temperature and many other processes throughout your body—so if you want to find relief from uncomfortable menopausal symptoms without having to take synthetic hormones or birth control pills, consider adding some fresh or dried moringa leaves into your diet on a regular basis.

4. Improves brain health

Research shows that moringa has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help prevent mental decline. It’s also said to be rich in chemicals that activate neural pathways in your brain—helping to improve memory, alertness, and mood. In addition, moringa may stimulate the growth of new blood vessels—which allows more oxygen to reach your brain cells.

Finally, it’s packed with antioxidants that protect your neurons from free radical damage. Free radicals are linked to both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers have shown that those who consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables—such as moringa—have up to a 40 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who don’t eat these foods.

Plus, moringa is known to increase serotonin and dopamine and could cure depression in the times to come.

5. It fights free-radicals

Pollution, exposure to the sun, and fast food items create free radicals inside our bodies. These are pretty harmful as they damage our cells by robbing away the electrons, causing oxidative stress and premature aging. The antioxidants found in Moringa prevent premature aging and possibly help you live a longer life.

6. Protects the liver

Your liver is responsible for body detoxification. It filters the blood, detoxifies different chemicals and helps in the metabolism of fat, and moringa could help fasten up the process. With a high concentration of polyphenols that help reverse oxidation inside the liver, Moringa consumption protects against liver damage and reduces fibrosis. Read More.

7. Moringa can balance blood sugar levels

Diabetes is an epidemic in our society, affecting more than 29 million people in America alone. When you think about it, that’s a staggering number (and only expected to rise). In order to combat diabetes naturally, look no further than moringa. This plant has been used for centuries by natives of India as a natural remedy for diabetes and other blood sugar disorders.

It’s also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, lower cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation, and fight oxidative stress. By balancing your blood sugar levels naturally with moringa, you can prevent or even reverse many serious health conditions associated with diabetes.

8. Improvise your Digestion

The leaves, seeds, bark, roots, and flowers of moringa are used in a range of ways to improve digestion. Some cultures use it to treat diarrhea while others take it before meals to reduce symptoms of indigestion. For both these purposes, you’ll want to drink moringa tea or simply add some crushed leaves or powder from dried moringa to food.

As with most herbal remedies, however, it’s best to consult your doctor first if you have any serious digestive issues.

9. Fights inflammation

A nutritional powerhouse, Moringa helps relieve joint pain and inflammation. Moringa leaf contains polyphenols, one of nature’s most potent antioxidants, that help fight inflammation at its source. Moringa works by inhibiting prostaglandin production (as do aspirin and ibuprofen).

Also, the oil from moringa seeds is used to treat a host of inflammatory problems such as cardiovascular disease and arthritis. Research suggests that taking between 150 and 300 mg per day of moringa oil will reduce inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.

10. Moringa Helps Increase Testosterone Levels

Moringa is said to be an effective natural aphrodisiac because it can increase testosterone levels. A 2010 study on mice revealed that moringa improved sexual performance by increasing testosterone levels, improving erectile function, and boosting libido and sperm count. This is likely due to a compound in moringa called beta-sitosterol

High testosterone levels not only help with sexual performance but also boosts energy levels for those who struggle with fatigue in day-to-day life. Testosterone is responsible for building muscle mass, so many men feel that they need more of it when on a diet to lose weight. Read More.

Who Should Avoid Moringa?

Moringa can be unsafe for women who are pregnant and nursing mothers. The chemicals possibly found in the bark or flowers of the plant, through various studies, have been shown to induce uterine contractions.

Apart from that, Moringa is considered relatively safe by different studies, and even if it’s taken in larger doses, that’s fine too! But avoid consuming its seeds or extracts. Instead, go for Moringa powder readily available in the local store nearby.

How To Use Moringa Powder?

Add it to the water

Easy and quick, add a tablespoon of moringa powder to a glass of water and stir. In fact, use it in place of protein powders or teas; it’s naturally flavorful with mild citrus notes that are pleasant on your palate. Make sure you find a high-quality moringa powder (free from additives) for maximum nutritional value.

Mix into salads

Looking for a way to liven up your salads? Add moringa leaves. The leaves add an extra crunch and enhance flavors. Plus, moringa is full of nutrition: it’s packed with vitamins A and C, among others, which help boost your immune system.

Try herbal moringa tea

Herbal tea made from moringa leaves is a great way to harness all of the moringa’s benefits. It contains up to 15 vitamins and minerals that help boost energy, support your immune system, and nourish your body with the nutrients it needs every day.

To make herbal Moringa Tea, add two tablespoons of dried moringa leaves or four tablespoons of fresh leaves in a quart of boiling water. Let steep for 10 minutes, strain out solids using a fine-mesh strainer, and drink. You can also use moringa powder instead of dried leaves—just mix one teaspoon into a cup of hot water, let it sit for 5 minutes, and drink.

Cook with it

Moringa leaves are edible and can be chopped up and added to stir-fries, soups, sandwiches, salads, and more. If you’re looking for some quick ways to get moringa into your diet, mix its powder in the dish you’re cooking or add in your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant, you can be sure that moringa will add flavor and nutrition to your meal in a natural way.

Take it as a supplement

If you’re looking for a natural way to increase your energy and immunity, adding moringa supplements to your diet is a safe bet. Most vitamins do little more than provide your body with an influx of processed minerals and nutrients, but moringa offers more benefits because it’s unprocessed. Make sure you look for a high-quality powder or capsule so that you can reap all of its rewards.

Bake with it

Moringa contains more calcium than milk, more vitamin C than oranges, and more iron than spinach. So you’re practically doing yourself a favor by sneaking moringa powder into your next batch of cookies or cake. Mix 1/2 cup of moringa powder with two cups of flour and one teaspoon of baking soda; sift well, then bake as usual.

Incorporate it into smoothies

Beyond just flavor, moringa powder has a lot of nutritional value. Add it to your smoothies for an extra boost of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins. Consider adding some bananas for a delicious moringa-banana shake that’s sure to fill you up. For a more savory take on things, add in some spinach or kale. You can also try mixing in almond butter for added calories and nutrition, especially if you’re trying to gain weight.

Check out Moringa Smoothie Recipe.

Create body care products

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits, moringa can be used as a skincare product or in your hair. Dry out a cup of leaves with heat and use them as an exfoliator. Another option is to grind up dried leaves into a powder and mix it with some honey or yogurt for an excellent face mask. To reap moringa’s many health benefits, start incorporating moringa into your beauty routine today!

Add to soups

With over 4 times more vitamin C than oranges, you can use moringa powder in just about any soup recipe. Just a pinch will do!

However, moringa is strong and it can easily overtake other flavors, so keep it to no more than 1 teaspoon per quart of soup.

Make a sauce

Many of us love a good sauce. If you don’t mind a little extra work, you can make your own dressings or sauces using moringa as an ingredient. This can be done by making simple blends in a food processor and then mixing them with oil, vinegar, lemon juice, or other liquids. You could also puree it into a paste and add herbs, garlic, and other seasonings for even more flavor.

Final Thoughts

Moringa has exploded onto the health scene in recent years, but many people still don’t understand its benefits or know all the ways to use it.

Moringa can boost your brain health, fight inflammation, boost digestion, increase fertility, balance blood sugar levels, and protect the liver.

Incorporate moringa in the diet in various ways including adding it to soups, smoothies, sauces, baked goods, or making moringa tea. You can also take it as a supplement. Try Moringa Powder Here.

Moringa Health Benefits

Moringa Health Benefits

1. It’s a good plant-based source of protein