Moringa leaf is a nutrient powerhouse packed with more than 90 nutrients and 46 antioxidants. Moringa is one of the richest sources of natural antioxidants. It has more antioxidants than green tea, goji berries, blueberries, and pomegranate.
Read on!
Moringa: An Introduction
Moringa is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree native to the southern foothills of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. It is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas where its young seed pods and leaves are used as vegetables, and many parts of the tree are used in traditional herbal medicine.
Moringa is ideal for vegans and vegetarians since it takes care of most of the nutritional deficiencies associated with animal-protein-free diets. It is an ideal source of calcium for lactose-intolerant people who can’t consume milk.
There are a number of reasons why you need to regularly take Moringa leaves or consume them in powder form. We have highlighted some of the most important benefits below.
Moringa Leaves have the following Benefits:
Boosts Energy Levels
Human fatigue is primarily due to the organs not getting enough oxygen, which is carried around the body by red blood cells (RBCs). Moringa leaf gets rid of fatigue by providing vitamins A, B6, B12, and iron, which are essential for the production of functional RBCs and the transport of oxygen around the body.
Moringa leaf also contains all the vitamins and minerals needed to produce energy in your body, such as vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. This gives a feeling of wellness and promotes energy, and since this energy promotion doesn’t happen due to sugar, it doesn’t cause blood sugar level spikes and hence lasts for a long time.
Know more about vitamin B here!
Promotes Youthful and Radiant Skin
Moringa leaves are a key to healthy and radiant skin since they are rich in age-defying antioxidants and vitamins A, B3, and E.
Moringa leaves are also loaded with proteins (including all nine essential amino acids) and phosphorus, which support and promote the growth and repair of skin tissues.
Anti-aging Properties
Moringa leaves are high in several anti-aging compounds, such as polyphenols, vitamin C, beta-carotene, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid, that lower the effects of oxidative stress and inflammation. Moringa is endowed with a wealth of antioxidants (46, to be precise)!
Antioxidants are substances that stop or delay cell damage and are often referred to as anti-aging compounds. These are associated with a reduced risk for chronic diseases, such as stomach, lung, or colon cancer; diabetes; hypertension; and age-related eye disorders.
Antioxidants work better when combined with other nutrients, such as vitamins B2 and E, to fight against aging. Consuming the antioxidant-rich Moringa leaves beautifies the skin and lowers the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Read about the role of antioxidants in anti-aging here!
Strengthens The Immune System
Moringa leaf is packed with vitamins A, B2, B6, E, and iron, all of which have positive effects on various immune system processes in the body. It strengthens the human immune system, increases natural body defenses, stimulates metabolism, and helps to eliminate excessive hunger, which contributes to obesity and even cardiovascular diseases in the long run.
Strengthens Bones, Teeth, Muscles, Nails and Hair
Moringa is not only loaded with protein, calcium, and magnesium but also helps the body absorb and retain calcium, potassium, and zinc. This helps strengthen the bones, teeth, muscles, nails, and hair.
An optimal supply of oxygen and nutrients from the circulatory system to the hair follicles is vital for hair growth. A deficiency of vitamin A can cause thickening of the scalp, dry hair, and dandruff. Being high in vitamin A, moringa encourages hair growth and maintenance. It also works with silica and zinc to prevent drying and clogging of the sebaceous glands, which are involved in producing sebum.
Deficiency of B vitamins, particularly B6, biotin, inositol, and folic acid, also causes hair loss. On the other hand, vitamins C and E improve scalp circulation, thus making more nutrients available to the hair follicles to grow stronger and healthier hair. Vitamin C is particularly important as it is required for maintaining the capillaries that carry blood to the follicles. Moringa is rich in all these vitamins, so consuming Moringa leaves or their dried powder will significantly improve your hair health.
Read about 8 foods that improve hair health here!
Aids in Detoxification
Moringa leaf, which is rich in vitamins and minerals, helps speed up the body’s detoxification process by producing energy. Moringa leaves keep your digestive health in check by promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria in your system.
The vitamin B6 found in moringa helps the liver detoxify and cleanses the body of toxins. It purifies and restores all the bodily organs, purifies the bloodstream, and lubricates the colon to ease the elimination of waste from the large and small intestines. It also flushes out acid and mucus congestion from the body in various forms.
Controls Diabetes
Moringa leaf can naturally reduce fasting blood sugar levels by 13.5% and the rise in blood sugar levels after eating by 21%. It contains chlorogenic acid, which has been shown to help control blood sugar levels and allow cells to take up or release glucose (sugar) as needed. This gives moringa leaf natural anti-diabetic and hormone-balancing properties. Besides chlorogenic acid, it has compounds called isothiocyanates that are present in moringa leaves and have also been tied to natural protection against diabetes.
Regulates Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Moringa leaf is an excellent source of vitamins A, B2, B6, potassium, calcium, and iron. It regulates the blood pressure as these nutrients work together. Vitamins A, B6, B12, and iron are essential for the production of functional RBCs. Potassium maintains normal blood pressure. Calcium ensures normal blood clotting, and iron ensures oxygen is being carried around in the body.
Moringa also balances the level of cholesterol in the body which can decrease the risk of heart disease. It is effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots.
Read about 6 foods that can lower cholesterol here!
Anti-inflammatory Features
Inflammation is understood to lead to many chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease. Moringa leaves have all been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties! In fact, the leaves contain 36 anti-inflammatory compounds! It’s been effective against types of fungi that cause infections on the skin and strains of bacteria responsible for blood and urinary tract infections and digestive problems. It also helps in the healing of arthritis pain, tumors, and ulcers.
Balances Hormones and Gland Systems
Moringa leaf helps relaxation and promotes good sleep. It is a natural remedy for insomnia as it possesses certain properties that can treat sleeping disorders. It is also effective in treating depression and anxiety.
Rejuvenates the Body’s Organ Systems
Moringa rejuvenates the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, eyes, brain, bones, and the entire body because of its high nutrient density. T
The liver is responsible for blood detoxification, bile production, fructose metabolism, fat metabolism, and nutrient processing. The liver can only fulfill these functions with the aid of liver enzymes. So, it’s vital that liver enzymes stay at normal levels. Lower levels of hepatic enzymes can impair the body’s ability to filter the blood. Moringa helps restore these liver enzymes.
Boosts Metabolic Rate and Aids in Weight Loss
Moringa leaf increases the body’s metabolic rate which results in faster fat burning. The Vitamin B in Moringa helps in digestion and converts food into energy.
The amino acid methionine in Moringa leaves can absorb fat. It aids in weight loss because it provides enough energy and vitality and thus reduces the need for extra eating to maintain energy levels.
Supports Brain Health and Cognitive Function
Oxidative damage happens when an individual is exposed to ample amounts of pollution and stress. Since pollution and stress are a part and parcel of modern urban life, we are all exposed to oxidative damage. Oxidative damage leads to neuron degeneration. Neuronal degeneration can lead to an increased incidence of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease.
Moringa leaf has antioxidant and neuro-enhancer properties. It has a high quantity of vitamins E and C which fight free radicals (the causative agent of oxidative damage), improving brain function. It’s also able to normalize the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline in the brain, which plays a key role in memory, mood, organ function, and overall mental health.
Read how proteins affect brain health here!
Enhances Breastmilk Production
Moringa leaf powder consumption can increase milk production in women. It is particularly beneficial for pregnant and breastfeeding women who are at risk of suffering from nutritional deficiencies. Around 2 teaspoons of moringa powder satisfy a woman’s daily iron and calcium needs during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Read about the 4 minerals important for pregnancy here!
Improves Vitality
Moringa leaf increases sperm motility and count in males and also improves female fertility. Thus, moringa leaf powder can be an essential inclusion in the diet of couples wishing to start a family in the near future.
Moringa is a superfood in the true sense of the term. There isn’t a single system in the human body over which moringa leaves don’t have a positive effect. So if you are planning to live a healthier and happier life, take the first step today by adding moringa to your diet!