Moringa has recently been considered a new superfood. Numerous properties are attributed to it, and its success has grown exponentially, especially in the past year.
What is moringa?
It is a plant native to northern India, and the most common species is Moringa oleifera, also known as the horseradish tree.
Almost all parts of this tree are used, such as the leaves or the moringa seeds.
Furthermore, it is widely used as a food supplement, and it can be purchased in powder or capsule form. Let's find out what moringa is used for.
Moringa: properties
Moringa leaves are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. In particular, they contain a good amount of:
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin C
- Riboflavin (vit B2)
- Vitamin A
- Iron
- Magnesium
Moringa benefits
It should be clarified that there is no such thing as a miracle food, but some foods, including Moringa oleifera, have important beneficial properties.
Antioxidant action
Several compounds with antioxidant functions have been found in Moringa oleifera leaves, including: vitamin C, beta-carotene, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid.
Thanks to this action, moringa leaf extract can also be used as a food preservative.
Controls blood sugar
Moringa oleifera can help reduce blood sugar levels. However, most of the evidence is based on scientific studies conducted on animals.
A study conducted on six people with diabetes found that adding 50 grams of moringa leaves to a meal resulted in a 21% reduction in the blood sugar spike.
Anti-inflammatory action
Inflammation is a protective reaction for our body, but if it becomes chronic, it is the root cause of numerous pathologies. Among the anti-inflammatory compounds present in moringa leaves and seeds, we can mention isothiocyanates, but further studies are needed to confirm this property.
Reduces cholesterol
High cholesterol levels are correlated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Moringa oleifera may have hypocholesterolemic effects, meaning it lowers cholesterol.
Protection against certain substances
Some substances like arsenic can contaminate food and water and represent a problem of extreme importance, as long-term exposure to such levels of arsenic can lead to health problems, including an increased risk of cancer and heart disease.
Several studies on mice and rats have shown that Moringa oleifera leaves and seeds can protect against some of the effects of arsenic toxicity.
Moringa leaves are also highly nutritious and should be beneficial for people who lack essential nutrients.
Moringa oil
It is extracted from moringa seeds, is suitable for human consumption, and does not go rancid.
Moringa supplement
In specialized stores, you can purchase moringa as a food supplement. This is derived from the powder extracted from its leaves. It can be added to dishes or used in the preparation of herbal teas or tea.
Moringa powder can also be taken in the evening and is useful for promoting sleep.
Moringa and the thyroid
The properties of this plant help in regulating hormone levels in the blood, including those of thyroid hormones.
Does moringa help you lose weight?
The answer is no. Moringa has no weight-loss effects. It can, however, reduce annoying abdominal bloating.
Contraindications
Be careful, because moringa leaves can contain high levels of antinutrients, substances that can reduce the absorption of minerals and proteins. Therefore, it is good not to exceed its consumption, and to take it away from certain meals if you suffer from certain nutritional deficiencies.
Bibliography
- Afzal Sheikh et al. “Protective effects of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves against arsenic-induced toxicity in mice” Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2014; 4(Suppl 1): S353-S358
- Sarot Cheenpracha et al. “Potential anti-inflammatory phenolic glycosides from the medicinal plant Moringa oleifera fruits” Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry 18 (2010) 6598–6602
- Pilaipark Chumark et al. “The in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant properties, hypolipidaemic and antiatherosclerotic activities of water extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. Leaves” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 116 (2008) 439–446
- Majambu Mbikay “Therapeutic potential of Moringa oleifera leaves in chronic hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia: a review” Frontier in pharmacology March 2012
- Carrie Waterman et al. “Isothiocyanate-rich Moringa oleifera extract reduces weight gain, insulin resistance and hepatic gluconeogenesis in mice” Mol Nutr Food Res. 2015 June ; 59(6): 1013–1024.
- Sidney J. Stohs et al. “Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Moringa oleifera” Phytother. Res. 29: 796–804 (2015)