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The Surprising Health Benefits of Moringa: A Nutrient-Packed Superfood

  • Last Updated On: October 15, 2024
  • 3 minute read

Incorporating green vegetables into your diet is essential. Moringa is one such nutritionally dense plant that can benefit your health.

What you need to know:

What is Moringa?

Moringa Oleifera is also popularly known as drumstick, horseradish, or ben oil trees. Almost all parts of the tree are consumed or used as ingredients in various herbal medicines. It is available in many forms, including capsules, oils, teas, and powders, and each form is meant for a specific use. However, including moringa as a part of your balanced diet proves more beneficial than consuming it in tablet form. Because of moringa health benefits, it is often called the ‘miracle tree.’

What is Moringa - Activ Living

Nutritional profile of Moringa

(All values are per 100g of Moringa plant material)

Mineral Contents  Fresh Leaves Dried Leaves Leaf Powder
Calories (cal) 92  329 205
Crude Protein (g) 6.7  29.4 27.1
Fat (g) 1.7 5.2 2.3
Carbohydrate (g)  12.5 41.2 38.2
Fiber (g) 0.9 12.5 19.2
Calcium (mg) 440 2185 2003
Potassium (mg) 259 1236 1324
Iron (mg) 0.85 25.6 28.2
Magnesium (mg) 42 448 368
Phosphorus (mg) 70  252 204
Copper (mg) 0.07 0.49 0.57
Sulphur (mg) – – 870
Vitamin A (mg) 1.28 3.63 16.3
Vitamin B1 (mg) 0.06 2.02 2.64
Vitamin B2 (mg) 0.05 21.3 20.5
Vitamin B3 (mg) 0.8 7.6 8.2
Vitamin C (mg) 220 15.8 17.3
Vitamin E (mg) 448 10.8 113
Chlorophyll (mg) 80  45 1268
Arginine (g/16 gN) 6% 1.78% 1.33%
Histidine (g/16 gN) 2.1% 0.716% 0.61%
Lysine (g/16 gN) 4.3% 1.637% 1.32%
Tryptophan (g/16 gN) 1.9% 0.486% 0.43%
Phenylalanine (g/16 gN) 6.4% 1.64% 1.39%
Methionine (g/16 gN) 2% 0.297% 0.35%
Threonine (g/16 gN) 4.9% 1.357% 1.19%
Leucine (g/16 gN) 9.3% 1.96% 1.95%
Isoleucine (g/16 gN) 6.3% 1.177% 0.83%
Valine (g/16 gN) 7.1% 1.413% 1.06%

Properties of Moringa

Drumsticks or moringa leaves are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Moringa contains bioactive properties, and moringa oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains many healthy compounds like vitamins A, B1, and C, calcium, and potassium. The benefit of eating drumsticks is that they are low in fat and do not contain harmful cholesterol.

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7 Health benefits of eating Moringa

Moringa health benefits are as follows:

Protects and nourishes skin and hair

Moringa oil contains vitamins E and zinc, which nourish and strengthen skin. Its oleic acid helps skin retain moisture and prevents dryness. It is rich in zinc, which protects hair from drying out. It also contains antioxidants and vitamin C, which can help prevent gray hair. Moringa’s behenic acid essence acts as a natural conditioner, which can make hair shiny and bouncy.

Regulates blood sugar level

Some studies have shown that moringa can help reduce blood glucose levels. The compounds in moringa leaves can help convert sugars into energy instead of letting them build up in the blood. This can help manage blood sugar levels, which is especially important for people with diabetes.

Helps to purify blood and maintain blood pressure

Moringa contains an isothiocyanate compound that prevents the arteries from thickening, which can raise blood pressure. A study found that participants who ate 120 grams of cooked moringa leaves for a week had lower blood pressure than those who didn’t. Consuming drumsticks also helps purify the blood of toxins.

Lowers cholesterol

Eating moringa can help lower cholesterol levels: 

  • Moringa can lower levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. 
  • It can increase levels of HDL (good cholesterol). 
  • It is low in fat and contains no harmful cholesterol.

Protects the liver

Moringa might help protect the liver against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Also, people diagnosed with tuberculosis should include moringa in their diet, as its leaves help reduce the content of anti-tubercular drugs. A high concentration of polyphenols in the leaves aids in repairing the liver cells and protects the liver against oxidative damage by stabilising the liver enzymes.

Improves bone health

Moringa is rich in calcium and phosphorous, which help keep bones strong and healthy. Regular consumption of moringa can help prevent bone-related disorders such as osteoporosis. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help in healing damaged bones and treat arthritis.

Improves eye health

Moringa contains the antioxidant beta carotene, which is essential for maintaining eye health and preventing eye diseases. Owing to its high antioxidant properties, moringa can improve eyesight, stop the dilation of retinal vessels, prevent the capillary membranes from thickening, and prevent retinal dysfunction.

Because of moringa health benefits, moringa has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Thus, consuming moringa in different forms is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

 

Stay tuned to the Activ Living Community. Keep up to date with the latest health tips and trends through expert videos, podcasts, articles, and much more on nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, and lifestyle conditions like Asthma, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Diabetes. Activ Living ke saath sahi sehat ki shuruat ABHI karo.

 

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