The powerful benefits of Moringa

If you enjoy drinking tea or eating soup during these cold winter months, there’s a great new way to get some of your important nutrients. Moringa is a powerful superfood that comes from the tree Moringa oleifera. The leaves and pods are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and other antioxidants.

This nourishing plant has been used in Asia and Africa as a medicinal herb for hundreds of years, where they call it “the miracle tree.” In the United States, we are now beginning to appreciate this plant for its anti-inflammatory, tissue protective, blood sugar balancing effects and possible cancer-preventative qualities.

How to use Moringa

Moringa tea has a slightly bitter quality. Still, it is surprisingly full of protein for a tea, and contains fiber, vitamins E, C and A, as well as all nine essential amino acids. Honey or natural sugar can be added to the tea to offset the potency of the plant’s taste.

Moringa powder is used blended into smoothies, mixed into drinks or added into soups. You can also take it in supplement form – or as an oil for the most powerful benefits.

The benefits of Moringa

This superfood’s potent, nutritional components offer a wide range of healing benefits to the body.

Inside the pods, seeds and leaves are powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants fight free radicals – which damage tissue – molecules that cause oxidative stress, cell damage and inflammation.

Moringa leaf has been shown to significantly lower inflammation in cells. As we know that inflammation leads to pain and a number of diseases, this is a significant discovery.

The superfood could be effective in preventing or managing diabetes or blood sugar swings. Moringa leaf powder has been shown to reduce glucose and lipid levels in blood. There’s also evidence that the powder can regulate oxidic stress in diabetic patients. These same results would also indicate that this plant can protect the heart from damage.

Moringa may also be used for protecting the liver. The superfood contains high amounts of polyphenols, which can protect the liver against oxidation, toxicity and damage. In one study, Moringa oil – a more potent form of the plant – proved strongly effective by restoring elevated liver enzymes and balancing its protein content. Essentially, the Moringa oil helped the liver to heal.

It’s in the malnourished parts of the world where Moringa is called “the miracle tree.” That’s because this nutritionally-dense superfood is easy to grow in dry areas. It contains enough protein, iron and fiber to make a significant impact on populations in areas without enough food.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations notes that only 25 grams of Moringa leaf powder contains one person’s entire daily supply of calcium and vitamin A, half of their necessary protein and potassium, and three-quarters of the iron requirement.

Moringa also has possible anticancer properties. One study shows that Moringa leaves and bark, when used on colecterol and breast cancer cells, increased cell death by a staggering sevenfold. Interestingly, the seed pods did not have this effect. Future studies will provide more information on this superfood’s effect on cancer.

The high protein and iron content of Moringa leaves and seeds make the plant a nutritional dietary option for vegetarians and vegans. For instance, it’s a great alternative for anyone on a plant-based diet who is struggling with anemia.

Moringa may possibly increase breast milk production, due to the nutritional powerhouse it packs. Other potential uses include improved wound healing, neurological protection, boosting energy, and increased digestive, bone, vision and skin health.

Before using Moringa

Moringa is safe for most people to use. But if you plan to use it on a regular basis, it’s best to check with your doctor first. Also, make sure that the Moringa you purchase is 100 percent Moringa oleiefera and not mixed with any fillers or additives. The longer Moringa powder is stored, the more nutrients are lost, so buy as fresh as possible.

It may be difficult to comprehend the number of amazing benefits of in this superfood. For a deeper dive, check out The Calorie Myth by Jonathon Bailor, which explains more about the nutritional boost that certain healing foods can provide to your body.