What is Moringa?
Often referred to as the “miracle tree,” the fast-growing moringa tree is actually native to northern India.
The most well-known and widely used part of the tree are its seeds, which have been part of a traditional diet in Asia and Africa for centuries.
Today, moringa is readily available in various forms, including capsules, extracts, oils, powders and teas. The seeds can also be roasted and eaten like nuts, and the flowers can be used to make tea.
However, the easiest way to consume moringa is in powder form, made from dried leaves. The taste is much milder than the seeds, and dried leaves actually contains higher amounts of nutrients than the fresh versions.
Benefits of Moringa
1. Moringa Is Rich In Nutrients
Moringa seeds also contain 19 of 22 amino acids, including all 9 essential amino acids, which your body can’t produce itself. This is similar to other well-known “superfoods” seeds like sunflower and chia seeds.
Meanwhile, the pods are especially fibrous, which can help with digestive issues.
Even with this impressive amount of nutrients, moringa is very low in calories.
2. The Moringa Plant Combats Malnutrition
The leaves are used as a multivitamin supplement because of their high amounts of minerals like iron, calcium, and zinc, all essential for growth and development.
3. Can Be Used for Water Purification
Boasting antimicrobial properties, moringa seeds also play a powerful role in water purification in developing nations.
When the oil is extracted from the moringa seeds, a protein-rich “cake” is left behind. This can inhibit bacterial growth and be used to purify water for humans and animals.
Because moringa can be grown in abundance, this is an easy, cost-effective way to prevent waterborne diseases.
4. Acts as an Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant
Research shows that moringa seeds contain a powerful mix of health-promoting antioxidants.
5. Boosts Heart Health
Various studies have found that moringa seeds may be beneficial to heart health.
They contain high levels of monounsaturated fats, which can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and may decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke if replacing saturated fat.
In one lab study done on rats, the consumption of moringa seeds decreased oxidative stress and protected heart cells while reducing inflammation.
6. Moringa Supports Digestion
Due to its high fiber content, moringa pods may be beneficial for your digestion.
Each pod contains around 47% fiber and can help you digest regularly and easily.
7. May Help Fight Cancer
Moringa seeds are known for their potential cancer-fighting abilities.
A protein extracted from moringa seeds has been shown to slow the growth of liver cancer in both human and animal cells by up to 71% (10).
In another lab study, moringa seed extract kept breast cancer cells from significantly growing and spreading (11).
Liver and colon cancer cells have also been shown to decrease significantly when treated with moringa seeds (12).
Although this research only reflects lab studies and cannot be applied to humans, the results are promising.
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