What
is moringa?
Moringa, also known as
the Miracle Tree, is a multipurpose plant, as the leaves,
pods, fruits, flowers, roots and bark of the tree can be utilized. It is also
referred to as Drumstick Tree by the Britishers. In
the Philippines, they are referred to as malunggay or malungay. Others
refer to moringa ashorseradish tree, benzolive tree, kelor, marango, mlonge,
moonga, nébéday, saijhan, sajna or Ben oil tree.
What are the health
benefits of moringa?
Scientific research
confirms that these humble leaves are a powerhouse of nutritional value. Gram
for gram, moringa leaves contain: SEVEN times the vitamin C in oranges, FOUR
times the Calcium in milk, FOUR times the vitamin A in carrots, TWO times the
protein in milk and THREE times the Potassium in bananas.
There are many
benefits of the moringa tree, but the health benefits are the most important.
Research has shown that various parts of the moringa tree can be effective in a
significant number of health concerns. Here’s a quick look at a few of them:
Moringa is rich
in Vitamin A. It contains four times more Vitamin A or beta-carotene than
carrots. Hence, it is a weapon against blindness.
It is also a rich
source of Vitamin C many times more than oranges.
Normally milk is said
to be a rich source of calcium but the amount of calcium present in moringa
leaves is way higher than in milk.
The moringa leaves are
said to contain two times the protein present in milk.
Bananas are a rich
source of potassium. But moringa leaves contain several times more potassium
than bananas.
Along with potassium,
zinc is also found in large quantities in moringa.
If moringa leaves were
to be eaten by one and all, the world will be free of anemia as it
contains three times more iron than spinach.
With all the junk food
eaten these days, many people face problems of high cholesterol. Moringa helps
in balancing the cholesterol levels in the body.
Essential Amino
acids are also found in moringa.
- Moringa is also
said to balance sugar levels, hence it is helpful in the fight against
diabetes.
- The body's natural
defense mechanism increases with the consumption of moringa in the daily diet
pattern. Since it is an immunity-stimulant, it is prescribed for AIDS afflicted
patients.
- Moringa leaves
can be consumed to stimulate metabolism.
- It is also said to
have digestive powers.
- It is a nutrition
booster and is known to promote a feeling of well-being in people.
- If you are looking for
non-sugar based energy, then moringa leaves is the answer. Thus, it will also
help in the weight loss process.
- The cell structure of
the body is stimulated by the moringa leaves.
- It is especially
useful for lactating mothers. The consumption of moringa has shown dramatic
increase in the quantity of breast milk.
- It is also famous for
its anti-bacterial properties.
- The paste of the
moringa leaves is said to beautify the skin and is hence applied by women
regularly.
- It protects the liver
and kidneys.
- It can also be used as
a water purifier.
Moringa contains
more than 90 nutrients and 46 types of antioxidants. With all the health
benefits of moringa, it can easily be termed as the most nutritious plant on
the face of the earth. There are no side-effects of moringa tree leaves which
have been proved till date. At the same time it can be consumed by small
children and adults alike. Therefore, many people have started using it in
porridge, pastas, breads, etc., to reap the everlasting health benefits of the
extraordinary 'moringa'.According to Dr. Monica G. Marcu, researcher and
clinical pharmacologist, Moringa is unique because, even in small amounts, it
can supply daily a wide gamut of vital nutrients with few calories.
Vitamin and mineral content are just the beginning. Moringa has 18 amino acids,
including the eight essentials – the ones your body can not survive without but
can not manufacture on its own; they must be supplied through diet.
Moringa is as good a
source of roughage as carrots but has quadruple the beta carotene
content. It also has plenty of omega-3 oils and chlorophyll, plus 45
compounds with antioxidant properties and 36 with anti-inflammatory properties.
To the average Joe, Moringa is a simple way to manage many health problems. It
can help reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, control blood sugar, and offer
anti-aging and anti-inflammatory substances, many of which have anti-cancer
properties.
Moringa is widely
found in tropical and sub-tropical belts. It is a medicinal plant used in
Central and South
America, Mexico, Malaysia, Philippines, India, Sri
Lanka and Africa.
A Review of the
Medical Evidence for Its Nutritional, Therapeutic, and Prophylactic Properties. Part
1. Jed W. Fahey, Sc.D. Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of
Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Cancer
Chemoprotection Center, 725 N. Wolfe Street, 406 WBSB, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
21205-2185.
Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ):
Why is moringa
called the “Miracle Tree”?
Moringa leaves and pods when taken in regularly, will nourish the body with
necessary vitamins and minerals. All parts of the moringa tree including
leaves, pods, bark, seed, fruits and root has medicinal value. Hence, it was
called the ‘Miracle Tree.’
Does moringa have anti-ageing properties?
Moringa is one of the richest sources of antioxidants, with high contents
of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and bioflavonoid. Active oxygen radicals
steal electrons from normal, healthy biological molecules. This electron theft
by active oxygen oxidizes tissue and can cause disease. By supplying the body
with these nutrients we can find an effective method to block the oxidation of
healthy tissue by active oxygen, then we can attempt to delay the ageing
process.
What are known side effects of moringa?Dr. Lowell Fuglie, based in Senegal
and considered as one of the experts about moringa says that to date there has
not been any known negative side effect even in the daily consumption of
moringa.
What are the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds present in moringa?
Antioxidants:
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B (Choline), Vitamin B1
(Thiamin) , Vitamin B2 (Rivoflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6, Alanine,
Alpha-Carotene, Arginine, Beta-Carotene, Beta-Sitosterol, Caffeoylquinic Acid,
Campesterol, Carotenoids, Chlorophyll, Chromium, Delta 5- Avenasterol, Delta 7
Avenasterol, Glutathione, Histidine, Indole Acetic Acid, Indoleacetonitrile,
Kaempferal, Leucine, Lutein, Methionine, Myristic-Acid, Palmitic Acid,
Prolamine, Proline, Quercitin, Rutin, Selenium, Threonine, Tryptophan,
Xanthins, Xanthopyll, Zeatin, Zeaxanthin, Zinc.
Anti- Inflammatory Compounds:
Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Arginine, Beta-Sistosterol, Caffeoylquinic
Acid, Calcium, Chlorophyll, Copper, Cystine, Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, Fiber,
Glutathione, Histidine, Indole Acetic Acid, Indoleacetonitrile, Isoleucine,
Kaempferal, leucine, Magnesium, Oleic-Acid, Phenylalanine, Potassium,
Quercitin, Rutin, Selenium, Stigmasterol, Sulfur, Tryptophan, Tyrosine, Zeatin,
Zinc.
There are over 46 antioxidants and 36 anti-inflammatory compounds all naturally
occurring in the moringa plant. That is why it is referred to as the best
natural source of anti-oxidants.
What are the vitamins and minerals present in moringa?
VITAMINS:
Vitamin A (Alpha and Beta Carotene), B,B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D, E, K,
Folate (Folic Acid), Biotin and much more.
MINERALS:
Calcium, Chloride, Chromium, Copper, Fluorine, Iron, Manganese, Magnesium,
Molydenum, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Selenium, Sulfur, Zinc.
AMINO ACIDS:
Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan,
Valine, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Cystine, Glutamine, Glycine,
Histidine, Proline, Serine, Tyrosine.
OTHER NUTRIENTS:
Chlorophyll, Carotenoids, Cytokins, Flavonoids, Omega 3,6 9 oils, Plant
Sterols, Polyphenols, Lutein, Xanthins, Rutin and many more.
How does moringa act as detoxifier?Moringa seeds are well known for its use
to purify dirty water. Moringa seeds when mixed with impure water will absorb
all the impurities. In the similar process, moringa attracts the toxins from
the blood and removes and excrete toxic build up.
How effective is moringa?A lot of research has been done about moringa and
has been part of the daily diet of people around the world because of it’s
nutritional and medicinal properties. Moringa has saved millions of lives in
poor countries where malnutrition is prevalent because of its high nutritive
value. John Hopkins has released a scientific paper regarding some of the
medicinal properties of moringa.
How is moringa better than other nutritional supplements available in the
market?Most of the multivitamin and calcium supplements available in the
market are made using synthetic ingredients. The human body absorbs very
minimal nutrients supplied through the synthetic supplements. However, moringa
leaves and pods are natural sources of calcium and multivitamins and their
processing method also enhances the bioavailability of the nutrients.
Bioavailability of Whole Plant Minerals: Calcium - Up to 8.79 times more
bioavailable; Chromium - Up to 25 times more bioavailable; Copper - 1.85 time
more retained in the liver; Iron - 1.77 times more absorbed into blood;
Magnesium - Up to 2.20 times more bioavailable;
Manganese - 1.63 times more retained in the liver; Molybdenum - 16.49 times
more absorbed into blood; Selenium - Up to 17.60 times the antioxidant effect;
Zinc - 6.46 times more absorbed into blood.
