Moringa - The Healthiest Plant On The Planet?

Moringa oleifera, often simply referred to as moringa, is a plant that's native to India but grows in many parts of the world. For example, I first tasted it in the Philippines, where it is called malunggay.?Recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties, moringa has been used in non-traditional medical systems for centuries and is increasingly studied in modern nutritional science.

A powerhouse of nutrients, moringa leaves are rich in many essential vitamins and minerals. They contain significant amounts of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as many of the B vitamins, including thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), and folate (B9). They also provide minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.

In a 100 grams serving, moringa leaves contain around 2000-3500 IU of vitamin A (100% of daily recommended intake), 51.7 mg of vitamin C (about 85% of daily recommended intake), and around 113 mg of calcium (approximately 11% of daily recommended intake). Moringa also contains 25.6 mg of iron per 100g serving, which is significantly higher than most plant sources and contributes about 142% of the daily recommended intake.

Moringa is an excellent source of protein as well, containing all the essential amino acids. In 100 grams of dry moringa leaves, there is around 27.1g of protein.

The health benefits of moringa are numerous. The high concentration of vitamins A and E contributes to its antioxidant activity, which helps protect the body's cells from damage by free radicals. This could potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

Vitamin C in moringa is essential for immune function and skin health. B vitamins help the body convert food into energy, support brain health, and are essential for proper nerve function.

Moringa's iron content is beneficial for preventing and treating anemia. Calcium is essential for bone health, while potassium supports heart health by helping to regulate blood pressure. The magnesium found in moringa supports over 300 enzymatic reactions, including those involved in energy production.

Moreover, moringa has anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest that its isothiocyanates, flavonoids, and phenolic acids help suppress inflammation in the body.

Moringa also contains compounds called glucosinolates, which may have anti-cancer properties. Animal and lab studies suggest that these compounds can inhibit the growth of cancer cells, although more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans.

Finally, moringa has been studied for its potential to reduce blood sugar levels, making it of interest for managing diabetes. Some studies have found that consuming moringa leaf powder can help reduce fasting blood sugar levels by 13-21%.

In summary, moringa is an extremely nutritious plant that offers a plethora of health benefits. However, it's important to remember that while it's a great addition to a balanced diet, it shouldn't replace a diverse diet or be used as the sole source of essential nutrients.

The safety of long-term or high-dose use of moringa supplements are well studied, and I encourage you to review the studies on sites such as PubMed.?Since it may affect some medications that you may be taking, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new dietary supplement regimen.

If you would like to grow you OWN moringa plant, which you can consume fresh, or dry the leaves and grind them into a powder, you can get one here:??https://bn.plus/hgqOsw

Note the all parts of the moringa plant are edible to include the leaves, bark, roots and seed pods :-)