Moringa has recently started to gain a lot of popularity as a new super food due to its highly nutritious profile and powerful anti-inflammatory, tissue protective and antioxidant properties. Moringa oleifera has been used for generations to treat and prevent diseases such as heart diseases, arthritis, diabetes, digestive, skin & respiratory disorders and liver disease and anemia.
Moringa has become popular as a leaf powder supplement, although the fruits, seeds flowers, bark roots and pods are also edible. It is used as a traditional remedy to treat many sicknesses. Here are some scientifically backed benefits of consuming moringa which should convince you to make it a regular part of your diet.
1. It is packed with nutrients
Moringa is very rich in vitamins, amino acids and minerals. It also contains a significant amount of vitamin A, C, and E; potassium, protein and calcium.
2. It fights radicals
Moringa is known to contain some types of antioxidants called flavonoids, ascorbic acid and polyphenols in their flowers, leaves and seeds. Antioxidants are known to fight free radicals, which molecules that cause oxidative stress, cell damage and inflammation. Thus, Moringa can help you avoid any problems due to oxidative stress.
3. Moringa fights inflammation
Chronic diseases like diabetes result from inflammation, as do cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, obesity and arthritis. Moringa reduces inflammation by suppressing the inflammatory enzymes and proteins in the body.
4. It helps to reduce some diabetes symptoms
Moringa leaf powder has been effective at reducing lipid and glucose levels and regulating the oxidative stress in diabetic patients, which means it lowers blood sugar and cholesterol and improves protection against cell damage.
5. It helps keep the brain healthy
Moringa supports brain health and cognitive function because of its antioxidant and neural-enhancing capacities. It has also been tested as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Its high content of vitamins E and C fight the oxidation that leads to neuron degeneration. This improves the functioning of the brain. It is also able to normalize the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline in the brain, which play a key role in memory, moods, organ function, responses to stimulus such as stress and pleasure and mental well being for cases of depression and psychosis.
image courtesy of: moringafarms.com.