Nutritionist Kerry Torrens provides information on moringa, an herb known for its various health benefits, including its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Praised for centuries, moringa appears to offer impressive health benefits, but is the science reliable? Nutritionist Kerry Torrens explores what we know about this interesting plant.
What is moringa oleifera?
A tree native to South Asia and Africa, moringa oleifera has a number of colloquial names, including "miracle tree" due to its purported healing abilities and "horseradish tree" due to its of its botanical family, Brassicaceae.
Almost any part of the tree can be eaten, including the leaves, bark, roots, sap and flowers, although it is the leaf extracts that seem to offer the best protective and antioxidant properties. The tree is an important food source in developing countries where poor nutrition is a major concern. In the Western world, the dried leaves are instead sold as a dietary supplement in powder or capsule form.
Top 5 Health Benefits of Moringa
1. Rich source of protective antioxidants
Antioxidant compounds, including nutrients and phytochemicals, help protect cells from damage caused by molecules called free radicals, which are produced by the body when exposed to environmental toxins like pesticides and smoke. cigarette. Moringa, and more specifically its leaves, is rich in a number of beneficial compounds that provide antioxidant protection. These include vitamin C and beta-carotene, as well as polyphenols, such as quercetin, rutin and chlorogenic acid.
2. May Support Blood Sugar Control
Most of the evidence supporting the use of moringa to balance blood sugar is based on animal studies – these suggest that compounds in the leaves may stimulate cells in the pancreas, which are responsible for secreting the balancing hormone blood sugar, insulin. An interesting study looking at the effects of moringa leaf powder on postmenopausal women showed that taking 1½ teaspoons of moringa leaf powder every day for three months reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 13.5%. on average. This suggests that moringa might be helpful in dealing with some of the physiological changes experienced by midlife women.
3. May Have Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Inflammation plays a central role in the development of many chronic diseases, from obesity to arthritis to diabetes. The root, fruit and leaves of moringa contain substances that inhibit this inflammatory process. Animal and test-tube studies support the use of moringa, but there are still relatively few studies confirming these effects in humans.
4. May Protect the Liver
The liver is essential for maintaining our health and for processing nutrients from our diet. In animal studies, moringa's high levels of protective compounds, called polyphenols, have helped protect the liver and promote the recovery of damaged tissue. Very recent human trials suggest a possible role for moringa as an anticancer drug for liver cancer.
5. May Support Cognitive Function
The rich antioxidant properties of moringa may support cognitive function and be helpful in fighting cognitive decline, as well as conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, the herb may be helpful in supporting mood, memory, and neurotransmitter balance, with animal studies suggesting that the leaf extract may be useful for depression.
Studies to date in all of these areas look promising, but we still have a lot to learn about this herb and its many reputed benefits.
Bonus video: MORINGA - THE HEALTHY SUPERFOOD | Best Ways To Consume MORINGA For Good Health
Original article by Kerry Torrens - Nutritionist