Moringa oleifera is a plant that has been praised for its health benefits for thousands of years.
It is very rich in healthy antioxidants and bioactive plant compounds. So far, scientists have only investigated a fraction of the many reputed health benefits.
Health Benefits of Moringa oleifera
Here are 6 health benefits of Moringa that are supported by scientific research.
- Moringa oleifera Is Very Nutritious
Almost all parts of the tree are eaten or used as ingredients in traditional herbal medicines. Moringa leaves are rich in many important nutrients, including protein, vitamin B6, vitamin C, riboflavin and iron.
Moringa oleifera is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that act against free radicals in your body. Moringa is rich in various antioxidants, including quercetin and chlorogenic acid. Moringa leaf powder can increase blood antioxidant levels.
Moringa may lower blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can be a serious health problem. In fact, it’s the main characteristic of diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar levels raise the risk of many serious health problems, including heart disease. For this reason, it’s important to keep your blood sugar within healthy limits. Interestingly, several studies have shown that Moringa may help lower blood sugar levels.
- Moringa oleifera May Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection or injury. It’s an essential protective mechanism but may become a major health issue if it continues over a long period of time.
In fact, sustained inflammation is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart disease and cancer. - Moringa Can Lower Cholesterol
Having high cholesterol has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Fortunately, many plant foods can effectively reduce cholesterol. These include flaxseeds, oats and almonds.
- Moringa oleifera May Protect Against Arsenic Toxicity
Arsenic contamination of food and water is a problem in many parts of the world. Certain types of rice may contain particularly high levels. Long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic may lead to health problems over time.
Animal studies suggest that Moringa oleifera may protect against arsenic toxicity. However, this has not yet been studied in humans.
Reference
6 Science-Based Health Benefits of Moringa oleifera – healthline.com
