Moringa Powder /Moringa oleifera Powder

Moringa/Moringa oleifera

Moringa oleifera is a fairly large tree native to North India.It goes by a variety of names, such as drumstick tree, horseradish tree or ben oil tree.

Almost all parts of the tree are eaten or used as ingredients in traditional herbal medicines.This especially applies to the leaves and pods, which are commonly eaten in parts of India and Africa.

Moringa oleifera is a plant native to northern India that can also grow in other tropical and sub-tropical places, like Asia and Africa. Folk medicine has used the leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots of this plant for centuries.

It’s traditionally been used as a remedy for such conditions as:

• Diabetes
• Long-lasting inflammation
• Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections
• Joint pain
• Heart health
• Cancer

Moringa has many important vitamins and minerals.  The leaves have about as much potassium as a banana, and about the same amount of vitamin C as an orange. It also has calcium, protein, iron, and amino acids, which help your body heal and build muscle.

It’s also packed with antioxidants, substances that can protect cells from damage and may boost your immune system. There’s some evidence that some of these antioxidants can also lower blood pressure and reduce fat in the blood and body.

Rheumatoid arthritis: Moringa leaf extract may lower fluid swelling, redness, and pain.

Diabetes: Several early studies show that insulin-like proteins found in moringa may help lower blood sugar. Plant chemicals found in the leaves might help the body process sugar better, and it may affect how the body releases insulin.

Cancer: In lab tests, leaf extracts slowed the growth of pancreatic cancer cells and helped chemotherapy work better. Other lab studies show that moringa leaves, bark, and roots all have anti-cancer effects that might lead to new drugs.

Memory: Some experts think the antioxidants and other health-promoting plant chemicals may heal stress and inflammation in the brain.

Scientists are also trying to see if it might help with:

• Cholesterol
• Arthritis
• High blood pressure
• Liver damage caused by medicines
• Stomach ulcers
• Asthma
• Wound healing
• Ulcerative colitis
• Diarrhea
• Anemia
• Weight Loss

The leaves have about as much potassium as a banana, and about the same amount of vitamin C as an orange. It also has calcium, protein, iron, and amino acids, which help your body heal and build muscle. It’s also packed with antioxidants, substances that can protect cells from damage and may boost your immune system.

Moringa oleifera is very nutritious

• Moringa oleifera is a fairly large tree native to North India.
• It goes by a variety of names, such as drumstick tree, horseradish tree or ben oil tree.
• Almost all parts of the tree are eaten or used as ingredients in traditional herbal medicines.
• This especially applies to the leaves and pods, which are commonly eaten in parts of India and Africa

Moringa leaves are an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals. One cup of fresh, chopped leaves (21 grams) contains.

• Protein: 2 grams
• Vitamin B6: 19% of the RDA
• Vitamin C: 12% of the RDA
• Iron: 11% of the RDA
• Riboflavin (B2): 11% of the RDA
• Vitamin A (from beta-carotene): 9% of the RDA
• Magnesium: 8% of the RDA

Moringa oleifera is rich in antioxidants

• Antioxidants are compounds that act against free radicals in your body.
• High levels of free radicals may cause oxidative stress, which is associated with chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
• Several antioxidant plant compounds have been found in the leaves of Moringa oleifera.
• In addition to vitamin C and beta-carotene, these include
• Quercetin: This powerful antioxidant may help lower blood pressure.
• Chlorogenic acid: Also found in high amounts in coffee, chlorogenic acid may help moderate blood sugar levels after meals.
• One study in women found that taking 1.5 teaspoons (7 grams) of moringa leaf powder every day for three months significantly increased blood antioxidant levels.
• Moringa leaf extract may also be used as a food preservative. It increases the shelf life of meat by reducing oxidation.

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 oleifera may help lower blood sugar levels.
• However, most of the evidence is based on animal studies. Only a few human-based studies exist, and they’re generally of low quality.
• One study in 30 women showed that taking 1.5 teaspoons (7 grams) of moringa leaf powder every day for three months reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 13.5%, on average.
• Another small study in six people with diabetes found that adding 50 grams of moringa leaves to a meal reduced the rise in blood sugar by 21%.

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.
• Most whole fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the degree to which they can help depends on the types and amounts of anti-inflammatory compounds they contain.
• Scientists believe that isothiocyanates are the main anti-inflammatory compounds in moringa leaves, pods and seeds.
• But so far, research has been limited to test-tube and animal studies. It remains to be seen if Moringa oleifera has similar anti-inflammatory effects in humans.

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.
• Both animal- and human-based studies have shown that Moringa oleifera may have similar cholesterol-lowering effects

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.
• For instance, studies have linked long-term exposure to an increased risk of cancer and heart disease.
• Interestingly, several studies in mice and rats have shown that the leaves and seeds of Moringa oleifera may protect against some of the effects of arsenic toxicity.
• These results are promising, but it’s not yet known whether this also applies to humans.