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Moringa oleifera, also known as the drumstick tree, is a nutrient-rich plant. It is currently grown in many parts of the world, although its origin is the Indian subcontinent. The plant was used to treat ailments in ancient India, about 5000 years ago.
The leaves of moringa are mostly used to make nutrient supplements, owing to the fact that they are the most nutritious parts of the plant. That being said, the flowers, bark, roots, and seeds are also consumed for their health benefits.
Being such a nutrient-rich food, the regular consumption of moringa can lead to great health benefits. The top 15 benefits of consuming this plant are discussed in brief in the subsequent section.
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1. Keeps you Looking Young by Protecting your Skin
Moringa is often used in the manufacture of skin care products. This is because protects the organ from the pollutants in the air.
In addition, it contains about 30 antioxidants that control free radicals or the elements that make you skin seem to age. In this way, it helps to revitalize the skin, making you look younger for longer.
Moringa is highly absorbable, and this is what makes it very effective as a skin care product.
2. Prevents or Fights Cancer
One of the most important health benefits of Moringa is its capacity to strengthen cells, and as a result, help you fight or prevent cancer. The plant contains a chemical known as benzyl isothiocyanate, which has been proven to have chemoprotective properties.
According to eatmoringa.com, moringa also provides lots of nutrients that make the body generally healthier, and this is important for all cancer patients. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids; and therefore, promotes good health.
3. Torch Stubborn Fat
Moringa can help you lose weight by curbing your appetite and craving for food. This is because the plant supplies your body with all the necessary nutrients, therefore, providing a balanced supply of energy in the body.
According to moringasiam.com, cravings for food are the body’s way of getting you to eat a certain type of food for particular nutrients. It logically follows that you will have less food craving if you consume all the nutrients required.
In addition, moringa contains high amounts of fiber. This will keep you feeling full for prolonged periods, and you will, naturally, need to eat less through the day.
4. Fight Heart Diseases and Stroke by Lowering your Cholesterol Levels
According to a study published in PubMed, moringa can help to lower cholesterol levels dramatically. Cholesterol is associated with all sorts of heart-related issues, and this plant can help lower your chances of getting any of them.
It is one of the main reasons for its use in traditional Indian communities.
5. Fight Diabetes Using Moringa
Diabetes is a growing health problem in many parts of the world. Some researches point to the possibility of moringa helping to control blood sugar levels, and as such, prevent or fight diabetes.
In a study recorded in naturalnews.com, moringa helped to lower blood sugar levels in lab rats from an average of 380 percent to 145 percent.
To experience the benefits of moringa in controlling blood sugar, you should take about 50 grams of the leaves as part of your daily diet.
6. Prevent High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be dangerous; and may even lead to death. It is currently estimated that a third of the population suffers from it.
The leading cause of this condition is poor feeding habits. To prevent high blood pressure, professionals recommend a diet rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and vitamin E. Moringa is highly concentrated in these nutrients and is, therefore, a great food for this purpose.
In a study published in NCBI, rats that were fed on moringa showed a reduction in systolic, diastolic, and average blood pressure.
7. Prevent Illness by Boosting Your Immunity
The body has its natural defence system, but it is up to you to take care of and strengthen it. There is a simple formula for this- eat foods rich in zinc, protein, and vitamin A, E, and C.
It should, therefore, not surprise you that moringa is used in many places around the world to treat patients with suppressed immune systems. For example, many AIDS patients are offered moringa as part of the treatment of opportunistic infections.
The plant contains twice the amount of protein you would get from yoghurt. It also holds higher amounts of vitamin A than carrots.
8. Balance your Energy Levels through the Day
Moringa has been known to provide energy boosts since time immemorial. The plant does not contain caffeine, but is rich in magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B. These three nutrients work together to improve the relaxation of muscles, and also convert sugar to energy.
The antioxidants in moringa also help to improve thyroid health; and therefore, help you maintain high levels of energy.
Magnesium and potassium help to balance out the energy so that you don’t experience energy spikes after eating the plant. Instead, you sustain high levels of energy throughout the day.
Related: 11 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Coconut Water Every Day
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9. Get a Good Night of Sleep
This might seem to negate the previous point about this plant being an energy booster. However, as stated previously, moringa does not contain caffeine; and therefore, does not cause spikes in energy.
It simply boosts energy levels through the natural supply of nutrients. In this way, this food will provide you with vigor without making you hyperactive. You can, therefore, still enjoy a good night of sleep.
Moringa helps improve the quality of your sleep by reducing your stress levels. This is the result of the plant’s capacity to balance out your hormones, giving you the peace of mind needed to sleep well.
10. Increase the Growth of Your Hair
If you are suffering from hair loss, moringa might be the solution you need. The plant contains high amounts of vitamin E, a nutrient needed to promote the healthy circulation of blood around the body.
The result of this is that more nutrients are delivered to your scalp, and in this way, your hair follicles are fed.
Besides helping you grow your hair, this food will also improve its quality. The reason is the efficient delivery of nutrients to your scalp.
11. Improve your Mental Health
Mental health is another growing concern in many countries. Moringa has been noted to be a great product for improving cognitive abilities. This is likely because of the plant’s antioxidant properties.
Oxidation is known to lead to the damage of brain cells. Since it contains vitamin E and C, moringa is very effective at preventing this problem.
12. Protect your Liver
According to a study published in NCBI, moringa can act against liver injury and fibrosis. This is because the liver has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
In addition, moringa helps to fight stress by promoting hormonal balance. It has been established that high levels of stress contribute to liver dysfunction.
Moringa also plays the important role of restoring liver enzymes. The liver requires these enzymes to function properly. In cases where the liver is overworked, it runs out of enzymes easily, and this can lead to its poor functioning.
13. Fight Microbes and Bacteria
If you like using natural food and medicine, you have to try moringa. In any case, bacteria and microbes have been growing resistant to modern drugs, and these drugs are not very efficient any more.
Traditional doctors actually used moringa as an antibiotic, and this can still be done today. It is used to treat many conditions, including digestive and urinary infections. The plant’s property as an antibiotic also plays a role in its anti-aging benefits.
14. Improve the Clotting of Blood
Another study published in NCBI supports the use of moringa in the treating of wounds. This is because it acts against the cascade of blood coagulation, therefore, promoting the proper clotting of blood.
Since it also has anti-bacterial properties, it is a great plant for treating wounds.
15. Supply your Body with all the Essential Amino Acids
Amino acids make up proteins, which then make up the cells and tissues in the body. They are important for the repair and maintenance of body cells.
Moringa contains all the 8 essential amino acids required in the human body. The non-essential amino acids are produced in the human body, so there is no need of including them in your diet.
Add This Superfood To Your Diet
Moringa has been referred to as a super or miracle food, and many other amazing things. This is because it contains many of the important nutrients that your body requires on a daily basis. It would be prudent to add moringa to your regular diet as it will lead to the general betterment of your health.
Make it a goal to include it in the cooking of at least one meal per week, for a start. With time, you should be eating it daily, and maybe even several times a day.
For further information, you can watch this YouTube video. It covers the health benefits of moringa in a very clear and comprehensive way.