What is Moringa Good For? Top 6 Health Benefits of Moringa

Moringa powder comes from the "miracle tree" but is it actually a miracle food? Find out what moringa is good for, including the top moringa health benefits.

Rebecca Höfer Jun 23, 2022
What is Moringa Good For? Top 6 Health Benefits of Moringa

What is moringa?

Moringa is considered a miracle cure for all kinds of diseases and ailments. The moringa fruits and leaves are said to be very nutritious and contain countless important minerals in high concentrations. The plant is also said to provide essential amino acids and many other vital substances. Unfortunately, people have only become aware of the many moringa health benefits over the last decade. Continue reading to find out why you need more moringa pow(d)er in your life.


The miracle moringa tree

Moringa leaves come from the moringa oleifera tree or “the miracle tree.” Their roots can grow in a variety of soils, including depleted soils. Because they are drought-resistant and can grow without rain water, moringa trees do particularly well in harsh and dry climates like India and Africa.

You know the saying “grows like a weed?” Well, I think “grows like a moringa tree” would be a better phrase because they grow super fast. They reach full maturity in 9 months. The moringa leaves can also be harvested in just 6-8 weeks after planting and it only takes 6-8 weeks for the leaves to grow back.

Fun fact: moringa is a distant relative to cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale and cabbage.


The all-mighty moringa leaves

The leaves of the Indian Moringa tree (Moringa Oleifera) are packed with vitamins and minerals and get the metabolism going. This is one reason why moringa is touted as a superfood in this country. You can also make a healthy tea from the dried leaves. 

The mustard oils give the tea a pungent flavour, which, however, wakes you up in the morning and boosts your metabolism for the day. You can also drink the tea cold. Mixed with a little honey and lemon juice, moringa tea is a refreshing drink for hot days.

Moringa leaves contain many important minerals such as potassium, magnesium or zinc, which are important for the supply of joints and muscles, helping you to prevent sore muscles. This makes moringa tea an ideal thirst quencher during sports. 

You can also drink moringa tea to support a diet or as a detox. After a long winter, you relieve the digestive tract and flush out the liver and kidneys. That’s exactly why we had to add moringa powder to two of our mixes in the Detox Bundle: You can find it in the Super Green and Skinny Protein mix.


Nutrition facts about moringa

As the old saying goes, never judge a tree by its leaves. On the outside, the small emerald-colored leaves may not look like much, but they’re actually one of the most nutrient-rich plants.

Moringa leaves are 25% protein and contain all 9 essential amino acids. They’re also a great source of fiber and plant-based iron. But that’s not all! Gram for gram, moringa leaves have:

  • 7 times more vitamin C than oranges
  • 4 times more vitamin A than carrots
  • 4 times more calcium than milk
  • 3 times more potassium than bananas

Like most superfoods, moringa leaves are packed with antioxidants. It has an ORAC value of 157,000 — that’s 6 times the antioxidants of goji berries!

  

A 2014 study published in “Journal of Food Science and Technology” found that consuming 1½ teaspoons of moringa powder every day for 3 months significantly increased antioxidant levels in the blood. The antioxidants in moringa leaves have been shown to prevent oxidative damage and protect against oxidative damage as well as free radicals.


Organic moringa powder

How high the nutrient content of Moringa powder actually is always depends on the drying process, storage and soil conditions during cultivation. So when buying, you should make sure that you only use organic products. We source our organic moringa powder from a small farm in India and it is tested for pesticides to ensure highest quality. 


 

Top 6 moringa health benefits

1. It helps fight type 2 diabetes

High blood sugar levels is one of the main characteristics of diabetes. However, moringa may help balance those levels.

Moringa is a natural antidiabetic because it contains chlorogenic acid. This antioxidant, which is found in high amounts in coffee, slows the release of glucose (sugar) into the bloodstream after a meal.

 Unfortunately, few human studies exist, but Peter Havel, a professor of nutrition and molecular biosciences at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, has tested moringa on rats. His studies saw a 5-month delay in developing diabetes. For humans, that could mean a delay of 10-15 years.

 

2. It balances hormones

In 2014, researchers tested the effects of moringa leaves supplementation (as well as amaranth leaves) on 90 post-menopausal women between the ages of 45 and 60.

They concluded the antioxidant properties in moringa and amaranth may help prevent complications due to natural hormonal changes during post-menopause. 

 

3. It's good for your skin

Moringa contains all of the major beauty vitamins (vitamin A, C and E). These antioxidant-rich vitamins promote your own natural collagen production, which fights signs of anti-aging by keeping skin firm and preventing fine lines and wrinkles.

Moringa is also anti-fungal and antibacterial, meaning it can help protect the skin from infections.


4. It can lower cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that’s found in your blood. Too much cholesterol can put you at risk for heart disease and stroke — the leading causes of death in the United States.

However, like all plant-based sources, moringa can help! Multiple studies have shown that moringa leaves can help reduce cholesterol levels.


5. It may help lower blood pressure

Adding to moringa’s impressive antioxidant resume is quercetin. And studies have shown this phytochemical can lower blood pressure.

 

6. It fights malnutrition

One of moringa’s defining superfood characteristics is its ability to fight malnutrition. In many third-world countries, the poorest people can’t afford to buy vegetables. Instead, they live off of rice or other starch-based foods because it’s cheaper and easier to feed their large families.

Adding one spoonful of nutrient-rich moringa powder to flour or starches is an easy and affordable way to improve deficiencies. Many NGOs (non-governmental organizations), such as the Peace Corp, are already harnessing the power of moringa.



How to use moringa powder

In Europe, moringa is only available in powder form, but in health food shops, health food shops, Asian shops, pharmacies and of course in various online shops. Either tins with loose powder or capsules containing the powder are sold. The dried, grated leaves can be enjoyed either pure, in various dishes or poured over with water as a moringa tea.You can find moringa in three different Your Super mixes:

  • Super Green: the perfect mix for everyone who needs a little green boost and still struggles to add veggies to their diet. Simply mix it in smoothies or make a superfood shot with water.
  • Power Matcha: More than matcha - this mix combines the highest quality Japanese matcha powder with other greens such as moringa, so you can benefit from clean focus and nutritious greens. Make your matcha latte at home by simply adding Power Matcha to your choice of plant milk. 
  • Skinny Protein: Getting protein on a vegan diet has never been easier. This clean, green protein powder combines two easily digestible plant based protein powders with three other nutritious greens such as moringa. Add it to fruity smoothies and protein snacks so you can feel satiated whilst supporting strong muscles.