Moringa leaves come from the fast-growing Moringa oleifera tree that’s native to South Asia and is also found in tropical areas. These leaves, which have a flavor similar to a radish, are powerful sources of nutrition and have been extensively used in traditional medicine. In fact, the Ayurvedic system highlights moringa’s ability in curing or preventing at least 300 diseases.2 Researchers have been investigating the full extent of moringa’s benefits to the body, with results yielding a lot of positives.
As you can see, you will truly benefit from adding moringa leaves to your diet, since they are very nutritious, courtesy of the high amounts of vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids and more. In fact, 100 grams of dry moringa leaves are said to contain:
- 9 times the protein of yogurt 10 times the vitamin A of carrots 15 times the potassium of bananas
- 17 times the calcium of milk 12 times the vitamin C of oranges 25 times the iron of spinach
Another vital component in moringa is fiber, which is full of nutrients that are not digested in your gut, but which serve to help your colon function. It has been shown to work like a mop to your intestines that assists with cleaning up “extra grunge” from an unhealthy diet. Antioxidants like vitamin C, beta-carotene, quercetin and chlorogenic acid are also abundant in moringa, because of its high polyphenol content. According to a study in Asia Pacific Journal of Cancer.
Moringa is found to:
" … [E]xhibit strong antioxidant activity against free radicals, prevent oxidative damage to major biomolecules and give significant protection against oxidative damage."
Another study discovered that women who took 1 1/2 teaspoons of moringa leaf powder daily for three months had significantly increased blood levels of antioxidants.
An article published in Fox News Health discussed the other beneficial components of moringa:
“Moringa is rich in a variety of health-enhancing compounds, including moringine, moringinine, the potent antioxidants quercetin, kaempferol, rhamnetin and various polyphenols. The leaves seem to be getting the most market attention, notably for their use in reducing high blood pressure, eliminating water weight and lowering cholesterol.
Studies show that moringa leaves possess antitumor and anticancer activities, due in part to a compound called niaziminin. Preliminary experimentation also shows activity against the Epstein-Barr virus. Compounds in the leaf appear to help regulate thyroid function, especially in cases of overactive thyroid. Further research points to antiviral activity in cases of Herpes simplex."