5 Health Benefits And Uses of Moringa Powder

Moringa Powder is trending all over the internet and for all the right reasons!

From celebrities sipping it as tea to fitness enthusiasts adding it to smoothies, this superfood has everyone talking.

Commonly known as “sahjan” or the “drumstick tree” in India, Moringa is also referred to as the “magic tree” for its incredible benefits. It is a storehouse of many amazing nutrients that have been consumed in India as part of traditional remedies for centuries and now it’s making waves worldwide as a superfood.

Curious why everyone’s raving about this green magic? Keep reading to discover five amazing health benefits and uses of Moringa powder that will surely make you want to try it yourself!

Moringa, The Miracle Food

Doctors and scientists who have studied Moringa say, “If there is one vegetable that has served as both food and medicine since ancient times and will continue to do so for the next hundred years, it’s Moringa.”

The Moringa tree, or Moringa Oleifera, is native to Northern India and East Africa. It is so versatile that every part of it is edible and has exceptional nutritive value, from its leaves to its pods, seeds, flowers, and even its roots.

The leaves alone are packed with an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals and contain a powerful protein punch, around 30 percent by dry weight. This protein content is higher than that of many legumes, which don’t contain as much or all the essential amino acids that Moringa leaves offer.

The leaves are also high in vitamins A and C, zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They are rich in antioxidants, other nutrients, and phytochemicals that can help reduce chronic inflammation. In comparison, the pods (also known as drumsticks) have a lower amount of vitamins and minerals but are exceptionally rich in vitamin C and fibre content.

The leaves are the most used part of the plant and are often consumed after being dried and crushed into powder form. When dried, it becomes much more concentrated and contains a significantly higher amount of nutrients.

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Even the seeds and flowers have medicinal uses. The oils and extracts are used for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Moringa Contains:

• 7 times more Vitamin C than oranges
• 10 times the Vitamin A of carrots
• 15 times the potassium of bananas
• 25 times more iron than spinach
• 17 times more calcium than milk

For thousands of years, people from villages have been eating moringa leaves every day, unaware of the countless benefits this superfood offers. This magical plant is a great source of essential nutrients that people may be missing in their daily diets.

When it comes to the benefits of consuming moringa powder, there are too many to count, but for now, let us focus on some of these.

5 Benefits of Moringa Powder

1. Boosts Your Immune Function

To stave off infections and illnesses, one needs to have a strong immune system, and Moringa, loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, helps you with the same. These compounds act against free radicals in your body, which may cause oxidative stress and damage healthy cells.

Moringa also has anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is linked to many health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Compound isothiocyanates are the main anti-inflammatory substances in Moringa leaves, pods, and seeds. There are various other nutrients present in Moringa that help in maintaining a healthy and active immune system.

2. Helps Reduce Blood Sugar Levels

If you have uncontrolled diabetes even after regular and timely medications then including moringa powder in your diet can be highly beneficial. It has a compound called chlorogenic acid which is an antioxidant known to slow the absorption of sugar in your blood and promote better glucose control. Other compounds of note are isothiocyanates, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that enhances insulin sensitivity and reduces sugar spikes after meals.

Some studies show that people who have been regularly consuming Moringa in their diet have shown around 1.5 times difference in blood sugar control. For instance, research shows that a group of people consumed Moringa regularly for three months and they experienced a 13.5% reduction in fasting blood sugar levels. Another small study done on a group of six people with diabetes found that adding 50 grams of Moringa leaves to a meal reduced post-meal blood sugar spikes by 21%.

3. Prevents Malnutrition

Moringa is a powerhouse of essential vitamins and minerals, making it an effective tool in preventing malnutrition, especially in areas where food insecurity is a concern. Packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, iron, and protein, Moringa provides nutrients that are crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being.

In regions where access to a balanced diet is limited, Moringa is a cost-effective and sustainable solution to combat malnutrition. By incorporating Moringa into daily meals, it can help bridge the nutrient gap and ensure that both children and adults receive the essential nutrients they need for growth, energy, and immunity.

4. Supports Healthy Weight Loss

Moringa is a great addition to any weight loss plan, thanks to its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy metabolism. It contains a variety of antioxidants that help boost metabolism, improve digestion, and prevent the buildup of fat in your body.

The high fibre content in Moringa also contributes to feelings of fullness, reducing overall calorie intake and helping curb unhealthy cravings. Additionally, Moringa’s ability to balance blood sugar levels helps prevent sugar spikes and crashes, which are often linked to overeating and unhealthy weight gain. Using Moringa in a balanced diet, along with regular exercise, can support healthy and sustainable weight loss.

5. Reduces Cholesterol Levels

Having high cholesterol may increase your risk of heart problems. If your blood reports show high triglycerides and LDL (bad cholesterol) and low HDL (good cholesterol), then Moringa can be greatly beneficial. The reason is the presence of sterols in this superfood. Sterols, along with antioxidants, help reduce the already present cholesterol in your body and increase the HDL content.

It contains potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and promotes healthy heart function. Some studies also suggest that Moringa may help lower levels of LDL and improve HDL. The anti-inflammatory properties of Moringa further support heart health by reducing inflammation in blood vessels.

Best Ways To Use Moringa Powder

The simplest and quickest way to use Moringa powder is to take 1 teaspoon (5g), mix it in a glass of water, and drink it between two meals. It can be either between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner. While this is the easiest way to consume Moringa, it’s not the tastiest option.

The taste of Moringa is a bit peppery or earthy, almost like matcha. Some get used to it, but if you’re finding it hard to adjust to its flavours, here are some other ways to balance its taste and enjoy it:

• Mix 1 tsp of Moringa into a glass of water, squeeze half a lime into it, and drink.
• Another way is to take 1 tsp of Moringa, mix it with a bowl of curd, and add salt according to your taste.
• You can also drink it with buttermilk. Take one glass of buttermilk, add Moringa powder, some salt, and jeera powder. That’s it—drink it!
• You can also sprinkle it on top of soups and salads or add it to your favourite chutney or dip.