Move over, coconut. There’s a new “tree of life” in town: moringa.

Sometimes referred to as a “miracle tree” in places where it’s grown, the moringa tree’s leaves are chock-full of antioxidants and nutrients essential for overall health. The leaves have also been used for centuries to relieve a wide range of ailments, from headaches to bacterial infections.

Now, modern research suggests moringa can also help lower cholesterol, ease constipation and even help treat or prevent various cancers.

Top benefits of moringa

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most touted health benefits of moringa:

1. Combats inflammation – Moringa is loaded with powerful compounds known as flavonoids. They help protect your cells from inflammation, which is linked to serious health issues like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
2. Protects your heart – Moringa protects your heart in many ways. For instance, studies have shown that moringa can help lower levels of “bad” cholesterol thanks to beneficial fats like linolenic and oleic acid. Moringa leaf extract can also help lower blood pressure levels for better heart health.
3. Boosts gut health – In traditional medicine, moringa leaves and seeds are used to alleviate stomach pain, constipation and even ulcers. Experts say this is likely due to moringa’s active compounds.
4. May stall aging – It turns out, moringa could turn back the clock when it comes to skin aging. That’s because antioxidants like vitamins A and C improve your skin’s elasticity. They also keep your skin hydrated and protect it from damage caused by environmental pollutants and ultraviolet light.
5. Strengthens bones – Keep your bones strong even in old age by eating moringa. Moringa leaves are rich in nutrients essential for bone health, such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Moringa also has lysine, an amino acid that helps your body better absorb calcium from the foods you eat.
6. Supports liver health – Moringa helps you maintain a healthy liver by getting rid of excess cholesterol that could build up inside your liver. Moringa also protects your liver from inflammation and may reduce your risk of developing fatty liver disease.
7. Boosts brain health – Some animal studies suggest that moringa can protect the brain from decline or cognitive impairment, which tends to accelerate with age. Moringa’s protective effects against mental decline is likely due to its ability to fight inflammation, which can end up slowing cognitive skills.
8. Helps manage and prevent diabetes – One of moringa’s main claims to fame is that it helps prevent and manage diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels. One study on diabetic mice showed that feeding them moringa leaves lowered their blood sugar levels, possibly because of moringa’s fiber content.
9. May prevent cancer – Moringa contains a powerful antioxidant called eugenol, which has been shown to help prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading. Moringa is believed to help prevent the development of several cancers, including those of the skin, prostate, breasts and lungs.
10. Fights infections – Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, moringa can help prevent infections by getting rid of harmful microbes like Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Straph strains are leading causes of skin infections like acne and boils, while E. coli typically disturbs your gut by causing diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Moringa and turmeric detox soup recipe

Though bitter, moringa leaves have a slight sweetness to them that goes well with sweet and savory dishes. Try this moringa detox soup recipe and get a taste of moringa’s unique flavor profile yourself:

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 6 curry leaves
• 2 taro roots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 green Thai chili pepper, deseeded
• 1 lime, quartered
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup moringa stalks, cut into 3-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/4 teaspoons turmeric powder
• A pinch of Cumin seeds
• Ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients but the lime wedges and black pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
2. Pour the mixture into a blender and blend until coarsely pureed. Then strain the mixture through a sieve, using a spoon to press out as much pulp as possible from the moringa fibers. Discard the fibers.
3. Season to taste with more salt and pepper if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and squeeze a lime wedge over each bowl. Garnish with a sprinkling of ground black pepper and serve.

Moringa is a nutritious superfood hailed for its protective effects against various ailments. To reap the benefits of these miracle leaves for your health, incorporate moringa into your go-to health drinks and favorite dishes.

Sources:

ABC.HerbalGram.org

StyleCraze.com

BMCComplementMedTherapies.BioMedCentral.com

MayoClinic.org 1

MayoClinic.org 2

TastingTable.com