Benefits Of Moringa Powder
Native to Asia and Africa, Moringa oleifera belongs to the Moringacea family. It is known by many names, such as horseradish tree, drumstick tree and kelor tree. All the parts of the Moringa plant -- gum, fruits, leaf, bark, root, seed and seed oil -- have been used to treat various diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and inflammation, reports a review article published in the journal “Phytotherapy Research” in 2007.
Protect Against Harmful Microorganisms
The extracts of the leaves and seeds of the Moringa oleifera plant contain compounds that exhibit anti-bacterial properties. According to a study published in the June 2010 issue of "Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences," Moringa leaf extract inhibited the growth of food-borne microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli. Moringa oleifera seed extract was effective only against E.coli and Salmonella typhimurium, however. The seed extract also prevented the growth of fungal species -- Mucor and Rhizopus species.
Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Moringa oleifera plants can help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels down. According to the 2007 article in the “Phytotherapy Research,” Moringa leaf extracts have been shown to exert a stabilizing effect on blood pressure. Moringa leaves contain substances, such as thiocarbamate glycosides, nitrile and mustard oil glycosides, that help lower blood pressure. The same study reports that B-sitosterol, a bioactive phytoconstituent found in Moringa leaves, may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Furthermore, Moringa fruit has been found to reduce low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides and cholesterol in rabbits with abnormally high cholesterol levels.
Provide Protection to Liver
Eating a healthy diet helps your liver to perform all of its functions well. In contrast, a high-fat diet can cause fat to build up in your liver tissue, leading to multiple health problems. Moringa plants can help reverse the liver damage done by unhealthy foods. A study published in the June 2012 issue of “Indian Journal of Experimental Biology” found that Moringa oleifera leaf extract protected against liver damage in mice fed with a high-fat diet. Furthermore, Moringa oleifera flower extracts were found to have liver-protecting activities, notes the 2007 review published in “Phytotherapy Research.” The presence of a quercetin, a flavonoid, may be behind these beneficial effects, researchers say.
Help People With Bronchial Asthma
A study published in the “Indian Journal of Pharmacology” in January 2008 investigated the effects of seed kernels of Moringa oleifera on bronchial asthma, a long-term lung disease that inflames your airways. In the study, 20 patients with bronchial asthma were treated with 3 grams of powdered, dried seed kernels for three weeks. The results showed a significant improvement in asthma symptoms and a notable reduction in asthmatic attacks. No side effects were observed. This led the researchers to conclude that Moringa plants are useful in treating bronchial asthma.
Fiber in Moringa Leaves for Weight Loss
Fiber is essential for your health -- and you'll get some from Moringa leaves -- but the amount you'll get varies depending on the product. Insoluble fiber prevents constipation, while soluble fiber lowers cholesterol and feeds the good microbes in your gut. It's also your friend when you want to lose weight. As fiber absorbs water, it bulks up a bit, making it easier to stop eating because you feel full. And it slows down food absorption, which prevents spikes in blood sugar. You need to keep blood sugar balanced if you want to burn the most fat.
When blood sugar goes up, insulin enters the bloodstream. If there’s more sugar than you need for energy, insulin sends it to the liver, where some of it is stored as glycogen, then the excess is turned into fat and stored in fat cells. In other words, when your blood sugar spikes, you’re more likely to store fat than burn it.
One cup of fresh Moringa leaves has 2 percent of the daily value of fiber, based on consuming 2,000 calories daily. To make supplemental powder, whole leaves are dried and ground into powder, so the powder contains the natural fiber. One commercially available brand has 2 grams of fiber, or 8 percent of the daily value, per 2-tablespoon serving, but other brands might have different amounts.
When you shop for Moringa leave supplements, look for brands that list the amount of nutrients on the label. Some products don’t provide that info, so you won’t know how much fiber, protein or other nutrients you’ll get per dose.
Protect Against Harmful Microorganisms
The extracts of the leaves and seeds of the Moringa oleifera plant contain compounds that exhibit anti-bacterial properties. According to a study published in the June 2010 issue of "Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences," Moringa leaf extract inhibited the growth of food-borne microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli. Moringa oleifera seed extract was effective only against E.coli and Salmonella typhimurium, however. The seed extract also prevented the growth of fungal species -- Mucor and Rhizopus species.
Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Moringa oleifera plants can help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels down. According to the 2007 article in the “Phytotherapy Research,” Moringa leaf extracts have been shown to exert a stabilizing effect on blood pressure. Moringa leaves contain substances, such as thiocarbamate glycosides, nitrile and mustard oil glycosides, that help lower blood pressure. The same study reports that B-sitosterol, a bioactive phytoconstituent found in Moringa leaves, may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Furthermore, Moringa fruit has been found to reduce low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides and cholesterol in rabbits with abnormally high cholesterol levels.
Provide Protection to Liver
Eating a healthy diet helps your liver to perform all of its functions well. In contrast, a high-fat diet can cause fat to build up in your liver tissue, leading to multiple health problems. Moringa plants can help reverse the liver damage done by unhealthy foods. A study published in the June 2012 issue of “Indian Journal of Experimental Biology” found that Moringa oleifera leaf extract protected against liver damage in mice fed with a high-fat diet. Furthermore, Moringa oleifera flower extracts were found to have liver-protecting activities, notes the 2007 review published in “Phytotherapy Research.” The presence of a quercetin, a flavonoid, may be behind these beneficial effects, researchers say.
Help People With Bronchial Asthma
A study published in the “Indian Journal of Pharmacology” in January 2008 investigated the effects of seed kernels of Moringa oleifera on bronchial asthma, a long-term lung disease that inflames your airways. In the study, 20 patients with bronchial asthma were treated with 3 grams of powdered, dried seed kernels for three weeks. The results showed a significant improvement in asthma symptoms and a notable reduction in asthmatic attacks. No side effects were observed. This led the researchers to conclude that Moringa plants are useful in treating bronchial asthma.
Fiber in Moringa Leaves for Weight Loss
Fiber is essential for your health -- and you'll get some from Moringa leaves -- but the amount you'll get varies depending on the product. Insoluble fiber prevents constipation, while soluble fiber lowers cholesterol and feeds the good microbes in your gut. It's also your friend when you want to lose weight. As fiber absorbs water, it bulks up a bit, making it easier to stop eating because you feel full. And it slows down food absorption, which prevents spikes in blood sugar. You need to keep blood sugar balanced if you want to burn the most fat.
When blood sugar goes up, insulin enters the bloodstream. If there’s more sugar than you need for energy, insulin sends it to the liver, where some of it is stored as glycogen, then the excess is turned into fat and stored in fat cells. In other words, when your blood sugar spikes, you’re more likely to store fat than burn it.
One cup of fresh Moringa leaves has 2 percent of the daily value of fiber, based on consuming 2,000 calories daily. To make supplemental powder, whole leaves are dried and ground into powder, so the powder contains the natural fiber. One commercially available brand has 2 grams of fiber, or 8 percent of the daily value, per 2-tablespoon serving, but other brands might have different amounts.
When you shop for Moringa leave supplements, look for brands that list the amount of nutrients on the label. Some products don’t provide that info, so you won’t know how much fiber, protein or other nutrients you’ll get per dose.