The first time I drank a Moringa concoction, I was sure that it would be the last time I did. It tasted like actual grass. Literally. It was like we picked grass from the garden and blended it. There was no doubt in my mind that I would never come across anything Moringa related. I was sure that there were better alternatives to achieve the same objectives.
For the next few months, every time I came across Moringa in the cupboard, it reminded me of torture. I didn’t even want to see it so I put it on the furthest end of the cupboard. Little did I know that a few months down the line I would be the one begging for more moringa. I have since discovered that there are also moringa tablets, which make the process of ingesting much easier.
Moringa Oleifera is a plant, a genus of East African and Indian trees. It has gained popularity more recently as people discovered the many benefits that are achieved by ingesting it.
Here are a few of the benefits:
- It contains essential nutrients
Moringa is rich in nutrients. For example, one serving of Moringa contains three times the amount of a serving of spinach. Iron plays an essential role in several biochemical processes such as oxygen transport to the body, boosting the immune system and the cognitive function. This means that moringa has the ability to treat and prevent illnesses such as anaemia. Aside from this, Moringa is rich in fibre which aids in digestion. It helps to eliminate waste as well as make the process of homeostasis easier and smoother.
- Moringa has the ability to regulate the blood sugar levels
Moringa has the ability to bring the level of blood sugar back to normal. This is especially important for diabetics. Over time, high blood sugar levels raise the risk of many serious health problems, including heart disease. For this reason, it’s important to keep your blood sugar within healthy limits. It contains a high level of zinc which can prevent and regulate the blood sugar levels in a person’s body. Zinc boosts the immune system and reduces the risk of catching a common cold.
- Lowers cholesterol
Cholesterol is an accumulation of lipids (fats) in the body. The body needs some of these lipids, but it has the ability to produce all that it needs. When the cholesterol in the body surpasses the normal amount, the results can be hazardous. For one, these fatty deposits clog the blood vessels and affect the blood pressure of the individual. Sometimes, those deposits can break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke. Moringa has been said to lower the cholesterol in the body by facilitating the breakdown of fats during digestion, and hence its importance.
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- Moringa may protect against arsenic toxicity
Moringa has been said to reduce instances of arsenic poisoning. Arsenic toxicity happens when a person takes too much arsein, which is a natural semi-metallic chemical that is found all over the world in groundwater. It can cause major complications and lead to death if not treated in good time. Interestingly, studies in mice and rats have proven that Moringa is able to reverse the effects of arsenic. The results are promising but it is yet to be proven whether the same applies to humans.
- Powerhouse of Antioxidants
Moringa contains almost 30 antioxidants. It contains vitamins A, B-complex, C and other free radical busters that save our body from severe oxidative damage. In other words, these antioxidant properties of moringa seeds can take care of our overall health. These antioxidants boost a person’s immunity and promote the overall body health of the person who ingests the moringa. These antioxidants also have the ability to protect the cardiovascular system and maintain a healthy heart. They also promote eye health.
- Moringa treats mood disorders
This one I have experienced personally. There have been days when I was feeling low, and drinking moringa helped. At least to a certain extent. Not that I took my moringa to boost my mood, but it just happened that I took it when I was in a bad mood and it was able to help me feel better. I have since found on Medical News, that Moringa has the ability to treat depression, anxiety and other mood disorders.
- Making bones healthier
Moringa contains calcium and phosphorous, which help keep bones healthy and strong. Along with its anti-inflammatory properties moringa extract might help to treat conditions such as arthritis and may also heal damaged bones. This would be essential for a growing child or a person who takes part in sports regularly.
- Induces death of cancer cells
Cancer is one of the major causes of death in our world today. Many people have wondered if herbal techniques might just be the solution to this problem, but a cure has never been found. Again studies have been done in test tubes using mice that have proven that moringa has the ability to kill some forms of cancer cells, but whether or not this is true for humans as well is yet to be confirmed.
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