Health enthusiasts are always looking for the next big thing when it comes to natural ways to fuel and heal the body and maintain health. Moringa powder just might be it.
Moringa powder is derived from the moringa oleifera plant, which is sometimes called the drumstick, and even the “miracle tree.” According to Medical News Today, it has been used for centuries for its medicinal and health benefits including its antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties. Native to India, moringa oleifera also grows in Asia, Africa, South America and even in the Sonoran Desert. It’s rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals (such as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and B-6, and C, folate, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc), and there are no known side effects. Some of the top health benefits of moringa powder include:
Stress Relief — Rich in antioxidant plant compounds that defend against free radicals in the body, Moringa oleifera may help reduce stress. By protecting the body against free radicals which cause oxidative stress (which is associated with heart disease and Type 2 diabetes), those that regularly took one and a half teaspoons of moringa leaf powder daily for three months had “significantly increase blood antioxidant levels,” according to Healthline. The powder’s antioxidant properties may also help lower blood pressure.
Lowering Cholesterol — Plant-based foods from oats to almonds have been attributed to reducing cholesterol levels and moringa powder has now been shown to provide those same results.
Reducing Blood Sugar — Some studies support the fact that moringa can indeed lower blood sugar levels and could even reduce a blood sugar spike if taken before a meal.
Boosts Immunity — Because the leaf is packed with nutrients (more than 40 antioxidant compounds), it has been touted as one of the strongest immune system boosters. It can be attributed to staving off colds and reducing severity when one does catch a cold.
Anti-inflammatory — According to HuffPost.com, research is being done at institutions including Rutgers University and UC Davis to further study the plant’s anti-inflammatory effects as well as its weight-reduction properties. Previous research has shown that due to the plant’s presence of isothiocyanates, moringa does provide anti-inflammatory effects.
Ultimately, more research is needed to delve further into all the positive benefits of moringa powder. However, the studies that have been done thus far point in a promising direction that moringa powder truly is the next “it” superfood. Meanwhile, for those that wish it give this “miracle powder” a try, there are many ways to do so! It can simply be mixed with a glass of water (served warm with a little honey and lemon sounds soothing!) or steeped as a tea. However, it can also just as easily be added to smoothies or yogurt parfaits, spooned into soups and even baked (though be warned — it will result in turning whatever is being baked green).