What is powdered Moringa good for? Are there any Moringa powder benefits for weight loss? What is Moringa used to treat? If these questions have been circling inside your head, you’ve come to the right place.
When you enter “Moringa powder benefits” into Google's search engine, you’ll get over six million results in return. To save you the trouble of trawling through said results, we’ve compiled all you need to know about the health-enhancing benefits of Moringa powder into one detailed guide.
As a preview of what’s to come, Moringa powder does everything from optimizing your health to enhancing your appearance. Read on to find out more.
What Is Moringa Powder?
Moringa powder is derived from the Moringa plant. Botanically known as Moringa oleifera, it’s more widely referred to as the Miracle Tree for its impressive retinue of health and beauty benefits. Case in point, Moringa’s nutritional profile encompasses:
- Vitamin A (25x more than carrots)
- Iron (3x more than spinach)
- Potassium (3x more than bananas)
- Vitamin C (7x more than oranges)
- Protein (2x more than yogurt)
- Calcium (4x more than milk)
Natively grown in the Himalayan mountains, Moringa powder has attained worldwide popularity. Because the entire plant can be used for medicinal, dermatological, and dietary uses, Moringa exists in different forms, from Moringa seed oil to Moringa leaf powder. For the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on the myriad benefits of Moringa powder.
14 Moringa Powder Benefits That Will Make You Go “Wow!”
As we’ve teased in our introduction, there are a host of Moringa powder benefits that can help optimize your overall well-being. Ahead, we’ve pulled together the most common — and scientifically proven — ones to show you why you should add Moringa powder to your daily routine, if you haven’t already.
1. Lower High Blood Sugar Levels
Type 2 diabetes, often characterized by high blood sugar levels, is one of the most common chronic illnesses in modern society. Thankfully, one of Moringa powder’s benefits is regulating your blood glucose concentration.
The potent herb stops complex carbohydrates from breaking down into simple sugars (like glucose) after a meal. It also tells your liver to stop releasing more glucose into your bloodstream. At the same time, it encourages your muscle cells to absorb more glucose than normal. All these mechanisms work hand in hand to mitigate the sharp hike in your body’s blood glucose levels after eating.
But the wonders of Moringa powder benefits for diabetics don’t stop there. It’s a well-known fact that diabetes is often accompanied by other metabolic conditions, such as heart disease and obesity. Due to the formidable bioactive compounds in Moringa (think quercetin that lowers blood pressure and isothiocyanates that tackle weight gain), the herb can help slow down and even prevent diabetes-associated diseases altogether.
2. Optimize Heart Health
Various factors predispose the average individual to heart diseases, including high cholesterol levels, high lipid levels, and high blood pressure. That’s where Moringa powder may help improve your heart health.
Existing studies show that the plant offers a three-pronged approach:
- A 2019 study using rat models found that oral supplementation of Moringa leaf extract reduced high blood pressure after three weeks. The researchers even stated that it “may be potentially useful as a natural product against hypertension.”
- Another animal study discovered that four weeks of Moringa seed supplementation improved aging-related endothelial dysfunction. It’s a type of non-obstructive coronary artery disease in which the heart’s blood vessels constrict rather than dilate. The study’s results hint at the heart-protective effects of Moringa supplementation in the long term.
- A 2012 medical review highlighted that current research favors Moringa’s effectiveness in alleviating dyslipidemia (abnormally high or low levels of blood lipids). Because dyslipidemia is a hallmark of various metabolic illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, improving your lipid profile via Moringa powder may indirectly afford you some immunity from said health issues.
While more clinical studies in humans are needed to conclude the effectiveness of Moringa on your heart health, the scientific literature shows promising evidence for it.
3. Improve Thyroid Health
Thyroid disorders are mainly segregated into hyperthyroidism (unusually high levels of thyroid hormones) and hypothyroidism (unusually low levels of thyroid hormones). Fortunately, Moringa powder benefits both types of thyroid disease.
With respect to hyperthyroidism, Moringa leaf extract is proven to reduce triiodothyronine (T3) and increase thyroxine (T4) levels in rat models. As such, scientists deduced that Moringa “may be used for the regulation of hyperthyroidism.”
For hypothyroidism, Moringa helps lower the concentration of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) while increasing that of T3 and T4. Conclusively, the herb “is preliminarily safe and effective in the management of primary hypothyroidism.”
4. Elevate Sexual Function
You may raise your eyebrows a little, but Moringa is known to help improve sex drive, particularly in men.
As a common phenomenon, erectile dysfunction affects as many as 40% of the male population aged 40 and almost 70% of those in their seventh decade. Rather than rely on sexual aids like Viagra (that aren’t without side effects), why not give natural remedies like Moringa a try?
True, Moringa powder can’t completely cure impotence. But rat-based models show that it boosts testosterone levels, which may indirectly alleviate the issue of erectile dysfunction.
5. Promote Weight Loss
Most weight loss supplements on the market are really diuretic pills in disguise, aka water pills. As the name suggests, they help you “lose weight” fast by getting you to pee (and in some cases, poop) more than usual. Doing so doesn’t shave off the extra fats, but instead sheds off your body’s excess water weight. This means you are actually losing the bloat rather than the pounds. Once you stop taking the water pills, your kidneys go back to processing your body’s fluids as per normal, and your weighing scale reverts back to its original number.
To effectively make a dent in your weight, Moringa can help you lose the extra pounds naturally. It does so by tackling the root cause — the extra fats on your frame. Here’s how: Moringa tells your body to produce more enzymes that break down fats. If you recall, Moringa also puts on the brakes for glucose production in the liver. Both mechanisms work together to slow down fat deposits in your body and lower blood glucose levels.
Suffice to say, you’ll see more progress with your weight loss program when you supplement with Moringa powder than with water pills.
6. Enhance Liver Function
Your liver is a hardworking organ responsible for more than 500 functions vital to your overall health and wellness. At the top of the list lies detoxification to transform harmful substances into harmless ones. So, it’s in your best interest to treat your liver better with Moringa powder.
Researchers have found that Moringa supplementation can influence the liver function at the gene level to reduce your body’s levels of cholesterol, triglycerides (fats), and inflammation. This, in turn, may lower the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
On top of that, the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of Moringa seed extract are proven to alleviate liver damage and liver fibrosis in rat models. While these results are based on animal studies, they suggest similar benefits for humans, too.
7. Mitigate Ovarian Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, ovarian cancer “ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.” Even though the rate at which women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer has fallen in the past two decades, there are steps you can take to boost your body’s resistance against it. You’ve guessed right — Moringa powder is one of said preventative measures.
The Moringa plant, especially its leaves, possesses two types of potent bioactive compounds: glucosinolates and isothiocyanates. What’s remarkable about them is their anticancer and antitumor properties. In particular, there is documented scientific evidence that benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) destroy ovarian cancer cells in test tube studies.
8. Boost Digestion
If you often struggle with bloating and other abdominal discomforts after a meal, Moringa may be the herb to boost your digestion.
For starters, the plant is relatively rich in fiber (roughly 6.0-9.6%). This translates to better gut motility for less time spent in the toilet. Also, Moringa may give prebiotics and probiotics a run for their money. In a 2018 study, Moringa leaf supplementation corrected gut dysbiosis (unbalanced gut microflora) in mice models by increasing the level of beneficial gut bacteria, Bifidobacteria. And for the proverbial cherry on top, mice supplemented with Moringa also gained less weight than the placebo group.
9. Reduce Body Inflammation
Chronically high inflammation in the body is the trigger for various health illnesses, such as autoimmune diseases, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer.
Herbs, like Moringa powder, have long been used in alternative medicine to combat body inflammation. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties of isothiocyanates in Moringa, the plant is scientifically proven “to alleviate low-grade inflammation associated with chronic diseases.”
Besides that, Moringa may be the weapon to wield against free radical damage. Bear in mind that free radicals and chronic inflammation feed into each other, creating a vicious cycle that impairs most bodily functions, leading to chronic health conditions. Fortunately, a 2009 study in the Journal of Plant Foods for Human Nutrition explained that Moringa leaves show “potent antioxidant activity against free radicals.” This gives your body significant protection from the health-injurious effects of free radical-induced oxidative damage.
10. Help With Brain Disorders
From 1990 to 2017, dementias like Alzheimer’s disease ranked as one of the top three most burdensome brain disorders in America. But natural immunity, in the form of Moringa powder, may provide you a certain level of defense against said neurological conditions.
To illustrate, rodent-based research in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease highlighted that Moringa not only prevents neurodegeneration but it can also treat it. Similarly, another animal study found that Moringa leaf extract “improved spatial memory and neurodegeneration” in mice with age-related dementia. Most importantly, the study’s findings suggest that the benefits may extrapolate to us, too. The researchers stated that Moringa leaves are a “potential cognitive enhancer and neuroprotectant” for humans.
11. Manage Mood Disorders
In 2017, mood disorders affected a whopping 792 million people, in which depression and anxiety disorders (such as social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder) occupy the top two spots. For reference, this is more than one in 10 people worldwide. With the pandemic ongoing for the past two years, this staggering figure has likely risen even more.
Aside from therapeutic interventions and antidepressant pills, Moringa powder benefits those suffering from mood disorders, too. That’s because scientists have found that Moringa’s anti-inflammatory abilities help tackle inflammation-based stress head-on. Given that chronic stress is often the root cause of various mental health disorders (like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder), Moringa gets to the crux of the problem and effectively tackles it.
12. Increase Breast Milk Production
Anecdotal and clinical evidence vouched for the effectiveness of Moringa in increasing breast milk supply among nursing mothers. This natural herbal galactagogue also elevates the quality of your breast milk to enhance your baby’s development.
And the bonus? Moringa is mostly free from the side effects that are associated with fenugreek (another lactation-promoting herb). That said, Moringa can act as a laxative, so it’s best to consult a licensed medical professional on the dosage that’s right for you.
13. Alleviate Skin Problems
Another Moringa powder benefit lies in its skin-enhancing prowess.
If you’re plagued by acne concerns, you’ll be happy to learn that Moringa contains a substantial percentage of linoleic acid (roughly 10%). For the uninitiated, linoleic acid is a type of fatty acid naturally present in your skin’s sebum. It’s particularly effective against the acne bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). According to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, acne-affected skin types tend to have “low levels of linoleic acid” in their sebum. Adding Moringa powder to your skincare routine may correct any underlying linoleic acid deficiency, and provide relief from acne issues.
But Moringa isn’t just useful for pimples and hyperpigmentation; it also holds its own against signs of aging. One telling study displays scientific proof for it. In this study, participants applied a 3% Moringa-infused cream on one side of their face and a non-Moringa-based cream on the other side for three months. The results showed significant improvements on the skin treated with the Moringa cream. Participants reported a reduction in skin roughness and scaliness, leading to smoother skin. What’s more, the cream reduced the appearance of wrinkles, proving that Moringa promoted collagen synthesis within the skin.
The researchers explained that Moringa contains a potent blend of anti-aging phenolics, such as ferulic acid, kaempferol, and quercetin. These plant-based compounds act against enzymes that degrade the skin’s collagen and elastin, which helps to slow down the aging process. On top of that, antioxidants like vitamin A and vitamin B boost collagen synthesis and increase the skin’s moisture levels, respectively.
14. Nourish Hair Health
Moringa powder’s benefits for beauty also extend to your mane.
To begin with, Moringa seed oil (its seeds can be made into a powder, too) promotes nutrient delivery to the hair follicles to help your locks grow healthy and strong. More scientific research reveals that Moringa seeds help moisturize the scalp, strengthen the hair fibers, and prevent split ends. It even wards off dandruff! Clearly, Moringa is the do-it-all ingredient your hair needs.
Moringa Powder Benefits Everyone
As you can see, Moringa powder benefits everyone. Whether you have an underlying health issue or simply want to lower your risk of chronic illnesses, Moringa can help. And for the beauty-conscious, you aren’t left behind, either.
That’s why at Zen Principle, we’ve created our Organic Moringa Leaf Powder to help you reach your health and beauty goals. Each spoonful of our high-quality Moringa powder gives you 20+ types of amino acids, 40+ antioxidants, 35+ anti-inflammatory compounds, key vitamins, minerals, protein, omega fatty acids, and phytonutrients!
There’s no time like the present to indulge yourself in the array of Moringa powder benefits.
1 comment
wow thank u so much for providing us with moringa functions