You’re probably familiar with kale, wheatgrass, and turmeric.
Health enthusiasts hold these three food items in high esteem, given their obvious nutritional benefits.
Moringa has recently entered the health arena and found its unique pedestal. As a “wonder tree,” its various parts come with nutritional value that exceeds those found in foods that we consume daily.
For example, moringa contains twice as much protein as kale, almost a hundred times more B2, and supersedes kale’s iron content four times. It beats wheatgrass in protein, calcium, and vitamin K content. Moringa also tops turmeric in anti-inflammatory properties.
Most of the plant’s parts have nutritious value: its pods, flowers, leaves, bark, and nuts all have something to offer.
And that’s not all.
The plant is armed with bioactive and antioxidant compounds fit for your physical and mental needs.
What Is Moringa?
Moringa, also known scientifically as Moringa oleifera, is a “power tree” that has been used for centuries to cure headaches, improve immune system function, regulate weight and weight loss, and boost libido.
Moringa belongs to the Moringaceae family and is common in Africa and Asia. It’s been studied and proven to help handle diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation, and non-alcoholic liver disease.
Moringa contains a significant amount of bioactive compounds. The extensive combination of vitamins, phenolic acids, and alkaloids are found primarily in the plant’s leaves.
Together, these compounds give moringa its pharmaceutical properties.
In some instances, moringa leaves have been used to treat typhoid, malaria, diabetes, and hypertension in developing countries—mainly in Asia and Africa.
Moringa’s Wonder Nutrients
- Moringa is high in protein and amino acids. These two nutrients account for 30% of its weight. As a result, it rivals milk, which has a protein weight of 35%.
- Fresh moringa leaves have higher beta carotene and vitamin A content than that found in pumpkin and carrot.
- Moringa exceeds oranges in vitamin C content and dairy products in calcium. It also beats spinach and bananas in iron and potassium content, respectively.
Moringa has been proved to contain roughly 15 times the amount of potassium found in bananas, and seven times the amount of vitamin C in oranges.
Moringa leaves contain 200 mg of vitamin C per 100g of concentration.
- Moringa’s seed oil is commercially known as behen oil. Behen has phytochemicals and a fatty acid content that is healthier than most commercial hydrogenated oils.
These oils are also chemically referred to as saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (SFA/MUFA).
Moringa’s Nutritional Profile
Moringa’s leaves are rich in various minerals such as potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, and phosphorus.
Other parts of the moringa plant that are edible include the stem, bark, pods, and root. All these are high in carbohydrates, with the leaves having the highest overall concentration of minerals.
Immature flowers and pods are also edible and are famous for their high amount of fatty acids.
The table below breaks down the nutritional composition of moringa’s edible parts for every 100 g of dry weight:
| Component | Seeds | Fruit Pericarp (Immature) | Leaves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 564.5 kcal | 178.2 kcal | 205–295.6 kcal |
| Calcium | 76.9 mg | 12.5–29 mg | 1.875–2.07 mg |
| Iron | 13.7 mg | 2.3–5.3 mg | 27.8–38 mg |
| Oleic Acid | 67.9–78 mg | 18 mg | 6.27 mg |
| Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) | 84.5 mg | 871 mg | 18.7–140 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 14–16% | 21–51% | 27–51% |
| Fiber | 4.9–15.9% | 21–51% | 27–51.7% |
| Lipids | 30.8–44.8% | 0.4–1.3% | 4.7–5% |
| Protein | 32.9–38.3% | 17.2–19.3% | 19–27.1% |
Essential Bioactive Compounds in the Moringa Plant
Moringa’s bioactive components empower it with properties capable of enhancing disease treatment and prevention.
Moringa has been proven to be anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, cardioprotective (guards the heart), and hepatoprotective (mitigates liver injury).
These compounds form two main metabolite groups:
- Primary metabolites: These are the compounds involved in physiological functions (body growth and reproduction) and include proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides
- Secondary metabolites: These are minor compounds that are needed by the body in only trace amounts. They include phenolic compounds, halogenated compounds, and terpenes. Collectively, these compounds work to fight chronic diseases such as cancer, obesity, and diabetes.
Let’s take a deeper look at some essential moringa compounds that aid in treating and preventing various diseases.
#1: Essential Vitamins
Fresh moringa leaves have an abundance of carotenoids that form vitamin A. Vitamin A is a catalyst of good vision, embryonic growth and development, reproduction, cell differentiation, and immune competence.
Vitamin A also aids in the management of eye problems, like night blindness, and inhibits the development of cataracts (opaqueness of eye lenses).
Moringa leaves are also rich in vitamin E, with nutrient concentrations matching those found in nuts.
#2: Anti-Inflammatory Compounds
Moringa’s anti-inflammatory effects can be attributed to components such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, and tannins.
Moringa reduces inflammation by working against inflammatory proteins and enzymes in the body. Its leaf concentrate plays a significant role in inhibiting inflammation in cells.
#3: Antimicrobial Compounds
Moringa’s leaves contain essential oils which produce an antimicrobial and antifungal effect.
For best results, leaf extracts are typically used in conjunction with alcoholic extracts derived from the plant’s seeds. Moringa’s root, stem, and bark extract also have antimicrobial qualities.
Dry moringa leaves are a powerful source of phenolic acids and flavonoids (collectively called polyphenol compounds). These flavonoids include quercetin, myricetin and kaempferol. The benefits of each category are further broken down as follows:
- Phenolic acids belong to phenolic compounds, which originate from hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids. These compounds exhibit antioxidant, antimutagenic (impede cell mutation), anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.
- Flavonoids have been observed to protect against diseases caused by oxidative stress, including certain types of cancer and ailments of cardiovascular origin.
- Quercetin is an antioxidant with therapeutic benefits, which reduces hyperlipidemia (bad cholesterol) and atherosclerosis (building of fats in artery walls), and protects insulin-producing cells.
Quercetin also protects the liver from damage while increasing its protein content.
#4: Anticarcinogenic Compounds
Moringa has several compounds in its leaves and seeds that have been proven to be effective against lung, skin, breast, pancreatic, and esophageal cancers.
Tannins are contained in dry moringa leaves and have water-soluble properties. Tannins are anti-cancer in nature. They protect against toxins, inflammation, and coronary heart disease.
#5: Antioxidants
Moringa has a variety of antioxidants in its seeds, leaves, and flowers. These are essentially polyphenols that exhibit a high antioxidant capacity.
Moringa also comes packed with ascorbic acid, which creates insulin secretion. This provides an anti-diabetic effect.
Antioxidants are also responsible for managing inflammation and stress of the brain. Moringa’s antioxidants are neuro-enhancers, and have been used to treat instances of Alzheimer’s disease.
Moringa’s vitamins C and E also improve brain functionality by inhibiting neuronal degradation. At the same time, they help in memory function by normalizing the neurotransmitters’ serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine levels.
Consequently, these antioxidant effects control stress and pleasure stimuli in people, including those suffering from psychosis and depression.
#6: Glycosides and β-sitostero
Moringa has glycosides and β-sitosterol in its leaves and seeds. These two substances collectively lower blood pressure (by regulating the body’s lipid profile) and reduce cholesterol levels.
Moringa leaves package saponins, which inhibit the absorption of plasma cholesterol, consequently moderating the circulation of bile acids.
Moringa Green Tea to Boost Immunity
Most people just boil dry moringa leaves to make tea. In this recipe, we’ll add some spice and also include Organic Pure Moringa Powder.
Recipe
| Ingredients | Quantities |
|---|---|
| Organic Pure Moringa Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Cinnamon powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Freshly grated ginger | 1 teaspoon |
| Honey | 1 teaspoon |
| Lemon wedge | 1 piece |
Method
- Add the cinnamon, ginger, and lemon wedge to a mug.
- Pour 1 cup of boiled water into the mix. Stir and allow to brew for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove the lemon wedge.
- Add in the Organic Pure Moringa Powder and stir.
- Add honey to enhance the taste.
Where Can I Purchase Healthy Moringa Products?
Having learned the benefits of moringa for the body and mind, you may want to choose a product for your personal use.
At Kuli Kuli Foods, our online shop offers you natural and high-quality organic moringa products, which include:
- Herbal teas
- Organic powder
- Energy shots
- Energy bars
- Energy shakes
At Kuli Kuli, we’ve partnered with female farmers worldwide to support their self-sustenance and offer education and incentives surrounding moringa’s growth and production.
Our responsibility extends to every step that goes into producing the best moringa products.
We oversee the preparation of quality soil and optimized planting, excellent harvesting methods, hygienic processing, and packaging to ensure only the best products for our customers.
Today, Kuli Kuli supports a population of over 3000 small farmers, who have gone ahead and planted at least 24,000,000 trees, thereby generating over $5.2 million in collective revenue.
Our customers love the products we sell. Two of them gave the following testimonials:
“You get energy from Kuli Kuli moringa powder, it really helps with that. When I don’t drink it, I feel different, a little dragging.“
Kecia
“Kuli Kuli moringa powder is pure and easy to use. It’s the final ingredient I add to my smoothie. It doesn’t matter what my lunch is, my energy never drops throughout the day.“
Jay
Moringa has healthy benefits just for you. Place an order today from our list of nutritious products.
Informative article,, thank you.
Hello
I have question.
You wrote “Fresh moringa leaves have an abundance of carotenoids that form vitamin A. Vitamin A is a catalyst of good vision, embryonic growth and development, reproduction, cell differentiation, and immune competence.” but you sell moringa powder. It is not fresh moring. All nutrition of moringa signed on wed is actual for powder or for fresh moringa lives?
I know – moringa is cool product. But im lost in your describes. Lot of vitamins in fresh or dry moringa ?
Please help me make clear this moment.
“Moringa leaves are also rich in vitamin E, with nutrient concentrations matching those found in nuts.” – fresh moringa or moringa powder you mean?
Best regards