Although moringa is not approved or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the plant could offer many health benefits to its users.
Vitamins and minerals
Moringa (in food form) contains a number of essential vitamins, says Escobar, including vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, C, D and E. “This superfood is also a reliable source of iron and magnesium,” she adds. Moringa also contains calcium and zinc.
Management of dermatological conditions
“People use moringa seed oil for various dermatological conditions,” says Wheeler. “The oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can [help] reduce oxidative stress, which can help wound healing and decrease skin inflammation.
A 2020 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology suggests that when applied topically, moringa oil may be effective in reducing inflammation in inflammatory skin conditions.
Anti-aging properties
A 2022 study in Nutrition Frontiers suggests that moringa oleifera contains a number of enzymes believed to help prevent skin aging. “It can be added to a facial treatment to be applied topically,” says Connie Pretula, a certified nutritional practitioner based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
“Moringa leaves are rich in plant polyphenols, which makes them rich in antioxidants and means they provide anti-inflammatory benefits,” says Pretula. “They contain vitamins A and C, both of which are beneficial for the skin, and studies show they may help slow the aging process by reducing oxidative stress in the body.”
Blood sugar management
A 2020 study in Complementary therapies in medicine reports that when taken in powdered leaf form, moringa can help regulate blood sugar levels. Although the study suggests that moringa may be effective in the specific treatment of diabetes, more research is needed to prove its effectiveness in treating this disease.
Blood pressure management
A 2020 research exploring the effects of moringa on blood pressure in participants who consumed high amounts of salt found that the plant compound helped reduce diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings within two hours of supplementation. However, more studies are needed before moringa can be officially recommended as a supplement for blood pressure management.
Helps with digestion
“Moringa leaves contain [a] in good health [amount of] fiber and has been shown to decrease constipation,” says Wheeler. A 2019 study in International food research highlights the dietary fiber contained in moringa oleifera in the form of oligosaccharides, a type of carbohydrate.
A 2019 study in Food & Function, meanwhile, noted that fermenting moringa oleifera during the digestion process promoted the growth of healthy colonic bacteria.
Anti-inflammatory properties
“Moringa has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can [potentially] help fight diseases and illnesses,” says Escobar. Studies suggest that moringa may have a positive effect on the immune system by balancing inflammation in the body and eliminating pathogens like bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites.
Support for people living with HIV
A 2021 study of 200 people living with HIV measured participants’ CD4 counts (a type of white blood cell that fights infection) after taking moringa oleifera supplements. Researchers observed an increase in participants’ CD4 counts after taking the supplement.
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