Introduction
Moringa oleifera is a fast growing, drought resistant tree of the family Moringaceae, native to the Indian subcontinent. Common names include moringa and drumstick tree from the long, slender, triangular seed-pods and also ben oil tree or benzolive tree.
It is widely cultivated for its young seed pods and leaves, used as vegetables and for traditional herbal medicine. It is also used for water purification. Although listed as an invasive species in several countries, Moringa oleifera should be regarded at present as a" widely cultivated species with low invasive potential".
Drumsticks as culinary vegetable:
The young, slender fruits, commonly known as "drumsticks", are often prepared as a culinary vegetable in South Asia including India . They are prepared by parboiling, commonly cut into shorter lengths, and cooked in a curry or soup until soft.The taste is described as reminiscent of asparagus,with a hint of green beans, though sweeter due to the immature seeds contained inside. The seed pods, even when cooked by boiling, remain high in vitamin C and are also a good source of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, and manganese.
In India and Bangladesh, drumstick curries are commonly prepared by boiling immature pods to the desired level of tenderness in a mixture of coconut milk and spices such as poppy or mustard seeds or in dahi or whey.The fruit is a common ingredient in dals and lentil soups, such as drumstick dal and sambar, where it is pulped first, then simmered with other vegetables and spices like turmeric and cumin. Mashed drumstick pulp commonly features in bhurta, a mixture of lightly fried or curried vegetables.
Because the outer skin is tough and fibrous, drumsticks are often chewed to extract the juices and nutrients, with the remaining fibrous material discarded. Others describe a slightly different method of sucking out the flesh and tender seeds and discarding the tube of skin.
Nutritional value Moringa flowers:
Moringa flowers are a good source of vitamin A, a nutrient that can help boost the immune system and protect overall vision health. The flowers also contain calcium to strengthen bones, vitamin C to reduce inflammation, and some potassium, iron, and amino acids.
Nutritional value of Moringa seeds:
Indian Moringa oleifera seeds are rich in crude protein and crude lipids, with a protein content up to 40.34% and a crude lipids content 39.12%. Its content of macroelements such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium is much higher than other metals, and the K content is 2,537.71 mg/kg.
Moringa seeds are nutrient dense. They contain potent antioxidants and astringent and anti-inflammatory compounds. The benefits of moringa seeds include protection against cardiovascular disease, lowered cholesterol levels, regulated blood sugar levels, and a better immune system.
Almost all parts of the moringa tree are useful, the roots and seeds can be used as medicine while the leaves, fresh pods, and flowers can be used as vegetables or can be dried into a powder, which can be added to porridge or boiled with water and taken as a beverage.
•Benefits of Moringa fruits and leaves:
Moringa has been used for centuries due to its medicinal properties and health benefits.
(1) Nutritional value of Moringa leaves:
If properly sealed and stored, Moringa leaf powder can be effective indefinitely. These dried leaves actually contain more nutrients than fresh ones, as the nutrients are more concentrated after the drying process. The leaves have to be shade dried to preserve all the nutrients.
While organic moringa leaves are great, powdered moringa is convenient and also shelf-stable.You can also add it to smoothies and recipes by adding a teaspoon and viola dose of supergreens! Both moringa capsules and powder deliver a boost of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and nutrients.
Moringa leaves are highly nutritious and can be consumed everyday which proves to be highly beneficial for people who are lacking in essential nutrients.
The leaves have seven times more vitamin C than oranges and fifteen times more potassium than bananas. It also has calcium, protein, iron, and amino acids, which help your body heal and build muscle. It's also packed with antioxidants, substances that can protect cells from damage and may boost your immune system.Moringa leaves are highly nutritious and can be consumed everyday which proves to be highly beneficial for people who are lacking in essential nutrients.
Moringa oleifera (Moringa), a nutritious plant growing in tropical regions of developing countries, is a candidate for overcoming nutritional deficiency. Moringa leaves are rich in protein including sulphur containing amino acids.
(2) Moringa makes you feel more energized:
It's rich in vitamins and minerals, especially iron and vitamins C and D, nutrients involved in energy-yielding metabolism. Moringa also contains B vitamins which helps sustain long-term energy and supports healthy metabolic processes.On nutritional analysis, results showed that moringa contained 28.50% carbohydrates, 25.02% proteins, 10.42% fat, 11.83% dietary fiber, 1.108 mg β-carotene, 326.4 µg/100 g vitamin B1 and 15.2 mg/100 gm vitamin C.
(3) Reduction in blood sugar and cholesterol:
Moringa has been shown to cure both Type I and Type II diabetes. Type I diabetes is one where the patients suffer from non-production of insulin, which is a hormone that maintains the blood glucose level at the required normal value. Type II diabetes is one associated with insulin resistance. Consuming Moringa everyday may lead to modest reductions in blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
(4) Moringa enhances memory and reduces neurodegeneration:
Moringa can enhance your memory by altering an enzyme activity in the hippocampus, the brain region that's responsible for learning and memory. It also has the ability to reduce oxidative stress and neurodegeneration - the breakdown of nerve cells in your brain.
(5) Moringa leaves support heart health:
Moringa leaves protect the heart and support cardiovascular system by bringing down the bad cholesterol levels, which can block the blood vessels thereby causing heart attack.
Moringa Can Lower Cholesterol.Both animal and human based studies have shown that Moringa oleifera may have similar cholesterol lowering effects . Moringa oleifera can lower your cholesterol levels, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.
(6) Moringa possess anti-inflammatory and detoxification properties: Moringa is used for a detox. The moringa oleifera plant has been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and detoxification properties for several years. Moringa is full of healthy nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids, which effectively flush toxins out of your body.This has been used in traditional medicinal systems for liver detoxification. Tree leaves and pods were cooked in a way to control the detoxification.
(7) Moringa has been shown in multiple scientific studies to provide numerous benefits, such as reducing asthma symptoms, an increase in milk production, a decrease in blood glucose levels, and an improvement of lung function among many other important benefits.
(8) Moringa oleifera leaf extract prevented the fructose induced fatty liver:- Fructose-induced hypertriglyceridemia can be prevented by Moringa leaves extract. Dietary Moringa did not negatively impact health. Moringa could be used to manage fructose-induced fatty liver.
(9) Moringa oleifera leaf extract lowers high blood pressure alleviating vascular dysfunction and decreasing oxidative stress in hypertensive rats.Moringa has been shown to decrease markers of oxidative stress and improve blood glucose in post-menopausal women. Moringa has also been shown to improve thyroid health, which controls hormones related to energy, sleep, and digestion.
(10) Moringa boost weight loss:
If you're using Moringa to boost your weight loss program, you'll need to practice patience as it takes around eight weeks to see results. In 2012, a group of scientists evaluated the weight-loss effects of a herbal supplement containing Moringa.
Moringa leaves are high in antioxidants including chlorogenic acid, which aids weight loss. It acts as a fat burner and helps to normalize blood sugar levels. It's crucial to remember, though, that it simply aids the fat-burning process; it's better to combine it with other lifestyle adjustments.
It also has antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
(11) Moringa can help stave off anemia in kidney patients:
Kidney failure often leads to anemia, which can make kidney conditions even worse. Presence of high contents of folic acid minerals in Moringa, enhance its role as a facilitator for Iron absorption. Therefore, regularly eating Moringa is thus beneficial for kidney patients.
(12) Moringa aids in the treatment of digestive disorders such as colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. It is rich in vitamins B12 and D3 content that boost the immune system and aid in the treatment of age-related disorders.
Moringa extracts might help treat some stomach disorders, such as constipation, gastritis, and ulcerative colitis. The antibiotic and antibacterial properties of moringa may help inhibit the growth of various pathogens, and its high vitamin B content helps with digestion.
Side effects:
Moringa has laxative properties. In large quantities, it can cause stomach upsets, gaseous distension, diarrhoea and heartburn. If you don't like the taste it may activate your gag reflex. Avoid consuming too much as it can cause nausea.
Rural population in India, Sri lanka and Philippines consumed moringa leaves and pods cuisine during day time and never on empty stomach.
*Moringa side effects may include:
•Lower blood pressure and slow heart rate because of the alkaloids in the plant.
•Uterine contractions from moringa bark.
•Cell mutations caused by a chemical isolated from roasted moringa seeds.
•Interference with fertility.
•Upset stomach, gas or diarrhea due to laxative properties.
In traditional medicine, the root and bark were used to cause miscarriages. There isn't enough reliable information to know if other parts of moringa are safe to use when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Breast-feeding: Moringa leaf is possibly safe to use while breastfeeding for up to four months.
Moringa oleifera is genotoxic at the supra supplementation levels of 3,000 mg/kg body weight. However, intake is safe at levels ≤ 1,000 mg/kg body weight.
Information compiled by:
Dr. Bhairavsinh Raol
