What is Moringa?

Among the many gifts that nature offers us, moringa is one of the most fascinating and beneficial. Moringa oleifera is a very particular plant, widespread especially in tropical areas of the planet.

It is a tree, with a trunk characterized by spongy wood, luxuriant roots and thin branches. The crown is made up of bunches of oval leaflets that surround a large quantity of white flowers, the nectar of which is very loved by the bees. The first peculiarity of this plant is that it is an almost completely edible specimen: both the roots and the leaves can be ingested, bringing countless beneficial effects to the organism.

Moringa has some really interesting fruits: triangular pods with brownish color. The seeds inside, oval in shape, were already used in ancient times by the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians for some of their remarkable properties. In particular, these peoples used the flour extracted from moringa seeds to purify the waters of rivers.

In fact, these have the power to capture the bacterial components making them heavier. Consequently, following the process thus triggered, the slag settles on the bottom and the water is clearer.

As a plant, moringa is indeed very resistant. It is in fact capable of reviving and growing luxuriantly even in generally inhospitable places, perfectly resisting the cold and drought. For these reasons too, it is grown not only in countries located in subtropical regions. In Europe, this beautiful plant can be grown safely throughout the year, remaining green and producing fruit constantly.

What the benefits of Moringa are?

The benefits of Moringa are many and universally recognized. Today all parts of this plant are used to produce food supplements in capsules or powder, infusions, oils, cosmetic and food products. All products bring different benefits to our health and among the main ones we find over 27 vitamins, including vitamin E and vitamin A.

Vitamin E counteracts the formation of free radicals, helping to reach the signs of aging and the formation of spots on the skin. While Vitamin A offers a great help in the prevention of infections and helps to maintain healthy eyes. But the benefits of this amazing plant don’t end there.

Thanks to the antioxidant substances it contains, it is of a great support for the proper functioning of the immune system. The antioxidant properties of Moringa derive from the presence in the leaves of substances such as quercetin, chlorogenic acid and rutin. Elements that help to counteract the action of free radicals, thus delaying the aging of organs and skin.

What studies are being conducted on Moringa?

The studies on Moringa are manifold, the properties of this plant have not yet all been discovered and every University that publishes a study reveals important results and opens new scenarios for the research future. It is common knowledge that taking Moringa is also useful in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, especially for those suffering from hypertension, as it acts by keeping blood pressure levels stable.

At the blood level, it is believed that it improves iron absorption. Moringa is also an excellent ally as regards the proper functioning of the metabolism, regulating the hormones values. For this we report below 2 studies from some universities that relate Moringa and Diabetes.

Another study carried out in India has demonstrated the effectiveness of Moringa oleifera seeds in the treatment of bronchial asthma. A sample of patients of both sexes with mild to moderate asthma who were given Moringa seeds for 3 weeks was taken. At the end of the study a spirometer was used to make a comparison before and after. 92% of patients who regularly took Moringa seeds showed an increase in hemoglobin (Hb) values ​​and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate decreased.

What the contraindications for Moringa are?

Moringa is an almost completely safe plant. The “almost” must be taken into account because there are some cases which need to be paid attention to.

Following a series of experiments, including the aforementioned treatments aimed at asthma patients, it has been found that the supplements extracted from the fruits and leaves of Moringa, if taken in the right doses, are free of harmful side effects to the body.

The parts of the plant that need to be paid more attention to are the bark and roots. In general, this does not mean that you have to avoid them completely: you can take them, but you have to do it in moderation. The roots contain a particular substance, called spirochin, which could interfere with nerve transmissions.

In addition, it is good to avoid bark and roots entirely if you are pregnant, as they may favor abortion. The intake of the Moringa plant is also not recommended for those who follow and take important pharmacological therapies, especially in the case in which the latter are based on drugs that are metabolised through the cytochrome P450.

How to take Moringa?

There are several ways to take on the various parts of moringa. In the culinary field it is possible to add leaves, roots and fruits to different recipes and if you want to try some experiments you can follow our Moringa recipes.

The flowers and leaves are perfect for embellishing soups and especially salads, being able to be ingested raw. Moringa flowers in particular can be used to produce excellent honey. Instead it is necessary to cook the seeds by boiling or roasting. In this case, you can also eat them alone having a flavor very similar to that of chickpeas. From the seeds it is also possible to obtain very useful Moringa oils which are used a lot as cosmetics by applying them on the skin or hair.

The idea of ​​using moringa in recipes is more an oriental fact. In the West it is not a very popular ingredient and the powder version is preferred, which in turn can be contained in capsules for greater convenience and to maintain its benefits unchanged over time.

The RedMoringa capsules are also blistered, this allows you to bring this valuable food supplement with as it needs a very little space and thus makes them space-saving.

Is Moringa really useful for weight loss?

The most skeptical may have doubts about the real effectiveness of moringa as a supplement with a slimming power. We can immediately say that we are not be here to proclaim its miraculous dietary effects without any “if” and without “but”. The answer to the question “does moringa help you lose weight?” is slightly more complex.

Yes, moringa helps you lose weight, but alone it will not have the desired effects. This means that, in order to achieve significant weight loss, it is necessary to combine the intake of moringa with a healthy lifestyle, characterized by proper nutrition and regular physical activity. Moringa will help you make the diet simpler, providing the body with more energy and reducing the sense of hunger.

The large amount of fiber present in the plant reduces appetite and the presence of oleic acid helps to burn saturated fat generally present in industrial products. Without a similar action, these fats tend to accumulate thus contributing to weight gain.