Editor’s note: This article has been reprinted. First published October 23, 2017.
The moringa tree may not be a familiar tree to the average American, but it is prized for many reasons in the tropical and subtropical regions around the Himalayas, as well as in India, Asia, Africa, Central America, and the Caribbean.
There are many reasons why moringa is called the “miracle plant.” In some areas, the large trees are called “horseradish trees” or “drumstick trees.” It has been the most important source of nutrition for centuries in the regions listed above and many others. It also has a reputation as a traditional herbal medicine.
The variety of uses for all parts of the tree, including seeds, leaves, flowers, fruits (pods), bark, and roots, makes the Moringa oleifera tree very noteworthy and valuable for its effectiveness as a medicine and food. “Spicy green taste similar to matcha”One) There are many other uses that you may not immediately think of in terms of viable agricultural activities.
Two examples are leaves can be used as biofertilizer and seeds can act as water purifiers. Additionally, the tree’s unique phytochemicals form a natural defense mechanism against pests and environmental stresses that may attack it, and it not only grows quickly but is also drought tolerant. This is undoubtedly an asset to the area where the trees grow. Harvested all year round.
As a food, moringa reaches or surpasses superfood status because moringa leaves contain essential amino acids (which means the body cannot produce them on its own and must be consumed from external sources) and an impressive amount of vitamins and minerals. . , antioxidants and natural plant compounds that naturally protect against toxins and disease.
In fact, Lisa Curtis, a Peace Corp volunteer turned entrepreneur, discovered that moringa leaves alleviated the lack of nutritional options she encountered while working in a rural village in Niger. Locals plucked moringa leaves from their trees and mixed them with a locally popular peanut snack called kuli kuli, and she found her energy restored. Asked to describe her moringa, she explained:
“It’s a thin tree with leaves about one-third the size of spinach. These delicate green leaves provide a complete protein with all nine amino acids and are rich in iron and vitamins. People say broccoli helps fight cancer and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Moringa has the same benefits but is easier for your body to digest.”2
Commercial moringa tops the world’s superfood list
Curtis partnered with Kellogg’s venture capital (VC) affiliate called Eighteen94 Capital to produce “Kuli Kuli, a Moringa Superfood Company,” based in Oakland, California. The startup produces moringa bars, powders and energy shots distributed through some of the largest natural food-focused grocers in the country, including Whole Foods, Costco, CVS, Target, Safeway-Albertsons and thousands of mom-and-pop stores.
She initially planned to transit through the Niger region as a source of moringa until an al-Qaeda terrorist attack on the West African offshoot forced an evacuation within 48 hours, literally uprooting her Peace Corps-based moringa project.
Curtis admits he is heartbroken. On a cul-de-sac in the San Francisco Bay Area, she discovered several then-little-known superfoods, including chia and quinoa, at a local grocery store. It got her wheels turning and the concept grew from there. Her next challenge was not to build her business in the Niger region as she had first envisioned, but how to get her moringa to her country.
After creating a business plan, recruiting a few friends who were interested in the business, raising the first $53,000 through crowdfunding through the Indiegogo site in June 2013, and testing marketing at some local farmers markets, Curtis’ new venture took off. I reaped it.
Test market products have reached the largest segment of the population, starting with moringa bars that are soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO and vegan. Before long, they developed moringa powders with richer flavors such as pineapple, coconut lime or lemon. cocoa Almond butter for making smoothies, soups, and delicious dishes.
Another advantage is that the company has invested in an organization in Ghana that works with women’s groups to sell moringa powder in the United States. Instead of, as expected, the savvy natural foods market being based more on the East and West Coasts, Curtis has found his greatest success. The company’s moringa powder was found in Florida among Latino communities already familiar with moringa’s anti-inflammatory benefits.
Moringa Nutritional Profile
Some people may think the term “superfood” is a bit vague because it’s used so often now, but when you take a look at what moringa has to offer in terms of nutrition, you might be surprised. The unique collection of nutrients contained in the leaves is a great start to some of the healthiest foods you can eat. According to nutritionfacts.org, 100 grams or 1 cup of moringa leaves has the following benefits:
“It has more iron than spinach (5.3 to 28.2 mg compared to 2.7 mg in spinach), more vitamin C than oranges (120 to 220 mg per orange, 69.7 mg per orange), and more potassium than bananas (1,324 mg compared to 422 mg per banana). “three
If you don’t want to do the math, they have 25 times more iron than spinach, 12 times more vitamin C than oranges (a whopping 157% of your daily requirement), and 15 times more potassium than bananas. If that’s not enough, it has 9 times more protein than yogurt, 17 times more protein than milk, and 10 times more vitamin A than carrots.
Additionally, Healthline states that 1 cup of moringa leaves contains 19% of the recommended intake (RDA) of vitamin B6. The site also explained:
“The diets of people in developing countries often lack vitamins, minerals and proteins. In these countries, Moringa oleifera can be an important source of many essential nutrients.
Another thing to keep in mind if you are taking Moringa oleifera as a supplement is that taking it in capsule form will not provide you with as many nutrients. “That amount is negligible compared to what you’re already getting if you eat a balanced, real food-based diet.”4
Moringa’s beta-carotene also contains powerful quercetin, which helps lower blood pressure.5 It contains chlorogenic acid, which studies have shown may help balance blood sugar after a meal.6
America Has a Serious Vegetarian Diet, but Moringa Can Help
According to the Kuli Kuli website:7 Only 4% of the vegetarian American population is eating the recommended daily allowance. In Fact National Fruit and Vegetable Association 2015 Report Card8 Vegetable consumption in the United States, excluding fried potatoes, has decreased by 6% over the past five years.
To solve your problem, just one tablespoon of moringa powder, which can be added to soups, sauces, smoothies, dips, desserts or popsicles, is the equivalent of one daily serving of the vegetable.9
You can also enjoy its benefits by drinking a cup of moringa tea, made from the fresh or dried leaves of this plant. The antioxidants mentioned earlier are a powerful aspect of moringa. This is because it fights disease-causing free radicals caused by exposure to chemically bound cleaners, flea and tick powders, pet sprays, and lawn fertilizers purported to maintain lawns. Weed-free.
In addition to stress and many other causes, high levels of exposure to these and countless other toxins create oxidative stress that leads to many chronic diseases. To combat the statistics, one study found that consuming just 1.5 teaspoons of moringa leaf powder daily for three months “significantly” increased antioxidant levels in the blood of study subjects.
The same study found a 13.5% reduction in fasting blood sugar levels in 30 women, leading researchers to conclude that moringa’s antioxidants have “therapeutic potential in preventing postmenopausal complications.”10 In fact, studies have shown that moringa even has the potential to protect against arsenic contamination. Many foods, including rice, have become toxic due to chemical contamination during previous agricultural practices.
Although ingesting even small amounts of arsenic can cause serious health problems over time, the leaves and seeds of the moringa plant may prove to have a protective effect.11 However, some studies caution that the effects were found in animal studies and the same benefits are not guaranteed for humans.
Research on the efficacy of Moringa
Three of moringa’s science-based health benefits continue the theme that the leaf’s compounds have a positive effect on people with high blood sugar, which over time can worsen other problems, such as heart disease. That’s why scientists are taking a serious look at how this plant can be maintained at manageable threshold levels.
One of the compounds in moringa leaves is isothiocyanates, which are also found in vegetables such as: arugula, Brussels Sproutscauliflower, watercress, broccoli Horseradish, known to dramatically lower the risk of breast and colon cancer;12 Animal studies show it helps prevent weight gain and insulin resistance.13
Inflammation is problematic because it can reveal the cause of many serious conditions. However, studies show that moringa is also effective in relieving lice. Several fruits, vegetables, spices, and herbs have shown the same effect, which may be a broad benefit of isothiocyanates.14 Moringa also has a positive effect on optimization. cholesterol levelsReduces the risk of several diseases.15
Precautions for consuming moringa
According to Curtis, some moringa products, including powders that may claim to be organic, have been tested and found to contain pesticides and heavy metals and, furthermore, have a bitter taste. Healthline says the leaves may contain anti-nutrient properties, which research suggests may reduce the absorption of minerals and proteins.16
Another thing to look for is that moringa is not recommended for pregnant women because studies have shown that it may have anti-fertility and abortion effects, according to Nutritionfacts.org.17 If taken in early pregnancy, it may cause uterine contractions and cause miscarriage.18
