Moringa is one of many plants that are said to have potential health benefits when consumed.
Moringa is sold in a variety of forms, including a stand-alone powder, oils, capsules, and as an ingredient in many green protein powders.
Moringa has been around for many years, especially in South Asia and Africa, but its popularity in the US has only recently blossomed.
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When incorporating any new supplement into your diet, it is important to consider things like the brand of the product, always making sure it is reliable and reputable, and also looking at all the ingredients in a specific product.
“Be careful with quality,” Isabel Smith, a New York-based registered dietitian and founder of Isabel Smith Nutrition and Lifestyle, told Fox News Digital in a phone call.
Moringa is popularly purchased in powder form and used for its numerous nutritional benefits. (iStock)
“You could find heavy metals or products in poor condition,” Smith added. “So, as always, it's best to be a conscious consumer and make sure you're buying a product from a company you trust and love.”
One way to ensure that a product is safe to use is to check if it has been third-party tested.
“That's something I always emphasize, is that you should look for products that have been third-party tested, because then you know that the ingredient in that product is safe, it's pure, and it has everything that it claims to have,” Jerlyn Jones, an Atlanta-based registered dietitian and owner of The Lifestyle Dietitian LLC, told Fox News Digital, adding that it's also important to make sure that what you're buying is 100% organic.
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Unlike matcha, which has also been associated with numerous health benefits and has grown in popularity in recent years, moringa is caffeine-free.
Below are some of the health benefits believed to come from moringa.
One way to add moringa to your diet is by mixing it in powder form with your healthy fruit and vegetable smoothies. (iStock)
- Anti-inflammatory benefits
- Support the immune system
- Anti-aging properties
- Improves cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
1. Anti-inflammatory benefits
One of the greatest health benefits of moringa is that it can be used as a means to combat inflammation.
Inflammation is the body's response to disease or infection, according to Harvard Health.
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There are many different diseases, including cancer and heart disease, that have been linked to chronic inflammation.
Foods and supplements with anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce the risk of these and other diseases.
Moringa can be found in protein powder form mixed with a variety of other vitamins and minerals. (iStock)
“It has quercetin, which is a natural antihistamine, but it also has some anti-inflammatory properties,” Smith said.
Moringa also contains “beta-carotene, which we know is very good for skin health and has a lot of anti-inflammatory antioxidant properties. So it seems to be a high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant,” Smith told Fox News Digital.
While you can see this health benefit of moringa, it is vital to remember that a dietary change or added supplement will not make drastic differences, and living an overall healthy lifestyle that works with your body is what matters most.
“I don't think one thing can make a difference for someone. I think all the pieces and all the things we do together can make a difference,” Smith said.
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2. Support the immune system
A balanced diet can help provide the body with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and strong, but sometimes the nutrients found in food are not enough.
That's where supplements come into play. Sometimes, the body doesn't get enough of certain nutrients. Supplements can help increase nutrient intake.
Make sure your body gets all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to keep your immune system strong and avoid illness. (iStock)
Moringa is packed with different nutrients that can help strengthen your immune system and help your body fight off potential diseases.
“It's packed with vitamin C and A, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Many of these nutrients are nutrients that we are very low on,” Jones explained.
3. Anti-aging properties
If you want younger looking skin, moringa could help you achieve your goal.
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“We're very concerned about how we age, and those compounds in moringa can help with our skin care and also with anti-aging, because it has anti-inflammatory properties, and so it's promising in that regard,” Jones said.
Moringa is sold through many mediums, including pills, powder, oils, and even in skin care products like body butter and serum, leaving consumers with many potential options for adding the supplement to their lives.
Moringa's anti-aging properties could lead to younger, healthier looking skin. (iStock)
Supplements such as moringa and many others that have been suggested by experts in part for their anti-aging properties must, of course, be combined with a proper diet and sufficient exercise for optimal results.
4. Improves cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
High cholesterol can be dangerous for the body.
There are many lifestyle changes you can make to improve your cholesterol, such as avoiding smoking and foods high in saturated and trans fats.
Jones told Fox News Digital that moringa has been shown to improve cholesterol levels in the body, due to the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it contains that support overall heart health.
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In addition to improving cholesterol, moringa is also believed to help balance blood sugar levels, which in turn can help control diabetes, according to Jones.
Of course, before adding moringa to your diet for any of its potential nutritional benefits, be sure to consult your doctor first.
“Check with your health care team, your medical team, to make sure it doesn't interfere with any other medications you're taking,” Jones explained. “Always check with your doctor when you decide to take a supplement.”
