( Moringa Oleifera )
Ayurveda's super food
Moringa is an extraordinary plant that has been used in India since ages as food and medicine. In Ayurveda, this herb is used to treat heart disease, arthritis, gout and anemia. Moringa is one of the desired vegetables used in Indian culinary dishes due to their long tradition of use for many health benefits.
In India, it is believed, that moringa leaves can alleviate and cure almost 300 different types of diseases. The leaves of Moringa contain over 40 nutrients including vitamins & minerals. But it's not just that, the leaves of moringa are also exceptionally high in amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.
Moringa is a great source of antioxidants, chlorophyll and many other phytochemicals such as tannin, sterols, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones and glycosides. It is due to this exceptionally high nutrient profile, moringa works amazingly as both food and medicine in the human body.
Cheer up vegans! Moringa is a wonderful plant protein source
Amino acids are basic building block of protein & essential components of all living cell, as they control virtually all cellular processes. Protein is not only needed to have a strong muscle, but also for a proper hormonal function, strong immune system and as well for proper insulin function in the body.
Scientists have recently started to understand the importance of a diet rich in amino acids to encourage the body to raise an healthy level of insulin. Our body needs about 20 different types of amino acids to build different kinds of protein in the body. 11 out of these 20, can be produced by the liver and they are called as non-essential amino acids.
The remaining 9 can only be obtained from food and therefore are called as essential amino acids. Moringa is the super food that is able to offer 18 types of amino acids including all those 9 essential amino acids which our body cannot produce on its own. Isn't this is a good news? According to a research, the pods of moringa contain around 30% of amino acid, the leaves about 44% and the flowers around 30%. This shows, moringa to be an excellent protein power house for vegans and vegetarians.
Fights diabetes
Diabetes Type 2 is very common in our modern society and this disease can lead to the damages of kidneys, eyes, nerves and blood vessels.
Ayurveda has been using moringa plant to treat diabetes since decades. A finding published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (June 2009), proves the efficacy of moringa leaves extract in lowering high glucose level in the blood.
Combo nutrients for immune power
Moringa strengthen our immunity by enhancing white blood cell production in the body. White blood cells, which are also called as leukocytes are important to fight infections of bacteria, viruses, toxins and other parasites.
Moringa contain a significant amount of antioxidants, zinc, vitamin C & iron, which in combination work as a powerful synergistic nutrients for strengthening our immune system. Taking moringa leaves in powder form or eaten fresh on daily basis, can significantly improve the immunity of our body and is able to keep us from pathogenic infection.
For iron deficiency
People who often experience tiredness, could suffer from anemia. Anemia is a condition of not having enough red blood cells in the body. Without adequate red blood cells, the body is unable to carry enough oxygen to every cell.
When this happens, we can experience tiredness and fatigue. People who are anemic can often have symptoms such as cold hands & feet, dizziness, shortness of breath (e.g. when climbing staircase), frequent headache and of course the classical symptoms of 'zombiness' - the tiredness .
Moringa leaves are a rich source of iron, and when taken everyday in the morning, it can improve the symptoms of iron deficiency significantly.
Improves eye sight & cataracts
Moringa is an excellent food for eyes. Weather you wish to improve your eye sight or remove allergies, inflammation or redness in the eyes, moringa can do wonders for you. The wonderful eye improving vitamin A is abundant in Moringa leaves.
Moringa can beat carrot in becoming the winner of best vitamin A provider. A study published in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2010) shows that moringa is able to prevent cataracts due to its high flavonoids content.
How to eat moringa?
Moringa is best taken fresh, but it may not be possible for all people to have access to fresh moringa. In that case, you can consume powdered moringa leaves. But make sure it is high quality and the powder should look bright greenish and not pale.
Take 1 tsp of moringa powder mixed with a glass of warm water or fresh juice of your choice. A more interesting way to take moringa powder is to mix it in a cocoa drink. Since I created this recipe, I have fallen in love with it and this drink tastes simply delicious and you won't even know that there is moringa in it.
NOW LET'S JUMP INTO THE RECIPE :
Ingredients
2 tsp dark unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp moringa powder
1 1/2 tsp sucanat or brown sugar
300 ml rice milk or any plant base milk
Mix all dry ingredients in a mug and pour over warmed rice milk little by little while stirring it well to avoid any clotting. Enjoy this super delicious coco moringa for tea time or whenever you crave for something chocolaty.