Moringa oleifera: how it helps prevent diseases

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."

Hippocrates

There are a large number of herbs and plants that have medicinal effects in many  serious illnesses, and to think that there is still so much to discover. 

Moringa ( Moringa Oleifera ), however, is a different case.  Moringa is a tree native to northern India that grows in Latin American countries, Asia, Africa and some parts of Oceania.

It is thanks to the studies carried out in recent years that Moringa has gained renown due to the many benefits it provides at different levels.  One of the most interesting findings is that this extraordinary tree helps prevent and avoid the proliferation of cancer in several ways.

Moringa reduces inflammation

Inflammation is a mechanism that protects organisms against harmful stimuli.  This mechanism involves several molecular pathways that encompass a wide variety of physiological processes.  However, a constantly activated inflammatory mechanism can lead to many diseases such as cancer, asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis or eczema and rheumatoid arthritis, among others.   

Inflammation plays a vital role in the development of any disease, including cancer. In fact, there is a whole theory in the medical community surrounding this topic called the "Inflammation Theory of Disease" and it has years of research studies whose findings suggest that both infectious and non-infectious diseases have their origin in an inflammatory process that has become unbalanced.

For this reason Moringa has been given the name of "magic tree" since  Its anti-inflammatory properties are exceptional.  A key study found that  Moringa root helped relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and bronchitis. ( 1 )

Most studies point to substances called benzyl isothiocyanates as the main compound in Moringa that counteract inflammation.  Many whole foods contain anti-inflammatory substances such as isothiocyanates but what makes Moringa special is the high concentration of these substances it contains.

Moringa fights oxidation

While inflammation is the primary cause of the disease, oxidative stress is what is at the origin of inflammation.  This is demonstrated by the results of the study carried out by the MD Anderson Cancer Center:

“Extensive research over the past two decades has revealed that the mechanism by which oxidative stress leads to chronic inflammation may be the intermediate process leading to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurological, pulmonary, and cardiovascular diseases.” ( 2 )

In moringa, for its part, several antioxidant substances have been found that can help prevent and combat diseases, including cancer.  These are Quercetin , Chlorogenic Acid , Vitamin C and Beta-carotene .

Women in menopause have a higher risk of cervical cancer because estrogen levels decrease greatly during this period and so do antioxidant levels.  A study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology found that when postmenopausal women took 1.5 teaspoons of Moringa for 3 months, their antioxidant levels increased significantly. ( 3 )

Quercetin is a flavonoid of the flavonol category available in fruits and vegetables that has effects to prevent aging and regulate the function of the immune system, acting on the response of cells that are activated when there are products that cause allergies or microbes that damage the body.  Quercetin, also found in Moringa, is a potent antioxidant that has been linked to cancer protection. Research has shown that even low doses of Quercetin can inhibit the progression of cancer cells.

Chlorogenic Acid is the chemical substance that is responsible for repairing cuts on a fruit or a leaf of a plant damaged by some external cause. Although it is found in all plants, fruits and vegetables, the effects of Chlorogenic Acid on the human body are generally imperceptible due to its low concentration.  In green coffee it is found in sufficient concentration to produce some of the benefits attributed to it.  The concentration of Chlorogenic Acid present in Moringa leaves ranges from 0.018 to 0.489 mg/g of dry weight. ( 4 )

The beta-carotene in Moringa is the best way to get it. There are many authorities – including the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the World Cancer Research Institute in association with the American Institute for Cancer Research, and the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer – that recommend getting beta-carotene from foods rather than supplements, at least until research shows whether supplements offer the same benefit. Eating 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables provides 6-8 mg of beta-carotene. Further down this article you will find nutritional tables for Moringa and its beta-carotene content.

Moringa leaf extract is so potent that it can be used as a food preservative.

Moringa supplies important nutrients

In addition to the above, Moringa strengthens the immune system , which is its main weapon to prevent or combat any disease . In addition to vitamin C, Moringa is a good source of the following vitamins:

According to the journal of Microbial Technology and Biochemistry, the data presented in table 1 shows the results of the nutritional values ​​of Moringa Oleifera leaf extract per 100 grams: (3.5 oz), table 2 shows the results of the vitamin content of Moringa oleifera, table 3 the mineral content and table 4 the protein content,

Table 1: Nutritional value in 100 g (3.5 oz) of Moringa oleifera leaf extract.

Carbohydrates 9.1 g

Dietary fiber 2.1 g

Fat 1.7 g

Protein 8.1 g

Table 2: Vitamin content of Moringa oleifera. All vitamins at 10%.

Vitamin A equiv. 80 μg

Thiamine (B1) 0.103 mg

Riboflavin (B2) 0.112 mg

Niacin (B3) 1.5 mg

Pantotheic Acid B5) 0.48 mg

Vitamin B6 0.129 mg

Folate (B9) 41 μg

Vitamin C 8.6 mg

Table 3: Mineral content of Moringa oleifera L. All trace minerals at 10%.

Calcium 99.1 mg

Iron 1.3 mg

Magnesium 35.1 mg

Manganese 0.119 mg

Phosphorus 70.8 mg

Potassium 471 mg

Sodium 70 mg

Zinc 0.85 mg

Table 4: Essential amino acids present in Moringa oleifera L. (ug/ml)

Threonine 36.77

Valine 22.1

Methionine 2.13

Leucine 20.50

Isoleucine 31.8

Phenylalanine 36.8

Histidine 30.88  27.67

Arginine 21.45

According to an article on the benefits of Moringa against cancer, Moringa also contains what are called “anti-nutrients”  which are substances such as tannins, calcium oxalates (which spinach also contains), phytic acid and lectins that can slow down or block the absorption of nutrients.  The amount of antinutrients present in Moringa should not be of concern to most people.

Remember that although antinutrients such as tannins and lectins can block the  absorption of some nutrients, they are considered beneficial phytonutrients for the body and this should not discourage the consumption of this food. It is suggested, however, if your diet consists only of legumes and grains  (which also contain antinutrients), consult with a nutritionist or naturopathic doctor to determine what dose is right for you. ( 5 )

Moringa induces apoptosis (destruction and non-reproduction of cancer cells)

The same article mentions that there is evidence that Moringa helps fight cancer directly.  A study published in the journal PLoS One in 2015 reviewed the effect of the leaves, bark and extract from the seeds of Moringa Oleifera  in laboratory samples for both breast cancer and colon cancer.  The result is that the consumption of any of these parts of the plant increased the number of apoptotic cells (that is, the cells regained their ability to self-destruct as healthy cells do).  both for breast cancer and colon cancer.

The article concludes that this study was quite significant as it was the first to determine that both the bark and the leaves of the Moringa tree can contribute to reducing cancerous tumors . ( 6 )

In Ayurveda, Moringa is used for its antibiotic function, among 300 other applications.

Among the preventive modalities, Moringa provides antibiotic activity.  According to the publication Moringa oleifera Moringa , in the early 1950s a research team from India identified a compound from the bark extract they called Pterygospemin with antibacterial properties present in Moringa Pterygosperma .  These findings were made in India, but modern Western medicine uses chemicals for all treatments so these earlier studies do not take them into account and as of now, there are no known current studies on this property in Moringa Oleifera .

After the oil is extracted from the pods the remaining seed contains the active components to remove turbidity (solid particles) from water.  Because bacteria adhere to solids, this seed also effectively eliminates bacteria.

If you are already convinced of the fabulous benefits of Moringa, I have some recipes for you that contain it.

Three Recipes to Include Moringa in Your Diet

Green juice

Just add 1 tablespoon of moringa powder to the original recipe found here

Moringa Latte

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut milk or other plant-based milk like almond, unsweetened

1 teaspoon Moringa powder

1 teaspoon Matcha green tea powder

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1/4 cup freshly boiled water

Sweeten to taste (I use a few drops of liquid stevia)

Preparation:

Add to 1/4 cup of freshly boiled water, the teaspoon of Matcha tea, coconut oil, sweetener and stir.

Then, in the blender, pour this mixture, plus the moringa powder and the milk. Blend for 30 seconds and serve.

Makes 1 cup.

Refreshing smoothie

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups fresh berries (strawberries or blueberries or raspberries)

A pinch of Himalayan salt and black pepper

1/2 cup macadamia nuts soaked in water for an hour

1 teaspoon moringa powder

1 teaspoon chia seeds

1 teaspoon of Goji berries/ or 4 drops of stevia

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Juice of 1/2 orange or half an orange without peel

3/4 cup filtered water

Preparation

After soaking the nuts, drain them and put them in the blender with the rest of the ingredients.

Blend the ingredients on low speed for about 10 seconds and then on high until smooth (about 45 seconds).

Makes 2 glasses.