The New Kale? Moringa Powder Is Here to Stay
Kale has been the “it” superfood among those looking to reap the maximum health benefits from the food they eat. But moringa powder is poised to unseat kale as the mother of all superfoods. A rundown of moringa powder, including what it is and why it’s beneficial for the body, can help you determine if you want to add it to your daily dietary regimen.
Moringa powder is made from the leaves of the moringa tree, which are ground to a fine consistency. It's thought to help prevent and treat chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and inflammatory conditions. Moringa’s abundance of proteins, amino acids, flavonoids, and antioxidants has led herbalists to swear by it to protect the lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver and for the reduction of pain.
Moringa powder flexes its superfood chops because it's:
- Loaded with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, B6, and E, as well as calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium. These nutrients can benefit your skin, bone health, immune system health, and vision health.
- Plant-based. If you’re looking to reduce your meat intake, adding plant-based protein may be important to you. Sprinkle some moringa powder in soup or a smoothie, and you’re good to go. Moringa powder has around 3 grams of protein in every tablespoon.
- Possibly just what your hormonal system needs. If you're postmenopausal, moringa powder may help with hormonal balance. In a study, moringa powder helped postmenopausal women achieve better fasting blood glucose numbers and decreased their oxidative stress markers. It's also thought to improve thyroid health, which in turn affects the hormones related to digestion, sleep, and energy.
- A potential inflammation reducer. The inflammation responsible for or resulting from cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes may be helped by this potent nutritional powerhouse.
- A potential brain health supporter. As many as one out of every eight people age 65 and up have Alzheimer’s disease. Moringa powder is rich in vitamins shown to increase the oxidative stressors associated with this debilitating condition.
- A possible line of treatment for symptoms of depression. Because it may increase the hormones serotonin and dopamine that elevate mood, moringa powder may potentially help treat depression.
Substances that may be found in the moringa tree’s flowers, roots or bark may contain chemicals that can be harmful to pregnant or lactating women. Some studies suggest that consumption of some parts of the moringa plant may result in contractions of the uterus. For this reason, avoid moringa powder if you’re pregnant or nursing.
If you're not precluded from using it, getting your moringa powder intake may be as easy as sprinkling it into hummus or on top of salads, baking it into breads, infusing it in teas, or using it like matcha with hot water as a healthy coffee substitute.