Moringa: Benefits, Side Effects And Risks Forbes Health – Forbes

While moringa is neither approved nor regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the plant can reportedly provide a number of health benefits for its users.

Moringa (in food form) contains a number of essential vitamins, explains Escobar, including vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, C, D and E. This superfood is also a reliable source of iron and magnesium, she adds. Moringa contains calcium and zinc as well.

People utilize moringa seed oil for various dermatological conditions, explains Wheeler. The oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can [help] reduce oxidative stress, which can assist in wound healing and decrease skin inflammation.

A 2020 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology suggests that when applied topically, moringa oil can be effective in reducing inflammation in inflammatory skin conditions .

A 2022 study in Frontiers in Nutrition suggests moringa oleifera contains a number of enzymes thought to help prevent the aging of the skin . It can be added to a facial treatment to be applied topically, explains Connie Pretula, a certified nutritional practitioner based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Moringa leaves are high in plant polyphenols, which makes them high in antioxidants and means they provide anti-inflammatory benefits, says Pretula. They contain vitamins A and C, which are both beneficial for the skin, and studies show they can help to slow the aging process by reducing oxidative stress in the body.

One 2020 study in Complementary Therapies in Medicine reports that when taken in a powdered leaf form, moringa can help regulate blood sugar levels. While the study suggests that moringa may be effective in addressing diabetes specifically, more research is needed to prove its efficacy in relation to this condition .

2020 research exploring the effects of moringa on blood pressure in participants who consumed large amounts of salt found the plant compound helped lower both diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings within two hours of supplementation. However, more studies are needed before moringa can be officially recommended as a blood pressure management supplement.

Moringa leaves contain [a] healthy [amount of] fiber and have shown to decrease constipation, says Wheeler. A 2019 study in Food Research International highlights the dietary fiber contained in moringa oleifera in the form of oligosaccharides, a type of carbohydrate .

A 2019 study in Food & Function, meanwhile, noted that the fermentation of moringa oleifera during the digestion process encouraged the growth of healthy colonic bacteria .

Moringa has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can [potentially] help fight off diseases and illnesses, explains Escobar. Studies suggest moringa may have a positive effect on the immune system by balancing inflammation in the body and eliminating pathogens like bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites .

A 2021 study of 200 people living with HIV measured participants CD4 (a type of white blood cell that fights infection) after taking moringa oleifera supplements. The researchers observed increases in participants CD4 counts after taking the supplement .

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Moringa: Benefits, Side Effects And Risks Forbes Health - Forbes