Health benefits of superfood moringa

Monday, December 09, 2013 by: Alex Malinsky aka RawGuru
Tags: moringa, food source, health benefits

(NaturalNews) Superfoods are substances that provide you with a high dose of nutrition. Oftentimes, these are organic fruits, berries and plants that are packed with vitamins and nutrients that are necessary to keep the body in the highest degree of health possible. One such superfood is moringa.

Moringa: A Brief Introduction

Moringa was first used in North Africa, where it served to feed cattle and people. Native to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, this is a plant that is able to contribute to the health of individuals through many of its various parts, including the leaves, flowers, seeds, fruit and bark. Although it originates in the southern regions surrounding the Himalayan Mountains, this plant also grows well in tropical regions around the globe.

Nutritional Value

As a food product, moringa is exceptionally valuable. In fact, Trees for Life, an international charitable organization, has promoted the use of moringa to address malnutrition. The leaves of the tree are brimming with vitamin A, calcium, iron, vitamin C, potassium and protein. As such, this is a wonderful resource for people who are facing food insecurity - as well as those who have access to food but want to improve their nutrition.

Health Benefits

Further research is necessary to solidify the health benefits that moringa offers; however, this superfood is said to impact health in a major way. Some of the concerns that moringa may improve include anemia, asthma, arthritis, constipation, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, gastritis, intestinal ulcers, heart conditions, headaches, high blood pressure, inflammation, kidney stones, thyroid disorders, infections, sex drive, athlete's foot, warts, dandruff, snake bites and gingivitis. Additionally, it is said to stimulate immunity and breast milk production.

Is Moringa Safe?

Before adding a new supplement to your diet, it is always important to ensure that you are well aware of any side effects that may be associated with it. The leaves, seeds, and fruit of moringa are considered safe when ingested as part of a well-rounded diet; however, the root should be avoided. The root of the moringa plant, as well as its extracts, may introduce a toxic substance to the human body. This can result in paralysis and may even be fatal, depending upon the circumstances.

It is also important to note that women who are pregnant or who are breastfeeding should not eat moringa or any of its extracts. This plant contains certain chemicals that, when ingested, can induce contractions. In women who are carrying a child, these contractions can lead to miscarriage. The research conducted on women who are breastfeeding with regard to the consumption of moringa is so sparse that it is best for these women to avoid the food altogether to prevent unforeseen side effects in both them and their children.

Moringa: A More Complete Picture
Ultimately, moringa may be a wonderful addition to your current dietary routine. There are so many ways in which this superfood has been said to improve health; therefore, it may be something that you want to consider.

Sources:

http://www.mnn.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://www.treesforlife.org

About the author:
Alex Malinsky aka RawGuru is an award winning chef and one of the leading experts in the field of raw food. He started to learn about raw foods at the early at of 15. After 10 years on the raw food diet he continues to be on the cutting edge of nutritional research and product development. Visit Alex's website at: www.RawGuru.com for more information.