Deep Green and Earthy: The Power of Moringa Leaves
Deep green in color and with an earthy aroma, moringa leaves are celebrated worldwide for their nutritional and therapeutic benefits. Recently, they’ve gained popularity as a superfood, and for good reason. Moringa is packed with protein, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. But did you know it can also help reduce appetite, burn fat, stabilize blood sugar levels, and boost energy? These benefits make moringa an excellent choice if you’re looking to shed a few pounds.
What Is Moringa?
Native to tropical regions of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the drought-resistant moringa tree (Moringa oleifera) has been used for centuries for its therapeutic properties. Also known as the drumstick tree, miracle tree, and tree of life, traditional healers use moringa to enhance energy and sex drive, and to support the stomach, liver, and immune system.
While moringa’s leaves, seeds, pods, and flowers are all edible and rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and essential amino acids, the leaves contain the highest concentration of nutrients. The nutritional value of moringa surpasses many animal-based products, which is rare for a plant. It is also low in carbs and calories. Its nutritional density is so high that global aid organizations use it to combat undernutrition in developing nations.
Chopped moringa leaves are a rich source of protein, calcium, and iron. Moringa seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids and are used to make a product called “Ben oil.”
If you can’t find fresh moringa, you can find it as a supplement. Check out the supplement section below.
How Can Moringa Help Me Lose Weight?
Here are the top ways moringa encourages optimal body weight:
Promotes Stable Blood Sugar
Moringa is low on the glycemic index, meaning it doesn’t cause your glucose levels to spike. Foods low on the glycemic index prevent blood sugar spikes and subsequent crashes and fatigue — unlike high-sugar foods like candy bars. These spikes can slow your metabolism and cause weight gain.
Moringa promotes stable blood sugar through its high fiber content and secondary metabolites — glucosinolates, flavonoids, and phenolic acids — which inhibit amylase activity (amylase is a digestive enzyme that helps metabolize starch into glucose). Moringa prevents the gut from absorbing starch and glucose, sending them out as digestive waste instead.
Kicks Cravings to the Curb
One of the hardest parts of losing weight is cutting out high-sugar, high-fat foods that many people crave. Many people say that moringa reduces food cravings and controls appetite. This makes sense, given its complete nutritional profile. It’s as high in protein as dairy and full of numerous vitamins and minerals.
This craving-reduction effect may be due to its ability to keep blood sugar in balance. Typically, it’s the spikes and crashes in blood sugar that lead to cravings. Some evidence also suggests that moringa promotes healthy levels of leptin, the “fullness hormone.”
Energizes the Body
People traditionally used moringa as an energy booster. Whenever they wanted a burst of energy, they’d just chew on its leaves! With more than 92 nutrients and 46 types of antioxidants, it makes sense that a bit of moringa would energize your body. Those nutrients get into your cells and give them a quick pick-me-up.
Stimulates Fat Metabolism
The leaves of the moringa plant are rich in chlorogenic acid, an important antioxidant also found in coffee and green coffee bean extract. This antioxidant can support weight loss by promoting normal blood sugar, insulin, and triglycerides. It also stimulates metabolism.
When overweight individuals took chlorogenic acid and combined it with exercise and an 1,800-calorie diet, they ended up with more normal body weight than those who didn’t take the supplement. Moringa itself promotes fat metabolism. Specifically, moringa activates brown fat, which helps your body metabolize and eliminate white fat.
Reduces Bloating & Water Weight
Water weight or edema can leave you feeling puffy and uncomfortable. Diuretics are substances that eliminate extra water in the body. Moringa not only promotes a normal response to inflammation in the body, but it also helps reduce water weight. Together, these features lead to a general stabilization of body weight.
Inflammation is the body’s reaction to infection. In itself, it can lead to swelling. Long-term inflammation is associated with many disease conditions, from diabetes to autoimmune diseases and even cancer. Reducing inflammation through healthy nutrition is vitally important. With its many nutrients and antioxidants, moringa promotes a healthy response to inflammation.
Supports Heart & Overall Health
Moringa has numerous other health benefits. Its leaves contain a compound called beta-sitosterol that promotes healthy blood cholesterol levels — even when a high-fat diet is consumed. Don’t use that as an excuse to eat unhealthily! You will have a much healthier body with a plant-based diet, incorporating healthy fats and oils. Add moringa to keep blood cholesterol in balance, not to counter poor food choices.
Other Benefits of Moringa
– Supports heart health
– Stimulates sex drive
– Protects the liver
– Enhances mood
– Promotes wound healing
– Promotes prostate health
To learn more, check out our article about the amazing benefits of moringa.
Best Ways to Use the Miracle Tree
In the Western world, supplements are the most common way to take moringa. But you can find fresh and dried moringa leaves for use in recipes in specialty markets or online. There are many ways to get creative with moringa. We provided a couple of healthy recipes below to get you started.
Moringa Supplements
Touted as the latest superfood, there’s good science behind its popularity. You can buy moringa leaf powder, moringa tea, liquid extract, or capsules. Sometimes, you’ll even find it in energy bars and curry recipes.
When choosing a supplement, research the brand. You want a reputable company that has experience in sourcing and manufacturing, not a cheap, fly-by-night brand. Remember, you get what you pay for. Look for a certified organic supplement to ensure you won’t get exposed to undesirable chemicals. A high-end supplement will show in taste, quality, and results.
Global Healing’s Moringa Raw Herbal Extract is a certified organic liquid formula made using innovative, proprietary technology. It has a pleasing taste, it’s easy to take, and it provides all the nutrients moringa has to offer.
Weight Loss Smoothie
Ingredients:
– 8 ounces unsweetened almond milk
– 1/2 cup spinach
– 1 avocado
– 1 banana
– 1/4 cup blueberries
– 2 dropperfuls Moringa Raw Herbal Extract
– 2 cups ice, or as much as desired
– Raw honey, monk fruit, or Stevia to taste, if desired
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend and enjoy!
Moringa Green Juice Recipe
Ingredients:
– 1 cup moringa leaves (or 2 dropperfuls Moringa Raw Herbal Extract)
– 1 green apple
– 1/2 cucumber
– 1 handful of kale
– 1 cup distilled water
– Organic raw honey to taste (optional)
Instructions:
Put a cupful of chopped-up moringa leaves through your juicer. If you don’t have leaves, just add two dropperfuls of Global Healing’s Moringa Raw Herbal Extract to the blender instead. Add other ingredients. Add honey or Stevia, if desired, to taste.
Points to Remember
Moringa leaves are extremely nutritious, full of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. If you’re wondering about the effects of moringa on weight loss, it turns out that moringa provides a burst of energy, stimulates fat metabolism, reduces appetite and cravings, and promotes stable blood sugar, which prevents spikes and crashes that lead to weight gain. It also supports overall good health.
You can buy moringa leaves at specialty markets or online, and you can also purchase moringa powder, tea, capsules, and liquid extracts. If you get a supplement, look for one that’s high-quality and certified organic, such as Global Healing’s Moringa Raw Herbal Extract.
