The health benefits of Moringa leaves include warding off free radicals, strengthening bones, lowering blood sugar, and facilitating digestion. Often used as herbal medicine. Moringa leaves or Moringa oleifera are tropical plants with physical characteristics ranging from green to brownish green. The shape is small and round like an egg with flat leaf edges. The most popular benefit of Moringa leaves is facilitating breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers. This is thanks to the nutrients contained in it in the form of calories, protein, carbohydrates, iron, magnesium, potassium, and folic acid. In addition, there are also vitamins A, B, and C.
Benefits of Moringa Leaves for Body Health
Not only does it help increase and facilitate breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers, here are various benefits of moringa leaves:
- Helps ward off free radicals
The benefits of Moringa leaves help ward off free radicals. This is because of the high antioxidant content in it. Excessive levels of free radicals in the body can cause oxidative stress which has an impact on heart disease and type 2 diabetes. - Reduces inflammation in the body
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection or injury. It is an important protective mechanism, but it can be problematic if it occurs over a long period of time. In fact, ongoing inflammation is linked to chronic health problems. Some such as heart disease and cancer. However, a study in Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry states that the isothiocyanate content in moringa leaves can overcome inflammation in the body. Isothiocyanate is an anti-inflammatory compound found in moringa pods and seeds. Although it can overcome war, further research is still needed to confirm this benefit.
- Maintaining brain function and health
The benefits of Moringa leaves occur because of the antioxidant content in the leaves. This content works by reducing the body’s risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease over time.
- Controlling blood pressure
In fact, one of the contents of Moringa leaves is potassium, which is able to control blood pressure in the body. Not only that, this nutrient is also effective in keeping blood pressure stable, so the risk of hypertension can be prevented.
- Helps inhibit the development of cancer cells
In addition, the extract of the bark and leaves of Moringa which contain antioxidants effectively help inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the body. The types include colon, pancreatic, and breast cancer.
- Increase sexual desire
Decreased sexual desire is a disorder that occurs due to increased stress hormones (cortisol). To overcome this, the function of Moringa leaves works as an aphrodisiac. This means that it can increase positive mood and smooth blood flow.
- Feel more energetic
Another interesting thing about moringa leaves is that they are one of the caffeine-free energy-boosting foods. This function of moringa leaves occurs thanks to the vitamin and mineral content in the leaves. This includes iron and vitamins B, C, and D.
- Maintaining liver health
For people with liver disease, Moringa leaves work by accelerating liver cell repair. The leaves have a high concentration of polyphenols so they can protect the liver from the dangers of oxidative damage. In addition, this herbal plant also plays an important role in increasing protein levels in the liver.
- Helps smooth digestion
The benefits of Moringa leaves occur thanks to the content of soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber will dissolve in water and turn into a gel. This can slow down the digestive process and make the feeling of fullness last longer. Meanwhile, the insoluble fiber content works by increasing the volume of feces, making it easier when passing through the digestive tract. This can reduce the risk of constipation or difficulty defecating.
- Increase good cholesterol
Good cholesterol levels play an important role in preventing heart disease. You can get it from moringa leaves. It works by reducing fat and preventing plaque buildup on artery walls. In addition to increasing good cholesterol, this herbal plant is effective in reducing bad cholesterol levels in the body which trigger heart disease. A study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology states that intake of moringa leaves has an effect on reducing cholesterol levels by 50 percent within 12 weeks. The compounds in moringa leaves will work by reducing the formation of atherosclerotic plaque by 86 percent.
- Prevent premature aging
The benefits of moringa leaves for the face are due to the antioxidant content in them. Antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols in the leaves work by fighting wrinkles and making the skin look younger. Both compounds have anti-inflammatory effects that can prevent signs of premature aging.
- Improves bone health
The last benefit is improving bone health. This benefit comes from the high content of calcium and phosphorus in the leaves. Both are able to improve bone health by fighting arthritis and speeding up the healing process.
Consuming Moringa leaves every day has good benefits for the body. For breastfeeding mothers, for example, this plant can help increase breast milk production. However, pay attention to the dosage. You and your family should not consume this herbal plant excessively. Because, this method can increase the risk of side effects. The potential for these side effects is also prone to occur in people who take regular medications.
