(NaturalHealth365) Moringa oleifera, also called the drumstick tree, horseradish tree, or miracle tree is native to India and can also be found growing in Asia, Africa, South America, and even some parts of the southern U.S.  As a medicinal plant, moringa has been used for thousands of years.  As has been the case for many traditional plants, there is now a resurgence in popularity and interest in this superfood as a nutritional supplement, which is typically consumed as a capsule, powder, or extract.

What are the reported health benefits of moringa, and how much should you take if you’re interested in adding it to your healthy lifestyle routine?  Let’s dive into some available research.

Moringa fights inflammation, but there are many other health benefits you should know

Overall, there is a limited amount of research right now on this medicinal plant, especially quality research involving human participants.  But so far, here are three things we currently know about the possible health benefits of moringa supplementation on human well-being:

1. The moringa plant is highly concentrated in antioxidants including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and quercetin, all of which are known to help fight harmful inflammation.  And it appears that adding moringa leaf extract or powder to your daily routine can significantly increase antioxidants in your blood.  It also contains an isothiocyanate called moringin;  isothiocyanates are a class of plant compounds that have been shown to offer anticancer properties and support the body’s detoxification process.
2. Taking moringa powder may help lower blood sugar levels.  One older study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition found that consuming 50 grams of moringa with a meal reduced rises in blood sugar by over 20 percent.  A more recent study in 2012 found that taking 1.5 teaspoons of moringa powder daily for three months was associated with a 13.5 percent reduction in fasting blood sugar levels, on average.
3. Moringa may improve blood lipids.  A 2016 study published in EMJ Diabetes involving 20 men with diabetes or pre-diabetes determined that daily supplementation with moringa leaf powder was associated with decreased levels of triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol after two to three months.  It’s important to note that these changes were also observed in the control group, and both groups saw increases in “healthy” HDL cholesterol levels — however, the increase was statistically more significant in the group taking moringa.

If you’re going to use moringa supplement, here’s how much you should take, according to the available data

Interested in trying moringa powder or extract yourself?  As always, we advise you to chat with your physician before adding any supplement to your routine, especially if you’re breastfeeding, pregnant, taking any other medications, or have a chronic health condition.

That said, consuming the fruit, seeds, and leaves of this plant is likely safe, especially if you select a high-quality product that uses sustainably sourced ingredients without added fillers (Kuli Kuli is a top-rated brand).

And while there’s not enough data to determine the exact amount you should take for optimal health benefits, research studies in humans have found positive results when subjects are taking anywhere from 1.5 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons of moringa powder per day or more.

Just remember, this information is shared for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.  So, refer to your product labels and your doctor for more information.

Sources for this article include:

FoundmyFitness.com
Healthline.com
MedicalNewsToday.com
IIJLS.com
NIH.gov
NIH.gov
NIH.gov
RXlist.com
TandFonline.com
EMJreviews.com