MORINGA OLEIFERA

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Introduction of Moringa Oleifera:

Dr. Monica Marcu, Ph.D. - "Moringa is an extraordinary plant. It's a plant that has all the nutrients that could be found in a perfect food."

According to Dr. Lydia M. Marero of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Philippines, Moringa oleifera is one of the world's most useful plants. It is used as food, effective water treatment, antibiotic, source of oil, and coagulant for turbid waters.

Moringa Oleifera has several health benefits that are one of the reasons why it is named the “Miracle Tree” and the “Tree of Life” in many cultures. People benefit from Moringa Oleifera both in terms of prevention and healing. Moringa Oleifera is nutritious, natural and energizing.

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The immature pods are the most valued and widely used of all the tree parts. The pods are extremely nutritious, containing all the essential amino acids along with many vitamins and other nutrients. The immature pod can be eaten raw or prepared like green peas or green beans, while the mature pods are usually fried and possess a peanut-like flavor. The pods also yield 38 - 40% of non-drying, edible oil known as Ben Oil. This oil is clear, sweet and odorless, and never becomes rancid. Overall, its nutritional value most closely resembles olive oil. The thickened root is used as a substitute for horseradish although this is now discouraged as it contains alkaloids. The leaves are eaten as greens, in salads, in vegetable curries, as pickles and for seasoning. The Bark can be used for tanning and also yields a coarse fiber. The flowers, which must be cooked, are eaten either mixed with other foods or fried in batter and have been shown to be rich in potassium and calcium.

Uses of Moringa Oleifera :

These are some of the uses of Moringa Oleifera:

  • Moringa Oleifera for Diabetes Relief
  • Moringa Oleifera for Healthy Skin
  • Moringa Oleifera for Nutrition
  • Moringa Oleifera to sleep better
  • Moringa Oleifera for decreased depression and anxiety

    Properties & Chemical Constituents:

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    Moringa has following properties:

    • 92 Nutrients
    • 46 Antioxidants
    • 36 Anti-Inflammatories
    • 18 Amino Acids, 9 Essential Amino Acids
    • Nourishes The Immune System
    • Supports Normal Glucose Levels
    • Natural Anti-Aging Benefits
    • Provides Anti-Inflammatory Support
    • Promotes Healthy Digestion
    • Promotes Heightened Mental Clarity
    • Boosts Energy Without Caffeine
    • Encourages Balanced Metabolism
    • Promotes Softer Skin
    • Provides Relief From Acne
    • Supports Normal Hormone Levels

      The Vitamin and Minerals Component of Moringa Leaves and Pods

    • Vitamins are soluble either in water or in lipids. They help regulate almost all physiological processes in the body. When any vitamin is absent from the diet the body begins to show signs of deficiency. Minerals are also essential for our health; they are used by our body for building tissues such as bones, teeth, muscles. Some minerals are components of enzymes and help to regulate metabolic function of the body. Lack of minerals in diet can impair normal functioning of the body and may lead to a number of disease. Without enough calcium and phosphorous our bones fail to grow properly. The detail of vitamins and minerals in Moringa’s fresh & dried leaves and its pod are presented in the following tables.

    • Table No. 1: Moringa Oleifera Pods [Raw]

    • Nutritional Value Per 100 g (3.5 oz)

      Energy

      37 kcal (150 kJ)

      Fat

      0.20 g

      Carbohydrates

      8.53 g

      Protein

      2.10 g

      Dietary fiber

      3.2 g

      Water

      88.20 g

      Vitmans

      Vitamin A equiv.

      4 μg

      Calcium

      30 mg

      Thiamine (vit. B1)

      0.0530 mg

      Iron

      0.36 mg

      Riboflavin (vit. B2)

      0.074 mg

      Magnesium

      45 mg

      Niacin (vit. B3)

      0.620 mg

      Manganese

      0.259 mg

      Pantothenic acid (B5)

      0.794 mg

      Phosphorus

      50 mg

      Vitamin B6

      0.120 mg

      Potassium

      461 mg

      Folate (vit. B9)

      44 μg

      Sodium

      42 mg

      Vitamin C

      141.0 mg

      Zinc

      0.45 mg

    • Table No. 2: Moringa Oleifera Leaf Nutrient Composition

    •  

      Fresh Leaves (Value/100g)

      Dried Leaves (Value/24g)

      Calories

      92 cal

      49 cal

      Macronutrients

      Protein

      6.70 g

      6.5 g

      Fat

      1.70 g

      0.55 g

      Carbohydrates

      12.5 g

      9.2 g

      Micronutrients

      Carotene (Vit.A)

      6.78 mg

      4.54 mg

      Thiamin (B1)

      0.06 mg

      0.63 mg

      Riboflavin (B2)

      0.05 mg

      4.92 mg

      Niacin (B3)

      0.8 mg

      1.97 mg

      Vitamin C

      220 mg

      4.15 mg

      Calcium

      440 mg

      480.72 mg

      Copper

      0.07 mg

      0.14 mg

      Fiber

      0.90 g

      4.61 g

      Iron

      0.85 mg

      6.77 mg

      Magnesium

      42 mg

      88.32 mg

      Phosphorus

      70 mg

      48.96 mg

      Potassium

      0.26 g

      0.32 g

      Zinc

      0.16 mg

      0.79 mg

    • Amino Acids:  The foundation of our body

      Table No. 3: Amino Acids Composition of Dried Moringa Leave

    • Amino Acid

      Quantity

      Amino Acid

      Quantity

      Arginine

      1.78

      Methionine*

      0.297

      Serine

      1.087

      Valine*

      1.413

      Aspartic acid

      1.43

      Phenylalanine*

      1.64

      Glutamic acid

      2.53

      Isoleucine*

      1.177

      Glycine

      1.533

      Leucine*

      1.96

      Threonine*

      1.357

      Histidine*

      0.716

      Alanine

      3.033

      Lysine*

      1.637

      Tyrosine

      2.65

      Cysteine

      0.01

      Proline

      1.203

      Tryptophan*

      0.486

      HO-Proline

      0.093

       

       


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