Nutritional Value

According to Dr. Monica G. Marcu, Pharm. D., Ph.D., in her recently published book “Miracle Tree” (2) “Moringa is considered to have the highest protein ratio of any plant so far studied on earth!”

With dried leaves that contain approximately 13 times the calcium of milk, 16 times the dietary fibre of oats, 15 times the vitamin A (beta-carotene) of carrots, 17 times the magnesium of brown rice, 7 times the iron of beef, 1.8 times the protein of eggs, 3.5 times the vitamin C of oranges, 2.7 times the vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) of Salmon, 3.5 times the vitamin E (Tocopherol) of almonds and 2.4 times the potassium of bananas, no wonder Moringa is known as the “miracle tree”. (See Nutritional Value table)

Nutrient	Dried Moringa power	Common Foods *
Energy	1335kj
Protein	22.4g	Egg 12.4g
Carbohygrate-Total	24.5g
Carbohygrate-Sugars	12.6g
fat-Total	8.5g
fat-Saturated	>1g
Amino ACIDS
L-Leucine*	1.71g
L-Isoleucine*	0.91g
L-Valine*	1.12g
L-Lysine*	1.23g
L-Phenylalanine*	1.14g
L-Methonine*	0.18g
L-Threonine*	0.90g
L-Tryptophan*	0.38g
L-Tyrosine	0.60g
L-Aspartic Acid	1.78g
L-Histidine	0.45g
Glycine	0.91g
L-Arginine	1.26g
L-Cysteine	0.25g
L-Alanine	1.13g
L-Glutamic Acid	2.26g
L-Serine	0.87g
L-Proline	0.91g
Essential Amino Acids*
Vitamins
Vitamin C	154.0mg	Orange 44mg
Chlorophyll	30.13mg
Alpha Carotene	<1000ug
Beta Carotene(Vitamin A)	24mg	Carrot 1.5mg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin HCI)	119.0ug
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	244.0ug
B3 (Niacinamide)	8.39mg	Salmon 3.1mg
B5 (Ca Pantothanate)	1000.0ug
B6 (Pyridoxine HCI)	1140.0ug
B12 (Cyanocabalamin)	<5ug
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)	7.0ug
Vitamin D3*	<5ug
Vitamin E(Tocopherol)	150IU(100mg)	Almonds 28mg
Vitamin K1	1.4mg
Folic Acid	0.42mg
MINERALS
Sodium	370mg
Calcium	1630.0mg	Milk 117mg
Magnesium	839.0mg	Brown rice 49mg
Zinc	1.14mg
Iron	7.46mg	Beef .96mg
Phosphorous	259.0mg
Potassium	837.0mg	Banana 346mg
Selenium	0.027mg
Chromium	0.022mg
Copper	0.35mg
Sulphur	503.0mg
Manganese	14.8mg
Chloride	4260.0mg
Molybdenum	0.032mg
CAROTENOIDS
Lutein	65.0mg	Spinach 11.3mg
Zeaxanthin	4.0mg

 

Table: Nutritional values per 100 grams of Australian Moringa Company dried Moringa oleifera powder, evaluated by 1) Symbio Alliance, 2) Australian Government National Measurement Institute, 3) Southern Cross University Plant Science Analytical Service.

*Values of common foods taken from Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Click Here

Amino Acids

In addition to being nutrient rich, Moringa leaves also contain every single essential amino acid. These essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and therefore need to be supplied exogenously through our diets. This is highly unusual for a plant as usually only animal products contain all these essential amino acids.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are molecules that protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules or free radicals. A study by Ray-Yu Yang et al (3) concluded that Moringas are an excellent source of a wide spectrum of dietary antioxidants. The amounts of antioxidants found in Moringas were high, even compared to fruits and vegetables long regarded for their high antioxidant content, such as strawberries high in phenolics, hot peppers high in ascorbate, carrots high in beta-carotene and soybean which is high in alpha-tocopherol.

Antioxidants work better in complex combinations with other antioxidants. Research has shown that the combinations of compounds found in Moringa are very effective in neutralizing free radicals. (2) Instead of consuming individual supplements, try Moringa for better results. Vitamin C (found in high concentrations in Moringa) works best in the presence of beta-carotene and selenium. Vitamin C also supports the antioxidants quercetin and kaempferol, also found in Moringa leaves.

Carotenoids

Moringa has extraordinary amounts of the carotenoid lutein, which promotes healthy eyes by reducing the risk of macular degeneration (irreversible damage of the retina, thus leading to blindness). (2)

Medicinal

Since ancient times, people in many countries have used Moringa to treat a wide variety of diseases, including abnormal blood pressure, anemia, anxiety, asthma, blackheads, blood impurities, bronchitis, cancer, catarrh, chest congestion, cholera, colitis, conjunctivitis, cough, diabetes, diarrhea, dropsy, dysentery, eye and ear infections, fever, glandular swelling, gonorrhea, headaches, hysteria, intestinal worms, jaundice, malaria, pain in joints, pimples, psoriasis, respiratory disorders, scurvy, semen deficiency, skin infections, sores, sore throat, sprain, tuberculosis, stomach ulcers, tumor, urinary disorders, various inflammations and wounds. (2) (4)

There are a large number of scientific studies investigating the therapeutic uses of Moringa, some of which have validated these ancient medicinal uses of Moringa. (2) (4)

A diet rich in plants such as Moringa can significantly improve human health by:

•        Reducing cholesterol levels and triglycerides (“bad” fats in the serum).

•        Controlling blood sugar and helping normal sugar and energy balance.

•        Offering vitamins and minerals vital for maintaining normal physiology.

•        Offering powerful anti-aging and anti-inflammatory natural substances, many with anticancer properties. (2)

Moringa is very rich in beta-sitosterol and related substances. It is believed that the average American diet lacks this component, since it generally includes few veggies.

Beta-sitosterol acts against some forms of cancer. It has been found to reduce the growth of prostate and colon cancer cells.

Among other medical benefits of beta-sitosterol:

•        It boosts the immune defense.

•        It has anti-inflammatory properties.

•        It helps normalize the blood sugar and supports the pancreas (which produces insulin – the hormone controlling blood sugar).

•        It helps to heal ulcers.

•        It can alleviate cramps.” (2)

How can you enjoy the health benefits of Moringa?

Simply by mixing dried Moringa powder into juice or other beverages, using it in cooking, sprinkling on salads or having a cup of Moringa tea, you can get an incredible boost of nutrients and vitamins for your health and vitality.

If your children dislike vegetables and you have a hard time getting them to consume foods with any nutritional value, mix Moringa powder into their next meal of spaghetti Bolognese or add it into a cake mix or batch of cookies.