It is said to be one of the most nutrient-rich plants in the world, can help with more than 300 diseases, slow down cell aging and literally save the world. We are talking about «Moringa oleifera», also called the tree of immortality. The ground leaves of the tropical plant are now available as a powder or tea on almost all superfood shelves. FITBOOK explains what the Moringa hype is all about.
More and more people swear by Moringa. Especially in the western world, the remarkable properties of the inconspicuous tropical tree are only just being discovered. While the Ayurvedic healing theory has known its effects for around 5000 years, they are still relatively unexplored in the scientific sense. Some investigations and studies give an idea: Moringa powder, moringatee and co. are now available for purchase. But that poses problems, because this hype should be treated with caution.
What does science know about Moringa?
«Moringa contains pretty much all the nutrients that the human organism needs,» confirms the Austrian Moringa expert and author Richard Segmüller. «But the individual components have not yet been fully researched.» What is certain is the particularly high proportion of vitamins A, C, E and K. There are also iron, potassium, calcium and antioxidants. For example, Moringa contains 7 times more vitamin C than oranges and 17 times more calcium than milk. According to a critical study by the CVUA Stuttgart (Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office), 10 grams already cover 36 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin E.1 What is remarkable: Moringa contains all eight essential amino acids – protein compounds that are essential for a healthy metabolism and a stable psyche . Moringa is also one of the few vegan sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
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What effect should Moringa have?
The Moringa tree originally comes from the Himalayas, but thrives throughout the tropics. In India, Moringa is an important part of Ayurveda medicine, meanwhile it is also cultivated in Africa and since 2015 on Tenerife. In natural medicine, Moringa is used for the following diseases, among others:
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Symptoms of malnutrition
- anemia
- asthma
- inflammation
- Fever
- cardiovascular diseases
There are also assumptions that Moringa could have a healing or preventive effect on cancer and Alzheimer’s.2 However, there is still insufficient scientific evidence.
Countless records, some of which date back to antiquity, recommend Moringa for more than 300 ailments. There are even some studies that indicate that there might actually be something to it. But: The test setup was the same in all cases Not scientific standards, as «Medizin Transparent» found out.
Since more and more moringa trees have been cultivated in malnutrition areas with the help of non-profit organizations (such as «Wiel-Hilft e. V»), the malnutrition rate among small children up to the age of 5 in the Republic of the Congo has been significantly reduced. Above all, however, the tree gets by with little water, makes hardly any demands on the soil and grows extremely fast, namely up to one meter a year. On top of that, the seeds of the tree can make contaminated water drinkable. These ingenious properties make the plant a valuable and uncomplicated resource in developing countries.
In short: Moringa stands out in terms of nutrient density compared to other edible plants. Incidentally, this is also confirmed by the “Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations” (FAO).
In Africa, more and more Moringa trees are being planted, especially for the localsPhoto: Getty Images
Messenger substance zeatin – an anti-aging weapon?
The ability to grow so quickly is due to the messenger substance zeatin. This stimulates plant growth and is found in Moringa in concentrations that are a thousand times higher than in other trees. Science hasn’t been dealing with zeatin for very long, but has already discovered that the hormone-like substance helps the body to absorb and utilize all the nutrients – it acts as a kind of booster.
And that’s not all: Studies by the University of Aarhus in Denmark have shown that zeatin can alleviate skin damage caused by sunburn and general signs of aging such as pigment spots, wrinkles and cell aging.3 Zeatin cannot yet be produced industrially, which is why the cosmetics industry in particular is currently using it wondrous stuff. But here, too, research is still in its infancy. There are many assumptions and theories; How much the zeatin contained in Moringa really rejuvenates and beautifies us is far from clear.
Moringa powder can also be harmful
Since the word «superfood» has been on everyone’s lips, many operators have been primarily concerned with one thing: making a lot of money quickly. But some tests have shown that many powders – be it chia, goji, matcha or moringa – contain pesticides and pollutants. There is nothing super about it anymore and such deceptive packaging has absolutely nothing to do with food. A moringa powder sample declared “organic” contained so much nicotine that it had to be classified as harmful.
In addition, the powdered, dried leaves can never hold a candle to the fresh product due to their industrial processing. «The complete mode of action of Moringa only works in its entirety, i.e. not only the leaves, but also the roots, seeds and pods,» explains expert Segemüller. He, too, thinks little of the heavily industrially processed powders and capsules of dubious origin. «In principle, the full power of Moringa is only granted to those people who live where it also grows.» With a lot of luck and patience, it is possible to grow a small tree in your home conservatory.
The main problem is the superfood hype
Due to its medicinal effects, Moringa is undoubtedly one of the most interesting plants. Nevertheless, a single plant can never be the solution to all problems – Antje Gahl from the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) agrees. And further: “Most people in the western world lack nothing nutritionally. And even if: everything we need is in the local fruit and vegetables,» said the DGE spokeswoman.
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Conclusion on Moringa
One thing is certain: Moringa has been important to people in tropical regions for thousands of years and is also enjoying increasing popularity in our latitudes. At the same time, one must not ignore the dark side of the hype coin: huge plantations flooded with pesticides, which were built solely to provide the western world with the next food trend. Labeling a plant “superfood” does not automatically do the product, the consumer or the people in the growing regions any good.