Moringa Seeds: 12 Evidence-Based Health Benefits
Moringa seeds are a scrumptious delicacy in many locales. The Moringa Oleifera tree, also known as the drumstick tree, Ben oil tree, or horseradish tree stands poised to be a new superfood. The plant is steeped with nutrients, rich in calcium, vitamins, iron, and essential amino acids.
The array of moringa seed benefits backed by scientific research is plentiful. The Moringa seeds are featured with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cholesterol-lowering qualities, which makes them truly desirable.
What are Moringa Seeds?
The foot-long dangling pods of the Moringa Oleifera tree hold the Moringa seeds, which are circular-shaped. The pods can contain around a dozen of seeds. The extracted seeds can either be roasted and eaten like nuts or alternately cooked just like beans or peas.
The seeds have not just been consumed by many natives all over the globe for nearly 4,000 years, but have also been used in traditional healing like in Ayurveda. There are myriad health benefits of moringa seeds as the seeds are nutrient-dense and facilitate to keep a person healthy.
The Moringa seeds can be processed into oil and used as a natural moisturizer, giving the skin a healthy and glowing look. It is found that even the pulp after extracting oil is useful as it has potent antibacterial properties, and can be used for purification of water.
Moringa Seeds Nutrition Facts
The Moringa seeds contribute to two significant factors making them vital to a healthy food regimen, and these are having zero cholesterol and being incredibly rich in fiber. Here is a table which gives a quick overview of the moringa seeds nutritional information (per 100 grams):
| Macronutrients | Value |
| Carbohydrates | 8.53 mg |
| Calcium | 30 mg |
| Cholesterol | 0 |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.20 mg |
| Magnesium | 45 mg |
| Niacin | 0.62 mg |
| Phosphorous | 50 mg |
| Potassium | 461 mg |
| Protein | 2.10 mg |
| Total Fat | 0.20 |
It is evident that the seeds are filled with nutritional goodness. The research fraternity has many researchable facets on the medicinal value of the Moringa seeds and has been highly valued for their nutritional benefits.
Moringa Seed Benefits for Skin, Hair, and Health
It is heartening to find an increasing awareness on nutrition and health in society today. There is a growing quest for radiant skin and healthy hair. The solution seems to come easily encapsulated in pods of the moringa tree. There are a plethora of health benefits of moringa seeds, and a daily dose of these seeds can keep you healthy.
1. Enhances Beautiful Skin
The moringa seeds are packed with Vitamin A which works as an effective antioxidant and also works on the collagen formation to boost skin firmness. The extracted oil from the Moringa seeds is an effective natural moisturizer which not only nourishes the skin giving it a radiant look, but also fights premature aging (1).
The extracted oil is used in skincare products, which help boost the radiance of skin preventing acne, blackheads, black spots, and pimples.
2. Stimulates Healthy Hair
Vitamin C antioxidant properties present in the Moringa seeds helps to maintain the health of tresses and improves the circulation of blood in the scalp, stimulating follicles facilitating more absorption of nutrients. The Vitamin A and zinc nourishes hair tissues and helps keep the sebaceous glands unclogged (2).
3. Maintains Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be a severe cardiovascular health concern. There have been studies indicating that consumption of moringa seed extracts can lower blood pressure naturally by acting as a circulatory stimulant. The oleic acid present in the seeds also facilitates in keeping the heart healthy (3).
The studies are known to be of a preliminary nature, and it is recommended to talk to the doctor before discontinuation of a prescribed treatment and get advice on the consumption of any supplements.
4. Helps Lower Cholesterol
Moringa seeds can facilitate the increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol contributing lower cholesterol in the bloodstream. It is backed by observations from Dr. James Beckerman, a specialist in Cardiovascular disease, who states that high levels of HDL cholesterol can lower the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood (4).
5. Helps Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
The moringa seeds can control blood sugar levels naturally, which is a relief to people who have diabetes. The therapeutic health benefits of moringa seeds are reiterated in the Journal of Diabetes in the context of natural treatment for diabetes (5).
The reported research was conducted through animal experiments, and it was observed that moringa pod extracts could increase protein levels and insulin production and also reduce the blood glucose levels.
6. Effectively Reduces Inflammation and Relieves Pain
The moringa seeds health benefits encompass the treatment of inflammatory conditions and alleviate various types of joint pain. This is backed by reports published in the journal Inflammation, which highlights the use of moringa seeds to reduce inflammation and in relieving pain from chronic inflammatory diseases (6).
7. Protects Liver
The antioxidant properties present in the Moringa seed oil can help protect the liver from damage. This is backed by a report in the Journal of Food Science which observed that the free radical scavenging capacity encapsulated in the moringa seed oil could help heal the liver damage that is caused by hepatitis (7). The seed extracts are also known to have curative properties for some liver disorders.
8. Cures Gastric Ulcers
The anti-inflammatory properties present in the Moringa seeds have a therapeutic effect on gastric or peptic ulcers and helps in healing the ulcers naturally. A study highlights that the antioxidant properties of the seeds could reduce the symptoms of ulcers (8).
9. Relieves Bronchial Asthma
Bronchial asthma and symptoms of asthma are observed to get natural relief due to the anti-inflammatory effect of Moringa seeds. This is backed by a study which was published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology which observed that the consumption of 3 g of moringa seeds for three weeks could help improve the symptoms of bronchial asthma (9).
10. Boosts the Immune System
Moringa seed extracts are packed with vital nutrients which can boost the immune system. The data presented in the Journal of Food Science and Human Wellness observes that moringa seed consumption had seven times more Vitamin C than oranges, 25 times more iron than spinach, 15 times more potassium than bananas, and ten times more Vitamin A than carrots (10).
Moringa seeds nutrition facets can significantly contribute to augmenting the diet plan of vegetarians (vegans) who have low iron concerns.
11. Aids Sleep
Moringa seeds facilitate sound sleep and can leave you energized. Take some hot water and soak the moringa leaves for 15 minutes, strain the mixture, and drink the preparation just before you hit the bed. The blend is observed to help with a good night’s rest.
12. Stops Growth of Cancer Cells
The Moringa seeds have anti-carcinogenic effects present, which are known to prevent the growth and development of cancer cells. Researchers have observed that consumption of moringa seed powder for three consecutive weeks can help with preventing colon cancer (11).
With the endless list of health benefits of moringa seeds, it is no wonder that the research fraternity considers the medicinal value from the extracts highly significant.
How to Use Moringa and Moringa Seeds
The moringa seeds are edible and are also used in different food preparations in various parts of the world. The presence of the moringa seeds is common in Asian cuisine and is featured with a refreshing nutty taste. The intake of the moringa seeds, leaves, and roots can be considered in various ways.
Try consuming them just like nuts, consider adding them to granola or mix them with hemp seeds for augmenting energy. Alternately, Moringa oil is used in cosmetics and is also featured to be edible. The roots are powdered, used in capsules, and consumed as supplements. Moringa leaves can be used in soups and stews, and also cooked quite like spinach or kale.
The leaves are known to have high levels of Vitamins A, B, and C. The fresh seeds when boiled make a delicious side-dish, whereas the Moringa leaf powder can be added to smoothies for its health benefits (12).
Moringa Seeds: Dosages
The consumption of moringa seeds is new to the Western part of the world. The moringa seeds dosage levels have a rough-cut guideline, and for an accurate dosage, a nutritionist would be able to place the apt usage levels.
It has been observed based on various studies that the ideal dosage would be 150 to 200 mg/kg to be taken orally. Here is a rough estimate based on a person’s weight:
| Weight | Dosage |
| 150 lbs. | 1600-2200 mg |
| 200 lbs. | 2100-2900 mg |
| 250 lbs. | 2700-3600 mg |
The consumption of moringa seeds should be in moderation, and it is advocated to try out small doses to help establish how your body reacts to the dosage levels. Once your body responds well to the small doses, you can increase the consumption to the estimated ideal dose.
The research based on the moringa seeds is still in its preliminary stages, and the side effects may be in an unidentified zone. So, it is only logical to meet your doctor with any occurrence of side effects.
Moringa seed benefits are a powerhouse packed with nutrition and health. It is evident that the moringa pods have encapsulated goodness, which can help prevent an endless list of ailments and augment health. You can enjoy these nutty wonders, even as the research fraternity brings the medicinal values and moringa seeds nutrition to light.
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