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Moringa Is Having a Moment. Is It Worth the Hype?
A Bite-Sized Read for Your Health and Waistline
A Happy Healthy Hub member asked me about moringa after seeing it take over her social media feed. Heard of it? Let’s walk through what moringa is, what we know it offers, and what research shows.
Moringa oleifera is the scientific name for a relatively large tree native to North India, with roots in traditional herbal medicine across Asia and Africa. You may have also seen it called the drumstick tree, horseradish tree, or ben oil tree. While it might feel like a brand-new wellness trend, it has been used for thousands of years. Almost all parts of the tree, including the bark, pods, and leaves, were historically used for their medicinal properties.
Researchers have found over 90 bioactive plant compounds in moringa, most of them antioxidants. Because of this, you’ll hear people talk about moringa for liver, heart, metabolic, and skin health, as well as protection against oxidative stress and inflammation. The antioxidants in moringa include flavonoids, phenolics, carotenoids, and ascorbic acid, all found specifically in the leaves. Some of these compounds, like quercetin and myricetin, may also help support healthy blood pressure levels.
Now for the important caveat: the research is still a bit light, and a lot of it has been done on…
