Moringa oleifera is one of the most valuable plants known to mankind, since decades. It is a native of the sub-Himalayan region, Asia, Africa and Arabia, and is gaining popularity in several Western countries.
There are 4 edible parts of the moringa plant – its pods, leaves, seeds, and roots. Apart from producing edible parts, this plant also has the potential to solve problems like malnutrition, starvation, rural poverty, public health, deforestation and aesthetics (1). The incredible health benefits of moringa seeds are obtained from the pods of the Moringa plant.
The Moringa tree has been popularly called as “The Miracle Tree” in Asia, Africa and Caribbean Countries for centuries. It is rich in nutrients like vitamin B6, beta carotene, vitamin C, magnesium, and protein.
Owing to its rich nutritional density, this tree is known to cure or treat conditions of the skin, digestion, vision, diabetes, cholesterol, bacterial infections, obesity and promotes overall well-being (2).
Now let’s get to the important part: moringa seeds. Let’s find out what the hype is all about.
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What Are Moringa Seeds And Why Eat Them?
Benefits Of Moringa Seeds
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Before we jump into the why let’s talk about the what. What are moringa seeds?
The moringa tree has slender green pods that hang down from its branches. It is from these pods that moringa seeds are removed. They can be eaten either cooked or roasted.
So why consume these seeds?
They contain a wide variety of nutrients that give these seeds antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These seeds also reduce the risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugars, and improve our immune system.
Moringa seeds also have external uses. The oil extracted from them acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin. It is also applied topically as an astringent, as it helps fight bacterial infections, and treat wounds, cuts, and bites (3).
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Now, here is a little brief on its nutritional status.
Moringa Seeds Nutrition Facts
Let’s learn a little about the moringa seeds nutritional value. Following are the ranges for different macronutrient composition of the 100 grams of the dry weight of the seeds:
Nutrients Ranges
Fat 34.7 to 40.4 grams
Proteins 29.4 to 33.3 grams
Carbohydrates 16.5 to 19.8 grams
Fiber 6.8 to 8.0 grams
Moisture 5.7 to 8.9 grams
That was all about moringa seeds properties? Let us now talk about what is moringa seed good for?
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Health Benefits Of Moringa Seeds
Moringa oleifera seeds health benefits are a lot more than what can be accounted for. But let’s take a look at some of the important ones –
Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
Benefits Of Moringa Seeds
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One of the significant properties of moringa seeds is its ability to reduce blood glucose levels. Hence it acts as an anti-diabetic agent.
A study done in 2012 tested the effects of moringa on diabetic rats. The rats were treated with an extract of moringa for 21 days and at the end of the period, there was a considerable reduction in the blood glucose levels of the rats (4).
This goes to show that moringa seeds have anti-diabetic properties that are quite beneficial to us.
[ Read: Benefits Of Moringa Plant ]
Can Lower Cholesterol
Moringa oleifera is known to have positive effects on our cholesterol and lipid profiles.
A study was done in 2003 on rabbits, who were fed moringa (200mg/kg/day) for 120 days. The results of this study showed the rabbits to have lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in their bodies. These rabbits showed a decrease in the lipid profiles of the liver and the heart. The study promptly concluded that moringa contains cholesterol and lipid lowering properties (5).
Promotes Heart Health
Benefits Of Moringa Seeds
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Moringa seeds exhibit properties that can protect our cardiovascular system. It helps to protect our heart from complications that arise from having hypertension.
This was proved by a study that was conducted in France in 2016 on hypertensive rats. The study tested the cardiac effects of moringa seed powder on hypertensive rats for 8 weeks. The results showed that there was not much change in their blood pressure values, but they showed an improvement in the cardiac diastolic function and had reduced levels of triglycerides in their cardiac system (6).
The data from the study concluded that moringa seeds have a beneficial effect on our cardiac structure and promote overall heart health.
Anti-Inflammatory And Antioxidant Properties
A 2016 study was done on moringa seeds that tested positive for natural products like cannabidiol and moringin. The study proved that moringa seeds possess a great amount of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that play a vital role in the healing processes of many diseases (7).
Another study done in 2011 also tested the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of moringa seeds. The anti-inflammatory test was carried out in rats, by inducing edema, and the antioxidant test was carried out to test the reducing power, chelating effect on Iron ions (Fe2+) and free radical scavenging of moringa seeds (8). Both the tests showed positive results, establishing the fact that moringa seeds exhibit both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Supports Brain Health
Moringa seeds increase our mental focus and improve our brain health.
Our brain needs a constant supply of nutrition to work at its optimum level. Some of the best foods to eat for a healthy brain are amino acids, omega-3s, antioxidants and vitamin E (9). Moringa seeds are a rich source of all these nutrients, thus promoting a healthy brain health.
Promotes Liver Health
Moringa seeds have amazing properties to reduce liver damage and promote overall liver health.
A study done in 2010 tested the effectiveness of moringa seed extract on liver fibrosis in rats. Liver fibrosis was induced in the rats twice a week for 8 weeks. At the same time, moringa seed extract was also given to them daily. At the end of 8 weeks, the study showed that the seeds of moringa heal liver injury and act against the induced liver fibrosis in rats (10).
Acts As A Sleep Aid
Benefits Of Moringa Seeds
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One of the many benefits of moringa seeds is its ability to cure insomnia (11). The oil extracted from moringa seeds is a rich source of many vitamins and minerals and contains essential amino acids that stimulate sleep inducing hormones. This oil produces a calming effect and helps you sleep longer and better.
[ Read: Benefits Of Moringa Oil ]
Improves Eyesight
Moringa Seeds are also known to improve eyesight or help treat poor vision.
There is not much research relevant to this topic, but there have been countless testimonials given by people who have used moringa seeds for their vision. They claim to experience an improvement in their eyesight, even after spending a considerable number of hours in front of their computers.
Boosts Immune System:
There are several nutrients that individually help to protect our body against diseases and infections.
Moringa seeds are power packed with all these nutrients, like protein, vitamin A, C, E, zinc and a significant number of antioxidants. Various studies done on moringa seeds prove that all these nutrients put together make moringa seeds an excellent defence mechanism for the body (12, 13).
Treats Anemia
Moringa seeds are rich in iron, a nutrient responsible for maintaining a healthy RBC count in our blood. A deficiency of iron leads to anemia. A person who is deficient in iron may not only be anemic, but also present other symptoms like constant fatigue, weakness, headaches, shortness of breath and poor cognitive skills (14).
A study done in 2016 reviewed the nutritional values of moringa and recorded that moringa oleifera is a rich source of iron and consuming them helps overcome iron deficiency and treat anemia (15).
Heals Ulcers
Moringa seeds have brilliant anti-ulcer properties. Traditionally, it has been widely consumed in India and Pakistan to treat gastric ulcers (16).
A recent study was done on rats, on whom gastric ulcers were induced, and moringa leaf extract was administered regularly. The study showed that regular moringa extract helped reduce the ulcers and acid pepsin secretion was decreased (17).
Above were the benefits for our general health, but moringa seeds are also used in the cosmetic industry as they provide multiple benefits for our skin too.