Moringa Oleifera is known as ‘the miracle tree’ for a reason. Boasting more than 92 different nutrients, Moringa’s leaves are a powerhouse of vitamins, phytonutrients and essential amino acids.
This gives the superfood a whole host of incredible health benefits, including boosting energy levels, clearer skin, improved digestion and better sleep. And according to a number of studies, lower blood pressure. Here we explore how the miracle tree might be a miracle when it comes to managing your blood pressure.
Why Is It So Important to Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure?
We all know we should keep an eye on our blood pressure. But not everybody knows why these readings are important – and what we should do to change them for the better.
Blood pressure is the force your blood exerts on the walls of your arteries. The force your heart applies to move blood into your arteries is known as systolic pressure; the drop in pressure between beats is called diastolic pressure. The smaller your arteries, the harder your heart must work to pump blood around the body.
All of this adds extra pressure onto this important muscle, potentially leading to some serious problems further down the line.
High Blood Pressure
Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to serious long-term health conditions, such as coronary heart disease and kidney disease. Unhealthy lifestyle habits like drinking, smoking, being overweight and not exercising enough can all cause blood pressure levels to rise – especially if you are over the age of 40.
Low Blood Pressure
While less common, low blood pressure still poses problems for many people. Often caused by underlying conditions or as a side effect from medication, low blood pressure can cause dizziness and fainting.
What is Moringa?
Moringa Oleifera is prized in Ayurvedic medicine for its many therapeutic properties.
When you examine the nutritional content of Moringa, it’s not difficult to see the reason for its incredible reputation. Moringa leaves are packed full of nutrients and vitamins, including phytonutrients, iron, calcium and an amazing eight essential amino acids.
Just one cup of fresh Moringa contains:
- Protein: 2 grams.
- Riboflavin (B2): 11 per cent of the RDA
- Vitamin C: 12 per cent of the RDA
- Vitamin A (from beta-carotene): 9 per cent of the RDA
- Iron: 11 per cent of the RDA
- Magnesium: 8 per cent of the RDA
- Vitamin B6: 19 per cent of the RDA
Thanks to its impressive nutritional credentials, Moringa can be beneficial at preventing and treating a wide variety of health problems, including one of the most common and potentially dangerous of them all: high blood pressure.
Moringa and Blood Pressure
Moringa has long been used as a natural ingredient to help manage blood pressure, but it wasn’t until 2006 that a scientific study indicated that this superfood really does work. A research study published in Phytotherapy Research found that Moringa leaf extract has a significant effect in reducing blood pressure levels in test subjects.
So how exactly does this superfood work? Research suggests that Moringa’s ability to help lower blood pressure comes from the many powerful antioxidants and nutrients it contains.
One particularly beneficial vitamin is Quercetin – a heart- healthy flavanol that has been shown to help lower blood pressure. A 2017 study showed that the antioxidant has hypertensive actions, meaning it can work on a multi-faceted level to lower high blood pressure.
Moringa also contains plenty of Vitamin C, which, in observational studies, has been connected with lower blood pressure, as well as Vitamin E and Potassium – nutrients that are all great for you heart health.
Get Your Moringa Powder Today
Lowering and maintaining blood pressure at healthy levels requires a great diet, plenty of exercise and also a few superfoods rich in heart-healthy vitamins. Nutrient-dense superfoods like Moringa can help manage your blood pressure, ensuring you stay fit and healthy for many years to come. Simply add Moringa powder to your juices, teas and even cooking for a quick nutritional boost.
Read more about how Moringa can help supercharge your health, or find out how to incorporate Moringa into your diet right here.
