Hazel & Cacao X Dhow Nature Foods

Talida, founder of the blog Hazel & Cacao, began her blogging journey to raise awareness about how much diet plays a role towards better hormonal health. She started this blog to help inspire others to 'eat their way to health' because we are, quite literally, what we eat. 

In search for an organic and natural iron supplement, Talida came across Dhow Nature Foods Moringa Powder. "Moringa is especially beneficial for women through the various stages we go through in our lifespan eg, menstruaiton, pregnancy and breastfeeding."

So why is Moringa beneficial for women?

Talida experienced the benefits of Moringa first hand;

1. Moringa is high in many women’s specific nutrients. 
   
   Moringa is a highly nutritious plant rich in vitamins A C E and B vitamins. B vitamins are especially important to help energy and stabilise mood, especially when they are consumed with magnesium. Moringa is also high in magnesium and calcium, having about 4 times the calcium of milk. The combination of calcium, magnesium, b vitamins, vitamin c and vitamin e have all been studied for their ability to improve PMS in women. Moringa is so high in nutrients that many have termed it “natures multivitamin”
   
   
2. Moringa is high in iron and vitamin c.
   
   Moringa is a high source of iron naturally combined with vitamin c for better absorption. 1 TBSP of Moringa leaf powder has about 7 times the iron of spinach. Moringa has been studied in a few developing countries as a solution to reversing iron deficiency anemia in young girls with very promising results. Recent studies suggest Moringa may be more beneficial for iron deficiency than conventional iron supplements. Moringa may help facilitate the absorption of iron, increase red blood cell count, and maintain normal blood parameters.  This makes it a wonderful addition to the diet for menstruating women as well we pregnant women who have an increased need for iron.
   
   
3. Moringa can help to lift and stabilise mood
   
   One study has been shown that Moringa can help the body release more serotonin. It does this through positive interactions with the GI tract, but also because it is a good source of the amino acid tryptophan which is a precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is our happiness neurotransmitter and helps combat anxiety and depression.
   
   
4. Moringa can help improve libido
   
   Moringa has been found to increase testosterone levels in men and also to increase blood flow to reproductive organs in both men and women. Although scientists are not sure why this is, a plausible theory is that high nutrient intake can help reduce stress hormones which will in turn positively affect libido.
   
   
5. Moringa can help increase breast milk supply
   
   In a 2003 study, the amount of breastmilk produced by lactating mothers who were given 350mg of Moringa every day showed a significant increase in breast milk in comparison to lactating mothers who were given a placebo. Similarly eating lactation cookies with Moringa was shown to improve the breast milk volume and composition, in particular the protein content.

Dhow's new capsule range consists of Moringa, Neem, Turmeric & Black Pepper and Giloy. However Dhow's Moringa powder is much more versatile and easy to incorporate into anything, from desserts & smoothies to dishes and other drinks. 

A great recipe by Hazel & Cacao; 

Vegan Moringa Peppermint Chocolate Mousse

Check out Hazel & Cacao's full blog here