Did you know Moringa can support brain health?
Moringa: nature’s secret to a healthy brain
Moringa oleifera or commonly known as The Drumstick tree is a plant native to India and Nepal. Today, moringa is widely grown in Africa, Latin America and Asia due to its powerful health benefits.
Moringa powder, made from the leaves of the moringa tree, has a long history of medicinal uses. However, it’s not until recently that it has secured the term ‘brain superfood’ as more evidence points to its powerful benefits on brain health.
Based on current research, here are 5 ways moringa can boost your brain health.
Moringa is known for its high iron content, which is essential for an optimal brain function. Your brain relies on healthy blood circulation and oxygen flow to perform its functions, and iron plays an important role in that.
Iron is a component of hemoglobin, the primary protein in your red blood cells. Without adequate iron, your hemoglobin struggles to carry oxygen as well as other essential vitamins and minerals to the brain. This can subsequently impact your overall mental clarity and capacity.
Your brain cells communicate through a number of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are made up of protein, and moringa powder offers a plant protein with all 9 essential amino acids. It’s truly a protein powerhouse!
The high protein content in moringa promotes a healthy production of neurotransmitters, which in turn affects your mood, emotions, sleep and learning abilities.
Moringa can enhance your memory by altering an enzyme activity in the hippocampus, the brain region that’s responsible for learning and memory.
It also has the ability to reduce oxidative stress and neurodegeneration - the breakdown of nerve cells in your brain. This allows you to learn new materials easier, retain information more effectively as well as reserve your brain capacity to do more of that!
Due to its role in memory enhancement, researchers believe that moringa leaves extract may serve as a potential medicinal food against dementia and age-related memory loss.
In fact, recent study in rat models demonstrated that moringa has the ability to combat age-related dementia and potentially Alzheimer’s disease.
Everyday, you are exposed to harmful pollution, environmental toxins, highly processed foods and sun exposure. These factors create free radicals, which consequently cause oxidative stress, cell damage and premature aging.
The humble moringa is extremely high in antioxidants, including flavonoids, polyphenols and ascorbic acid (vitamin C). These powerful plant compounds collectively help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby keeping your brain cells young and active.
Given the research, it’s safe to say that moringa powder is an essential brain food. It’s packed with nutrients that are essential for a healthy brain function. What’s more fascinating, and perhaps revolutionary, is its potential to enhance learning and memory as well as keep your brain young - it’s definitely a win in my books!
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.
Thimpika Sachdej, a qualified & registered nutritionist, founded and currently runs Soulsfood Nutrition (@soulsfood_nutrition). A great solution for translating scientific evidence regarding health & nutrition into daily, achievable steps to practice at the comfort of your own home. Soulsfood mainly focuses on the benefits of whole foods and a plant based diet.
