If you’re looking for a powerful superfood to give your green smoothies an extra boost, put moringa on your shopping list. This herb has a variety of nutritional benefits, and it’s especially well known for its ability to soothe inflammation.
What exactly is moringa and where does it come from? Moringa is the powdered version of the moringa plant's leaves. This tree grows in Africa, South America, and India, but people around the world are finding out about its healing properties. You can buy powdered moringa in health food stores everywhere. It’s become a common ingredient in juices and smoothies.
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Moringa is packed with nutrients, and adding just a few teaspoons to your meals can make a huge difference. It’s full of antioxidants, which help our bodies fight off free radicals that can cause disease. It can also help lower blood sugar levels by stabilizing your blood sugar. Eating a little extra moringa might stop you from facing that mid-morning energy crash.
Overall, all of the nutrients and antioxidants in moringa help to reduce inflammation in the body. But, why is this so important and why is everyone in the wellness world talking about the dangers of inflammation? Inflammation is the immune system’s natural response to infection and stress. In the short term, it’s a healing mechanism—for example, a cut will look slightly inflamed and then form a scab in order to heal—but if it continues long term, it can lead to chronic diseases. That’s why it’s so important to consume anti-inflammatory foods on a daily basis. Fruits, vegetables, and many herbs and spices all help to reduce inflammation. When it comes to anti-inflammatory herbs, moringa is at the top of the list.
How much moringa should you eat to see benefits and how can you work it into your diet? Nutrition experts recommend eating about two to ten teaspoons per day. There are plenty of ways to add it to your meals. You can put a couple teaspoons into a smoothie, add it to a glass of water or steep it to make tea, mix it into homemade guacamole, or even add it to baked goods! Remember, as a general rule, extra greens are always good for your health.
Are you thinking of adding a little moringa to your morning smoothie to taste the benefits? Let us know in the comments!
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