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Quick-fix weight-loss powders and shakes are seldom good for you, nor are they effective for long-term weight loss and health goals. Some fad-diets can be loaded with chemicals and are actually dangerous for your health. But the newest weight loss trend that is sweeping the fitness world is all natural and it doesn’t make lofty promises that it can’t keep.
All About Moringa
The Moringa plant is a powerful superfood that’s gaining a loyal following for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers and the many health benefits that have been linked to it.
Can Moringa provide weight loss benefits that are healthy and long-lasting? Sure. Is weight loss its only purpose and will it cause you to gain weight after you stop taking it? No. That’s why it’s the perfect natural supplement to add to your diet. Here’s everything you need to know about Moringa.
What Exactly Is Moringa?
Moringa is a tree that is native to India and is cultivated throughout the tropics. It can be found in sub-tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The great thing about using moringa is that it is highly sustainable. Moringa trees can grow easily from seeds or cuttings and in soil that isn’t the highest quality. It takes just eight months for a tree to begin growing from its seed.
People use both the seeds and leaves of the moringa plant. The leaves can be boiled to make tea or ground into a green powder that can be added to any food or beverages, such as smoothies. You can even cook moringa leaves and eat them to get the most of their vitamins and minerals.
[Photos: Shutterstock]
How Can Moringa Help You Lose Weight?
Here’s the good news about taking Moringa: it won’t cause you to lose water weight or trick you into thinking you’re losing weight, only to find it comes right back the second you quit the supplement. Here’s the not-so-good news (if you’re not a patient person): it won’t cause dramatic weight loss results instantly.
This is what Moringa can do: it fills you up with insoluble fiber that prevents constipation and promotes a healthy digestive system. This high fiber content also slows food absorption, keeps your blood sugar regulated, and makes you feel fuller for longer periods of time. Aside from being a plant that is super-low in calories and high in nutrients like vitamins A, C and manganese, Moringa contains an antioxidant called chlorogenic acid. This antioxidant balances your blood sugar and acts as a fat burner, according to Live Strong.
Now, here’s the catch, Moringa has only been tested on lab mice. The mice that were given this antioxidant lost more weight than mice that didn’t get it. The assumption is that the same can hold true for humans, but there are no studies yet to back this belief.
What Are Some Of Moringa’s Other Health Benefits?
Speeding up weight loss isn’t the only benefit of taking Moringa. This dynamic supplement fights inflammation in the body and can help prevent diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. Taking Moringa is linked to a decrease of plaque formation in the arteries and preliminary results of certain tests have even shown it may be able to treat Alzheimer’s Disease. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
The leaves and flowers of Moringa contain a high concentration of polyphenols which protect the liver against oxidation and damage. Also, if you have a wound or cut, Moringa can reduce clotting time and help heal skin damage.
How Can You Use Moringa?
Now that you know about the many benefits of Moringa, your next next question may be: how can I use this plant in my daily diet? Luckily, there are a few options available. Moringa oral supplements can be taken daily, or you can add one-half or one full teaspoon of Moringa powder to a smoothie or juice. You can also boil Moringa leaves and make a tea. But beware of moringa seeds, they've been shown to have a level of toxicity in human cells.
Kiva Organic Moringa Leaf Powder ($18.99)
You won’t have to search far and wide to find a quality moringa powder like this organic Moringa powder. It's made from whole leaves and contains more than 20 types of amino acids, vitamins, and trace minerals. This vegan powder comes in a 16-ounce resealable bag and is perfect for adding to smoothies.
For more information on weight loss supplements, check out:
--5 Supplements You Should Take To Lose Weight Fast
--4 Supplements Doctors Swear By To Speed Up Your Metabolism
