Top benefits of Moringa for women

Men and women both have their own unique health needs. While the most common concerns for men are prostate health, heart health, and testosterone levels, the female body faces a wide range of challenges including menstrual cycle irregularities, osteoporosis, or infertility. Fortunately, there is one plant that can help with all of these issues: Moringa.

You have probably heard about this nutrient-dense herb that contains:

• Two times the amount of protein of yogurt
• Four times the amount of vitamin A as carrots
• Three times the amount of potassium as bananas
• Four times the amount of calcium as cow’s’ milk
• seven times the amount of vitamin C as oranges

While we've written about the benefits of Moringa in general and for men before, we thought today we'd focus on some of the benefits specific to women. Gender might be a social construct, but biological sex has an impact on health, due to variances in hormones, bodily structure, and predisposition to genetic ailments. So what can Moringa do for women? Read along to learn more about the amazing benefits Moringa has for women.

Weight management

Women who engage in “binge eating” or stuffing themselves are often deficient in magnesium, B vitamins, chromium and zinc, studies have shown. Moringa contains B1, B2, B3, B4, B6, B7, B12, and B14. B12, as you may know, is crucial for the nervous system.

Individuals and particularly women taking Moringa leaf extract and leaf powder consistently often report weight loss. This beneficial effect could be due to many factors of the natural detoxing effect Moringa has, which will eliminate excess water weight, plaque and fat. Moringa acts on helping reduce inflammation and has a diuretic effect that helps reduce water retention. Furthermore, high fiber content in Moringa reduces fat absorption in the gut. It is also found that the reduction in insulin resistance may prevent excess fat accumulation around the body. Last, Glutamic acid, an amino acid in Moringa’s protein, helps in curbing sugar cravings.

beauty: hair, skin and nails

Moringa is rich in Vitamin A and will contribute to hair growth as a result. Zinc, which is abundant in Moringa, will stimulate hair growth through boosting immune function. Hair loss can also take place when the diet is deficient in the proper amount of B vitamins, in particular vitamin B6, folic acid and inositol. For hair growth, Moringa also contains numerous B-rich vitamins such as B1, B2, B3, B4, B6, B7, B12, B14, and some of B17. Vitamin E, which is an antioxidant, is another powerful nutrient in Moringa, and is crucial to hair growth. Vitamin E also helps deliver hair growth because it increases blood circulation to the scalp. Zeatin, another potent antioxidant found in Moringa, delays aging by its influence on cell division and antioxidant properties. 

Last we have natural sulfur, which Moringa contains, is another key mineral that helps grow the hair. Organic sulfur, which is different from inorganic sulfur, is a key mineral in the foods we eat such as fruit and vegetables. Sulfur holds the nickname “beauty mineral” for a reason. This is because organic sulfur helps grow the hair and nails, beautifies the skin and slows down the overall aging process. Other minerals that Moringa contains such as manganese, calcium and copper can promote hair strand formation, hair repair and hair growth. 

Balance Hormones and Slows the Effects of Aging

A 2014 study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology tested the effects of Moringa (sometimes also called “drumstick”) along with amaranth leaves (Amaranthus tricolor) on levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in menopausal adult women. Researchers wanted to investigate if these superfoods could help slow the effects of aging by balancing hormones naturally.

Levels of antioxidant status, including serum retinol, serum ascorbic acid, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde, were analyzed before and after supplementation, along with fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin levels.

Results has showed that supplementing with Moringa and amaranth caused significant increases in antioxidant status along with significant decreases in markers of oxidative stress. Better fasting blood glucose control and positive increases in hemoglobin were also found.

Moringa is great for increasing breast milk

Multiple studies have shown that Moringa can increase the amount of breast milk produced by new moms.  In one study, new moms who were given 350 mg of Moringa per day produced significantly more breast milk than those given a placebo. Moringa not only increases the amount of breast milk produced by new mothers, but it also enriches the nutritional quality of breast milk. Moringa is also high in vitamin A, a nutrient of significant importance to newborn babies.

PCOS

Insulin resistance is a frequent metabolic disorder in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Moringa has been shown to  decrease the degree of insulin in diabetes mellitus, therefore it is expected that Moringa could decrease insulin levels and increase folliculogenesis in PCOS. 

Inflammation

An inflammatory reaction to injuries is an integral part of the natural healing mechanism of the body, however, chronic inflammation, usually comes damage inflicted by free radicals, can have a damaging effect on our metabolic system. Heart disease and metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and diabetes are thought to be the result of chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders. Moringa contains some impressive anti-inflammatory properties and could possibly help heal acute inflammatory conditions like bronchitis, diabetes, mucus, and rheumatoid arthritis to name a few.

Menopause/Menstruation

Menopause is a crucial stage in every woman’s life. Though it is a painful stage, they can overcome the symptoms of menopause with the help of proper nutrients. A well-balanced nutritional supplement is essential during the menopause, as it enables the body to adjust to the hormonal changes, naturally maintaining Estrogen from the adrenal glands and fat deposits.

During Menopause, the body needs extra Iron and Calcium to make up for the blood lost. As a result of irregular blood flow and hormonal changes, women feel tired and stressful at times.

During a regular menstrual cycle, blood loss can be looked upon as simply dead liquid flesh flowing out of the vagina during the times of between menses and ovulation also known as the follicular phase. Crucial mineral nutrients in the blood are lost during these cycles such as iron, calcium. 

Moringa leaf powder, with 2 times more calcium than milk and 4 times more Vitamin A than Carrots, helps to ward off the symptoms of menopause and menstrual cycles. The high Vitamin C content of Moringa and Bioflavonoids such as Quercetin, present in Moringa Leaf, is understood to reduce hot flushes. In addition, the potent iron content (25 times more than spinach) helps reduce and revitalize blood loss in addition to creating regular period flows

Cramps & PMS

Over 60% of women suffer from menstrual cramps and PMS. Understand that cramps are different from PMS however, women suffer from both. Moringa has a high level of vitamin E. PMS symptoms such as grogginess and bloating are alleviated, at least in part, with vitamin E.

Also, Moringa can help with the symptoms of feeling weak and tired because it contains 3 times the potassium in bananas. In the case of mood swings, the powerful B12 elements in Moringa will calm the nervous system and bring a peace of mind along with all the other vital nutrients it provides. Moringa will also strengthen the body and immune system when taken during menses resulting in reduced pain and cramps.