The Blood Sugar–Balancing Ingredient That Will Take Your Smoothie To A Whole New Level

I'm moringa-crazy because of the dense nutrition. The leaves contain more vitamin C than an orange, more vitamin B3 than peanuts, and more vitamin A than a carrot. This plant contains 25 times more iron than spinach and four times the fiber of oats. Moringa is so beneficial because it's a member of the Brassica family—along with broccoli, kale, and cauliflower—which can produce high dietary levels of sulforaphane, a phytochemical with seemingly endless health benefits. Here are eight reasons to add moringa to your daily routine.

Moringa works like an antioxidant in the body fighting oxidative stress, cellular damage, and inflammation. A study found that leaf extracts had higher antioxidant activity, free radical–scavenging capacity, and higher inhibition of lipid, protein, and DNA oxidation than the flowers and seeds. So keep that in mind when you're choosing a brand.

Inflammation can be measured through a blood test—like the high sensitivity C-reactive protein test—and is elevated in many chronic diseases. Moringa reduces inflammation by suppressing inflammatory enzymes and proteins in the body, and research has shown that moringa leaf concentrate can significantly lower inflammation in cells.

Moringa leaf powder has been effective at reducing lipid and glucose levels and regulating oxidative stress in diabetic patients, which means it lowers blood sugar and cholesterol and improves protection against cellular damage.

Moringa leaf powder also has heart-healthy benefits, particularly in blood lipid control, the prevention of plaque formation in the arteries, and reduced cholesterol levels.

Moringa has been tested as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease with favorable preliminary results. It may also stabilize brain chemicals that play a role in memory, mood, organ function, responses to stimuli such as stress and pleasure, and overall mental health.

Moringa has been reported to reduce liver damage and fibrosis and reverse oxidation in the liver.

Moringa may help control fungi that cause infections on skin and strains of bacteria responsible for blood and urinary-tract infections and digestive problems.

You can add moringa powder to your smoothie or drink it as a tea. It also comes in capsules if you find that easier. You can start with half a teaspoon a day and move up to one or two tablespoons a day. Here's a berry and moringa smoothie recipe I like to make in the mornings to start my day on a healthy note:

Ingredients:

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