Moringa Oleifera Nutritional Breakdown for Leaves and Seeds

One of the things you hear most touted about Moringa is its great nutritional value. You will often hear statements like this much more vitamin C than oranges and this many times more calcium than milk and the majority of the time the numbers quoted are fairly close. This is just the tip of the iceberg, though.

Why Not Tell It All?

I’m sure these numbers are quoted with the best of intentions in mind, but I can’t help but wonder why they stop there. Malunggay has so much more to offer that I am amazed that we only see the same high points, like the fact that Moringa leaves  are completely fat free, quoted time and again.

As an example Bodybuilders are always in search of better sources of Amino Acids. That is one of the most popular supplements, used by them and a major component of virtually all protein powders. Why does no one preach the benefits that Moringa can bring them by supplying a full regiment of all natural Amino Acids?

Seeds, Pods, Roots and Bark

The other question I ask myself is, why, when the entire tree has value do we only see information about the leaves?

I can tell you from personal experience that the Moringa Seed is delicious. We regularly pan roasts them with garlic as a healthy snack to have around the house. They have a slightly nutty flavor and are a much healthier than the traditional peanuts with a cold beer at the end of a hard day.

The root of the Moringa Tree is a close, but more nourishing substitute for horseradish and the very reason that most Brits call it the “Horseradish Tree” and the bark has been used as an herbal medicine for thousands of years and makes a very nice tea in its own right.

Well, let it never be said that we didn’t supply you with as complete information as was possible. Below you will find a nutritional breakdown of Moringa Leaves and Seeds. The information on the barks and roots will have to follow in another article because, to be honest, putting these charts together wore out my typing fingers and gave me a slight headache. So just remember you owe me one and share this post.  :)

Moringa Leaves Nutrition

Carbohydrate Factor: 3.57   Fat Factor: 8.37   Protein Factor: 2.44   Nitrogen to Protein Conversion Factor: 6.25 

Nutrient                                 Unit     Value per 100 g chopped

Proximates

·         Water                                      g          78.66 

·         Energy                                     kcal      64       

·         Energy                                     kJ         268     

·         Protein                                    g          9.40    

·         Total lipid (fat)                        g          1.40

·         Ash                                          g          2.26    

·         Carbohydrate, by difference g          8.28    

·         Fiber, total dietary                  g          2.0      

Minerals

·         Calcium, Ca                             mg       185     

·         Iron, Fe                                    mg       4.00    

·         Magnesium, Mg                     mg       42       

·         Phosphorus, P             mg       112     

·         Potassium, K                            mg       337       

·         Sodium, Na                              mg       9         

·         Zinc, Zn                                   mg       0.60    

·         Copper, Cu                              mg       0.105  

·         Manganese, Mn                      mg       1.063  

·         Selenium, Se                           µg        0.9      

Vitamins

·         Vitamin C                                mg       51.7    

·         Thiamin                                   mg       0.257  

·         Riboflavin                                mg       0.660  

·         Niacin                                     mg       2.220  

·         Pantothenic acid                     mg       0.125  

·         Vitamin B-6                             mg       1.200  

·         Folate, total                             µg        40       

·         Folic acid                                 µg        0         

·         Folate, food                             µg        40       

·         Folate, DFE                              µg        40       

·         Vitamin B-12                           µg        0.00    

·         Vitamin A, RAE                        µg        378

·         Retinol                                     µg        0         

·         Vitamin A, IU                           IU         7564   

·         Vitamin D (D2 + D3)               µg        0.0

·         Vitamin D                                IU         0         

Lipids

Nutrient                                         Unit     Value per 100 g

·         Fatty acids, total trans            g          0.000  

·         Cholesterol                              mg       0         

Amino Acids

Nutrient                 Unit     Value per 100 g         

·         Tryptophan      g          0.144              

·         Threonine        g          0.411              

·         Isoleucine        g          0.451              

·         Leucine            g          0.791              

·         Lysine             g          0.537              

·         Methionine     g          0.123              

·         Cystine            g          0.140              

·         Phenylalanine             g          0.487              

·         Tyrosine          g          0.347              

·         Valine             g          0.611              

·         Arginine          g          0.532              

·         Histidine          g          0.196              

·         Alanine            g          0.705              

·         Aspartic acid   g          0.920              

·         Glutamic acid g          1.035              

·         Glycine            g          0.517              

·         Proline             g          0.451              

·         Serine             g          0.414              

Flavonoids

Nutrient                     Unit     Value per 100 g

·         Isorhamnetin 1            mg       0.4      

·         Kaempferol 1             mg       6.0      

·         Myricetin 1                 mg       0.0      

·         Quercetin 1                 mg       16.6    

Moringa Seed Pods Nutrition

Proximates          

Nutrient                                       Unit     Value per 100 g         

·         Water                                     g          88.20  

·         Energy                                     kcal      37       

·         Protein                                    g          2.10    

·         Total lipid (fat)                        g          0.20    

·         Carbohydrate, by difference g          8.53    

·         Fiber, total dietary                  g          3.2      

Minerals

·         Calcium, Ca                             mg       30       

·         Iron, Fe                                    mg       0.36    

·         Magnesium, Mg                     mg       45       

·         Phosphorus, P             mg       50       

·         Potassium, K                            mg       461     

·         Sodium, Na                              mg       42       

·         Zinc, Zn                                   mg       0.45    

Vitamins

·         Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid            mg       141.0  

·         Thiamin                                   mg       0.053  

·         Riboflavin                                mg       0.074  

·         Niacin                                     mg       0.620  

·         Vitamin B-6                             mg       0.120  

·         Folate, DFE                              µg        44       

·         Vitamin B-12                           µg        0.00    

·         Vitamin A, RAE                        µg        4         

·         Vitamin A, IU                           IU         74       

·         Vitamin D (D2 + D3)               µg        0.0      

·         Vitamin D                                IU         0         

Lipids

Nutrient                                                   Unit     Value per 100 g

·         Fatty acids, total saturated                 g          0.033  

·         Fatty acids, total monounsaturated    g          0.102  

·         Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated      g          0.003  

·         Fatty acids, total trans                        g          0.000  

·         Cholesterol                                          mg       0         

All information collected from the National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference sources,

The National Agricultural Library, USDA.

If you are interested in growing your own Moringa Oleifera trees or have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below or contact me directly with the form a the top of the page.

Moringa Oleifera Health Benefits

It seems that every day we are hearing about some new super food that we need to be eating. Some

Malunggay Leaves in Market

lay claim to this title because they can help you lose weight, some because they are very nutritious, some because they contain a high concentration of antioxidants and still others because they have been found to have multiple medicinal benefits.

To be honest, I’m not sure exactly what is supposed to make a super food super, since it seems even the experts can’t agree. What I can tell you, though, is that regardless of which criteria you chose to use, there is one plant that will remain at the top of the list; the Moringa Oleifera.

In this and subsequent articles, I will endeavor to explain why Malunggay is the one plant that you should have in your diet every day.

For lack of a better place to start, I will present you with proof that I actually found to be rather shocking. Thanks to the influences of big pharmacy and a natural proclivity to lean towards man-made (read patentable and taxable) and away from natural and holistic medicine. It cannot be said that anything associated with the U.S. government is overly enthusiastic about natural remedies.

That is why I was shocked to discover a rather sterling endorsement in the United States National Institute of Health Medical Library. Here is a short excerpt, the bullet pointing is mine to aid in ease of reading, but this is a direct quote.

“M. oleifera is very important for its medicinal value. Various parts of this plant such as the leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and immature pods act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants,

possess

• ·         antitumor
• ·         antipyretic
• ·         antiepileptic
• ·         antiinflammatory
• ·         antiulcer
• ·         antispasmodic
• ·         diuretic
• ·         antihypertensive
• ·         cholesterol lowering
• ·         antioxidant
• ·         antidiabetic
• ·         hepatoprotective
• ·         antibacterial and
• ·         antifungal

activities.”

That is a long list ailments and that can be treated with and health benefits that can be gained from a single plant, especially considering the source of the information.

In our next article, we will look at the various names Moringa is known as and how it stacks up in the antioxidant count, against some of the big boys like Green Tea. Again, I think you will be surprised by how antioxidant rich Moringa Tea is.

If you are interested in growing your own Moringa trees or would like sources for teas just send me a message through the contact form at the top of the page or comment below. I’m always glad to help.