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.

Antioxidant Content of Moringa Oleifera and Its Common Names

If you read our earlier article on Malunggay you may have noticed that I use several different names to refer to the same plant. To be honest that is for two reasons. One, M. Oleifera is now found over much of the world and has many common names, which I use interchangeably to help people recognize the plant and two, it makes the search engines happy to see the different names used.

Not being mercenary, but I have to play the game a little or no one will ever see what I write, sorry.

So, in the interest of making Google smile and trying to avoid any future confusion over the name here is as complete a list, of the common names of Moringa Oleifera, as I have been able to compile. I’m afraid these are just the English versions of the various names used as any attempt to cover all of its names in all languages would require a book. If you have any to add, please leave a comment at the bottom to help us all expand our knowledge.

Common Names for Moringa Oleifera

• ·         Ben Oil Tree
• ·         Benzoyl Tree
• ·         Coatli
• ·         Drumstick Tree
• ·         Horseradish Tree
• ·         Indian Mulberry
• ·         Malunggay
• ·         Maranga
• ·         Miracle Tree
• ·         Moringa
• ·         Moringo
• And probably a hundred more.

Antioxidant Content of Moringa Oleifera

Brunswick Laboratories, recently performed an independent study, (in-vitro) to test the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (or ORAC value score) of Moringa.

For those unfamiliar with the terms, the ORAC value is the clinically accepted measurement of antioxidants in foods and supplements and Antioxidants are compounds which actively destroy free-radicals in your system.

This helps prevent cellular damage that is believed, by Medical Experts, to be the main contributor to:

·         Aging  

·         Cancer

·         Cardio Pulmonary Diseases

·         Cataracts

·         Rheumatoid Arthritis

·         Strokes

·         Vision degradation

·         Alzheimer’s

·         Depression

·         Hypertension

·         And a variety of other diseases

With an astounding score of 157,000 umole TE/100g (hydrophilic and lipophilic), Moringa made all the other supposedly antioxidant Superfoods look like toddlers playing in the NBA.

Here are is a look at how its closest competitors matched up.

·         Matcha Tea- 134,000,

·         Turmeric- 127,000

·         Acai- 102,700

·         Green Tea- 1, 240

Not much of a contest when you look at the numbers.

Question, comments, 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 leave a comment below.