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,
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.
