Greta's Superfood Of The Week

This week's superfood is Moringa. Moringa is a tree that grows in parts of the Himalayan Mountains, India, and Africa. It is commonly used in powder form and has numerous health benefits!

Some of these benefits include:

• Important vitamins and minerals such as calcium, beta-carotene, potassium, and vitamin C.

• Includes all of the essential amino acids which are important for brain health and hormone balance.

• It is high in antioxidants and promotes anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects due to it containing flavonoids, isothiocyanate, and phenolic acids (compounds and molecules that are found in plants).

• The anti-inflammatory effects of Moringa can help with conditions such as arthritis and digestive issues.

• The antioxidants can help prevent oxidative stress (free radicals in the body lead to oxidative stress which can cause disease).

• Contains chlorogenic acid which can help regulate blood sugar levels

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To include Moringa in your diet add it to:

• Smoothies

• Soups

• Sauces

• Baked goods

For more information: https://draxe.com/nutrition/moringa-benefits/

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References:

Kumar, Naresh, and Nidhi Goel. “Phenolic Acids: Natural Versatile Molecules with Promising Therapeutic Applications.” Biotechnology Reports (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Elsevier, 20 Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6734135/#:~:text=Phenolic%20or%20phenolcarboxylic%20acids%20(a,contain%20them%20in%20highest%20concentrations.

Levy, Jillian. “This 'Miracle Plant' Balances Hormones & Improves Health in Many Ways.” Dr. Axe, Dr. Axe., 21 Feb. 2020, draxe.com/nutrition/moringa-benefits/.

Panche, A N, et al. “Flavonoids: An Overview.” Journal of Nutritional Science, Cambridge University Press, 29 Dec. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5465813/#:~:text=Flavonoids%2C%20a%20group%20of%20natural,the%20ingredients%20so%20called%20flavonoids.

Pizzino, Gabriele, et al. “Oxidative Stress: Harms and Benefits for Human Health.” Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi, 27 July 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551541/.

Wu, Xiang, et al. “Are Isothiocyanates Potential Anti-Cancer Drugs?” Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, Nature Publishing Group, 5 May 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4002831.