Cardiovascular disease is a major health issue worldwide and predicted by 2020 to be the most common threat to human life (Aronow 2006), the ultimate cause of death being myocardial infarction (heart attack). It is thus important to take precautions to protect the heart through a healthy diet and lifestyle. With recent interest in exploring the cardioprotective potential of natural products, numerous studies have been conducted that determine overall effectiveness of Moringa oleifera in maintaining a healthy heart through its provision of antioxidants that can protect the heart and lower blood pressure.
The antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties of moringa give way to its cardioprotective capabilities. Previous studies that simulate human heart disease in rat models have found that the damages to the heart that ultimately lead to a heart attack involve the formation of oxygen-free radicals. Free radicals weaken the protective membranes in the body and thus can weaken the heart to the point of a myocardial infarction. However, in rats pretreated with Moringa oleifera leaf extract, the presence of free radicals was significantly reduced, proving the anti-oxidative and protective property of moringa (Panda et al. 2012).
Several studies like this have been conducted with rodents to determine the effect of moringa on heart health. When administered to lab rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day for one month, moringa was shown to significantly protect the heart, improve its function, and prevent the accumulation of lipid peroxides that cause cell damage. Thus, further clinical studies are warranted to support the therapeutic use of moringa in ischemic heart disease in humans (Nandave et al. 2009).
Maintaining a healthy heart requires a protective diet. These studies have proven moringa can contribute to the protection of the heart and is an excellent way to integrate high-quality nutrition and valuable antioxidants into a heart-healthy diet.
- Normal heart
- Normal heart that has suffered a heart attack
- Heart treated with moringa
- Heart treated with moringa that has suffered a heart attack
More research on moringa and its cardiovascular capabilities can be found here:
- Cardioprotective potential of moringa
- Moringa oleifera leaf extract prevents isoproteerenolinduced myocardial damage in rats
- Pharmacological studies on hypotensive and spasmolytic activities of pure compounds from Moringa oleifera
- In vivo and in vitro hypotensive effect of aqueous extract of Moringa stenopetala
- Adoption of Moringa oleifera to combat under-nutrition viewed through the lens of the “Diffusion of Innovations” theory
**This article is based on various recent studies. However, we do not claim that moringa is a heart medicine. It’s just a great green to incorporate in your diet to maintain a healthier lifestyle.**
