It’s being labelled as a “superfood” since it’s rich with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Moringa is a tropical tree native to South Asia. A new assessment of studies looked into whether this plant can help lower blood pressure – and the results are promising, but not yet definitive evidence.
Does Moringa Lower Blood Pressure?
The review concluded that moringa may help to decrease blood pressure and enhance heart health. Scientists believe that chemicals in the plant might help blood vessels work better, cut down on swelling throughout the body and battle damaging molecules called free radicals.
But there’s a catch. Much of the proof thus far comes from animal and lab tests, not investigations on human people. More human research is needed before anyone can be confident moringa works, said Natalie Allen, a nutrition expert at Missouri State University.
She also pointed out a flaw with the current studies, which used different types of moringa, different extraction processes, and varied dosages. It’s hard to say how much moringa a person would require to notice improvements.
Dietetics specialist Emma Laing of the University of Georgia agreed. She added the evaluation doesn’t even give a precise estimate for how much moringa lowers blood pressure, as results vary so much from research to study. “Moringa is nutrient-dense and has potential, but the scientific evidence has not yet caught up with the claims,” Laing said. “Existing research suggests that moringa could have cardiovascular benefits in some people, but we don’t have enough evidence yet to recommend it as a replacement for established standards of care to lower blood pressure,” said Dr. Ruschitzka.
Are there side effects of moringa?
The evaluation didn’t look into side effects, although prior research indicates that moringa might sometimes induce nausea or diarrhoea. It can potentially interact with other vitamins or medications.
Laing recommends that anyone considering of trying moringa talk to their doctor first, especially if they’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or already taking blood pressure medicine or supplements.
Better Ways to Control Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is sometimes nicknamed the “silent killer” because it normally has no symptoms, yet it can silently harm the heart and blood vessels over time. So it’s no wonder that people are looking for natural therapies like moringa.
But Allen argues there’s no substitute for the essentials. The best techniques to regulate blood pressure remain:
– Consuming a heart-healthy diet (such as the DASH diet)- Keep moving
– Stress management
– Using prescribed medicines as instructed
“Moringa may be promising, but right now the evidence isn’t strong enough to consider it a proven blood pressure treatment,” Allen said. “What I’d tell my patients is this: Moringa is promising, but promising doesn’t mean proven. The strongest tools for managing blood pressure are still a healthy lifestyle and evidence-based medical care.”