Moringa Seeds For Promoting Heart Health

Introduction

Moringa oleifera is the most widely known and used species of the genus Moringa. It was native to the Himalayan mountains, however nowadays it’s cultivated almost everywhere in the world thanks to its ability to adapt to and endure extreme weather. The tree produces leaves and dry fruit sacks filled with seeds. Moringa was originally cultivated for its leaves, it has been part of herbal medicine in many Asian countries because of its various health benefits. Both leaves and seeds can be taken orally, however, it’s important not to exceed 3-4 seeds per day as there has been reported toxicity associated with moringa seed consumption, ongoing trials and experiments are trying to address and solve this issue. New studies have emerged showcasing the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of the seeds. The emerging focus on the benefits of moringa seeds stemmed from its potential as a cardioprotective agent. Your overall health reflects your heart health, and the condition of your heart is the deciding factor for the quality of your life. You can enjoy a healthy, long life by prioritizing natural remedies and incorporating protective measures into your diet and lifestyle.¹ 

Nutritional potential of Moringa seeds

Moringa seeds are not only a great source of protein but also contain healthy fats (their lipid content can vary from 13% - 45%) fibers, and vitamins. They are also a great source of minerals and various biological compounds, such as saponins, flavonoids, and trypsin inhibitors.

Lipids

Lipids can make up to 50% of Moringa seeds' composition, they consist mostly of polyunsaturated fatty acids and the ratio of mono-saturated and unsaturated fatty acids is small. The oil obtained from moringa seeds showed great thermal and oxidative stabilities during frying making it a promising alternative to other commercial oils that are more susceptible to oxidation.²

Proteins

Proteins are the second major component in moringa seeds after lipids. They provide the body with the nitrogen that’s essential in the maintenance and renewal of body tissues, and even though the protein content of the seeds can only cover the requirement of some essential amino acids, it was found that processes, such as germination and fermentation can increase the protein content in moringa seeds. Combining the seeds with other protein-rich food is also a great way of getting the required protein intake.

High protein diets have gained a lot of popularity lately for their aid in weight loss which in turn improves cardiovascular health.

Carbohydrates

Moringa seeds have a low content of mono and disaccharides (glucose, fructose, and sucrose) which makes them a great addition to the diet for everyone including people with diabetes.

Vitamins and minerals

Moringa seeds are rich in vitamin B1 (thiamin). Thiamin deficiency was associated with congestive heart failure. They also contain vitamin A, which is not only great for your vision, but it was also discovered that it’s essential for embryonic cardiovascular development. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant and it’s said to be a great inhibitor for heart disease development.³

The minerals ratio in moringa seeds differs according to the place the tree grew in, however, they are rich in calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium which are essential for a healthy heart rhythm, when their levels are within normal, they work together to allow the heart muscle to contract and relax normally. Calcium also helps in controlling blood pressure and maintaining blood vessels.

How do Moringa seeds support heart health?

Moringa seeds have been and still are being extensively studied, but we know that they exhibit anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic effects. As for their effect on cardiovascular health, a recent study has been conducted on mice to investigate the potential effect of moringa seeds on myocardial injury.⁴

In this study, moringa seeds were proven to have cardioprotective effects through several mechanisms as the results showed: 

• Increased survival rates in mice treated with moringa seeds
• Improvement in ejection fraction rate indicates an improved and preserved cardiac function
• Smaller infarct sizes (the areas of the heart muscle that have been damaged due to the onset of an injury) after treatment and controlled cardiac fibrosis in addition to a thicker interior of the left ventricle
• Reduction in the myocardial infarction-induced apoptosis, researchers attributed this to changing the expression of apoptosis-inducing proteins
• The reduction of oxidative stress and nitrosative stress markers in the myocardium, this effect was followed by a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) levels

Even though more research needs to be conducted on the long-term effects of moringa seeds on the human heart, there is enough evidence to consider it a cardioprotective agent, this positive effect can be attributed to the presence of bioactive compounds, such as antioxidants, minerals, and anti-inflammatory agents.

How to incorporate Moringa seeds into your diet to achieve a healthy heart? 

All parts of the Moringa oleifera tree are suitable for direct human consumption and studies have been made on their potential as a preservative due to their ability to prevent oxidation and other reactions, however, there has been reported toxicity when surpassing the daily intake, 

which is between 3-4 seeds per day. There are numerous ways by which you can incorporate moringa seeds in your meals, such as: 

• Removing the outer shell and directly consuming the edible part
• Drying and toasting them then eating them directly or adding them to salads
• Adding them to smoothies
• Grinding them into a powder to make tea, however, moringa leaves are more suited for this

Precautions and considerations to keep in mind

• Toxicity: moringa seeds are generally safe to be consumed as a part of a healthy balanced diet, however, to prevent any adverse reactions, stick to the recommended daily intake and avoid overconsumption⁵
• Allergic reactions: moringa seeds can be allergenic, so if you are a person prone to sensitivity reactions, consult a healthcare professional first⁶
• Pregnancy: there have been conflicting results to the consumption of moringa seeds during pregnancy so it’s better to consult with your doctor before adding them to your diet⁷
• Drug-drug interactions: there is evidence that moringa seeds reduce the pharmacological activity of the cytochrome P450 enzyme family and the diabetic drug sitagliptin. Moringa seeds can exert an anti-hypertensive effect, so if you take hypertension medications it can result in a very low blood pressure

FAQs

How long do moringa seeds take to work?

It takes up to 5 months for moringa seeds to lower both cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Can moringa seeds cause weakness?

No. They are rich in iron which can reduce weakness.

What is the best time to take moringa?

Before meals. As there has been a reported laxative effect, it is better not to take them on an empty stomach.

What are the bad side effects of moringa seeds?

They can cause abdominal pain and digestion problems.

Summary

Moringa oleifera is a tree cultivated nowadays all over the world for the health benefits of its leaves and seeds. It has been the focus of scientists for quite a while. Moringa seeds contain an abundance of bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and saponins in addition to their content of lipids, proteins, minerals, and vitamins. More studies need to be conducted on their effect on the human heart, but there is enough evidence, that all of these components give moringa seeds their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties. There has been reported toxicity with moringa seeds consumption, so stick to the recommended dose and avoid overconsumption. It's better to consult with your healthcare provider before incorporating them into your diet if you are pregnant or currently being medicated with other drugs, especially cytochrome P450 enzyme, thyroid, or anti-hypertensive drugs.