Introduction

Despite medical and scientific advances, diabetes mellitus, a chronic problem caused by a lack of insulin that results in abnormally high blood sugar levels, has become increasingly prevalent.¹ As such, more and more people have been turning to natural remedies with the hopes of being able to relieve their symptoms. One of these possible remedies which has become especially popular is moringa, a plant that originates from the Moringa oleifera tree, also known as the “drumstick tree” or “miracle tree”.² For centuries, it has traditionally been used in many cultures due to its wide variety of minerals and vitamins, making it an excellent source of nutrients with diverse health benefits.³ 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, more commonly known as diabetes, occurs when your body is unable to produce enough insulin, or doesn’t react appropriately to the insulin it produces.⁴ As insulin is the main hormone responsible for controlling blood sugar levels, diabetes results in abnormally high blood sugar levels. In 2021, there were 537 million adults (10% of adults) living with diabetes worldwide, and this is expected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045.⁵ Additionally, 541 million adults have Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), which significantly increases their risk of Type 2 diabetes. 

There are 2 main types, Type 1 and Type 2, although there are many other, less common types as well.⁴ Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells which produce insulin, resulting in a lack of insulin in the body. Type 2 diabetes, which is far more common and makes up 90% of cases, occurs when the body doesn’t produce sufficient insulin, or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin properly. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes can be put into remission through weight loss, which causes blood sugar levels to fall below the diabetic range. 

Nutritional profile of moringa

Moringa is a particularly excellent source of nutrients and vitamins, which give it numerous health properties that can aid in managing diabetes. 

Antioxidant properties

Antioxidants are components of our body that work to reduce oxidative stress and neutralise toxic free radicals which are produced during stress.⁶ Oxidative stress can negatively affect the body and lead to Type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases. This occurs as it causes the dysregulation of essential cellular functions so that they work incorrectly, leading to cell death and disrupting homeostasis. 

Moringa contains many antioxidant vitamins, such as quercetin, which is effective in improving the level of antioxidant enzymes⁷. An increase in antioxidant enzymes will help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, thus reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes and reducing negative side effects. These antioxidant enzymes reduce inflammatory markers in the body, as well as by inhibiting inflammatory pathways and enzymes involved. An aqueous extract made from the leaves of the moringa plant is of use in protecting normal, as well as diabetic, patients from oxidative damage.⁸ 

Anti-inflammatory properties

Similar to oxidative stress, inflammation has been shown to have a role in the development and pathology of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.⁹ In Type 1 diabetes, inflammation of the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin can lead to the damage and death of these cells, resulting in impaired insulin secretion. This can be further affected by the inflammation of tissues and muscle, which can affect the further progression of the disease. Obesity is a major cause of Type 2 diabetes, with greater obesity increasing the risk. However, obesity has been associated with inflammation, which is predictive of insulin resistance and the incidence of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.¹⁰ 

As such, the anti-inflammatory properties of moringa are essential for managing diabetes by reducing both the risk and the worsening of it. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties can indirectly support weight loss and improve overall health, which is particularly important as obesity has been significantly associated with the increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. There are further long-term benefits, such as a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease and joint pain. Moringa’s anti-inflammatory abilities can also help to protect against tissue damage, which can reduce the negative side effects of Type 1 diabetes and help to preserve organs. In particular, extract made from the roots and seeds of the moringa plant has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.¹¹ 

Regulation of blood sugar

Moringa’s effects on blood glucose levels are particularly significant for the management of diabetes. It is effective in reducing blood glucose levels by decreasing the uptake and production of glucose, as well as improving glucose tolerance.¹² Moringa’s effects on insulin include an improvement in insulin signalling and a reduction of problems associated with insulin resistance, such as Type 2 diabetes. This can help to reduce the risk of diabetes, in particular Type 2 diabetes, which is especially important for those who are pre-diabetic.¹³ In diabetics, this can help to reduce negative side effects and put diabetes into remission. 

Additionally, the lower blood glucose levels which are caused by moringa’s effects on blood glucose levels can contribute to a suppressed appetite, leading to weight loss, which can aid in the management of diabetes and possible remission of Type 2 diabetes.¹² Lower blood glucose levels are a result of your body using up glucose for energy, and lower levels in general can help to prevent sudden blood sugar crashes or spikes which can be especially harmful in diabetics. 

Metabolism boosting properties

The metabolism-boosting properties of moringa, whilst not directly contributing to the management of diabetes, can aid in weight loss. Moringa is a significant source of vitamin B, which enhances metabolic processes and promotes the usage of nutrients for weight loss.¹⁴ As previously mentioned, moringa also has many antioxidant properties, which can boost energy metabolism in cells. 

Lipid profile

Diabetes is the most common cause of lipid metabolism disorders, with the increased levels of cholesterol increasing the risk of arteriosclerosis (where the arteries are blocked).¹⁵ However, moringa can regulate lipid levels in those with diabetes, as well as lower cholesterol levels, which is one of the main negative causes of diabetes.¹ It contains many bioactive components, such as quercetin, which lower levels of lipids by inhibiting hepatic lipogenesis.¹⁷ This helps to reduce lipid absorption in the intestines, whilst increasing the metabolism of lipids, which will lower lipid levels overall. 

Additionally, moringa can lower cholesterol levels. It lowers levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which helps to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerosis in diabetic patients.¹⁶ This may be due to its high fibre content, as well as its antioxidant properties. However, it increases the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is used to transport excess cholesterol to the liver for metabolism. Overall, moringa’s effects on lipid levels will help to prevent diabetes from worsening. 

Considerations

Despite the myriad of health benefits that moringa contains, it is always prudent to be cautious when introducing a new supplement into your diet. This is especially true for moringa, as there is currently no official safe limit for a daily dose, and there are few long-term studies on the effects of moringa on diabetic patients.¹⁹ Currently, it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as the effects of moringa on developing fetuses have not been thoroughly studied. People may benefit from consulting a healthcare professional before starting, especially if they are taking additional medication which may negatively react with moringa. 

Additionally, it is always important to keep in mind that the effects of moringa will vary from person to person. Individuals may have different sensitivity and tolerance to moringa, which will affect their reaction to it. The quality of the moringa that is consumed is another key factor, and it is important to confirm the authenticity and safety of the moringa before starting. 

Summary

Diabetes Mellitus, more commonly known as diabetes, is an increasingly prevalent disease that affects hundreds of millions of adults worldwide. Despite advancing medical technology and treatment, there is no known cure for diabetes and the high prevalence means that it is often difficult to access the treatment necessary. Among those who are turning to natural remedies, moringa has garnered significant interest for its many health-boosting properties which can aid in the management of diabetes. 

Moringa has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, both of which are essential in the management of diabetes due to the negative effects of oxidative stress and inflammation on diabetes. Its influence over blood sugar levels can help Type 2 diabetics to put their diabetes into remission by lowering the levels of blood sugar. Additionally, its metabolism-boosting and appetite-suppressing abilities are essential for weight loss, which although do not affect diabetes directly, can indirectly aid in the management of Type 2 diabetes and lead to an overall improvement in health. Despite its many benefits, it is also important to keep in mind that moringa may negatively react with other medications, so patients should consult a healthcare professional before using it as a treatment for diabetes.