Can Moringa Help You Lose Weight?

Claims and suggestions that Moringa tea promotes weight loss come mostly from its users who have been sharing testimonies of how the beverage worked for them. It should be noted that there are no existing studies that would confirm such claims. However, two studies seem to indicate that Moringa tea may indeed have properties that can help you shed unwanted pounds. This is much like our other recommended weight loss teas such as dandelion weight loss tea, Iaso tea, and smooth move tea. 

Moringa tea weight loss drinks, whether those that are sold commercially or are brewed at home, may have a different way of helping you lose weight. Other diet teas usually rely on their diuretic and laxative properties, which can make an individual experience some weight loss. Moringa tea, on the other hand, maybe a better alternative weight loss beverage, as shown in the following studies.

Moringa Study 1

One study published in 2016 in The Frontiers in Pharmacology suggests that Moringa can decrease the body’s efficiency in storing fat and can speed up the breakdown of its fat stores. The study, which was conducted on obese mice, showed that the natural ability of the mice to accumulate fat decreased significantly when they were fed Moringa ether petroleum extract.

In the duration of this experiment, the rats lost a significant amount of weight even though they remained on a high-fat diet. What makes this study even more interesting is that the addition of Moringa extract in the diet of the mice also lowered their overall cholesterol, reduced their LDL (bad cholesterol) and increased their HDL (good cholesterol). Whether the same results will translate to humans, however, remains to be seen. Obviously, more studies in this area are needed to confirm and verify the early results.

Moringa Study 2

As of this writing, no human studies have looked into the ability of Moringa to affect weight loss. However, some human studies have been conducted to determine the effects of supplementing with a combination of ingredients that include Moringa. One such study was conducted in 2012, and it observed the impact of Moringa, along with turmeric and curry on obese people.

The study was conducted in one eight week period involving 41 obese subjects who were given the same diet and fitness regime. One group regularly took 900 milligrams of a supplement that contains Moringa, curry, and turmeric, while the other group was given a placebo.

At the end of the experiment, the group that supplemented with Moringa lost an average of 10. 6 pounds compared to only 4 pounds among those who took a placebo. A more extensive study involving 130 overweight subjects sought to replicate the results of the earlier study. By the end of the larger experiment, the Moringa group lost nearly 12 pounds on average over eight weeks, while the placebo group only lost an average of 2 pounds. The groups that took a Moringa, turmeric and curry supplement were also observed to have lower bad cholesterol and higher good cholesterol levels.

While the results in the human studies looked very promising, the experiment was not able to clarify whether the results were due to the addition of Moringa, any of the two herbs, or a combination of two or all of the ingredients. The impressive results from these two studies merit more comprehensive studies to explore further and determine the ability of Moringa to promote weight loss.

What are the Benefits of Moringa Weight Loss Tea?

Apart from weight loss, there are even more compelling reasons for you to add Moringa to your regular diet. The following are the benefits of consuming Moringa that is backed by science.

1. Moringa Comes Packed With Nutrients

As mentioned earlier, Moringa is an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals. Apart from those already mentioned, Moringa also contains potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. You are sure to get these same nutrients when you regularly drink Moringa tea.

2. It’s Also Packed With Antioxidants

Moringa oleifera leaves are also a rich source of antioxidants, particularly quercetin and chlorogenic acid. Quercetin helps manage hypertension, while chlorogenic acid can help regulate blood sugar levels. Antioxidant compounds, in general, help boost the body’s immune system response, prevent the onset of a variety of degenerative diseases, and delay aging.

3. It May Have Anti-Inflammatory Properties

One animal study suggests that Moringa oleifera may have anti-inflammatory properties. This means that Moringa tea can potentially treat and manage a wide variety of medical conditions.

Several other health benefits are attributed to Moringa oleifera supplementation, including cancer-fighting, kidney protection, vision improvement, anxiety and depression management, and bone density improvement. It is important to note that most of these claims are yet to be proven by any form of study or research.

What are the Side Effects of Taking Moringa?

Consuming Moringa oleifera leaves has been generally deemed as safe for most individuals, and there has yet to be any case of toxicity due to the consumption of Moringa derivatives. Some studies, however, suggest that Moringa oleifera can affect one’s fertility, so it is recommended for pregnant women and those looking to conceive to refrain from drinking Moringa tea weight loss drinks.

Moringa tea weight loss drinks may also interact with a number of drugs such as high blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, and levothyroxine. For safety considerations, it will be best to consult your physician before adding Moringa tea weight loss drinks to your diet, especially if you are on any prescription medications.