Moringa leaves contain high amounts of several essential disease-preventing nutrients, including:
- Vitamin A, which acts as a shield against eye disease, skin disease, heart ailments, diarrhea, and many other diseases.
- Vitamin C, fighting a host of illnesses including colds and flu.
- Calcium, which builds strong bones and teeth, and helps prevent osteoporosis.
- Potassium, essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves.
- Proteins, the basic building blocks of all our body cells
Comparison with Common Foods
The nutritional contents of Moringa leaves compare very well to common foods:
(Values below are per 100 g edible portion. Moringa values are for fresh leaves.)*
Vitamin A (carotene)
Moringa: 6780 mcg
Carrots: 1890 mcg
Vitamin C
Moringa: 220 mg
Oranges: 30 mg
Calcium
Moringa: 440 mg
Cow's milk: 120 mg
Potassium
Moringa: 259 mg
Bananas: 88 mg
Protein
Moringa: 6.7 g
Cow's milk: 3.2 g
Other contents:
Moisture: 75.9 g (75.9%)
Fat: 1.7 g
Minerals: 2.3 g
Fiber: 0.9 g
Carbohydrates: 12.5 g
Energy: 92 Kcal
Phosphorous: 70 mg
Iron: 0.85 mg
Thiamin (B1): 0.06 mg
Riboflavin (B2): 0.05 mg
Niacin (B3): 0.8 mg
Copper: 0.07 mg
Magnesium: 42 mg
Zinc: 0.16 mg
* from: Gopalan C, BV Rama Sastri and SC Balasubramanian. Nutritive value of Indian foods. Hyderabad, India: (National Institute of Nutrition), 1971 (revised and updated by B.S. Narasinga Rao, Y.G. Deosthale, and K.C. Pant, 1989).