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Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
7 science-backed health benefits of Moringa you should know
Image credits: Getty Images Nature, verified by science for human health, can do miracles, as the two have been partnering with each other for years. One such natural element that even science attests is effective for health is Moringa. Also known as Miracle tree, the plant is a short-lived, fast-growing tree widely cultivated in India and parts of Asia, Africa and Central and South America. In the form of fresh leaves, powder, capsules and oil, moringa is used as a medicinal herb by people across the world. From anti-oxidant properties to liver protection, below are 7 science-backed health benefits of consuming Moringa. Nutrient powerhouse Image credits: Getty Images Moringa is described as a "superfood" due to its high quantity of vitamins and minerals. Its leaves have 18.9 mg Vitamin A per 100 g, it has seven times more Vitamin C than oranges and has 17.3 mg of the nutrient per 100 g, 20.5 mg Vitamin B per 100 g, 28.2 mg iron per 100 g, 2,003 mg calcium per 100 g, 204 mg potassium per 100 g, 368 mg magnesium per 100 g and 3.29 mg zinc per 100 mg, according to a review article published in the International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity The presence of bioactive compounds such as glycosylates, flavonoids, isothiocyanates and thiocarbamates makes Moringa a highly effective antioxidant. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Additionally, its parts such as leaf, pods, flowers and roots have active compounds such as tannins, phenols, flavonoids, vanillin and moringin, known to have anti-inflammatory properties, as per the National Library of Medicine. Both of these help neutralise free radicals, reduce cellular damage and lower chronic inflammation. Lowering blood glucose levels Image credits: Getty Images Moringa leaves proved to have excellent results in the glucose tolerance of Wistar and Goto-Kakizaki rats. The aqueous extract in it has anti-diabetic effects that control blood glucose levels, protein, sugar and haemoglobin. Its leaves are known to lower glucose levels within three hours of intake. Improves heart health The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Moringa have cardioprotective effects. It improves levels of enzymes such as SOD, catalase and more. In hypertensive rats, the leaves of the plant lowered cholesterol levels as well. Liver-protective effects Image credits: Getty Images Quercetin in the flowers of the plants is known to have protective effects on the liver. The methanolic extract also presented changes in hepato-renal and haematological profiles. Consuming moringa extract for 21 days regularly was proven to significantly reduce liver injury due to various flavonoids present in it. Weight loss In a study, eating moringa leaf powder for 49 days significantly reduced body mass index in rats suffering from hypercholesterolemia. This was because the powder reduced the expression of hormones such as resistin and leptin and improved the body's lipid profile by reducing body weight. Digestive properties Image credits: Getty Images Moringa extract is proven to reduce free radicals and neutralise the acidic effects of gastric juice. It also prevents the formation of gastric ulcers by increasing capillary resistance and improving microcirculation, leading to less cell injury.
Arab Times
04-03-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Diabetes breakthrough: Fish oil shown to reverse insulin resistance
NEW YORK, March 4: A Brazilian study published in Nutrients suggests that fish oil may help reduce insulin resistance and improve glucose tolerance by influencing the body's inflammatory response. The study, funded by FAPESP, was conducted on rats exhibiting a condition similar to type 2 diabetes, characterized by high blood sugar levels due to diminished insulin effectiveness. While the rats were not obese, the research focused on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, on insulin resistance in non-obese subjects—a condition not well understood. The researchers observed that administering 2 grams of fish oil per kilogram of body weight (equivalent to 540 mg/g of eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and 100 mg/g of docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA) three times per week for eight weeks reduced insulin resistance in these non-obese rats. Additionally, the rats showed improved blood sugar levels, reduced inflammatory markers, and improvements in lipid features, including total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), and triglycerides. These results, from preclinical trials, offer hope for non-obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, who make up approximately 10-20% of the global total of people with the condition. 'Our experiments involved Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, an animal model for non-obese type 2 diabetes,' explained Rui Curi, Director of the Butantan Institute's Education Center, Professor at Cruzeiro do Sul University (UNICSUL), and the study coordinator. 'We found that insulin resistance can be reduced in these animals by modulating the inflammatory response, which shifts the profile of defense cells (lymphocytes) from a pro-inflammatory state to an anti-inflammatory state. This process is similar to the effect omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has on obese individuals with insulin resistance.' Alterations in lymphocytes, white blood cells involved in the immune response, influence other immune system cells, triggering a cascade effect. 'Previous studies showed changes in lymphocytes and macrophages in non-obese rats with insulin resistance,' Curi said. 'In these cases, the cells produce more pro-inflammatory cytokines, a pattern also found in obese individuals with diabetes.' The study aimed to determine whether fish oil supplementation could reverse these specific alterations in lymphocytes, which had been observed in earlier research. The findings confirm that inflammation is a key factor in insulin resistance, even in the absence of obesity. Renata Gorjão, the last author of the study and Co-Director of UNICSUL's Program of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences, added, 'Our findings provide valuable insights into the link between inflammation and insulin resistance in non-obese animals, confirming that inflammation is a crucial factor in diabetes even without obesity.' The research is part of a larger project supported by FAPESP, focusing on insulin resistance in non-obese animals. While obesity is a significant risk factor for diabetes, the study also highlights that genetic factors and systemic inflammation can contribute to insulin resistance in non-obese individuals. 'Most obese people experience chronic low-level inflammation, which affects insulin signaling pathways. In the non-obese model, this characteristic of adipose tissue is absent, but systemic inflammation is still present,' Curi explained. In a previous study, the group demonstrated systemic inflammation in non-obese GK rats with insulin resistance. Further research found early breakdowns in anti-inflammatory mechanisms in non-obese GK rats, including reductions in regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in lymph nodes. The fish oil supplementation reversed this pro-inflammatory profile, showing significant anti-inflammatory effects and improving the balance of Th1 and Th17 cells (lymphocyte subtypes critical to inflammation). This led to an increase in Tregs, which inhibit pro-inflammatory lymphocytes, ultimately reducing insulin resistance in the rats. Despite promising results, the researchers stress the need for further studies, especially in human trials, to confirm these findings and determine the ideal dose and type of omega-3 fatty acids.
