Moringa tea for high blood pressure
Moringa oleifera leaves and Lovastatin were found to lower the triglyceride, phospholipid, VLDL, serum cholesterol, LDL, cholesterol to phospholipid ratio and atherogenic index. Moringa oleifera was found to increase the excretion of faecal cholesterol. Thus, the study demonstrates that moringa oleifera leaves possesses a hypolipidaemic effect.
Moringa leaves can be taken as such, or you can have tea with the leaves as the sole ingredient. The risk of developing high blood pressure increases, as you get older. In some conditions, it may arise due to family history. High amount of salt in food and lack of exercise are some of the other factors. Obesity, smoking and alcoholism are some of the things that can be controlled to avoid hypertension.
The leaves of moringa oleifera are used by the Indians in their herbal medicine as a hypocholesterolemic agent in obese patients. Scientist studied the basis for their use in hypercholesterolemia through research projects. It was found that administration of the crude leaf extract of Moringa oleifera along with high-fat diet decreased the high-fat diet-induced increases in kidney, liver and serum cholesterol levels by 14.35% (115-103.2 mg/100 ml of serum), 6.40% (9.4-8.8 mg/g wet weight) and 11.09% (1.09-0.97 mg/g wet weight) respectively.
The effect on serum cholesterol levels was found to be significant. In serum total protein levels no effect was detected. The crude leaves extract seems to increase serum albumin by 15.22% (46-53 g/). Researchers concluded that the leaves of moringa oleifera exhibit hypocholesterolemic activity and that there is valid pharmacological basis for employing them for this purpose in India.
Activity of beta sitosterol
Beta Sitosterol along with its counterpart phytosterols have many functions; along with lowering blood cholesterol. Beta sitosterol mostly works in our digestive system inhibiting the cholesterol absorption by the intestines.
Zeatin
Zeatin is an important regulatory factor for cells activity. It acts as an antioxidant hence protecting and regenerating cells. In many plants zeatin is found mostly in low concentrations only, the moringa leaves contain a high zeatin level.
Quercetin
It may help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in arteries that finally result in heart attack). These unique amino acids appear to safeguard against the damage caused by LDL cholesterol and may support to prevent death from heart disease.
Researchers studied that quercetin prevents damage to LDL cholesterol. Population studies show that people who eat diets high in flavonoids have lower cholesterol content. In one research study, it was found that persons who consumed quercetin and an alcohol free red wine extract (which contains quercetin) had less damage to LDL cholesterol. Another study found that quercetin can reduce LDL concentrations in overweight models that were at high risk of heart disease. As consumption of tea as become popular, you can also avail the health benefits by choosing moringa oleifera leaf tea.