Do Moringa Seeds Help to Lose Weight?

If you want to lose weight, it may be a good idea to introduce moringa seeds into your dietary routines. We tell you what they are and how to consume them.

Written and verified by the nutritionist Saúl Sánchez Arias.

Last update: 29 August, 2022

Moringa seeds have become popular for their supposed slimming effect. We’re going to tell you if it really makes sense to include them in your diet on a regular basis for this purpose.

We are talking about an ingredient that has many essential nutrients and antioxidants.

But, before we begin, we must emphasize trying to lose weight depends on a number of factors as a whole. It isn’t enough just to include a certain product or remedy in the diet, but it’s also necessary to improve life habits in general.

Can you lose weight with moringa seeds?

Among other things, moringa seeds could reduce the accumulation of fat in the body and normalize blood glucose levels. This is important in order to promote lipid oxidation as the main source of energy, preventing insulin resistance. However, the existing evidence is very scarce.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, moringa seeds could be useful in controlling internal inflammation, which would have an impact on several physiological parameters. In inflammatory environments, type 2 diabetes is more likely to develop, making weight loss more difficult.

However, most of the research carried out is observational or of low methodological quality. This serves to establish hypotheses, but not to confirm them.

After all, what they’re all based on is the fatty acid profile of the seeds, which, in principle, is quite adequate. They are trans fats with a predominance of unsaturated fats.

How to take moringa seeds to lose weight

Despite the lack of solid evidence, if you want to include moringa seeds in your diet to lose weight, we’ll explain the best way to do it. The best way is to use infusions of dehydrated leaves and seeds, but don’t overdo it with the amounts used.

The aim is to prepare an infusion that you can drink afterwards. This will help to improve the state of hydration and induce satiety.

To prepare it, simply place 150 grams (6 oz) of moringa leaves, flowers, and seeds in boiling water. After a couple of minutes, lower the heat, and then let the mixture stand.

It can be consumed as is, once the temperature is reduced, or you could include some artificial sweetener to improve the final taste without adding calories.

There’s also the option of preparing different salads and soups with the leaves of the plant. Of course, if you choose to include seeds in the preparations, keep in mind that they can cause a laxative effect, so you should increase the amount ingested progressively.

Caffeine: a natural option for weight loss

As we mentioned, moringa has limited evidence for weight loss, but other substances have shown great efficacy. One example of these would be caffeine. This element modifies the utilization of energy substrates, increasing the mobilization and oxidation of fats.

As a result, more lipids will be utilized in any activity (also in the context of physical exercise). If the supplementation or consumption of caffeine is combined with a hypocaloric pattern and an adequate night’s rest, success will likely be achieved.

However, in the case of not experiencing good results, it’ll be important to consult a specialist to determine if there’s any pathology that limits progress.

To use or not to use moringa seeds to lose weight?

Moringa seeds could be useful to lose weight. It’s clear that more research is needed in this regard, but its anti-inflammatory effect is promising.

They also have a number of antioxidant compounds that would help neutralize the formation of free radicals, which is essential to prevent the development of complex problems such as type 2 diabetes. In turn, they’re a source of vitamins A, B, and C.

Finally, we must mention that weight loss isn’t linear, with or without moringa seeds. It’s possible to experience ups and downs or periods in which fewer kilos are lost. It will all depend on the starting point, individual factors, and the routines you follow.