Moringa dietary supplements can be dangerous for health, warns The Liver Doc

Moringa, often hailed as a superfood, is widely recognized for its nutritional richness, with all parts of the tree being edible, including the bark, pods, leaves, nuts, seeds, tubers, roots, and flowers. The leaves, in particular, stand out for their abundance in protein, as well as vitamins A, B, and C, along with various minerals.
However, a note of caution comes from Kerala-based hepatologist Cyriac Abby Philips, known as @TheLiverDoc on social media.

In an extensive post, @TheLiverDoc highlights that excessive consumption of moringa leaves can pose health risks. While acknowledging the nutritional benefits, the post emphasizes the high calcium oxalate content in moringa leaves, ranging from 430 to 1050 mg/100g, surpassing that of spinach (average 750 mg/100g). Elevated oxalate intake is linked to an increased risk of kidney stones and complex oxalate kidney disease, as documented in medical literature.


Citing both preclinical studies and low-quality human studies, @TheLiverDoc suggests potential impacts on blood lipid profiles and insulin secretion with moringa leaf/powder intake. Despite preliminary research on bioactive properties, the post underscores the absence of high-quality evidence supporting significant health effects.

Warning against incremental doses of moringa powder, @TheLiverDoc notes the potential for genetic damage and an increased risk of cancer formation, with higher doses posing threats to major organs, particularly the liver and kidneys.

The post disputes various purported health benefits of moringa, asserting that it does not contribute to reducing or preventing depression, enhancing the immune system, improving genital organ health, addressing dementia or Parkinson's disease, or yielding positive outcomes in cancer or infections.

"Moringa leaves and seed pods are nutritious as part of a balanced diet, akin to other vegetables with similar nutritive value. However, it is crucial to treat moringa as a vegetable and not a medicine. Caution is advised against regular consumption of highly concentrated powder forms, as it may pose safety risks. Moringa dietary supplements should be avoided, as they could potentially harm health," the post concludes.

Meanwhile, Vijaya Nath Mishra whose study was cited by the The Liver Doc, insisted that his study on drumstick was done in a laboratory that shows "how many new benefits it has for humans".