Moringa for Malnutrition and Hunger
In this article, Dr Newton shares about how moringa can be an answer to solving malnutrition and hunger in Africa.
Moringa leaves are ideal in solving the malnutrition and hunger problem in Africa.
At the International Conference on Nutrition organized by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) in 1992, the World Declaration and the Plan of Action on Nutrition, adopted by 159 countries, states that strategies to combat micronutrient malnutrition should: ‘Ensure that sustainable food-based strategies are given first priority particularly for populations deficient in vitamin A and iron, favouring locally available foods and taking into account local food habits.’
Leafy vegetables like moringa leaves are universally recognized to have a great nutritional value and form an essential part of a balanced human diet. Diets deficient in vegetables could lead to various ailments including heart diseases. There are 815 million under-fed people in the world out of which 95% are in the developing countries. Malnutrition’s interactive effect on disease is responsible for the death of some five hundred thousand children annually in developing countries. In the poorest countries of the world, about 20% of children die during infancy.
Moringa leaves contains various secondary metabolites (Phytochemicals) and researchers found that a cold-water extract of moringa tree leaves kills up to 93% of human lung cancer cells (A549) in vitro after 48 hours, and strongly inhibited their ability to grow and spread. The moringa extract had actually wiped out virtually 100% of the lung cancer cell colonies after seven days. The extract also killed breast cancer and skin cancer cells, while other studies have shown moringa’s ability to suppress ovarian, colon, and liver cancer as well as myeloma and melanoma. (Read more on Healthy Holistic Living site.) (The Scientific Paper – “Soluble Extract from Moringa oleifera Leaves with a New Anticancer Activity”.)
Moringa oleifera market is growing globally. Consumers are increasingly interested in new and exotic products, especially if they have a traditional use for health benefits.
Main-streaming moringa into the human food chain has the potential to generate a huge industry while improving health and wellbeing of populations. It should however be carried out in a way that serves the fundamental interests of all stakeholders, with the most important consideration given to the vulnerable, poor, rural communities where primary production occurs. Moringa oleifera doesn’t grow in continental Europe because it is not tolerant to frost and low temperature and greenhouse cultivation has been faced with many challenges. This indicates that most supplies need to be met by imports and this presents an advantage to developing countries where it is adapted to grow well.
Any effort to promote the cultivation and consumption of moringa is an active contribution to solve the huge problem of malnutrition and poverty in our world. It is definitely a step in the right direction and we salute you all for your great passions and work. Your contributions may look small in your own eyes, but that may be all that is needed to overcome great evil. We sincerely appreciate your individual local efforts and these great presentations. It has been very education and inspiring.
Thank you for your time to read, and share knowledge on moringa in your communities. We appreciate you all.
Best regards.
Dr. Newton Amaglo, Ghana
