Moringa Tea
Moringa tea: what one prediabetes trial of moringa leaf powder capsules found, why rodent meta-analyses do not apply to people, and where proper evidence was not found.
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Evidence note: we found no human trial of moringa tea. We include the human trial of leaf capsules and a rodent meta-analysis, clearly labeled, and say what is missing.
Overview and identity
Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose plant with a high polyphenol content, increasingly consumed to lessen the risk of chronic metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes; the trial authors note that scientific evidence from clinical trials is scarce. [1] Moringa leaf is used in teas and powders. Teas are made by infusing the leaf; capsule powders are a different product.What the research shows
| Evidence | What it found | Applies to tea? |
|---|---|---|
| Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial, 65 people with prediabetes, 6 capsules a day of dried leaf powder (2,400 mg/day) for 12 weeks | Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c changed in opposite directions between groups (decreasing with moringa, increasing with placebo); no differences in gut microbiota, liver and kidney markers or appetite hormones [1] | No: capsules, one trial |
| Meta-analysis of 44 studies in diabetic rodents | Lower blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol with moringa extracts, with substantial heterogeneity [2] | No: animal studies do not show effects in people |
What we could not find
Proper evidence not found for moringa tea in humans, for safe amounts, or for safety in pregnancy or with diabetes medicines. If you take diabetes medicines, ask a pharmacist before using moringa regularly, because a glucose-lowering effect is what the trial reported. [1]Frequently asked questions
Does moringa tea lower blood sugar?
A single human trial of moringa leaf capsules in prediabetes reported favorable glucose changes; we found no trial of the tea. [1]
References
- Gomez-Martinez S, et al. Moringa oleifera Leaf Supplementation as a Glycemic Control Strategy in Subjects with Prediabetes. Nutrients. 2021;14(1):57. PubMed 35010932. 65 people, 12 weeks.
- Watanabe S, et al. Moringa oleifera Lam. in Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Molecules. 2021;26(12):3513. PubMed 34207664. Meta-analysis of diabetic rodent studies, not human studies.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.