Freeze-Dried Moringa – A Top Source of Beta-Carotene
Many health food enthusiasts describe moringa as a nutrient-dense superfood that is loaded with protein, iron, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and carotenoids such as beta-carotene. Some have even claimed that the leaves of this drought-tolerant tree native to the Himalayan and North African mountains contain more beta-carotene than carrots! In this article, we take a look at the beta-carotene values for moringa that have been reported in academic literature, plus provide tips on where to buy moringa powder made from freeze-dried moringa leaves – the most concentrated source.
Beta-Carotene Content of Fresh Moringa Leaves
According to a review published in the June 2015 edition of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, raw moringa leaves contain about 6.6 to 6.8 milligrams of beta-carotene per 100 grams, but some sources report even higher values. The Karger publication Plants in Human Health and Nutrition Policy, for example, reports that fresh moringa leaves contain a whopping 19 milligrams of beta-carotene per 100 grams. By way of comparison, a 100-gram serving of raw carrots contains about 8.3 milligrams of beta-carotene, according to the National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (Release 27) maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In addition to beta-carotene, moringa leaves have been found to contain other carotenoids such as lutein.
Dried (Especially Freeze-Dried) Moringa is Supercharged with Beta-Carotene
When moringa leaves are turned into moringa powder and the water is removed from the leaves through drying, this Himalayan superfood becomes an even more concentrated source of beta-carotene. Unlike some other nutrients, beta-carotene is not easily destroyed by exposure to heat and air, so you can expect to get a good dose of this vital nutrient from moringa powder made from dried moringa leaves. According to the 2015 study mentioned in the previous paragraph, the amount of beta-carotene in dried moringa leaves has been shown to range from 17.6 to 39.6 milligrams per 100 grams on a dry weight basis, and freeze-dried leaves have been shown to contain even more beta-carotene: 66 milligrams per 100 grams.
Where to Buy Freeze-Dried Moringa Leaves?
Freeze drying, or lyophilization, is a commercial drying method that involves freezing the food and then removing its water content in a vacuum chamber. In addition to being great at preserving the nutritional value of the food, it is also thought to preserve the flavor and color of the food better than air-drying. If you are looking to up your beta-carotene intake by introducing moringa into your diet, freeze-dried moringa powders may be your best option since fresh moringa leaves are still not widely available in North America and the UK. If you like to do your shopping online, check out the impressive range of moringa powders on Amazon.com 
. Many of these powders contain freeze-dried moringa (some contain air-dried moringa, so be sure to read the product description), and some of them are even USDA certified organic.
Do you live in the UK? You can also buy freeze-dried moringa powder on Amazon.co.uk 
By buying moringa products through the affiliate links above, you will not only be benefiting from the great Amazon prices, but you will also be supporting HealWithFood.org, without any extra cost to you.
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