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The vitamin packed health food you need (but have probably never heard of)

GOODBYE kale, farewell chia seeds, in 2018 the only thing you'll be adding to your food and smearing on your skin is Moringa.

This plant is famed in other parts of the planet for it's health giving properties but it's pretty new on the health scene in the UK.

 Moringa trees grow in many countries south of the equator
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Moringa trees grow in many countries south of the equatorCredit: Getty - Contributor

In countries like India, Pakistan, Chile and some parts of Africa, the healing properties of the Moringa tree have long been known.

As part of traditional remedies it has been used to treat digestive disorders, skin problems and arthritis.

Like spinach it's packed with protein and iron, just a supercharged version with twice the protein and three times the iron.

It is also famed and studied for it's anti-infammatory properties so it's proving popular with lots of people.

 Moringa powder adds a protein and vitamin boost to a smoothie
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Moringa powder adds a protein and vitamin boost to a smoothieCredit: Getty - Contributor

 

The seeds and the powdered leaves are both packed with vitamins and minerals which could help to give you a boost.

The supplement is normally found as which you can add to smoothies or use as a seasoning in your cooking.

The taste is similar to spinach and it can be used to add a savoury vitamin boost to soups, salads or even baked into bread or muffins.

As with any health update, you can always find inspiration on Instagram for how to use it.

This bold coloured smoothie by Chefchinugaiagourmet makes us want to try it right away.

Moringa has large amounts of calcium, potassium and Vitamins A, C and E.

It has been dubbed 'nature's multi-vitamin' and 'the miracle plant' by some health writers.

However, don't start chowing down on huge portions of the stuff, in large quantities it can act as a laxative so the advice is to start off with half a teaspoon a day.

 Moringa is said to have anti-inflammatory properties
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Moringa is said to have anti-inflammatory propertiesCredit: Getty - Contributor

As well as improving the health-giving properties of your food, Moringa oil, made by pressing the seeds, is also thought to have beneficial properties as a skin cream.

The Body Shop already have a whole range of and Lush have also been quick on the uptake with .

So if you fancy going green from the inside, adding Moringa to your diet or skincare routine couldn't be a more up to date way to do it.

The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are so last year (but they're still there).

Curcumin is another food which is being studied for it's health benefits, possibly having a positive impact on Alzheimer's disease sufferers.

Having a varied and healthy diet is the best way to stay fit and well, if you're not sure how much you should be eating, here's a handy guide.

 

Nutritionist Rick Hay shares his super healthy 60-second smoothie recipe
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