Last Updated on August 30, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Quick Take
Some social media posts claim that Moringa, a herb, can cure arthritis. We fact checked and found the claim to be Half True. Moringa, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, is great for arthritis management but it cannot cure or reverse the condition.
The Claim
“It cures arthritis perfectly well,” reads a Facebook post with photos of Moringa leaves. Similar claims about moringa being able to cure arthritis can be found in YouTube. A screenshot of such a post is given below:
Fact Check
Can arthritis be cured?
No. Any type of arthritis – Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis – can only be managed. Their progression can be slowed and the pain can be managed through medicine, diet and exercise. The condition cannot be reversed or cured completely.
Can Moringa help in arthritis?
Yes. Moringa can be an excellent supplement for patients with arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
In a study done in India on rats in 2007, Moringa flower showed strong anti-arthritic properties. In an animal study done in 2017, rats that were given Moringa extracts showed significant reduction in arthritis symptoms. In another similar study done on rats in 2021, Moringa leaves and Moringa Seed Oil showed ‘significant antiarthritic and anti-inflammatory effects.’ However, both these studies were done on rats and scientists concluded that “further studies are needed”.
Diet plays an important part in pain management of arthritis. A proper diet can also slow down the progression of arthritis. However, cure or a complete reversal of arthritis is not medically possible. Which means that even if Moringa may help to reduce arthritis pain, stopping moringa diet will make the pain come back.
Dr. Atul Mishra, Director (Orthopaedics), Fortis Hospital, Noida says, “Diet alone cannot cure bone diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis, but a healthy diet definitely decreases these diseases’ progression. Diet rich in calcium, vitamins, and minerals is good for bones and joints. In established arthritis and osteoporosis, medicines are necessary.”
Dr (Prof) Puneet Mishra, Additional Director & Unit Head, (Orthopaedics), Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh says, “Sedentary lifestyle and overweight are most important modifiable risk factors to prevent arthritis and osteoporosis. One has to be dependent on supplements for which calcium and vitamin D are important for bone health in addition to adequate amount of dietary proteins.”
Dr. Puneet Misra adds that “a healthy active lifestyle with daily exercise routine and taking a well-balanced healthy diet with plenty of sunshine” can help manage the symptoms of Arthritis.
THIP Media Take – While Moringa surely has all the reasons to be in your ‘arthritis management diet’, it is an overstatement to say that it ‘cures’ arthritis completely.
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