The Impact of Moringa oleifera Supplementation on Anemia and other Variables during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: A Narrative Review

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 15; no. 12; p. 2674
• Main Authors: Rotella, Rosita, Soriano, Jose M., Llopis-González, Agustín, Morales-Suarez-Varela, María
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 08.06.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Anemia; Babies; Breast Feeding; Breastfeeding & lactation; children; Children & youth; Developing countries; Dietary supplements; Dietary Supplements - adverse effects; Female; health status; Hemoglobin; Humans; ingredients; Iron; Lactation; LDCs; leaf extracts; Leaves; Maternal & child health; milk production; morbidity; Moringa oleifera; Moringa oleifera - chemistry; Physiology; Plant Extracts - adverse effects; Plant Leaves; postpartum period; Pregnancy; Review; Vitamin C; Womens health; Indonesia; malnutrition; supplements or products with Moringa; Moringa oleifera; developing countries; pregnancy; breastfeeding; natural galactagogues
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu15122674

Moringa is a plant commonly used for its medical properties. However, studies have shown contradictory results. The aim of this review is to evaluate the possible association between the use of Moringa during pregnancy and breastfeeding in relation to the health status of both the mother and the baby. A search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases on the literature published during the period 2018–2023 was conducted up until March 2023. The population/exposure/comparison/outcome (PECO) approach was used to select studies on pregnant women, mother–child pairs, and the use of Moringa. Out of the 85 studies initially identified, 67 were excluded, leaving 18 for full-text evaluation. After assessment, 12 were finally included in the review. In the articles included in this work, Moringa is administered during pregnancy or in the postnatal period in the form of leaf powder (MOLP), as a leaf extract (MLE), as an ingredient associated with other supplements or in preparations. It appears to influence several variables during pregnancy and in the postnatal period such as the mother’s haematochemical profile, milk production, the child’s socio-personal development and the incidence of morbidity during the first 6 months of life. None of the studies analysed reported contraindications to the use of the supplement during pregnancy and lactation.