National Fruit and Veggie Month is here, and we at Three Happy Hounds are excited to continue exploring the health benefits of various fruits and veggies for our furry friends. Today, we're focusing on moringa, a powerful superfood with numerous health benefits for dogs. Moringa, often called "the miracle tree," has a diverse nutritional profile that can greatly enhance your pet's overall health.
Why Moringa Deserves the Superfood Status
Moringa boasts an impressive range of health benefits, including:
- Anti-cancer properties
- Heart health support
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Brain health support
- Antioxidants
The leaves of the moringa tree contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, which exhibit a wide range of pharmacological properties. Moringa is also rich in superoxide dismutase (SOD), a powerful enzyme responsible for eliminating free radicals in your pet's body, thus promoting overall health and wellness.
The Power of Moringa's Flavonoids
Moringa is an excellent source of polyphenolic compounds, including flavonoids like myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol. These flavonoids possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, and antimicrobial effects, among others. Animal studies have also demonstrated their neuroprotective effect and ability to protect the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.
The Cruciferous Connection
Moringa is distantly related to cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and collard greens. This powerhouse plant is known to provide:
- 7 times more vitamin C than oranges
- 10 times more vitamin A than carrots
- 17 times more calcium than milk
- 9 times more protein than yogurt
- 15 times more potassium than bananas
- 25 times more iron than spinach
Incorporating Moringa into Your Pet's Diet
To prepare moringa for your pet, follow these steps:
- Lightly grip a stalk with your forefinger and thumb. Then in one smooth stroke, slide the length of the stalk between your fingers to strip off the leaves.
- Rinse the leaves after stripping them from the stalk.
- Use fresh leaves in a homemade pet treat recipe or add lightly cooked moringa leaves as a topper to your pet's meals.
- Alternatively, mix pureed moringa with other pureed healthy fresh foods, spread it on a lick mat or add it to an interactive toy.
For moringa pods, steam and chop them into bite-sized morsels, similar to green beans. Remember to limit servings of healthy "extras" like moringa to less than 10% of your pet's daily caloric intake.
Moringa is a fantastic addition to your pet's diet, offering numerous health benefits and a wealth of essential nutrients. Celebrate National Fruit and Veggie Month by incorporating this miracle tree into your dog's meal plan and witness the positive impact on their overall health and wellness. Visit Three Happy Hounds in Fernley, NV, for more pet nutrition tips and a wide range of healthy pet food and supplies.