Scientists Turn to Moringa for Relief

Have you heard that microplastics enter your body through food and water?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the detection of microplastics in human blood, lungs and other organs shows how widespread exposure has become.

And many in our water use high-tech water filters to get rid of them. But there is a possibility that microplastics may still remain there.

A recent study showed that microplastics can be removed from water by using “Moringa oleifera,” an ancient plant tree also known as the tree of life.

Researchers at São Paulo State University’s Institute of Science and Technology found that moringa seeds from India and other tropical regions can remove toxins from water and work as well as chemical treatments.

“The brine extract from the seeds performs similar to aluminum sulfate, which is used to coagulate water containing microplastics in treatment plants,” said study author Gabriella Batista. he said.

“In more alkaline waters, it performed even better than the chemical product.” In tests, the extract removed more than 98 percent of impurities; This is almost identical to commonly used chemical processes.

Moringa has long been praised for its wide range of medicinal benefits. Research indicates that it is used to reduce inflammation, treat wounds, liver and lung diseases, and even cancer.

Due to the high mineral content in the plant, it has also become a popular ingredient in skin care and moisturizers.

As people become more aware of the harmful effects of chemicals on us and our environment and opt for a chemical-free lifestyle, data shows that many people are choosing organic products over artificial products. This change is especially noticeable when it comes to drinking water.

“There is increasing regulatory scrutiny and health concerns regarding the use of aluminum and iron-based coagulants because they are not biodegradable, leave residual toxicity and pose a risk of disease,” lead researcher Adriano Gonçalves dos Reis warned.

“Therefore, the search for sustainable alternatives has intensified.”

Plastic pollution is now considered a serious global problem for both nature and human health. According to 2026 data from the Ocean Blue Project, approximately 8 to 11 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year. That’s why small plastic particles called microplastics are now found almost everywhere, whether in water, food or items of daily use. It has even been found in human blood and lungs, as well as in 90 percent of seabirds. Experts also estimate that humans may unknowingly consume tens of thousands of microplastic particles each year.

Meanwhile, researchers are concerned about the impact of ingesting microplastics in humans as it has been linked to digestive problems and lower fertility.

As of April 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed microplastics as a “priority pollutant group” on the Draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List, alongside other important pollutants such as drugs and pharmaceuticals that can sometimes be found in drinking water.

Recent studies have also pointed out that natural coagulants derived from plants such as moringa are environmentally friendly alternatives to artificial treatments.

Among these, moringa in particular has been widely studied. The new findings also showed that it can eliminate more than 90 percent of microplastics when used under the right conditions.

The findings also suggested that using moringa for water filtration could save money and energy. It can even reduce the need to purchase chemicals and lower the costs of building and maintaining treatment systems.

But the researchers also warned that gaps remain, especially when it comes to using this method on a large scale.

Although initial results look promising, larger real-world tests are needed to find out whether moringa-based filtration will work effectively in large urban water systems and more complex treatment setups.