A Cross-sectional Study Assessing the Saudi Population’s Awareness and Perception of the Nutritional and Medicinal Benefits of the Miracle Tree: Moringa oleifera

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim: The Moringa genus, which is part of the Moringaceae family, has thirteen distinct species of fast-growing, multipurpose deciduous or evergreen trees. Moringa is widely recognized for both its high nutritional content when consumed by humans and its wide range of advantageous medical uses. In this study, the Saudi population’s awareness and impression of the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of Moringa were assessed in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Over the course of two months, a cross-sectional study was carried out in a number of Saudi Arabian locations. A questionnaire was used to gather data from 330 Saudi participants who were selected at random for the study. Results: The majority of respondents (approximately 79%) were female, and the greatest percentage (73%) belonged to the 18 to 29 age group. Sixty-six percent of the participants were well educated. Of the research participants, 87% said they were among the first to try new food products and more than two-thirds (69%) reported utilizing herbal products. The total knowledge score about Moringa was 32%; the mean score for understanding the plant’s health advantages was 34%, and the mean score for understanding its nutritional value was 31%. Approximately 20% of the participants said that they were eating Moringa, and 59% of them expressed a high level of satisfaction with the advantages that came with its use. Of those who had never used it, about 55 expressed willingness to try it if it was made available to them. Conclusion: There was a lack of knowledge among Saudi citizens about the nutritional benefits and health advantages of the Moringa plant. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the dissemination of information about the benefits of Moringa oleifera, particularly its role in disease prevention and treatment.