Vegetables, the compound name for leafy or soft edible fruits are seen by many as just materials to make soup and a source of food but their usefulness goes beyond being a food source; they play an important role in human diet and nutrition as they contain both macro and micro nutrients including food fibres, various vitamins such as A, C and K; as well as minerals such as iron, potassium and zinc to human health development.
And in Nigeria, like most other tropical countries in Africa, food is a majorly starchy staple despite the fact that vegetables are the cheapest and most readily available sources of micronutrients, this is why they are told to increase vegetables in their diet.
African leafy vegetables like bitter leaf, water leaf, fluted pumpkin, Moringa oleifera, mint leaf, lemon grass, Amaranthus hybridus which help to meet the daily requirements of nutrients but are under-explored as a result of inadequate knowledge of their nutritional values and health benefits.
Nigeria’s leafy green vegetables are quite rich in vitamins and antioxidants; they are quick to cook and rich in several nutrients, particularly vitamin C and B- carotene, which are essential for human health. Daily consumption helps with stress management and reduces the risk of major diseases
Vegetables that are rich in potassium can reduce blood pressure. This is why it is necessary to have basic knowledge of the nourishing power of these vegetables to aid health and wellness.
Telfairia Occidentalis, a vegetable that is indigenous to Southern Nigeria and is also called fluted pumpkin or fluted gourd or Ugwu, is an attractive commodity for many cuisines, home and abroad. And all other dark leafy greens, ugwu leaves are loaded with outstanding antioxidant properties, dietary fibre and quality levels of Vitamins A, B2, C and K.
Other nutrients such as calcium, copper, iron, potassium, zinc and traces of folic acid and manganese are equally found in these leaves, while it is also an anti-inflammatory leaf that possesses several incredible preventive and healing capacities.
Corchorus, popularly known as Ewedu in Yoruba land and Rama Ayoyo in Hausa, is another green leaf with lots of nutrients and health benefits. Slimy in nature when cooked, it is loaded with antioxidants and Vitamins A, C and E. It replenishes and prevents cell damage from free radicals. It also protects the body from several degenerative diseases. It aids weight loss, firm lustrous skin, improved eyesight, strong bones and healthy teeth, immunity boost and healthy bowel movement.
Ocimum gratissimum known as scent leaves has a lot of names; Basil in English, Efirin in Yoruba, Nchanwu in Ibo and Daidoya in Hausa. Scent leaves are prominent for their distinct aroma; it is an essential condiment in Peppersoup and several other dishes. And more importantly, it is highly laden with beta-carotene antioxidants, calcium, phosphorous, iron and vitamins A, K and C which makes it effective for natural curative purposes like treatment of bacterial infections, Sexually Transmitted Infections, diabetes and several gastrointestinal ailments.
It is said that regular intake of Efirin lowers your cholesterol levels and provides numerous essential nutrients required for optimal health.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
NPC releases salary, allowances for 2023 population, housing census ad hoc staff
The National Population Commission (NPC) has outlined the salary and allowances structure for its ad hoc staff who will be…
Presidential election: LP waves hit Lagos, Delta, Edo, Plateau others
PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu; vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and…
#ElectionResult: ‘Okada Rider’ wins Kaduna Reps seat for Labour Party
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Mr Donatus Mathew, an okada rider, has been declared the winner of the…
Naira litigation: Fireworks as Supreme Court entertains FG’s objection today
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will today resume hearing in the suit brought by three states, against the federal government over the controversial currency swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria…
24 years of civil rule: When shall Nigeria overcome voter apathy?
Real Madrid defender David Alaba has explained on social media why he did not give his first-place vote for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award to…
A season of gruesome killings, arson
IN Oswald Mtshalli’s apartheid South Africa, nightfall came like a dreaded disease seeping through the pores of a healthy…
and then