The Health Value of African Oil Bean Seeds.

The African oil bean seed is called Pentaclethra Macrophylla, ugba (Igbo), kako, apara (Yoruba)

ukana (Efik). The African oil bean seed tree is a perennial legume tree that grows widely in West Africa. The seeds which are flat in shape and dark in colour are widely consumed by the Igbo after cooking and fermentation while the Yoruba use the pods and seeds for medicine. This is because the African oil bean seed has good nutritional values and the potential to promote good health. African oil bean seeds are:

• High in crude protein and contains all 20 essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are important because the body cannot produce them and so, have to be obtained from food.
• High in oil which contains essential fatty acids.
• Low in carbohydrates.
• High in minerals like magnesium, copper, manganese, iron and calcium.
• Low in vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin and niacin.
• Contain phytonutrients such as saponins and tannins.

Uses of the African oil bean seed for health:

1. Because the African oil bean seed is high in proteins, it is a cheap source of protein especially for low income families.
2. They help in building blood and combating anaemia because of the high iron content.
3. The saponins and tannins help in lowering cholesterol levels.
4. They are used to treat diarrhea.
5. Regular consumption offers protection against cancer.
6. They are used for stomach disorders and inflammation. The pods are burnt to ashes by the Yoruba, added to oil or shea butter and applied to boils and inflammations.

African oil bean seeds need to be cooked and fermented before consumption because they contain trace amounts of a poisonous alkaloid called paucine and a growth depressant called caffeoylputrescine. Processing removes the negative effects of these components but also decreases the mineral content level.

There are many other uses for African oil bean seeds. Have you got any to share? Please leave your comments and feedbacks below or send an email to yvonnebosede06@gmail.com. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.