Why Eating Kenkey Is Healthy.

Kenkey is a popular staple food among the Ga, Ewe and Akan peoples of West Africa. It is made from fermented corn dough and served with sauces, peppers, onions, meat, fish or shrimps. It is also called kormi and dorkunu and is now eaten by other peoples in parts Africa and the world.

The only raw material kenkey is whole corn grains that are fermented and cooked, so kenkey has almost all the nutritive values and health benefits of corn and also those supplied by fermentation.

Corn has complex carbohydrates, low protein, low fat and high fiber content. It is rich in vitamins A,

C, E, K, B vitamins like pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin and folates. It has high contents of minerals like phosphorus, manganese, zinc, calcium, magnesium, selenium and iron. Corn also has antioxidants and phytochemicals like lutein, zeaxanthin, anthocyanin, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, protocatechinic acid, syringic acid, beta-carotene, coumaric acid, ferulic acid etc. Below are the health benefits of corn and fermentation;

• Corn has an impressive combination of antioxidants and phytochemicals which help to protect the body from oxidative stress or the ravages of free radicals. These in turn protect the body from heart disease, diabetes and cancer.  It also helps to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower blood pressure. Some of these antioxidants help in eye health. This antioxidant activity is increased when corn is cooked.
• Corn has a high level of fiber which aids in digestion and regulates blood sugar. This helps in protecting against constipation and hemorrhoids. It also helps to fight fat by reducing blood cholesterol levels. Fiber also has benefits for heart health and digestive system functions.
• Fermentation preserves food and creates beneficial enzymes and various strains of probiotics.
• Fermentation makes nutrients in food more available to the body and reduces the anti-nutrient properties of food.
• Fermented foods strengthen and support our digestive and immune system. They contribute beneficially to the intestine and overall health.

Apart from the benefits offered by corn and fermentation, kenkey is also eaten with other food materials that offer wonderful health benefits. To really perfect the consumption of kenkey and other whole corn foods, it will be good to reduce the amount eaten because of their high caloric content and instead, substitute some amount with fruits and vegetables. Kenkey is a perfecty healthy meal when eaten in moderation, so enjoy.

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