Edible Palm Weevil Larvae Nutritional Values.

The African palm weevil is a species of beetles called Rhynchophorus phoenicis whose larvae are usually harvested from the trunks of dead palm trees in which the beetles lay their eggs. They are edible and are eaten in different parts of the world, including parts of Nigeria where they can be a delicacy.These larvae are fleshy and highly nutritious.

Below are some of the reasons why they make a good addition to the diet of the people who consume them.

• They have high protein content with adequate levels of amino acids like valine, methionine, histidine, alanine, tryptophan, proline, etc.
• They have high fat content with essential fatty acids like linoleic and linoleic acids present. They have higher content of unsaturated fatty acids than saturated fatty acids.
• They are sources of minerals like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron and calcium.
  

Edible palm weevil larvae are usually eaten boiled, roasted, smoked, fried or dried. They are used as parts of meals or snacks. They are cheap and available anywhere palm trees grow. 

Pineapple Core Is Useful Too.

Pineapples, called Ananas comosus, are tropical plants with juicy fruits and wonderful flavours with a bit of tartness. Pineapples are rich in vitamin C and manganese. They also contain fiber, copper, folate, pantothenic acid, thiamin and pyridoxine.

A lot of people only drink the juice while some that eat the flesh and discard of the core because of its hardness. Pineapple core is useful in healing because it is rich in bromelain, fiber and other beneficial nutrients so by discarding of the the core, you lose out on the useful nutrients it contains.

Pineapples are the only natural sources of bromelain which is a proteolytic enzyme with health promoting properties. Though bromelain is present in all parts of the pineapple, it is more concentrated in the core than the fruit. Bromelain has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and anti-microbial.

Bromelain has been found to be useful for healing many ailments due to its anti-inflammatory

properties. Below are some of the health benefits of bromelain;

• It reduces inflammation and is used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
• It is used to treat respiratory issues like asthma, sinusitis, pneumonia, etc.
• It is used to heal bruising from injuries and surgery.
• It is used to treat skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, dermatitis, burns, bites, stings, boils, warts, etc.
• It is used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases.
• It is used to aid digestion.
• It removes toxins from the body.
• It helps the body break down fibrins which can cause blood clotting.
• It helps to treat infections and urinary tract infections.

Since bromelain is more concentrated in the core, it follows that including the core in for consumption gives you more bromelain for healing. Eating the right foods with good nutrition can provide healing for minor ailments and discomforts that we deal with on a daily basis. 

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Why Is Xylopia aethiopica Important In African Traditional Medicine?

Xylopia aethiopica is a tree that grows in the rainforests of Africa whose fruits are used as spices for cooking and in traditional medicine. They are known as Ethiopian pepper, Guinea pepper and grains of Salem. It is locally called eeru (Yoruba), uda (Igbo), unien (Bini), atta (efik/Ibibio), urheri (urhobo) and others in Nigeria.

The seeds, stem, bark, roots and fruits of Ethiopian pepper are used in traditional medicine. The fruits are usually smoked and are the most widely used part. Ethiopian pepper is very useful in Nigerian traditional medicine.

Ethiopian pepper has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, hypotensive and carminative properties. Ethiopian pepper has so many active components that are responsible for its usefulness in traditional medicine and some are rutin, piperine and liriodine.

Some uses of Ethiopia pepper

• To enhance female fertility.
• To treat bronchitis.
• To treat stomach issues like dysentery.
• To treat body aches and pains including toothache.
• To aid delivery.
• To stop or arrest bleeding.
• To reduce inflammation, swelling and stiffness of the joints.
• To treat infections.
• To lower blood pressure.
• To expel worms.
• To repel insects.
• To treat skin issues like boils, sores and bites.

The fruits are also smoked like tobacco, used to season palm wine and added to pepper soup to speed womb recovery after childbirth. Ethiopian pepper has many more uses than those mentioned above in many parts of Africa. Even when the fruits are used in cooking, they provide medicinal properties.

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What You Gain From Eating Puff Puff.

Puff puff is the name given to a popular snack in Nigeria that is made from a mixture of flour, yeast,

sugar and salt that is made into a dough and the deep fried. Spices like pepper, onions, nutmeg, etc. may be added.

Puff puff balls are easy to make, convenient, filling, yummy and cheap so they are very popular. They are also a part of small chops served at parties.

Considering the ingredients in puff puff, it is a snack or meal that one should not consume a lot of or consume regularly. Puff puffs are;

• High in calories.
• High in carbohydrates and sugars.
• Low in proteins.
• Low in fiber.
• Made with white flour which has gluten.
• Deficient in other beneficial nutrients like minerals, vitamins and other health promoting phytonutrients.
• Fried.

If you are planning a healthy diet, puff puff should be minimal or absent for the reasons above. Sometimes people skips meals and eat snacks including puff puff together with sugary drinks. It is not advisable to indulge in this pattern of eating regularly because it is not so health.

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Okoho: An African Food Gum That Is More Slippery Than The Elm.

The slippery elm is a species of plants native to North America that is used for herbal remedies for healing and well- being. Slippery elm is useful for medicinal purposes because of the mucilage the bark contains.

There are so many plants in Africa that have mucilage which have been and are still used as food. One of such is Cissus populnea, called okoho, ajara, orogbolo, latutuwa and daafaara locally in Nigeria. The highly viscous food gum is extracted from the bark of the stem though other parts of the plant have mucilage too.

Okoho is a food gum that is popularly used by Idoma people and other tribes from the Middle Belt Region of Nigeria as a soup thickener. It is used by other people for traditional medicine and herbal recipes. The highly viscous food gum is obtained from the stem.  Africans have always known the importance of eating mucilage.

Mucilaginous foods have numerous health benefits which are centered on their slippery nature and soothing properties. Mucilage is a type of soluble fiber of viscous nature. Mucilage is a polysaccharide that becomes a gel when mixed with water.

Okoho also contains active phytochemicals like tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, carotenoids, anthroquinones and vitamin C. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to its mucilage and other active ingredients, Cissus polpunea stem has been used to heal traditionally in the following ways;

• As a laxative
• As an antidote to arrow wounds.
• To expel intestinal parasites.
• As aphrodisiac and to treat male erectile issues.
• To treat sore breast.
• To treat venereal diseases.

Other well-known uses of foods that have mucilage or soluble fiber are;

• To lower blood cholesterol levels by preventing the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.
• To lower blood sugar level by regulating the absorption of carbohydrates and preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.
• To regulate bowel movement.
• To prevent constipation and hemorrhoids.
• To treat inflammation of the intestinal tract and inflammatory conditions of the digestive system.
• To alleviate cramping.
• To regulate acidity of the gastrointestinal tract.
• To remove waste and toxins out of the colon.
• To protect against inflammation of all mucous membranes.
• To treat skin issues like burns, boils, psoriasis and other skin conditions.
• To treat respiratory issues.
• To treat ulcers, mouth sores, inflamed gum and sore throat.

Okoho can be cooked like ogbono soup and has almost the same taste but is far more viscous. Adding this thickener to your healthy diet provides much more than you can imagine. Good Food is Good Medicine!

Add to this article below if you know more about Cissus populnea names and uses.

A lot of Our African Traditional Meals Are Rich In Fiber.

Almost all plant foods have some of the two types of fiber in different proportions. It is now a well-known fact that a diet rich if fiber is important for maintaining good health.

When one is reading about sources of fiber, a lot of African fiber-rich foods are not mentioned.

Traditionally, most African meals are a combination of whole cereal grains, starchy roots, meats, fish, vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices and other raw products. Most meals are prepared from scratch, using raw ingredients or home processed ingredients.

Traditional African meals contain high fiber contents due to the fact that they are minimally processed and so most of the beneficial parts are consumed.  Most cereal grains are consumed whole and starchy roots usually contain fiber and other nutrients in their raw forms. It is a known fact now that consuming about 3 servings of whole grains daily reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Apart from vegetables, Africans consume a lot of viscous or mucilaginous foods which are wonderful sources of soluble fiber. Over the years, we have perfected

the art of cooking mucilaginous foods into tasty meals. Some stems, leaves, roots and other parts of plants contain mucilage which is used to thicken soups and stews.

Africans also use other parts of plants like calyxes, flowers and tubers of mushrooms to cook. Plants are the only sources of fiber so using more of their parts increases fiber intake. 

So if you are planning meals for good health look no further than our traditional foods and eat them like our forefathers did. Most of the food items mentioned in most articles that you will find is most likely to be those that are not native to Africa and may be difficult to obtain. There are so many ways you can prepare our meals if you are adventurous enough to learn from other cultures. Africa has so many ethnic groups and flora so you have a lot to use.

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Is It Safe To Use Kaun In Cooking?

Kaun is a natural food additive which is an alkaline salt. It is called potash, kaun, akaun, kanwa, etc.

locally in Nigeria, where it is used mostly for culinary purposes in the following ways;

• To tenderize tough meats.
• To decrease the cooking time of legumes and beans.
• To stabilize oil and water emulsions.
• To increase the viscosity of mucilaginous vegetables like okra or jute leaves.
• To preserve the colours of vegetables during cooking.

Other uses of kaun.

• To suppress fires.
• To clean because of its anti-microbial properties.
• To treat acne, pimples and other skin issues.

I read that kaun has some side effects and may not be ideal for human consumption, but it is used sparingly in cooking and has been used by our forefathers with no complaints. Kaun has been used by women in rural areas to induce abortion because it is said to stimulate the uterus.

I really do not know the real name of kaun in English and there are many types found in our local markets. Some are soft and powdery while some are hard and rock-like. 

if you know more about kaun and its uses, please share below. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.

Health Benefits of Oha (Pterocarpus mildraedii) Leaves.

Oha leaves are the edible leaves of an evergreen tree found in Africa that is known botanically as Pterocarpus mildraedii. They are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. They are also called ora leaves.

Oha leaves contain minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese. Oha leaves are rich in fiber, amino acids like glutamic acid, lysine and cysteine while they have a  low sodium content. They contain vitamins A, C and some B vitamins.

Oha leaves contain hydrogen cyanide and oxalate but in low levels which are not harmful to humans.

They are popularly used in cooking Ofe Owerri by Igbo people of Nigeria.

Some of the bioactive compounds whish are responsible for the therapeutic actions of oha leaves are alkaloids, tannic acid, polyphenols, oxalates and tannic acid.

Traditionally, the leaves are used to treat malaria and digestive issues. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.

Oha leaves can be one of the vegetables included in a healthy diet because they are green leafy vegetables which promote wellness and good health. Vegetables also help to maintain pH of the body to be alkaline. Oha leaves are also quite delicious and easy to add to soups and other vegetables in cooking.

Oha leaves are one of those African vegetables which are under-utilized despite their numerous benefits.

If you know more about the usefulness of Pterocarpus mildraedii plant, let us know below. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.   

Pleurotus Tuber-Regium Uses.

Pleurotus tuber-regium is the king tuber mushroom which is found growing on dead trees or wood in

the tropics. It is an edible fungus which grows in Africa, Asia and Australia. The fungus produces a storage tuber called sclerotium in the wood or soil below and fruiting bodies on top, as it feeds on the dead wood. Both the fruiting body and the underground tuber are edible. The sclerotium is dark brown on the outside and white inside. It can be up to 30cm wide.

In Nigeria, the king tuber mushroom sclerotium is popularly used in cooking in South East region where it is called usu, isuo or isu in Igbo language. It is also used in traditional medicine.

Pleurotus tuber-regium is beneficial for nutrition and healing because it contains polysaccharides which are a dietary fiber source that are responsible for a lot of its beneficial properties.  King tuber mushrooms have the following properties;

• Antioxidant.
• Anti-inflammatory.
• Anti-diabetic or antihyperglycemic.
• Antihyperlipidemic.

Some of its health benefits are below;

• To regulate blood sugar levels.
• To lower blood cholesterol levels.
• To relieve stomach and digestive issues.
• To lower blood pressure.
• To maintain a healthy weight.                    
• To boost the immune system.

The fruiting body is rich in proteins and fiber. The fruiting bodies are used in cooking too. The fiber-rich tuber or sclerotium is used as a soup thickner because of its ability to swell in water and add bulk. It is used in cooking egusi (melon) soup.

There are so many cheap food ingredients that promote wellness that we have overlooked over time. Usu is one of such. 

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Cassava Leaves For Culinary And Healing Purposes.

Cassava roots are a staple food in many parts of the world. The cassava plant is called Manihot esculenta botanically.

The leaves of cassava plant are useful for cooking and medicine die to their nutritional content. Cassava leaves contain vitamins A, B1, K, folates and beta-carotene. The protein content is comparable to that of eggs and includes essential amino acids like leucine, valine, isoleucine, lysine and arginine. The leaves are rich in fiber, carbohydrates and also contain minerals like potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and iron. They are low in calories, unlike the starch rich roots.

They contain hydrocyanic acid which makes them toxic when eaten raw. Cooking degrades the

cyanide content and makes the leaves safe for consumption.

Cassava leaves are bland or have no taste, and so absorb the flavour imparted by other ingredients they are cooked with.

Cassava leaves have antioxidant, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties which make them useful in healing and traditional medicine. They are used to cure fevers, rheumatism, diarrhea, ulcers, head ache, expel worms and increase stamina. Mashed leaves are used to heal injuries because of their astringent properties.

Cassava leaves are plentiful, cheap and available throughout the year. They are nice to use in cooking egusi. You can use them to substitute other vegetables in cooking especially during  harmattan or dry season.

We will like to know what cassava leaves are used for in your area below. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.

West African Black Pepper Medicinal Uses.

West African black pepper, known botanically as Piper guineense, is a woody vine whose seeds are berries which are known as African black pepper. They are also known as Guinea cubeb, Benin pepper and Ashanti pepper. Locally, they are called uziza, iyere, sasema, kale, masoro, etc. in different parts of West and Central Africa which they are native to.

West African black pepper seeds and leaves are widely used in West Africa for culinary and medicinal purposes because of its aromatic flavour and medicinal properties. The root is also used for medicinal preparations.

West African black pepper seeds contain piperine which is its most active component and is

responsible for its heat. They also contain alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, peptides, terpenoids and essential oils. They contain high amounts of vitamin C and beta carotene.

West African black pepper seeds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-flatulent, anti-bacterial, anti-virus, astringent and carminative properties. They increase the anti-cancer properties of turmeric when used together and help to increase nutrient absorption from foods.

Because of their  health promoting properties, West African black pepper seeds are used medicinally for the following;

• To cleanse the womb after birth.
• To lower blood pressure.
• To decrease cholesterol levels.
• To treat pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory issues.
• To relieve flatulence, aid digestion and increase stomach acid secretion.
• To treat arthritis, rheumatism and other inflammatory conditions.
• To prevent blood clotting.
• To reduce pain.
• To stimulate metabolism.
• To boost memory.
• To repel insects.

The seeds are part of Nigerian pepper soup ingredients which are very important in Nigeria. The leaves are used to boost fertility, treat intestinal issues and juiced to clear persistent coughs. The roots are used to treat respiratory issues and venereal diseases.

African black pepper seeds are handy to have in the kitchen to include in cooking local dishes and treating ailments. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell. Comments are appreciated below.

Why Are We Killing Our Planet With So Much Junk?

If our planet could talk, it would be crying because it is ailing. Sadly, we are killing it with so many adverse practices.

We are generating too much waste. Plastics, tins and other packaging materials which are not degradable and cannot return to the soil to be used as nutrients.

Why are we creating problems that have no real solutions?

Why are we making much more than we really need? Why are we, the consumers obsessed with

buying much more than we need? By buying a lot, we encourage manufacturers to produce more to meet our demands and also create waste by discarding more. Producing more means more factory waste, more fumes into the atmosphere and other by products.

Why can’t we use reusable containers, cutlery, schoolbooks, etc.? There was a time this was the norm and nobody suffered for it?

Why can’t we learn to produce waste that can return to nature? What is wrong with baskets made from bamboo over plastic ones? Why use nylon to package when a leaf is better? We definitely need to find a way to use plant-based materials to package.

Smart countries have reduced their manufacturing sector, preferring to outsource and in the process, breathing better air, drinking better water while reducing noise and pollution.

We need to learn to listen to or world and care for it. It is definitely crying from pain and lack of care. Despite sustaining billions of living organisms, not up to a million give it a thought.

Our world needs love, attention and tender loving care. Let us learn to give back positively to it. We need to heal our world. 

Some Facts About Ogi And Eko.

Ogi and eko are made from ground fermented corn powder. The process involves fermenting corn in

water for about three days, grinding and then separating the chaff from the starchy powder. Ogi is also called corn pap or akamu and is in semi-liquid form, while eko or agidi is in solid form.

Corn on its own is a very healthy addition to a diet when it is in its whole form because all the nutrients are available for consumption. Corn contains carbohydrates, oils, fiber and other phytonutrients which promote good health.

The main problem is that when the chaff is removed during sieving, most of the fiber content is lost. Fiber is beneficial to health and healing because it slows digestion, regulates blood sugar levels and helps to reduce cholesterol levels. Also, because most of the fiber content has been removed, ogi and eko digest faster than other corn-based foods which still have their fiber content intact. Foods that digest quickly are not ideal for individuals that are dealing with diabetes.

Though ogi and eko are considered to be light foods, raw pap powder contains about 97%

carbohydrates so you should accompany it with foods which are rich in other nutrients.

Ogi and pap are easy to digest and so can be used by those recovering from illness. They boost energy levels because of their high carbohydrate content and can also be taken by athletes for energy and fluids.

Despite their low fiber content and high carbohydrate content, both ogi and eko are all-natural foods with no additives or preservatives. They also go through a fermentation process which adds benefits to their food value. Some other African foods made from corn are tuwo, kenkey, akume, sapala, egbo, pap, ugali and owowo.

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The Many Uses Of Plantain.

Plantains are nutritious vegetables that are closely related to and look like bananas. The plantain plant is called Musa paradisiaca. They are low in sugar and starchy. Raw plantains are consumed cooked.

Plantains contain vitamins A, C and some B vitamins like pyridoxine, folates, riboflavin, thiamin and niacin. They contain minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

Plantains contain fiber and complex carbohydrates which make them an excellent prebiotic for beneficial intestinal bacteria. Ripe plantains are yellow and less starchy than unripe ones which are usually green.

In Nigeria, plantains are boiled, roasted, baked, grilled, fried, mashed, pounded alone or with other starchy foods.

Although the fruit is the popularly consumed or used part, other parts of plantain plant are also used for nutrition, packaging and medicine. Some of the ways the other parts are used are as follows;

• The leaves are used to package foods and to wrap food for cooking. The leaf juice or leaf extract is used in treating diabetes. The leaves are pounded or dried and powdered to treat skin rashes, burns, stings or convulsions.
• Plantain stem juice is used in traditional medicine to dissolve urinary stones, to promote sleep,
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  to soothe and calm the mind and to stop diarrhea. This juice has a stimulating effect on the uterus and is not advisable for consumption by pregnant women.
• The juice from the root is used to treat diabetes, prostrate disorders and venereal diseases.
• The peel has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and can be used fresh or dried and powdered to treat skin disorders, repel insects, remove splinters, polish shoes, treat hemorrhoids and whiten teeth. The peel has almost the same uses as banana peel. Read more here about the uses of banana peel.
• The flowers of plantain plant can be eaten raw in salads or cooked.

Please share other uses of plantain plant that you may know. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.

Luffa Cylindrica Is Not Just Sponge Or Weed.

Luffa cylindrica plant is a creeping plant whose fruit is a natural cellulose fiber that is popularly used as scrubbing sponge for cleaning and bathing. Luffa cylindrical is popularly called vegetable sponge, sponge gourd, vegetable gourd and loofah. It is called Kankan Ayaba in Yoruba.

Because Luffa cylindrica is an invasive plant, it is often regarded as weed due to the fact that it will thrive under almost all conditions and is often found covering abandoned buildings and land under a short period of time.

Luffa cylindrica plant contains a lot of phytonutrients which make it useful for different nutritional and medicinal purposes. The seeds, leaves, fruits and other parts of Luffa are used in medicinal preparations in different parts of the world.

Dried matured fruits of Luffa cylindrical are popularly used;

• To scrub and exfoliate the skin.
• To wash and scrub pots, utensils and other household items.
• As additions to exfoliating soap.
• To decorate and adorn in arts and craft.

Young fruits, flowers and buds are usually eaten as vegetables in some parts of the world.

The seed contains about 50% oil which is used as a healing moisturizer for the skin and a natural sunscreen. The oil has anti-microbial properties, so it is used to treat numerous skin disorders and infections like boils, eczema, acne, pimples, leprosy, etc. The seed is also used to expel worms and as anti-aging oil because of its moisturizing, healing, emollient, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The seeds are emetic and purgative as well.

The leaves have anti-microbial, antioxidant and anti- inflammatory properties. The juice is used to resolve respiratory issues like sinusitis, bronchitis, removing phlegm and relieving cough. It is used as eye drop to treat conjunctivitis and taken for relieving amenorrhea. The leaves are also used in preparations for malaria and typhoid fevers. Pounded leaves are used to treat hemorrhoids.

The sap from the leaves repels insects.

Luffa sponge is excellent for removing dead skin while promoting circulation. So the next time you see a Luffa plant, think further than it being a weed or sponge, there are so many things you can use it for. 

Share below other medicinal purposes that you know Luffa is used for. Follow on Twitter @heal2well. 

The Health Benefits Of Yams.

Yams are the starchy root tubers of several vegetables that belong to the Dioscorea family. They are popular staples in the diets of West African and are rich in carbohydrates. They are grown throughout Africa, Asia and South America. There are hundreds of yam varieties.

Nutritional profile of yams.

Yams are excellent sources of energy, having complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Yams are rich in B-complex vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, pyridoxine and pantothenic acid. Yams are rich in vitamin C and moderate levels of vitamin A. They are good sources of minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese.

Some of the health benefits of yams.

• B-complex vitamins are important for proper metabolic functions.
• Vitamins A and C are antioxidants which can reduce or prevent oxidative stress on the body.
• Yams have a low glycemic index which makes them ideal for moderate consumption by those with diabetes.
• Yams are rich in fiber which is beneficial to good health. Fiber also helps in promoting digestion, regulates blood sugar levels and lower blood cholesterol levels.
• Yams contain a phytonutrient called diosgenin which is similar to progesterone. Progesterone is one of the important female hormones. Yams are believed to have a stabilizing effect on female hormonal patterns because of this.
• Diosgenin also decreases the risk of osteoporosis.
• Yams contain allantoin, which soothes the skin, stops skin irritations and protects the skin.

Yams are perfect to add to a healthy diet, even though a lot of Africans believe that because they are high carbohydrate foods, they are to be avoided but yam has mostly complex carbohydrates and fiber, which slow digestion. Most yams are eaten boiled or processed minimal, which means that most of the other beneficial nutrients are eaten with it. Yams are not to be consumed raw because they contain some toxic substances which cooking destroys. It is best to eat yams in moderation and not too late in the day.

Yams are easy to cook and can be boiled, grilled, roasted, fried, mashed or powdered. West Africans

also pound yam into a paste called pounded yam which is consumed with vegetable soups. Yams pieces are dried and made into powder which is reconstituted in hot water to make a paste called amala in Nigeria.

Our African foods are excellent for health like most indigenous foods from all over the world. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.

How Bell Apples Can Contribute To A Healthy Diet

The bell apple tree is called Syzygium samarangese and is a tree that thrives in tropical regions of the world, including Nigeria. The fruits are also called wax apples, rose apples and water apples.

Bell apples can be a wonderful addition to a healthy diet because of their good nutritional content. Below are some of the important nutrients in bell apples;

• Vitamins A, C, E and B1.
• Minerals like potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium.
• Dietary fiber.
• Low calories and high water content (93%).

Some potential benefits of consuming bell apples.

1. Bell apples contain pectin, which is a form of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps to regulate blood sugar levels and blood cholesterol levels.
2. The fiber content helps in digestion.
3. They contain iron which helps in blood formation and so are beneficial to those who are anemic.
4. Vitamins C and E are antioxidants which help to reduce oxidative stress of free radicals on the body, protecting the body from chronic diseases.
5. They are used to resolve digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation.
6. They are high in water content and so, like watermelons, are useful for dehydration and heat stroke. 
7. Potassium is important in the regulation of heartbeats.

Other parts of the plant are useful for medicinal purposes. The flowers are mildly astringent and are used to stop diarrhea and reduce fevers. The bark and leaves have anti-bacterial properties and are used as a part of preparations for treating infections of the skin.

The fruits grow in Nigeria and were popularly consumed before. These days most people do not bother with it, preferring to eat apples instead. The fruits can be eaten raw, used in fruit cocktails, smoothies or juiced.

Let us know what other parts of the bell apple plant are used in your area below. Follow on Twitter @heal2bwell.