YOUR NATURAL AND BEST BET FOR SEASONING: "Iru (yoruba), dawadawa(hausa)"

Most Nigerians have found out that their visits to the doctors, hospitals and even churches (due to one illness or the order) are on the increase. Degenerative diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension, Kidney and liver are taking its toll on our wonderful people. The questions many of our wonderful people (who or their relations have one health issue or the order) have asked me are “where are these diseases coming from? Our forefathers never had these diseases in their time?”

What I often tell them is that these diseases are rampant now because of what we are eating. A lot of foods that we thought were harmless have overtime sent some of our good people to early deaths. Due to my involvement in health, nutrition and lifestyle, I am very particular about what my family and I eat. I now that natural plant foods consumption will greatly improve anyone’s health. We need to avoid processed foods as much as possible. Processed foods such as seasoning cubes; magi, knorr etc. Most seasoning cubes, if not all in Nigeria, will have Monosodium Glutamate(MSG) and since it is a flavor enhancer and seasoning cubes are designed for just that purpose.

God has provided a natural seasoning plant variety for us and this is what my family uses. The African locust beans which is called Iru (Yoruba),dawadawa(Hausa). When you use Iru or dawadawa in your foods, you are getting a rich blend of minerals which the regular seasoning cubes will not provide for you.

Blessing Ekum of Nigerian Tribune says

When it comes to minerals, the African locust beans are loaded with a wide variety. It is a good source of potassium and phosphorus. A 2008 study on the “Chemical composition and anti-nutrients of some lesser known Nigeria fruits” published in the African Journal of Biotechnology reported a high calcium content of 11650mg/kg for the fruit pulp. The recommended dietary allowance for calcium is 800mg/day, which means that about 68g dry weight of the pulp fruit would provide the recommended daily allowance for calcium.

The findings from the study also showed that the pulp is rich in magnesium, a mineral that plays a major role in relaxing muscles along the airways to the lungs, thus allowing asthma patients to breathe easily. The study adds that deficiency of magnesium in man is responsible for severe diarrhoea, migraines, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, arteriosclerosis and stroke.

It is equally rich in iron which is an important element in the diet of pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, convulsing patients and the elderly to prevent anaemia and other related diseases

Other studies have reported high potassium, sodium and manganese content in the pulp. Manganese supports the immune system, regulates blood sugar levels and is involved in the production of energy and cell reproduction. It works with Vitamin K to support blood clotting. Working with some vitamins, manganese helps to control the effects of stress. Birth defects can possibly result when an expecting mother does not get enough of this important element.