In Igbo land
of Nigeria, Fluted pumpkin leaves is referred to as Ugu leaves and many health experts have said repeatedly without
mincing words based on research, that it has various health benefits.
Scientists say fluted pumpkin leaves can boost blood levels, fight diseases.
“Cholesterol
does not exist in vegetables. Vegetables do not clog arteries.” – Jane Velez –
Mitchell
Many
Nigerians consuming fluted pumpkin vegetables, populary known as ugu, are actually eating their way to
good health, according to experts.
The vegetable, which is popular among many
in the South – East and South – South zones of the country, is increasingly
becoming more popular among other Nigerians that now know that ugu is packed full with essential
nutrients. And now, wherever anyone turns, the vegetable is grown, sold and
consumed.
Various health benefits of Fluted
pumpkin includes:
1. Fluted pumpkin leaves contributes to blood building and
boosting.
2. Fluted pumpkin leaves is rich in minerals, such as
iron, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium.
3. Fluted pumpkin leaves has anti – oxidants and
vitamins, such as thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinamide and ascorbic acid.
4. Fluted pumpkin leaves is high protein content and can
have supplementary effect for the daily protein requirement of the body.
5. Fluted pumpkin leaves can be effectively used to
fight and prevent diseases, such as kwashiorkor and marasmus, which cause
severe loss of body weight in children as a result of malnutrition.
7. Fluted pumpkin leaves have this hypolipdemic effect
and may be a useful therapy in hyper cholestolemia, that is in the control of
high level of cholesterol in the body.
8. Fluted pumpkin has the highest vitamin A content,
when compared to other vegetables and this is adequate enough to sustain the
vitamin A requirement in pregnant women.
9. Fluted pumpkin is rich in iron and thus plays a key
role in the cure of Anemia.
10. Fluted pumpkin leaves has been noted for its
lactating properties and for that reason, it is very good and highly recommended
for nursing mothers.
11. Fluted pumpkin has been shown through research to
have anti – diabetic effect and for this reason, had every potential to reduce
blood glucose level.
12. Fluted pumpkin consumption can help to fight malaria
fever and also help prevent liver damage.
 |
| Fluted Pumpkin Leaves [telfairia occidentalis] |
A
biochemist, Mr. Abolanle kayoed, and nutritionist, Patience Chima, have
affirmed the inherent benefits of fluted pumpkin leaf. Kayoed, a researcher and
lecturer in Biochemistry at the Department of Clinical sciences, Bells University
of technology, Ota, Ogun State, said research had consistently shown that
fluted pumpkin contributes to blood building and good health.
Kayode’s
comment came on the heels of reported widespread consumption of fluted pumpkin
by people living in Jalingo, Taraba State, and the rest of the North – East. In
the western part of Nigeria, many people are said to be eating the vegetable
and even growing it for profit.
The demand
for it in Lagos alone is now so high that its suppliers can hardly cope, with
traders in the commodity shipping in large quantities from Akwa – Ibom. Yet demand
still outweighs supply. Growers of the vegetable in the South – West area are
said to be making good money.
Affirming
its health importance, Chima said: “Ugu
is a vegetable low in calories and contains no saturated fat or cholesterol. It
is one of the vegetables that contain very high dietary fibre, anti – oxidants,
minerals and vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. Vitamin A is
a very essential natural anti – oxidant, which is necessary a healthy skin. It is
also good for the maintenance of good sight. It has also been suggested that it
could be useful in fighting cancers. Anyone interested in controlling their level
of cholesterol level and cutting down on their weight, might find ugu very useful.”
Johnson, a
cook working in a hospital in Jalingo, said - most people in the state were
eating more of Ugu unlike before,
saying that some hospitals in the state recommended it to women and children,
who are suffering from malnutrition. Johnson further said that until recently,
many residents of Taraba State only saw ugu
as a vegetable for the people from the south, particularly the Igbo. They had
nothing to do with it. Then, our people only consumed cabbage, lettuce, onions,
aleho and yakwa leaves but detested ugu.
But now, all
that has changed. As am talking now, the vegetable is being heavily consumed by
our people. In fact, the rate is so high now. More and more people are getting
to discover its richness; everyone is enjoying it. I can say that it is not only the people of
Taraba State, but a large number of people in the whole North east have long known
about it.
We now use
it to cook our soup and even make vegetable sauce. The popularity of the
vegetable in the recent past soared because some people, who visited the
hospital in the recent past were told by doctors and nurses to consume more of
it.
Pregnant mothers
in particular were told to eat plenty of ugu
leaves because it is believed to enrich the blood cells much more than any
other vegetable we have around. For this
reason, our people have gone the extra mile by learning to farm the vegetable.
Some
Igbo people living in in Taraba state have taught our people to farm it and
now, they are doing well at it. They are also selling it and making money, he
said.
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