Nutrition
Health benefits of jute leaves (Ademe)
• Jute leaves
Jute leaves is popularly called ewedu among the Yoruba and rama or ayoyo among the Hausa. It is a popular vegetable in West Africa and is not just rich in nutrition but also has a lot of health benefits, including protecting us from various diseases. Nutrition-wise, vegetables are low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals.
– Internal Bleeding
Jute plant consists of considerable amount of Vitamin K which is helpful in reducing the threat of bleeding in the liver, poor nutrient absorption, jaundice or the combination of long term use of antibiotics or aspirin. Some of the problems related with the gastrointestinal system due to a decrease of this vitamin include colitis, obstructions, sprue and Crohn’s disease. All these problems are due to a reduced content of Vitamin K.
-Weight loss
The green leaf has been described as a source of weight loss. Serving ayoyo or ademe without meat or fish has 97 calories. So, for those trying to lose some weight, include ewedu in your diet.
The ewedu leaf is an adequate source of fibre, thus making the plant very helpful in dealing with weight management and may also promote intestinal health by helping with bowel movement.
– Good for pregnant
women
This jute leaf has been known to be a remedy for pregnant women experiencing prolonged labour. When a pregnant woman is experiencing prolonged labour, a bunch of ewedu leaves squeezed with the stem can be given to her to drink. It has also been discovered to aid milk secretion in lactating mothers.
– Protects Eye Health
Poor diet or nutrient deficiencies are the fundamental reasons of numerous eye diseases. Research has proven that taking vitamin B6 together with other vitamins, like folate, can help in the prevention of eye disorders and loss of vision. Jute plant consists of 0.496 mg Vitamin B6 which is 38.15percent of the daily recommended value. Regular consumption of Jute plant is believed to help slow the start of certain eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration.
-Fights off colds and flu
Jute plant consists of Vitamin C which is extremely beneficial to the immune system and plays an important role in the body’s ability to fight off colds and viruses. You can take 1,000 mg of Vitamin C to fight off an oncoming cold and 4,000 mg per day to get rid of a cold which is previously in your system.
Vitamin C when taken during colds and flu can help to decrease the risk of developing further complications, like pneumonia and lung infections.
-Reduces cholesterol
Several research studies have shown that copper helps to reduce the levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and to increase beneficial cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). Jute plant consists of 0.222 mg of copper which is 24.67percent of the daily recommended value. This helps to lower the chances of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
– Protects healthy hair and skin
Vitamin B2 also known as riboflavin plays an important role in maintaining collagen levels, which helps to make up healthy skin and hair. Collagen is required to maintain the youthful structure of skin and to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, thus a riboflavin deficiency can make us look aged earlier. Some research recommends that riboflavin can decrease the time needed for wound healing, can decrease skin inflammation and cracked lips, and can help naturally slow signs of aging.
Source: Herbal Cure For Disease
Nutrition
Health benefits of Star Apple (Alansa)
Known as Alansa in Ghana, the botanical name for the African Star apple is Chrysophyllum albidum.
In recent times, the demand for African star apple is very high because of sweet taste and its benefits.
-It prevents Anemia
-Maintains weight loss
-Anti oxidants rich in vitamin C
-It prevents diabetes
Nutrition
Fufu and Light Soup
Fufu and light soup is a traditional Ghanaian dish; it is delicious food that you won’t want to miss out on when it comes to Ghanaian cuisine.
Light soup is tomato based. Fish, goat, lamb, chicken, beef, or pork can all be used to make this light soup.
Basically, Fufu in Ghana is derived by combining cassava and plantain.
Ingredients
Fresh tomatoes
Beef/Goat meat/ Chicken/ Lamb meat
Fresh fish (tilapia or catfish)
Tomato paste
Chili peppers
2 large onions
3 spoonful of salt
Seasoning
3 teaspoonful of ginger and
garlic
4 fingers of okro
Fufu Ingredients
Fresh cassava
Unripe plantain
How to make Ghana Light Soup
-First of all clean your fish, remove the gills and the innards then rinse in clean water and set aside. Thereafter, wash the meat and equally keep it aside.
-Secondly, blend your ginger, garlic, onion, seasoning cube, salt, and spices, scoop some quantity into the fish and marinate the fish, cover and set aside.
-In a pot containing the meat pour the remaining blended garlic and ginger mixture, add the tomato paste, salt, bay leaf, with more water, cover and cook for about 10 minutes.
-Thirdly, wash your tomatoes, onions, and pepper and remove the stem of pepper, scrap off the onion head.
-Place fresh tomatoes, onions, pepper into a clean pot and pour 1 cup of water into the pot and bring to boil.
-Next is to remove the fresh tomatoes, pepper, and onions from heat and blend. Ensure you don’t discard the boiled water from the tomatoes rather use it to blend the tomatoes; or pour into the meat, add more water.
Finally, bring soup to a simmer over low heat for like 15 minutes then add the fresh fish; clean your okra/ okro and add into the cooking pot, cover and cook to doneness.
Optional: Sieve the soup if you like to get the clear light look of the soup else skip the process.
Light soup is ready.
How to make Ghana Fufu
On the same note, cassava flour can be used in place of fresh cassava tubers.
First of all, peel the skin of your cassava tuber and plantains then boil for about 25-30 minutes to tender.
Secondly, using a mortar and pestle which is the major instrument for local pounding, or use a Yam pounder machine to pound it.
Start with the plantain, thereafter add the cassava, sprinkle some water as you pound for easy pounding until a smooth paste is achieved; Your smooth fufu is ready.
Source: shopafricausa.com