BEST HEALTHY WEST AFRICAN FOODS

Africans are largely recognized by what they eat. There are a lot of foods in west Africa that are very healthy. As the saying goes, you are what you eat, while you may not literally transform into the things you eat, your nutritional choices certainly play an important role in your overall health. Not only that, but there are certain foods that can even help to maintain or improve your health. Eating the right foods will help you have good health and will have a good impact on every aspect of your life. 

Here are some of the best foods for your brain:

1. Teff

Teff, also known by its scientific name, ERAGROSTIS TEF, is a small free grain with a long list of health benefits. It’s a species of lovegrass, native to Ethiopia, where it’s an important grain. Teff is rich in calcium and contains 123mg of calcium. It is also high in iron, protein and also vitamin C.

Some of the benefit associated with teff are, it helps in the circulation of blood, it also helps in weight losing, adding teff to your diet will help cut back inflammation, bloating, cramping and muscle pain associated with menstruation, last but not the least teff helps the red blood cells (it boosts the immune system). Lastly, teff is very rich in calcium which helps in building strong bones and teeth.

2. Fonio

Fonio is often refers to as the sees of the universe or the grain at the root all existence

Native to the West African Sahel, Fonio is a drought-resistant grain related to millet, that is high in amino acids and is a favorite in salads, stews and porridges.

Like teff, fonio matures quickly, producing grain in just six to eight weeks, and so can be relied upon in semi-arid areas with poor soil and unreliable rainfall.

It’s rising in popularity among foodies in big cities like New York, but there are also concerns that although large scale Fonio exports would be profitable for local farmers, they themselves could end up being priced out of the market.

3. Moringa

 Moringa is sometimes called the Ben oil tree. Interestingly, in 2008 the institute of Health referred to Moringa (moringa oleifera as the Plant of the year.

Native to Africa and South Asia, all parts of the moringa tree – bark, pods, leaves, nuts, seeds, tubers, roots, and flowers – are edible.

The leaves are used fresh or dried and ground into powder, and are high in protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin C and Vitamin A; some estimates show that gram-for-gram, moringa contains twice the protein of yoghurt, four times the calcium of milk, seven times the Vitamin C of oranges and 25 times the iron of spinach.

Some of the benefits of Moringa are as follows; helps in inflammation – related diseases, cancer, diabetes anemia, low energy and fatigue, constipation, stomach pains and diarrhea.

4. Hibiscus

When dried hibiscus flowers are steeped in hot water, the dark red hibiscus tea is called karkadeh/ karkady in Arabic, and is popular in North Africa, particularly Egypt and Sudan. In Egypt and Sudan, wedding celebrations are traditionally toasted with a glass of hibiscus tea.

In West Africa, it’s known as bissap, tsoborodo or wonjo; bissap is called the “national drink of Senegal.” Hibiscus tea is rich in antioxidants minerals and vitamin C, and served hot it loses a bit of its characteristic sour. It can also be served chilled with ice.

5. Coconut

Coconut, edible fruit of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera), a tree of the palm family (Arecaceae). Coconuts probably originated somewhere in Indo-Malaya and are one of the most important crops of the tropics.

There are a lot of benefits associated with coconut. Below are few highlighted benefits,

Coconut water offers a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps balance sodium levels in the body and regulate blood pressure, its unique fatty-acid combination promotes healthy brain function; protein-containing coconut milk aids the digestive system, is a natural antiviral, and boosts skin health.