Hypertension, obesity, diabetes, stroke, coronary artery disease, cancer and osteoporosis — call them lifestyle diseases— are known to be diseases associated with developed countries because of their lavish eating lifestyles.
As many Ghanaians’ eating preferences have gravitated towards anything western, the above-mentioned diseases have become quite common in the country.
This worrying sentiment has become even more alarming since many Ghanaians have substituted natural and nutritious-based locally-made spices— ginger, garlic, ‘dawadawa’, ‘pr?k?s?’, chilli pepper, nutmeg, rosemary, among others—for many taste enhancers on the markets, oblivious of their health implications.
If we really want to save our lives from some of these diseases, then there should be a paradigm shift in going back to what our forefathers used to be eating some decades ago which helped them live longer than we are experiencing in our days.
I propose, dear readers, some of these healthy local spices for our meals:
- GARLIC
Some of the old stories of garlic’s healing properties have doubtful validity, but many of its claimed health benefits have been backed up by modern scientific research. Several studies suggest that increased garlic intake reduces the risk of cancers of the stomach, colon, oesophagus, pancreas and breast. It appears that garlic may protect against cancer through numerous mechanisms, including by inhibiting bacterial infections and the formation of cancer-causing substances, promoting DNA repair and inducing cell death. Garlic supports detoxification and may also support the immune system and help reduce blood pressure.
- PR?K?S?
The wealth of ‘pr?k?s?’ as a medicinal plant has been embedded in local and tradition in Nigeria and neighbouring parts of Africa for centuries. The therapeutic properties of the plant has been documented since 1948 and authenticated in laboratory and field experiments.
The fruit is conventionally used as spice and as a natural multivitamins. It is rich in protein, lipids, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamin C. In Nigeria, it is cooked in soup and fed to mothers to prevent post-partum contraction. In Ghana, ‘pr?k?s?’ has been used to flavour soft and alcoholic drinks. It is known for its efficacy to reduce hypertension, decrease the severity of asthma attacks and promote blood flow.
Studies indicate that ‘pr?k?s?’ extract reduces the risk of certain types of ulcer. It can also inhibit the growth of bacteria.
- DAWADAWA
If you have not yet eaten soup spiced with ‘dawadawa’ (locust bean) before, then you are missing and denying yourself a whole lots of health benefits! ‘Dawadawa’ is the single most significant ingredient guaranteed to take soups, stews or mixed vegetables from being okay to the next level. Although it is one of the common cooking condiments that is gradually disappearing from dining table of many families in Ghana, it is still widely used by Nigerians. Local research has shown that ‘dawadawa’ helps to promote good sight and drives away hypertension and diseases conditions like stroke and diabetes.
- GINGER
Ginger can be used in its fresh state, in powdered form (ginger spice) or candied. Consuming ginger and ginger products can help in:
Maintaining Normal Blood Circulation: Ginger contains chromium, magnesium and zinc which can help to improve blood flow, as well as help prevent chills, fever and excessive sweat.
Prevention of Cold and Flu: Ginger has been used for thousands of years as a natural treatment for colds and flu around the world.
Combating Stomach Discomfort: Ginger is ideal in assisting digestion, thereby improving food absorption and avoiding possible stomach ache. Ginger appears to reduce inflammation in a similar way to aspirin and ibuprofen
Fighting Common Respiratory Problems: If you’re suffering from common respiratory diseases such as a cough, ginger aids in expanding your lungs and loosening up phlegm because it is a natural expectorant that breaks down and removes mucus. That way, you can quickly recover from difficulty in breathing.
Strengthening Immunity: Ginger helps improve the immune system. Consuming a little bit ginger a day can help foil potential risk of a stroke by inhibiting fatty deposits from the arteries. It also decreases bacterial infections in the stomach, and helps battle a bad cough and throat irritation.
- NEGRO PEPPER (‘HWENTEA’)
Known as African pepper, Negro pepper, selim pepper, Guinea pepper, its medicinal flavour is in the pod itself and the seeds. The whole pod is mostly added to cooking to get the most of the taste.
- NUTMEG
While nutmeg is only a spice that is used sparingly in dishes, it can still impact your health in a variety of ways, mainly due to its nutritive content of vitamins, minerals, and organic compounds related to the essential oils. These beneficial components include dietary fibre, manganese, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, copper and macelignan.
Nutmeg is a popular spice that has a long list of associated health benefits, including its ability to relieve pain, soothe indigestion, strengthen cognitive function, detoxify the body, boost skin health, alleviate oral conditions, reduce insomnia, increase immune system function, and prevent leukaemia and improve blood circulation.
Dzigbordi Fomenyah
dfomenyah@ymail.com