GARRI IS A FUNCTIONAL FOOD.

Yes! the common staple made from cassava is a functional food. What is a functional food? Functional food provide additional health benefits aside the basic nutrition requirements. 

 According to an article published in the Journal of Nutrition 2002, “Functional foods represent one of the most intensively investigated and widely promoted areas in the food and nutrition sciences today.” 

The benefits of a diet that includes plenty of functional foods is that it protects against common chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and stroke. Functional foods can occur naturally as seen in some fruits and vegetables or they can be bred or enhanced as seen in the yellow cassava, orange fleshed potatoes and purple potatoes.

 Foods can also be processed with other ingredients referred to as fortified to make it functional such as cereals fortified with vitamins and minerals. Functional foods are referred to as power / super foods based on the health benefits they provide and wellness they promote.Functional foods help fight diseases/ prevent diseases and boost immunity utilizing different methods depending on the nutrients it contain. 

 Functional foods benefits: 1) promotes gut health and enhance immune system. Garri as a functional food promotes gut health because of its fiber content, which also helps it absorb toxins from the digestive tract. Garri is a prebiotic, the fiber resists digestion but goes to the lower digestive tract and acts as food for probiotics thus promoting gut health. 

2) Disease prevention : fiber in garri helps to add bulk to stool thus preventing constipation which when prolonged and severe can lead to hemorrhoids. High fiber diets help lower risks of obesity and cardiovascular disease . 

 3) Garri is gluten free, thus helping to prevent chronic inflammation, promotes weight loss and prevents bowel disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease.

 4) Garri can be fortified or enriched with other functional foods to increase the benefits. Peanuts is also a functional food which when combined with garri triples the health and wellness benefits. The yellow garri is rich in vitamin A is a ready source to prevent Vitamin A deficiency in children. 

 Echbee foods uses yellow garri that is rich in vitamin A with peanuts to make nutritious snacks and meals.

How Garri will Change the Nutritional Space in Nigeria.( Food Fortification)

Cassava flakes made from fortified yellow garri.

 

The Current State of Garri in Nigeria: Garri has been a staple food in Nigeria for centuries and is consumed by people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. It is usually made in large batches, either at home or in local garri processing factories. 

Traditionally, this process has been labor-intensive and time-consuming. In recent years, advances in food processing technology have revolutionized the production of garri. With these new machines in place, garri can now be produced using fewer resources and in faster turnaround times. Additionally, modern garri processing machines allow for greater quality control and a higher degree of precision in the product. This shift towards centralized processing has enabled companies to create more hygienic, efficient, and sustainable garri than ever before. It has also led to the emergence of new brands of fortified garri, which are now widely available throughout Nigeria. 

 How Garri is Changing the Nutritional Space: Garri has long been recognized for its high energy content and ability to provide immediate satisfaction for hunger. However, the nutritional content of garri is often overlooked. As more entrepreneurs focus on creating nutritious and high-quality garri, it is quickly becoming the snack of choice for Nigerian families. Due to its high fiber and protein content, as well as its fortification with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, C, iron, and folic acid, garri is now being recognized as a complete mini-meal. Additionally, it is easy to make and can be stored for long periods of time, making it a great way to get nourishment on the go. 

 Garri is not only providing nutrition but also creating business opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs. Through popularizing fortified garri and advocating for greater awareness about the nutritional benefits of this foodstuff, these entrepreneurs are changing the food space in Nigeria by making garri a more affordable and nutritional snack option for people from all walks of life. 

 The Potential of Garri: Garri has immense potential to address one of the most pressing nutrition challenges in Nigeria – micro nutrient deficiency. Fortified garri can provide an important source of the essential vitamins and minerals that are lacking in the diets of many Nigerians. 

 An increase in the availability and availability of fortified garri could also help to reduce the prevalence of under-nutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria. Furthermore, fortified garri could help to improve academic performance and overall physical and mental health in Nigeria. 

 The Future of Garri in Nigeria: Given the potential of garri as a nutritious snack, it is clear that fortified garri has the potential to revolutionize the availability of micro nutrients in Nigeria. To capitalize on this potential, the Nigerian government needs to encourage more investment in the production and processing of fortified garri. This can be done by creating incentives for businesses to produce this foodstuff, as well as expanding access and affordability of fortified garri in all areas of the country, particularly rural and under served regions. 

 In addition, the government needs to provide more nutritional education and awareness about the benefits of consuming fortified garri to ensure that its citizens are able to make informed decisions about their diets. 

 Conclusion: Garri is a long-standing staple in Nigeria, but it is now undergoing a transformation – and the potential for this nutritional powerhouse to revolutionize the nutritional space in Nigeria is immense.