GARRI A NUTRITIOUS AND FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT OF DASH DIET ( DIETARY APPROACHES TO STOP HYPERTENSION.)

 

According to World Health Organisation, hypertension/high blood pressure is when pressure in the blood vessels is too high(140/90 mm Hg) or higher. Hypertension affects more than 30% adult population worldwide about one billion people around the world. Hypertension is a number one risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease and stroke, but also for chronic kidney disease, heart failure, arrhythmia and dementia. 

 The following predisposes to hypertension:older age :genetics, obesity,lack of physical exercises,excessive salt diet and excessive alcohol consumption.Changes in lifestyle such as eating a healthier diet,stop smoking, being more active can help lower blood pressure though medication is needed in certain cases. 

 A change in the diet is a way of managing hypertension: the dash diet. This is a dietary approach to stop hypertension. 

The dash diet is the first thing your doctor will recommend, this consists of :1) eating more fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods. 2) reduce portions of foods that are high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans fats. 3)Eat more whole-grain foods, fish, poultry, and nuts. 4)Limit salt, sweets, sugary drinks and red meats. 

In research studies, people who were on the DASH diet lowered their blood pressure within 2 weeks. 

 Garri contains potassium, a mineral that helps to regulate blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium in the body. Garri helps to maintain healthy blood pressure levels which is essential for preventing heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. 

Garri is also a good source of minerals : calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are important for maintaining strong bones, regulating muscle and nerve function, and promoting healthy blood pressure levels. 

 A recent study conducted in the Philippines (one of the countries where cassava is an important crop) looked into the effects of root crops and legumes in lowering cholesterol levels among humans with moderately-raised cholesterol levels. Garri is a derivative of cassava,hence it has all attributes of cassava. 

 The study showed that cassava(garri) significantly decreased total cholesterol levels, decreased low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered as “bad” cholesterol), and may help lower triglyceride levels due to its high total dietary fiber content Garri is very rich in essential Nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. 

 Garri also contains vitamin C, which is important for maintaining a healthy immune system, and B vitamins, which are essential for energy production. 

 The DASH diet suggests getting: Grains: 7-8 daily servings Vegetables: 4-5 daily servings Fruits: 4-5 daily servings Low-fat or fat-free dairy products: 2-3 daily servings Meat, poultry, and fish: 2 or less daily servings.

Peppered garri that can be garnished with vegetables and beef

A garri recipe such as the garri jollof, served with vegetables and meat/ fish in the right portion will be adequate. Different combinations with nuts ,fish and beans. Another recipe that can be added is the garri parfait made with yoghurt. @EchbeeFoods have different nutritious components for the dash diet.

Evaluation of the use of garri suspension to manage diarrhoea.

Garri can be used to treat diarrhoea. When a person has diarrhoea,just give the person soaked garri and the diarrhoea will stop because the garri absorbs the toxins that go into the intestine thus promoting gut health. Diarrhoea can readily lead to dehydration if not properly handled. Dehydration if not corrected can lead to death depending on the rate and length of the period. 

Diarrhoea can be managed locally using the sugar-salt solution,the oral rehydration therapy( ORT).The use of garri water suspension has been used to stop diarrhoea in homes this is common in the rural environment.

 Did you know that soaking garri in water for few minutes and decanting the water is an instant source of energy and vitamins? Yes garri water is also beneficial. A recent study has shown the efficacy of using the garri suspension to manage diarrhoea. 

The aim of the study was to identify a suitable substrate for oral re-hydration solution at home. The study used staple from cassava which is garri. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of cassava-salt suspension (CSS) prepared from a dietary staple, cassava, with added sodium chloride. 

 The results were compared with those of standard World Health Organization (WHO) recommended ORS. One hundred thirty-two dehydrated children aged between 6 and 24 months with acute diarrhoea of less than 3 days duration were chosen for the study and randomly re-hydrated with CSS or WHO-ORS. The intake of ORS (CSS or WHO-ORS), water, and food was comparable in both groups. 

 The mean stool output on day 1, total stool output, and duration of diarrhoea were 45.3 +/- 37.3 g/kg, 60.8 +/- 58.9 g/kg, and 18.9 +/- 22.4 h for the group on CSS. These are significantly different from the corresponding values of 69.7 +/- 64.9 g/kg, 88.2 +/- 100.4 g/kg, and 28.2 +/- 27.0 h obtained for controls. Failure of therapy occurred in four children on CSS (6%) and three children on WHO-ORS (4.5%). 

It is concluded that CSS is both efficacious and safe for use as an ORS, particularly in the home management of acute diarrhoea in children. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7980837/)

Garri is food and medicine.

 

Garri on the go!!!! Garri is food and can also be medicine, garri can be used to treat diarrhoea. When a person has diarrhoea,just give the person soaked garri and the diarrhoea will stop. Garri absorbs the toxins that go into the intestine thus promoting gut health. 

Garri is food and medicine.

 Did you know that soaking garri in water for few minutes and decanting the water is an instant source of energy and vitamins? Yes garri water is also beneficial. The sour,crunchy garri type has an added advantage because  the water can be used in cases of dehydration.

 Garri can also be used to treat wounds,when there is a cut bleeding profusely,just sprinkle some granules on the site to form a mat. The fiber in the garri will act as a substrate,initiating fast blood clotting before you seek medical care.

Next: benefits of garri water.

A recent study conducted in the Philippines (one of the countries where cassava is an important crop) looked into the effects of root crops and legumes in lowering cholesterol levels among humans with moderately-raised cholesterol levels. Garri a derivative of cassava has the attributes of cassava, which means that cassava here refers to garri. 

The study showed that cassava significantly decreased total cholesterol levels, decreased low density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered as “bad” cholesterol), and may help lower triglyceride levels due to its high total dietary fiber content. 

 Another study show that cassava may help support the nervous system and help alleviate stress, anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome.Beside as a food, cassava also has many benefits as a drug, such as for rheumatic, headache, fever, wounds, diarrhea, intestinal worms, dysentery, night blindness, Beri-Beri, and also can increase stamina. Overcoming arthritis can be done by eating the cassava or rub it on the pain.

AGRO-VETERINARY BUSINESS .: Garri Recipe: Garri Choco-Balls As A Functional Fo...

AGRO-VETERINARY BUSINESS .: Garri Recipe: Garri Choco-Balls As A Functional Fo...:  Garri a staple food for a lot of people in the world.   Echbee Foods produces nutritious meals and snacks from yellow garri. The reci...

Preventing childhood obesity through diet using garri as healthy nutritious substitute.

Preventing childhood obesity: nutritional facts showing garri is the healthy meal substitute.

 According to World Health Organization. Global strategy on diet, physical activity, and health: childhood overweight and obesity. Childhood obesity has been called “one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century,” 

Obesity can affects every system in a child’s: body-heart and lungs, muscles and bones, kidneys and digestive tract, as well as the hormones that control blood sugar and puberty-and can also take a heavy social and emotional toll. 

 Obesity/overweight refers to a condition where there is an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. It is a complex chronic disease with several causes and predisposing factors. Obesity also refers to having an excessive body mass. A body mass index of 30 or above is considered obese while an index above 40 is considered severe. Childhood obesity is measured using growth charts. 

 Causes of obesity.The common cause is fast foods loaded with sugar, highly processed and deep fried with unhealthy oils. Sugar in almost all food sources like drinks, cereals, juices have also been highlighted as a major cause of obesity. 

 Cereals, finger foods, chips, carbonated drinks are just some examples of foods/drinks commonly consumed daily that contribute to childhood obesity. Regulating diet alongside exercise is a way to curb childhood obesity. Cereals made from garri can be a healthy substitute to the common cereals made from corn and other sources. Garri is a functional food rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber and low in fat. The fiber in the garri has the advantage of helping regulate weight,read more. 

 Echbee Foods makes nutritious cereals from garri, these are wholesome and nutritious. The Cassava flakes can be eaten as cereal or as snacks. Echbee Foods also use garri to make bread, cakes and finger foods increasing the advantages of using garri as a substitute. 

Garri nutrition can be increased by adding vegetables and other plant proteins to make chips, biscuits, cakes and so much more.

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.

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