Health Benefits And Nutritional Value Of Bambara Beans Popularly Known As Okpa

By

Let’s talk about the health benefits of “Okpa.” Are you one of those people who love to eat Okpa for breakfast on your way to work? Or perhaps you are just hearing about Okpa for the first time and you are wondering what the benefits are. Well, Okpa is the local name given to Bambara groundnut or Bambara beans pudding. It is a very common widely enjoyed delicacy across Nigeria. 
In Nigeria, the name Okpa (in Igbo), Epa-roro (in yoruba) or kwaruru/Gurjiya (in Hausa) is mainly used more than the name Bambara nut. Although it is not popular like other food crops like maize or millet, it is termed as one of the miracle food crops because it has no known side effects and gives the body many essential nutritional benefits once it is consumed adequately.
Interestingly, it is not only in Nigeria that this delicacy is greatly enjoyed.  According to one publication, Okpa is also a staple food in other African countries. In Zimbabwe, for example, it is known as Nyimo Beans South Africans call it Izindlubu and Zambians refer to it as Ntoyo Cibemba. 

NUTRITIONAL VALUE 

Certainly, Okpa has much to offer our bodies in terms of nutritional value.  Bambara nut pudding contains numerous nutrients. This is because none of the nutrients are lost during the processing of the nuts into flour or the cooking of the pudding since the steaming method is predominantly used.  
Some of the vitamins and minerals found in Okpa are as much as they would have been found in the parent source which is Bambara nut. The nutrients supplied by a delicious Okpa meal include :
  • Carbohydrate 
  • Protein (lysine, valine and other amino acids),
  • Fat 
  • Vitamins,
  • Fibre 
The mineral content include :
  • Potassium,
  • Phosphorus,
  • Manganese,
  • Tryptophan,
  • Iron,
  • Magnesium,
  • Calcium,
  • Zinc,
  • Selenium,
  • Sodium,
  • Copper.

TOP 5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF OKPA 


You can enjoy a whole lot of amazing health benefits from Okpa delicacy. These benefits are good for the body as well as vital to its normal functioning. Let us look at the top five, probably they will help you make up your mind on adding Okpa to your diet, if you haven’t done that already.
1). Helps Prevent Malnutrition
Okpa has all the essential nutrients that your body needs. As a result, it is very helpful in the prevention of malnutrition and other health problems associated with malnutrition such as kwashiokor, marasmus, rickets, e.t.c. All these conditions are triggered or caused by poor and inadequate dieting. As you can see, this amazing benefit is something that both children and adults alike really can enjoy.
2). Provides Protection Against Anaemia
The iron and other essential elements contained in okpa helps in protecting against the effects of various health conditions that can cause anaemia. Iron helps in the formation of healthy red blood cells which carry the hemoglobin that’s responsible for oxygen transport throughout the body. 
3). Prevents Bone Diseases
The ingredients contained in okpa such as calcium and phosphorus helps protect the body from arthritis osteoporosis and other related bone diseases. Not only that, Okpa also contains lysine which is an amino acid commonly found in beans and other protein foods. This amino acid helps in the proper absorption of calcium in the body.
4). Supplies The Body With Energy
Okpa is a good energy source that can help alleviate the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This is a condition that causes extreme exhaustion and tiredness. Doctors are still not quite sure on what exactly causes this condition or its actual cure, so prevention is the best way to keep CFS at bay. Adding Okpa to your diet can help you do just that.
5). Promotes Healthy Body Regulation
The health benefits of Okpa are too numerous to count. Some of the gastrointestinal benefits of Okpa includes the prevention of diarrhea and other irritable bowel movement syndromes. In women, some of its benefits is seen in the regulation of menstrual flow including prolonged and heavy flow cycles.
Okpa is one of the healthy snacks which is commonly found in Nigeria, especially the Eastern part, as well as other African countries. So if you are a lover of this delicacy, continue dieting with it because of its healthy benefits to your body. And if you are looking for something new and healthy to add to your diet, we recommend Okpa to you. Make sure you get a taste of this wonderful delicacy whenever you visit Nigeria as a tourist.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

“Junior Pope Was Never My Boyfriend” – Nollywood Actress, Ruby Ojiakor

By
Image
  Nollywood actress, Ruby Ojiakor has finally addressed rumours that late actor Junior Pope was in an extramarital relationship with her. Rumours  emerged that Ruby was Junior Pope’s girlfriend after she relentlessly used her platform to demand justice for the actor who died in a boat accident while on set. The late actor’s wife, Jennifer further fueled the rumours after unfollowing Ruby on Instagram shortly after her husband’s burial. Addressing  the rumours in a video message shared via her Instagram page, Ruby insisted that Junior Pope was never her boyfriend. She also debunked claims that the late actor isn’t the father of her child, Royalty. “Junior Pope was never my boyfriend. There’s no intimacy between myself and Junior Pope. We never dated. Junior Pope was never my intimate friend. He was just my friend. He was more than a friend. He was my big brother,” said. “I  also see a lot of posts, some persons will just screenshot and send to me and say, ‘Look at what they’re saying, t
Read more

Davido Confirms Upcoming Wedding With Chioma Rowland

By
Image
Nigerian singer, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido, has confirmed his upcoming wedding to his partner, Chioma Rowland. According to reports on Tuesday Chioma and Davido’s traditional wedding is reportedly scheduled to take place in Lagos on June 25, 2024. Confirming the news in a video shared by his long time associate, UK-based Nigerian Pastor Tobi Adeboyega on Instagram on Tuesday, the excited groom to be invited his friends to join in the celebration. In  the video, Davido was heard saying, “Guys, you have to come to Nigeria on the 25th [of June] for my wedding.” This comes after the couple welcomed twins last year, following the tragic loss of their first child, Ifeanyi, in 2022. The couple got engaged shortly after the incident.
Read more

Over 150 Women Rights Group Call For Release Of Chioma Okoli

By
Image
  A  coalition of women’s rights organizations, Womanifesto, has called for the immediate release of Chioma Okoli, a woman who has been detained since September 2023 for her alleged defamation against Erisco Foods Limited. In a statement signed by over 150 organizations, including Women Advocates and Research Documentation Centre (WARDC), Purple Woman Foundation, and ActionAid Nigeria, the group condemned the continued detention of Okoli, which has resulted in the loss of her pregnancy and livelihood. The group also criticized Erisco for prioritizing profits over the health and wellbeing of Nigerians, and called on the government to investigate the company’s products and labels. They demanded justice for Okoli and an end to the harassment and intimidation of women who speak out against injustice.
Read more

Aunty Ramota Debunks BBL Surgery Rumour

By
Image
  Nollywood actress, Ramota Adetu, better known as Aunty Ramota, has debunked rumours that she was in a coma following an unsuccessful Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery. It  was reported that the internet sensation was in a coma after undergoing a failed BBL. Reacting via a video message shared on her Instagram page, Aunty Ramota denied any such medical procedures. She  maintained that she is hale and healthy. Speaking in Yoruba, Aunty Ramota said, “My lovers, thank you, nothing happened to me. This is my body.”
Read more

Immigration Officer Bags 7-Year Jail Term Over Passport Fraud

By
Image
  The  Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has secured the conviction of Quadri Ismail Adeyinka, a staff of the Nigeria Immigration Service for committing travel passport fraud. ICPC  arraigned the convict before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, on a four-count charge bordering on gratification, conferment of corrupt advantage and cheating contrary to extant provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and the Penal Code Act. Counsel to ICPC, Dr Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha, in the course of the trial, led evidence before the court on how Adeyinka defrauded Ovie Justice Ojeffia under the pretence of regularising the latter’s international passport. Adeyinka,  after receiving the sum of N100,000 from Ojeffia to regularise the said passport, reneged on their agreement. The victim thereafter petitioned ICPC, which led to the investigation and arraignment of the convict befor
Read more

Social Media Influencer, Saida Boj Banned From TikTok, Facebook And Instagram Over Controversial Comments On Men

By
Image
  Popular social media influencer, Sarah Idaji Ojone, also known as Saida Boj, has been banned from major social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook and Instagram handles. Saida Boj’s loss of social media handles happened hours after the video of controversial statements about men and relationships went viral. Saida Boj, who was a guest on the Honest Bunch Podcast, said that a man would have to transfer N500,000 to her within 24 hours of ‘talking stage’. She said the money is justified because she deserved to be paid for being beautiful. Her statements raised curiosity and was confronted with questions about selling her body, but she insisted that a man who gives her N20 million can enter anywhere in her body. “I don’t have time, life is stressful, if you’re talking to me for morning, I’m already billing you for evening, if you don’t have the money, then you go. You should give me at least 500k. You should pay me for being beautiful, do you know how much skincare cost?” Saida Bo
Read more

Police Arrest Uzodinma’s Ex-Aide Chinasa Nwaneri In Imo State

By
Image
  Former Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Special Duties, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri has been arrested by a special team of Police detectives in Imo, the state’s capital. Nwaneri was until recently, one of Uzodimma’s most trusted aides who had been with him for over fifteen years. Sources said Nwaneri was arrested at RockView Hotel in Owerri on Saturday and taken to the headquarters of the State Police Command. According to the source who pleaded anonymity, Nwaneri was escorted back to his hotel room during which it was thoroughly searched before he was returned to the police command. The reason for his arrest was still sketchy as at the time of filing this report.
Read more