Beetroot - Carrot Blend

Beetroot and Carrot 

While carrot is a popular vegetable among Nigerians and grows in many colors including white, yellow -orange, red and purple, beetroot isn't common to find in the Nigerian market. Beetroot is a root vegetable which grows mainly in moist fertile soil in a sunny spot. 

How nutritious is Beetroot and carrot? 

Betroot is rich in betalaines

Betalanies are water soluble antioxidants. Betalanies have chemo preventive abilities against cancer cell lines. Hence they help reduce risk of cancer.

They both are rich in potassium

Potassium helps the nerves and muscles function properly. A person with very  low level of potassium would experience fatique, weakness and muscle cramps. It can also lead to abnormal heart rhythms. Beetroot is an energy boost for people who do strenuous activities.

They are rich in essential vitamins

Beetroot contain the following minerals and vitamins;

• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Phosphorus
• Sodium
• Manganese
• Zinc
• Copper and selenium

Beetroot is also rich in vitamin C which is an immune system booster.

Carrots contains the following vitamins and minerals

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin K
• And many several vitamin B.
• Fiber

Beetroot and carrot both lower blood cholesterol

High blood cholesterol leads to high risk of heart disease. 

Beetroot support the liver

Betaine substance in beetroot helps to prevent or reduce fatty deposits on the liver. Hence it's good for people who are suffering from liver overloading due to poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to toxic substance and sedentary lifestyles.

Eye Health

Carrots also improves eye health and are low in fat and protein.

preparation of Beet and Carrot Juice

Ingredients

• Beetroot bulbs
• Carrots
• Lime

Preparation

• Peel the beetroot and rinse 
• Adjust the recommended amounts 
• Sprinkle little of lime as desired 
• Scrap the back of the carrot and chop into pie
• Mix and blend together.
• sieve and served chilled.

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Zobo, your natural herbal drink.

Roselle, the Nigerian Zobo leaf 

Zobo is a very popular Nigerian drink. It is quite easy to prepare, most Nigerians prepare it at home. Since the Zobo leaves as most people call it, is abundant in the market thus it's not expensive to buy in the Nigerian market.

Zobo leaf is scientifically known as Hibiscus Sabdariffa and is also known globally as Roselle plant. 

Approximately 15–30% of the plant is made up of plant acids, including citric, malic, and tartaric acids, as well as and allo-hydroxycitric acid lactone (ie, hibiscus acid), which is specific to this plant. Other chemical constituents include alkaloids, L-ascorbic acid, anthocyanin, beta carotene, beta sitosterol, citric acid, polysaccharides (arabins and arabinogalactans), quercetin, and gossypetin, as well as small amounts of galactose, arabinose, glucose, xylose, mannose, and rhamnose.

Health benefit of Zobo( Hibiscus Sabdariffa)

Zobo drank for body weight loss 

Zobo extract when drank have an effect on the body's metabolism which would result to weight loss. It is thus used to prevent obesity and fat build up in the liver.

Zobo has anticancer properties 

Research  work  published  by Yun-Ching Chang et al. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol in 2005 indicated  that Zobo leaf pigment  extract(this can be obtained by squeezing Zobo leaf after it have been  soaked in water for a while) is rich in anthocyanins which causes cancer cell apoptosis, apoptosis plays an important role in the treatment of cancer as it is a popular target of many treatment strategies. Hence Zobo leaf extract show huge potential for cancer treatment.

Zobo tea, used to reduce blood pressure 

Just like Okra, zobo leaf shows promises in the reduction of high blood pressure. Zobo extract drank as a sour tea by the Iranian have for long been used as a natural treatment for high blood pressure. 

 

Published scientific research on zobo leaf indicates that it water extract have been found to have a relaxation effect on the uterus and also lower blood pressure. 

In 2007, a clinical trial showed that Hibiscus reduced cholesterol by 8.3% to 14.4% after just 1 month. In 2009, research work in Saudi Arabia showed that Zobo leaf extract reduce diabetes.

Zobo leaf extract used in other countries for treatment of other health issues

Egyptians drink Zobo as a tea to lower blood temperature, treat heart and nerve diseases and also as a diuretic to increase urine production. 

In other African countries, Zobo tea is used to treat constipation, liver disease, and cold symptoms. Pulp made from the leaves was applied to the skin to heal wounds.

Safety concerns while taking Zobo tea or drink. 

While Zobo have proven to be a herbal remedy in treating many illness, it's important to note that pregnant women, breast feeding mothers as well as people with liver and kidney diseases should drink it with a carefully prescribed dosage from a health expert.

Hibiscus tea is very tart and might be more so to sensitive tissues. Listen to your body and if it makes you feel ill, discontinue use. Some research also suggests that hibiscus may affect the way the body processes acetaminophen (Tylenol), but this effect is likely very minimal.

Reference 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15922006/

https://jeccr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1756-9966-30-87

https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/2011-07/hibiscus-hawthorn-and-heart

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How to make your Home Okra Water

Okra also known as lady's finger, is a plant mostly found in abundance in the Southern part of Nigeria. Most Nigerians eat Okra as a stew, a soup or as a vegetable sauce. 

Nutritional value of Okra

Okra is an excellent source of;

1. Vitamin C.

2. Vitamin A.

3. Vitamin K

4. Vitamin B6

Okra is also rich in fiber, Lectin a type of protein which helps the body prevent cancer, folate a vitamin which assist pregnant women to deliver, polyphenols which helps the body fight harmful inflammation and protect your heart. 

Okra is rich in antioxidants that may reduce your risk of serious diseases, prevent inflammation, and contribute to overall health.

Does Okra help fight diabetes? 

Many research work indicates that okra decreased sugar absorption in the digestive tract, leading to a more stable blood sugar response.

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is very important as consistently high blood sugar can lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

How to easily take in Okra. 

Okra is slimy in nature and thus many would struggle to take it in it raw and nutritious form. Okra water serves as an easier way to ensure heating doesn't kill of some of it nutritional value.

How to make Okra water.

Okra water can easily be made at home following the steps below. 

Ingredients 

1. 4-6 Okra pods.

2. 8oz or 4 glasses or 1 liter of water.

Prepare it

1. Wash the okra with clean water.

2. Slice the 4 - 6 okra pods into small chops. 

3. Pour the sliced okra into a clean jug, bottle or container.

4. Pour the 8oz of pure water into the container containing the okra. 

5. Allow to stay over night. 

6. Filter out the okra water to ensure the seeds and sliced okra are removed. 

7. Drink. 

Note: Okra may interfere with metformin, a common diabetes medication. Therefore, eating okra is not recommended for those taking this drug.

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