These Health Benefits Of Okpa Will Surprise You

Okpa is a tasty dish that is well-liked in Eastern Nigeria. It is made using Bambara nuts or Bambara beans. Okpa is considered one of the nutritious snacks from Nigeria that you should give a try.

Firstly, okpa is commonly known as “Okpa” in Igbo, “Epa-Roro” in Yoruba, and “Kwaruru” or “Gurjiya” in Hausa.

In this article, we will explore the nutritional value of okpa and the health benefits it provides.

Nutritional Value of Okpa (Bambara nut pudding)

In 2019, a research study was conducted to analyze the nutritional content and glycemic index of local Bambara nut pudding, also known as okpa. The study discovered that okpa is very high in protein.

It also revealed that okpa contains important nutrients, minerals, and vitamins like potassium, carbohydrates, phosphorus, fat, manganese, tryptophan, lysine, valine, fiber, iron, magnesium, calcium, fluoride, zinc, selenium, sodium, copper, and many others.

The glycemic index of okpa is 54, which means it is suitable for individuals with diabetes. Now, let’s explore the health benefits of okpa.

Health Benefits of Okpa

The heakth benefits of okpa are based on its rich nutritional properties. Find them out below:

1. Helps Prevent Malnutrition

Malnutrition happens when the body doesn’t get enough necessary nutrients. This is a common issue, especially in developing countries, where families might not have the money or access to healthy foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, meat, and milk. Malnutrition can also be caused by digestive problems or certain health conditions.

Luckily, okpa is packed with all the important nutrients that our bodies need. By including okpa in your diet, you can improve your overall health and lower the risk of malnutrition, marasmus, kwashiorkor, rickets, and other health issues caused by a poor diet and lack of essential nutrients.

2. A great remedy for Insomnia

Okpa is an excellent solution for people who struggle with sleep problems. This is because it contains powerful sleep-inducing properties. One of these properties is tryptophan, which encourages the production of niacin and serotonin.

These substances help regulate mood, keep the mind calm, and enhance the quality of sleep. So, consuming okpa can help you sleep better at night.

3. Boosts the level of Blood and Prevents Anemia

Anemia occurs when human blood does not have the required quantity of healthy red blood cells. It usually develops as a result of a lack of red blood cells or dysfunctional red blood cells in the body, which may further reduce the oxygen flowing into various organs of the body.

More importantly, okpa is a great source of iron and some other vital nutrients known for boosting the body’s blood level. With these nutrients, your body will be able to form healthy red blood cells and promote an adequate flow of oxygen throughout the body.

4. Improves bone health and Prevents osteoporosis 

Okpa is an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus, both of which improve bone health and shield it against bone-related diseases, including arthritis, osteoporosis, to name a few. It also contains ‘lysine’, an amino acid that promotes proper absorption of calcium in the body so as to make it function excellently. That’s not all; the properties in okpa also stimulate the production of collagen, which plays a crucial role in the formation of connective tissues in the body, including tendon, skin cartilage and bones.

Apart from bone formation, here are some other benefits you stand to gain when you eat a calcium-rich food like okpa – Adequate Oral formation, Improved strength, Optimal muscles movement, Quick transfer of messages between the brain and other body parts, Adequate blood flow throughout the body, to mention but a few.

Not okay with okpa? Below are other calcium-dense foods with great health benefits – Dairy products [cheese, milk and yogurt, etc.], Dark green leafy vegetables [broccoli, kale, etc.], Fish with edible soft bones [sardines, canned salmon, etc.]

5. Boosts the Immune System 

Okpa contains valine, an essential amino acid that helps in regulating the immune system and the body’s nitrogen content. It also plays a vital role in the smooth nervous system, cognitive functioning, and maintaining muscles. One thing about this property is that your body cannot produce it, meaning that you must obtain it through either food or supplements, including okpa, kidney beans, leafy vegetables, poultry and milk. 

Some other health benefits of valine include – improved sleep quality, reduced risk of muscle disorders, boosted satiety, improved body posture accelerated muscle growth, increased metabolism and exercise endurance, among others.

Other Health Benefits of Okpa:

• Prevents diarrhea and other irritable bowel movement syndromes
• Regulates menstrual flow
• Reduces the effect of ulcer
• Lowers ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol levels
• Okpa is great for pregnancy, because it contains essential nutrients for child development.
• Okpa is also a healthy Nigerian food for toddlers.

Conclusion

Okpa is highly nutritious and boasts of a lot of health benefits, including reduced risk of malnutrition, improved sleep quality, increased blood level, healthy bones, prevention against cancer, increased strength, etc.

Although this food crop has no known negative effects, it is best, you consume it in a moderate manner to be on the safe side.

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