Health Benefits of Ugu in Your Diet ~ Ugu Leaf Nutrient Profile
Health Benefits of Ugu in Your Diet ~ Ugu Leaf Nutrient Profile
- Ugu leaf nutrient profile Ugu leaf health benefits
Ugu is a leafy vegetable native to Africa’s western regions. It is widely consumed throughout Nigeria but is especially popular in the southeast and southwest.
If you’re unfamiliar with the name, ugu is also known as pumpkin leaves and is popular among the Igbo people. It has no specific name among the Yorubas, but the Hausa call it capioa, efek, and aikong-obung.
It’s a chromium-based nutritional veggie that’s high in protein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, and the majority of B vitamins.
Related >>>
Table of Contents
Health Benefits of Ugu in Your Diet ~ Ugu Leaf Nutrient Profile
Check out the nutritional data below. Nutritional Data (100g picked leaves only)
- Calories – 40 kcal
- Dietary fiber – 1.6g
- Carbohydrate – 5g
- Protein – 4g
- Fat – 0.8g
- Vitamins – A, C, K, E, folate, Riboflavin
- Minerals – Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus
Most families eat it because it is delicious and nutritious, not because they seek to cure any condition.
Ugu leaves are used in a variety of Nigerian soups, including Egusi soup and others.
Let me walk you through the Health Benefits of Ugu in Your Diet with some nutritious ugu diet options.
Nigerians cook with these vegetables in a number of ways, including:
-
Raw Food ~ Health Benefits of Ugu in Your Diet
Ugu has a high vitamin and mineral content and can be eaten raw or cooked. It can also be used as a lettuce alternative in vegetable salads.
You should definitely give it a shot one of these days. For a vegetable salad dinner, chop up some ugu leaves, dice some tomatoes, cabbages, and almonds. The classic Abacha meal is a great example of how is eaten.
-
As a smoothie ~ Health Benefits of Ugu in Your Diet
Ugu is a versatile vegetable that has been shown to be effective in weight loss.
How to Lose weight with Ugu Leaf Juice ~ How to use Ugu leaf juice for weight loss
When it comes to losing weight and belly fat, the first thing you’ll need is a passion for fruits and vegetables, especially in the form of smoothies.
To make a smoothie, firstly cut your ugu leaves into small pieces, along with some pineapple slices and lime juice, and then blend everything together
It can also be enjoyed as a delightful smoothie that isn’t just for weight loss: try it with different fruits like apples and oranges for a change of pace.
Meanwhile, combining Ugu leaf juice with exercise and diets will aid weight loss and maintenance.
Ugu seeds ~ Health Benefits of Ugu in Your Diet
This may come as a surprise, but ugu seeds are just as valuable as the leaves. They’re similar to groundnuts in that they can be roasted or cooked before eating and are used as soup thickeners; these seeds have been linked to disease treatment and male infertility treatment.
It’s important for women’s health during pregnancy and childbirth since it helps with lactation.
My study revealed that fried pumpkin seeds can be dipped in palm oil or local sauces before eating and that they can also be used to make soaps and local spices known as ogiri, which are similar to “iru.”
Because they are high in protein and oil, they are extremely helpful to human health.
It is interesting to note that if they are left uncut and whole, the ugu seeds can remain in the gourd for months or even a year.
Medicine ~ Health Benefits of Ugu in Your Diet
Vitamin A and C are abundant in pumpkin leaves. Vitamin C is required for wound healing and bone health, whereas Vitamin A is required for good vision as well as healthy skin and hair.
Ugu vegetable leaves, sliced and combined with coconut water and a grain of salt, have been proven to be useful in treating convulsions in children.
Do you have any idea? Do you Know? that Nigerians use ugu leaves as a natural blood tonic.
The ugu leaf actually produces blood and is high in iron.
How to use ugwu leaf smoothie as a blood tonic
It aids in the creation of blood and fertility.
In pregnancy, drinking the water of the Ugu leaf (Ugu juice) mixed with milk is very beneficial and safe.
Ugu leaf is high in folic acid, which aids in the prevention of neural tube abnormalities, as well as iron, which aids in the prevention of anemia during pregnancy. It is recommended for pregnant women to drink.
Conclusion on Health Benefits of Ugu in Your Diet
As we’ve seen, all portions of the ugu plant are beneficial, from the shoots to the seeds and leaves. Fluted pumpkin leaves are high in fiber, which helps to regulate the digestive system, as well as vitamins and magnesium, which assist to improve and normalize the brain and nerve system as a whole.
It is frequently used to treat obesity and diabetes, as well as anemia.
Calcium-rich foods are essential for the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth.
Though much has been written about ugu and how it might be included in our diet. How many of these alternatives have you looked into? Please let me know in the comments section if you have any questions.
