10 Exciting Health Benefits of Akamu (Pap or Ogi)
Akamu (Ogi) is a nutritious meal common in Nigeria. It is usually made from millet, maize and guinea corn. It is also known as Pap, Ogi and Akamu is a healthy food for both adults and babies alike and through this article, you will learn the exciting Health Benefits of Akamu. Akamu has a sour taste and it can be combined with various foods like Akara, moimoi, beans, fried yam, fried plantain, pancakes and Puff puff.
Traditionally, the grains used in making Akamu are soaked in cold water for three days or in hot water for a day. They are then ground and served to remove the husks.
Akamu is a cereal filled with nutrients, and it is recommended as a weaning food for babies at six months of age. Akamu is also good for toddlers, growing children, adults, lactating mothers and convalescing individuals.
Akamu is gluten-free, and it contains carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and protein. It also functions as a probiotic, which helps to relieve diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort. Spices like Cloves, ginger, garlic and turmeric are added to Akamu to improve its flavour and increase its nutrients.
Exciting Health Benefits of Akamu (Pap or Ogi)
In this article, we shall be discussing some of the health benefits of Akamu for both adults and babies.
1. High fibre
Akamu contains high fibre in it. The fibre in the gastrointestinal tract makes an individual full, which makes one avoid eating unnecessarily. This feature assists with weight loss. The fibre also increases bowel movement and improves your digestive system. Akamu lowers your cholesterol and prevents you from developing obesity, heart disease and cancer.
Akamu is ideal for pregnant women. The fibre helps them to prevent constipation in pregnancy, helps to control their weight gain, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy.
2. Potassium
Just like African pear, Akamu also contains a high source of potassium. It helps to regulate normal blood pressure, hence, it is good for people with hypertension and those who do not want to have high blood pressure.
Potassium helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by reducing blood pressure. Potassium relaxes the walls of blood vessels and protects against muscle cramping.
3. Prevents Anaemia
Another benefit of Akamu is that it contains lots of iron. Iron deficiency anaemia is a condition in which blood lacks adequate red blood cells. When the body lacks adequate iron, the body cannot produce enough haemoglobin in red blood cells that allow them to carry oxygen.
3. Source of other nutrients
Grains used in making Akamu contains various nutrients which include magnesium, phosphorus, carbohydrate, protein, copper, manganese, tryptophan, calcium and vitamins.
They also contain antioxidants. Antioxidants destroy free radicals that can cause chronic diseases and cancer in the body. The nutrients also help to improve the immune system and fights infections and diseases.
4. Prevents Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is a loose, watery stool that occurs more frequently than the usual bowel movement. It affects adults and babies but is more dangerous when it affects babies, as it makes them lose too much water and electrolytes which leads to dehydration.
Babies get dehydrated quickly, usually a day or two after the diarrhoea starts. Thus, it is important to avoid them from having diarrhoea. One of such ways is giving them Akamu. Akamu also treats diarrhoea when it occurs.
5. Lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol
Akamu lowers the bad cholesterol in the body. This helps to prevent the formation of plaques in the blood vessels. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Akamu contains chromium that lowers LDL cholesterol in the body. Chromium also boosts the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in the body.
6. Beneficial for lactating mothers
These are the breastfeeding mothers. Akamu is an important food in their diet. Akamu contains a high amount of water and other nutrients important for the easy flow of breast milk in lactating mothers.
Akamu also supplies the daily requirement of nutrients for a breastfeeding mother. As breastfeeding can be a stressful chore, taking Akamu at night also helps with a good night’s sleep for the breastfeeding mother.
7. Ulcers
Akamu is good for ulcer patients. It is mild to the gastrointestinal tract because it has less fat, it is not acidic and it is not spicy. Akamu relieves ulcer pain and also assists in promoting ulcer wound healing.
8. Babies and toddlers
Akamu is an ideal food for babies and toddlers. It is nutritious and mild on the stomach. It is a good weaning food for babies and highly nutritious food for growing children.
9. Easy to digest
Akamu is an easy to digest food. It does not overtax the gastrointestinal tract. It contains adequate water which flushes harmful substances from the body through the urine. That is why you urinate a lot after taking Akamu.
When you have abdominal discomfort, Akamu is an ideal go-to food for you. It is easy on the stomach and would not stress the digestive tract. The gastrointestinal tract is able to rest and heal.
10. Healthy bones and teeth
Another benefit of Akamu is that it assists with healthy bones and teeth. It contains calcium that keeps the bones and teeth healthy. When enough calcium is not gotten, children may not grow to reach their ideal adult height.
It could also cause low bone mass, which is a risk factor for osteoporosis. Rickets also occurs when there is not enough calcium in the system. Calcium also protects the outer part of the tooth called Enamel. The enamel protects the tooth against erosion and cavities.
Side effects of Akamu
Amidst all the Health Benefits of Akamu, as listed above, it is safer when consumed in moderate amounts. However, excessive consumption of Akamu can cause unfavourable effects to the thyroid gland caused by substances in the cereals that interfere with the thyroid gland.
These harmful substances are glyphosate and arsenic. The thyroid gland plays a huge role in the growth, development and metabolism of the body.
Akamu based in Millet causes delayed digestion and constipation due to their high fibre.
Some people also have allergies and intolerance to cereals. Such people should avoid taking Akamu.
Also, taking hot Akamu can cause great discomfort and pain in the stomach, especially for someone who already has a stomach ulcer. Hence, hot Akamu should be avoided by individuals with ulcers.
In the same vein, foods eaten with Akamu such as spicy Akara and other fried foods can also trigger an ulcer attack. Someone with an ulcer should avoid this.
Conclusion
Akamu (Ogi) also known as Pap is an ideal food for adults and babies. It is quite nutritious and easy to digest. It is an important food to add to one’s diet. You can also combine two or more cereals to make Akamu. Try it.
