AMADUMBE have a low glycemic index. | PIXABAY
Nutritional values and health benefits of
INDIGENOUS PLANTS VIWE NDONGENI-NTLEBI viwe.ndongeni@inl.co.za
SOUTH Africa possesses a huge diversity of indigenous food crops, which includes grains, leafy vegetables and wild fruit types. These crops are produced and found growing in the country under various weather conditions. Most of these crops are wild-harvested, while a few are cultivated, mostly to sustain rural families. The nutrients composition, especially micronutrients, are important for healthy functioning of the body. Some of the
vegetation found in South Africa include provide the following: Iron: for growth and development, some hormone production and carries oxygen to the body cells. Magnesium: strong bones, improves sleep, reduce depression, lower blood pressure and helps with exercise performance. Calcium: bone health, functioning of muscles, heart and nerves. Copper: immune health support, helps with making red blood cells. Phosphorus: strong bones and teeth, helps the body use
and store energy from fats and carbohydrates. Protein: it is important for growth, is a building block of bones, muscle, skin and cartilage, used to build and repair body tissues, carries and delivers oxygen in the body, it makes antibodies that help the body fight off infections. Generally, the bitter leaves have high phytonutrients which are beneficial for gut health. They also have anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties Registered dietitian and Association for Dietetics in South Africa, Mpho Tshukudu shares
