Top 5 Nigerian dishes with health benefits by mz Irawo

Okro soup

okra provides numerous health benefits. Known as a high antioxidant food, okra may support improvement in cardiovascular and coronary heartdisease, type 2 diabetes, digestive diseases, and even some cancers. Okra is also abundant in several vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, vitamin B6, folic acid, riboflavin/vitamin B2, zinc and dietary fiber. Okro is also used to improve eyesight and a good source of protein.

Bitter leaf soup

Bitter leaf soup is a popular Nigerian dishe. It contains an antiseptic that is very effective to reduce inside heat. Contents like andrographolide lactones, glucosides, diterpene,and flavonoids present in bitter leaf serve to reduce Fever. Bitter leaf can also prevent cancer. It treats hydatidiform mole, trophoblastic tumor and lung tumor which was the forerunner of cancer. Andrographolide bitter extract shows activity in particular substances that are effective in preventing liver disease/liver, improve the immune system, anti-cancer, and so forth. Bitter leaf is also good for treating hypertension and diabetes. The Andrographolide is the main active ingredient in bitter that serves to reduce levels of glucose in the blood which helps in treating diabetes.


Garden egg soup


Garden egg locally known as lgba to the Yorubas and Anara to the Igbos is rich in dietary fiber, manganese, potassium and magnesium. It is also very rich in vitamin B. Garden eggs helps nervous system and heart and lowering blood sugar level.

Egusi soup (melon seed soup)


Egusi soup or melon seed soup is one the most popular soups in Nigerian. This melon seed is reach in protein and fats. It also contains a sufficient amount of Vitamin A and C.which means it plays an important role in vision, reproduction, Growth, Bones and teeth formation.


Ewedu soup (jute leaf)

This leaf is called(Ewedu) among the Yoruba people and it is one of their most popular soup.This leaf contains almost all of the nutrients needed by humans and are high in antioxidant property, primarily in the form of Vitamin E. It is  rich in micro nutrients, and these micro nutrients aid in reducing the chances of illness. The main vitamins found in (ewedu leaves) are vitamin A, C and E, and these vitamins are key in the protection of the body from certain degenerative diseases.
The vitamins present in Ewedu leaf (Jute) are also known to be skin beautifying agents as they tend to increase the production of collagen, thus keeping the skin firm and beautiful.