Preparing soup with ofor seed is very impressive as it ensure viscosity, and consistency with out changing the test of liquid and other food ingredients.
This soup thickener is soaked into water, dehulled, dried grounded before use during soup making. It is botanically known as Detarium microcarpum.
However, Detarium microcarpum or ofor seed is not only nutritious but can as well serve for medicinal and culinary purposes.
Studies conducted by many researchers have shown that the leaves of Defarium microcarpum contains medicinal effect.
It is commonly grown in the tropical regions, and form their major soup thickener. Defarium microcarpum, in Nigeria it is called ofor, by the Igbo’s, ogbogbo by the Yoruba’s, and taura by the Hausa’s(Ayozie,2010)
Ofor seed is filled with numerous nutrients and phytochemicals such as complex carbohydrates, protein and magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, calcium, Niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, terpenoid, alkaloid, steroid.
Health benefits of ofor seed includes, improvement of bone, immune system, can prevent cancer, can inhibit inflammation, can reduce constipation, source of Niacin.
8 Amazing Health Benefits Of Ofor seed
1. Improve Immune system
On daily basis the immune system fight with foreign bodies as to keep the body protected against these disease. Consequently, when immune system cannot perform these duties, such person would be predisposed to so many disease which could be dangerous to human body. You can boost your immune system by incorporating Defarium microcarpum into your meal plan. Iron, copper, magnesium, zinc etc, are among nutrients found in Defarium microcarpum that contributes greatly at boosting immune system.
2. prevent cancer
It is well established fact that Defarium microcarpum contain antioxidant and dietary fiber. Antioxidant protect our cells against oxidative damage and reduce the risk of cancer development. While dietary fiber can help in maintaining Colon as well as inhibiting build up in the arteries and colon. So, to stay safe from cancer, opt for high fiber and antioxidant contained food like ofor.
3. Improvement of Bone
It play an important role in promoting strong bone. Thanks to the concentration of Calcium, and other minerals. Calcium is well known for it capacity to promote strong bone. However, Nutritionists always recommend calcium intake especially for women of child bearing age, as to prevent osteoporosis.
4. Reduce Constipation
Constipation makes it difficult to have complete bowel movement. Expert Say’s food rich in fiber may reduce constipation. Our body makes use of dietary fiber to foster bowl movement.
5. May Reduce Arthritis
Arthritis is a health disorder primarily caused as a result of inflammation. Ofor has been observed to contain anti-inflammatory properties, this allow our body to drastically reduce impact of inflammation. This means that pains, joint pain, joint swelling, redness, stiffness associated with arthritis will be keep at bay.
6. Good For Pregnant women
Eating ofor during pregnancy may help in the development of the foetus and the mother too, since ofor contains iron, copper, niacin and riboflavin. These nutrients are extremely required to promote overall well being of the child and mother. They help form and increase blood volume of the woman.
7. Energy metabolism
Deterium microcarpum or ofor contains complex carbohydrate, thiamine, niacin and riboflavin. Thiamine is also known as vitamin B1, which participate in the conversion of pyruvate to accety Co A, in order to generate energy. While niacin and riboflavin function as coenzyme in the energy metabolism, so applying ofor as your soup thinner is superb.
8. Maintains The Skin & hair Care
Ofo helps improve skin and hair maintenance, because of the protein and antioxidant compound found in it. Incorporating ofor into your meal will help facilitate skin and hair maintenance. It is clear that poor intake of protein-rich foods leads to hair decoloration. Meanwhile, eating ofor contained foods enable you obtain protein – helps nourish the skins and hair care . However, it may reduce growth of skin and hair infection like dandruff, eczema that are caused by oxidative stress. It potent at inhibiting oxidative stress is attributed to antioxidant in deferium microcurpum, or ofor
Conclusion
Ofor seed serves as soup thickener and used in cooking various traditional dishes in west Africa. It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that are helpful in the management and prevention of diseases.
