HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF EGUSI SEEDS (MELON)

 HEALTH AND NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF EGUSI SEEDS(MELON).

Egusi seeds come from bitter apple fruits that looks like watermelon. They are cholesterol-free and rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants and minerals, and posses superior medicinal and nutritional benefits.

Egusi is known as bitter apple seed, is native to Africa, Arab and some Mediterranean countries.

People in Asia and Middle East use Egusi plants, fruits and seeds to treat a variety of conditions including intestinal disorders, bacterial infections, jaundice, asthma and diabetes.

However, Egusi is a staple food in Nigeria and many other West African countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Cameroon.

Egusi seeds are grind before cooking them with leafy green vegetables, meat, fish, palm oil, seasonings to form a thick soup.

Nigerians typically eat Egusi soup with Eba (a dough made from dried cassava, pounded yam, fufu (another dough from cassava), wheat meal and semovita/semolina flour, plantain flour.

Like many other African foods, there is limited information about the health and nutritional benefits of Egusi seeds. The study that exist shows it is a source of several essential micronutrients and polyphenolic compounds that prevents certain chronic diseases.

Let's explore the benefits.

Health Benefits of Egusi

1. Prevents Diabetes: Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to respond to insulin (the hormones that lowers blood sugars) and/or when it is unable to produce sufficient insulin.

In Iranian diabetic patients, Egusi fruit capsules lowered HbA1C and fasting blood glucose levels after two months. Egusi seed oil also reduced blood sugar levels in mice with diabetes.

2. Lowers Lipid Levels: High blood levels of lipids (fat, cholesterol, and triglycerides) in your blood can increase your risk of heart disease.

Ground Egusi seeds lowers triglycerides and cholesterol levels in patients with high blood lipids levels.

3. Prevents Bacterial Infections: Extracts from Egusi plants, fruits and seeds prevent bacterial infections.

Egusi fruits contain active chemicals that kill common bacteria like Escherichia, Coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhimurium.

Egusi fruit extracts are as effective as the antibiotics drug, novabiocin in treating patients with staphylococcal (bacterial) infections.

4. Source of Antioxidants: Antioxidants are an essential component of your diet because they neutralize harmful free-radicals that cause diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. They are typically present in fruits, and Egusi is no exception.

Egusi fruit extracts are a rich source of antioxidants and studies have proven their ability to neutralize several free-radicals.

5. Stimulates Hair Growth: Egusi extracts are used in Ayurvedic medicine for hair growth.

These extracts are effective in increasing the number of hair follicles in animal studies.

Minoxidil is the standard treatment for hair loss in men and can be effective in women. In animal studies, Egusi extracts were more effective than minoxidil in treating hair loss.

Nutrition Facts

Egusi seeds is a rich source of protein and omega -6 fatty acids. Similar to most plant oils, it mainly contains unsaturated fatty acids. Its seed oil is a good source of natural antioxidants like vitamin E and B-carotene.

Egusi seed is a good source of potassium and calcium, minerals that regulate blood pressure. It is also rich source of magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc 

And just like all plant foods, Egusi seeds is naturally cholesterol-free.

100g of West African Egusi seeds contains the following nutrients:

593 calories

Carbohydrates: 11.3g

Fats 47.9g

Protein 27.5g

Fibre 3.2g

Calcium 16% of the RNI

Iron 42% RNI

Zinc 75% RNI

Phosphorus 157% RNI

Potassium 18.5% RNI

Egusi seeds are used in preparing the popular Egusi soup recipe apart from pressing the seeds for oil.

Soups are a crucial part of the cuisine in West Africa, and Egusi soup is really delicious and special.

The seeds are used as a fundamental soup ingredient to thicken it and boost flavor.

Our Egusi seeds are hygienically prepared, grind and packaged.

Before grind, the seeds are sun dried, shelled, and then they're ground down.

We package in different sizes ranging from 1kg, 2kg, and 5kg and export to different European countries, America and Asia.

We service African foods shops and individuals/families.

About the author.

My name is Onyeodirimma Darlington.

An entrepreneur who is passionate about solving problems, creating and adding value.

I'm equally a realtor, digital marketer.

My business interest spans along the following:

1 Foods and Agro Processing.

2 Real Estate

3 African fashion and Crafts

4 Export

5 E-commerce.

You can reach me on Call/WhatsApp: +234 703 019 7525.

Email: konyeodirimma@gmail.com.