Mineral nutrient content of commonly consumed leafy vegetables in northern Ghana

Leafy vegetables serve as the base of soups, a significant component of Ghanaian food recipes. The varying climatic conditions across Ghana and inefficient food distribution channels have resulted in the existence of different food crops in different regions. Anecdotally, Ghanaians generally believe that the consumption of Colocasia esculenta leaf improves iron status. In this study, the levels of mineral nutrients: calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium(Na) and zinc (Zn) in the leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa, Amaranthus spinosus, Hibiscus cannabinus, Solanum macrocapon and Vigna unguiculata that are popularly used in food recipes in northern Ghana (compose of the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions), were compared with the levels in Colocasia esculenta leaf. The leafy vegetables/greens consumed in northern Ghana were sourced from marketcentres in the Northern and Upper East Regions (savannah zone); Colocasia esculenta leaf was obtained from market centres in Ashanti Region (forest zone). The leaves were shredded and air-dried for 7 days. The dried leaves were ground and analysed for the mineral nutrients using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. The Ca content of Hibiscus sabdariffa was significantly higher than that of Colocasia esculenta by 1.07-fold difference (p<0.05). However, compared with Amaranthusspinosus, Hibiscus cannabinus, Solanum macrocapon and Vigna unguiculata, the level of Ca in the Colocasia esculenta leaf was 1.23- to 1.84-fold significantly higher (p<0.05). The Fe level in the leafy vegetables commonly consumed in northern Ghana was significantly lower (2.92- to 70.60-fold difference, p<0.0001) compared with the Colocasia esculenta leaf. Significant differences (p<0.05) were also observed in thelevels of K, Mg and Zn between the other greens studied and the Colocasia esculenta leaf. The differences were between 1.17- to 1.48-fold (K), 1.08- to 1.54-fold (Mg) and 1.15- to 2.59-fold (Zn). This study shows that the leafy vegetables commonly consumed in northern Ghana contain lower levels of the selected mineral nutrients analysed compared with those of Colocasia esculenta leaf. There is a need to find alternative greens that are available or could be cultivated in this part of the country

Mineral Nutrient Content Of Commonly Consumed Leafy Vegetables In Northern Ghana

Leafy vegetables serve as the base of soups, a significant component of Ghanaian food recipes. The varying climatic conditions across Ghana and inefficient food distribution channels have resulted in the existence of different food crops in different regions. Anecdotally, Ghanaians generally believe that the consumption of Colocasia esculenta leaf improves iron status. In this study, the levels of mineral nutrients: calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na) and zinc (Zn) in the leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa , Amaranthus spinosus , Hibiscus cannabinus , Solanum macrocapon and Vigna unguiculata that are popularly used in food recipes in northern Ghana (compose of the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions), were compared with the levels in Colocasia esculenta leaf. The leafy vegetables/greens consumed in northern Ghana were sourced from market centres in the Northern and Upper East Regions (savannah zone); Colocasia esculenta leaf was obtained from market centres in Ashanti Region (forest zone). The leaves were shredded and air-dried for 7 days. The dried leaves were ground and analysed for the mineral nutrients using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. The Ca content of Hibiscus sabdariffa was significantly higher than that of Colocasia esculenta by 1.07-fold difference (p<0.05). However, compared with Amaranthus spinosus, Hibiscus cannabinus, Solanum macrocapon and Vigna unguiculata, the level of Ca in the Colocasia esculenta leaf was 1.23- to 1.84-fold significantly higher (p<0.05). The Fe level in the leafy vegetables commonly consumed in northern Ghana was significantly lower (2.92- to 70.60-fold difference, p<0.0001) compared with the Colocasia esculenta leaf. Significant differences (p<0.05) were also observed in the levels of K, Mg and Zn between the other greens studied and the Colocasia esculenta leaf. The differences were between 1.17- to 1.48-fold (K), 1.08- to 1.54-fold (Mg) and 1.15- to 2.59-fold (Zn). This study shows that the leafy vegetables commonly consumed in northern Ghana contain lower levels of the selected mineral nutrients analysed compared with those of Colocasia esculenta leaf. There is a need to find alternative greens that are available or could be cultivated in this part of the country

Evaluation of some matenal and socio-economic factors associated with low birthweight among women in the upper east region, Ghana

The birth of a child all over the world often comes with joy. Birthweight is a strong predictor of an individual baby’s survival and a person’s personality. It is one of the key indicators of the health and viability of the newborn infant. It is desired that birthweight should be in the range of 2.5 kg to 4.0 kg. Low birthweight has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as weight at birth less than 2.5 kg. This study seeks to evaluate some of the factors that affect birthweight in the Upper East Region of Ghana. One hundred mothers with singleton live births were sampledand interviewed at birth maternity blocks of Bolgatanga Regional Hospital,Bolgatanga and War Memorial hospital, Navrongo. The factors considered include: gestational age, gestational weight gain, maternal educational level, parity, cigarette smoking habits, type of fuel used for cooking, maternal drinking habits, type of physical exercise undertaken, period of rest during pregnancy, and fundal height. The average birthweight of infants born in the Upper East Region was 2.98±0.53 kg. Correlating the variables, it was observed that most of the above-mentioned factorscorrelated linearly but insignificantly (p > 0.05) with birthweight. Results of multiple regressions conducted established that maternal educational level significantly determines birthweight (β = 0.34, p = 0.001). Within the limits of this research, maternal educational level contributed significantly in predicting birthweight in the region followed by duration of rest during pregnancy, pre-pregnancy weight, income level, and type of fuel used for cooking. The type of fuel used for cooking in the region contributed to low birthweight infants (β = -0.06, p = 0.567). The estimated weight gain during pregnancy and healthy lifestyle recorded in this study could beresponsible for the attainment of appropriate birthweight specified by WHO. It is recommended that education of the girl-child should be taken seriously in the region

Knowledge of prostate health and food choice influence on the risk of prostate disorders among Ghanaian men

Understanding prostate health is vital for preventing, managing, and treating prostate disorders. Prostate disorder is a significant health challenge among men, and if not detected early, could lead to complications like cancer and death. Thus, knowledge of prostate health is essential for defining critical areas of intervention among men. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 894 Ghanaian men aged 40 to 70+ to assess their knowledge of prostate health and its influence on their food choices. The study was conducted in Greater Accra, Bono, and Northern Regions of Ghana. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect data on socio-demographics, knowledge of prostate health and consumption of foods related to prostate health. Two categories of foods, relating to prostate health were considered for the study: protective foods (fruits and vegetables) and high-risk foods (alcohol, meat, and meat products). Knowledge level scores were computed from the marks scored by participants on prostate health risk factors, causes, signs, symptoms and treatment, and nutrition and prostate health. Food choices were assessed based on the frequency of protective foods and high-risk foods intake. Associations between socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge level of prostate health, and food choices were examined using bivariate analysis, and multivariate regression analysis was conducted for possible predictors. The mean age of participants was 51.44 ±7.98. More than half of the participants (62.5%, n=559) had a high knowledge of prostate health. Participants with a family history of prostate disorders were approximately two times [OR (odds ratio) =1.973, p=0.041] more likely to have a high knowledge level of prostate health than those with no family history. Similarly, those diagnosed with prostate disorders were three times (OR = 2.736, p<0.001) more likely to have a high knowledge level of prostate health than those who have never been diagnosed of any prostate disorder. Generally, participants consumed protective and high-risk foods related to prostate health. Participants with increased knowledge of prostate health were three times (OR=2.531, p<0.001) more likely to consume protective foods. Knowledge about prostate health through experience positively impacts the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Efforts in Ghana to improve prostate health should include education on protective food choices to promote prostate health

Evaluation Of Some Maternal And Socio-Economic Factors Associated With Low Birthweight Among Women In The Upper East Region, Ghana

The birth of a child all over the world often comes with joy. Birthweight is a strong predictor of an individual baby’s survival and a person’s personality. It is one of the key indicators of the health and viability of the newborn infant. It is desired that birthweight should be in the range of 2.5 kg to 4.0 kg. Low birthweight has been defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as weight at birth less than 2.5 kg. This study seeks to evaluate some of the factors that affect birthweight in the Upper East Region of Ghana. One hundred mothers with singleton live births were sampled and interviewed at birth maternity blocks of Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Bolgatanga and War Memorial hospital, Navrongo. The factors considered include: gestational age, gestational weight gain, maternal educational level, parity, cigarette smoking habits, type of fuel used for cooking, maternal drinking habits, type of physical exercise undertaken, period of rest during pregnancy, and fundal height. The average birthweight of infants born in the Upper East Region was 2.98±0.53 kg. Correlating the variables, it was observed that most of the above-mentioned factors correlated linearly but insignificantly (p > 0.05) with birthweight. Results of multiple regressions conducted established that maternal educational level significantly determines birthweight (β = 0.34, p = 0.001). Within the limits of this research, maternal educational level contributed significantly in predicting birthweight in the region followed by duration of rest during pregnancy, pre-pregnancy weight, income level, and type of fuel used for cooking. The type of fuel used for cooking in the region contributed to low birthweight infants (β = -0.06, p = 0.567). The estimated weight gain during pregnancy and healthy lifestyle recorded in this study could be responsible for the attainment of appropriate birthweight specified by WHO. It is recommended that education of the girl-child should be taken seriously in the region

Effect of acetylation and carboxylation on some physicochemical properties of cassava starches

Starch from five cassava varieties; 97/4414, 97/3982, 97/4489, 97/4962, and Afisiafi was modified with acetic anhydride and sodium hypochlorite solutions. The study was carried out to determine the effect of acetylation and carboxylation on some physicochemical properties of the nativestarches. The physicochemical properties studied were moisture content, pH, solubility, swelling power, granule size and water binding capacity. The moisture content, pH, water binding capacity, and swelling power of the native starches were generally higher than those of the modified starches. Native 97/4414 had the highest moisture content of 11.31% and acetylated 97/3982, the lowest value of 7.21%. The pH ranged from 4.23 for carboxylated 97/4414 to 6.96 for native 97/3982. The solubility of the carboxylated starches was comparatively lower than those of the native and acetylated starches. The native 97/4414 had the lowest solubility of11.77% whereas acetylated 97/4414 and Afisiasi, the highest value of 31.91%. The native Afisiafi had the highest swelling power of 40.42% and carboxylated 97/4489 the lowest value of 21.58%. The water binding capacity ranged from 93.79% for native 97/4414 to 51.46% for 97/4489. The granule size ranged between 4.33&mu;m and 6.67&mu;m. Statistical analysis revealed significant effect (p < 0.05) of acetylation and carboxylation on the physicochemical properties of the native starch

Carbohydrate composition, viscosity, solubility, and sensory acceptance of sweetpotato- and maize-based complementary foods

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