The amunututu is also known as Nigerian leaf vegetable or Nigerian spinach. This type of vegetable is known for its beneficial nutrition. It has many health benefits which are due to its contents, such as carotenoids, folic acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, potassium, manganese, iron, sodium and dietary fiber. There are many different ways in which you can add the amunututu in your diet. You can include the amunututu into the stir fry.
You should cook the amunututu lightly because in this way you will be sure that you will not overcook and lose its nutrition. Also, you can enjoy the amunututu in fresh form. You can mix raw amunututu leaves with other vegetables into a bowl of nutritious salad. You can make that juice or smoothie.
You should always wash the amunututu leaves because in this way you will be sure that you will remove any surface sand. After that, you can wipe the leaves with paper towel or dry cloth. In this way you will only use the soft watery leaves of amunututu. If you have never used amunututu in your diet before, then you can talk with your doctor if it will be suitable for your health so you will stay away from side effects.
Health benefits of amunututu
Good for pregnancy: There are some studies in which are suggested that you can add the amunututu during your pregnancy. The amunututu has B – complex vitamins and folate which are very good for the pregnancy because they can help the growth of DNA. Folate can help the pregnant women to have safe early stage of pregnancy and it can help to avoid neural tube defect in the newborn baby.
Improve body metabolism: The amunututu is rich in iron which is very important for our bodies. When we have sufficient daily intake amount of iron, then it will maintain normal red blood cell production. The normal amount of red blood cells can facilitate the normal body metabolism.
Treats stomachache: The term “amunututu” in Nigerian means cool stomach. This plant has this name due to the health benefits of the thick fleshy and watery leaf of this in cooling down the digestive tract and helping you to deal with the digestive problems. This health benefit of this is possible due to the value of soluble fiber in it which can help to treat the stomach ache, especially when it is caused by ulcers.
Controls blood pressure: The amunututu has potassium and manganese which can help the body to control the heart rate and the blood pressure. In this way, we can avoid hypertension and we can have normal blood pressure. When we have normal blood pressure, then it can keep you away from the cardiovascular problems.
Reduces the risk of cancer: The amunututu has vitamins and carotenoids. These compounds act as potent antioxidants which can help to keep your skin from aging, but also they can help your body to fight against free radicals. We know that free radicals are one of the major causes for cancer. When we add this in the diet, then we can reduce the risk of cancer, such as oral cavity cancer and lung cancer.
Reduces bad cholesterol levels: It is very important to add the amunututu in between your healthy diet. It has dietary fiber which can help to reduce the bad cholesterol absorption. In this way, it can help you to avoid the bad effect of cholesterol which you gain from your daily food intake.
Reduces the risk of diabetes: It is very important to add dietary fiber in your diet because it can help to prevent diabetes. The dietary fiber can help to improve the oxidation.This has dietary fiber. When we have normal oxidation in our bodies, then it can help the body to optimally convert foods into energy. In this way, there will be no sugar stacking. Also, this can help to avoid the spiking blood glucose level.
Nourishes skin:This is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin E which are acting as antioxidants. It is very important to add antioxidants in our diets because it can help us to maintain healthy and youthful skin. In this way, your skin will be away from wrinkles and freckles.
