Nutrition
Health benefits of jute leaves (Ademe)
• Jute leaves
Jute leaves is popularly called ewedu among the Yoruba and rama or ayoyo among the Hausa. It is a popular vegetable in West Africa and is not just rich in nutrition but also has a lot of health benefits, including protecting us from various diseases. Nutrition-wise, vegetables are low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals.
– Internal Bleeding
Jute plant consists of considerable amount of Vitamin K which is helpful in reducing the threat of bleeding in the liver, poor nutrient absorption, jaundice or the combination of long term use of antibiotics or aspirin. Some of the problems related with the gastrointestinal system due to a decrease of this vitamin include colitis, obstructions, sprue and Crohn’s disease. All these problems are due to a reduced content of Vitamin K.
-Weight loss
The green leaf has been described as a source of weight loss. Serving ayoyo or ademe without meat or fish has 97 calories. So, for those trying to lose some weight, include ewedu in your diet.
The ewedu leaf is an adequate source of fibre, thus making the plant very helpful in dealing with weight management and may also promote intestinal health by helping with bowel movement.
– Good for pregnant
women
This jute leaf has been known to be a remedy for pregnant women experiencing prolonged labour. When a pregnant woman is experiencing prolonged labour, a bunch of ewedu leaves squeezed with the stem can be given to her to drink. It has also been discovered to aid milk secretion in lactating mothers.
– Protects Eye Health
Poor diet or nutrient deficiencies are the fundamental reasons of numerous eye diseases. Research has proven that taking vitamin B6 together with other vitamins, like folate, can help in the prevention of eye disorders and loss of vision. Jute plant consists of 0.496 mg Vitamin B6 which is 38.15percent of the daily recommended value. Regular consumption of Jute plant is believed to help slow the start of certain eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration.
-Fights off colds and flu
Jute plant consists of Vitamin C which is extremely beneficial to the immune system and plays an important role in the body’s ability to fight off colds and viruses. You can take 1,000 mg of Vitamin C to fight off an oncoming cold and 4,000 mg per day to get rid of a cold which is previously in your system.
Vitamin C when taken during colds and flu can help to decrease the risk of developing further complications, like pneumonia and lung infections.
-Reduces cholesterol
Several research studies have shown that copper helps to reduce the levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and to increase beneficial cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). Jute plant consists of 0.222 mg of copper which is 24.67percent of the daily recommended value. This helps to lower the chances of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
– Protects healthy hair and skin
Vitamin B2 also known as riboflavin plays an important role in maintaining collagen levels, which helps to make up healthy skin and hair. Collagen is required to maintain the youthful structure of skin and to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, thus a riboflavin deficiency can make us look aged earlier. Some research recommends that riboflavin can decrease the time needed for wound healing, can decrease skin inflammation and cracked lips, and can help naturally slow signs of aging.
Source: Herbal Cure For Disease
Groundnut oil has essential nutrients. It is rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are considered heart-healthy fats. Additionally, it contains vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports healthy skin and eyes. Groundnut oil also provides phytosterols, plant compounds that help lower cholesterol levels, and resveratrol, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
– Heart Health
The high content of unsaturated fats in groundnut oil makes it an excellent choice for heart health. These fats help reduce bad cholesterol levels (LDL cholesterol) and increase good cholesterol levels (HDL cholesterol), thereby reducing the risk of heart diseases.
-Rich in antioxidants
Wood Pressed Groundnut oil contains vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative stress. Antioxidants play a crucial role in neutralising harmful free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.
-Aids digestion
Groundnut oil is gentle on the digestive system, making it easy to digest. It also helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, promoting overall digestive health.
-Boosts immune system
The presence of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in wood pressed groundnut oil enhances the immune system’s ability to fight off infections and diseases.
– Weight management
Despite being calorie-dense, cold pressed groundnut oil can be part of a balanced diet. Its healthy fat content helps in making you feel full and satisfied, reducing overall calorie intake.
– Stable at high temperatures
Groundnut oil has a high smoke point, making it ideal for deep frying and high-heat cooking methods. Unlike some other oils, it does not break down and release harmful compounds at high temperatures.
Using groundnut oil can contribute to your overall well-being. However, like all oils, moderation is key. It’s important to use any oil, including groundnut oil, in moderation to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.
In conclusion, groundnut oil stands as a testament to nature’s bounty, offering not only a delightful culinary experience but also a myriad of health benefits.
For the past thirty years, Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) has transformed the treatment of severe acute malnutrition in children. Before its introduction in the late 1990s, children suffering from severe wasting often required prolonged hospital stays, intensive medical care, and constant supervision. Today, many of these children can recover safely at home or within their communities under the guidance of trained health workers. This innovation has saved millions of lives across more than 70 countries and changed the global response to child malnutrition.
Severe acute malnutrition, also known as severe wasting, is one of the deadliest forms of malnutrition. It weakens the immune system, slows growth and development, and increases a child’s risk of death significantly. Common illnesses such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and malaria become far more dangerous when children are malnourished. Globally, undernutrition is linked to nearly half of all deaths among children under five years, with the highest risk among children under the age of two In Ghana alone, an estimated 68,517 children are affected by severe acute malnutrition, according to the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey.
RUTF has proven to be one of the most effective tools in treating severe wasting, and is central to the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) framework — the globally endorsed model for delivering SAM treatment at the community level, outside of hospital settings The peanut-based paste is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals and requires no refrigeration, water, or cooking, making it practical for low-resource settings. When treatment begins early and supplies are consistently available, recovery rates range between 75 and 90 percent, at an estimated treatment cost of approximately USD 45 to 60 per child making RUTF one of the most cost-effective interventions in global health. Children often recover within six to ten weeks, regaining strength and healthy weight rapidly.
Despite these successes, access to treatment remains critically low. Globally, fewer than one in four children who need therapeutic food are able to receive it. The challenge today is no longer about whether treatment works; the evidence is clear. The real challenge is financing and consistent supply.
Many countries, including Ghana, have already taken important steps. RUTF is included in Ghana’s Essential Medicines List and Standard Treatment Guidelines, and hundreds of health workers have been trained to manage severe acute malnutrition within communities, including through Ghana’s Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound network. However, procurement of therapeutic food still relies heavily on donor support, making supplies vulnerable to funding cuts and disruptions. As a result, some districts have access to treatment while others do not, even when malnutrition rates are equally high.
Addressing child malnutrition requires stronger political commitment and sustainable financing. Integrating RUTF into national health financing systems, including the National Health Insurance Scheme, could help ensure that children receive timely treatment regardless of where they live. Achieving this would require establishing clear RUTF reimbursement protocols within the NHIS claims framework, alongside dedicated national budget allocations for therapeutic food procurement. The infrastructure and knowledge already exist. What is needed now is sustained investment and prioritization.
Three decades of therapeutic food have shown that severe acute malnutrition is highly treatable. No child should die from a condition that can be managed with proven, lifesaving nutrition support. The progress made is significant, but the revolution remains incomplete until every child who needs treatment can access it.
Feature article by Women, Media and Change under its Nourish Ghana: Advocating for Increased Leadership to Combat Malnutrition project.
