The Health Benefits Of Guinea Corn / Pap

Guinea corn, which is used to make pap food, is a wholesome grain from the Poaceae grass family sometimes referred to as sorghum.

After maize, wheat, rice, and barley, it is the fifth most produced crop and one of the most important cereal crops in the world.

Guinea maize is a staple diet in many African households, where it was first introduced to infants as a weaning dish. In Nigeria and India, it is referred to as dawa or guinea corn, respectively.

This sadly underutilised crop is rich in fibre and phenolic chemicals, which are both known to prevent metabolic and cardiac illnesses.

Guinea Corn Nutrition

Calories: 632 kcal

Protein: 20 grams (g)

Fat: 7 g

Carbohydrates: 138 g

Dietary Fiber:  12 g

Thiamine: 0.6 milligrams (mg)

Riboflavin: 0.1 mg

Pantothenic acid: 0.7 mg

Vitamin B6: 0.8 mg

Copper: 0.5 mg

Iron: 6 mg

Magnesium: 317 mg

Phosphorus: 555 mg

Potassium: 697 mg

Zinc: 3 mg

Calcium: 25 mg

Manganese: 3 mg

The Health Benefits of Guinea Corn / Pap

Provides necessary minerals and nutrients.

The B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, Panthothenic acid, etc.), which are crucial for metabolism, neural development, skin, and hair health, are also abundant in guinea corn which is used to make pap.

Additionally, it contains a lot of magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, which are minerals vital for bone development, heart health, and more than 600 biochemical processes in the body.

Guinea corn, often known as sorghum, is an excellent source of protein because it has the same amount as quinoa.

For Diabetic Patient

Whole grain guinea corn (pap) is a fantastic food for diabetics.

Starch digestibility is relatively poor in sorghum. This is due to the endosperm’s abundant refractory and poorly digested starch content.

Sorghum also has condensed tannins, which can combine with proteins and carbohydrates in the digestive tract to produce bulk complexes. These complexes, which are created in the digestive tract, reduce the glycemic response and give you a feeling of satiety or fullness.

Another study found that eating sorghum muffins affected people’s insulin and glucose levels and enhanced their glycemic response.

Read Also: What is the health Benefits of corn?

Prevent Cancer

The strong antioxidant properties of sorghum’s phenolic chemicals found in pap may be responsible for the grain’s anticancer properties. Tannins and 3-deoxyanthocyanidins are two examples of these phenolic chemicals.

According to studies, sorghum tannins block the growth of cancer by preventing the enzyme aromatase, which is linked to breast cancer.

Additionally, it has been shown that sorghum tannins are superior to grape seed tannins in their ability to inhibit the proliferation of colon cancer cells.

Prevents Obesity

In the digestive tract, guinea corn components combine with starch and protein to create complexes that give the feeling of satiety or fullness and prevent overeating.

According to a recent study, healthy individuals who ate whole grain sorghum biscuits had greater satiety and less hunger than those who consumed wheat biscuits.

Has anti-inflammatory properties

Chronic inflammation brought on by long-term oxidative stress can result in a number of chronic illnesses.

Numerous pro-inflammatory substances, including interleukin (IL), cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), are produced during inflammation.

Numerous phenolic elements found in sorghum grain have been shown to suppress the synthesis of these pro-inflammatory elements.

Antioxidant activity is provided

Most chronic diseases are primarily brought on by oxidative stress, which is an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals.

Sorghum is a food that improves health and avoids most chronic diseases.

Keeps heart illnesses at bay

The fat (lipids) found in guinea corn (sorghum) grains has been found to improve cardiovascular health by controlling the absorption, excretion, and synthesis of cholesterol.

According to a recent study, adding sorghum lipids to hamsters’ (rats’) diets boosted the excretion of cholesterol and its metabolites, lowering the hamsters’ plasma and liver cholesterol levels.

Antioxidants found in whole grains can prevent cardiovascular disorders.

Helps avoid constipation

Guinea corn’s high dietary fibre content aids in the proper operation of the digestive system.

A diet high in dietary fibre also aids in the prevention of colon cancer and cardiovascular disorders.

Safeguards bone health

Magnesium and calcium, two minerals necessary for healthy bones, are abundant in sorghum.

Calcium is more easily absorbed when magnesium is present. Osteoporosis and arthritis are brought on by calcium or magnesium deficiencies.

Simple ways to Prepare Pap

• Buy the raw pap from trusted source
• Pour it into a bowl and add little water
• Stir gently into a liquid form but ensure it is not too light.
• Pour boiled water into it gently and stir it until a thick palp is formed.
• Add sugar or milk depending on your taste preference and enjoy.

The Health Benefits Of Guinea Corn / Pap

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