Nutrition Facts, Health Benefits, And Why You Should Eat Plantain Flour (Fufu) By Olaniyi Ajilore

Plantain – Flour

Overview

Plantain flour is a staple food typical in many countries in West Africa and Central Africa such as Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Benin, Togo, Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, the Central African Republic and the Caribbean. They are made out of dried and pulverised 100% unripe plantain slices. The plantains are peeled, sliced, cleaned, dried and then blended into the flour. Plantains are rich sources of complex carbohydrates, vitamins A, C, B-6, minerals magnesium, potassium and its low-fat content makes it a delight for people suffering from cholesterol-related ailments such as obesity, diabetes, gallstone.

Plantain’s Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

1. Neuritis And Anaemia

Unripe Plantain contains Vitamin B6, which is very useful in the fight against health conditions like Neuritis and Anaemia. Neuritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the nerves while Anaemia is characterised by the presence of low red blood cells in the body, which usually results in weakness. With regular consumption of Plantain flour, these conditions can be treated, and even prevented.

2. High Blood Pressure 

The potassium content in unripe Plantain protects the heart from conditions like High Blood Pressure by controlling the heart rate. 

3. Weight Management

The fibre and starch found in plantains are complex carbs. Fibre and complex carbs are less processed and more slowly digested than the simple carbs found in processed foods. They keep you fuller and more satisfied for longer after a meal, which can mean less snacking on unhealthy foods.

4. Cholesterol And Stroke

Fiber also increases fullness, slows digestion, and help manage cholesterol levels, and consequently, kills the possibility of one suffering heart diseases. The presence of serotonin in unripe Plantain prevents stroke and other heart conditions too.

5. Digestive Health

Plantain flour has the ability to improve blood circulation in your body and make your digestive system a lot better than it was.

6. Source of Vitamin A, B and C

Plantain flour contains a great amount of Vitamin C, as well as B and A, which not only improves your vision but nourishes your skin and keeps you safe from diseases and free radicals.

7. Constipation

If you have bowel movement issue, then you need to turn to plantain flour. Eating it in a good amount can make bowel movement better and easier while easing your constipation worries.

8. Diabetic People

Unlike ripe ones, unripe Plantain contains little or no sugar, and as you know, sugar is a root cause of diabetes. Mixed with quality vegetables and other protein-rich food, unripe Plantain can keep diabetes away.

9. Sexual Performance

Studies proves that eating plenty of unripe Plantain can enhance sexual performance.

10. Rich In Calcium

Calcium is essential for strong, healthy bones, nails and good teeth. Eating a good amount of unripe Plantain would improve your system with adequate calcium, and keep away diseases like Osteoporosis, a condition that causes the bones to be weakened.

11. Ulcer

Studies shows that Lucocyanidin, an element found in unripe Plantain, can help fight ulcer. 

100% Plantain Flour – widely called Fufu or Amala by the Yorubas From Nigeria