President Muhammadu Buhari has said that with the declining revenues
from crude oil exports, Nigeria’s hopes of economic resurgence now lie
in the rapid development of its agricultural and solid mineral
resources.
He said his administration was fully committed to increasing the
productivity of Nigeria’s agriculture and solid minerals sectors to save
the nation from the harsh effects of lower crude oil prices.
According to a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media
and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke in Riyadh late
Tuesday at a meeting he had with leading members of the Council of Saudi
Arabia’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Inviting Saudi Arabian businessmen to invest in both agriculture and
solid minerals, the President said that his administration will welcome
greater foreign investment in support of its efforts to rapidly
diversify the Nigerian economy.
He regretted that the country had depended too much on crude oil exports to the neglect of other resources.
He added that Nigeria is now paying a harsh price for failing to diversify its economy early enough.
He said, “With the downturn in the global prices of oil, we now have
to prospect our solid minerals. We have to return to agriculture.
“Mining and agriculture are our hopes now. We will welcome investments in these areas.
“We will appreciate an in-flow of more resources and expertise to help us achieve our objective of economic diversification.”
The governors of Osun, Ogun, Katsina, Borno, and Zamfara States, who
were part of the President’s delegation, took turns to address the Saudi
Arabian businessmen on investment possibilities in their states,
assuring them of good returns.
The Chairman of the Council of the Saudi Arabian Chambers of Commerce
and Industry, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Zamil, said that agriculture was a
very important area of investment for its members, adding that they were
already in Brazil, the United States of America and Sudan, “where we
have huge farms.
source: PUNCH
Thursday, 31 March 2016
Lambs shot dead again in ‘sickening’ farm shooting
Twelve lambs have died after being shot on a farm in a second “sickening” attack within a fortnight, police have revealed. 
A further six lambs were killed in a second shooting spree on a farm in Doncaster, South Yorkshire Police said.
Officers were called to Cherry Tree Lodge Farm, in Crow Tree Bank, on Wednesday morning (30 March).
They found six dead lambs and a further six with gunshot wounds, which needed to be put down.
Two ewes were also hurt in the shooting, which is believed to have happened overnight.
Appealing for witnesses, inspector Mark Payling from the local policing team, said: “This is a sickening and thoughtless act of violence against animals, which has caused outrage amongst the farming community across the region and beyond.
“Both incidents have caused distress and outrage not only in our local communities, but across south Yorkshire.
“It is simply intolerable and I want to reassure the local community that we are determined to find those responsible.
“I understand that people will be concerned and we are exploring a number of lines of enquiry to confirm that these incidents are linked.
“We must keep an open mind in this early stage of the investigation and this is where any information that you hold, however small, could prove significant to finding out who did this.
“Please, if you saw anything suspicious in the area or have heard anyone discussing this matter locally, get in touch.”
Anyone with information is urged to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
source: http://www.fwi.co.uk/news/lambs-shot-dead-again-in-sickening-farm-shooting.htm
A further six lambs were killed in a second shooting spree on a farm in Doncaster, South Yorkshire Police said.
Officers were called to Cherry Tree Lodge Farm, in Crow Tree Bank, on Wednesday morning (30 March).
They found six dead lambs and a further six with gunshot wounds, which needed to be put down.
Two ewes were also hurt in the shooting, which is believed to have happened overnight.
See also: Three-week-old Easter lambs shot dead
The latest grim discovery follows a similar attack on a neighbouring
farm last week. On that occasion, six lambs were shot dead and two more
had to be put down following a shooting at Stoupers Gate Farm, near
Hatfield, Doncaster.Appealing for witnesses, inspector Mark Payling from the local policing team, said: “This is a sickening and thoughtless act of violence against animals, which has caused outrage amongst the farming community across the region and beyond.
“Both incidents have caused distress and outrage not only in our local communities, but across south Yorkshire.
“It is simply intolerable and I want to reassure the local community that we are determined to find those responsible.
“I understand that people will be concerned and we are exploring a number of lines of enquiry to confirm that these incidents are linked.
“We must keep an open mind in this early stage of the investigation and this is where any information that you hold, however small, could prove significant to finding out who did this.
“Please, if you saw anything suspicious in the area or have heard anyone discussing this matter locally, get in touch.”
Anyone with information is urged to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
source: http://www.fwi.co.uk/news/lambs-shot-dead-again-in-sickening-farm-shooting.htm
Producers look to good crops for storage
RURAL GLEN ULLIN — These hot blue-sky
days of August are made in heaven for air-conditioning salesmen and grain
farmers.
The salesmen hustle the showroom
floor, while some producers in the Glen Ullin and Mott area are out combining
in a pitch perfect combination of dry heat.
They love this year’s wheat crop.
What they don’t love is how much it’s worth.
Mark Glasser jumped off his combine
parked in a golden hillside not far from Lake Tschida early this week.
“The crop’s really good, but the
prices are absolutely horrible,” he said. “It’s very depressing. I don’t see
any break-even right now.”
This particular spring wheat field
was last year’s corn ground, so the yield isn’t premium, but still pushing 45
to 50 bushels an acre.
Glasser said a per-bushel price of
just over $3 won’t get him into the market any time soon, so he’ll store his
wheat in those heavy-duty white storage bags that have popped up all over farm
country.
“A lot of this is going to go into
plastic,” Glasser said.
He said he loves the work, but the
mental stress can get to him.
“It really makes a difference when
you know you can make some money and when you’re not,” Glasser said.
South of Lake Tschida, in country
referred to as “norda Burt,” Ronnie Reich and his son, Randy Reich, were out on
an equipment move from field to field.
“It’s a beautiful crop,” says Randy
Reich, who at 24 is perhaps more willing to call it like he sees it than the
typical farmer shrug of “not too bad.”
But even his 60-year-old dad agrees.
“It is really nice, above average,”
he said, describing a winter wheat of good quality and good yield at 60 to 70
bushels an acre.
It’s been one of those great crop
years, he said, quoting a friend and neighbor’s observation: “I thought last
year’s crop was the best until this year.”
Producers were able to get in early
— late March through April — and the rains came plentifully and
timely.
“Everything just fell into place. If
we get 12 hot days, we’ll be done,” Ronnie Reich said.
Prices aren’t especially lucrative
right now, and Randy Reich said it’s a chill after five years of good times.
Depending on the protein, the local Southwest Grain Cooperative was posting
from $2.17 to $5.47 a bushel Wednesday.
After harvesting big crops in past
years, the Reichs poured on the fertilizer this year, plus a second round of
fungicide on the wheat because of all the rain, so the crop input costs were
right up there, too.
About 15 miles to the northwest,
Dean Friedt, of rural Mott, consulted with a custom crew cutting his canola
before heading back to his leased combine in a wheat field further up the road.
The canola is running about 2,000 pounds an acre, the spring wheat between 60
and 70 bushels an acre and winter wheat is pushing 90 bushels an acre,
outstanding numbers all around.
“It’s a good crop and now, we’ll
just wait for a better price,” said Friedt, who figures most farmers will hold
their crop in plastic or bins.
Some will take out federal crop
commodity loans of $2.89 a bushel at low interest, pay bills and repay the loan
with higher priced wheat.
“Nobody wants to sell — they’re
hoping the price goes up and figure to sit on it for awhile,” Friedt said.
Like all modern producers, Friedt’s
as wired to technology as he is to the weather forecast.
“If we get those 90 to 100 degrees,
that’s perfect combining weather,” he said.
For the guy selling cold air, it's
just dandy, too.
(Reach Lauren Donovan at
701-220-5511 or lauren@westriv.com.)
Source; Nigerian Tribune
We are importing improved pasture seeds not grass
March 29, 2016
COLLINS NNABUIFE spoke with the
Director of Animal Production and Husbandary Services of the Federal Ministry
of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr Egejuru Eze, on the recent news on the
social media which said that the government was planning to import grasses into
the country to feed animals.
Is the going actually planning to
import grasses to feed animals in Nigeria?
The Minister of Agriculture and
Rural Development did not say we are going to import grass to feed animals,
what his said was that we are going to use improved pasture seeds/cultivars to
plant in Nigeria, because we have our soil that can support the growth of these
pasture seeds, so we can say because we have grass in Nigeria, and we have
seeds in Nigeria, there is no need to bring in improved seeds. Similarly, we have
palm trees in Nigeria and we still import improved palm seedlings.
What the Minister was saying was
that we are going to look for those seed that have high productivity per
hectare of land and also high nutritive value, that is what he wants us to
bring in and add to what we have.
A lot of researches have been
carried out on the type of grasses that can grow in different areas, for
example, Alfalfa grass thrives in temperate areas and we have temperate areas
in Nigeria at the Mambilla-Plateau, Adamawa, Jos-Plateau and Obudu, so we are
trying to exploit the use of good seeds in that areas for diary production.
What do we need grass for in
Nigeria?
If we want to improve our dairy and
beef production, we have to feed the animals very well, so in that case, we
need improved pasture that has high nutritive value, and if herdsmen can get
the improved pasture anywhere they are, this issue of cattle roaming in search
for grass will stop, the conflicts between farmers and herdsmen will not be
there, cattle rustling will be eliminated, so that is why is very necessary to
improve the pasture we have in Nigeria.
Is the planting of those seedlings
only being focused in the north?
Different ecological zones will get
there improved seeds which will be planted in those areas to add to what we
have to improve the pasture we have in those areas.
What other pasture seedlings will be
imported apart from Alfalfa?
Brachiaria is a grass that have been
researched upon in Brazil, they took the Brachiaria from Kenya and Brazil
worked on it for about 18 years and they have been able to increase the
productivity of the Brachiaria that have made the pasture planted areas to
reduce with increased beef production. We have problem with dry season in
Nigeria, when the rain are going off, the grass dries up fast and the animals
begin to follow the grass to the south, this Brachiaria seeds can thrive well
during dry season it will sustain the animals.
What are the financial benefits of
this pasture seed importation?
It is not about planting grass,
further production will be commercialized, Saudi Arabia import pastures to feed
their ranches, and if improved pasture is invested in, young graduates can make
business out of it, they can process it into hay and silage that can be
exported and that can be moved from South to North, so this is some of the
strategies and plans the minister have.
After the first batch of pasture
seed importation, are we still going to import more in the future?
We don’t need to be importing when
we have established, when we import, we also try to see where they best fit in
as much as they have tried there and it has to be a gradual thing. Those
grasses will be established and it will take about a year to fully establish
them, or else the animal will overrun them and we will back to square one. So
it has to be sustained and it will be systematic and there will be
intensification of production, so it will not be that we just plant the grazing
reserves and allow the animals to just graze it. There must be proper
management of this pasture development.
Apart from low quality grass, animal
disease have been a major factor that reduces productivity in animals, what is
the government doing to control disease among animals?
We have a programme we call Expanded
Breeding Programme where we intend to cross our local breeds with foreign breed
that have the potential to produce large quantity of milk and beef, so it will
improve the genetic improvement of our breeds. We also intend to bring water
which is very important to animals.
We also intend to provide veterinary
clinic, that’s why we want the animals to be in a particular area where they
will get all these services and it will also help us to trace the animals in
terms of disease control, production system and others.
Health Benefits of Cashews
A great mineral source, cashews contain 31% of the daily recommended value for copper, along with 23% for manganese, 20% for magnesium and 17% for phosphorus,add to that 12% of the daily recommended value for vitamin K.SOURCE:
What does this mean for the body? Studies show that magnesium helps diminish the frequency of migraines, improve cognitive ability, and also lowers blood pressure, which can prevent heart attacks. Copper contains antioxidants that render free radicals harmless. This protects against heart disease and cancer. Enzyme components like tyrosinase convert to the pigment melanin, which provides not just our skin and hair color, but protects our skin from UV damage. Magnesium works with copper to provide bone strength, and with melanin and elastin to provide joint flexibility, giving the nerves just the right tension.
Another ingredient in cashews is proanthocyanidins, which contain flavanols that inhibit the ability of cancer cells to divide and multiply, reducing incidences of colon cancer.
Surprisingly, cashews contain zero cholesterol. All but a small amount of the fat in cashews is the good kind - oleic acid - found also in olive oil, which is the reason both are so good for you. It's the high- or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol conversation that explains what "good fat = HDL; bad fat = LDL" actually means. It's just another way of saying it makes a difference what fats you eat. That's because HDL cholesterol travels through your body, picking up bad bits of LDL cholesterol along the way, leaving it off at the liver, which breaks it down and gets rid of it.
On the other hand, when you eat foods containing LDL fats (like lard, for example), the liver distributes it throughout your body, often attaching to the cells, which become clogged with plaque.
1 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0011502988900132
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
benefits of bitter leaf
HEALTH, Top Scroll
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BITTER
LEAF
Do you know that the common African plant,
bitter leaf, which you can conveniently grow
in your backyard, can cure a lot of ailments?
In Nigeria, different tribes have names for
this leaf.
The botanical name for bitter leaf is Vernonia
which is a genus of about 1000 species of
forbs and shrubs in the family Asteraceae.
Some species are known as Ironweed.
Some species of Vernonia, including V.
Calvoana, V.amygdalina, and V. Colorata, are
eaten as leaf vegetables and are of
economic value. They are known for having
intense purple flowers. They are common in
most West African and Central African
countries. The leaves have a sweet and bitter
taste. They are sold fresh or dried, and are a
typical ingredient in egusi soup. They are
also one of the most widely consumed leaf
vegetables of West Africa.
The leaves are exported from several African
countries to Europe and North America and
can be purchased inexpensively in grocery
stores aiming to serve African clients.
The leaves are relatively inexpensive and
rich in several nutrients especially β-carotene
and vitamin C which are essential for human
health. It is also rich in minerals like iron,
phosphorus, calcium and potassium..Bitter
leaf is also rich in carotene, proteins,
ascorbic acid, iron, folic acid, dietary anemia .
Source; True health(online)
HEALTH BENEFITS OF BITTER
LEAF
Do you know that the common African plant,
bitter leaf, which you can conveniently grow
in your backyard, can cure a lot of ailments?
In Nigeria, different tribes have names for
this leaf.
The botanical name for bitter leaf is Vernonia
which is a genus of about 1000 species of
forbs and shrubs in the family Asteraceae.
Some species are known as Ironweed.
Some species of Vernonia, including V.
Calvoana, V.amygdalina, and V. Colorata, are
eaten as leaf vegetables and are of
economic value. They are known for having
intense purple flowers. They are common in
most West African and Central African
countries. The leaves have a sweet and bitter
taste. They are sold fresh or dried, and are a
typical ingredient in egusi soup. They are
also one of the most widely consumed leaf
vegetables of West Africa.
The leaves are exported from several African
countries to Europe and North America and
can be purchased inexpensively in grocery
stores aiming to serve African clients.
The leaves are relatively inexpensive and
rich in several nutrients especially β-carotene
and vitamin C which are essential for human
health. It is also rich in minerals like iron,
phosphorus, calcium and potassium..Bitter
leaf is also rich in carotene, proteins,
ascorbic acid, iron, folic acid, dietary anemia .
Source; True health(online)
Strong anti-cancer properties discovered in soybeans
Proteins found in soybeans could inhibit the
growth of colon, liver and lung cancers.
Soybean meal is a bi-product following oil
extraction from soybean seeds. It is rich in
protein, which usually makes up around 40% of
the nutritional components of the seeds and
dependent on the line, and can also contain
high oleic acid (a monounsaturated omega-9
fatty acid).
The study looked at the role soybeans could
have in the prevention of cancer. Using a
variety of soybean lines which were high in
oleic acid and protein, the researchers looked
to monitor bioactivity between the peptides
derived from the meals of soybean and
various types of human cancer cells.
The study showed that peptides derived from
soybean meal significantly inhibited cell
growth by 73% for colon cancer, 70% for liver
cancer and 68% for lung cancer cells using
human cell lines. This shows that the selected
high oleic acid soybean lines could have a
potential nutraceutical affect in helping to
reduce the growth of several types of cancer
cells.
Source; science daily
growth of colon, liver and lung cancers.
Soybean meal is a bi-product following oil
extraction from soybean seeds. It is rich in
protein, which usually makes up around 40% of
the nutritional components of the seeds and
dependent on the line, and can also contain
high oleic acid (a monounsaturated omega-9
fatty acid).
The study looked at the role soybeans could
have in the prevention of cancer. Using a
variety of soybean lines which were high in
oleic acid and protein, the researchers looked
to monitor bioactivity between the peptides
derived from the meals of soybean and
various types of human cancer cells.
The study showed that peptides derived from
soybean meal significantly inhibited cell
growth by 73% for colon cancer, 70% for liver
cancer and 68% for lung cancer cells using
human cell lines. This shows that the selected
high oleic acid soybean lines could have a
potential nutraceutical affect in helping to
reduce the growth of several types of cancer
cells.
Source; science daily
“Nigeria has capacity to Produce Enough Rice
For West Africa” Says Competitive African Rice
Initiative"
Mr Abraham Odoom, Policy
Advisor, Competitive African Rice Initiative
(CARI) says Nigeria has the capacity to
produce enough rice for consumption in the
West African Sub-region.
Odoom stated this at the formal inauguration
of the Nigerian Rice Policy Advocacy
Platform in Kano, Kano State on Thursday.
He said based on empirical evidence on
ground, two states in Nigeria could produce
the required rice to feed the West African
Sub-region without necessarily importing the
commodity. He said Nigeria’s foreign
exchange earnings has been taking heavy
toll due to importation of rice.
Odoom described Nigeria as a blessed nation
with abundant arable land and water for
massive production of rice.
He said with the appalling slump in oil
prices, it would be absolutely necessary for
the country to promote the importation of
rice.
“The issue of unemployment can be
effectively tackled if the much needed
leverage is secured by indigenous farmers
willing to prove their worth on rice
production,” Odoom said.
He said CARI was ready to conduct its
activity on rice production and rice value
chain, based on research as a way of
creating adequate awareness among
farmers.
Odoom said that with the required indices
taken into cognizance, the future of rice
production in the state is bright.
Earlier in his remarks, the state
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural
Resources, Dr Nasir Gawuna, said the state
government would continue to give special
attention to agriculture to boost food
production.
Gawuna was represented at the occasion by
the Permanent Secretary in the ministry,
Hajiya Binta Rabiu.
The commissioner said the state government
had recently given Rice Farmers Association
in the state N1billion soft loan to enhance
rice production.
Source ;N T A NeWS
For West Africa” Says Competitive African Rice
Initiative"
Mr Abraham Odoom, Policy
Advisor, Competitive African Rice Initiative
(CARI) says Nigeria has the capacity to
produce enough rice for consumption in the
West African Sub-region.
Odoom stated this at the formal inauguration
of the Nigerian Rice Policy Advocacy
Platform in Kano, Kano State on Thursday.
He said based on empirical evidence on
ground, two states in Nigeria could produce
the required rice to feed the West African
Sub-region without necessarily importing the
commodity. He said Nigeria’s foreign
exchange earnings has been taking heavy
toll due to importation of rice.
Odoom described Nigeria as a blessed nation
with abundant arable land and water for
massive production of rice.
He said with the appalling slump in oil
prices, it would be absolutely necessary for
the country to promote the importation of
rice.
“The issue of unemployment can be
effectively tackled if the much needed
leverage is secured by indigenous farmers
willing to prove their worth on rice
production,” Odoom said.
He said CARI was ready to conduct its
activity on rice production and rice value
chain, based on research as a way of
creating adequate awareness among
farmers.
Odoom said that with the required indices
taken into cognizance, the future of rice
production in the state is bright.
Earlier in his remarks, the state
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural
Resources, Dr Nasir Gawuna, said the state
government would continue to give special
attention to agriculture to boost food
production.
Gawuna was represented at the occasion by
the Permanent Secretary in the ministry,
Hajiya Binta Rabiu.
The commissioner said the state government
had recently given Rice Farmers Association
in the state N1billion soft loan to enhance
rice production.
Source ;N T A NeWS
Nigeria's wealth in Agriculture
AGRICULTURE
On Agriculture today, both the peasant
and the mechanized farmers agree with the
general public that food production and self-
sufficiency require urgent government
action. For too long government policies on
agriculture have been half-hearted, suffering
from inconsistencies and discontinuities.
Yet our real wealth is in farming, livestock,
hatcheries, fishery, horticulture and forestry.
From the information available to me the
issues worrying the public today are:
· Rising food prices, such as maize, corn,
rice and gari.
· Lack of visible impact of government
presence on agriculture.
· Lack of agricultural inputs at affordable
prices. Cost of fertilizers, pesticide and
labour compound the problems of farming.
Extension services are virtually absent in
several states.
· Imports of subsidized food products such
as rice and poultry discourage the growth of
domestic agriculture.
· Wastage of locally grown foods, notably
fruit and vegetables which go bad due to
lack of even moderate scale agro-processing
factories and lack of feeder roads.
Source; The newsnews, Google
On Agriculture today, both the peasant
and the mechanized farmers agree with the
general public that food production and self-
sufficiency require urgent government
action. For too long government policies on
agriculture have been half-hearted, suffering
from inconsistencies and discontinuities.
Yet our real wealth is in farming, livestock,
hatcheries, fishery, horticulture and forestry.
From the information available to me the
issues worrying the public today are:
· Rising food prices, such as maize, corn,
rice and gari.
· Lack of visible impact of government
presence on agriculture.
· Lack of agricultural inputs at affordable
prices. Cost of fertilizers, pesticide and
labour compound the problems of farming.
Extension services are virtually absent in
several states.
· Imports of subsidized food products such
as rice and poultry discourage the growth of
domestic agriculture.
· Wastage of locally grown foods, notably
fruit and vegetables which go bad due to
lack of even moderate scale agro-processing
factories and lack of feeder roads.
Source; The newsnews, Google
International Federation of Organic
Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and were
further implemented by EU regulation 2092/91
in the year 2000. The consequences of these
rules for the health of the animals were not
yet fully anticipated at the time these
regulations were made and it has become
clear that in some cases the rules are not
clear enough, thereby even hampering the
development of the production system. In this
review we shall discuss the implications of
these rules for animal health, whereby we
shall focus on pig, poultry and dairy
production systems. Disease prevention in
organic farming is based on the principles
that an animal that is allowed to exhibit
natural behaviour is not subject to stress, is
fed optimal (organic) feed, and will have a
higher ability to cope with infections than
animals reared in a conventional way. Fewer
medical treatments would thus be necessary
and if an animal would become diseased,
alternative treatments instead of conventional
drugs should be preferred. Although
homeopathy or phytotherapy are
recommended according to prevailing
regulations, not many organic farmers use this
treatment regimen because of lack of
scientific evidence of effectiveness. Important
health problems in organic livestock farming
are often related to the outdoor access area,
exposing the animals to various viral, bacterial
and parasitic infections some of which may
only influence the animals' own welfare
whereas other ones may also endanger the
health of conventional livestock (e.g. Avian
Influenza) or pose a food safety
( Campylobacter, Toxoplasma) problem to the
consumer. Many preventive measures can be
taken, such as using better animal breeds,
optimized rearing conditions, pre- and
probiotics, and addition of acids to the
drinking water. In case of infectious disease,
tight vaccination schedules may prevent
serious outbreaks.
Additional keywords
organic production; homeopathy; infectious
disease.
Source; science direct
Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and were
further implemented by EU regulation 2092/91
in the year 2000. The consequences of these
rules for the health of the animals were not
yet fully anticipated at the time these
regulations were made and it has become
clear that in some cases the rules are not
clear enough, thereby even hampering the
development of the production system. In this
review we shall discuss the implications of
these rules for animal health, whereby we
shall focus on pig, poultry and dairy
production systems. Disease prevention in
organic farming is based on the principles
that an animal that is allowed to exhibit
natural behaviour is not subject to stress, is
fed optimal (organic) feed, and will have a
higher ability to cope with infections than
animals reared in a conventional way. Fewer
medical treatments would thus be necessary
and if an animal would become diseased,
alternative treatments instead of conventional
drugs should be preferred. Although
homeopathy or phytotherapy are
recommended according to prevailing
regulations, not many organic farmers use this
treatment regimen because of lack of
scientific evidence of effectiveness. Important
health problems in organic livestock farming
are often related to the outdoor access area,
exposing the animals to various viral, bacterial
and parasitic infections some of which may
only influence the animals' own welfare
whereas other ones may also endanger the
health of conventional livestock (e.g. Avian
Influenza) or pose a food safety
( Campylobacter, Toxoplasma) problem to the
consumer. Many preventive measures can be
taken, such as using better animal breeds,
optimized rearing conditions, pre- and
probiotics, and addition of acids to the
drinking water. In case of infectious disease,
tight vaccination schedules may prevent
serious outbreaks.
Additional keywords
organic production; homeopathy; infectious
disease.
Source; science direct
Dairy Products and Health: Recent Insights
Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products
have long been known to provide good nutrition.
Major healthful contributors to the diets of many
people include the protein, minerals, vitamins,
and fatty acids present in milk. Recent studies
have shown that consumption of dairy products
appears to be beneficial in muscle building,
lowering blood pressure and low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol, and preventing tooth
decay, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Additional
benefits might be provided by organic milk and
by probiotic microorganisms using milk products
as a vehicle. New research on dairy products and
nutrition will improve our understanding of the
connections between these products, the
bioactive compounds in them, and their effects
on the human body.
Keywords: dairy ; health; nutrition.
Source; ACS publication
Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products
have long been known to provide good nutrition.
Major healthful contributors to the diets of many
people include the protein, minerals, vitamins,
and fatty acids present in milk. Recent studies
have shown that consumption of dairy products
appears to be beneficial in muscle building,
lowering blood pressure and low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol, and preventing tooth
decay, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. Additional
benefits might be provided by organic milk and
by probiotic microorganisms using milk products
as a vehicle. New research on dairy products and
nutrition will improve our understanding of the
connections between these products, the
bioactive compounds in them, and their effects
on the human body.
Keywords: dairy ; health; nutrition.
Source; ACS publication
Monday, 21 March 2016
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA - With the drastic fall of oil prices in the international market, President Mohammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria was returning to agriculture and mining to cushion its effect on the economy. He regretted that the country had largely depended on oil, stressing that current harsh economic realities were an indication that the economy needed to be urgently diversified. President Buhari who spoke at a meeting with leading members of the Council of Saudi Arabia’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry, late Tuesday in Riyadh said that his administration would welcome greater foreign investment in support of its efforts to rapidly diversify the Nigerian economy. Apart from oil, he stated that Nigeria was gifted with arable lands and mineral resources that were waiting to be tapped, urging the businessmen to take advantage of the opportunity. “With the downturn in the global prices of oil, we now have to prospect our solid minerals. We have to return to agriculture. Mining and agriculture are our hopes now. We will welcome investments in these areas. We will appreciate an in-flow of more resources and expertise to help us achieve our objective of economic diversification," the President said.
We ‘re returning to agriculture, mining to
develop economy, Buhari tells Saudi investors
By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ABUJA - With the drastic fall of oil prices in
the international market, President
Mohammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria was
returning to agriculture and mining to cushion
its effect on the economy.
He regretted that the country had largely
depended on oil, stressing that current harsh
economic realities were an indication that the
economy needed to be urgently diversified.
President Buhari who spoke at a meeting with
leading members of the Council of Saudi
Arabia’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry,
late Tuesday in Riyadh said that his
administration would welcome greater foreign
investment in support of its efforts to rapidly
diversify the Nigerian economy.
Apart from oil, he stated that Nigeria was
gifted with arable lands and mineral resources
that were waiting to be tapped, urging the
businessmen to take advantage of the
opportunity.
“With the downturn in the global prices of oil,
we now have to prospect our solid minerals.
We have to return to agriculture. Mining and
agriculture are our hopes now. We will
welcome investments in these areas. We will
appreciate an in-flow of more resources and
expertise to help us achieve our objective of
economic diversification," the President said.
Source vanguard news paper
develop economy, Buhari tells Saudi investors
By Levinus Nwabughiogu
ABUJA - With the drastic fall of oil prices in
the international market, President
Mohammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria was
returning to agriculture and mining to cushion
its effect on the economy.
He regretted that the country had largely
depended on oil, stressing that current harsh
economic realities were an indication that the
economy needed to be urgently diversified.
President Buhari who spoke at a meeting with
leading members of the Council of Saudi
Arabia’s Chambers of Commerce and Industry,
late Tuesday in Riyadh said that his
administration would welcome greater foreign
investment in support of its efforts to rapidly
diversify the Nigerian economy.
Apart from oil, he stated that Nigeria was
gifted with arable lands and mineral resources
that were waiting to be tapped, urging the
businessmen to take advantage of the
opportunity.
“With the downturn in the global prices of oil,
we now have to prospect our solid minerals.
We have to return to agriculture. Mining and
agriculture are our hopes now. We will
welcome investments in these areas. We will
appreciate an in-flow of more resources and
expertise to help us achieve our objective of
economic diversification," the President said.
Source vanguard news paper
Thursday, 17 March 2016
preservation of vegetables
Preservation of Vegetables:
Vegetables farmed in Nigeria include greens like
ugu, ewedu, okro and so on. As perishable
goods, they are increasingly getting expensive
because traders hike prices to ensure that the
little they are able to sell by the end of a day or
two, would make up for the remainder that they
would have to throw away.
The creative agric-businessman may now
choose to invest in technologies that would
offer a longer shelf life to these greens. I once
saw a demonstration of a simple equipment for
drying sliced okro without losing its nutrients or
the appetizing green colour at an exhibition
convened by the Federal Ministry of Science
and Technology in 2014. I am told that people
are now using the technology to dry vegetables
for sale overseas.
Governments at the state and local levels can
also seek to fund women clusters not only in
the area of acquiring the technology for the
preservation of fruits and vegetables but also in
the packaging and marketing of the products.
Source from punch news paper.
Vegetables farmed in Nigeria include greens like
ugu, ewedu, okro and so on. As perishable
goods, they are increasingly getting expensive
because traders hike prices to ensure that the
little they are able to sell by the end of a day or
two, would make up for the remainder that they
would have to throw away.
The creative agric-businessman may now
choose to invest in technologies that would
offer a longer shelf life to these greens. I once
saw a demonstration of a simple equipment for
drying sliced okro without losing its nutrients or
the appetizing green colour at an exhibition
convened by the Federal Ministry of Science
and Technology in 2014. I am told that people
are now using the technology to dry vegetables
for sale overseas.
Governments at the state and local levels can
also seek to fund women clusters not only in
the area of acquiring the technology for the
preservation of fruits and vegetables but also in
the packaging and marketing of the products.
Source from punch news paper.
pastures and livestock
A rangeland or pasture that has warm- and cool-season species has a
longer season of green vegetation than if only one of these classes is
present. High-quality, nutritious forage is available throughout the growing
season with a mixture of cool- and warm-season species. If only cool-season
species are present, these species are the most nutritious during spring and
possibly again during late summer or fall if regrowth occurs.
There usually is a period during midsummer when cool-season grasses are
less palatable because of stemmy reproductive structures and older leaf material.
On the other hand, a pasture that contains primarily warm-season grasses does
not provide very nutritious forage in early spring because these grasses grow better
during late spring through midsummer.
Different growth habits and requirements of cool- and warm- season species can be
used to your advantage in a grazing program. For example, you may want to establish
cool-season grasses in tame pastures to use in early spring or fall when these species
are most nutritious.
Livestock can rotate to pastures with warm-season species during late spring and summer.
For ruminant to survive, a pasture is needed. Save a grassland for your animal's to supply
You the best. In terms of meat, milk etc.
longer season of green vegetation than if only one of these classes is
present. High-quality, nutritious forage is available throughout the growing
season with a mixture of cool- and warm-season species. If only cool-season
species are present, these species are the most nutritious during spring and
possibly again during late summer or fall if regrowth occurs.
There usually is a period during midsummer when cool-season grasses are
less palatable because of stemmy reproductive structures and older leaf material.
On the other hand, a pasture that contains primarily warm-season grasses does
not provide very nutritious forage in early spring because these grasses grow better
during late spring through midsummer.
Different growth habits and requirements of cool- and warm- season species can be
used to your advantage in a grazing program. For example, you may want to establish
cool-season grasses in tame pastures to use in early spring or fall when these species
are most nutritious.
Livestock can rotate to pastures with warm-season species during late spring and summer.
For ruminant to survive, a pasture is needed. Save a grassland for your animal's to supply
You the best. In terms of meat, milk etc.
scientists turns tomato waste into electricity
A team of scientists is exploring an
unusual source of electricity — damaged
tomatoes that are unsuitable for sale at
the grocery store. Their pilot project
involves a biological-based fuel cell that
uses tomato waste left over from
harvests in Florida.
The researchers presented their work
March 16 at the 251st National Meeting
& Exposition of the American Chemical
Society (ACS) in San Diego. It featured
more than 12,500 presentations on a
wide range of science topics.
“We have found that spoiled and
damaged tomatoes left over from harvest
can be a particularly powerful source of
energy when used in a biological or
microbial electrochemical cell,” says
Namita Shrestha, who is working on the
project. “The process also helps purify
the tomato-contaminated solid waste and
associated waste water.”
Shrestha is a graduate student in the lab
of Venkataramana Gadhamshetty, Ph.D.,
P.E., at the South Dakota School of
Mines & Technology. They are
collaborating on this project with Alex
Fogg, an undergraduate chemistry major
at Princeton University. Other project
collaborators include Daniel Franco,
Joseph Wilder and Simeon Komisar,
Ph.D., at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Tomatoes are a key crop in Florida, notes
Gadhamshetty. He stresses that the
project is important to the state because
Florida generates 396,000 tons of tomato
waste every year, but lacks a good
treatment process.
Gadhamshetty began working on the
topic as a professor at Florida Gulf Coast
University. “The project began a few
years ago when Alex visited my lab in
Fort Myers, Florida, and said he was
interested in researching a local problem,
especially local tomatoes grown in our
state and the large waste treatment
issue,” Gadhamshetty says. “We wanted
to find a way to treat this waste that,
when dumped in landfills, can produce
methane — a powerful greenhouse gas —
and when dumped in water bodies, can
create major water treatment problems.”
So, the team developed a microbial
electrochemical cell that can exploit
tomato waste to generate electric
current. Shrestha explains, “Microbial
electrochemical cells use bacteria to
break down and oxidize organic material
in defective tomatoes.”
The oxidation process, triggered by the
bacteria interacting with tomato waste,
releases electrons that are captured in
the fuel cell and become a source of
electricity. The natural lycopene pigment
in tomatoes, the researchers have found,
is an excellent mediator to encourage
the generation of electrical charges from
the damaged fruits.
Some of their results proved to be
counterintuitive. “Typical biotechnological
applications require, or at least perform
better, when using pure chemicals,
compared to wastes,” Gadhamshetty
notes. “However, we found that electrical
performance using defective tomatoes
was equal or better than using pure
substrates. These wastes can be a rich
source of indigenous redox mediators
and carbon, as well as electrons.”
At the moment, the power output from
their device is quite small: 10 milligrams
of tomato waste can result in 0.3 watts
of electricity. But the researchers note
that with an expected scale up and more
research, electrical output could be
increased by several orders of
magnitude.Research presented at American
Chemical Society's annual meeting in
San Diego.
unusual source of electricity — damaged
tomatoes that are unsuitable for sale at
the grocery store. Their pilot project
involves a biological-based fuel cell that
uses tomato waste left over from
harvests in Florida.
The researchers presented their work
March 16 at the 251st National Meeting
& Exposition of the American Chemical
Society (ACS) in San Diego. It featured
more than 12,500 presentations on a
wide range of science topics.
“We have found that spoiled and
damaged tomatoes left over from harvest
can be a particularly powerful source of
energy when used in a biological or
microbial electrochemical cell,” says
Namita Shrestha, who is working on the
project. “The process also helps purify
the tomato-contaminated solid waste and
associated waste water.”
Shrestha is a graduate student in the lab
of Venkataramana Gadhamshetty, Ph.D.,
P.E., at the South Dakota School of
Mines & Technology. They are
collaborating on this project with Alex
Fogg, an undergraduate chemistry major
at Princeton University. Other project
collaborators include Daniel Franco,
Joseph Wilder and Simeon Komisar,
Ph.D., at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Tomatoes are a key crop in Florida, notes
Gadhamshetty. He stresses that the
project is important to the state because
Florida generates 396,000 tons of tomato
waste every year, but lacks a good
treatment process.
Gadhamshetty began working on the
topic as a professor at Florida Gulf Coast
University. “The project began a few
years ago when Alex visited my lab in
Fort Myers, Florida, and said he was
interested in researching a local problem,
especially local tomatoes grown in our
state and the large waste treatment
issue,” Gadhamshetty says. “We wanted
to find a way to treat this waste that,
when dumped in landfills, can produce
methane — a powerful greenhouse gas —
and when dumped in water bodies, can
create major water treatment problems.”
So, the team developed a microbial
electrochemical cell that can exploit
tomato waste to generate electric
current. Shrestha explains, “Microbial
electrochemical cells use bacteria to
break down and oxidize organic material
in defective tomatoes.”
The oxidation process, triggered by the
bacteria interacting with tomato waste,
releases electrons that are captured in
the fuel cell and become a source of
electricity. The natural lycopene pigment
in tomatoes, the researchers have found,
is an excellent mediator to encourage
the generation of electrical charges from
the damaged fruits.
Some of their results proved to be
counterintuitive. “Typical biotechnological
applications require, or at least perform
better, when using pure chemicals,
compared to wastes,” Gadhamshetty
notes. “However, we found that electrical
performance using defective tomatoes
was equal or better than using pure
substrates. These wastes can be a rich
source of indigenous redox mediators
and carbon, as well as electrons.”
At the moment, the power output from
their device is quite small: 10 milligrams
of tomato waste can result in 0.3 watts
of electricity. But the researchers note
that with an expected scale up and more
research, electrical output could be
increased by several orders of
magnitude.Research presented at American
Chemical Society's annual meeting in
San Diego.
An effective and efficient agricultural
policy should aim at attaining self
sustaining growth in all sub - sectors of
agriculture and improving the quality of
life of the people. This is an area in
which the Agricultural and Rural
Management Training Institute (ARMTI),
Ilorin has excelled. This has been
displayed in its strife at making
agriculture profitable to the rural
populace through a process known as
Commodity Value Chain Development
(CVCD).
This policy aims at attaining a self -
sustaining growth in all the sub- sectors
of agriculture and putting in place all the
necessary structural transformation for
the overall socio - economic development
of the nation. This is ultimately aimed at
improving the quality of life .
The objectives of the governmental
policy include attainment of self -
sufficiency in the production of basic
food commodities with particular
reference to those which consume
considerable shares of the Nigeria ’s
foreign exchange . Also, it focuses on
enhancing the comparative advantage
the country has in local production ;
increase in production of raw materials
to meet the growth of an expanding
industrial sector.
It also includes, increasing the
production and processing of exportable
commodities ,with a view to increasing
their foreign exchange earning capacity
and further diversifying the country ’s
export base . It does not exclude the
creation of rural employment
opportunities to increase the income of
farmers and rural dwellers .
The ARMTI’s CVCD which commenced
two years ago, had since been lauded by
the Minister for Agriculture, Dr
Akinwunmi Adesina as a right drive
towards making agriculture a profitable
venture for Nigerian farmers .
The institution had undertaken a
nationwide baseline study on selected
agricultural commodity value chains and
organised a national seminar for
relevant stakeholders to brainstorm on
the subject . Having concluded the study,
the ARMTI consequently embarked on a
nationwide presentation of its findings
across the nation’s six geo - political
zones. The development , it is believed ,
would allow each of the blocks to avail
itself by cashing into the commodity
value chain domicile within its
boundaries.(source Nigeria tribune)
policy should aim at attaining self
sustaining growth in all sub - sectors of
agriculture and improving the quality of
life of the people. This is an area in
which the Agricultural and Rural
Management Training Institute (ARMTI),
Ilorin has excelled. This has been
displayed in its strife at making
agriculture profitable to the rural
populace through a process known as
Commodity Value Chain Development
(CVCD).
This policy aims at attaining a self -
sustaining growth in all the sub- sectors
of agriculture and putting in place all the
necessary structural transformation for
the overall socio - economic development
of the nation. This is ultimately aimed at
improving the quality of life .
The objectives of the governmental
policy include attainment of self -
sufficiency in the production of basic
food commodities with particular
reference to those which consume
considerable shares of the Nigeria ’s
foreign exchange . Also, it focuses on
enhancing the comparative advantage
the country has in local production ;
increase in production of raw materials
to meet the growth of an expanding
industrial sector.
It also includes, increasing the
production and processing of exportable
commodities ,with a view to increasing
their foreign exchange earning capacity
and further diversifying the country ’s
export base . It does not exclude the
creation of rural employment
opportunities to increase the income of
farmers and rural dwellers .
The ARMTI’s CVCD which commenced
two years ago, had since been lauded by
the Minister for Agriculture, Dr
Akinwunmi Adesina as a right drive
towards making agriculture a profitable
venture for Nigerian farmers .
The institution had undertaken a
nationwide baseline study on selected
agricultural commodity value chains and
organised a national seminar for
relevant stakeholders to brainstorm on
the subject . Having concluded the study,
the ARMTI consequently embarked on a
nationwide presentation of its findings
across the nation’s six geo - political
zones. The development , it is believed ,
would allow each of the blocks to avail
itself by cashing into the commodity
value chain domicile within its
boundaries.(source Nigeria tribune)
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Soil is easy to ignore. We might notice it when
gardening or playing outdoors. But even when we
forget about it, soil is always there, everywhere.
Most of what we see are mineral particles that
we recognize as sand, silt or clay. There's also
plenty of water and air. But soil also is alive. It
contains countless fungi and microbes. They
help recycle the dead by breaking down the
remains of plants, animals and other organisms.
Scientists study these things every day. These
specialized researchers get their hands dirty to
learn more about the very important ways that
soils help us. They think soil is so important that
they named 2015 the International Year of Soils.
Soil, they note, is not only essential for life but
also plays a role in everything from flood control
to climate change.
More than dirt
If you were to divide a soil sample into 20 parts,
9 parts would be made up of the stuff we think
of as dirt: clay, silt and sand. These are
inorganic particles, which means they come from
non-living sources. A full half, or 10 parts, would
be equally divided between air and water. The
last part would be organic , made from dead and
decaying organisms. The soil also would contain
countless numbers of minuscule microbes,
mostly fungi and bacteria.
Treat your soil with care so that it
can serve you well when needed.
Source: Google and personal knowledge
gardening or playing outdoors. But even when we
forget about it, soil is always there, everywhere.
Most of what we see are mineral particles that
we recognize as sand, silt or clay. There's also
plenty of water and air. But soil also is alive. It
contains countless fungi and microbes. They
help recycle the dead by breaking down the
remains of plants, animals and other organisms.
Scientists study these things every day. These
specialized researchers get their hands dirty to
learn more about the very important ways that
soils help us. They think soil is so important that
they named 2015 the International Year of Soils.
Soil, they note, is not only essential for life but
also plays a role in everything from flood control
to climate change.
More than dirt
If you were to divide a soil sample into 20 parts,
9 parts would be made up of the stuff we think
of as dirt: clay, silt and sand. These are
inorganic particles, which means they come from
non-living sources. A full half, or 10 parts, would
be equally divided between air and water. The
last part would be organic , made from dead and
decaying organisms. The soil also would contain
countless numbers of minuscule microbes,
mostly fungi and bacteria.
Treat your soil with care so that it
can serve you well when needed.
Source: Google and personal knowledge
Thursday, 10 March 2016
If you search for sugarcane juice benefits ,
you'll find that it has been attributed as a
natural remedy to a score of problems. It's
rich in antioxidants so it helps fights infections
and boost the immunity. It's rich in iron,
magnesium, calcium and other electrolytes so
it's great for dehydration. It helps cure the
common cold and other infections and also
fight fever as it boosts the body's protein
levels. Besides these, there are a few more
great health benefits of sugarcane juice that
you must learn about:
1. Sugarcane juice is a diuretic which means
that it helps treat urinary tract infections,
kidney stones and ensure proper functioning
of the kidneys .
2. According to Ayurveda , sugarcane juice
helps strengthen your liver and is thus
suggested as a remedy for jaundice. Jaundice
is a condition where you find yellow
pigmentation of the skin and membrane due to
elevated levels of a substance known as
bilirubin in the bodily fluids and is triggered by
poor functioning liver. What sugarcane juice
does is replenish your body with proteins lost
and nutrients that it needs to recover quickly
Cherries, which are members of the same
fruit family as peaches , plums, apricots, and
almonds, are often regarded as a “dessert”
fruit for use in pies, or perhaps as a garnish
for cocktails (the maraschino cherry).
But cherries have a healthy side too, one that
may actually offer therapeutic benefits to
your health, as cherries are rich in
antioxidants and many other health-promoting
compounds.
There are two primary varieties of cherries
you should know about: sweet and tart (also
known as sour cherries). Sweet cherries,
such as Bing cherries, are best eaten fresh
(and raw), while sour cherries develop a fuller
flavor when they’re used in cooking (which is
why they’re often used for baking).
Tart cherries are also used to make juice
concentrates that may offer some unique
health benefits. Some of the most notable
health effects of cherries include…
1. Antioxidant Protection
Cherries contain powerful antioxidants like
anthocyanins and cyanidin. One study found
the antioxidant activity of these substances
isolated from tart cherries was superior to
that of vitamin E and comparable to
commercially available antioxidant products.
Sweet cherries also contain a small amount
of quercetin, which is among the most
potent in terms of antioxidant activity and a
wide range of other health-promoting
properties.
2. Cancer-Preventive Compounds
Sweet cherries contain fiber, vitamin C,
carotenoids, and anthocyanins, each of which
may help play a role in cancer prevention.
According to the National Cherry Growers &
Industries Foundation:
“The potential role of sweet cherries in cancer
prevention lies mostly in the anthocyanin
content, especially in cyanidin. Sweet cherries
are a good source of cyanidins, which appear
to act as an antioxidant and in this role may
reduce cancer risk…
A study… using human cancer cell lines
demonstrated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of
mutated cells exposed to cherry anthocyanins…
Further research suggests that the growth
arrest characteristics of cyanidin are likely, at
least in part, to be a result of significant
inhibitory effects of these cherry components
on epidermal growth factor receptors…
Finally, there is compelling evidence from basic
science that cyanidin may also promote cellular
differentiation and thus reduce the risk for
healthy cells to transform to cancer.”.
Source from Google.
fruit family as peaches , plums, apricots, and
almonds, are often regarded as a “dessert”
fruit for use in pies, or perhaps as a garnish
for cocktails (the maraschino cherry).
But cherries have a healthy side too, one that
may actually offer therapeutic benefits to
your health, as cherries are rich in
antioxidants and many other health-promoting
compounds.
There are two primary varieties of cherries
you should know about: sweet and tart (also
known as sour cherries). Sweet cherries,
such as Bing cherries, are best eaten fresh
(and raw), while sour cherries develop a fuller
flavor when they’re used in cooking (which is
why they’re often used for baking).
Tart cherries are also used to make juice
concentrates that may offer some unique
health benefits. Some of the most notable
health effects of cherries include…
1. Antioxidant Protection
Cherries contain powerful antioxidants like
anthocyanins and cyanidin. One study found
the antioxidant activity of these substances
isolated from tart cherries was superior to
that of vitamin E and comparable to
commercially available antioxidant products.
Sweet cherries also contain a small amount
of quercetin, which is among the most
potent in terms of antioxidant activity and a
wide range of other health-promoting
properties.
2. Cancer-Preventive Compounds
Sweet cherries contain fiber, vitamin C,
carotenoids, and anthocyanins, each of which
may help play a role in cancer prevention.
According to the National Cherry Growers &
Industries Foundation:
“The potential role of sweet cherries in cancer
prevention lies mostly in the anthocyanin
content, especially in cyanidin. Sweet cherries
are a good source of cyanidins, which appear
to act as an antioxidant and in this role may
reduce cancer risk…
A study… using human cancer cell lines
demonstrated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of
mutated cells exposed to cherry anthocyanins…
Further research suggests that the growth
arrest characteristics of cyanidin are likely, at
least in part, to be a result of significant
inhibitory effects of these cherry components
on epidermal growth factor receptors…
Finally, there is compelling evidence from basic
science that cyanidin may also promote cellular
differentiation and thus reduce the risk for
healthy cells to transform to cancer.”.
Source from Google.
An introduction to onions...
The humble onion is found in every kitchen, but
its curative powers make it an important
medicinal plant too. Like garlic, it is a member
of the lily family. There can be no doubting the
power of the juices contained in onions; anyone
who has ever sliced one and shed a tear is only
too aware that they hold something special.
Quite apart from its medicinal properties the
onion is simply delicious. It forms the basis of so
many dishes - whether raw, sautéed, baked,
steamed or boiled, that it would be difficult to
imagine the cuisine of any country without it.
Ancient healing...
Onions were historically as a preventative
medicine during epidemics of cholera and the
plague. They were apparently eaten by Roman
emperor Nero as a cure for colds, and its
reputation has made onions a popular component
in the diets of many countries.
...The onion's revenge: The smell of onions can be
a problem, both on the hands and on the breath.
After chopping onions, try rinsing the hands with
cold water, rubbing them with salt, rinsing again
and then washing with soap and warm water. To
remove the smell from breath, eat a few sprigs of
parsley or an apple to help conceal the odour.
Nutritional highlights
More than just a tasty culinary plant, the onion
contains natural sugar, vitamins A, B6, C and E,
minerals such as sodium, potassium, iron and
dietry fibre . In addition, onions are a good
source of folic acid.
100g serving of onions contains
44 calories 1.4g fib
The power of raw...
The
reason
that the
onion is
more
active in
its raw
state than
when
cooked, is
that it
contains a variety of organic sulphur compounds,
contained in a volatile oil, that provide the health
benefits. These are partly destroyed by heat.
When eaten raw, its juice can act as an irritant
and some people find it difficult to digest. Those
who are not tempted by the idea of eating raw
onions can follow simple cooking methods that
may make them more palatable. For people with
sensitive stomachs, this is a far suitable way to
enjoy the healthy benefits of onions. Onions
baked in their skins, in a similar way to baked
potatoes, are also delicious. This method of
cooking keeps all the goodness inside, but the
resulting flavour is milder and more aromatic
than that of raw onions.
HEALTH BENEFIT OF ORANGE
lowering blood pressure, however increasing
potassium intake may be just as important
because of its vasodilation effects. According to
the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey, fewer than 2 percent of US adults meet
the daily 4700 mg recommendation.
Also of note, a high potassium intake is
associated with a 20 percent decreased risk of
dying from all causes.
According to a study published in the American
Journal of Epidemiology, consuming bananas,
oranges and orange juice in the first two years of
life may reduce the risk of developing childhood
leukemia.
As an excellent source of the strong antioxidant
vitamin C, oranges can also help combat the
formation of free radicals known to cause
cancer. While an adequate vitamin C intake is
necessary and very beneficial as an antioxidant,
the amount necessary to consume for
therapeutic purposes for cancer is beyond oral
intake. 1 High fiber intakes from fruits and
vegetables are associated with a lowered risk of
colorectal cancer .
The fiber, potassium, vitamin C and choline
content in oranges all support heart health. An
increase in potassium intake along with a
decrease in sodium intake is the most important
dietary change that a person can make to reduce
their risk of cardiovascular disease, according to
Mark Houston, M.D, M.S, an associate clinical
professor of medicine at Vanderbilt Medical
School and director of the Hypertension Institute
at St. Thomas Hospital in Tennessee.
In one study, those who consumed 4069 mg of
potassium per day had a 49 percent lower risk of
death from ischemic heart disease compared
with those who consumed less potassium (about
1000 mg per day).
High potassium intakes are also associated with
a reduced risk of stroke, protection against loss
of muscle mass, preservation of bone mineral
density and reduction in the formation of kidney
stones.
Studies have shown that type 1 diabetics who
consume high-fiber diets have lower blood
glucose levels and type 2 diabetics may have
improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels.
One medium banana provides about 3 grams of
fiber.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFIT OF BANANA
NUTRITIONAL BENEFIT OF BANANA
Bananas are among the most widely consumed
fruits on the planet. The curvy yellow fruits are high in
"potassium and pectin, a form of fiber," said
Laura Flores, a San Diego-based nutritionist.
They can also be a good way to get magnesium
and vitamins C and B6. "Bananas are high in
antioxidants, which can provide protection from
free radicals, which we come into contact with
every day, from the sunlight to the lotion you
put on your skin," Flores added.
Flores reported a wide variety of health benefits
associated with the fruit. "Bananas are known
to reduce swelling, protect against developing
type-2 diabetes, aid in weight loss, strengthen
the nervous system and help with production of
white blood cells, all due to the high level of
vitamin B6 that bananas contain," she told Live
Science.
Bananas are among the most widely consumed
fruits on the planet. The curvy yellow fruits are high in
"potassium and pectin, a form of fiber," said
Laura Flores, a San Diego-based nutritionist.
They can also be a good way to get magnesium
and vitamins C and B6. "Bananas are high in
antioxidants, which can provide protection from
free radicals, which we come into contact with
every day, from the sunlight to the lotion you
put on your skin," Flores added.
Flores reported a wide variety of health benefits
associated with the fruit. "Bananas are known
to reduce swelling, protect against developing
type-2 diabetes, aid in weight loss, strengthen
the nervous system and help with production of
white blood cells, all due to the high level of
vitamin B6 that bananas contain," she told Live
Science.
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