Image source: flickr
Urhobo traditional food refers to those food made from ingredients produced within the communities of urhobo.
Urhobo has various food ingredients, depending on the kind of traditional food you want to prepare.
Importantly, urhobo traditional food has gained the attention of other communities in the region due to its impressive benefits and value regarding their cultural heritage.
Urhobo is an ethnic group located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, particularly Delta states. It has a vast traditional cuisine which form their major staple food (1).
This article will explain Urhobo traditional food & Health Benefits
1. Oghwo Soup
Oghwo soup is a traditional food of Oghwo communities. It offers a wide range of benefits when eating adequately. It is prepared with different ingredients such as waterleaf, bitterleaf, periwinkle, crayfish, palm oil, and assorted meat or fish. You can eat Oghwo soup with Garri, pounded yam, and fufu.
Nutritional Fact of Oghwo
Dietary fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, iron, selenium, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, Phosphorus.
2. Ukodo
Ukodo is a native food of Oghwo clan. It has same feature with yam pepper soup. When cooking it ingredients like meat or fish, peppers, onions, and spices. People eat Oghwo when it is hot.
Nutritional Fact of Ukodo
Complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium phosphorus, flavonoids, quercetin
3. Banga soup
Banga soup Is a traditional food extensively consumed in Urhobo clan. Taking a serving of Banga soup made from palm fruits, spices, and various meat or fish earn you nutrients. It is served with pounded yam or fufu (fermented cassava).
Nutritional Fact of Banga soup
Dietary fiber, fat, bioactive compounds, iron vitamin C, vitamin A, thiamin, flavonoids.
4. Starch
Starch is one of the staple food in urhobo community. It is made from cassava through local methods. The people of urhobo serve it with Banga soup even oha soup.
Nutritional Fact of starch
Complex carbohydrates, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, potassium, zinc, Selenium.
5. Owo Soup
Owo Soup is a delicious meal prepared with okra, seafood, palm oil, and meat. It gives much satisfaction when eaten with pounded yam, fufu, or Garri.
Nutritional Fact of owo Soup
Protein, fat soluble vitamins, iron, vitamin B12, vitaminB6, dietary fiber, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, thiamin etc
6. Ukhodo
Ukhodo is a superb meal that is served in the morning as breakfast. It is made from ground maize or cornmeal and other ingredients such as vegetables, fish, crayfish, and spices.
Nutritional Fact of Urhodo food
Carbohydrates, protein, dietary fiber, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, niacin, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium bioactive compounds.
Health Benefits of urhobo traditional food
Promote immune system: Adequate intake of urhobo food helps enhance immune system as they contain notable nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, protein, dietary fiber and selenium.
May lower blood pressure: They might help moderate blood pressure owning to the potassium, magnesium, antioxidant among others.
Energy sources: They are eaten with either pounded yam, Garri or fufu which are primary source of energy.
Maintains digestive tract: Symptoms of indigestion include diarrhea, constipation. These are triggered due to irregular bowel movement. However, urhobo traditional food possess dietary fiber and antioxidant. Fiber is known maintenance of bowel movements.
Antioxidant properties: This helps neutralize free radicals which can cause enormous disease like cancer, cardiovascular disease, among others.
Check out;
10 proven health benefits of Thyme &uses
10 proven health benefits of green tea
10 Health Benefits of Allspice &Uses
Conclusion
There is no doubt that urhobo traditional food is nutritious and reflecte their cultural heritage.
They are excellent source of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and dietary fiber.
Urhobo traditional food & Health Benefits include Banga soup, starch, Ukhodo, owo Soup etc.
They play a pivotal role in the body such as immune Boosting, energy sources, blood pressure, digestive tract to mention but a few.
