Diversity Of Underutilised Vegetables In Africa And Their Potential In The Reduction Of Micronutrient Deficiency:A Review
Loading...
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Science publishing Group
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiency affects all groups worldwide and is a major public health issue. It has devastating effects
on all ages, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. It causes anemia, night blindness, increased mortality in children and pregnant
women, osteoporosis in adults and rickets in children, lower infectious disease resistance, weariness, and cognitive impairment.
Recent attention has focused on micronutrient deficits. Fortunately, these micronutrients are abundant in vegetables. Many
African vegetables are endemic due to various weather variations. Diverse geographical areas on the continent allow for exotic
and indigenous vegetable kinds. In Africa, many African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) are grown and eaten. Exotic veggies are
popular in cities, but rural Africans still prefer indigenous crops. Despite their availability, most of the indigenous vegetables are
underutilised and have not been adequately explored due to the decreased attention to their production, consumption and
utilization. Due to their diversity, they have a great potential to contribute to food security by providing nutrient rich healthy diets.
They are rich in vitamins and minerals and hence make a potential source of micronutrients that can help reduce the reported
deficiencies. This paper provides a literature review on the wide variety of underappreciated vegetables grown in Africa, their
health benefits, and their potential to alleviate micronutrient shortages. It also investigates the barriers to increasing consumption
and explores some of the strategies that have been employed to address these problems. Due to their significant role in ensuring
food and nutrition security, along with their rich nutrient composition, there exists an urgent imperative to enhance public
awareness regarding their consumption and the attainment of nutritional security.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
African Leafy Vegetables (ALVs), Indigenous Leafy Vegetables (ILVs), Traditional Leafy Vegetables (TLVs), Orphan Vegetables, Micronutrients Deficiency, Underutilised Vegetables
Citation
Abdulsudi Issa-Zacharia, Nuria Kudra Majaliwa, Frida Albinusi Nyamete, Lucy Mlipano Chove. (2024). Diversity of Underutilised Vegetables in Africa and Their Potential in the Reduction of Micronutrient Deficiency: A Review. World Journal of Food Science and Technology, 8(1), 1-13.