Basic Science

Benefits of Agbalumo or Udara

len Alfred Ajibola - 06th February, 2019 @ 11:15 AM

Topics in Basic Science

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Academic Questions in Basic Science

Please click here to see all Questions and Answers

Which of the following diseases is associated with river blindness?

  • A. Anthrax

  • B. Lawnmower Disease

  • C. Onchocerciasis

  • D. Devil's Crunch

  • E. Trypanosomiasis

  • F. Tularemia

The vector for yellow fever is _____.

  • A. Aedes Mosquito

  • B. Female Anopheles Mosquito

  • C. Plasmodium

  • D. Flavivirus

  • E. Black Fly

  • F. Bacillus Anthracis

The bones of the head and face make up the skull. These bones are _____ in number.

  • A. 12

  • B. 14

  • C. 16

  • D. 18

  • E. 20

  • F. 22

Bacteria are not a constituent of our environment.

  • A. True

  • B. False

Below are types of drugs. Which of these is considered as pain killers?

  • A. Stimulants

  • B. Depressants

  • C. Opiods and Morphine Derivatives

  • D. Hallucinogens

  • E. Anabolic Steroids

  • F. Cannabinoids

Which of the following statement is false concerning drugs?

  • A. Drugs can be inhaled

  • B. Drugs can be injected directly into the bloodstream 

  • C. Drugs can be eaten

  • D. Drugs exist exclusively in the forms of tablets and syrups

  • E. Drugs can be placed under the tongue

  • F. Drugs can be taken with water or another liquid

Vaccination involves a process of introducing pathogens or germs into a person in order to prevent such person from the diseases they cause.

  • A. True

  • B. False

With regards to the human health, foreign bodies are best regarded as _____.

  • A. International bodies

  • B. Antilators

  • C. Antibodies

  • D. Antigens

  • E. Antibiotics

  • F. Antidotes


Agbalumo (Udara):

The African Star Apple which is fondly called African Cherry, Agbalumo or Udara (in Nigeria) is a seasonal fruit grown in West African countries like Nigeria and Ghana.

Apart from the fact that it is enjoyable when eaten, it also contains important vitamins and minerals needed by the body for it's normal functioning.

Please read on mineral salts, their sources, functions and deficiencies here.


Below is an image of agbalumo or udara:

African Star Apple or Agbalumo or Udara- Len Academy

 

Benefits of Agbalumo

Below are the benefits of agbalumo, udara or the African atar apple:


1. It contains a high amount of vitamin C

Vitamin C serves the following functions in the human body:

  1. Combats high blood pressure.

  2. Lowers the risk of heart disease.

  3. Prevents gout (arthritis).

  4. Enhance iron absorption in the small intestine.

  5. Boosts immunity, enabling the white blood cells to effectively fight germs.

  6. Prevent memory loss as one grow older.

 

2. It contains a high amount of calcium and potassium

Calcium serves the following functions in the human body:

  1. Makes the bones strong, developed and healthy.

  2. It is an essential part of the blood clotting process. This will prevent excess blood loss from a cut or an injury.

  3. It helps the muscle during contraction, including those of the heart.

  4. It help cells to take up glucose, thereby preventing diabetes.

  5. It is needed for the nerve cell to function properly.

  6. It increases sperm mobility. This will enhance the movement of sperm towards fertilizing the egg or ova.


Potassium serve the following functions in the human body:

  1. It reduces stress and anxiety.

  2. It regulates fluid and electrolyte balance in the body.

  3. Regulates blood pressure.

  4. Regulates blood sugar.

  5. It improves bone health.


Since the agbalumo contains a high amount of potassium and calcium, they therefore carry out all the above listed functions in the body.

 

3. It is a powerful antioxidant

Antioxidants help to prevent, stop and delay damages to our body cells. As an antioxidant, agbalumo removes oxidizing agents from our body, protecting it from highly reactive molecules called free radicals.

Free radicals, if not eliminated, can be damaging to our body cells. Through the process of free radicals elimination, the african star apple improves one's health.

 

4. It brings about weight reduction

The african star apple is an excellent fruit for one with obesity or related weight issues. It contains a very low amount of fat and a high amount of dietary fibre.

Dietary fibre prevents and relieves both constipation and pile, while improving satiety.

 

5. It contains high amounts of iron

The african star apple is an excellent source of iron. Iron is important for the following reasons:

  1. It is a major constituent required in the formation of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the oxygen carrying pigment in the blood.
    Please read more on red blood cells and hemoglobin here.

  2. It prevents anaemia.

  3. Low levels of iron in blood will make us weak and tired.

  4. It is needed to maintain healthy skin, nails and hair.

Meanwhile, understand that iron is a micro-nutrient. It is required by humans in small amounts.
Please read on micro-nutrients, their sources, functions and defficiencies.

 

6. It is medicinal

  1. The leaves, fruit and seeds of agbalumo are highly medicinal.

  2. Drinking the liquid of the boiled leaf can prove useful in treating dysentery.

  3. Ointments made from the seeds can be used to treat skin infections.

  4. Agbalumo also works great for the heart. It lowers blood cholesterol and returns the level of blood glucose to normal.

 

7. It aids digestion and prevents vomiting

It is particularly good for pregnant women. This is true since it enhances digestion and absorption of food. In this regard, the embryo and foetus can therefore get enough nutrients to grow well.

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  2. Proteins

  3. Fats and Oils

  4. Vitamins

  5. Mineral Salts

  6. Water

In humans, roughages are not classified as one of the classes of food. This is so because they aren't digested. Instead, roughages facilitate the movement of bowels in the large intestine (colon); and for this reason, they can become useful in treating constipation.

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