Botapreneur

Elizabeth Ashibuogwu (also called Botapreneur) is a certified plant scientist, fruit and herbal therapist, and passionate natural health enthusiast. With a deep commitment to promoting wellness through nature, she combines scientific expertise with holistic approaches to help individuals achieve healthier, balanced lifestyles.

Edikang Ibong Soup

2 Comments / Healthy Recipes, Nutrition /

Yoooo! It’s another time to talk about food. Why food? It’s simply because we’re what we feed on whether spiritually or physically? If one will be healthy in your body, spirit, soul and mind, one needs the substance called Food. Having said that, let’s go down to business. There are these 2 canteens (owned by Igbo women) located close to my primary place of assignment (PPA). These women have really captured my heart with their Igbo soups. I only go to those shops to eat solid foods and not the regular rice. Yesterday was not an exception, I ate this correct Edikang Ibong soup that made my stomach rejoice. Let’s quickly talk about this soup called Edikang Ibong. The Nigerian Edikang Ikong soup or simply Vegetable Soup is native to the Efiks, people from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states of Nigeria. It is a general notion that the Edikang Ikong soup is very nutritious and this is absolutely true. The vegetables made in preparation of this soup are superb. Prepared with a generous quantity of pumpkin leaves and water leaves coupled with dried fish and assorted meats, this Nigerian soup recipe is nourishing in every sense of the word. INGREDIENTS 1kg Pumpkin leaves also known as Ikong Ubong /Ugu leaves 500g Water leaves (Talinum Triangulare) 600g of assorted meat: cow tripe (shaki), snails, cow’s skin(kanda) Stockfish(optional) Smoked/dried fish Pepper Salt Ground crayfish (to taste) 200ml Palm oil 1 cup Periwinkle 2 medium onions 1-2 stock cubes Alternative vegetables for those who cannot buy water leaves and pumpkin leaves: 1kg normal frozen spinach 200g ground frozen spinach 250g lamb’s lettuce (canonigos in Spanish) Defrost the frozen spinach, cut the normal frozen one into tiny pieces and mix with the ground frozen spinach. Wring out the water from these and add them when the written recipe requires you to add the pumpkin leaves. Wash, pick and cut the Lamb’s Lettuce into tiny pieces. Add them when the written recipe requires you to add water leaves. METHOD OF PREPARATION 1. When the meat is done, add a generous amount of palm oil, the ground crayfish and pepper and leave to boil for about 10 minutes. The palm oil serves as the liquid in the Edikang Ikong soup. You should try as much as possible to make it the only liquid in the soup. 2. Add the periwinkle and water leaves, leave to cook for another 5 minutes. You may have to cook for less time at this stage so that the water leaves are not over-cooked. 3. Now, add the pumpkin leaves and salt to taste. Stir the contents of the pot very well and turn off the heat. Cover the pot and leave to stand for about 5 minutes. 4. That’s it! Serve with Garri (Eba) , Semolina Fufu , Amala, Cassava Fufu or Pounded Yam.

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The Journey – Chronicles of a Young Lady (Free E-book)

11 Comments / Healthy Lifestyles, HOME /

    Hello friend, Thanks for taking time to celebrate my special day, November 28th with me. Thanks for the wishes, calls, gifts, show of love, messages, and most importantly, the prayers. As a show of my appreciation, I have a gift for you as well. And what’s this gift? Holla! It’s a book. A free one at that. By the special grace of God, it is my first published book ever and I’m happy you’re ready to read through the pages of this book. This book is a product of divine inspiration through the channel of the De-raconteur Writers’ Club (DWC). The motivation and efforts of my DWC bestie in person of Ashibuogwu Salt made the book a reality. The book is a compilation of nuggets I’ve gleaned so far from my sojourn in the school called life. As you read through the pages of this book titled The Journey – Chronicles of a Young Lady, I hope you will be blessed, encouraged, strengthened and inspired. Click here to get yourself a free copy of this ebook   Stay blessed! Xoxo

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Mouth Odour: Causes, Prevention and Treatments

8 Comments / General Health, Health & Wellness, Healthy Lifestyles /

Mouth Odour or bad breath medically known as Halitosis is a common problem and is usually simple and preventable. WHAT IS HALITOSIS? Halitosis is an unpleasant smell coming from the mouth. It can occur on occasion or it can be a chronic condition. Halitosis is an embarrassing condition caused by a group of anaerobic, sulfur producing bacteria that breeds beneath the surface of the tongue and often in the throat and tonsil area. These anaerobic bacteria assist in digestion by breaking down of protein into Amino acids and in the process they excrete waste as odorous and bad tasting compound that cause bad breath. CAUSES OF HALITOSIS There are many risk factors and causes for Halitosis and even healthy people have bad breath on occasion. 1) Food: is a primary source of bad odor that come from the mouth, some foods such as garlic, onions, spicy foods, exotic spice (such as curry), cheeses, fish and acidic beverages such as coffee can leave a lingering smell. Most of the time, the odor is short lived. Other foods may get stuck in the teeth promoting the growth of bacteria and dental plaques which causes bad odor. Low carbohydrate diets may also cause the body to burn fat as it’s energy source. The end- product of making this energy is ketones, which cause a fruity acetone- like odor on the breath when exhaled. This fruity odor in a diabetic might indicate uncontrolled blood sugars. 2) Tobacco products: Smoking and chewing tobacco can leave chemicals that remain in the mouth. Smoking can also precipitate other bad breath causes such as gum disease or oral cancers. 3) Poor oral health: When a person does not brush or floss her teeth regularly, food particles remaining in the mouth can rot and cause bad odors. Poor dental care can lead to a build up on the teeth can also lead to an unhealthy condition called periodontal (gum) disease. When plaque hardens,it is referred to as *Tartar*(calculus). Tartar holds bacteria that can irritate the gum and lead to gum disease. The mild form of gum disease is called gingivitis;if gingivitis is not treated,it can advance to periodontist. 4) Health problems: Sinus infection,pnueumonia, sore throat (pharyngitis) and other throat infections,the common cold influenza(flu), tonsil stone(tonsillitis),thrush, bronchitis, postnasa drip, diabetes, acid reflux,(gastroesphageal reflux disease), lactose intolerance, other stomach or digestion problems and some liver diseases or kidney diseases may be associated with bad breath.   5) Dry Mouth: also called xerostomia. Dry mouth can also cause bad breath. Saliva helps moisten and cleanse the mouth and when the body does not produce enough saliva,bad breath may result. Dry mouth may be caused by salivary gland problems, connective tissue disorder medications or breathing through the mouth. 6) Allergies: Many medications used to treat allergies can cause dry mouth, another cause of .In addition,post nasal drip is a common allergy symptom that can result in bad breath. Sinus congestion due to allergies can also cause people to breathe from their mouths causing dry mouth. 7) Mouth infections: Cavities, gum disease or impacted teeth may cause bad breath. 8) Dentures or braces: Food particles not properly cleaned from appliances such as braces can rot or cause bacteria and odor. Some people wear brace to correct their teeth but don’t manage it well. Loosing fitting dentures may cause sores or infections in the mouth, which can cause bad breath. For people that are using denture As a young lady or woman,is not advisable to be using denture because of its effect on the gum. So is better you go for either bridge or implant,though is more expensive but better and safer. 9) Medications: Many medications including antihistamine to treat allergies and diuretics can cause dry mouth which can cause bad breath. Other medications that may lead to bad breath may include triamterene and paraldehyde. 10) Morning breath: Bad breath in the morning is very common. Saliva production nearly stop during sleep, allowing odor causing bacteria to grow causing bad breath. A times when you wake up in the morning,you this discover that your mouth smell. 11) Pregnancy: Being pregnant in itself does not cause bad breath, but the nausea and morning sickness common during pregnancy may cause bad breath. In addition, hormonal changes, dehydration and eating different foods due to cravings may also contribute to bad breath during pregnancy. Other causes of bad breath: objects stuck in the 👃 nose (usually in children),so as mothers or intending mothers, you have to check your children nose when you discover bad breath from them. Alcoholism, and large doses of vitamin supplements may also cause bad breath. Not every supplements you will take, some sisters doesn’t have problem they just want to take the supplements as if is food ehn🤷🏻‍♀🤷🏻‍♀ PREVENTION AND TREATMENTS OF HALITOSIS 1. Stimulate your salivary flow : As have said before, a dry mouth gives the perfect environment for the group of anaerobic bacteria that causes mouth odor. So avoid a dry mouth by stimulating the flow of saliva in your mouth will help us to get rid of mouth odor. This can be done by chewing gum, lozenges or mints that are sugar free. The one that contain xylitol,a non-sucrose sweeter are best because they help you avoid cavities. You can also have a bottle of water handy to drink from time to time throughout the day to keep your mouth from getting dry. 2. Good dental hygiene How many time are we supposed to brush a day? Brush your teeth twice a day (in the morning when you wake up and at night before you sleep but not immediately after dinner, you have to wait for about 30mins to an hour before brushing) It is very important you don’t neglect to brush your teeth at night because while you sleep little or no Silva is being produced, so anaerobic bacteria have the perfect environment to thrive throughout your eight hours of sleep. Brushing your mouth before you sleep will help

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Health Benefits of Tiger Nuts Drink

10 Comments / Health & Wellness, Nutrition /

As a Corps Member, there is this joy that stem up from within me anytime I’m going for Community Development Service (CDS). One of the reasons is because I’ll get to purchase this healthy drink called Tiger nuts drink which I’ve got to love so much. I have always known that Tiger nuts are very nutritious but haven’t tasted the drink for once. Luckily for me, I’ve been taking the drink now. I do enjoy this drink so much and I’d love to let you know some of the health benefits of the nuts and how to produce the drink. Tiger nuts, botanically known as Cyperus esculentus, has several other names such as Rush nut, Yellow Nutsedge, Tiger Nut, Chufa, Nut grass, Tiger nut sedge, Earth almond, etc 1) Tiger nuts are very high in fibre which in turn help prevent indigestion and constipation. Fibre in tiger nuts has also been known to be effective in weight loss. 2) Tiger nuts also have high contents of arginine, an amino acid that is beneficial for those suffering from high blood pressure. 3) Tiger nuts are also very rich in magnesium, potassium, Vitamin C and E which helps the body fight against various diseases. Do you know that vitamin E makes the skin glow? And Tiger nuts have it in abundance. 4) Tiger nuts has been used as aphrodisiac in many African countries improve their sperm count and treat erectile dysfunction. The good news is that this healthy drink is easy to prepare. Let’s quickly look at how we can prepare Tiger Nuts drink. INGREDIENTS Tiger Nuts Dates Coconuts Water Spices like ginger or cinnamon Honey The coconut is to increase the creaminess of your drink while date is to sweeten it. PROCEDURES 1) Wash the tiger nuts and dates and soak in a considerable amount of water for about 24 hours. 2) Wash and slice your coconut into smaller pieces and remove the seeds of the dates. 3) Put everything in a blender, add little amount of water and blend. Blend very well until the mixture becomes thick and smooth. However, it’s advisable to use grinding machine if you want to produce much so as not to spoil the blender. You can add spices or sweetener of your choice like honey, cinnamon, etc 4) Sieve your drinks, pour in a jar and place inside the refrigerator. It’s best when served chill. Note: Apart from using Tiger nuts to prepare drink; 1) You can eat the nuts raw. 2) You can use tiger nuts to make burgers just like peanuts. 3) You can dry and powder the nuts into flour that can be used for cooking and baking. A very simple step, right? I’ll be looking forward to seeing you preparing Tiger nuts drink, a perfect substitute for carbonated . Click here to read about the health benefits of Zobo drink 

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10 Home Remedies For Getting Rid of Dark Spots

10 Comments / Natural Remedies /

Dark spots are common skin problem found mainly in young adults. These dark spots are also known as hyperpigmentation. These spots most often show up on parts of the body such as the face, hands, legs, back, thighs and neck. Causes of dark spots include sun exposure, inflammation, hormonal changes, taking chemical medications, pregnancy, some health problems (for instance, liver disease), and aging. Dark spots especially those on the face gives a lot of concern to people that have them as it makes them less confident about themselves. Most females resort into covering up these spots with makeups. However, instead of covering the spots with makeup, use the remedies listed in this article to clean/get rid of  those dark spots naturally. 1) LEMON JUICE: Using lemon juice to clear dark spots is a verified and trusted long practice which has shown unfailing results. The acidity in lemon acts like a bleaching agent and helps reduce discoloration. However, lemon is always in its concentrated form and can be harsh on the skin. So, you could add yoghurt, honey, rose water or even ordinary water to the lemon juice to dilute it. I once applied lemon juice directly to my knees and elbows to lighten the dark part but I experienced severe itchy. I had to quickly wash off with soap and water. Do not apply any home remedies containing lemon juice around or under your eyes as the skin in those areas is highly sensitive. Also, it’s advisable to use only freshly squeezed lemon juice as the packaged variety contains preservatives which might harm the skin. 2) APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxy acids. This is the same chemical that is used in chemical peels to remove dead skin cells and facilitate the production of new skin cells, and works as an exfoilant. It also contains malic acid that prevents acne and optimizes the production of sebum, making sure your skin is neither too oily nor too dry. Dilute the apple cider vinegar with water or honey and use a cotton wool to apply the mixture on the dark spots areas and leave it on for about 15 minutes before washing off with water. Apple cider vinegar is very strong can cause burn the face when used in concentrated form especially the Braggs product. 3) TOMATOES: Tomatoes is a very good skin toner. Tomato contains vitamins A, B, and C that boost collagen production, reduce dark spots, fight free radicals, and maintain the elasticity of your skin. It also contains minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium and lycopene – a component that moisturize the skin. Tomatoes are not only good when directly applied on the skin but also do wonders when you have it raw, therefore, it is advisable to add tomatoes to one’s daily diet. You can also apply tomato juice mixed with a bit of lemon juice on your face and leave it for about 10 minutes and rinse it with cold water. This makes your skin soft, smooth and glowing. 4) CUCUMBER: Cucumber has 96% water content and this high water content makes it a great moisturizer for the skin. Cucumber also contains cucurbitacins and cucumerin that helps in delaying the signs of aging. It also has all the essential antioxidants like vitamins A, B5, C, E, and K that fight all sorts of skin discoloration like dark circles, acne scars, freckles, and dark spots. Additionally, cucumbers are also a source of silica, is important for the synthesis of the collagen that rejuvenates your skin. Blend the cucumber and then add the aloe vera gel, lemon juice or yoghurt to make a mask. Apply the mask all over your face and leave it on for half an hour and wash off with water. You can also slice the cucumber and scrub it directly on your face. 5) ORANGE PEELS: Orange peel is really good for the skin as it treats blackheads, dead cells, acne, eczema and blemishes. It also brightens your face. You can also add milk or curd to get that extra glow or for removing tan. What you need to do is collect orange peels over a period of time, dry them by laying them out in the sun and grind them into a powder. Then, store in an airtight container. Mix the powdered orange peel with yogurt, honey or milk together to form  a paste. Apply the paste all over your face and leave it on for 25 minutes and wash off with water. The lactic and citric acids in the milk and orange peel bleach your dark spots while the honey moisturizes and softens your skin. 6) ONIONS: Onions are loaded with vitamins A, C, and E and antioxidants that protect the skin from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. These, combined with the sulphur-rich phytochemicals, work together to help to get rid of all dark spots and even out your skin tone. Blend the onion and strain out the juice. Then, use a cotton wool to apply the onion juice on your dark spots areas and leave it on until it dries completely. Wash off with water after some minutes. You can decide to blend garlic with the onion and this combination is a strong one that will help you get rid of those dark spots much faster. However, this might leave behind a slightly pungent odour. 7) ALOE VERA: Aloe vera gel, taken straight from the leaves, is the best to use in getting rid of black spots and any other discoloration.   Use a knife to slice away the outer layers of an aloe vera leaf. Squeeze the gel onto your fingers and apply it directly to your dark spots. Leave the gel on for 20 minutes, then wash off with clean water. You can as well mix the aloe vera gel with sugar and lemon juice. Sugar acts as an exfoliator to scrape away dead skin cells. 8) OILS: a) Vitamin E Oil: The oil can

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Incredible Uses of Orange Peels

2 Comments / Natural Remedies /

Orange peels are rich in a flavonoid called hesperidin. This flavonoid helps to lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure levels. The peels also have anti-inflammatory properties which help combat a lot of inflammation in the body. It is said to contain a compound called nobiletin which helps in preventing inflammation. The pectin in orange peels is another agent that helps to grow probiotic bacteria in our gut. Thus boosting up our immune system and keeping us healthy. Orange peels can be used to whiten your teeth. The limonene in orange peels also works as a natural scent and solvent. This helps whiten teeth in a natural way. So, rub an orange peel against the inside of your mouth and teeth to freshen up your breath, whiten your teeth, and even reduce their sensitivity. Orange peels are really good for the skin as it treats blackheads, dead cells, acne, eczema and blemishes. It also brightens your face. You can also add milk or curd to get that extra glow or for removing tan. A course mate of mine once tried it. However, you have to grind a lot of the peels before you can get a considerable amount of the powder. Orange peel Tea Put fresh orange peels into a pot of water and bring it to a boil. Then, turn off the heat and allow the peels to steep for an hour. Strain the water, and your tea is ready. Another way to make the orange peel is getting dried orange peel and steeping for some minutes This tea can be enjoyed warm or cold and add some honey. A study done even found out that dried orange peel, when made into a tea released more pectin than fresh orange peel. You can also add piece of dried orange peel to your green or black tea to add flavour. Do you know what orange tea can do for you? Drinking orange peel tea will help clear away mucus and prevents coughing. Orange peel tea will help soothe away headache when you breathe in the vapors. Orange peels tea will help you to get rid of gas, indigestion, stomach aches, bloating, and heartburn. Orange Peel As Freshener Adding the peels in boiling water can freshen the air around you. In fact, you can inhale the air (steam) for relief from headache. Orange Peels As Polish. You can polish the surfaces of stainless steel using the peels alone or with vinegar. A drop or two of vinegar on the peels will do.

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Health Benefits of Walnut

1 Comment / Health & Wellness /

Awusa as fondly and popularly called is one of those nuts I love so much when I was small. One of the reasons I love Awusa is the bitter taste it gives when you drink water after eating. The fruit itself is not bitter. In fact, you’ll enjoy eating it. But, if you drink water immediately after eating it, your tongue, taste buds, throat and the entire mouth becomes bitter. It seems like walnut is going into extinction now because I barely could see them aeounfy again. Walnut is called Asala or Awusa in Yoruba; Ukpa in Ibo; and Okhue or Okwe in Edo. It is botanically called Tetracarpidium conophorum or Plukenetia conophora, African walnut belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. Walnut(Awusa) has been scientifically proven to contain some minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients needed for the healthy functioning of the human’s body which include; thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, cyanocobalamin (vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, C and E), niacin, manganese, l-arginine, pyridoxine, selenium, melatonin, ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid, tocopherol, ellagic acid, polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids and oleic acid. In folk medicines, the leaves extracts are usually taken by pregnant women to prevent the risk of miscarriages. The leaf extracts of the African walnut (ukpa) can be used for regulating menstrual flow in women suffering from irregular menstruation. The leaves extracts of the African walnut are taken to stop and relief constant and prolonged hiccups. Also, the oil from the nut is used in the formulation of wood varnish, vulcanised oil for rubber and leather substitute. That being said, let’s focus on the health benefits of the seed/fruit: Walnut seeds have been reported effective for tackling male infertility issues by boosting sperm productions in the testicles. Walnut is an excellent source of healthy polyunsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids. This has made it effective for reducing the body’s cholesterol level. Walnuts contain antioxidants that are so powerful at free radical scavenging like polyphenols. Research has shown that walnut polyphenols may help prevent chemically-induced liver damage. Walnut polyphenols had the best efficacy among the nuts tested and also the highest lipoprotein-bound antioxidant activity. These antioxidants can decrease the enhanced vulnerability to oxidative stress that occurs in aging and also increase health span. Walnut also contain antioxidants called alpha linolenic acid, and omega-3 fatty acid that serve as stress relieving agents. Walnuts also contain melatonin, a hormone that induces and regulates sleep. Walnuts also contain many plant chemicals, including tannin which helps to fight inflammation. Researchers have suggested that these chemicals may put the nut in position to help combat asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

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Brains Behind Botapreneur

3 Comments / HOME /

    I’ve loved to write since I was small. Back then, I’d write short stories and textbooks and say that I’ll publish them in the future. Very saddening that I can’t lay hands on those write ups anymore. Many people thought I should have ended in Art class but No, I was pursuing Medicine and surgery. 😍 But about 3 years ago, I started writing and posting some articles on my Facebook wall. The writing were majorly about plants and little about some other things. As at that time, I was just getting to enjoy my course of study. I didn’t apply for Botany as a course in school but somehow I find myself studying Botany. I was intrigued to know more about the values and importance of plants. It was like an eye opener then. But on a particular day, I was preparing for an exam when a call came in from my uncle named Oni Daniel. He said he had seen some of my write ups and he want me to get better at it. He also talked about having an entrepreneurial skill. He spoke at length on that day and he was the one that first brought the idea of having a blog. As at then, I knew almost nothing about blogging. I only got to know about it from one of my roommates that has a blog(@blogsbythemie). Somehow somehow, I got the name Botapreneur from some things my uncle said that day. His words were so inspired. He kept pushing me to do something about having a blog. Then, by November, a friend of mine told me about a group and asked if I have ever heard about the founder. That’s how I got to know Sis Lizzy Oyekunle. I went through her posts on Facebook, sent her a text and I requested to be added to her her group(The B. U. D family). I was greatly touched by her stories as well. There and then, I told her I have interest in having a blog as well. Lo and behold, she forwarded my number to someone that could help me with the design of the blog. I had barely know her for a week as at then. Without wasting time, the person chatted me up, asked for the details of what and how I want the blog to be. Since there was no money to host a blog then, I opted for a free hosted one. He designed the blog and painstakingly taught me everything I needed to know. To say he really tried will be an understatement. Remember I said I barely know anything about blogging as at then. So, he took so much time explaining things. A times, he would stay awake till as late as 11pm explaining things over and over again. Funny enough, all the teachings were done online which wasn’t an easy task at all. A times, he will have to explain one thing more than once before I understood. He sent a lot of screenshots to aid the learning. He also opened a page for the blog on my Facebook and created an account for me on naira land. With all the stress , he didn’t even complain nor ask for any amount of money. That was how the blog kicked of just about few days to my birthday in 2016. That was how www.botapreneur.wordpress.com was birthed. After then, I kept praying for a miracle to happen for me to have an hosted blog. I know I might not get the money by myself except if there happened to be a miracle. If not, I’d have to wait till I finish from school, work and earn money before I can host my blog. And it’d be very difficult to even get my parents give me the money since they don’t know what it is all about. I have been waiting for the miracle and it finally happened in November 2018. Just about the time my blogging became 2 years. Some days before my birthday, I jokingly listed some things on my Whatshapp status as what I needed as birthday gifts and getting my blog hosted was part of what I wrote. It was even the number one on the list. And just on my birthday(November 28), Sis Lizzy Oyekunle sent a voice note to wish me happy birthday and stating that she would love to host my blog for me as birthday gift. It was unbelievable. I never expected it. I never saw it coming. Even though I put a request on my status, it was more like a joke. I still believed I can get money, cake, books, etc as gifts but getting a blog hosted? No. I only added it out of the little faith I had then. I listened to the voice note over and over again to be very sure. You need to see me jumping, jubilating and screaming afterwards. Within a week, the blog was created but I had to wait for my previous posts on the former site to be moved to the new site. The person that created it was so busy and couldn’t help continue with the transferring of the posts and the designing. However, sis Lizzy wanted it to be done before 2019 rolls in. And once again, she contacted bro David again, the same person that designed the first one. I was already at the church for the cross over service when he called to ask for my username and password to the former site as he was having difficulties to log in. And about an hour later, sis Lizzy called to tell me that the blog is now ready. So fast? I was amazed. Bro David added that if there are things I want him to adjust or modify, I should let him know. It was such an honor. I told him that I’ll get back to him after January 1st as I don’t want to

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Sugar or Honey?

3 Comments / Health & Wellness /

Both sugar and honey add sweetness to foods and food products but they differ in tastes and nutritional values. Honey is produced mainly from bees and other related insects like aphids through extraction, settling or straining without any form of heating. The honeybee (Apis mellifera) collects nectars from flowers and converts it into honey through some enzymatic reactions. Honey produced is then stored in wax structures called honeycomb. On the other hand, sugar is extracted from of the stalks of sugarcane (Saccharum offinarum) or roots of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) through boiling. The juice gotten then undergoes some processes like filtration, purification, crystallization, centrifuging, drying and packaging. COMPOSITION OF HONEY AND SUGAR. It may interest you that both honey and sugar are carbohydrates which contains both fructose and glucose. However, sugar is 100% carbohydrates from sucrose (50% fructose and 50% glucose) while Honey, on the other hand, is made up of approximately 40% fructose and 30% glucose, with the remainder being made up from water, pollen, and other nutrients and vitamins that refined sugar lacks. Also, studies have shown that both honey and sugar are relatively high in calories and carbs. In fact, honey has more calories per gram. However, since honey is sweeter than sugar, one only needs to add less quantity to get a sweet taste. Also, unlike refined sugar, honey contains beneficial vitamins and minerals as well. And to digest sugar, fat and cholesterol, vitamins and minerals are needed. The vitamins and minerals help break down the calories in honey faster, therefore, making honey not a source of weight gain. Honey also contains small amounts of plant acids, waxes, gums, pigments and volatile oils which have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. WHAT EXACTLY MAKES HONEY OF MORE BENEFITS TO HEALTH? Below are  some of the benefits of honey: 1) Lower Glycemic Index: Honey is absorbed more slowly by the body than refined sugar because it is lower in fructose and contains other trace minerals. On the other hand, sugar has higher fructose content which makes it have high glycemic index. Having high glycemic index means it raise blood sugar level. 2) Honey For Wound Treatment: Studies have shown that honey can fight a number of strains of bacteria. Also, bees secretes an enzyme called glucose oxidase into the nectar. Honey gotten from such nectar releases low level of hydrogen peroxide when the honey makes contact with wound. 3) Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics: Honey contains a lot of probiotic bacteria which works with the lactic acid bacteria and other bacteria found in human gut to aid digestions. The probiotic bacteria found in honey are as a result of the bacteria within the guts of the bees. Nutrients: Honey also contains some phytochemicals like flavonoids and nutrients like riboflavin, niacin and thiamine which are essential nutrients needed in the body. 4) Honey For Hair: Honey is a great humectant which means it absorbs moisture. This, therefore, makes it a good ingredient in moisturizers, shampoos and conditioners. 4) Honey for Weight Loss: You can either use honey with cinnamon, lime or lukewarm as a therapy for weight loss. Also, consuming a spoonful of honey before going to bed will continue to stimulate the liver function and ease a number of stress hormones which are in the system. 5) Antimicrobial property: This antimicrobial property of honey makes it effective in reducing discomfort and swelling when one has a sore throat while sugar has been known to cause swelling inflammation. This is one of the reasons why too much consumption of carbonated drinks causes having belly fat and weight gain. Honey is also effective in soothing cough. 6) Honey For Skin: Regular application of raw honey on the face can treat various skin problems including acne, eczema, spots, etc as a result of its antibacterial and antiseptic properties. 7) Honey is very high in a chemical called methylglyoxal, which is the source of honey’s antibacterial properties which helps fight germs and bad bacteria in the digestive tract. In short, honey has a lot of health benefits. It is widely used as ingredients in making cosmetic products. It is also used very well in adding flavour to foods, drinks, bakes, etc ADULTERATION OF HONEY. It may interest you that honey can be adulterated. Adulteration is the addition of any other form of sugar, syrups, or even sorghum into honey to change its flavor or viscosity. Some even heat brown sugar for a very long time and turn it into honey. So, one has to be careful in buying the original honey. It is widely believed that pure honey does not dissolve immediately in water while adulterated honey dissolves immediately. It will take a bit of stirring of pure honey in water to dissolve the lumpy bits. However, the best way of identifying pure honey is by taste. Let’s briefly look at some side effects of consuming too much sugar: 1) Sugar increases the risk of obesity and diabetes. 2) Sugar causes cardiovascular diseases . 3) It causes tooth decay. 4) Too much of sugar causes high blood pressure. 5) It increases aging. Someone might think that brown sugar is better than white sugar. Well, I’ll tell you there’s no much difference between the two. The main difference between raw (brown) sugar and white sugar is that brown sugar hasn’t been refined completely. Raw sugar is 96% pure, the rest is molasses (still containing about 4% minerals while white sugar is 100%. In addition, remember that sugar is refined while honey is not. Sugar passes through heat while honey doesn’t. Honey is not heated or pasteurised in any way. Stop the intake of too much of sugar today and rather go for honey in a little quantity. Please Note: Do not give honey to infants. Honey can sometimes contain inactive spores of Clostridium botulinum , the tiny bacterium responsible for botulism food poisoning. Healthy adults don’t get sick from them because they’ve built defenses in their intestines to keep the spores from taking root

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