Health-Talk: How nutritious is tiger nut?

Tiger nut according to research is commonly found in export quantities across Northern Nigeria. Popularly called ‘Aya’ in Hausa language, tiger nut is a great delicacy for children and adults as it comes in varieties and processing.

I ate a lot of aya in my younger years, I still do and believe a lot of people eat the tiger-nuts without knowing its health benefits.

Tiger nut is a grass-like plant. It has cylindrical tubers of several species of black, brown and gold of 20 inches in height, lance- shaped leaves, and small spikes of green flowers.

It is also used for juice ‘Kunun Aya’ by locals known to enhance the intestines and give a nourishing milky taste.

Speaking with WEEKEND on its nutritional value, Mrs Ronas Teila, a lecturer in the department of Nutrition, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said, “It contains vitamin A, B1 which aids in balancing of the central nervous system, thereby assisting the body to adapt to stress.”

Mrs Teila, who is also a nutritionist with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), explained that it helps to prevent constipation since it enhances proper digestion.

“Tiger nuts contain enough protein and carbohydrates. It contains a good quantity of vitamin B1, which assists in balancing the central nervous system,” Teila said.

She maintained that its milk can control diabetes and blood pressure as well as in treating flatulence, diarrhoea, dysentery, and debility. Tiger nuts also contain vitamin E to help slow the aging process of body cells; it helps in the formation and function of red blood cell, muscles and tissues while reducing skin wrinkles.

Mrs Teila said nursing mothers should eat a lot of tiger nuts to produce enough breast milk that will nourish their babies naturally.