How Sugar is affecting your child’s health

As a young child growing up in Nigeria, sweets were a weekly treat at best.  Soft drinks were only available at special occasions like birthdays, Easter or at Christmas, and chocolates were definitely only an Easter or Christmas affair. Breakfast was usually porridge or cornflakes, lunch and dinner were always home-cooked, and were nutritious meals containing heaps of vegetables, unrefined carbohydrates and lean meats. Snacks without a doubt were fruits since seasonal produce including coconuts, bananas, oranges, tangerines and guavas were in plentiful supply. In my time, fast food restaurants were rare and trips to them even rarer. You may be reading this thinking my childhood diet was on the extreme side of healthy – granted. However, you have to admit too that the diet children eat these days, especially children in the middle/upper class is on the extreme side of unhealthy. With the influx of KFC, Dominos, Coldstone, there is now an increased availability of pizzas, ice cream, chocolates, burgers, soft drinks, cakes and all other sugary foods. Consequently, kids are constantly eating RUBBISH!  As parents, we should be responsible for teaching our children the right way to eat rather than allowing them access to foods that do nothing more than increase their savings account of future health problems. It may not be immediately obvious to you, but excessive sugar consumption in the form of refined carbohydrates is preparing your child for a future full of the following health problems:

1. Dental caries: Excessive sugar consumption promotes frequent deposition of plaque on the surface of the tooth. The bacteria in plaque break down the sugar into acids that degrade the teeth, leading to decay. Tooth decay occurs faster when the teeth are not cleaned with fluoride toothpastes after eating sugary foods.

2. Overweight and obesity:Gone are the days when kicking a football, racing or playing some sort of hopping game was recreational. Nowadays, its all about playing a video game, watching television or playing on the iPAD while eating crisps and drinking something sugary. The lack of activity and overcompensation with sugar results in the conversion of the sugar to fat, which then leads to children becoming overweight and eventually obese.

3. Insulin resistance and type II diabetes: Insulin is the hormone produced when a meal containing sugar is eaten. Its role is to lower blood glucose levels to normal levels after a meal containing sugar is eaten. If large amounts of sugar are eaten regularly, insulin becomes insensitive to changes in blood glucose levels and then loses its ability to normalise glucose levels. With continuous high blood sugar levels and no diet or lifestyle changes, type II diabetes ensues.

4. Cardiovascular disease: People who eat diets high in sugar tend to have low levels of the good type of cholesterol. This can possibly increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

5. Infertility: High sugar diets can affect a woman’s ability to ovulate and therefore an inability to conceive.

To be forewarned, is to be forearmed.

References:

• Touger-Decker R and van Loveren C. Sugars and dental caries. American Society for Clinical Nutrition 2003; 78:8815–8925.
• Basu S, et al. Relationship of soft drink consumption to global overweight, obesity, and diabetes: a cross-national analysis of 75 countries. Am J Public Health 2013;103: 2071–2077.
• Howard B and Wylie-Rosett J. Sugar and cardiovascular disease. Circulation 2002;106:523–527.
• Chavarro J, et al. A prospective study of dietary carbohydrate quantity and quality in relation to risk of ovulatory infertility. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009;63:78–86.
• Domas WC, et al. Health implications of high-fructose intake and current research. Adv Nutr. 2015;13:729–737.

Article by Somi Dopes-Igbene(PhD) of Midas Naturals Ltd

Follow on social media: @midasnaturals

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Instant noodles – A contributing factor to hypertension epidemic in Nigeria?

  

Indomie noodles have a permanent place in the heart of at least 90% of Nigerian children and adults. As a quick snack, or as a meal on days when one is tired, or when one lacks the time to cook a proper, balanced meal, Indomie noodles are always the rescue. In fact, Indomie noodles accounts for at least one meal per day in many households.

They were once only available in a regular 70g pack, but in recent years, the 100g, 120g, and ‘hungry man’ 210g pack have become available in flavours tailored to Nigerian tastebuds. In light of this, it is obvious that these noodles are very popular and can possibly be considered a traditional Nigerian dish, but are they really a healthy source of nutrition?

*Ingredients in Nigerian Chicken flavour Indomie Noodles
Noodles: Wheat flour (74%), Refined palm oil (contains antioxidant E319), Salt, Acidity regulators (E451, E501, E500), thickener (E412), Colour (E101).

Seasoning Powder: Salt, Flavour enhancers (E621, E627, E631), Sugar, Yeast extract, Pepper, Garlic powder, Artificial chicken flavour (1.0%), Anti-caking agent (E551), Ginger powder, Chilli powder.

Nutritional content (per 70g pack): 300kcal; 12g Fat (6g saturated fat), 39g Carbohydrate (1.0g sugar), 9g Protein, 1g Fibre, 2.9g Salt (1140mg of sodium). Vitamin A (20%), Vitamin D (15%), Thiamin (15%), Riboflavin (8%), Panthothenate (4%), Niacin (2%), Vitamin B6 (20%), Folic acid (15%), Vitamin B12 (6%), Iron (8%), Calcium (2%)

The Good

Indomie noodles are fortified with a range of vitamins and minerals that are essential for health and well-being.

It is particularly commendable that these noodles are fortified with vitamin B12, a nutrient that is important for blood production, and which can be difficult to get from non-animal sources. Vegans and some type of vegetarians are at an increased risk of being deficient in vitamin B12 unless they plan their meals carefully or take supplements. Therefore, vegetarians and vegans may benefit from eating these noodles.

The Bad

Indomie noodles are very high in refined carbohydrates, saturated fat and salt. Since they are made mainly with refined wheat flour, they can cause spikes in insulin levels that are detrimental to the health of people with pre-diabetes or established diabetes.

With their low fibre content, noodles eaten on their own have minimal value to the health of the digestive system, and can leave consumers feeling hungry shortly after eating them.

The amount of saturated fat in one pack of noodles is also high. Eaten frequently, they can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease particularly in those who already have high cholesterol levels or who are overweight/obese.

Some of the E-numbers contained within these noodles are ‘safe’ for consumption, while others are suggested elsewhere to have negative side effects, particularly in children.

E319: Chemically known as tert-Butylhydroquinone, E319 is a preservative added to processed food to prevent it going rancid and prolong its shelf-life. The Hyperactive Children’s Support Group (HACSG) recommends that it should be avoided in food for children as it may cause nausea, behavioural disorders, vomiting and delirium. Although it should typically not be used at levels above 0.02%, at doses of 5g and over, it may be fatal. Chronic exposure to E319 has been linked to cancer.

E621: Chemically known as monosodium glutamate, E621 is widely used as a flavour enhancer. In people sensitive to it there are suggestions (although controversial) that it can cause headaches, migraines, nausea and asthma. The Feingold association of the United States (FAUS) suggests that it should be avoided.

E627 (disodium guanylate) and E631 (disodium inosinate): These may trigger gout and are not permitted in foods for infants and young children.

The Ugly

According to the Consensus Action on Salt & Health (CASH), the daily recommended amount of salt is:

2g for 1–3 year olds;

3g for 4–6 year olds;

5g for 7–10 year olds and;

6g for ≥11 years.

By eating one pack of noodles, individuals aged over 11 years of age consume 50% of their daily recommended salt allowance.

Parents who feed their toddlers and young children noodles give them up to ≥100% of their daily recommended salt intakes.

Considering that some people will feed their children or themselves up to three regular packets of noodles per day, or perhaps eat the hungry man-size noodles (in addition to regular food that is cooked with salt), some may consume more than three-times the recommended salt intake in one sitting. It is no wonder that many people in Nigeria are either pre-hypertensive or have established hypertension!

Many people know that hypertension can cause heart attacks and strokes, but a lot of people are oblivious to the fact that hypertension is also a leading cause of kidney disease and kidney failure particularly in the black population who are most prone to it.

Remember that being healthy is not just about being at a healthy weight and looking slim. A healthy weight means absolutely nothing if your cholesterol and blood pressure levels are high, and your internal organs are partially or fully damaged.

The take home message here is that the amount and frequency at which noodles are eaten by the average Nigerian needs to be drastically reduced. When preparing noodles, use a quarter of the seasoning provided or better yet, discard the seasoning and make up your own by using spices from your kitchen cupboard. Always eat your noodles with a good proportion of protein to minimise blood glucose and insulin spikes, and with vegetables to provide more fibre.

It is only fair that an ingredient like E319 is removed and replaced with an alternative that is less detrimental to the health of children.

Article by Somi Dokpesi-Igbene (PhD) of Midas Naturals Ltd

Follow on social media: @midasnaturals

Read more health articles at: www.midasnaturals.com or subscribe to health newsletters at http://www.midasnaturals.com/newsletter/

Farmed Fish in Nigeria- To eat or not to eat?

  
Fish consumption is strongly encouraged by many healthcare practitioners since they are rich in heart-protecting omega-3 fatty acids and brain-protecting vitamin D. The rapidly depleting reserves of natural, wild-caught fish has resulted in the expansion of fish farming businesses to meet fish demands in many countries worldwide. Catfish and Tilapia are the most frequently farmed fish in Nigeria.Fish farming involves growing fish commercially in tanks, enclosures or controlled pens. In regulated organic fish farms, fish are raised on a diet of fishmeal and fish oil, which consists of dried and ground low-level fish species such as anchovy, herring, krill, pilchard, sardines. The fishmeal and fish oil diet supposedly promotes the growth of fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other essential nutrients needed for human health. While in theory farmed fish seem like the ideal solution to the depleting fish reserves, there are a few problems and health risks associated with eating fish raised in this way, especially those raised in unregulated farms.

1 Farmed fish are tend to have high fat content and are prone to more diseases, artificial dyes, antibiotics and toxins due to their restricted living conditions.

2 Farmed fish contain higher levels of cancer-causing compounds such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) possibly due to the diet they are raised on. In Nigeria, farmed fish are fed poultry droppings (faeces) – this website teaching people how to start a fish farming business in Nigeria advocates it.

3 Farmed fish contain insignificant levels of omega-3 fatty acids, but high levels of inflammation-promoting omega-6 fatty acids. When balanced with omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids are beneficial to human health. But when unbalanced, high levels of omega-6 can be detrimental to the health, especially in those who are at risk of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.

While there are exceptions, it may be safer and better to eat wild-caught, saltwater fish like mackerel or croaker instead of catfish and tilapia.
Article by Somi Dokpesi-Igbene (PhD) of Midas Naturals Ltd

Follow on social media: @midasnaturals

Read more health articles at: http://www.midasnaturals.com or subscribe to health newsletters at http://www.midasnaturals.com/newsletter/

Product Review: Brazen Curls Kiwi moistursing shampoo

 

Honestly! This review has been long coming, but I had to wait for the rest of the Nigerian natural community to use these awesome products before I gave my review. Since I sell these products I don’t want to seem biased!!! While the other items in the new brazen curls range are amazing, the shampoo is my very favorite shampoo in the entire universe!!!! To all my followers, you all know that rhassoul clay is my baby, rhassoul clay is the only thing I use to cleanse my hair and it’s the best thing since my healthy naija buns!!! How-e-ver, this shampoo is my new friend!!! I have decided to incorporate it into my regimen and use it at least once a month.

This shampoo is the bomb!!!! It actually lives up to its name and its indeed a moisturizing shampoo. Aside from it conditioning abilities, it strengthens the hair with continuous use.  I have used it several times and it has been great every time. It’s so gentle it’s suitable for children, see my Instagram page for proof.

Its like washing your hair with oil that lathers! It doesn’t strip the hair at all, not even a little, the ingredients are simple and are designed to gently cleanse your hair without stripping the hair of its natural protective oils.

After shampoo WET

After shampoo DRY

The ingredients are; Aqua (deionized water), capryl glucoside, cocamidopropyl betaine, glycerin sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, hydrolysed wheat protein, xanthan gum, citric acid, aloe vera leaf powder, and kiwi seed oil. First of all, this is an amazingly short list of ingredients for a shampoo, and that’s a great thing. The simpler a product is, the better it is for us. Our hair has less to deal with, and its easier to do research on the ingredients used.

The shampoo, is considered a luxury shampoo, because of its exotic organic ingredients and love the manufacturer has put into creating this product, and yes its Naija owned! Hand made Nigerian goodness.  So let’s do a breakdown of the ingredients, shall we?

1. Capryl Glusoside: This is an excellent gentle cleansing surfactant, which is made from renewable raw materials, fatty alcohols and glucose from vegetable origin. Its actually described as an ultra-gentle, natural, cleansing and foaming agent, free from impurities and preservatives. The presence of fatty alcohols makes this product amazing for curly hair types, as these are good alcohols that provide sheen, reduce frizz and soften the hair.
2. Cocamidoprophyl betaine: This is generally regarded as a mild and safe ingredient. Its used to replace cocamide DEA (which is more dangerous for the hair and health). It’s a well known conditioning and moisturizing agent. It provides a fatty layer that provides emollience and manageability.
3. Glycerin Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate: This is a liquid preservative commonly used in natural cosmetic formulations. It has a skin friendly P.H value of up to 5.5. This means that this shampoo will not upset the natural PH balance of your hair. Thus, preventing hair loss, irritation, fungi and bacteria in the hair and scalp. This ingredient is derived from coconut.
4. Hydrolysed wheat protein: This in my opinion is the best part of this shampoo!!! Its produced by either the acid or enzymatic hydrolysis of wheat protein. Essentially its wheat protein made small enough to penetrate the cortex and moisturize and strengthen our hair. It actually helps stop breakage, because it performs the dual function of strengthening and moisturizing, it helps the hair maintain a balance between being strength and flexibility thus reducing breakage. It attracts moisture to the hair strand and improves its ability to maintain moisture. So if your hair is suffering breakage this is the shampoo for you! At the moment by post partum hair loss is not smiling at me!!! So this shampoo is by best friend. According to Natural Wellbeing  “It can also help repair damaged hair follicles making hair fuller and softer to the touch”. This shampoo is also great for protein sensitive people, as wheat protein is considered a gentle protein, due to its moisturizing balance.
5. Xanthan gum: This is a plant based thickening and stabilizing agent. Its regarded as safe for consumption and its used in many cosmetics and even in food.
6. Citiric Acid: This is found in citrus fruits and it’s a natural preservative. Its totally safe for consumption and considered mild.
7. Aloevera leaf powder: This amazing powder, aside from its many medicinal benefits, this organic powder made from the aloe vera plant works wonders for the hair. It stimulates hair growth, conditions the hair, soothes and heals irritated scalp, and nourishes new growth.
8. Kiwi seed oil: This exotic oil is now being considered the “wonder fruit”, both by scientists and the natural community. Its helps maintain moisture in the skin and hair, rich in vitamins that the hair and body needs, helps fight dandruff and rough and dry skin and hair. Its high in phytonutrients (naturally occurring nutrients found online in plants), minerals, magnesium and vitamins C&E. It also contains over 60% of Alpha linoleic acid which is especially beneficial for the hair.
9. Deionised water: I didn’t talk about this first, because there is nothing special here lol. As the name implies, its water with all the ions removed. It’s the purest form of water and its best for our hair. Tap water has so many mineral and metals in it, that if it’s used to formulate a product it will actually spoil the product. Also also tap water, will cause buildup on the hair because of the minerals and metals present. However, the use of deionsed water in shampoos, conditioners etc. should be common practice (I hope) . Furthermore, I would like to add here that water is the best ingredient to moisturize our hair, so it should be the first or second ingredient to look out for in shampoos, leave ins, conditioners etc. This product obviously has water as it’s first ingredient.

So there it is, a break down of the ingredients, I am really pleased with this as you can tell from the post lol. It does the job, it truly cleanses and moisturizes and it has such an amazing scent. Oh my goodness! Yes, the scent is natural too, however, the manufacturer has decided to discontinue the use of even natural scents going forward. She cares about the health of her customers, recent research has shown that even natural scents may not be all that great.  So its just essentials oils that will be used to scent the product from here on!

 

Price N5900. You can purchase it from yours truly! Via email: beautifullynappy@gmail.com or via BBM: 584EB6EB

Have a look at what others think about the Brazen Curls brand from The Kink and I and Sotectonic