Vitamins and Antinutrients in Commonly Consumed Diets in North Central Region of Nigeria

Abstract

Vitamins play important roles in scavenging free radicals or reactive oxidants, thereby protecting humans and animals against oxidative stress or DNA damage. Antinutrients are substances that antagonize good nutrition, either by causing toxicity leading to secondary nutritional deficiencies. The aim of this study was to determine the vitamins and antinutrient contents in commonly consumed diets within the North-central region of Nigeria. The region comprise of six states namely; Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Plataeu, Niger and the Federal capital territory, Abuja. A survey was first conducted to obtain the commonly consumed foods within the region using structured questionnaire. From the outcomes of the questionnaire, the various food samples were collected from each state and analyzed for vitamin and antinutrient contents following standard laboratory methods. The findings revealed the presence of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, A, C, and E in the processed foods, including Beans Porridge, Jollof Rice, Pounded Yam with Fish Soup, Pounded Yam with Egusi, Roasted Yam with Red Oil, Okpa, Moi-moi, Yam Porridge, Tuwo Masara, Dried Okra, Cassava, and Kuli-kuli. It also showed the presence of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, A, C, and E. raw foods, including Ginger, Bambara Nut, Beans, Cassava, Corn Flour, Salt, Sugar, Egusi, Tomatoes, Pepper, Locust Beans, Yam, Rice, Seasoning Cubes, Fish, Crayfish, Dried Okra, Ugwu, Meat, Moringa, Onions, and Kuli-kuli. The results also showed the presence of anti-nutrients, including Oxalate, Phytate, HCN, Tannin, Saponins, and Phenol. Processed and raw foods, such as Beans Porridge, Jollof Rice, Pounded Yam with Fish Soup, Pounded Yam with Egusi, Roasted Yam with Red Oil, Okpa, Moi-moi, Yam Porridge, Tuwo Masara, Dried Okra, Cassava, and Kuli-kuli. These findings indicate that both raw and processed foods consumed within the region contain vitamins and antinutrients.