Should banku be avoided? Study reports moderately high glycemic index for banku
What is banku? How is banku made? How does banku tastes like?
Lets find out.
Carbohydrate-containing foods have an influence on the level
of blood glucose. A measure of how carbohydrate-rich foods raise blood glucose
is referred to as the Glycemic index (GI). A reference food (such as pure glucose)
is used as the basis for ranking other foods. High-GI foods raise blood glucose
more than moderate or low-GI foods. The consumption of low-GI foods is associated
with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Glycemic index of banku
A recent clinical trial at the Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology has found that banku has a moderately high GI compared
to fufu (pounded/processed), Tuo Zaafi and Ga Kenkey. The study, published in
the Food Science and Nutrition journal, determined the GI of the five staple
foods among 10 healthy non-diabetic individuals.
The study found that “processed-powdered fufu had the least
glycemic response, followed by Ga kenkey and locally pounded fufu , all recording low GI.” “Tuo Zaafi had a medium GI and banku,
moderately high GI,” they write.
Determining the GI of carbohydrate-rich foods in Ghana will
help in planning effective dietary interventions for diabetics in Ghana. The
researchers noted that the GI of many carbohydrate containing foods in Ghana
are unknown and there is a need for further research in this area.
Authors of the study were Divine Eli-Cophie and Reginald A.
Annan of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST; and Jacob K.
Agbenorhevi of the Department of Food Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi,
Ghana.
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com