Gari, otherwise known as Cassava Flakes, is one of the main sources of carbohydrates and a popular staple food in Nigeria. It is a local delicacy eaten across Nigeria, usually mixed with sugar, milk, etc and eaten however you desire.
But this go-to-meal is one whose health benefits are unknown or not paid attention to by its consumers. So, if you’ve ever wondered what makes drinking Garri healthy? Here are a few things:
Weight loss
If you are trying to lose some weight, go for gari. Although gari is a starchy food, it is low in calories and with high fibre contents that will help you stay full for a longer period. Hence, reducing the urge to always eat in large quantities.
Eases digestion
Garri helps to absorb toxins that go into your intestines. This, in turn, can help improve your digestive health. You can soak gari in water with milk to have a combined effect. That is, the vitamins from milk mixed with that in gari, makes for a great combination.
Aids Diarrhea Cure
Garri works for diarrhea too. So if you are having a meal-gone-wrong situation, mix it with water and drink twice a day and expect a perfect result.
Good eyesight
The vitamin A and bakarotennya contents in gari can help to improve the health of your eyes and can also prevent future blindness.
Energy booster
Garri soaked in water helps to provide a certain amount of energy which aids a healthy life. When soaked in cold water, it also reduces the body temperature, especially during the hot weather.
FAQs About Gari
· Is drinking gari healthy?
Although gari is a starchy food, it is low in calories and with high fibre contents that will help you stay full for a longer period. Hence, reducing the urge to always eat in large quantities. Garri helps to absorb toxins that go into your intestines. This, in turn, can help improve your digestive health.
· What happens if I drink gari every day?
Sustained consumption of garri may lead to weight gain because it contains high levels of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a form of sugar that is made up of simple sugars such as glucose and fructose. Your body burns carbohydrates for energy, but if you consume too many carbohydrates, your body will store them as fat.
· Can a diabetic drink gari?
“Garri” is known to contain minute amounts of protein with high carbohydrate and fiber constituents and hence diabetics have been advised not to consume it
· Is there Vitamin C in gari?
Garri made from tubes and roots of the cassava plant contains proteins, fat, carbohydrates, iron, Vitamin B and C and also starch.
· Is gari alkaline or acidic?
Carbohydrate foods such as cassava, yam, cocoyam, plantain, bananas, maize in their raw form, semi-processed and processed forms like gari, cassava flour, yam flour (amala), maize flour, are a common feature of the diet of most Nigerian communities. These foods are acidic.
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