African indigenous food groups present an exciting area to explore when it comes to taste and nutrition. They may even offer potential as nutritional therapy for people with health problems.
Foods like jute mallow, pearl and finger millet, wild medlar, caterpillars and bambara nuts all have nutritional properties that could be useful in managing inflammation.
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection. It helps us fight off infections and begins the healing process. However, problems arise when inflammation continues. It can start to damage healthy tissues and blood vessels, interfere with how the body uses sugar and fat, and weaken the immune system. Over time, this ongoing inflammation can lead to diseases such as diabetes.
