In decades past when GBC Television had no competitor in our land of gold and FM stations had not seen the light of day, Asaba the miracle berry was common in Ghana. As children without a care playing “socks ball” that more often than not was soaked with an appreciable volume of fluids from gutters, we would eat asaba and then drink porridge without the need to add sugar.
For years Asaba disappeared from my radar till 2013 when I first wrote on this fruit that has the potential to bring life changing benefits to our health as well as become a major export for Ghana. I had noticed at the time that the Western World seemed to have recognized the miracles that this fruit could perform. Thankfully many Ghanaians have risen up to the challenge and have commercialized this fruit that has a name in most Ghanaian dialects;Asaba, Asaa and Taami.
Today Asaba has been processed commercially into easy melt tablets, freshly frozen miracle berries, miracle fruit seed oil and is even the centre of attraction in fanciful “taste tripping parties.”
Asaba is a small red fruit that contains a chemical that affects taste receptors in the tongue. It makes the tongue register sour and acidic taste as sweet taste. In addition to making everything taste sweet, it is a very low calorie fruit and its effect on the tongue may last up to an hour and a half. .
As with many other plant products we need to do more work on dosing and side-effects when taken in excess but in many scenarios it may provide the miracle that its name suggests. Over an hour of pure bliss and health certainly makes this attractive.
Benefits that have the potential to change the way health in the world and Ghana in particular is viewed include:
1. Weight Control
a. This product can make sugar-free desserts, tea, bitter cocoa and other beverages taste excellent. That is a step in the right direction to managing ones weight in a world that has never been this heavy.
2. Management of Diabetes
a. In a world that is being battered by diabetes, this miracle wrapped in a bright red coat may not lower blood sugar directly but it is helpful in eliminating high-calorie sweeteners and deadly sugar from our diet and in the long run will be very beneficial.
b. Children with diabetes for instance who crave for sweetness could seek refuge in Asaba. The watch word here is MODERATION at all times.
3. Role in Chemotherapy
a. You may not know about the taste disturbances that may be associated with the treatment of cancer. Taami may once again come to the rescue since it will make food taste sweet and help avoid starvation and weight loss that often go hand in hand with cancer and its management.
4. Managing illness in general
a. We all remember that torture of taking bitter syrups all in the name of curing illness. Asaba can make medicine time enjoyable for kids. We however need to be extra cautious since children may associate that medicine with great taste and reach out for it on their own. Who wouldn’t? As always keep medicines out of the reach of children.
b. Some illnesses such as malaria, reflux disease and depression may be associated with a “bitter” taste in the mouth and hence we avoid food to our detriment. The miracle berry taken in moderation can make this a headache of the past. Enjoy your meals, take the appropriate dose of your medication and get well quickly.
5. Other Benefits
a. It is packed with 12 polyphenols/flavonoids that may play a role in controlling diabetes and their antioxidant properties help prevent certain cancers in addition to many other benefits.
Asaba may be helpful to people who want to reduce their consumption of sugar and improve their lifestyle by making their diet healthier. Join the campaign to make asaba a common product in our shops and markets and the rest of the world. Asaba can and should be popularized for health benefitsandfinancial gains like cocoa.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd
(www.healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy and fitness nutrition and is a candidate for corrective exercise certification.
Thought for the week – “Bitter Cocoa drink as a major component of your breakfast or dinner may help control your weight. Have a drop of Asaba before drinking and you have a winning combination.”
References:
1. www.webmd.com
2. Special Mention: Albion Mends who is extremely passionate about Asaba
3. www.miraburst.com
