Wow! Check Out The Many Benefits Of Eating Pumpkin ‘Ugu’ Leaves You Didn’t Know About

Talk about that seemingly not too prized food item that is capable of achieving much more than it is credited for, and you will not be far from right if you named “Ugu” leaves.

Medical researchers and nutritionists have said the consumption of pumpkin leaves commonly known as “Ugu’’ will improve human reproductive capacity and fertility potential in both men and women.

Dr. Ochuko Eruikainre and Mrs Yeside Adesiyun, both Senior Research Officers and nutritionists, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos; revealed this to the News Agency of Nigeria.

According to the experts, pumpkin leaf is one of the most consumed dark green leafy vegetable in Nigeria and many people in Nigeria have been eating Ugu without really realizing its health benefits.

Dr. Eruikainre said that Ugu leaf helps to protect men against infertility by improving the germinal epithelial lining of the testes, sperm count and increase serum levels of testosterone.

“Ugu leaf oil has also shown to be beneficial to female fertility by maintaining the morphology of the ovary and uterus as well as increasing serum levels and oestrogen.

“This can be attributed to its nutritional and phytochemical constituents such as antioxidants which help to protect against oxidative stress.

“The water extract of the leaf has shown by several studies to have a pro-fertility effect in males,’’ he said.

According to the expert, the micro-nutritional constituents of the leaves such as vitamins A, Bs, C and E, zinc, manganese, and copper have shown to improve both male and female fertility.

“These micronutrients are also co-factors for most enzymic activities in the reproductive tract,’’ Eruikainre said.

Dr Adesiyun in her remarks, said that eating Ugu leaves could also help reduce weight.

“Ugu leaf contains beta-carotene that is converted into Vitamin A, which helps to support the immune system and eye health.

“Some of the micronutrients in Ugu leaf are antioxidants and these are very important in improving health and fighting diseases.

“How you prepare your Ugu leaves can determine what you have left; the nutritional advice is that you should wash your leaves whole before cutting them. It helps to reduce the amount of nutrients that will be lost.

“Hot water blanching and prolonged cooking also reduce the nutrients . It is best to reduce heating and cooking time,’’ she said.