CASSAVA FLOUR HEALTHIER

Cassava bread's gradual revolution
in the country has received
positive affirmation as a
nutritionist Ignatius Onimawo
has confirmed that cassava flour
does not increase the glycemic
index of bread and would not
aggravate diabetes.
Cassava flour, according to the
expert, would not cause
diabetics owing to the fact that
the glycemic index – the way of
measuring the blood sugar index
is lower than 55 percent, which
is scientifically considered low.
Findings have also revealed that
Nigeria has depended on wheat
importation to feed its
population to the tune of N635
billion annually, whereas the
cassava flour is healthier and
economically supportive to local
cassava growers.
The recent injection of N10
billion cassava grant presidential
fund to bread manufacturers in
the country has also brightened
the chance of the availability of
the bread, as the bread was
visible from many producers at
the just concluded Nigerian
Economic Summit in Abuja.
Akinwunmi Adesina, minister of
agriculture, has also added his
assertion to the nutritionist that
the cassava bread is healthier
because of the glycemic index,
lower than 55 percent, which
makes it healthier for diabetics’
patience.
“Federal Government is
determined to ensure that
Nigeria develop markets for
cassava and all of our crops, and
that farmers get decent earnings.
“In addition, many value chains
such as dried chips, ethanol,
starch and sweeteners and high
quality cassava flour would also
add more economic value to the
cassava growers,” he said.
By: Harrison Edeh