An expert has warned about the health risks to pregnant women of consuming edible potash.
Potash is an ingredient found in traditional Nigerian dishes prepared the old-fashion way.
More commonly known as kaun among the Yoruba, kanwa among the Hausa and akanwu among the Igbos, Natron, a sesquicarbonate or hydrated carbonate of sodium, is a mixture of different substances with sodium constituting about 30 per cent and other minerals such as potassium, iron and zinc in varying proportions.
According to the Nigerian Tribune, this ingredient is used as a food additive in dishes such as abacha, nkwobi, ewedu, ila asepo, oghwo, masa and the likes.
It is also usually added to meat and legumes during cooking for faster tenderization and it is said to increase the viscosity soups such as okra, ogbono and ewedu. Also when added to some traditional soups, it can emulsify oil and water.
Potash has other uses outside of the culinary world. For example it is used for cleaning as it has great fungicide properties and can be used to prevent mildew. It is also useful in cleaning bathrooms and kitchens sinks and tiles.
Potassium bicarbonate, which is also kaun, is used as a fire suppressing agent and can be found in some dry fire extinguishers. Among Egyptians, it is used in embalming and mummification of corpses.
While it may seem to be an almost indispensible additive to food, experts have pointed out its harmful effect on the human body and have called for a stop to its use.
According to Mrs. Iyabode Alabi, a dietician and former Head of Department of Dietetics, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State,
“Most people add kaun to their meals but it is dangerous to the body. Kaun cannot be digested by the human body, so, when it is ingested, it just stays in the body and this can cause health problems.”
Most importantly findings from several studies, shows that kaun can be used to increase uterine contractility and this has been suspected to have the ability to induce abortions in the early stages of pregnancy if used in high enough concentration.
This was documented in the study entitled: “Effects Of Natron (Kanwa) Varieties on Murine Virgin Uterine Contractility” carried out by a team of researchers from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
In another article entitled “Peripartum Cardiac Failure” published in the Bulletin of World Health Organisation, kaun was implicated in the incidence of peripartum cardiac failure (PPCF) (a type of heart failure that occurs during the last months of pregnancy or within few months after delivery) among nursing mothers especially in the Northern region of Nigeria.
Please note that they are alternatives. For example in place of kaun, healthy alternatives include baking soda and the ashes of roasted, unripe plantain peel.
Comments
Comments