DIETARY ASSESSMENT OF SOME ESSENTIAL TRACE ELEMENTS IN NIGERIAN FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND SPICES: A REVIEW

Abstract

Malnutrition is a scourging health challenge in Nigeria. Its persistence has profound negative implications to the society and the future it upholds. However to combat malnutrition, the population needs to be made aware of the nutritional composition of the locally consumed foods/diets which are usually grown, harvested and processed by the consumers themselves. Also, data on dietary intake of micronutrients in these foods including the essential trace elements needed for their vital roles in the human body metabolism, though when appropriately consumed is of indispensable value to the population. The deficiency of any of these essential trace elements has been investigated to cause adverse health effect. Hence, an appropriate measurement of dietary intake by using an adequate food data base is mandatory. This review appraises the essentiality of the trace elements, iodine, iron, cobalt, chromium, selenium, manganese, magnesium and zinc which have all been investigated to exhibit great metabolic processes in the human body system. Most importantly, there is need for Nigeria to develop a country specific food composition data base that would be detailed for commonly consumed foods from its diverse cultures.