Improved eating: Healthy benefits of fortified snacks
Eating healthy snacks is one way to combat poor nutrition, while legumes can replace animal-based proteins in various preparations. Snacks fortified with legumes, particularly soybean, are nutritious enough for household consumption. They are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals such as iron and zinc, and are satiating.
Researchers carried out a recent study to evaluate the physical, nutritional, anti-nutritional properties, and consumer preferences of five snacks produced from maize and soybean.
The five maize-based products prepared from high-quality maize flour (HQMF) and high-quality soybean flour (HQSF) were plain maize finger, spiced maize finger, spiced fortified maize finger, plain maize chin-chin, and soy-maize chin-chin. In addition, the soy-maize chin-chin product was prepared using 100% HQMF and HQSF in an 80:20 proportion.
Graphical abstract summarizing the study.
Lead researcher, IITA Food Science and Technology Associate Scientist Emmanuel Alamu revealed that soy-maize chin-chin has the highest energy value and protein. However, tannin concentration was highest in a product containing soy and lowest in 100% maize finger with the value of 1.13 mg/g. Tannins (polyphenols) are known for their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.
The study also revealed that present in all the products, especially soy-maize chin-chin and spiced maize finger, is amylose, which is beneficial to hyperinsulinemia and obesity sufferers. It slows glucose release into the bloodstream. In addition, maize fortified products produce dietary fiber, generate short-chain fatty acids that prevent cardiovascular diseases, and improve bowel health and glycemic control. Hence, the consumers reasonably accepted maize fortified with soybean flour.
As one of IITA’s missions is fighting hidden hunger, eating healthy snacks will improve the nutritional status and boost the overall nutrient intake of consumers. Furthermore, this will develop maize and soybean value chains, providing economic value and job opportunities.
