Nutritionists advise Nigerians on better tomato preservation methods

Mon, Feb 19, 2018 | By publisher


Health

TWO nutritionists on Monday advised Nigerians to be wary of the various methods of preserving tomato paste so as to derive maximum nutritional benefits. The experts, John Egbuta and Mrs Funmilayo Ijiwola, gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

They said that the advice became necessary because some of the means devised by Nigerians to preserve tomato paste were harmful to the body.

Egbuta, a former consultant nutritionist with the United Nation’s office in Lagos, told NAN that maximum satisfaction could not be derived from any plant that had been overheated.

“The basic nutrients would have been destroyed by rinsing and boiling.

“This is because vegetables must be consumed in the right integrity of the vegetable.

“If such good produce is not preserved under the right temperature even for 10 minutes, a lot of bacteria is likely to be drawn into it, which of course, is harmful to the body.

“If it must be preserved; it must be done under the right temperature which may include sun-drying, freezing and using the right kind of preservatives.

“In the case of sun-drying, the solar rays are able to preserve the nutrients, but my worry is for how long would one keep preserving by sun-drying.

“Once there is a deviation from the temperature of preservation, the integrity of the substance has been compromised,” he said.

Ijiwola, a member of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, advised that some form of preservatives should be added to tomato paste to discourage bacteria from getting in.

“Some persons cover it up after boiling, add vegetable oil, lemon or lime juice to prevent organisms from getting in. If that is in place, it is then safe for consumption.

“That can, however, not be compared to using chemical preservatives which can keep the paste healthy and safe for consumption for a longer period,” she said.

She urged Nigerians to consume fresh tomatoes to preserve some vitamins such as vitamin C which were easily lost.

According to her, there are cases when you have to preserve at all cost. As long as it is safe, it is better than not having anything at all. (NAN)

– Feb.  19, 2018 @ 12:24 GMT |

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