Bear this in mind the nutritional benefit of this kunu drink, it has a combined effect of the individual ingredients and has great benefits to human health.
Health benefits of kunu drink:
Kunu is a traditional drink in the Northern part of Nigeria. It is also made from grains such as millet, maize, rice or sorghum too. Depending on the grain used, it is known in the Hausa language as “kunun aya” The kunun drink is also extracted from tiger nuts, and this is one of the best-rich kunu drink due to the many health benefits of tiger nuts. others types of kunu are”kunungyada” (from groundnut milk and rice gruel) or kununzaki (from Millet and potatoes).
Types of kunu drinks
- Kunun gyada (made from groundnut milk and rice gruel)
- Kunu aya
- Kunu Zaki (millet and potatoes)
- kunun tamba
1. It helps the Digestive System
The phenolic compounds in kunu, a major component of kunu drink are known to help relieve gastrointestinal irritation, stimulate bile and saliva production and suppress gastric contractions as food and fluids move through the gastrointestinal tract.
The rich fiber component of the grains used in making kunu prevents constipation and promotes bowel movement. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology reported that high compliance with a high-fiber, low-fat diet is associated with reduced risk of colon cancer and colorectal adenoma recurrence.
2. Protect the Heart
The major ingredients in kunu such as millet contain a poly nutrient known as lignin which has cancer-fighting properties and is beneficial to the heart. It also contains a lot of magnesium and potassium and both play important roles in reducing blood pressure.
3. Muscle Relaxant
Kunu acts as a muscle relaxant supplement, largely due to the mild fermentation that occurred during the 24 hours maturation period. This effect is very beneficial for working out on long physical exercise.
4. For Pregnancy Women and Breast Milk Mother’s
In Nigeria and many parts of Africa, kunu is recommended for new mothers who are unable to produce milk to stimulate milk production. Although the mechanism by which it achieves this remarkable feat is unknown, the consumption of kunu during this period is accompanied by spontaneous and improved production of breast milk.
Nausea a common symptom during the first trimester can be controlled by taking this kunu drink. It also helps to increase blood supply to the growing fetus and helps to reduce problems associated with indigestion. For more information about kunu drink during pregnancy check out this page.
5. Boost Your Sperm Count
If you are not yet pregnant but trying to conceive. great news. Kunu drinks contain a level of vitamin C that will improve your sperm count because kunu drink contains sweet potato (another so-called “super-food” by the way). Sweet potato is filled with very high levels of vitamin C. In one large sweet potato of 180g, there is 35.3g of vitamin C. In a small study they find out that vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has the “ability to neutralize sperm-busting free radicals”.
6. Sooth Colds And Coughs
Kunu drink soothes colds and coughs because it contains cloves. Okay, cloves are popularly known for their medicinal properties. And according to Health.com: “Cloves work as an expectorant, loosening mucus in the throat and esophagus so you can cough it up” If you think you have cold and cough, Prepare your kunu drink with cloves and drink to reap the health benefits of the drinks.
7. Anti-oxidant Properties
Apart from the benefit of rehydration, kunu drink also contains vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), a powerful antioxidant that helps boost immunity, fight cardiovascular diseases, promote healthy skin and prevent cancer.
Having known some of the health benefits of this wonderful drink, replacing your soda and other carbonated drinks with kunu drink and other health-friendly drinks like “Health benefits of zobo drink” would be a better option.
How to Prepare And Make Rich Kunu drink recipe
The variety of the drink made from sorghum is a milky light-brown color, whilst that which is made from millet and maize is whitish in color.
Ingredients for kunu drink
- Millet- three cups;
- Water – 2 ltr
- Sweet potato – a half
- 2 average gingers
- Cloves – one tbsp
- Sugar to taste.
First make sure that the grain (maize, millet or rice) or tiger nut is clean and soaked in water for 1-2 days. Pour the soaked grain into a blender machine and add your spicy sweet potatoes and ginger and blend until it forms a smooth paste. After that, the process divided into two parts. Poured Boiled water into one part and stirred into a thick mixture while the other part is added gradually to the mixture and stirred continually. The mixture is kept for about a day (24 hours) then filtered to remove larger particles and is ready to be consumed. It is best served chilled.
Kunu drink recipes
- 3 cups Millet
- 1 half Sweet potato
- 2 Gingers
- 1 tbsp Cloves
- Sugar
- First make sure that the grain (maize, millet or rice) or tiger nut is clean and soaked in water for 1-2 days.First
- Pour the soaked grain into a blender machine and add your spicy sweet potatoes and ginger and blend until it forms a smooth paste. After that, the process divided into two parts. Pour
- Poured Boiled water into one part and stirred into a thick mixture while the other part is added gradually to the mixture and stirred continually.
The mixture is kept for about a day (24 hours) then filtered to remove larger particles and is ready to be consumed. It is best served chilled.
Related reading
- How to Make Rich Nigerian Kunu Aya Drink in 4 Easy Steps
- 10 Nutritional Benefits of Tiger Nut and Tiger Nut Milk
- kunu drink during pregnancy: Health benefits and side effect
- Nutritional Value of Soybeans
- Nutritional Benefit of Garri
- Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Zobo Drink
