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Bambara Nut is a West African staple food. If you’ve never heard of it before, you’re in for a treat. This is one superfood you’ll want to know about!

Bambara Nut?! Who’s talking about Bambara Nuts? The most naïve among us overlook this delicious snack when deciding about what to eat. But for the rest of us, we’re clued into this gem of a nut and its amazing health benefits. Is Bambara Nut the most underrated Nigerian snack? Yeah, they may be. But these tasty treats pack a punch. In this blog, together we’ll uncover the wonders of Bambara Nuts. Let’s dive right in!  

What is Bambara Nut?

Bambara Nut, otherwise known as Okpa in Igbo, is a popular African nut used in recipes and eaten alone as a snack food. It has an unusual but delicious taste and crunchy texture. This nut, which is shaped like peanuts but larger, comes with many health benefits. Bambara nut is an amazing, yet little-known African snack food. It’s healthy, delicious, and unlike any other snack food, you’ve tasted before. The botanical name for Bambara nut is Vigna Subterranea, and it’s called Okpa in Igbo, Gurjiya in Hausa, and Epa- Roro in Yoruba language. This nut has been used as a source of food and medicine for centuries, and now the rest of the world is catching up with the Bambara Nuts craze.  

Where does it come from?

Bambara Nut comes from West Africa, precisely in Kwara state and throughout the northern parts of Nigeria. You can find it in all the northern states of Nigeria. They grow well in warm, tropical weather and thrive in the northern parts of Nigeria, where groundnuts (peanuts) are common. Because Bambara nut is a loner, it likes to grow alone. If you plant it in a field of other crops, it won’t do well. It’s usually planted once the rains are steady.

As a picky plant, Bambara Nut is usually planted in a good environment and cannot tolerate certain things, like drought and competition with other crops.

Talk about a bossy plant!  

What is the health benefit(s) of eating Bambara Nut?

If you’ve read to this point, you’re probably wondering about the health benefits of eating this super nut. There are many health benefits to be enjoyed from eating this Bambara nut. You can get everything from treating general aches and pains to helping you manage diabetes by eating this unique snack food. Think that’s all? Lol. No nau. Let’s burst you with these other amazing health benefits of eating Bambara Nuts:  

1. It can help in weight loss.

   Is Bambara Nut good for weight loss? Definitely yes! If you’re looking for a snack food that can help you hit your weight loss goals, look no further than the Bambara nuts. It is a powerhouse of nutrients and minerals, including: • Magnesium–Magnesium helps to boost your metabolism so that you burn more calories throughout the day. • Manganese–Manganese helps to regulate your blood sugar and insulin levels, which are both important in managing hunger and preventing overeating.

2. It can help lower blood sugar.

We all know that lowering blood sugar is a good thing, but does anyone ever think about the bad things that happen when you don’t keep your blood sugar in check? Well, we do. And it’s not pretty. It’s actually a little gross. Is Bambara nut good for diabetes? Yes, sure. Eating a few Bambara nuts can help you lower your blood sugar. This is because Bambara nuts contain certain chemical compounds that help regulate blood sugar levels in your body.

Studies show that people who eat lots of Bambara nuts have lower blood sugar levels than those who don’t eat them at all or as much.

It’s not just our imagination—the experts agree!  

3. It is good for the heart.

   Bambara nuts are top of the list of healthy snack foods that can prevent heart disease. This is because of the high fiber content of Bambara nuts, which helps to reduce cholesterol levels in your body. In addition, Bambara nuts can also help reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function. Next time you’re feeling a little under the weather, stop beating around the bush and start eating Bambara Nuts! Your heart will thank you for it. Literally.

4. It helps to manage blood pressure.

   High blood pressure is no joke. It’s the leading cause of heart disease and stroke, so it’s important to take it seriously and make sure you’re managing your blood pressure well. One way to do that is to eat a Bambara nut a day. Bambara Nuts have the potential to play a key role in keeping your blood pressure at healthy levels. So whether you already know your blood pressure is on the higher side or if you’ve been meaning to check it out, go ahead and have some Bambara nuts as a snack! We don’t guarantee it’ll fix all your problems, but we do guarantee it’ll taste good!

5. Bambara Nut can improve kidney function.

   Stress is one of the main causes of kidney disease, so if you want to protect your kidneys, it’s important to avoid stress and keep yourself relaxed. Bambara Nut has been shown to reduce blood pressure, so eating it regularly will help to keep you feeling calm and relaxed and reduce your stress levels. This nut also contains high amounts of magnesium, which is essential for muscle relaxation. The result? You’ll have better kidney function and less stress!

6. It can protect against certain cancers and ulcers.

   Is Bambara nut good for ulcer patients? Yes! Small, but mighty, these little guys may also help protect you against certain cancers and ulcers. Bambara nut is a legume, so it has many of the same benefits as foods like lentils and soybeans, which also means it’s low in fat and high in protein, and also rich in antioxidants and amino acids, which contribute to its anti-cancer properties. Research found that this super snack promotes gastric mucus production, which helps prevent ulcers from forming in the stomach lining.

7. It helps to boost your body’s immune system.

   Bambara Nut is your immune system’s best friend! Each bite of this healthy snack food provides your body with a rich source of immune-boosting nutrients, including vitamins C and D, folate, selenium, niacin, and zinc. It’s not just about a single vitamin or nutrient—it’s about the fact that Bambara nut is loaded with vitamins and nutrients that work together to keep you in tip-top shape.

8. It is good for digestion and reducing inflammation

   Bambara nut can be a great way to keep your body healthy and reduce inflammation, especially if you have digestive problems. The nut is good for your gut because it contains prebiotic (a type of fiber that feeds the healthy bacteria in your digestive system). We recommend eating one handful of the nuts every day to keep your tummy happy!

9. Bambara nut is good for pregnant women

   Is Bambara Nut good for pregnant women? Well, aside from the fact that it’s delicious and improves your mood, Bambara nuts are actually a great source of nutrients for pregnant women. It’s also an energy-boosting powerhouse, too—especially good for pregnant women who are experiencing fatigue. Women who are pregnant and want to give their babies a head start in life should really consider eating Bambara Nut. Just one serving each day can give your baby a huge advantage before it is even born! Like, literally. (smiles).  

10. It is good for bone health and malnourishment

    Bambara Nut is the key to maintaining strong bones that can withstand a horror movie marathon. And it’s also a great source of nutrients for people who are malnourished. The high protein content protects young children from suffering kwashiorkor (protein deficiency and is also a good choice for those who are looking for a reliable source of iron to treat or prevent anemia and iron deficiency.

 

What is Bambara Nut used for?

Bambara Nut, according to Wikipedia, is best used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. One of the most common uses is as a thickener for soups and sauces in its powdered form. It can also be made into flour, which is an important food source in West Africa. Bambara nuts are also used to make Bambara Groundnuts, which are a popular snack in Nigeria, especially in the northern parts of the country. Medicinally, Bambara nuts have amazing skincare properties—for example, it can treat acne. It’s incredibly rich in antioxidants, so it fights signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.

And what does it look like?

Guess what Bambara nuts look like? Well, the first thing you should know is that it’s not actually a peanut, but the seed of a tropical bean. Bambara nuts are a lot like peanuts, except they’re much larger. Also, their shells are thicker and harder to crack. They have a stronger, more distinct taste than that of peanuts and are also much more nutritious.

How do you eat Bambara Nuts?

You can eat Bambara nuts in three ways:

• Eat it as a Toasted snack with Coconut chops
• Eat it fresh and boiled
• Eat it as “Okpa” with pap after mixing in a thick paste.

You can also add Bambara Nuts powder to stews, soups, or pounded into flour for baking breads.  

Where to buy Bambara Nut in Lagos/Nigeria?

Buy from Green Baskit. We are Nigeria’s No.1 Most Healthy Local Snack store online and your go-to brand if you really want to eat clean, healthy, and delicious Bambara Nuts snack in Lagos and Nigeria. We sell Bambara Nuts in wholesales too. We recommend our wholesale prices for individuals hosting or organizing events and ceremonies, for offices, and finally to the real wholesalers who buy and sell them in bulk.  

Bambara Nut Storage & Shelf-life

Store in a cool dry place. Don’t expose to adverse heat or cold. The shelf life for our Bambara nuts snack is up to 6 months (and above sometimes).  

Bambara Nut Calories

According to Calcount, There are 160 calories in Bambara Nut. But the question should really be: How many calories can a Bambara nut save you? Let’s put it this way: One Bambara nut is the equivalent of running 4 miles. Not too shabby, right? But let’s not stop there. Let’s say you’re carrying a heavy load of groceries into your apartment. You could drop that bag and run back outside for another 4 miles, or you could eat some Bambara nuts! Which one would you choose? You know these things. *winks*  

Does Bambara Nut have side effects?

The answer is no, Bambara Nut does not have side effects… but it might have side-EYE effects. Because once you try our Bambara Nut and Coconut Chops, you’re going to be looking at everyone else like they’re crazy when they walk past a pack of this wholesome nuts on their way out of the conference room. But seriously, no side effects. However, if you have any issues while snacking on our Bambara nut, please let us know.  

Bambara Nut Nutritional Facts

We’ve long known that Bambara Nut is pure magic, but now we have the science to back it up. Here’s a breakdown of some of the nutritional facts for Bambara Nuts: Nutritional Facts

• Serving Size: 1 Bambara Nut (28 g)
• Total Fat: 8.6 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 1.2 mg
• Potassium: 3.2 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 13.1 g
• Dietary Fiber: 4.3 g
• Protein: 7.3 g

 

We’ll stop here for now. But remember Bambara nuts are among the most underrated snack foods in Nigeria. And it’s our mission to uncover and bring these local treats to your doorstep!

Make them a part of your next snack or meal, and you’ll be glad you did. We hope that this has been a useful read and has inspired you on Why You Should Add Bambara Nut to Your Diet. You deserve to sparkle your tastebuds. Enjoy!