Angela Onwuzoo
A professor of Community and Public Health Nutrition at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Ngozi Nnam, says people who want to lose weight should consume more plant-based foods.
She advised them against consuming concoctions, warning that such could jeopardize their health.
The nutritionist maintained that exercise and diet management is key to weight loss and decried the high amount of concoctions sold in the market with false claims that they can help with drastic weight loss.
Prof. Nnam told PUNCH HealthWise in an interview that it is risky for people to consume concoctions all in a bid to lose weight, stressing that their composition remains unknown.
The nutritionist also said she is not in support of people consuming slimming teas for weight reduction, noting that their contents remain unknown.
“There are too many concoctions being sold by women in bottles. I don’t advise anybody to buy these concoctions because their production doesn’t follow standard procedures. People should avoid consuming them because it is risky. Exercise and consume more plant-based foods to lose weight. Plant-based foods can help people to lose weight,” she advised.
The professor attributed the increase in obesity and the burden of non-communicable diseases to less consumption of fruits and vegetables, and little or no physical activities.
She said, “We tend to eat more fatty foods. We eat too much meat with fats without adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables. That is why you see obesity on the increase.
“Obesity is the risk factor for most of the non-communicable diseases that are ravaging the world today like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.”
Prof. Nnam said those aiming to become slimmer should engage in regular exercises like jogging and brisk walking, stressing that the two can help to shed accumulated fat, adding, “engaging in physical activities is at no cost.”
The United States Food and Drug Administration does not recognise any slimming tea as being effective, according to Medical News Today.
The FDA indicate that users report symptoms similar to those seen in people with laxative abuse disorder, which include: cramping, nausea, diarrhoea, aggravated constipation, dependency, weakened colon, and reduced potassium levels, which the agency notes is dangerous for people with heart problems.
The agency warns against the use of most dietary supplements, including slimming teas, mainly due to a lack of reliable studies and evidence of their safety or effectiveness.
Prof. Nnam said there is a need for a lot of nutrition education to enlighten people on proper dietary habits and also sensitise them about the risk of not engaging in regular physical activities.
The American Heart Association says science has linked being inactive and sitting too much with a higher risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, colon and lung cancers, and early death.
“It’s clear that being more active benefits everyone and helps us live longer healthier lives.
“Being active lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia and Alzheimer’s, several types of cancer, and some complications of pregnancy.
“Training brings about better sleep, including improvements in insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea, improves cognition, including memory, attention and processing speed’, the association said.
According to the World Health Organisation, physical activity has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds.
WHO noted that physical activity contributes to preventing and managing non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
“Globally, one in four adults do not meet the global recommended levels of physical activity. Up to five million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more active,” WHO stated.
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