BY CHISOM IBEMERE
Pepper fruit is known botanically as Dennettia tripetala and is popular and widely consumed in the western parts of Africa especially in Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Cameroun. It belongs to the Annonaceae family. It is called Mmimmi by the Igbos, Ata Igebere or Igberi by the Yorubas, Imako by Niger-Delta and the Urobia, Nkarika by the Efik and Ibibio. The trees are grown in the Savannah and rainforest zones and the fruit may be greenish when young and unripe and subsequently turns red or pinkish on maturity.
Mature Pepper fruits are edible and chewed raw and may be used in the production of foods and traditional medicines. It has a peppery stimulating effects and may be eaten with palm wine, Kola nut/bitter kola and Garden egg in special occasions such as coronations, traditional marriages, and different festivals mostly in the Eastern parts of Nigeria.
Pepper fruit are rich in compounds that are benefitial for metabolic functioning of the body. They are very nutritious with loads of health benefits. It contains magnessium, calcium, potassium, fibre, proteins, phosphorus and phytochemicals. These nutrients makes it a great snack and essential for the body needs.
The pepper fruits are used as spice in foods and drinks. They can be used to substitute ginger in preparation of some drinks like Zobo. They are used in Post partum care in preparing delicacies for new borne mothers as it is helpful for the contraction of the uterus and healing of wound that may result from childbirth.
Pepper fruit are used in the treatment of bacteria and other microbial infections. They help to treat diseases such as diarrhoea, worm and inflammations. The seed extracts of pepper fruits can be used to treat ulcer due to its flavonoids content.
Pepper fruits are helpful in the reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. They are great in the treatment of convulsions in infants. The leaves and fruits are prepared locally for several herbal medications. It equally helps to stimulate sleep from people suffering from Insomnia due to the presence of 1-nitro-2-phenyl ethane.
They helps to combact viral infections like cold, cough and fever. They help the body organs to function optimally. Pepper fruits can also help in lowering the blood sugar level as a result of it’s antihyperglycemic content.