By Chisom Ibemere
Fura da Nono or Fura de nunu respectively known by the Hausas and most Nigerians is a super drink prepared by the Fulanis. It is prepared with few but nutrient dense ingredients which include millet, cloves, ginger and dried chilli pepper and cow milk.
Fura da nono is one among various popular local drinks we have in Nigeria which is majorly prepared and hawked by the northerners and enjoyed in all parts of the country and beyond. Fura da nono is a local gruel made from millet balls, which is called fura and cow milk called nono. It is usually produced from fermented and thick milk. It has a sweet taste and best served chilled.
Fura da nono is a great food with loads of healthy attributes. It undergoes no processing, meaning the nutrients in the millet and milk are richly present. Millet is a very healthy and nutritious grain, which contains loads of minerals such a as calcium, manganese, fibre, phosphorus, and much more, and it is equally loaded with vitamins. Nono is gotten directly from grass-fed cows, thus the milk is nutrient dense.
Fura has high amount of Vitamins B3 which aids to reduce bad or unhealthy cholesterol (LDL) in the body, which is linked to the cause of many heart-related issues. It also improves the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.
The two major nutrients in fura da nono (millet and milk) are rich in calcium, which is very vital for maintaining strong bones and teeth. It also contains phosphorus and Vitamin D, needed for maintaining bone density and preventing Osteoporosis.
Fura da nono is beneficial for the heart health; it lowers the risk of heart attacks due to its magnesium content which is reported to lower the blood pressure thereby reducing the chances of a heart attack. The Vitamin B3 in Fura de nono lowers the level of bad cholesterol which affects the heart health. It is known as the heart healthy food.
Fura da nono is rich in fibre, which improves digestion by easing bowel movement and allowing the food to digest properly. It also prevents constipation and irregular bowel movement.
Fura da nono contains phosphorus which helps in fat metabolism. The fats which are broken down into smaller compounds are used to produce energy for the body cells.