Professor Oladapo Ashiru, a consultant endocrinologist has cautioned Nigerians against the consumption of excess fruits as it could trigger diabetes mellitus and other health conditions. The consultant gave this advice while delivering a lecture on Diabetes: Cause, Diagnosis and Management organised by an NGO, The City Club, Lagos.
According to him, poor eating culture such as excess consumption of fruits by Nigerians is a major contributory factor to high cases of diabetes among many people.
He argued people are engaged in taking smoothies, mix with water melon, pineapples, oranges and mix all like that in large quantities, which are not good for the pancreas.
He said the daily recommendation of fruit by World Health Organization (WHO) is about 200 grammes.
“Excess of it depreciates the function of the pancreas and this can lead to diabetes, because, the organ that produces insulin cannot rejuvenate,” he said.
He enjoined Nigerians to make healthy choices by eating locally grown foods, eat their foods slowly, chew them, and have the habit of eating local foods such as garri, beans, tiger nuts, coconut milk, among others.
“These foods are healthy and are made for us,” he said. He further said “Ninety-five per cent of blacks are milk intolerant; we can take our own milk made from tiger nuts and coconut milk.“
The representative of Lagos State governor, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, reiterated the need for massive enlightenment on how to adopt healthy living lifestyle in order to reduce predisposing factors to diseases.
According to Dr. Onanuga, today, humanity is faced with the challenges of diverse health issues which the medical world is still researching into to develop appropriate solutions.
He said: “One interesting thing which cuts across these emerging and increasing health challenges is that most, if not all, are related to our lifestyles, especially in modern age”
“It is, therefore, very clear to everyone that beyond the issue of providing healthcare facilities with necessary equipment and drugs as well as qualified medical personnel.
“There is a need for massive enlightenment on the need to embrace healthy lifestyle to reduce the possibility of being predisposed to these diseases,“
In his remarks, Gbenro Oluwole, the Chairman, 2018 Public Lecture Committee, The City Club Lagos, Gbenro Oluwole, called on well-meaning Nigerians to give back to the society by educating people about their health.
According to Oluwole, educative programmes like the lecture will go a long way to informing people.
“Our club decided to hold this lecture and push it out to members of the public to enlighten them about their health,” he said.