By Sewe Ishola

For the sake of their health, Nigerians will have to give up eating some of their favourite traditional meat-based meals, like Suya, Isi ewu, Ngwo Ngwo, Kilisi and others, which the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole has pinpointed as the contributing to the cause of premature deaths in the country.

The minister disclosed this at First Annual Black Tie Gala event organised by the Tristate Heart Foundation (THF), where he delivered the Keynote address. He said the diets of many Nigerians were unhealthy and this often led to hypertension, which is the leading cardiovascular disease in Nigeria and can result in stroke if untreated.

Adewole, remarked that 1 in every 5 Nigerians is hypertensive and at risk of premature death, said, “Sadly, there is widespread low consumption of proteins, fruits and vegetables and increasing patronage of fast food outlets by the population.

There is also large promotion of sweetened products such as carbonated drinks, pastries, candies and other refined sugars, while excessive intake of salt is promoted by food additives such as monosodium glutamate common in delicacies such as suya, kilisi, isi-ewu, ngwo-ngwo, among others.” Adewole added.