Potential of Celosia species in alleviating micronutrient deficiencies and prevention of diet-related chronic diseases: a review

Abstract

Dietary deficiencies have become significant in public health challenge globally. This is attributed in part to the pitiable quality of customary diets and the absence of variety in meals. Nutrition and health are closely related, and micronutrient deficiencies are one of the major culprits responsible for the positive correlation between diet and various diseases. Green leafy vegetables are important sources of micronutrients in most African rural communities where they have been used as an accompaniment for staple cereals and root-based diets for many years. Green leafy vegetables from Celosia species are good examples that could contribute to the prevention and management of micronutrient deficiencies and also provide food security. The main objective of this review is to highlight and bring to fore, the suitability of Celosia vegetables in preventing malnutrition and chronic diseases. Various electronic search databases including PubMed, ISI, Web of Science and CNKI were used to review existing literatures. Findings showed that Celosia species are good sources of nutrients that could prevent dietary deficiencies and chronic diseases. Also, the possible use of Celosia spp. in the development of functional foods has the potential to reduce malnutrition and foster complementary plans for the prevention and management of diseases. Therefore, further studies on formulations of food products using vegetables from Celosia species could contribute to the prevention and management of micronutrient deficiencies, chronic diseases and also provide food security.

Keywords

• malnutrition| micronutrients| green leafy vegetables| deficiencies| diet| chronic diseases