A Festive Reminder to Choose Quality Over Quantity

The festive season is upon us once more, and as we dive into the celebrations, there's a saying that echoes in my mind: "You are what you eat." In the hustle and bustle of shopping for the perfect Christmas feast, there's often a quest for more affordable ingredients, be it meat, vegetables, or anything that goes into crafting those delightful Christmas dishes especially due to the current economic realities.

In the pursuit of savings, some of our resourceful mothers venture into what we fondly call 'Gwalgwaji', which are pocket friendly tomatoes and peppers in Hausa language or ‘Esa’ as it’s called in southwestern Nigeria. These budget-friendly alternatives, though cheaper, manage to mimic the taste of fresh ones when incorporated into stews or soups.

It's a familiar tendency among us Nigerians to prioritize quantity over quality, especially during festive times. The allure of immediate gratification often overshadows concerns for our health.

It's time to ponder – could the stomach upsets and health challenges blamed on excessive meat consumption during the holidays have another accomplice? Enter those affordable yet not-so-fresh tomatoes, peppers, and vegetables you've been purchasing.

Non-fresh tomatoes may harbor undesirable fungal organisms, including the notorious Aspergillus genus. Aflatoxins, toxic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus fungi, specifically Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, pose a threat. These mycotoxins can contaminate various crops like peanuts, corn, cottonseed, and tree nuts. Exposure to aflatoxins can happen through the consumption of tainted food products. The primary types of aflatoxins, namely B1, B2, G1, and G2, carry health risks, with aflatoxin B1 recognized as the most toxic and carcinogenic. Long-term exposure to these toxins has been linked to liver cancer, a serious health risk.

Aflatoxins exert profound effects on human health, leading to hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) with chronic exposure, liver damage resulting in hepatitis, fibrosis, or cirrhosis, immunosuppression making individuals more susceptible to infections, acute toxicity characterized by symptoms ranging from abdominal pain and vomiting to convulsions, coma, and death in severe cases, as well as growth impairment and developmental effects in children due to chronic exposures. Additionally, there is a potential risk of teratogenic effects, where aflatoxin exposure during pregnancy might be linked to developmental abnormalities in the fetus.

The episodes of stomach upset, running stomach, or diarrhea following the consumption of stews or soups made with subpar tomatoes or vegetables may be attributed to the acute toxicity of these contaminated edibles, not forgetting other potential causes of bacterial origin. In the case of young individuals, such discomfort could pose potentially life-threatening risks.

Heat treatment, the very act of cooking that transforms raw ingredients into our delectable ?dishes, has been reported to have no significant effect in destroying these toxins. So, even if you diligently cook your stews and soups, the lurking danger of Aflatoxins may persist.

Now, you might wonder why a veterinarian is delving into human health matters. Well, you see, as part of my veterinary training, public health takes center stage. There's a whole department dedicated to bridging the gap between animal, human, and environmental health – it's known as the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

So, dear, before you grab that bargain tomato due to its affordable price, consider the potential presence of the Aspergillus fungus and the toxins it produces, which can lead to significant health challenges, including liver cancer.

In the pursuit for a healthy society, every thread counts – from the ingredients in our kitchens to the well-being of our families. So, here's to a season of not just joy but also a conscious celebration of health and happiness! And remember, it's not just for tomatoes or vegetables; let's always choose quality over quantity.