Nigerian social media health influencer and medical doctor, Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has warned that poorly processed Garri could potentially lead to blindness due to the presence of harmful substances in cassava, its raw material.
In a video he posted on Monday, Egemba explained that Garri, which is derived from cassava, contains compounds known as cyanogenic glycosides—specifically linamarin and lotaustralin.
During the processing of cassava, these compounds can be converted into hydrogen cyanide, a substance that can be harmful to the body if consumed in large quantities.
“This hydrogen cyanide can start to affect certain tissues in your body. And one of the things it can affect is your eye – the optic nerve and the retina,” he said.
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Referencing a study, he added, “There is even research that showed that people who drink Garri more have less visual acuity than people who don’t.”
However, Dr. Egemba clarified that Garri does not pose a threat if it is properly processed.
“During proper processing—the fermenting, drying, all the processes involved—the hydrogen cyanide that is dangerous is reduced to the lowest amount possible. So if your Garri is properly processed, it will not lead to blindness,” he stated.
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He further advised consumers to look out for properly dried, crispy, and sour Garri, noting that moisture in Garri may indicate inadequate fermentation and drying.
He also recommended purchasing sealed, NAFDAC-approved Garri as a safer option.
“The most important question you should be asking when it comes to your Garri is: Who processed it? Was it processed properly?” Egemba said, calling on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to intensify checks on Garri in local markets.
(PUNCH)
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