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Senior Research Scientist, Mr Ochuko Erukainure, on Wednesday said excessive
consumption of potash would reduce sperm production and cause testicular
injury.
Erukainure, who works
at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Oshodi, made the
assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Wikipedia, the free
encyclopaedia says: “Potash is any of various mined and manufactured salts that
contain potassium in water-soluble form.’’
According to him, the
public is advised to consume potash at minimal rate because it is also one of
the major causes of renal injury.
The researcher said that
potash, fondly called “akanwu’’ in Igbo Language, “kanwa’’ in Hausa and “kaun’’
in Yoruba, is very high in sodium and poses health hazards on human beings.
Erukainure said that
potash was commonly used in the preparation of `ewedu’ and okro soups to boost
the thickness and increase the greenness and texture of the soups.
He said: “It is a
substance that is used in some parts of Nigeria to tenderise foods and shorten
cooking time, but it is not healthy for consumption, particularly by men.
A recent research
conducted by scientists in FIIRO, in collaboration with Biochemistry
Department, Bells University in Ota, shows that consumption of potash injures
testicules and thereby causes infertility in men.
“Potash brings about its
effect by suppressing steroidogenesis (a process by which sperm is formed) and
alters the histology of the testicular tissues.
“Excessive high
concentration of sodium in the potash was identified to be the main culprit.
“The fatty acid profile
of the testes which is mostly unsaturated was also observed to be altered.
“Potash, because of its
high sodium, also causes injury to the kidney and liver.’’
Erukainure advised that
more studies should be conducted on the safety of potash consumption in
females. (NAN)
Reference:
dailypost
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