Health benefits of African chewing gum

African Chewing gum called ‘Goron Tula’ in Hausa has been identified to have several health benefits.

The fruit, which is also known as tree hibiscus, Azanza and snot apple in English, is an edible indigenous fruit widely distributed in Tula, Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State and in Michika, Adamawa State all in Nigeria. 

It is semi domesticated by the people of Tula and also known by the botanical name azanza garckeana.

A nutritionist, Miss Chidera Ezenwafor said the fruit is quickly developing a name and has lots of health benefits.

She said the nutrients present in the fruit help cleanse the body system, prevent diseases like cancer, diabetes, high-blood pressure, and fertility challenges.

She said it serves as an aphrodisiac, and aids against liver problems, and mental illness among other diseases.

“It can also assist in improving bowel movement, ease digestion and improve the body immune system. Most importantly, it is safe for consumption across all ages,” Miss Ezenwafor said.

A young man who gave his name as Abidemi said he recently sought for places to buy the fruit because his aunt who had been diagnosed with diabetes some years back had found comfort in the consumption of the fruit as it stabilizes her blood sugar level. 

A woman who craved anonymity said the fruit helps women who struggle with attaining orgasm during sexual intercourse and who experience vagina dryness. “This fruit does a whole lot that is why it is seen as a miracle fruit,” she added.

According to Alfred Maroyi a researcher in his publication in the research journal of medical plants, the ripe fruits are edible and widely used as food additives throughout the distributional range of the species.

“The species is used as herbal medicine for diseases and aliment such as chest pain, cough, infertility, liver problem, menstruation problem and sexually transmitted infections,” he said.

The researcher said multiple classes of compounds including alkaloids, amino acids, ascorbic acids, carotenoids, lipids and tannis have been isolated from the fruits, adding that studies indicate that the species has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-malarial, antioxidant and iron absorption to mention a few.