Nutrient Composition and Health Benefits of Underutilized Green Leafy Vegetables in Ghana: A Review

Abstract

Diverse indigenous leaf and fruit vegetables are rich sources of nutrients that cater for the populace especially for those residing in rural areas. However, inadequate knowledge of their constituents and health benefits have decreased its consumption in recent years as opposed to exotic vegetables. Hence to promote their consumption, nutritional, phytochemical, ethnomedicinal and pharmacological properties of the four most popular and widely used indigenous vegetables in several parts of Ghana; Corchorus olitorius (Jute mallow), Talinum triangulare (Waterleaf), Xanthosoma sagittifolium (Cocoyam leaves), and Launaea taraxacifolia (Dandelion) were reviewed through a vigorous literature search. They possess variety of minerals and phytochemicals and as a result exhibited a wide range of pharmacological effects. This makes them a very useful inexpensive resource for tackling undernutrition and malnutrition which is prevalent in Ghana. There is therefore, a need to create awareness that will encourage their consumption in a bid to reduce malnutrition and attain the UN Sustainable Development Goal of achieving food security, improving nutrition, promoting good health and well-being by 2030.