Suya, a common street snack in Nigeria and other regions of West Africa, is a spicy beef skewer. Although beef is generally used, it can also be cooked with beef, lamb, goat, or chicken. The meat is finely sliced before being marinated in a concoction of chili peppers, spices, and ground peanuts or peanut butter. The meat is skewered and cooked over a burning flame until it is soft and lightly browned after spending many hours marinating. It is frequently served with tomato and onion slices, and occasionally with a hot pepper sauce. A lot of individuals in West Africa and beyond appreciate it because it is tasty and filling. Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon are just a few of the West African nations where suya is a common snack.
The implications of consuming suya
Like any other food, suya has potential advantages as well as disadvantages. It’s consumption has some consequences, such as:
- Benefits nutritionally: Suya produced from lean meat cuts can be a healthy source of vitamins, minerals, and protein. The nutritional content, however, can change based on the particular dish and cooking technique employed.
- Risks to food safety: Suya is frequently prepared on open grills or over an open flame, which raises the possibility of contracting a food-borne illness if the meat is not handled properly or prepared to an appropriate temperature. In order to lower the danger of contracting a food-borne illness, it is crucial to make sure the meat is fully cooked and presented hot.
- Possible health risks: Because some suya seasonings include a lot of sodium, they may raise your chance of developing hypertension and other health issues. Furthermore, eating grilled or charred meat might expose people to potentially dangerous substances like heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can be cancer-causing in large concentrations.
Poorly prepared suya
Like any other bad food, eating unhealthy prepared suya can be detrimental to your health. Here are some possible effects of consuming it when it’s poorly prepared:
- Increased risk of developing chronic diseases: Suya made with questionable meat cuts and excessive seasonings may be heavy in calories, sodium, and harmful fats, which increases the risk of chronic diseases. Frequently consuming certain kinds of suya can raise your chance of developing chronic illnesses like obesity, hypertension, and heart disease.
- Nutritional deficiencies: Unhealthy suya preparation may not contain enough of the fiber, vitamins, and minerals that your body requires. Over time, this may result in nutrient deficits and other health issues.
- Enhanced risk of food-borne illness: The risk of food-borne illness may be heightened if it is prepared in unhygienic settings or with tainted ingredients. Food-borne illnesses can cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps and nausea.
- Chemical exposure: As previously discussed, grilling or charring meat can produce poisonous substances including heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can be cancer-causing in large concentrations. These dangerous substances may be more prevalent in unhealthy prepared suya, especially if the meat is overdone or charred.
- Excessive sodium and unhealthy fat content: Some suya seasoning varieties may contain excessive salt and unhealthy fat content. High blood pressure, heart disease, and other health issues can all be increased by eating too much sodium and harmful fats.
In conclusion, eating suya that has not been properly prepared can have detrimental effects on one’s health, including a higher risk of contracting a food-borne illness, exposure to dangerous chemicals, excessive amounts of sodium and unhealthy fats, nutritional deficiencies, and a higher risk of developing certain malignancies. To lower the risk of these detrimental health effects, it is crucial to use minimal amounts of seasoning, manage the meat carefully, store it appropriately, and prepare it.