Is Potash (Nkanwu) Good Or Bad For Human Consumption

Potash also is known locally as nkanwu among others is a popular ingredient in many Nigerian cuisines. It is the second most popular salt in Nigeria. It serves different purposes depending on the food it is added to. In beans, it makes it tender acting as a tenderizer in a short time using minimum heat. In okro or ogbono soup, it increases the soup viscosity. In owho and even beans, it makes oily food turn emulsion.

Crystals of potash (nkanwu), with a U.S. pennyfor reference. (The coin is 19 mm (0.75 in) in diameter and copper in color.)

However, potash is popular around the world for a different reason. It is an ingredient in fertilizers. It increases plant resistance to disease and heightens water retention.  Other uses are bleaching textiles, making glass, making soap, preservatives of meat and fish, etc.

Source Of Potash (Nkanwu)

It is gotten from within the earth crust in large deposits around the world. It is formed when rock deposits with potash from ancient inland seas evaporate millions of generations ago. However, local production involves burning leave or wood to ash. The ash is added to hot water and the resulting solution filter. The filtrate is evaporated to dryness in a large pot and the resulting solid is called pot ash where the name is derived as potash.
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Pure potash contains potassium salt known as potassium nitrate. However, other nitrate or potassium are also called potash. Example, potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, etc are sometimes called potash. Nigerian potash contains a mixture of sand, clay and metals such as magnesium, calcium, iron, etc.

Health Benefit Of Potash (Nkanwu)

Potash is found in almost every food we eat. This is because it is an important ingredient in fertilizers. There is a high content of potash in plants. Animals that eat it gets it. We humans eat both plants and animals that eat these plants or preserve with potash and get some dose already. This has some benefits to humans.
It increases cellular metabolism in humans and body function. It also contributes to growth and maintenance of body tissues, muscles and organs. It is shown that it reduces protein synthesis and metabolism
Lastly, it is important to heart electrical conduction. To achieve the above benefits, daily consumption of 478/day is recommended. Above this value is trouble.
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It was prescribed some years back as a cure for sore throat, asthma, and arthritis. Yet, no result to back up the claim yet. Another theory not yet confirm is its ability to lower male libido.

Dangers Of Potash (Ukanwu)

It was observed that excessive respiratory disease has been a concern for potash miners. Now to a more bigger worry is the report from research in 1960. Domestic animals fed with fish meal preserve with potash were all dying of liver failure. The researcher traced the culprit to nitrosamines. The chemical is formed in a chemical reaction when sodium nitrate in the fertilizer reacts with natural occurring amines in the fish. Nitroamines are cancer-causing agents. This leads to the development of better preservative techniques that stop this reaction.
Because of the impurities in local potash, sodium content is a cause for worry. Sodium content in potash is capable of increasing blood pressure. According to Bankole et al (2015), another damage high sodium content cause is an injury to the kidney and liver.
This product is dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause uterine contractions. This can induce abortion or premature delivery of pregnant women. According to a study by FIIRO in collaboration with the biochemistry department of Bells University, Ota, potash reduces sperm production and cause testicular injury.
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