For those who have visited any part of Rivers State in Nigeria and had the opportunities of tasting their meals will surely agree with this. It is almost impossible to have a meal in Rivers State without observing one or two sea food inside; periwinkle, shrimps or prawns, whelks, oysters, clams, fish, the list is endless. Considering the high nutritional values and health benefits of these seafood you would wisely want to ask, could that be the reason why Rivers people are very healthy, always fresh and rarely sick? The unhidden answer is yes! Join us as we unfold a few of those sumptuous seafood and their health benefits.

PERIWINKLES (ISAM)
Periwinkles (Isam) are only of the most popular seafood you could find in the state. Due to its availability, popularity and cost compared to others you currently find them in other states across the country, it would even shock you to know that Periwinkles from River State has found its way to America, Europe or Asia, guess who sent them there? Our caring Rivers mothers of course they want their children in diaspora to keep enjoying this rich seafood. They are very high in protein, omega-3 fatty acids and low in fat.

PRAWN OR SHRIMPS (OPORO)
Oporo as popularly called is one of their major seafood in Rivers State. It can be boiled, fried and roasted. They can be used to cook rice, soup or served fried accompanied with drinks. Prawns have a very surprising fact; they are low in calories and fat than chicken but yet with much more protein. Prawns or shrimps contain magnesium which is known to play huge role in bone development, nerve and muscle function.

They also contain zinc, which is a good source for growing bodies and selenium a very important antioxidant.

WHELKS (NGOLO)
This is one of the sweetest, if you’re yet to taste this, hurry you have been missing. But note it’s of the high price unlike periwinkles (isam).

Whelks are excellent source of essential fatty acids that prevents the chance of cancer, heart diseases. It provides vitamins, proteins and mineral along with low amount of fat. This seafood due to its low content of calories is effective for weight loss.

CRABS
Crabs are excellent addition to a healthy eating plan, it’s a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids which helps to improve memory, decreases chances of healthy of having heart attack or cancer. It’s a good source of vitamins A, C, B12 and minerals like zinc and copper.

It also has chromium which is considered a useful mineral for those who have insulin resistance, as it may improve blood sugar metabolism. (The advantage of crab over other seafood is it almost all their benefit but without the risk of mercury poisoning.)

OYSTER (NGBE)
This one is not so popular; it can only be seen rarely in Riverine part of the state. But its nutritional value is high and superb. Oysters contain vitamins and minerals including selenium, manganese, vitamin C, B 12, copper, phosphorus and riboflavin.

They have amino acid score of 106, indicating that it is a complete/high quality protein, essential for building and repairing muscles and tissues.

COCKLES (IKPOPU)
Cockles are heart shaped bivalve sea creatures cooked and eaten for their high protein content, low in fat and carbohydrates, they are suitable for variety of diet plans. They are also low in calories, rich in protein, with 13.5 grams in each 100-gram serving. Consumption of protein is vital for good health; it provides the structure for your body’s cells and tissues.

They are also very low in fat like other seafood; none of the fat in cockles is saturated fat, those fats that increase your risk of heart diseases. So this is another rich one to look out for if you want to be healthy.

FISH
Most time you will hear medical doctor or nutritionist say it’s better to eat fish than eat meat. This is a simple and clear fact looking at the nutritional values of fish over meat. Fish is a food of excellent nutritional value with high quality protein and wide variety of vitamins and minerals including A and D, Iodine, selenium, magnesium, phosphorus. Oil in fatty fish are the richest source of a type of fat that is vital to normal brain development in unborn babies and infant and without adequate amount of these fatty acids normal brain development doesn’t take place. A true Rivers man would be uncomfortable to have a meal without fish for a full week.

Now you understand why Rivers People look so fresh and healthy. Not to worry, you can also look same by introducing the above listed seafood to your meals. We would be extremely glad to share in your testimonials.

By Kendrick A. Christian


https://phmag.com.ng/rivers-people-healthiest-in-nigeria-amidst-soot-see-why/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm1tSEZ4dOA