Evaluation of Proximate Composition and Mineral Contents of Selected Locally Produced Beverages in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The study evaluates the proximate composition and mineral contents of selected locally produced beverages in southwest Nigeria.Four locally produced beverages namely; Tigernuts, Kunu Zobo, and Coconut milk drinks were prepared and subjected to laboratory analysis for their nutritional and mineral contents using the standard method. The result showed that the four beverages are rich in moisture content and contained other nutrients to varying degrees. The study also discovered that the mineral content of the drinkis also appreciably high which makes them better alternatives to carbonated soft drinks that have been widely attributed to many health challenges. The study however discovered a wide variation in terms of the nutritional and mineral contents of the drinks as indicated by the results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests with a p-value less than 5% level (p < 0.05). It is believed that moderate consumption of these local drinks by people of different categories and especially tourists will no doubt contribute to the overall health and welfare of the populace. Furthermore, it is also believed that the production and distribution of these local beverages can engender economic prosperity, especially for the unemployed. These local drinks could provide many benefits, especially in developing countries by playing important roles in ensuring food security, enhancing livelihoods, improvement of nutritional status and social well-being of the vulnerable groups.