COCOLLUERE Friday, 20th March 2026 Written, cultivated and prepared by Abiodun Mohammed Adeyemi Ajijola
COCOLLUERE
Friday, 20th March 2026
Written, cultivated and prepared by Abiodun Mohammed Adeyemi Ajijola
COCOYAM LEAF
'The human mouth hosts over 700 species of bacteria.'
'While many are harmless, some cause periodontal disease, tooth decay and dental cavities, which thrive on sugar.'
'These bacteria form plaque, feeding on sugars to produce acids.'
'Cocoyam leaves (Colocasia esculenta), commonly known as kontomire, retain significant antibacterial and antioxidant properties even after heating or boiling, although the intensity of these properties is reduced compared to raw leaves. Boiling acts primarily to reduce harmful anti-nutrients (like oxalates and tannins) and, while it causes leaching of some phytochemicals, it makes the leaves safe for consumption while maintaining a level of antibacterial activity.'
Effectiveness After Heating/Boiling
'Reduced Anti-nutrients: Boiling for 30 minutes is highly effective in reducing oxalates (by 16-78%), tannins, and phytates.
Antibacterial Retention: While raw extracts generally show the highest inhibiting power against bacteria, boiled samples still exhibit noticeable antioxidant and potential antimicrobial activity.
Heat Stability: Many phytochemicals responsible for medicinal benefits, such as flavonoids and alkaloids, remain in the leaves after heat treatment, although with a reduction in concentration.
Optimal Processing: Blanching or boiling is necessary, as raw cocoyam leaves are highly irritating and potentially toxic due to high calcium oxalate levels.'
'Cocoyam leaves (and corm) are beneficial for managing blood sugar due to their low glycemic index, high fiber, and antioxidant content, which help prevent rapid spikes in glucose. Studies indicate that incorporating cocoyam into a diet can aid in lowering blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity.'
'High Fiber Content: The fiber content helps slow down digestion and carbohydrate absorption, preventing drastic spikes in blood sugar.'
'Diabetic Studies: Research on diabetic rats showed that cocoyam-incorporated feed reduced hyperglycemia by over 58%.'
Me who write this physically gargle and rinse my mouth with Cocolluere.

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