The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kwara State chapter, recently harped on the importance of regular in-take of fresh fruit.

Speaking at a-one day training workshop on fruit juice processing and production by the state branch of RMRDC, Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed said regular consumption of fruit juice would enhance optimal functioning of the body chemistry.

Ahmed, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Industries and Solid Minerals, Mallam Umar Aliyu, said that "now, we are concerned with the health benefits of juice than a sunny start to our day."

His words: "Health improvement can only be done by drinking fruit juice than conventional soft drinks.

Disease such as obesity, especially among children, is partly due to the high consumption of conventional soft drinks. The ultimate solution is to avoid conventional soft drinks’ replacing them with fruit juice.

"Kwara State’s unique climatic condition between the high forest of South and the Savannah of the North gives the state the potentials to produce crops like cocoa, kola nut, oil palm, sugarcane, yam, cassava, plantain, maize, guinea corn, millet, rice, beans and cowpeas.

"I want to use this opportunity to appeal to private investors to take advantage of this workshop to equip themselves with necessary knowledge towards investment in fruit processing and production."

In a remark, the President, MAN, Kwara State branch, Princess Lola Olobayo, listed advantages inherent in fresh fruit juice in-takes, saying that "drinking fresh fruit was a well-known method to bring the necessary vitamins and minerals to the body."

Olobayo added that "when we cook food, the micro nutrients found in the fresh products are being destroyed.

If our diet is rich in organic fruits and vegetables, which is being promoted abroad now, and we consume daily the right quantity of micro-nutrients, we will have a healthier, happier and more productive body to live a better life.

"With the possibility of reducing the risk of having all sorts of illnesses/diseases; another benefit of fresh fruit is that it is easier to digest, so as to eradicate the issue of indigestion. Fresh fruit intake is associated with reduced risk of many cancer types, a good example is lemon which prevents breast cancer, Kiwi also helps to build blood sugar level, pumpkin juice is great for people with heart diseases, kidney and liver disease.

"Water-melon helps to build up iron and treatment of cold, especially as we grow older, fresh fruit helps to retain our build. It can reduce the level of cholesterol and also the heart pressure. Grape juice has also anti bacterial, laxative, diuretic effects on our body."