Doum to Your Health: Why Goruba Is More Than Just a Snack

By Ahmed Saleh Awawu (U19MM1025)

Goruba, also known as Doum palm fruit, Eru Agbon, or Gingerbread fruit, is more than a sweet, chewy treat. For generations, this fruit has been part of African traditional medicine, valued for its nutritional and healing properties.

What makes Doum so special? For starters, it’s packed with fiber, antioxidants, and essential nutrients. You can chew it raw, brew it as tea, or enjoy it as juice. No matter how it’s prepared, it offers health benefits that go beyond just satisfying hunger.

A 2024 study in the Journal of Food Biochemistry confirmed what many locals have long believed: Doum fruit has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It may help manage conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, liver issues, and even support heart health, though more scientific studies are still needed to fully confirm these traditional claims.

Some people use it for stomach problems or to ease digestion. Others believe it helps with muscle strength. While science hasn’t caught up with all these claims yet, experts like Dr. Funmilayo Adenowo say the fruit shows real promise and deserves further research.

What’s great is that Doum is affordable, natural, and easy to find in many parts of Nigeria. It’s a perfect example of how our local foods can support wellness, especially when we take the time to appreciate and understand them.

So next time you see Goruba on a tray or at the market, don’t pass it by.