Nigerian Vegetables and Nutraceuticals : Powerful Antioxidant and Functional Properties in Vegetables from West Africa

Vegetables are in abundance shortly after the rainy season but become scarce during the dry season during which cultivated types are used. Some eventually find their way to urban markets. One of the most commonly consumed leafy vegetables in Nigeria is Telfairia occidentalis, which is employed both for culinary and medicinal purposes.The main protective action of vegetables has been attributed to the antioxidants present in them. The oxidative stress experienced by a tissue, organelle or organ results from the balance between the production and removal of potentially damaging reactive oxygen species. Antioxidants can prevent the chemical damage caused by reactive oxygen species such as free radicals that are generated by a variety of sources including pesticides, tobacco smoke, exhaust fumes, certain pollutants and organic solvents. Medicinal plants have been used for curing diseases and has been documented in all history of civilisation. Peppers (Capsicum species) are fruits with a high importance in human diet due to their versatility to be consumed as fresh vegetable in salads, cooked meals or dehydrated for spices. This work explores the work on these vegetables in detail.