The diets of athletes in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remain poorly studied, and the available evidence raises several concerns: limited sports nutrition knowledge, inadequate energy intake, poor dietary diversity, frequent dehydration in hot climates and growing use of imported supplements that are costly and sometimes contaminated. This narrative review examines the extent to which local African crops and food resources can serve as the basis of a "food first" strategy for these athletes. PubMed/MEDLINE, African Journals Online, Google Scholar, HAL and African institutional repositories were searched for publications in English or French up to 30 August 2026, and the evidence was synthesised narratively, distinguishing trials in athletes from human studies in non-athletes and from food composition data. Five groups of foods were selected: cereals and pseudocereals (maize, sorghum, millets, fonio, amaranth); roots, tubers and plantains (cassava, yam, taro, sweet potato); legumes, oilseeds and one oil-rich tuber (cowpea, Bambara groundnut, groundnut, soybean, tiger nut); fruits, leaves and traditional beverages (moringa, baobab, cashew apple, hibiscus or bissap, coconut water, cocoa, kola); and edible mushrooms (Termitomyces, paddy straw mushrooms, oyster mushrooms). Based on their composition, these foods could contribute substantially to the nutritional adequacy of athletes' diets, although this has not yet been tested by whole-diet modelling. They provide carbohydrates with a range of glycaemic indices, useful for glycogen loading and replenishment, plant proteins whose quality improves when cereals and legumes are combined, critical micronutrients (iron, calcium, provitamin A, vitamin C), electrolytes (potassium, magnesium) and bioactive compounds (polyphenols, nitrates, caffeine). Soaking, germination and fermentation may reduce antinutritional factors and improve mineral bioavailability. Several obstacles remain: athletes' needs are poorly understood, crop-specific composition and glycaemic index data are lacking, local processing remains limited and standardised sports products are scarce. Above all, the available data, which come mainly from composition analyses, do not yet demonstrate any effect on athletes' performance, recovery or health: only a few small trials have tested these foods in athletes or trained individuals, and only one of them was conducted in SSA. Optimised products (energy bars, rehydration drinks, protein powders) should therefore be tested in controlled trials among African athletes before any recommendation is made.
Background: Excessive dietary salt intake is associated with adverse cardiovascular and systemic effects; however, its impact on haematological indices and the potential protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin have not been fully elucidated. Aims: This study evaluated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin, administered individually and in combination, on high-salt feeding (HSF)-induced alterations in haematological indices in Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty-five male Wistar rats (180–220 g) were randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 5 per group): normal control, DMSO sham, olive oil sham, HSF (8% NaCl feed + 1% NaCl drinking water), HSF + omega-3 fatty acids (100 mg/kg), HSF + quercetin (20 mg/kg), and HSF + omega-3 fatty acids + quercetin. Treatments were administered orally for 42 days. Haematological parameters were assessed using an automated haematology analyser. Data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc test, with significance set at p <0.05. Results: HSF significantly increased red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), red cell distribution width (RDW-SD, RDW-CV), total white blood cell (WBC) count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR), while significantly reducing haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), neutrophil count, and the monocyte-eosinophil-basophil mixed differential (MDX) (p <0.05). Omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin individually attenuated several HSF-induced alterations, whereas combined administration generally produced greater restoration towards control values across erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet indices. Conclusion: Chronic high-salt feeding induces significant alterations in erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet indices in Wistar rats, with the combined administration of omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin demonstrating greater protective effects than either intervention alone. These findings may suggest combined omega-3/quercetin supplementation as a potential nutritional strategy for mitigating salt-induced haematological disturbances.
Background: Cassava production is important to food security and the rural economy in Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire. This study assessed field yield responses of the Yavo cassava variety to chicken manure and rice husk charcoal, alongside reported soil measurements. Methods: Cassava mini-cuttings were propagated for 45 days using four nursery substrates. The field experiment was described as a randomised complete block design with three treatments (unamended control, chicken manure, and rice husk charcoal), three blocks, and 90 planting positions. Soil particle-size distribution and physicochemical characteristics were reported before and after planting. Results: The recorded fresh-root yields were 34.84 t/ha for the control, 54.63 t/ha for chicken manure, and 53.44 t/ha for rice husk charcoal. The reported treatment effect on yield was significant (p < 0.001), with both amended treatments differing from the control but not from each other. Mean numbers of tuberous roots did not differ significantly (p = 0.2364). Organic carbon, total nitrogen and organic matter were numerically higher in the post-planting soil sample, although these observations could not be attributed to individual treatments. Conclusions: The reported results suggest differences in field yield among amendment treatments. However, discrepancies in field dimensions and incomplete information on nursery-to-field allocation, harvested area, yield conversion, and soil sampling limit interpretation. Confirmation of these details is necessary before firm conclusions can be drawn about productivity or soil changes.
Background: Cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors are relevant to workplace health, but their combined profile among private-sector workers in Porto-Novo is insufficiently described. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of certain non-communicable diseases and characterise associated risk factors among private-sector workers in Porto-Novo (Benin Republic). Methods: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study conducted among 92 private-sector workers in Porto-Novo. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, blood pressure, and behavioural data were collected using a questionnaire and standardised measurements. A CS20M digital body composition scale, with a precision of 100 g and a maximum capacity of 150 kg, was used to measure body mass and certain body composition parameters. Height was measured using a portable 2-metre stadiometer and a flexible, non-stretchable tape measure, with a precision of 0.1 cm. Blood pressure was measured using an LD526 electronic blood pressure monitor. Blood pressure was measured using a validated digital upper-arm oscillometric monitor. Following a 5-minute seated rest, with feet flat on the floor and the back supported, two to three sequential readings were taken 1–2 minutes apart on a bare arm supported at heart level, with the mean value recorded as the final systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Results: The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.55 ± 4.22 kg/m². 42.39% of the workers had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m², with 11.95% classified as obese. A significant proportion of participants also exhibited high blood pressure readings. Diabetes was found in 4.34% of the participants. Family histories of hypertension and diabetes were reported by 32.6% and 21.7% of the workers, respectively. A statistically significant association was observed between stress and high-intensity physical activity (p = 0.02), as well as between stress and time spent sitting while working (p = 0.02). Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of several NCD risk factors among private-sector workers in Porto-Novo, notably overweight, high blood pressure, sedentary behaviour, occupational stress, and insufficient physical activity.
Aim: The present study aimed to formulate and characterise functional noodles fortified with bone-setter plant (Cissus quadrangularis) powder and to evaluate their cooking, physical, and functional properties. Methodology: Bone-setter plant powder was incorporated into noodles prepared from refined wheat flour, rice flour, whole-wheat flour, and guar gum. Six formulations were developed by varying the proportions of the ingredients. Guar gum was incorporated as a hydrocolloid to improve dough handling, water retention, and structural stability of the noodles. The formulations were prepared through mixing, dough development, sheeting, cutting, drying, and packaging. The selected noodle formulation was evaluated for optimum cooking time, cooking yield, cooking loss, moisture content, bulk density, percentage increase in volume, swelling index, swelling capacity, and solubility index. Standard methods were used to determine the cooking and functional characteristics of the developed noodles. Results: The selected bone-setter plant–incorporated noodle formulation showed an optimum cooking time of 12 min. The cooking yield was 300%, indicating substantial water absorption and retention, with the cooked noodle weight reaching approximately three times the initial dry weight. The cooking loss was 9.6%, suggesting moderate leaching of soluble components into the cooking water. The dried noodles recorded a moisture content of 7.1%, reflecting effective drying and indicating potential suitability for storage. The bulk density was 0.65 g/mL, demonstrating moderate compactness and favourable packaging characteristics. A 350% increase in volume after cooking was observed, indicating marked expansion of the noodle structure during hydration. The swelling index was 2.0 g/g, confirming that the noodles retained approximately 2 g of water per gram of dry material. The swelling capacity and solubility index were 574.12% and 12.04%, respectively, indicating high hydration potential and a moderate release of soluble solids from the noodle matrix. Conclusion: The incorporation of Cissus quadrangularis powder enabled the development of functional noodles with satisfactory cooking, physical, and functional characteristics. The selected formulation demonstrated good water uptake, high cooking yield, low moisture content, and favourable swelling behaviour. Therefore, bone-setter plant powder has potential as a value-added functional ingredient in noodle production. Further studies should assess proximate composition, mineral and phytochemical content, sensory acceptability, microbial quality, shelf stability, and consumer acceptance before commercial application.
