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At Hearts for Africa, we are implementing a research based on the effectiveness of fermentation on soybean supplements for management of nutrient deficiencies.
About
Why is our innovation unique? Hearts for Africa has been developing a fermentation process for soybean food manufacturing as a strategy in managing nutrient deficiencies. The process has been applied in producing the soy beverage used as supplements in rehabilitating undernourished children. Two nutrients, zinc and iron in the supplements were labelled with bio- markers which enabled real -time assessment of digestion and absorption from intake of the supplements to absorption and excretion. The children recovered from their malnutrition and gained in weight (growth), wellness, and gut health as their blood zinc and iron increased to healthier levels. The report is contained in: Ibekwe, V. E. Effect of fermentation of a Soybean supplement on zinc and iron bioavailability and status during rehabilitation in malnourished Nigerian children. PhD Thesis (Ibekwe V.E PhD 2004, UK. http://uk.bl.ethos.753190). How will Innocent Drinks benefit from our solution? Hearts for Africa vision is shared by Innocent R&D in its interest to deliver products that supports the future of childhood nutrition in a natural way. In partnership with Innocent R&D, we hope to contribute to Innocent Drinks by adding to products nutritional quality, gut health and general global wellbeing of users. What is the market problem and how can our solution solve it? “The future of health is micro-organisms”. Microbes benefits to man through eating fermented foods can be recognised in the famous words of Hippocrates 460 BC – 370BC, “Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.” Known as the “father of medicine”, Hippocrates considered nutrition as one of the main tools that a doctor can use. But doctors are not using this enough. Innocent Smoothies has the potential to provide such nutritional care. Hearts for Africa’s products are wholesome. They are made from ethically sourced raw ingredients including fermented dent corn and non-genetically modified soybean and the process method of fermentation is ecologically sustainable for all.
Key Benefits
Our work promotes sustainability and wellbeing through plant-based nutrition. Childhood malnutrition is a disaster that is preventable, and our work is contributing to the solution by creating local availability and affordability of nutritious foods. Hearts for Africa is keen to implement soy-foods in enriching nutrient-poor meals specially to benefit people in low- and middle-income countries where malnutrition is driven by the lack of nutritious and affordable foods. To enhance nutrient digestion and absorption in plant-based diets where nutrients are bound in natural plant compounds that human digestive system is not designed to manage. Dr Ibekwe is founder, CEO of Hearts for Africa. Her doctorate in Preventive Medicine is with specialty in Child Health from the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom. Vivian is dedicated to improving nutrition in women of childbearing age, children and teenagers at periods of increased growth and protein demand. By integrating nutrition interventions with those for health in pregnant women, child development and young children, Dr Ibekwe foresees achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals of good health and well-being. Her current project engagement aims to formulate Lactobacilli Culture as a sustainable strategy for nutrients bioavailability and gut health for all age groups. This project involves collaborating with experts including, Dr Godfrey Kyazze- Associate Professor in Bioprocess Technology University of Westminster. Module leader for Fermentation Technology, Applied Biotechnology, Exploring microbial world and Industrial Biotechnology modules.
Applications
The company is dedicated to improving nutrition in women of childbearing age, children and teenagers at periods of increased growth and high nutrients demand. Hearts for Africa is keen to implement soy-foods in enriching nutrient-poor meals specially to benefit people in low- and middle-income countries where malnutrition is driven by the lack of nutritious and affordable foods. To enhance nutrient digestion and absorption in plant-based diets where nutrients are bound in natural plant compounds that human digestive system is not designed to manage.