Calabar, Nigeria — A Nigerian wellness expert, Osinakachi Akuma Kalu, has warned that the popular morning habit of drinking sweetened beverages such as hot chocolate or cocoa with milk and sugar could be silently contributing to fatigue, weight gain, and metabolic disorders among Nigerians NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
Kalu, who describes himself as an Afrolongevist — a proponent of African longevity through indigenous food wisdom — made this observation in a recent Facebook post that has sparked discussion among nutrition-conscious Nigerians. He contrasted the metabolic effects of sugary drinks with those of traditional African meals like utara akpu (fermented cassava) served with vegetable soup.
According to Kalu, consuming sugar-laden drinks in the morning causes an immediate spike in blood sugar levels, prompting the body to release a surge of insulin. “Not long after, energy levels crash, leaving you tired, hungry, and mentally unfocused,” he wrote. “This fast absorption makes your body unstable for the rest of the day and triggers cravings for more food or sugar.”
He argued that this pattern of energy spikes and crashes destabilizes metabolism, leading to overeating, poor focus, and eventual fat accumulation. “A sweet drink in the morning is a silent burden to your liver even if it looks light,” Kalu said.
In contrast, he praised the traditional African breakfast of Akpu with vegetable soup for providing slow, steady energy that nourishes the body and maintains balance. “The fiber from the greens, the oil, and the protein slow down digestion, allowing sugar to enter the bloodstream gradually. This keeps hunger controlled and energy stable,” he explained.
Kalu noted that fermented cassava contains resistant starch that prevents a sudden rise in blood sugar, while the presence of palm oil, Egusi, and proteins in vegetable soups enhances metabolic efficiency. He further stated that this kind of meal “reduces the liver’s storage pressure, lowers the risk of fat buildup, and helps the system maintain stable energy and weight.”
Nutrition experts agree that the Afrolongevist’s warning reflects a growing global concern over refined sugar intake and metabolic diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly advised limiting added sugars to less than 10 percent of total daily calorie intake to prevent obesity, diabetes, and non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Adaeze Nnaji, a dietician at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, who was not responding directly to Kalu’s comments, said the advice aligns with established nutritional science. “Sugary breakfasts give temporary satisfaction but long-term instability. Meals rich in fiber, natural fats, and complex carbohydrates — such as our local foods — are far better for sustained health,” she said.
Kalu’s advocacy forms part of a wider “Afrolongevist” movement that encourages Africans to reclaim indigenous dietary wisdom in pursuit of longer, healthier lives. Through his writings and lectures, he urges Nigerians to replace imported food habits with nutrient-dense traditional meals that better suit their genetic and cultural makeup.
“Modernization shouldn’t mean abandoning what works,” he emphasized in another post. “Our grandmothers’ soups and fermented foods hold secrets to metabolic balance and endurance that imported diets cannot match.”
