A Comparative Proximate Analysis of Cassava and Sweet Potato Garri: A Public Health Diagnostic for Dietary Diversification in Nigeria

Cassava garri is a popular food in Nigerian households, regarded as a source of cheap dietary energy. The nutritional content is mainly carbohydrate, with low protein, fiber, and mineral contents. This has generated health concerns about the overdependence on a single staple food source. Sweet potato, which nutritionally differs from cassava by containing appreciable amounts of fiber and provitamin A, offers a possible alternative in the production of garri as part of efforts aimed at improving the quality of the Nigerian diet. The proximate composition of cassava garri (GA) and sweet potato garri (GB) was compared in this study to evaluate their basic nutritional differences. Proximate composition was evaluated in duplicate according to AOAC guidelines (2019). The independent samples t-test was employed to compare means, with p < 0.05 significance. Both samples were carbohydrate-rich (> 85%) with low protein (~ 1.8%) and lipids (~ 0.6%). GB exhibited significantly lower moisture (6.24 ± 0.08% vs. 8.22 ± 0.18%; p < 0.05), higher crude fiber (3.03 ± 0.02% vs. 2.73 ± 0.20%; p < 0.05), carbohydrates (87.02 ± 0.01% vs. 85.31 ± 0.02%; p < 0.001), and calorific value (1506.37 ± 2.65 kJ/100g vs. 1482.10 ± 6.46 kJ/100g; p < 0.05). Ash, protein, and lipid levels showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). Sweet potato Garri has nutritional benefits in fiber and energy content, complementing macronutrient composition and encouraging diversification of diet. Its promotion together with cassava Garri provides a relevant approach to improving nutrition in Nigeria. Future studies should focus on the measurement of provitamin A carotenoids and acceptability.