Abstract

This work was aimed at assessing consumption habit of natural fruit juice in Buea ease study Kuchima restaurant Molyko Buea. Many people prefer drinking the refined and processed juices because of their Sweet taste and many other reasons due to the fact that they do not know the importance and health benefits of consuming natural fruit juice, some recipes and method of preparation and as a result they lose the chances of the health benefits of these fruit juice. So the main objectives were to assess the consumption habit of customers at Kuchima restaurant, why people of Buea preferred consuming more of refined and processed fruit juice and also to make recommendations based on the findings. After the objectives of the study, there are research questions which are: what is the consumption habit of natural fruit juice in Buea? What are the importance of consuming natural fruit juice? And how can natural fruit juice be prepared?

The research method used, was the primary source of data collection that is questionnaires, interviews and observations.

Analysis of data collected was done by the use of tables and charts because they helped in better presentation of findings.

Recommendations were made to help contribute to the reasons why people should consume natural fruit juice, training nutritionists to educate people, to organize seminars to talk to people on the importance of fruit juice to the body.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the study

According to the Medici citrus collection by Bartoloe (2013) in botany, Fruits are the seed bearing structure in angiosperms formed from the ovary after flowering.

Fruits are the means by which these plants disseminate seeds. Many of them that bear edible fruits, in particular are propagated with the movement of humans and animals in a symbiotic relationship as a means for seeds dispersal and nutrition respectively. In fact, humans and many animals have become dependent on fruits as a source of food.

Moreover, fruits can be processed in the form of a juice. This could be natural or refined fruit juice.

Food Safety and Inspection (FSIS) (2017), defines natural juice as a product without artificial ingredients or added colours.

Furthermore, natural food means the food process does not fundamentally alter the product. In the case of all natural juices, the juice flavour comes from the fruits themselves and not artificial additives.

In addition to this, fruits are always abundant or plenty and cheap only when they are in season and very expensive and scarce when they are out of season. Thus, whatever we put into our mouth in the name of fruits, whether in season or out of season let it be that we consume more nutritious ones. Nutritious fruits are natural, fresh, pure and whole. The closer the fruit is to its natural state, the higher its nutritional value. This nutritional quality of the fruit gives life to our body (FSIS 2017).

Moreover, fresh fruits juices are good provisions of finest and best source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants that our bodies so crave. Today, many people in the Buea municipality consume more of refined and processed fruits juices due to their availability everywhere, their convenient packaging and their long lasting shelf life. The natural fruit juices are scarce and difficult to find due to the unavailability of fruits when they are out of season, ignorance on its preparation method and even lack of finance to afford equipment used in making the juice.

Furthermore, natural fruits juices are very delicate to handle as far as hygiene and sanitation is concerned. So when preparing natural fruits juices, strict hygiene and sanitation must be considered.

1.2 Problem Statement.

Due to the scarcity of fruits, household do not consume the adequate amount needed to maintain a healthy life. The scarcity has led to corresponding increase in the price of natural fruit juice. As such, many people in Buea municipality consume more of processed and refined fruits juice because of its availability. Hence, there is a dire need to assess the consumption habit of natural fruit juice in Buea, evaluate its benefits and identify methods of natural juice preparation.

 1.3 Objectives of the study

The main objectives of this research were:

1. To assess the consumption habit of natural fruit juices in Buea.
2. To evaluate the health benefits of natural fruits juice amongst the local population.
3. To identify the various methods of natural fruits juice preparation.

 1.4 Research Questions

1. To what extent do the people of Buea consume natural fruits?
2. What are the health benefits of consuming natural fruit juice?
3. What are the various ways of producing natural fruit juice?

1.5 Research hypothesis

The hypothesis used in this research is the null hypothesis (NH) and the affirmative hypothesis.

Ho: The extraction of fruit juice using different extraction method has a major effect on the nutrient content.  The extraction of fruit juice using different extraction method has little or no effect on the nutritional content.

1.6 Scope of study

This study was limited to assessing the health benefits of natural fruits juice consumption in Buea. The researcher limited herself to one case study which is Buea municipality, the regional headquarter of South West Region, and a citadel of educations and innovation.