Experts differ on the medicinal value of ‘wonder birds’

A quail farmer in Nyeri explains feeding her birds on January 18, 2014. Some quail farmers claim that the eggs have five times the nutritional value of the chicken eggs. The eggs, they claim, can also cure diseases such as ulcers, anaemia, TB, asthma, diabetes and erectile dysfunction. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Some quail farmers claim that the eggs have five times the nutritional value of the chicken eggs. The eggs, they claim, can also cure diseases such as ulcers, anaemia, TB, asthma, diabetes, cancer, liver and kidney stones, stroke and erectile dysfunction
• Hudson Nyambaka, a professor of analytical/nutritional chemistry at Kenyatta University, says the claims on the medical benefits of quails are not backed by local studies

By KENFREY KIBERENGE
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If wonder healing claims were true, then all medics would be jobless in the coming few months and Kenya one of the healthiest and wealthiest countries in the world. All this thanks to quails, smaller than chicken, bigger than doves.

Until recently, they were ordinary wild birds. They have since been domesticated for business and are being touted not only as money-spinners but also as having medicinal value.

Some quail farmers claim that the eggs have five times the nutritional value of the chicken eggs. The eggs, they claim, can also cure diseases such as ulcers, anaemia, TB, asthma, diabetes, cancer, liver and kidney stones, stroke and erectile dysfunction.

What is more, eating the eggs enhances memory, boosts the immune system, improves the skin texture and increases life span. Besides, some say, the eggs are cholesterol-free. 

Many on social media have replaced their names with “quail farmer” and tens of pages on quail farming have opened on Facebook. But that is not all.

On Thursday, officials of the Quail Farmers Association of Kenya (QFAK) received their registration certificate from the government, joining the league of tea and coffee farmers.

But the million-dollar question is: do quails — or aluru as they are known in parts of western Kenya — have all the health benefits that are being touted? In Kenya, no scientific research has been carried out.

UNSCIENTIFIC
Hudson Nyambaka, a professor of analytical/nutritional chemistry at Kenyatta University, says the claims on the medical benefits of quails are not backed by local studies.

“These claims are part of a marketing campaign,” said Prof Nyambaka. “To protect the public from fraudsters, the government ought to get involved and ensure that the medical claims allegations are proven scientifically. Since we already know which active compounds deal with such illnesses, that should be easy.”

A May 2013 study published in the International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications by scientists who analysed quail eggs, however, seems to vindicate quail traders.

“Health benefits include anti-cancer effects, with compounds that inhibit cancerous growth, boost the immune system by stunning aging in organs, and prevent anaemia by promoting haemoglobin, and which are a remedy to gastritis,” the study by Chulalongkorn University, Thailand indicated.

Reacting to the claims, Ms Mugambi said: “The same nutrients the researcher mentions are found in higher amounts in chicken eggs because the bigger size.”