Turkey Berry (Kwahu Nsusua): Nutrition, Traditional Uses and What Science Says
By Dr. Francis Kutin, ND, MPH | Naturopathic Physician and Medical Science Communicator | BF Naturopathic Health Care and Research, Agona Duakwa, Central Region, Ghana
Turkey berry, known in Akan as Kwahu Nsusua (the spelling varies), is a familiar part of Ghanaian kitchens. The small green berries are cooked in soups and stews and are the key ingredient in the soup called abeduru, which is traditionally given to nursing mothers in southern Ghana. But what does science actually say about its health benefits? This article looks at the nutrition, the traditional uses, the evidence and the safety points.
Key Takeaways
- Turkey berry is a nutritious traditional vegetable that supplies fibre, minerals and plant compounds.
- Most claims about its medicinal effects come from laboratory and animal studies. Good human trials are still missing.
- It should not be used to treat anaemia, diabetes, cancer or kidney disease in place of medical care.
- Like other nightshades, it contains glycoalkaloids, so eat normal food portions and avoid concentrated extracts.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people on medicines, should check with a health worker first.
What Is Turkey Berry?
Turkey berry (Solanum torvum) is a spiny shrub that bears clusters of small, round, pea-sized berries, green when young and yellowish when ripe. It belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), the same family as the garden egg (eggplant), tomato and potato. It is thought to have originated in Central America and the Caribbean, but it spreads easily like a weed and is now found across Asia, the Pacific, the Americas and Africa.
It is known by many names around the world, including pea eggplant, devil’s fig and susumber. In Ghana it is eaten as a vegetable, and parts of the plant are also used in traditional herbal remedies.
Nutrition: What Is in Turkey Berry?
Turkey berry is a source of fibre, iron, calcium and other minerals, and it contains plant compounds such as phenols and flavonoids. A commonly quoted nutrition table gives the following values for 100 g of fresh fruit:
| Nutrient (per 100 g) | Approximate amount |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrate | 7.0 g |
| Protein | 2.3 g |
| Dietary fibre | 3.9 g |
| Iron | 7.6 mg |
| Calcium | 22 mg |
| Vitamin A | 70 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 2.7 mg |
Please note: The nutrient content of turkey berry varies a lot. Studies report very different values for iron and vitamin C depending on the variety, ripeness, soil, drying and cooking. Boiling and drying change the nutrient levels, and vitamin C in particular is lost with heat. Treat the numbers above as a rough guide, not a precise label.
What Does the Research Say?
Laboratory and animal studies suggest that extracts of turkey berry have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, and some have shown effects on blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipids in animals. These are interesting early findings, but there is a big gap between a result in a test tube or a rat and a proven benefit in people. Reviews of the research consistently conclude that well-designed human trials are limited, and more research is needed before any health claim can be made.
Anaemia and blood health
Turkey berry has long been eaten to “build the blood”, and it does contain iron. But a food containing iron is not the same as a treatment for anaemia:
- Plant (non-haem) iron is absorbed less efficiently than iron from meat and fish.
- Anaemia has many causes in Ghana, including malaria, intestinal worms, poor nutrition, heavy periods and pregnancy, and each needs proper testing and treatment.
- Eating a vitamin C-rich food such as orange, pawpaw or tomato with iron-rich foods helps iron absorption, while tea, coffee and calcium-rich foods such as milk can reduce it.
If you feel weak, dizzy, short of breath or look pale, get your blood checked at a health facility.
Turkey berry with milk
Some websites claim that mixing turkey berry with milk quickly builds blood and cures anaemia. We could not find any scientific study to support this. A news-site article is not scientific research, and calcium in milk can actually reduce how much iron the body absorbs from a meal. For anaemia, rely on medical advice, an iron-rich balanced diet and treatment of the underlying cause.
Other traditional claims
Turkey berry is traditionally used for colds, coughs, indigestion, diarrhoea, high blood pressure, diabetes and many other complaints. Some of these uses have laboratory support, but none has been proven in human trials. It has not been shown to cure or prevent cancer, kidney disease, heart disease or stroke, and it should never replace prescribed medicines.
Safety, Precautions and Side Effects
- Glycoalkaloids: Like other nightshades, turkey berry contains natural compounds called glycoalkaloids. In large amounts they can cause nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea and confusion. The levels are thought to fall as the fruit ripens.
- Stick to food amounts: Eating turkey berry as part of normal meals is traditional. Avoid concentrated extracts, powders and large doses, whose safety is not established.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is no robust scientific evidence on safety for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Although abeduru is traditionally given to nursing mothers, talk to a midwife or doctor first, especially before taking it in large amounts.
- Medicines: Very little is known about interactions. Because it may affect blood sugar and blood pressure in animal studies, ask a health worker if you take diabetes or blood pressure medicine.
- Children, the elderly and people with kidney disease: Safety data are limited, so be cautious and seek advice.
- Stop and get help if you develop vomiting, severe stomach pain, confusion or an allergic reaction after eating it.
Simple Ways to Enjoy Turkey Berry
- Cook it in soups and stews, as in abeduru, with fish, beans or lean meat.
- Combine it with vitamin C foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruit to help iron absorption.
- Wash well and cook thoroughly, and enjoy it as one vegetable among many, not as a medicine.
Looking for other plant-based options? Read how we weigh the evidence in Nature’s Immune Allies: What the Evidence Says About Five Popular Herbs, and see To Live Longer: Avoid These 5 Habits and Foods for everyday habits that protect your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is turkey berry good for anaemia?
It contains iron and can be part of a healthy diet, but it is not a proven treatment for anaemia. Get tested to find the cause.
Can turkey berry cure diabetes or high blood pressure?
No. Some animal and laboratory studies are interesting, but there is no proof that it treats these conditions in people. Keep taking your prescribed medicines.
Is it safe to eat every day?
Eating it as a normal part of meals is traditional for many people. Large amounts or concentrated extracts may cause side effects, so moderation is wise.
Can pregnant women eat it?
Safety evidence is limited. Ask your midwife or doctor.
Conclusion
Turkey berry is a nutritious local vegetable with a long history in Ghanaian food and traditional medicine, and it is worth keeping on the menu. But it is not a miracle cure. Its medicinal claims still need to be tested in good human studies. Enjoy it as part of a balanced diet, respect its safety limits, and see a qualified health worker for any illness.
The phrase “Let food be thy medicine” is often credited to Hippocrates, though historians doubt that he said it. Whoever said it, the message is useful: good food supports health, but it does not replace medical care when we are ill.
References and Further Reading
- Abraham JD, Sekyere EK, Gyamerah I. Effect of Boiling on the Nutrient Composition of Solanum torvum. 2022.
- Putri NNP, Anggriani R, Sukardi. Bioactive Compound in Solanum torvum and Its Potential as Functional Food and Drink: A Review. Biology, Medicine & Natural Product Chemistry, 2023;12(1):205–213.
- Lavanya E, Sakthi Priyadarsini S, Kamaraj R. Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Potential of Solanum torvum Swartz: An Integrated Review. The Bioscan, 2025;20(3).
- Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Studies on Solanum torvum Swartz. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2013;3(4):152–160.
- Healthline. Turkey Berry: Uses, Benefits, and Safety.
About the Author
Dr. Francis Kutin, ND, MPH, is a naturopathic physician, public health researcher and medical science communicator based at Agona Duakwa in the Central Region of Ghana. He writes about health education, naturopathic health care and evidence-informed wellness through BF Naturopathic Health Care and Research. Contact us.
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