Imagine everyday fruits and vegetables offering not just vitamins, but also potential health-promoting properties beyond basic nutrition. Researchers are delving into the world of “food-medicine,” exploring how traditionally consumed plants can benefit our well-being. This study sheds light on the rich tapestry of local knowledge and the potential health benefits hidden within common foods.
Food as Medicine: A Tradition Revisited
For millennia, humans have relied on plants not just for sustenance but also for their potential health benefits. This study focuses on plants with edible fleshy fruits (PEFF), exploring their role in promoting human health.
Two Approaches, One Goal: Unveiling Food-Medicine Practices
The researchers employed a two-pronged approach to understand how PEFF are used for food-medicine purposes:
- Bibliographical Review: A comprehensive review of existing scientific literature on the potential health benefits of various PEFF species.
- Ethnobotanical Case Study: A field study in a rural community in Patagonia, Argentina, to document how people there use PEFF for food and medicine.
Fruits for Food and Function
The combined study yielded fascinating results:
- Diversity on the Plate: The review identified over 70 PEFF species traditionally consumed, with a majority being native to the studied regions.
- Fruits as Functional Foods: Over 40% of the PEFF species were used not just for basic nutrition but also for specific health purposes, highlighting their potential as “functional foods.”
- Native Knowledge, Native Benefits: The review identified several native species like Aristotelia chilensis and Berberis microphylla with high consensus for their functional properties.
A Local Look at Food and Medicine
The case study in Patagonia offered a closer look at the community’s relationship with PEFF:
- Fruits on the Menu: Similar to the review findings, the community consumed a variety of PEFF, primarily as fresh fruits.
- Functional Foods, Local Style: Around 30% of the PEFF species were recognized for their potential health benefits, mainly for gastrointestinal and respiratory issues.
- Embracing Diversity: Interestingly, both native and exotic PEFF species were used, with species like elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and rosehip (Rosa rubiginosa) showing high consensus for their functional value.
- Beyond Fresh Fruit: Traditionally prepared herbal infusions using PEFF were also a significant aspect of the community’s functional food repertoire.
A Look to the Future: Preserving Tradition and Exploring Potential
This study highlights the importance of exploring traditional food-medicine practices:
- Biocultural Diversity: Understanding how communities utilize PEFF sheds light on the intricate link between culture and the natural world.
- Preserving Traditions: Documentation of traditional knowledge helps preserve this valuable heritage for future generations.
- Future Research Avenues: Investigating the preparation methods for local beverages and herbal medicines holds promise for uncovering new health benefits.
- Embracing Change: The study highlights the incorporation of exotic species alongside native ones, demonstrating the dynamic nature of traditional knowledge.
This research on PEFF underscores the potential of everyday food to promote well-being. By combining scientific analysis with traditional knowledge, we can unlock a treasure trove of potential health benefits while safeguarding the rich tapestry of food-medicine practices around the world.