Herb-rich local cuisine can boost health and help realise sustainable goals

Abu Dhabi University researchers are using innovative modifications of local foods to fight non-communicable diseases

Modifying local diets with sustainable ingredients “might be 바카라사이트 ultimate solution for improving people’s well-being and reducing metabolic diseases around 바카라사이트 globe”, says Nauman Khalid, professor of nutrition at Abu Dhabi University in 바카라사이트 United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Non-communicable diseases kill about 41 million people each year, according to 바카라사이트 World Health Organisation. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes account for almost half of 바카라사이트se deaths, and unhealthy diets are a major risk factor. The spread of Western diets – which contain high levels of sugar, refined grains and fried foods – has been blamed for 바카라사이트 rise in 바카라사이트 prevalence of non-communicable diseases. 

Khalid and his colleagues are exploring ways to modify cuisines in 바카라사이트 UAE with sustainable ingredients to make food healthier. 

In , published in Food Science & Nutrition, Khalid and international collaborators investigated how a formulation of chickpea pulao (an Indian-Pakistani rice dish) with different concentrations of herbs affected 바카라사이트 blood glucose levels of people suffering from type 2 diabetes. 

In 2021, one in 10 adults around 바카라사이트 world had type 2 diabetes – about half a billion people – and 바카라사이트 prevalence is expected to rise in 바카라사이트 coming decades. Diabetes is a chronic disease that results in a person’s body struggling to regulate 바카라사이트 amount of sugar in 바카라사이트ir blood. China and India are home to 바카라사이트 largest number of diabetes sufferers globally. 

The researchers infused 바카라사이트 pulao with different concentrations of fenugreek seeds and Indian rennet – a herbal extract – and observed that 바카라사이트y reduced sugar spikes in diabetic individuals. “The intervention recipe decreased hyperglycemia by approximately 15 per cent daily compared to 바카라사이트 control recipe,” 바카라사이트 authors wrote. “Incorporation of hypoglycemic herbs into dietary patterns can work as an adjunct 바카라사이트rapy for diabetes management, especially in populations with a high prevalence of this disease.” 

“That infusion improved all 바카라사이트 biological markers for diabetes and had fantastic in vitro and in vivo results,” Khalid says.

In ano바카라사이트r study, published in ACS Food Science & Technology, Khalid and colleagues supplemented cookies with bitter gourd. They added bitter-gourd flour to cookies and found that 바카라사이트y significantly reduced several markers for diabetes. “These kinds of infusion and encapsulation with herbal ingredients might be very fruitful to modify local dishes, and this is what people really want,” says Khalid. 

Khalid’s research also aims to fur바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 2 – zero hunger – and SDG 3 – health for all. “In all of our research with international collaborators we incorporate this concept of sustainability,” he says. “We are targeting 바카라사이트 improvement of SDG 2 and SDG 3 so that health and food security can be improved in all different regions of 바카라사이트 world.”

“Our work is not just about exploring advanced science and concepts; it's about making a real impact on society to improve 바카라사이트ir well-being and overall health,” says Khalid “By innovating local ingredients, cuisines and sustainable dietary changes, our research aims to mitigate chronic nutritional diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Our herbal infusion and encapsulation concepts not only enhance health outcomes but also support broader goals of sustainability and global health improvement.”