ABSTRACT

Green leafy shoots are important components of the food culture of many Asian and African countries. We examined this aspect in India where a living tradition of consuming leafy green is ubiquitous. We investigated a database drawn from 105 studies to analyze the edible species diversity, spatial distribution, culinary diversity as a measure of acceptance, and complemented our interpretation with nutritional composition. We discussed it in light of the crisis of hidden hunger, agrarian change, and in formulating food policy. India demonstrated a rich heritage of eating leafy shoots that resonated in a high diversity of species (723 species) and culinary delicacies to accept them in various forms suiting its culture of taste. These plants are charged with key vitamins and minerals to mitigate micronutrient deficiency. Altogether, it emphasized their untapped potential to ensure nutritional security alleviating hidden hunger, specifically combating vitamin A deficiency. We also observed a heterogeneous distribution of edible species diversity across the regions perhaps affected by plant choice and suggested a data-driven framework to select a set of species for policy intervention. Building on our findings, we proposed their inclusion in national food policy through the encouragement of cultivation, awareness generation, and incorporation into meals.

摘要

绿叶嫩芽是许多亚洲和非洲国家饮食文化的重要组成部分。我们在印度研究了这一方面，那里普遍存在食用绿叶蔬菜的鲜活传统。我们调查了一个从 105 项研究中提取的数据库，以分析可食用物种多样性、空间分布、烹饪多样性作为接受度的衡量标准，并用营养成分补充了我们的解释。我们根据隐性饥饿危机、土地变化和制定粮食政策进行了讨论。印度展示了食用多叶嫩芽的丰富传统，这些嫩芽在高度多样性的物种（723 种）和美食佳肴中产生共鸣，以适合其口味文化的各种形式接受它们。这些植物富含关键维生素和矿物质，可缓解微量营养素缺乏症。共，它强调了它们在确保营养安全、减轻隐性饥饿、特别是对抗维生素 A 缺乏症方面尚未开发的潜力。我们还观察到可能受植物选择影响的地区可食用物种多样性的异质分布，并提出了一个数据驱动的框架来选择一组物种进行政策干预。基于我们的研究结果，我们建议通过鼓励种植、提高认识和将其纳入膳食中来将其纳入国家食品政策。我们还观察到可能受植物选择影响的地区可食用物种多样性的异质分布，并提出了一个数据驱动的框架来选择一组物种进行政策干预。基于我们的研究结果，我们建议通过鼓励种植、提高认识和将其纳入膳食中来将其纳入国家食品政策。我们还观察到可能受植物选择影响的地区可食用物种多样性的异质分布，并提出了一个数据驱动的框架来选择一组物种进行政策干预。基于我们的研究结果，我们建议通过鼓励种植、提高认识和将其纳入膳食中来将其纳入国家食品政策。