A recent study by the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, IASST, shows promising
anti-obesity
effects from an extract of
Melye-amiley
, a traditional fermented bamboo shoot variety from Tripura. The study shows the potential weight management and
metabolic health
improvement brought about by the extract, thereby illuminating the medicinal value of this traditional food.
As per a PTI report, the study led by Prof. Mojibur R. Khan and supported by DST, has shown that Melye-amiley reduced intracellular lipid accumulation with increased fatty acid β-oxidation. These are due to the induction of specific lipolytic and fat-browning regulator genes, namely HSL, LPL, Agtl, UCP1, PRDM16, and PGC1-alpha, which are crucial for breaking down fat and converting white fat into brown fat.
The study, lately published in Food Frontiers, explained that the extract of the bamboo shoot stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and the expression of thermogenic proteins through the activation of the AMPK signalling pathway. This mechanism is bound to increase energy expenditure in white adipocytes through a multifaceted approach to tackling obesity.
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Fermentation techniques have been used since the early days of human civilization for preserving food, enhancing nutritional value, and enriching flavors. These techniques vary with environmental factors, available resources, and traditional knowledge across cultures. The northeast region of India is rich in diversified culinary traditions and boasts a rich repertoire of fermented foods like Melye-amiley.
The findings of this study underscore the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge and exploring the potential of traditional foods for modern health challenges. "These results not only validate the traditional use of fermented bamboo shoots but also provide scientific backing for its inclusion in dietary recommendations for weight management," said a spokesperson from IASST.
In a time when obesity has emerged as a global health crisis, this discovery opens avenues for the development of natural food-based interventions. The unique properties of Melye-amiley may open the door for its use in functional foods and nutraceuticals that would support metabolic health.
ALSO READ: Why you should include bamboo shoots in your daily diet
As research continues, scientists and policymakers are demanding more research into traditional foods, to maximize their undiscovered health potential. Melye-amiley is but an example of success in marrying age-old traditional wisdom with science, hence being at the top of health answers today.
(Images courtesy: Canva)
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