Ethnobiological survey to determine the link between health benefits and qualities of Maasai traditional food system in Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania

Although Maasai’s traditional food system (TFS) is claimed to keep a low prevalence of metabolic diseases (MD), the link between its qualities and health benefits is not well established. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to determine the link between health benefits and qualities of the Maasai TFS in Monduli, Arusha, Tanzania. The survey involved 21 Maasai TFS practitioners (MTPs) and revealed that the TFS has varieties of 19 dishes and a diversity of 78 flora species. The diversity of dishes and species had various potential health benefits: nutrition like Fe and vitamin A; therapeutic and protective effects against ailments including MD like gout, pressure, indigestion, and kidney disorders. Some food processing technologies (FPT) like nixtamalization, and meat roasting had potential protective effects against the MD. Cultural preferences and restrictions (CPR) for the food selection insured individual nutritional and health needs are met, and reinforcement of Maasai socio-structure and cohesion. Integrated protection and promotion measures are required to prevent unplanned nutritional transitions away from the TFS. Further research on the nutritional and medicinal roles of some FPT and the frequently used species could facilitate the protection and use of the TFS for the health benefits of especially marginalized people. Traditional food system (TFS) keeps a low prevalence of ailments including metabolic diseases (MD) in indigenous communities that uphold the cultural practices of their TFS.A variety of 19 Maasai foods (dishes) and a diversity of 78 flora species distributed in 63 genera and 39 families were parts of the Maasai TFS.Animal-based products, cereals, pulses, fruits, roots, and vegetables were the most frequently used food items in the Maasai TFS.Maasai food processing technologies FPT, a diversity of dishes and flora species, and cultural preferences and restrictions (CPR) developed for food selection constitute the qualities of the Maasai TFS.FPT, a diversity of dishes and flora species, and CPR are linked to health and cultural benefits. Traditional food system (TFS) keeps a low prevalence of ailments including metabolic diseases (MD) in indigenous communities that uphold the cultural practices of their TFS. A variety of 19 Maasai foods (dishes) and a diversity of 78 flora species distributed in 63 genera and 39 families were parts of the Maasai TFS. Animal-based products, cereals, pulses, fruits, roots, and vegetables were the most frequently used food items in the Maasai TFS. Maasai food processing technologies FPT, a diversity of dishes and flora species, and cultural preferences and restrictions (CPR) developed for food selection constitute the qualities of the Maasai TFS. FPT, a diversity of dishes and flora species, and CPR are linked to health and cultural benefits.

尽管马赛族传统食物系统（Traditional Food System, TFS）被认为可维持较低的代谢性疾病（Metabolic Diseases, MD）患病率，但其特质与健康益处之间的关联尚未得到充分阐明。本研究于坦桑尼亚阿鲁沙地区蒙杜利开展民族植物学调查，旨在探究马赛族传统食物系统的特质与其健康益处间的关联。本次调查共纳入21名马赛传统食物系统从业者（Maasai TFS Practitioners, MTPs），结果显示该传统食物系统包含19种膳食品类与78种植物物种，这些植物物种分属63个属、39个科。膳食与植物类群的多样性具备多方面潜在健康益处：包括铁（Fe）与维生素A在内的营养供给；针对痛风、高血压、消化不良及肾脏疾病等代谢性疾病及其他病症的治疗与防护作用。部分食物加工技术（Food Processing Technologies, FPT），如nixtamalization与肉类烘烤工艺，亦具备抵御代谢性疾病的潜在防护效果。针对食物选择的文化偏好与限制（Cultural Preferences and Restrictions, CPR）可保障个体营养与健康需求得到满足，同时强化马赛族的社会结构与群体凝聚力。亟需制定整合性的保护与推广措施，以避免马赛族偏离传统食物系统出现非计划性的营养转型。针对部分食物加工技术及常用植物类群的营养与药用价值开展进一步研究，将有助于保护并利用该传统食物系统，为尤其是边缘群体的健康福祉提供支持。
维持传统食物系统文化实践的原住民群体中，代谢性疾病等各类病症的患病率较低。马赛族传统食物系统包含19种膳食品类与78种植物物种，这些植物物种分属63个属、39个科。动物性产品、谷物、豆类、水果、根茎类与蔬菜为马赛族传统食物系统中最常使用的食物品类。马赛族的食物加工技术（FPT）、膳食与植物类群的多样性，以及为食物选择制定的文化偏好与限制（CPR），共同构成了马赛族传统食物系统的核心特质。食物加工技术、膳食与植物类群的多样性以及文化偏好与限制，均与健康及文化益处息息相关。维持传统食物系统文化实践的原住民群体中，代谢性疾病等各类病症的患病率较低。马赛族传统食物系统包含19种膳食品类与78种植物物种，这些植物物种分属63个属、39个科。动物性产品、谷物、豆类、水果、根茎类与蔬菜为马赛族传统食物系统中最常使用的食物品类。马赛族的食物加工技术（FPT）、膳食与植物类群的多样性，以及为食物选择制定的文化偏好与限制（CPR），共同构成了马赛族传统食物系统的核心特质。食物加工技术、膳食与植物类群的多样性以及文化偏好与限制，均与健康及文化益处息息相关。