Exploring the use of Moringa oleifera as a vegetable in Agua Caliente Nueva, Jalisco, Mexico: A qualitative study

People in Mexico speak of the medicinal properties of Moringa oleifera (“moringa”), but they know less about its nutritive properties. A qualitative, participatory approach was utilized to explore the use of moringa as a vegetable in Agua Caliente Nueva, Jalisco, by enrolling 14 female participants...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food frontiers 2021-09, Vol.2 (3), p.294-304
Main Authors: Chiu, Belinda C., Olson, Mark E., Fahey, Jed W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biocultural diversity
Cooking
diabetes
Diet
Dietary supplements
Food
Households
Interviews
Malnutrition
Meals
Moringa oleifera
Mothers
nutrition
obesity
Qualitative research
Research methodology
Researchers
Rural communities
Tropical environment
Tropical environments
Vegetables
Vitamins
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Summary:People in Mexico speak of the medicinal properties of Moringa oleifera (“moringa”), but they know less about its nutritive properties. A qualitative, participatory approach was utilized to explore the use of moringa as a vegetable in Agua Caliente Nueva, Jalisco, by enrolling 14 female participants (mothers over 18) who were nutritional gatekeepers of the family and were responsible for preparing family meals using moringa leaves. Participants prepared meals with moringa and participated in semi‐structured interviews to record their perceptions of foods, shopping habits, and knowledge and experience using moringa. The study objectives were to assess the regional acceptability and feasibility of introducing a readily available and nutritious plant into diets, and to examine whether moringa could potentially serve as part of a solution to the double burden of malnutrition in Mexico. Findings suggest that given its ability to thrive in this dry tropical region, moringa has the potential to be recognized as a viable component in the traditional diet in this small “ejido” communal farming community. People in Mexico speak of the medicinal properties of Moringa oleifera (“moringa”), but they know less about its nutritive properties. A qualitative, participatory approach explored its use as a vegetable in Agua Caliente Nueva, Jalisco, assessing regional acceptability and feasibility of introducing this readily available and nutritious plant into diets, and examining whether moringa could potentially serve as part of a solution to the double burden of malnutrition in Mexico.
ISSN:2643-8429
2643-8429
DOI:10.1002/fft2.103