The consumption of unconventional food plants for the promotion of food and nutrition security and brazilian food culture

Abstract

Brazil is the country with the greatest biodiversity on the planet. About a third of this plant biodiversity can be edible. In this scenario, it must be highlighted the Unconventional Food Plants (UFP), which show a great potential to meet the nutritional needs, in particular, of the individuals in a situation of socioeconomic vulnerability. Thus, this study aimed to demonstrate the importance of consuming UFP as an alternative diet to promote food and nutrition security, and to rescue Brazilian food culture. This is a narrative literature review conducted by bibliographic research in the Scielo, Virtual Health Library, and Google Scholar databases, using the following descriptors in Portuguese: “PANCs”, “Plantas alimentícias não convencionais”, “Plantas alimentícias”, and “Hortaliças não-convencionais” combined with “Alimentação Alternativa”, “Consumo”, “Segurança Alimentar”, and “Benefícios”. The bibliographic research resulted in the inclusion of 29 files to compose this narrative review. UFP have a great nutritional potential due to the presence of several nutrients and bioactive compounds which are important for the proper functioning of the organism. In addition, the cultivation and consumption of these plants contribute to the promotion of food and nutritional security because of their value in the preservation and rescue of food culture, and also for its relevance in the construction and maintenance of a sustainable food system. The studies found validate and highlight UFP as foods rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds that favor autonomy, and the preservation of biodiversity and food sustainability.