Exploring indigenous fruits and vegetables with potential cardiometabolic health benefits: Understanding barriers and facilitators to consumption

Abstract

Abstract Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables (IFV) may offer sustainable remedy for the surging cardiometabolic dysfunction in sub–Saharan Africa. In Uganda consumption of IFV is pervasively low, despite a rich diversity. Our study aimed to catalogue IFV reputed for cardiometabolic benefits as well as understand the determinants of consumption. We collected data around the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) through Focus Group Discussions (FGD), Key Informant Interviews (KII) and market surveys. Participants for the FGD were recruited from the general population while for KII, farmers, ethnobotanists, nutritionists, herbalists, and health workers were interviewed. We conducted surveys in supermarkets and open-air markets together with explorative interviews with market vendors. Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. We performed phenolic characterisation of the identified IFV using Phenol-Explorer and PhytoHub databases. Eleven FGD (84 participants), 19 KII, and 12 food market surveys were conducted. Participants ages ranged from 19 to 80 years. Three out of the 11 FGD were conducted among younger adults (19–34 years). Tamarindus indica, Cleome gynandra, Solanum anguivi, and Hibiscus sabdariffa were most cited as potent against cardiometabolic dysfunctions. T. indica had the highest levels of total polyphenols. Consumption was influenced by the sensory appeal, awareness of health benefits, seasonality and social misconceptions whereby IFV are considered food for the poor or linked to food insecurity. Other barriers to IFV consumption were observed to be low food preparation skills, food safety concerns, and the diversity of fast foods. Young adults had low knowledge of IFV and were less willing to consume IFV. Food market survey revealed a scarcity of fresh and processed IFV. Our study revealed that several IFV may have beneficial cardiometabolic benefits, but consumption is impeded by several food environment constraints.