Traditional rural nutritional systems can limit contemporary diseases and environmental degradation

As Safir newspaper published a report last week on global traditional nutritional patterns versus industrial patterns which follow market rules and the interest of industrialists and traders.  The latter patterns have resulted in major shifts away from natural nutritional patterns which are in harmony with the land, climate and environment according to the author of the report.  The report notes that climate change and nutritionally related diseases have prompted experts in environment, climate and health to research traditional modes of livelihoods and nutrition.  The author adds that new nutrition studies and researches confirm that traditional non processed food consumed by rural communities are rich on nutritional ingredients which cannot be found in industrially processed food which are mostly consumed in middle to high income countries.

The report points out to the traditional nutritional pattern in Lebanon and the Mediterranean area which is based essentially on grains notably whole-wheat used for producing bread in addition to olives, olive oil, natural and dried fruits as well meat which is consumed occasionally and in relatively small quantities.  The author adds that these are all arable agricultural products which do not need much water for irrigation and have been selected after years of trial and experimentation as they are in harmony with the climate, soil and overall environment.  As such, the whole system is harmonious with the environment.  However, traditional living patterns have been distorted with the introduction of processed food and hydrogenated oils as well as carbohydrates which have had a negative impact on health and facilitated the spread of diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol and arteriosclerosis.
 The report further highlights the increased awareness amongst communities in developing countries on the merits of traditional grains which used to be planted by original communities and which are loosing ground in favor of industrial and commercial agriculture.  This poses a serious problematic namely: why are communities worldwide encouraged to follow the western nutritional pattern which has devastating effects when many nutritional experts advise that it is better to follow traditional nutritional patterns?

The report conclude by advising that going back to traditional nutrition has the merit of improving health and protecting the environment although there is a problem of non availability of markets for such products. According to the same article, Lebanon has regretfully also abandoned its traditional nutritional pattern and favored industrial and commercial food which provide poor nutrition but favor profits from drug and fertilizer companies which have polluted the soil and brought in vulnerability to diseases.
Source: Al-Safir 17 March 2014