芒果直播

A new project, funded by the 芒果直播 Research Program, is looking at how some traditional Australian plants may help people manage type 2 diabetes.

Dr Susan Semple, Senior Research Fellow at the University of South Australia has been working with the Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation in Cape York for a long time.

鈥淲e have been sharing traditional and Western perspectives on how native plants can contribute to health and wellbeing. The corporation were interested in understanding the health benefits of these foods from a Western science perspective. The project has been driven by the Aboriginal community,鈥� Dr Semple said.

She says while the University of South Australia has funded some previous work in this area, the 芒果直播 Research Program grant means her team can spend a year investigating the properties of a range of native plants.

Dr Semple says other research into bush foods has focused on fibre or vitamin C, but she will be looking at other components to see if there are extra health benefits.

Some of these components may have an important role in managing type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes, both of which are major issues for First Nations people, who are almost four times more likely than other Australians to develop these conditions.

Dr Semple鈥檚 team is studying a variety of native fruits, leaves, water lilies and palms. They are investigating whether some of the plant components can moderate the effects of sugar-digesting enzymes in the gut, so that people with type 2 diabetes don鈥檛 get a rapid rise in blood glucose levels after eating.

鈥淲e鈥檙e also looking at how some plants can improve the body鈥檚 response to insulin, which will help with insulin resistance and pre-diabetes,鈥� she says.

Her team are also studying proteins that change when they are exposed to high levels of sugar.

鈥淭hese modified proteins accumulate in the body and can cause all sorts of damage. They are responsible for some of the long-term effects of diabetes 鈥� some of the effects on blood vessels and eyes and even inflammation in the mouth. So, we鈥檙e looking to see whether some of the plants can reduce the effects of these inflammatory components.鈥�

Another important aspect of the project is gaining a better understanding of the best times to harvest plants. Dr Semple says the collaboration with the Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation is crucial.

鈥淲e have to have projects that are driven by the communities themselves, that address the health issues the communities want addressed.鈥�

At the end of the year-long project, Dr Semple hopes to understand the potential role some of these plants could play in combating diabetes. In the long term, she wants a better understanding of these

plants鈥� effects on the body and eventually be able to demonstrate their benefits on people with diabetes.

鈥淚 also hope there will be greater recognition of the role that culturally important plants can play in Aboriginal health,鈥� Dr Semple says.

She wants to eventually expand the work with other Aboriginal organisations and projects that foster connections to Aboriginal culture.

鈥淐reating that cultural connection can generate massive improvements to diet, wellbeing and diabetes outcomes. Connection to culture can be an important aspect of health.鈥�