Volume 191, 15 September 2016, Pages 180–187
Commentary
- a ENEA BIOAG-PROBIO, Rome, Italy
- b Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Italy
- c Institute Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Monterotondo, RM, Italy
- d Global Diversity Foundation, UK
- e Szent István University Budapest, Hungary
- f University of Cagliari, Italy
- g University of Pisa, Italy
- h ISARA-Lyon, France
- i IEZ Ltd., Beek, The Netherlands
- j SDLO, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- k IMDEA-Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Received 15 March 2016, Revised 30 May 2016, Accepted 30 May 2016, Available online 15 June 2016
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Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Wild
foods constitute an essential component of people's diets around the
world, but despite their widespread use and their cultural importance,
wild edible plants (WEPs) lack recognition as significant contributors
to the human diet in developed countries.
Materials and methods
We
stimulate national and international bodies dealing with food and
agriculture, to increase their attention and investments on WEPs,
leveraging the results of scientific investigation, enhancing the link
between in situ conservation strategies and sustainable use of plant
genetic diversity.
Results and conclusions
WEPs
should be reconsidered throughout their value chain, capturing their
important socio-cultural, health, and economic benefits to indigenous
and local communities and family farmers who are engaged in their
production and wild-harvesting.
Graphical abstract
Abbreviations
- CVD, cardiovascular disease;
- CWRs, crop wild relatives;
- EU, European Union;
- FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization;
- WEPs, wild edible plants
Keywords
- Wild edible plants;
- Sustainable agriculture;
- Mediterranean diet;
- Biodiversity;
- Traditional food;
- Ethnobotany;
- Ethnomedicine
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