Foods from Mayan Communities of Yucata´n as Nutritional Alternative for Diabetes Prevention

The increase in the prevalence of diabetes has become a severe problem around the world; mainly affect indigenous communities as the Mayan of Yucata´n in Mexico. Because of the high rates of poverty and insufficient health services in this ethnic group, inexpensiveness and accessible treatments are necessary. Some plant foods grown in traditional Mayan agricultural systems have antidiabetic potential. Our objective was to present a review of plant foods with nutritional alternative for diabetes prevention from traditional agricultural systems in Mayan communities of Yucata´n. This review reports the hypoglycemic, antihyperglycemic, and antidiabetic activities of leaves, fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, and tubercles grown in milpas and home gardens of Mayan communities and some plant foods have antidiabetic effect in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical studies. Some plant foods grown in traditional Mayan agricultural systems have antidiabetic potential. The inclusion of these plant foods in the diet can serve in the treatment of diabetes.