16-Year-Old Scientist Finds Potential Diabetes Cure in Aratiles

A 16-year-old scientist discovered that the aratiles plant can possibly be a cure for the type-2 diabetes.

The aratiles or Jamaican cherry has antioxidants to cure type 2 diabetes.

(Photo: iStockPhoto)

A 16-year-old from Iloilo City, Philippines, discovered that the aratiles fruit could possibly cure diabetes, according to a media report.

The aratiles fruit is a cherry-like red fruit found in countries like Mexico, Bolivia and Philippines. The fruit is locally known as sarisa. Apart from the fruit, it’s branches, leaves, stems and flowers may also be useful in curing diabetes.

The scientist, Maria Isabel Layson, a student from Iliolo National High School, recently competed at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in Arizona, USA. She was among the 1,800 student scientists from over 80 countries who participated at considerably the world’s largest pre-university science fair. She listed her research on the anti diabetic properties of aratiles as an entry to the competition.

Layson found that the aratiles fruit contained bio active compounds like anthocyanin, flavonoid and polyphenol. According to her research, the fruit is rich in antioxidants and has anti diabetic properties.

Aratiles could cure type-2 diabetes mellitus through the prevention of postprandial hyperglycemia.

Layson had been inclined towards this research area because she had lost most of her family members to diabetes.

Layson also won Best Individual Research in Life Science at the 2019 National Science and Technology Fair hosted by DepEd.

Diabetes in India

The number of persons with diabetes in India has increased from 26 million in 1990 to 65 million in 2016, reveals a new study published in The Lancet. That’s right. There has been a 150 percent increase. India is facing a serious diabetes crisis.

The death rate due to the disease increased by 131 percent.

Research also reveals that diabetes is spreading much more rapidly in less developed states. Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand are among the states in which cases of diabetes have increased the most from 1990 to 2016. The finding is interesting since diabetes has always been linked to lifestyle and quality of food we eat.