Prácticas alimentarias de los pueblos originarios en Latinoamérica: Una revisión sistemática

Abstract

Introduction: The indigenous peoples of Latin America are characterized as being healthy and basing their diet on distinct natural foods, which are transmitted from generation to generation. Conserving and preserving nutritional customs and traditions is of great importance for the indigenous population. The objective of the present research is to describe the alimentary practices and customs of the native peoples in Latin America through a process of a systematic literature review of the last five years. Methods: The study was developed with a qualitative focus based on the interpretation of complete scientific articles and publications of the last five-year period, corresponding to the period 2019 to 2023. The information was obtained from different databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, MedLine, SciELO, and the Repository of the Catholic University of Cuenca. Results: The indigenous communities of Latin America are connected by nutritional sovereignty. The common foods among the local cultures are based on corn, potatoes, quinoa, wheat, and barley, among others, which represent the alimentary base of a large part of the communities in the Latin American context. Religious celebrations and practices are also associated with certain foods, especially the consumption of meats, which are reserved for these specific occasions. Conclusions: The alimentary customs of the Aboriginal peoples in Latin America are diverse and are narrowly tied to their culture, tradition, history, and natural environment. It is important to value and promote these alimentary habits as part of a healthy and sustainable diet and to make an effort to preserve cultural diversity and environmental sustainability. Keywords: diet, native peoples, Latin America.