AIIMS Bhubaneswar Unveils Groundbreaking Study on Cycad Plant Toxicity

AIIMS Bhubaneswar has initiated a groundbreaking study on the toxicity of cycad plants, identifying the neurotoxin Beta-Methylamino-L-alanine in Odishas forests, raising health concerns for tribal communities.

The research programme launched by All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar aims to investigate the toxic effects of Cycad plants found in Odishas forests.
Researchers have detected the potent neurotoxin Beta-Methylamino-L-alanine in cycad species, prompting concerns over neurological diseases among tribal communities consuming cycad-based foods.
The study highlights the dangers of consuming cycad-derived foods like pitha, as tribal populations continue ancestral dietary practices despite the risks posed by the identified neurotoxin.

Why It Matters

This study is crucial as it addresses a potential public health crisis, linking traditional dietary practices to serious neurological risks. Understanding Cycad plant toxicity could lead to better health outcomes for vulnerable tribal communities in Odisha.