RELATED LITERATURE

Foreign Literature

Falafel as a vegetarian dish

   According to Ofek (2020), falafel is described as a portion of street food that can be sold to

everyone. In addition, he also stated how falafel is known for being a vegetarian or vegan dish

even though the dish was not originally vegetarian or vegan. It was sold as such to put a different

spin on the authentic falafel and to suit everyone’s taste. Thus, this proves how the falafel dish

can be marketed as a vegetarian dish using various vegetables.

Alugbati (Basella alba) Leaves

According to Picincu (2018), one serving of Alugbati (100 grams) provides over:

- 267% of the RDA of vitamin A

-170% of the RDA of vitamin C

- 35% of the RDA of folate

- 23% of the RDA of manganese.

Alugbati also boasts large amounts of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and B-complex

vitamins. The fresh leaves are high in antioxidants like zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta carotene,

among others. These compounds fight free radicals and help to slow down the aging process.
Mucilage and fiber are also found in the leaves, which aid digestion. To relieve edema, its roots

can be administered topically.

Banana Blossom (Musa acuminata Colla)

According to Binu (2020), the banana flower, also known as a banana blossom or a banana

heart, has exceptional medicinal properties. Banana flowers are rich in phosphorous, calcium,

potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron, which are vital minerals that are essential for our body

to function properly.

The blog also listed the benefits of Banana flowers, which seem to be very effective in

treating infections in natural ways. The extract in banana flowers has ethanol, which prevents the

growth of pathogenic bacteria. Cooked banana flowers can help with abdominal pain and reduce

menstrual bleeding. When consumed with yogurt, these flowers increase the progesterone

hormone in the body and reduce bleeding. Also, banana blossom extracts promote glucose

uptake, which in turn lowers blood sugar levels. Banana flowers contain synthetic resin acids,

tannins, flavonoids, and numerous alternative antioxidants. These antioxidants neutralize free

radicals, forestall oxidative damage, and reducing the chance of heart diseases and cancer. Other

advantages include improving lactation, slowing the aging process, promoting kidney function,

increasing iron levels, and treating digestive problems.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)

According to Wong (2020), bitter melon contains chemicals that may aid in the treatment

of diseases such as diabetes. Bitter melon extracts are also commonly accessible as nutritional

supplements. Bitter melon is said to act as an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory, cancer-

fighting, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-obesity, and immunomodulatory properties. It can also

fight cancer and promote weight loss.

Preliminary research on diabetes suggests that compounds found in bitter melon may have

effects similar to insulin, which is responsible for getting blood sugar into cells. To prevent an

increase in blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, bitter melon is said to help fight diabetes.

Preliminary research suggests that bitter melon has hypoglycemic effects. There is currently a

lack of clinical studies to support these results.

Local Literature

Alugbati (Basella alba) leaves

 According to Ayuningtyas (2017), the alugbati leaves are rich in nutrients. Just like the

other green vegetable, its leaves also have a high level of iron which may be consumed to

prevent iron deficiency. Also, it is a vitamin A-rich food because of its leafy green leaves that

may be served for healthy eyesight. Moreover, saponins, a phytochemical being researched for

cancer-fighting potential, are abundant in this plant. Lastly, it can be used to treat skin irritation

as a rubefacient or herbal remedy.

The review website also listed the benefits of Alugbati leaves, which is, they can control

blood pressure because of the high potassium and manganese the leaves have good for blood

pressure. It also facilitates good bowel movement, so that we can prevent having constipation.

The smoothness of the Alugbati leaves will also be able to relieve ulcers. Compared to other

vegetables that are high in antioxidants that can fight free radicals. Alugbati leaves are also rich

in iron, which can help prevent anemia. As a result, Alugbati leaves are similar to other green

leafy vegetables that can cure many diseases.

Banana Blossom (Musa acuminata Colla)

According to Nelz (2017), banana blossoms can be used as a natural alternative in

treating and preventing several types of diseases. Aside from culinary purposes, he also stated

the nutritional value of banana blossom which are the vitamins A, B, C, E, pantothenic acid,

fiber, niacin, and thiamin. Minerals such as protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus,

manganese, copper, iron, potassium, zinc, and carbohydrates are also possessed by the banana

blossom.
 In addition, the news blog claimed that it had anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral,

antimicrobial, and cancer-fighting properties, as well as antioxidants that help the body fight free

radicals that have harmful effects on the body's health.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)

According to Nelz (2016), bitter melon is commonly used in cooking as an ingredient in

some vegetable dishes. Also, ampalaya is rich with nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, folic acid,

iron, vitamins A, B, and C. This vegetable is used to treat diabetes all around the world because

it includes components like flavonoids and alkaloids. It has a strong medicinal value and can aid

in the treatment and prevention of a variety of ailments. This mixture encourages the body to

create more insulin, which helps diabetics control their blood sugar levels.

Bitter melon also has antibacterial, antipyretic, parasiticide, antioxidant, and anti-

inflammatory properties, in addition to what Nelz mentioned. It can treat headaches, rheumatism,

gout, hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, and possibly several types of cancer. It disinfects burns and

heals wounds, strengthens the immune system, fights infections, lowers blood pressure, and is

beneficial to the liver.

Alugbati (Basella alba) leaves in the Philippines

 According to Alugbati (Malabar) Production Guide (2019), alugbati or Malabar spinach

commonly grow in tropics where the temperature of the regions is commonly warmer. Thus, this

leafy vegetable is widely cultivated in the Philippines, specifically the region of Visayas. In

addition, it is also considered one of the most well-known indigenous green vegetables in the

country.

Alugbati leaves are a rich source of soluble fiber that can aid digestion and thus relieve

ulcers. It is rich in saponins, which act as phytochemicals and can prevent cancer. The red

variety of Alugbati is a substantial option. Source of xanthones, an antioxidant. Folic acid, also

called folate, is a B vitamin that is essential for women of childbearing age. It aids in the

prevention of neural tube birth deficiency like spina bifida. The composition of Alugbati is

comparable to other dark green leafy vegetables with high moisture content. The leaves contain

various oleanane-type triterpenoid Oligoglycosides, including Basella saponins, Betavulgaroside

I, Spinacoside C, and Momordin. Two antifungal peptides and two ribosome activating proteins

with antiviral activity were isolated from the seeds.

Banana Blossom (Musa acuminata Colla) in the Philippines

Based on the article named Vegan Hearts Go Bananas: Banana Blossom as a Meat-

Alternative (2019), the Philippines is known for being one of the top exporters of bananas in the

whole world. Therefore, the Philippines also has an abundance of banana blossom which is a part

of banana fruit located on the edge of its cluster.

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) in the Philippines

Bitter melon, also known as ampalaya, is a type of plant which is native to the Philippines

(Ampalaya Production Guide, 2019). Its plants bear fruits any time of the year and can be grown

in rice-based areas that are either small or large scale, as well as either in lowland or upland.