The Department of Nutrition Science at SPs IPB University Holds Public Lecture, Invites Professor from Malaysia

The Nutrition Science Program (Prodi GIZ) at the Graduate School (SPs) of IPB University conducted a public lecture with the theme ‘Functional Food: Health Benefit and Well Being of ASEAN’ The lecture took place in the Seminar Room of the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Human Ecology (Fema), IPB Dramaga Campus (30/11).

The event featured Prof Amin Ismail from the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) as the speaker. The activity was successfully attended by 33 Prodi GIZ students and moderated by Dr agr Eny Palupi, the secretary of Prodi GIZ.

The Chairman of Prodi GIZ at SPs IPB University, Prof Rimbawan, expressed in his opening remarks, “Thank you for the presence of Prof Amin Ismail in this times Prodi GIZ public lecture. We hope that this activity can provide knowledge and experience for the students as well as expand international cooperation,”

In the lecture, Prof Amin Ismail explained about the world of functional food. He discussed that functional food is consumed as part of the normal dietary pattern of society. Functional food has beneficial effects in improving health conditions, reducing the risk of certain diseases, and possesses sensory characteristics that are appealing.

“There are various local foods that have positive effects on the body, one of which is dark chocolate that contains good phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Polyphenols from chocolate can also inhibit fat formation in experiments using obese mice,” he explained.

Prof Amin Ismail also revealed that research results on obese subjects show a higher weight gain if someone consumes white chocolate compared to dark chocolate. In addition to chocolate, there are food ingredients with good nutraceutical effects, such as Cosmos caudatus, commonly known as “daun kenikir” in Indonesian.

“The research results show that daun kenikir, which is commonly used as a fresh vegetable dish, has anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, and anti-inflammatory activities in studies involving animals. With that in mind, in our daily food consumption, it is recommended that we consume foods with good functional effects,” he added. (HBL/Rz) (IAAS/ZRT)