The video discusses the benefits of ora-pro-nóbis, a plant native to Brazil that has been touted as a "superfood" and a source of protein. Brazilian scientists have studied the plant, along with other non-conventional food plants (PANCS), and found that it is rich in fiber, calcium, and manganese. However, the video also debunks some myths about ora-pro-nóbis, specifically the claim that it contains 20g of protein per 100g of plant material. This claim is based on dry weight analysis, but when measured by wet weight, the actual protein content is around 2g per 100g. The video also notes that while ora-pro-nóbis is a good source of protein, its quality is lower than animal-based proteins, and it lacks some essential amino acids. Overall, the video concludes that while ora-pro-nóbis is a nutritious food, it should not be relied upon as the sole source of protein in one's diet.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Brazilian scientists investigated the properties of ora-pro-nóbis, a type of weed, and found it to be a valuable food source.
2. Ora-pro-nóbis is considered a superfood due to its high nutritional value.
3. The demand for food has increased due to population growth, and scientists are looking for alternative sources of nutrition.
4. In 2008, biologist Valdely Ferreira coined the term PANC (Non-Conventional Food Plants) to describe edible plants that were not commonly consumed.
5. There are over 3,000 species of PANCs in Brazil, many of which were previously considered weeds.
6. Ora-pro-nóbis is a good source of fiber, with 3.8g per 100g of food.
7. Other PANCs, such as jambu and fish, have even higher fiber content, with up to 13g per 100g of food.
8. Ora-pro-nóbis is also a good source of calcium, with at least 269mg per 100g of food.
9. Ora-pro-nóbis is a source of manganese, a mineral important for bone formation and metabolism.
10. Ora-pro-nóbis has at least 7.3mg of manganese per 100g of food.
11. Bioactive compounds in PANCs, including ora-pro-nóbis, have antioxidant properties and support intestinal health.
12. Ora-pro-nóbis is a plant of the Pereskia aculeata species, common in the Southeast region of Brazil.
13. Analysis of ora-pro-nóbis content showed that around 20% of the plant is protein.
14. However, the protein content is measured in dry weight, not wet weight, which affects the actual protein content in edible form.
15. 100g of ora-pro-nóbis contains around 2g of protein in wet weight, not 20g as often reported.
16. To consume the promised 20g of protein, one would need to eat a large quantity of ora-pro-nóbis, equivalent to almost a cup of powder.
17. Ora-pro-nóbis has low-quality protein due to its low content of essential amino acids, particularly methionine.
18. Plant-based proteins, including ora-pro-nóbis, often have lower amounts of essential amino acids compared to animal-based proteins.