ABSTRACT
Protecting the Prices of Quinoa to Preserve the Diet of Bolivians – Jonathan Trusty
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Quinoa, or the “Andean Super Food,” is a nutritious grain that is best grown in places with ideal growing conditions, such as Bolivia and other Andean countries. For centuries, quinoa has been one of the main food sources for Bolivia because of its nutritional value, in addition to its availability. Until recently, many Bolivians can’t afford the grain because international trade has caused fixed prices to increase. There has been an increase of demand from western countries because of the health benefits, but the supply is not increasing fast enough to maintain equilibrium. This is forcing Bolivians to eat more processed foods, which is increasing obesity and malnutrition. This paper examines the problem with the increased cost of quinoa and explores all viable solutions that can improve the overall health and well-being of the people of Bolivia.
OVERVIEW, BACKGROUND, CONTEXT, INTRO, DEFINITION The concept of health has transformed the way that people live their lives, and especially the way humans eat. Western civilizations have recently discovered quinoa, which is packed with nutrients like protein, fiber, iron, and vitamin B6. Since then, the popularity has surged because of its health benefits.1 A study done by NASA in 1993 stated “While no single food can supply all the essential life-sustaining nutrients, quinoa comes as close as any other in the plant or animal kingdom.”2 Even the United Nations recognized quinoa because of its health 1
Szalay, Jessie. “Quinoa: Health Benefits & Nutrition Facts.” LiveScience. April 19, 2018. Accessed April 01, 2019. https://www.livescience.com/50400-quinoanutrition-facts.html.
2
Schilck, Greg, and David L. Bubenheim. Quinoa: An Emerging “New” Crop with Potential for CELSS. NASA. Https://ntrs.nasa.gov. Accessed March 29, 2019. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa. gov/19940015664.pdf.
JOURNAL of the MARTIN INSTITUTE | INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
