Finding ways to improve world health is one of the core areas of research for the Norwich Research Park-based facilities. One of the latest discoveries is a “super pea” that could help fight the global type 2 diabetes epidemic.
Researchers at Norwich Research Park have found that a simple pea can play a huge role in reducing type 2 diabetes.
Large spikes in sugar – when blood sugar levels rise sharply after a meal – are thought to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Starch in the food we eat helps break it down and release sugar into our bodies.
Researchers have found that the wrinkled pea, similar to frozen peas you can buy in a supermarket, is relatively high in resistant starch.
The study was carried out jointly between the John Innes Center and the Quadram Institute in Norwich Research Park, Imperial College London and the University of Glasgow. It turned out that when the peas were made into flour and incorporated into a mixed meal, they had the same effect. This could lead to the pea flour being used to improve the composition of commonly consumed foods.
Prof. Pete Wilde of the Quadram Institute said, “Our research has shown that by preparing these peas in certain ways, we can further reduce blood sugar spikes and open up new possibilities for making healthier foods with controlled processing techniques.”
Prof. Claire Domoney of the John Innes Center said, “Research has highlighted the value of developing pea lines like those used in our study. In the longer term, it could become a policy to include resistant starch in food. There are precedents for this type of intervention, such as adding iron to bread to combat anemia. ”
The researchers also point out that resistant starch is found in other foods and that the work is already looking into how staple foods such as rice and wheat can be grown with higher levels of resistant starch to find more options for reducing type 2 – Provide diabetes.
Put women and girls in the spotlight in science
February 11th is this year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It is a day where science puts its researchers at the center to demonstrate this interesting and valuable career.
Fortunately, there are many women at Norwich Research Park who are leaders in conducting world-class research that addresses some of the key challenges humanity faces in feeding the world, keeping old age healthy, and protecting the planet from the climate facing change.
Here are some great examples of women researchers at Norwich Research Park leading this research:
Dr. Lindsay Hall from the Quadram Institute
– Photo credit: Antony Kelly
Dr. Lindsay Hall, Quadram Institute
Dr. Hall said, “As a microbiologist, I am fascinated by the microbes that live in our gut – the gut microbiota. To bring this microscopic world to life, we developed the Guardians of the Gut project, which includes a giant rectum, an online school teaching package and our new activity package for British Science Week 2021.
“We hope these activities can have a real national impact by helping teach our science to elementary school children and inspire the next generation of aspiring scientists.”
Dr. Samantha Fox of the John Innes Center
– Credit: Norwich Research Park
Dr. Samantha Fox, John Innes Center
The founder of the Youth STEMM Award said, “Now more than ever is a great opportunity for more girls to get interested in science. There are so many open positions for careers in areas where they can have a real impact in solving some of the big problems the world is facing. ”
Prof. Anne-Marie Minihane from the UEA
– Credit: Norwich Research Park
Prof. Anne-Marie Minihane, UEA
Prof. Minihane focuses on maintaining and improving health in our later years by studying the nutritional components and patterns that help maintain brain function as we age.
It was also central to the recent launch of the Norwich Institute of Healthy Aging, which studies the effects of behaviors such as eating, physical activity and smoking on our health and wellbeing.
Dr. Sally Warring of the Earlham Institute
– Photo credit: Sabrina Imbler
Dr. Sally Warring, Earlham Institute
Dr. Warring is researching protists, a group of microscopic unicellular organisms that produce most of the oxygen we breathe, but can also cause diseases like malaria.
Not enough is known about them, but they could hold the key to important developments in evolution, healthcare, and ecology.
Dr. Eleanor Mishra of Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
– Credit: Norwich Research Park
Dr. Eleanor Mishra, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
A respiratory consultant who switched expertise this summer to become the principal investigator at Oxford University’s hospital for Covid-19 therapy drug study.
Their work helped identify dexamethasone as a successful drug that lowered mortality in Covid-19 patients.
Prof. Wenbo Ma from the Sainsbury Laboratory
– Credit: Norwich Research Park
Prof. Wenbo Ma, Sainsbury Laboratory
Prof. Ma moved to Norwich from California in September to pursue her work on developing disease-resistant crops such as potatoes, citrus fruits and even Christmas trees.
She brought her team from the United States because Norwich is considered the best place in the world to study.
