TISTR launches healthy products from local vegetables

BANGKOK 31 March, 2010 (NNT) – Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) launched healthy beverage from local vegetables and serial snack bar with a hope to increase local crops consumption.

TISTR Director, Ms Kasemsri Homchun said that TISTR succeeded in developing healthy food and beverage products by using local vegetables and grains such Gymnema inodorum Decne, Sauropus androgynus, Aloe Vera, pumpkin seed and sun-flower seed. All products give high nutrition and suitable for health lovers.

The research shows that Gymnema inodorum Decne and Sauropus androgynus have antioxidant, phytonutrient and high in dietary fiber. They can also help lowering blood sugar.

Aloe Vera however, can apply as a bracer due to fatigue. It functioning an excretory system and relieves gastritis.

Ms Kasemsri added that TISTR was ready to transfer information to private sector who willing to use it for commercial purpose because she believed that it would increase Thailand competitiveness.

She elaborated that C-Rice serial snack bar could decrease imported snack items into the country. She predicted that Thailand’s snack value this year should reach 1.66 billion baht. 80 per-cent of the product were imported.