A Filipina student scientist, Maria Isabel Layson, discovered that Aratiles plant can prevent type 2 Diabetes.
Recently, Layson competed at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in Phoenix, Arizona from May 12 to 17. Report stated that “the Filipina student scientist is a student of the Iloilo National High School, listed her exceptional research on the antidiabetic properties of aratiles (scientific name Muntingia calabura Linn or the Jamaican cherry in English) as an entry to the competition”.
Moreover, Layson mentioned that “Aratiles trees grow in her own backyard at home. This plant is common in various countries such as Mexico, Bolivia, and the Philippines. Her motivation is drawn from her family background that mostly suffer from Diabetes”.
More specifically, in carrying out her research, the Filipina student scientist found out aratiles fruit is a source of anti-oxidants. “A practical application can be directed towards the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus through the prevention of postprandial hyperglycemia”.
International prizes were bagged by Krithik Ramesh of Colorado, while Allison Jia of California and Rachel Seevers of Kentucky received the two Intel Foundation Young Scientist Awards; Shriya Reddy of Michigan took home the Craig R. Barrett Award for Innovation.
Layson imparted to the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation that “You don’t join research competitions just because you want to win… You must have a goal: After this completion, I want to help this kind of population.”
Watch the full interview here:
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16-Year-Old Filipino Discovers the Aratiles Plant Can Be Used to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes