Investigaciones ZamoCiencia

Dr. Adriana Hernández-Santana, Associate Professor in the Agroindustry Department at Zamorano University, and Rocío Moncada, with support from the Institute for Technology in Health Care (ITHC), studied the sodium content of salty snacks (chips and seeds) sold in Honduran supermarkets, based on their nutrition labels, to determine how closely these products align with international sodium intake recommendations.

A team of researchers from Zamorano University's Agroindustry Department, with support from the Institute for Technology in Health Care (ITHC), studied a flaxseed-enriched horchata-style beverage that the same group had developed earlier. They wanted to know whether drinking it changes the fatty acids in the breast milk of women in the Honduran highlands. The study followed breastfeeding mothers from rural communities who drank the beverage every day for 30 days.

A team of Zamorano University researchers, with support from the Institute for Technology in Health Care (ITHC), developed a powdered horchata-style beverage enriched with flaxseed for breastfeeding women. The goal was to build a nutritional option around a traditional drink that people already know. The beverage provides essential fatty acids, which women often don't get enough of at this stage.

A team of researchers from Zamorano implemented and evaluated an educational intervention for breastfeeding mothers and their babies in semi-rural communities in the municipality of San Antonio de Oriente, Francisco Morazán, Honduras. The purpose of the study was to determine whether access to appropriate nutritional information could lead to concrete improvements in the diets and health of mothers and children.

A team of researchers from Zamorano, in collaboration with the University of Buenos Aires, assessed food security and the nutritional status of the Lenca population—one of Honduras’s Indigenous groups—in the municipality of Intibucá. The study identified how different nutritional challenges coexist within the same community, an issue that, until now, has been scarcely documented among this population and in Honduras.

Eating habits developed during youth have a lasting impact on health. Today, the consumption of ultra-processed foods—such as snacks, sugary drinks, and fast food—has increased significantly, displacing more nutritious options and contributing to the development of chronic diseases from an early age.

Nutrition during breastfeeding plays a fundamental role in the health of both mother and baby. However, in many contexts, the intake of key nutrients—such as essential fatty acids—is limited, which can affect the quality of breast milk and the well-being of mothers and children. This has sparked interest in developing food alternatives that are nutritious, accessible, and culturally accepted.

Nutrition during childhood is crucial for growth, learning, and long-term health. In rural contexts, eating habits are influenced by economic, cultural, and food availability factors. Understanding what schoolchildren eat and how their diets are structured makes it possible to identify opportunities to improve nutrition from the early stages of human development.

Finding sustainable protein sources has become a priority in a world where food demand continues to grow. Insects, traditionally consumed in various cultures, are gaining attention as a nutritious and low-environmental-impact alternative. Their production requires less water, land, and feed compared to conventional livestock, positioning them as a promising option for the future of food.