Madhuca longifolia as a Translational Food Biomaterial for Addressing the Triple Burden of Malnutrition

Madhuca longifolia plays a significant role in combating malnutrition, aligning with food security for healthier and more sustainable food options. This review highlights the latest advancements in utilizing minor forest produce and developing various mahua products, including bars, laddoos, biscuits, burfis, and pickles. This review highlights the nutritional potential of Madhuca longifolia in combating the triple burden of malnutrition, co-existence of undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiency, while focusing on the utilization of regional foods to safeguard tribal people's livelihoods and empowerment. The regional food sources provide a viable, long-term alternative for populations with limited access to conventional food systems. Evidence regarding the health-promoting properties of Madhuca longifolia originates from multiple sources, including traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge, in vitro bioactivity assays, and a limited number of human investigations. A comprehensive literature search across major scientific databases identified evidence indicating that Madhuca longifolia is a nutritionally valuable underutilized food resource with promising applications in dietary diversification, functional food development, and sustainable nutrition systems. The reviewed evidence indicates that Madhuca longifolia is a nutrient-rich underutilized food resource with potential applications in dietary diversification, value-added food development, and sustainable nutrition initiatives.