Arab cuisine: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 10:56, 23 March 2025

Arab Cuisine[edit]

Arab cuisine is a rich and diverse culinary tradition that encompasses the various regional cuisines of the Arab world, which includes the Middle East and North Africa. It is characterized by its use of spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients, and it reflects the cultural and historical influences of the Arab world.

History[edit]

Arab cuisine has evolved over centuries, influenced by the trade routes that passed through the region, bringing with them ingredients and cooking techniques from Asia, Africa, and Europe. The spread of Islam also played a significant role in shaping the cuisine, as it introduced new dietary laws and food practices.

Ingredients[edit]

Key ingredients in Arab cuisine include grains such as rice and couscous, legumes like chickpeas and lentils, and a variety of meats including lamb, chicken, and beef. Spices such as cumin, coriander, and cinnamon are commonly used, along with herbs like mint and parsley.

Dishes[edit]

Appetizers[edit]

Arab cuisine is known for its wide array of appetizers, often referred to as mezze. These small dishes include items such as hummus, baba ghanoush, and tabbouleh.

Main Courses[edit]

Main courses in Arab cuisine often feature grilled meats, stews, and rice dishes. Kebabs, shawarma, and mansaf are popular meat dishes, while maqluba and kabsa are well-known rice dishes.

Salads[edit]

Salads are an integral part of Arab meals, with popular varieties including fattoush and tabbouleh. These salads are typically made with fresh vegetables and herbs, dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.

Desserts[edit]

Arab desserts are often sweet and rich, featuring ingredients like honey, nuts, and rose water. Popular desserts include baklava, kanafeh, and maamoul.

Beverages[edit]

Beverages in Arab cuisine include a variety of teas and coffees, often flavored with spices such as cardamom. Mint tea is a popular drink, especially in North Africa.

Cultural Significance[edit]

Food plays a central role in Arab culture, with meals often being a time for family and community gatherings. Hospitality is a key aspect of Arab culture, and sharing food is a way to express generosity and friendship.

Related Pages[edit]

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-{{Short description|Medications used to treat obesity}}
+==Arab Cuisine==
-{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
-'''Anti-obesity medication''' or '''weight loss drugs''' are pharmacological agents that reduce or control [[body weight]]. These medications alter one of the fundamental processes of the human body, weight regulation, by either altering appetite, metabolism, or absorption of calories. Anti-obesity medications are prescribed to individuals with a [[Body mass index|BMI]] of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher with comorbid conditions such as [[type 2 diabetes]] or [[hypertension]].
+[[File:Arroz_vs_cuscus.svg|thumb|right|A comparison of rice and couscous, staples in Arab cuisine.]]
-==Mechanism of Action==
+'''Arab cuisine''' is a rich and diverse culinary tradition that encompasses the various regional cuisines of the Arab world, which includes the Middle East and North Africa. It is characterized by its use of spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients, and it reflects the cultural and historical influences of the Arab world.
-Anti-obesity medications work through various mechanisms:
-* '''Appetite Suppression''': Some medications act on the [[central nervous system]] to suppress appetite. These include drugs that increase the levels of [[neurotransmitters]] such as [[serotonin]], [[norepinephrine]], and [[dopamine]], which are involved in the regulation of appetite and mood.
+===History===
+Arab cuisine has evolved over centuries, influenced by the trade routes that passed through the region, bringing with them ingredients and cooking techniques from Asia, Africa, and Europe. The spread of Islam also played a significant role in shaping the cuisine, as it introduced new dietary laws and food practices.
-* '''Increased Metabolism''': Certain drugs increase the body's [[metabolic rate]], leading to increased energy expenditure. This can be achieved through the stimulation of the [[sympathetic nervous system]].
+===Ingredients===
+Key ingredients in Arab cuisine include grains such as [[rice]] and [[couscous]], legumes like [[chickpeas]] and [[lentils]], and a variety of meats including [[lamb]], [[chicken]], and [[beef]]. Spices such as [[cumin]], [[coriander]], and [[cinnamon]] are commonly used, along with herbs like [[mint]] and [[parsley]].
-* '''Inhibition of Fat Absorption''': Some medications work by inhibiting the absorption of dietary fats in the [[intestine]]. These drugs block the action of [[lipase]], an enzyme necessary for the breakdown of fats, thus reducing caloric intake.
+===Dishes===
-==Common Anti-Obesity Medications==
+====Appetizers====
+[[File:Sausage_Samossa_Cold_Appetizer_Arabic_Appetizer.jpg|thumb|left|A selection of Arabic appetizers including samosas.]]
+Arab cuisine is known for its wide array of appetizers, often referred to as [[mezze]]. These small dishes include items such as [[hummus]], [[baba ghanoush]], and [[tabbouleh]].
-* '''Orlistat''': A lipase inhibitor that reduces the absorption of dietary fats. It is available over-the-counter and by prescription.
+====Main Courses====
+[[File:Freekeh_with_roasted_vegetables.jpg|thumb|right|Freekeh with roasted vegetables, a popular Arab dish.]]
+Main courses in Arab cuisine often feature grilled meats, stews, and rice dishes. [[Kebabs]], [[shawarma]], and [[mansaf]] are popular meat dishes, while [[maqluba]] and [[kabsa]] are well-known rice dishes.
-* '''Phentermine/Topiramate''': A combination drug that suppresses appetite and increases energy expenditure.
+====Salads====
+[[File:Varieties_of_Arabic_salad.jpg|thumb|left|A variety of Arabic salads.]]
+Salads are an integral part of Arab meals, with popular varieties including [[fattoush]] and [[tabbouleh]]. These salads are typically made with fresh vegetables and herbs, dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.
-* '''Liraglutide''': Originally developed for [[diabetes]], this drug mimics the hormone [[GLP-1]] to reduce appetite.
+====Desserts====
+[[File:Kanafeh_Nabulsieh.jpg|thumb|right|Kanafeh Nabulsieh, a traditional Arab dessert.]]
+Arab desserts are often sweet and rich, featuring ingredients like [[honey]], [[nuts]], and [[rose water]]. Popular desserts include [[baklava]], [[kanafeh]], and [[maamoul]].
-* '''Naltrexone/Bupropion''': A combination that affects the central nervous system to reduce hunger and cravings.
+===Beverages===
+[[File:1004-CoffeeSceneCairo18th.jpg|thumb|left|A traditional coffee scene in Cairo.]]
+Beverages in Arab cuisine include a variety of teas and coffees, often flavored with spices such as [[cardamom]]. [[Mint tea]] is a popular drink, especially in North Africa.
-==Side Effects==
+==Cultural Significance==
-The use of anti-obesity medications can lead to various side effects, which may include:
+Food plays a central role in Arab culture, with meals often being a time for family and community gatherings. Hospitality is a key aspect of Arab culture, and sharing food is a way to express generosity and friendship.
-* Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.
-* Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
-* Insomnia and nervousness.
-* Risk of addiction or abuse, particularly with stimulant-based medications.
-==Considerations and Contraindications==
-Anti-obesity medications are not suitable for everyone. They are contraindicated in individuals with certain medical conditions, such as:
-* [[Pregnancy]] and breastfeeding.
-* Uncontrolled [[hypertension]].
-* History of [[substance abuse]].
-* Certain psychiatric disorders.
 ==Related Pages==
-* [[Obesity]]
+* [[Middle Eastern cuisine]]
-* [[Dieting]]
+* [[Mediterranean cuisine]]
-* [[Physical exercise]]
+* [[North African cuisine]]
-* [[Bariatric surgery]]
-==Gallery==
-<gallery>
-File:Obesity Med2008.JPG|Anti-obesity medication
-</gallery>
-[[Category:Anti-obesity medications]]
+[[Category:Arab cuisine]]
-[[Category:Obesity]]
-[[Category:Pharmacology]]