**5. Conclusion and perspectives**

The diet of the population of Kahemba is largely dependent on cassava. Biodiversity of the flora of Kahemba constitutes an untapped reserve of traditional food resources that have considerable potential for antioxidants. However, *in vitro* findings, such as the antioxidant activities we have measured, are of uncertain relevance to the *in vivo* situation in healthy humans. Further studies are needed to evaluate the *in vivo* activity of these traditional foods and particularly in their cooked forms. This could lead to the valorization of traditional foods as functional foods or nutraceuticals with high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory capacities and high quality protein. This may provide benefits to protect the population of Kahemba against oxidative damage under different conditions, including konzo.
