MANAMA – In a diverse world, cultural differences are prevalent, yet there exists an undeniable common thread that binds us: food! Culinary traditions, nutrition, shaped by geography and history, tell the stories of peoples and their journeys. Years ago, as a pre-medicine student at UCLA, I was interested in Arab and Jewish genetics, nutritive strategies, culinary practices – how diets and cuisines are connected to the function of body including longevity, aging, strengths, intellectual capacities and prevention of pathologies such as obesity, and type two diabetes. As part of my Genetics and Nutrition course, I explored what these culinary practices reveal about Arabs and Jews, their histories, physiologies and their genetic dispositions.

In exploring the culinary practices of Bahrain and Israel, I find intriguing similarities that highlight the power of food to connect people.

Bahraini cuisine is rich in flavors, influenced by its coastal geography and the confluence of cultures in the Arab Gulf region. Traditional dishes often feature spices, rice, and fresh seafood, much like........

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