Harvest for the Heart 2026
🌱 Harvest for the Heart
University of North Texas Health Science Center’s 2026 Health Summit Abstract Submission:
🌱 Project Overview
- Initiative Name: Harvest for the Heart
- Affiliation: University of North Texas Health Science Center’s 2026 Health Summit
- Lead Author: Tiffany Toru Johnson, Tarrant County College Leadership Cohort
- Setting: HSC Community Garden & CCO Digital Studio Lab
- Focus: Exploring basil (Ocimum basilicum), leafy greens, and peppers in metabolic health education
🧠 Scientific Focus
- Main Topic: Relationship between glucose, insulin, and cortisol in metabolic health
- Goal: Evaluate basil’s potential to support blood sugar regulation and stress response
🔬 Metabolic Health Breakdown
- Glucose: Main energy source; regulated by hormones
- Insulin: Lowers blood sugar; dysfunction leads to metabolic disorders
- Cortisol: Raises blood sugar during stress; chronic elevation causes insulin resistance
🌿 Basil as an Intervention
- Bioactive Compounds: Eugenol, flavonoids, polyphenols
- Health Effects:
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- May improve insulin sensitivity
- May reduce cortisol via stress modulation
- Usage: Teas, cooking, supplements
🏡 Community Engagement
- Educational Gardens: Basil used as a teaching tool for nutrition and stress management
- Outreach Tools: Visual aids and guides for public learning
- Poster Presentation:
- Triangle diagram showing glucose–insulin–cortisol dynamics
- Basil placed at the center as a balancing agent
📊 Visual Summary
- Includes diagrams and illustrations to support learning and engagement
✅ Conclusion
- Basil shows promise as a low-cost, accessible dietary tool for improving metabolic health
- Supports community-based education and aligns with the garden’s mission
Glucose–insulin–cortisol triangle
A conceptual overview of how glucose, insulin, and cortisol interact in metabolic regulation, with basil centered as a potential balancing influence.
Metabolic regulation
Stress physiology
Nutritional phytochemicals
Triangle overview
Triangle edge references glucose regulation
Insulin promotes glucose uptake
Cortisol raises blood glucose under stress
Basil may modulate stress and insulin sensitivity
Component roles
Glucose
- Fuel: Primary energy substrate for cells.
- Source: Dietary carbohydrates and hepatic production.
- Homeostasis: Kept within a narrow range for optimal function.
Insulin
- Secretion: Released by pancreatic β-cells with rising blood glucose.
- Action: Facilitates cellular glucose uptake and storage.
- Sensitivity: Resistance impairs control and elevates glucose.
Cortisol
- Stress response: Produced by adrenal glands via HPA axis activation.
- Glycemic effect: Stimulates hepatic glucose output (gluconeogenesis).
- Interaction: Chronic elevation can reduce insulin sensitivity.
Basil as a potential balancing agent
Basil contains phytochemicals (e.g., flavonoids, polyphenols) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Emerging evidence suggests holy basil (Tulsi) may support stress modulation and insulin sensitivity, which can aid overall glucose regulation. This is general information, not medical advice.
- Stress modulation: Potential influence on the HPA axis to temper cortisol responses.
- Metabolic support: May enhance insulin signaling and improve glucose uptake.
- Effects can vary by individual and context; consult healthcare professionals for personal guidance.
Why the triangle matters
- Balance: Stress-driven glucose rises countered by insulin’s regulatory role.
- Cycle risk: Chronic stress may foster insulin resistance and dysglycemia.
- Education: Visualizing interactions helps communicate practical health concepts in community settings.