Health-promoting Benefits Research Articles

Investigation of the Potential of Selected Food-Derived Antioxidants to Bind and Stabilise the Bioactive Blue Protein C-Phycocyanin from Cyanobacteria Spirulina.

Blue C-phycocyanin (C-PC), the major Spirulina protein with innumerable health-promoting benefits, is an attractive colourant and food supplement. A crucial obstacle to its more extensive use is its relatively low stability. This study aimed to screen various food-derived ligands for their ability to bind and stabilise C-PC, utilising spectroscopic techniques and molecular docking. Among twelve examined ligands, the protein fluorescence quenching revealed that only quercetin, coenzyme Q10 and resveratrol had a moderate affinity to C-PC (Ka of 2.2 to 3.7 × 105 M-1). Docking revealed these three ligands bind more strongly to the C-PC hexamer than the trimer, with the binding sites located at the interface of two (αβ)3 trimers. UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy demonstrated the changes in the C-PC absorption spectra in a complex with quercetin and resveratrol compared to the spectra of free protein and ligands. Selected ligands did not affect the secondary structure content, but they induced changes in the tertiary protein structure in the CD study. A fluorescence-based thermal stability assay demonstrated quercetin and coenzyme Q10 increased the C-PC melting point by nearly 5 °C. Our study identified food-derived ligands that interact with C-PC and improve its thermal stability, indicating their potential as stabilising agents for C-PC in the food industry.

Chemical and biochemical characterization of Ipomoea aquatica: genoprotective potential and inhibitory mechanism of its phytochemicals against α-amylase and α-glucosidase.

Ipomea aquatica, also known as water spinach, is an aquatic non-conventional leafy vegetable and is considered a healthy and seasonal delicacy in ethnic food culture. The study revealed the presence of rich chemical and biochemical composition in I. aquatica and antioxidant activities. Moreover, the plant extracts demonstrated significant DNA damage prevention activity against UV/H2O2-induced oxidative damage. High-resolution mass spectrometric analysis by UPLC-qTOF-MS/MS resulted in the identification of over 65 different compounds and 36 important secondary metabolites. Most of the compounds identified represented polyphenolic compounds, viz. polyphenol glycosides and phenolic acids, followed by alkaloids and terpenoids. A UPLC-DAD method was developed and quantified for 10 different polyphenolic compounds. Out of all the metabolites examined, a significant number of compounds were reported to have various bioactive properties, including antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, hepatoprotection, and anti-depressant effects. The plant extracts were found to contain various compounds, including euphornin, lucidenic acid, and myricitin glycosides, which possess significant medicinal value. Metabolite analysis utilizing GC-MS revealed the presence of various fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, and organic acids. The analysis revealed the presence of essential unsaturated fatty acids such as α-linolenic acid as well as beneficial substances such as squalene., The evaluation of glycemic control activity was carried out by comprehending the inhibitory potential of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, outlining the kinetics of the inhibition process. The inhibitory activities were compared to those of acarbose and revealed stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase as compared to α-amylase. Furthermore, the mechanism of inhibition was determined using in silico analysis, which involved molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation of the identified IA phytochemicals complexed with the hydrolase enzymes. The study generates convincing evidence that dietary intake of I. aquatica provides a positive influence on glycemic control along with various health-protective and health-promoting benefits.

Enhancement of tomato functional food value through nutrient supplementation with fish emulsion biostimulant

Fish emulsion (FE) is a derivative of fish waste, commonly utilised within organic agricultural and horticultural applications, predominantly as a source of nitrogen within fertiliser regimens. However, as a biological derivative, FE is a complex of many bioactive compounds, and as such is also known to function as a biostimulant. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a functional food, commonly produced for consumption due to its desirable hedonic qualities and health-promoting properties associated with antioxidant phytochemicals. Accordingly, the work herein explored the potential for FE to alter the functional and hedonic measures of tomato. Results indicated that the supplementation of fertiliser regimens with FE during tomato growth significantly (p = 0.001) increased fruit total phenolic content by 1.25-fold, whilst not significantly impacting flavonoid content (p = 0.418) or fruit colour (assessed by image colour analyses). Additionally, the FE treatment did not substantially impact sensory perception of hedonic measures such as smell, taste, mouth feel, or visual appeal. Accordingly, the results herein indicate that FE is a desirable fertiliser supplement during tomato cultivation, to enhance the functional value of tomato fruits, and thereby provide enhanced health-promoting benefits from tomato consumption.

Study on the Comprehensive Health Effects of Coastal Green Areas in Qingdao City, China

The recuperation factors (negative air ion concentration, airborne particulate matter, human comfort index, and acoustic environment index) of coastal green spaces have significant health effects. Most current studies focus on the distribution pattern of single recuperation factors in the forest environment; however, the comprehensive health effects of coastal green spaces are still unknown. To address this, we analyzed the distribution patterns of single and comprehensive health factors in different landscape configurations, landscape compositions, and coastal distances by principal component analysis and systematic clustering. The results show that: (1) coniferous and broadleaf mixed forests exhibit higher integrated health benefits than other landscape compositions; (2) closed and partially closed landscape configurations exhibit enhanced potential for promoting health benefits as opposed to partially open and open spaces; (3) a coastal distance of 150–300 m offers the strongest comprehensive health benefits. These findings collectively suggest that the increased cultivation of closed and partially closed mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest species at a distance of 150–300 m could effectively provide higher comprehensive health effects. Our study complements the ecosystem service of coastal green areas, especially in coastal health ecological services, providing support for coastal rehabilitation landscape planning; and can help to guide tourists in scheduling coastal health activities scientifically.

Physicochemical, Nutritional and Functional Properties of Composite Flour Blends from Whole Wheat, Sweet Potato, Defatted Peanut and Rice Bran

The surge in import duty, which inflated the production cost of baked products, gave an impetus composite flour formulation from locally available crops with improved nutritional and health-promoting benefits. The present study thus, aimed to formulate and determine the nutritional, phytochemical, functional and pasting properties of composite flour from blends of whole wheat, sweet potato, defatted peanut and rice bran while commercial wheat flour (CWF) was used as the control. The raw materials used for the formulation of the composite flour such as whole wheat grains, sweet potato and peanut seeds were purchased from the Shasha market in Akure, Nigeria while rice bran was obtained from a local rice mill in Ise-Ekiti, Nigeria. The food crops were authenticated at the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. The protein (15.81-21.98%) and the fiber (7.93-10.82%) contents of the composite flour were significantly (p≤0.05) higher than that of the control 13.69% and 1.86%, respectively. The composite flour had improved essential minerals elements (magnesium, zinc, calcium and phosphorus). Similarly, the total essential amino acids (26.73-34.27 g/100 g), essential amino acid index (80.03-102.13%) and biological value (75.53-99.62%) of the composite flour were higher than that of the control (25.79 g/100 g, 76.85% and 72.07%), respectively. Moreso, the flour blends also demonstrated better phytochemical and pasting properties over the control samples. This study therefore, established that composite flour with improved macro- and micro-nutrients could be formulated from blends of whole wheat, sweet potato, defatted peanut and rice bran. The composite flour, which could serve as better replacement for commercial wheat flour in baked products, thereby reducing the cost incurred on wheat importation as well as ensuring food security in most developing nations like Nigeria

Exploring associations between social interaction and urban park attributes: Design guideline for both overall and separate park quality enhancement

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, social interaction in parks became important outdoor activity for urban residents to mitigate social isolation and achieve mental health benefits internationally. While literature primarily researched what park feature and characteristics influence the self-reported social interaction, the purpose of this study is to expand the overall park quality measurement by incorporating both objective and subjective park attributes from multiple aspects, and explored their associations with social interactive behaviors assessed through an established protocol. A case study in Utah was conducted to assess the relationships between both overall and separate park qualities and social interaction through hierarchical linear models (HLMs). The results indicated overall park quality was the most significant predictor of social interaction, followed by sub-areas, including green space and playground, and park size. Aesthetic features, maintenance and cleanliness can promote social interaction while numbers of facilities and amenities didn't show effects. The subjective attributes of park environment are more effective in influencing social interaction than the objectives. To assist municipal planners and policy makers to create socially harmonious and cohesive communities in various cities, we provided a general design guideline to encourage social interaction and promote health benefits through the enhancement of urban park quality.

Changes in titrable acidity, pH, and reducing sugars of ganoderma kombucha with honey after the fermentation process

Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage prepared with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) and sucrose as a carbon source, has gained popularity for its potential health benefits. This study aimed to explore the effects of fermentation on the titrable acidity, pH, and reducing sugar content of Ganoderma kombucha with honey. In this study, we used Ganoderma lucidum as a substrate since it is a widely used natural medicinal and promotes health benefits. The sucrose commonly used in kombucha production was replaced with honey to enhance the functional qualities of the final product. Honey derived from Apis cerana and Heterotrigona itama is used in this study, with a ratio of Sugar and honey as follows: 100% honey, 50%:50% honey and sugar, and 100% sugar. The highest titrable acidity was found in kombucha with A. cerana honey (50%:50% honey and sugar) after fermentation i.e. 12.98±0.09%. Both of A .cerana (Sugar and honey 50:50 %) and H.itama (100 %) have the lowest pH after fermentation, i.e. 3.01±0.02 and 3.01±0.01 respectively. The reducing sugar was decreased after the fermentation process. The findings revealed an increase in titrable acidity during the fermentation process, accompanied by decreased pH and reducing sugar values.

User experience and analytics inform the development of an innovative telehealth curriculum: ROAD MAP (Recovery-Oriented Approach to Dementia through Meaningful Activity Participation)

Objective:To user-test a recovery-oriented, clinician-facilitated, web-based, self-management intervention accessible via mobile device: ROAD MAP. The initial programme theory underlying this research is that supporting the experiences of CHIME (connectedness, hope and optimism, identity, meaning in life and empowerment), in persons living with dementia (PLWD) will have health-promoting benefits for the PLWD.Method:The intervention will be delivered to 20 dyads of community-dwelling PLWDs and their carers via a five-week, online, recovery-based curriculum. Five convenience-sampled occupational therapists (OT) will be trained online in a 10-hour training programme to deliver the intervention. All data collection instruments are informed by realist evaluation (RE) methodology and enquire into initial programme theories (IPTs) used to develop the curriculum and the ROAD MAP digital tool. Data collection, between January and March 2023, will occur during both the OT training and the five-week pilot study. The OT facilitators will provide qualitative feedback on the ROAD MAP technology. Data will be collected via pre-post self-completion forms, semi-structured interviews, a focus group, and weekly guided reflective journal. PLWD’s self-reported, user experience will be live polled within the weekly one-hour long sessions of the pilot. Their digital usage analytics will be generated by the MyGuide platform on which the ROAD MAP intervention is built. These data will be manually screened for IPT relevance and used to test emerging programme theories.Results:All data will be collected by end of March 2023 and analysed by end of May 2023. NVivo will be used to generate refined programme theories according to RE methodology. This will provide evidence of plausible, causal context-mechanism-outcome configurations which may optimize the refined version of the ROAD MAP digital intervention, curriculum and facilitator training methods.Conclusion:This study will increase knowledge of a methodology for developing useable and acceptable recovery-oriented telehealth tools for PLWD. This intervention could directly enhance the education of health care professionals and improve the equitable delivery of dementia services.

Comparison of fatty acid profile and mineral content of black mulberry (Morus nigra), white mulberry (Morus alba) and red mulberry (Morus rubra) grown in Bahrain

Mulberries are a rich source of many nutrients and have various health-promoting benefits. Nevertheless, their growth conditions can influence their nutritional composition and thus their benefits. Thus, this study examines the fatty acid profile and mineral content of three mulberry varieties: black (Morus nigra L.), white (Morus alba L.), and red (Morus rubra L.) grown in Bahrain for the first time. Fatty acid analysis, using gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), revealed that linoleic acid (C18:2n6) and palmitic acid (C16:0) were the primary fatty acids present in mulberry fruits, while minor fatty acids varied among the cultivars. Black mulberries exhibited a composition of 33.08 % saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and 66.92 % unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), while red mulberries had 34.48 % SFAs and 66.52 % UFAs, and white mulberry had 27.15 % SFAs and 72.85 % UFAs. The mineral content analysis using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) revealed variations in the content of magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) among the mulberry varieties. Black mulberries displayed the highest levels of Mg (706.67 mg/100 g), Fe (31.33 mg/100 g), Na (1406 mg/100 g), K (4161.33 mg/100 g), and Ca (1008.67 mg/100 g). Mulberries reported moderate levels of Mg (442.33 mg/100 g), Fe (45.6 mg/100 g), Na (635.68 mg/100 g), K (3278 mg/100 g), and Ca (583.1 mg/100 g). These findings indicate that black mulberries exhibit a superior mineral content across all parameters, whereas red mulberry has lower levels among the three varieties.

Sugarcane leaves-derived polyphenols alleviate metabolic syndrome and modulate gut microbiota of ob/ob mice

Sugarcane leaves-derived polyphenols (SLP) have been demonstrated to have diverse health-promoting benefits, but the mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the anti-metabolic disease effects of SLP and the underlying mechanisms in mice. In the current study, we prepared the SLP mainly consisting of three flavonoid glycosides, three phenol derivatives, and two lignans including one new compound, and further demonstrated that SLP reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation, improved glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, ameliorated hepatic steatosis, and regulated short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production and secondary bile acids metabolism in ob/ob mice. Notably, SLP largely altered the gut microbiota composition, especially enriching the commensal bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides acidifaciens. Oral gavage with the above two strains ameliorated metabolic syndrome (MetS), regulated secondary bile acid metabolism, and increased the production of SCFAs in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. These results demonstrated that SLP could be used as a prebiotic to attenuate MetS via regulating gut microbiota composition and further activating the secondary bile acids-mediated gut-adipose axis.

Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children from 4 to 9 Years of Age

BackgroundPhysical activity guidelines for children encourage moderate-to-vigorous intensity activities (MVPA); however, some studies have found that only vigorous intensity activities (VPA) might promote health benefits in young children. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate cross-sectional and 5-year longitudinal associations of VPA and MVPA with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in childhood using compositional data analysis.ResultsThis study utilized data from the SPINACH study (n = 411). Physical activity was measured with accelerometers at 4- and 9-years of age. CVD risk factors were measured at 9-years of age, and included blood pressure (BP), lipid metabolism, and glucose metabolism biomarkers, as well as a continuous metabolic syndrome risk score (MetS). Cross-sectional and longitudinal linear regression models were built using compositional data analysis standards. Cross-sectionally, reallocating time to VPA from lower-intensity behaviours at 9-years was associated with lower waist circumference (B = − 3.219, P = 0.002), diastolic BP (B = − 1.836, P = 0.036), triglycerides (B = − 0.214, P < 0.001), glucose (B = − 0.189, P = 0.033), insulin (B = − 2.997, P < 0.001), and HOMA-IR (B = − 0.778, P < 0.001). Similarly, reallocating time to VPA at 4-years was associated with lower MetS (B = − 0.831, P = 0.049), waist circumference (B = − 4.211, P = 0.015), systolic BP (B = − 5.572, P = 0.015), diastolic BP (B = − 2.931, P = 0.044), triglycerides (B = − 0.229, P = 0.034), glucose (B = − 0.325, P = 0.032), insulin (B = − 5.114, P = 0.001), and HOMA-IR (B = − 0.673, P = 0.001) at 9-years. Reallocations of time to MVPA at 4- or 9-years were not associated with CVD risk factors at 9-years.ConclusionsVPA was associated with CVD risk factors in children both cross-sectionally (9-years) and longitudinally (at 4- and 9-years). MVPA seemed not to be a stimulus of enough intensity to trigger these potential cardiometabolic benefits in healthy children. Thus, these findings suggest the importance of higher intensity activities, i.e., VPA already in early childhood for cardiometabolic health.

Effectiveness of health literacy interventions on the health outcomes of higher education students

Abstract Background Health literacy is relevant to the empowerment process of higher education students. It reduces their vulnerability in health decision making. Higher education institutions are planning, implementing, and evaluating health literacy interventions on a variety of topics and using a variety of methodologies in order to achieve health benefits for their participants. Benefits in disease prevention, health promotion and health care have been associated with health literacy interventions. A review was conducted to identify and synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of health literacy interventions delivered in academic settings on the health outcomes of higher education students. Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted with research on the EBSCO Host-Research Databases platform. The methodology followed the PRISMA guidelines, and the protocol was registered with PROSPERO. Methodological appraisal of the studies was carried out according to the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tool. A thematic and narrative synthesis was carried out for literature synthesis. Results This review included 9 articles out of 154 identified. The health gains of health literacy interventions in academic settings were positive changes in mental health; attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy for condom use; emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing; subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, and habitual sleep efficiency; physical activity; and self-reported servings of fried foods. The educational or motivational health literacy interventions contributed to health promotion, disease prevention or healthcare. Conclusions The variety of health literacy interventions that are delivered in an academic setting contributes to positive changes in the health outcomes of students in higher education. Investing in the design and delivery of health literacy interventions is one way to reduce their health vulnerability and protect them from the threats. Key messages • When planning health literacy interventions, it is important to know what health benefits they bring. • Health literacy interventions in an academic setting are important for health outcomes.

Effect of Punica granatum Extract Supplementation in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: A Randomised, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial

IntroductionPunica granatum is a medicinal plant with health-promoting benefits. This randomised, double-blind trial aimed to examine the effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of P granatum fruit (PE) in patients with liver cirrhosis. MethodsHere, 99 patients with liver cirrhosis were randomly assigned into two groups to receive PE (20 ml/d) or placebo for 8 weeks. To assess the severity of cirrhosis, the serum concentrations of the alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total and direct bilirubin (Bil), albumin (Alb), and creatinine (Cr) were measured. The international normalised ratio (INR) and prothrombin time were also measured to calculate the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. ResultsWe observed a significant difference in the levels of ALT (P = 0.008), ALP (P = 0.001), Bil (direct, P < 0.001), Cr (P = 0.007), INR (P < 0.001), and MELD (P < 0.001) values in the PE group after the 8-week intervention. Furthermore, PE supplementation was associated with improved biochemical parameters, including AST, ALT, ALP, Bil, Alb, Cr, INR, and MELD score compared to the baseline (P = 0.052 for Alb, P < 0.001 for other parameters). Significant changes in AST, ALT, ALP, Bil (total), Cr, INR, and MELD were also found between the two groups after 8-week intervention (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002 for Bil and Cr, respectively; P < 0.001 for other parameters). ConclusionsOur findings suggest the potential benefits of PE supplementation in patients with liver cirrhosis as evidenced by significant improvements in biochemical parameters. However, more clinical studies are still needed for further validation of PE as a therapeutic agent in liver cirrhosis.

Ultrafine comminution-assisted ultrasonic-microwave synergistic extraction of Pueraria mirifica (Kudzu flower and root) flavonoids

Extracts of the Pueraria mirifica (Kudzu) plant have several significant human health-promoting benefits. This study utilized orthogonal tests to evaluate the effects of differential ultrasonic power, microwave, and time on the rate of flavonoid extraction from Kudzu samples. Ultrafine processing resulted in finer powder microstructures (SEM) with high solubility. The smallest D50 measurements of ultrafine Kudzu flower and root particles were 11.7 ± 0.004b and 14.3 ± 0.013c μm, respectively. Increasing ultrasonic power from 200 to 600 W yielded increased flavonoids. Increased microwave power from 200 to 800 W also yielded increased flavonoid extract. We found that the best combination factor was A3B2C3 (A-ultrasonic power, B- time, and C- microwave power), showing that flavonoid extraction rate was primarily influenced by microwave power, followed by ultrasonic time and ultrasonic power. Conclusively, ultrafine pulverization increased the flavonoid extraction rate from Kudzu powder particles. Also, scanning electron microscopy results showed that the finer particles had increased solubility.

Blueberry and cranberry pangenomes as a resource for future genetic studies and breeding efforts.

Domestication of cranberry and blueberry began in the United States in the early 1800s and 1900s, respectively, and in part owing to their flavors and health-promoting benefits are now cultivated and consumed worldwide. The industry continues to face a wide variety of production challenges (e.g. disease pressures), as well as a demand for higher-yielding cultivars with improved fruit quality characteristics. Unfortunately, molecular tools to help guide breeding efforts for these species have been relatively limited compared with those for other high-value crops. Here, we describe the construction and analysis of the first pangenome for both blueberry and cranberry. Our analysis of these pangenomes revealed both crops exhibit great genetic diversity, including the presence-absence variation of 48.4% genes in highbush blueberry and 47.0% genes in cranberry. Auxiliary genes, those not shared by all cultivars, are significantly enriched with molecular functions associated with disease resistance and the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites, including compounds previously associated with improving fruit quality traits. The discovery of thousands of genes, not present in the previous reference genomes for blueberry and cranberry, will serve as the basis of future research and as potential targets for future breeding efforts. The pangenome, as a multiple-sequence alignment, as well as individual annotated genomes, are publicly available for analysis on the Genome Database for Vaccinium-a curated and integrated web-based relational database. Lastly, the core-gene predictions from the pangenomes will serve useful to develop a community genotyping platform to guide future molecular breeding efforts across the family.

Acceptance of Millets in Aspects of Nutritional Profiles, Health and Environmental Benefits

Millets are one of the oldest crops known to humans. Millets are small-seeded grasses belonging to the botanical family Poaceae. In Ayurvedic classics they are named as Kshudra dhanya. Common Millets available in India are Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Finger Millet, Foxtail Millet, Barnyard Millet, Kodo Millet, Little Millet, Proso Millet. Millets are good for the environment as they are the carbon neutral crops and also minimum fertilizers as well as pesticides are used for their cultivation. Millets are the most dependable crops to small farmers due to their short crop rotation characteristic and they are the resilient and climate adaptable crops in dry, hot and drought environments. Millets have significant role in traditional diets of different regions throughout the India. Millets are rich sources of nutrients like carbohydrate, protein, good-quality fat, dietary fibre and have sufficient amounts of minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc and B complex vitamins. Hence, millets may be an excellent choice of food for fortification of under nutrition or combating malnutrition and exerting health-promoting benefits and also they play efficient role in body immune system. Millets are rich with phytochemicals, hence millet have health promoting effects specifically anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidaemic and also show therapeutic effects due to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Phytochemicals and the dietary fibre of millets can hinder the absorption of minerals and different food processing methods are commonly used to eliminate the anti-nutritional factors of millets.

"Does Physical Exercise Promote Health Benefits for Diabetic Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic?": A Systematic Review.

Patients affected by COVID-19 are prone to facing disorders in multiple systems and organs, which can lead to deleterious diseases; in addition, people with pre-existing diseases may be more prone to the worst outcomes, and the most vulnerable are patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of physical activity and/or physical exercise prescribed to individuals with diabetes on the maintenance of plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies were found by searching PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, SciELO, LILACS, SportDiscus, Bireme/BVS and Google Scholar databases. The inclusion criteria were articles that addressed only patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T1D and T2D) who had evaluated the level of physical activity or physical exercise and described the effects on plasma glucose and/or glycated hemoglobin in cross-sectional, retrospective, and observational studies, meeting the main criteria established by GRADE. The PICO and GRADE strategies were used to select and assess the methodological quality of studies. Two reviewers searched and selected the articles in databases independently and blindly, during which oppositions and disagreements about the inclusion of articles were discussed and resolved by a third reviewer. Evidence corroborates that levels of physical activity were reduced due to the lockdown, leading to increased body weight and worse glycemic control. On the other hand, individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) (T1D and T2D) who maintained and/or increased levels of physical activity or physical exercise showed reduced plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Adequate levels of physical exercise and physical activity are beneficial for glucose and HbA1c control in diabetic patients (type 1 or type 2). In addition, maintaining adequate levels of physical activity can contribute to reducing health problems when these patients are infected with COVID-19.

Mixed Psyllium Fiber Improves the Quality, Nutritional Value, Polyphenols and Antioxidant Activity of Rye Bread.

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the different shares (0/100, 5/95, 10/90 and 15/85 ratios) of a ground psyllium fiber (PF) mixture of 80% psyllium seeds (Plantago psyllium) and 20% psyllium husk (Plantago ovata Forsk) on the quality characteristics, chemical composition, total polyphenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity of rye bread (RB). The study was conducted with rye flour (RF) type 580 and 720 and two dough preparation methods (single-phase-1F, two-phase-2F). The inclusion of psyllium fiber in rye bread resulted in an increase in the overbaking of bread by 12.4%, total protein by 1.7%, ash by almost twofold, and TDF content by more than twofold. Psyllium fiber addition also led to a twofold improvement in antioxidant activity and an increase in TPC from 35.5 to 109.1 mg GAE/100 g d.m., as well as enhanced porosity of the crumb from 7.1 to 7.6 points on the Mohs scale. However, it caused a decrease in specific loaf volume by 10%, springiness by 3.5%, chewiness by almost 12%, and gumminess of the crumb by 8.1%. A darkening of the crust (reduction in the L* value by 10.7%) and crumb (reduction in the L* value by 37.6%) was observed as well. Notably, the results indicated that a 10% share of PF can be considered a potentially beneficial and functional ingredient, promoting health benefits without negatively affecting the physical and sensory qualities of rye bread. This suggests the potential use of PF for enhancing the nutritional value of RB without compromising its overall quality.

A UPLC-MS/MS Based Rapid, Sensitive, and Non-Enzymatic Methodology for Quantitation of Dietary Isoflavones in Biological Fluids.

Dietary isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogens, have gained importance owing to their health-promoting benefits. However, the beneficial effects of isoflavones are mediated by smaller metabolites produced with the help of gut bacteria that are known to metabolize these phytoestrogenic compounds into Daidzein and Genistein and biologically active molecules such as S-Equol. Identifying and measuring these phytoestrogens and their metabolites is an important step towards understanding the significance of diet and gut microbiota in human health and diseases. We have overcome the reported difficulties in quantitation of these isoflavones and developed a simplified, sensitive, non-enzymatic, and sulfatases-free extraction methodology. We have subsequently used this method to quantify these metabolites in the urine of mice using UPLC-MS/MS. The extraction and quantitation method was validated for precision, linearity, accuracy, recoveries, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). Linear calibration curves for Daidzein, Genistein, and S-Equol were set up by performing linear regression analysis and checked using the correlation coefficient (r2 > 0.995). LOQs for Daidzein, Genistein, and S-Equol were 2, 4, and 2 ng/mL, respectively. This UPLC-MS/MS swift method is suitable for quantifying isoflavones and the microbial-derived metabolite S-Equol in mice urine and is particularly useful for large numbers of samples.

Tuning Expectations to Reality: Don’t Expect Increased Gut Microbiota Diversity with Dietary Fiber

Dietary approaches, particularly those including fiber supplementation, can be used to promote health benefits by shaping gut microbial communities. Whereas community diversity measures, such as richness and evenness, are often used in microbial ecology to make sense of these complex and vast microbial ecosystems, it is less clear how these concepts apply when dietary fiber supplementation is given. In this perspective, we summarize and demonstrate how factors including experimental approach, number of bacteria sharing a dietary fiber, and initial relative abundances of bacteria that use a fiber can significantly affect diversity outcomes in fiber fermentation studies. We also show that a reduction in alpha diversity is possible, and perhaps expected, for most approaches that use fermentable fibers to beneficially shape the gut microbial community while still achieving health-related improvements.