Control Beverage Research Articles

Beverage Containing Dispersible Yeast β-Glucan Decreases Cold/Flu Symptomatic Days After Intense Exercise: A Randomized Controlled Trial

In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled parallel study, we examined the effect of dairy-based beverages (250 mL/day) containing 250 mg of dispersible baker’s yeast β-glucan (Wellmune) compared to a macronutrient- and calorie-matched control on upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in marathon runners. Healthy adults running in the 2017 Austin Marathon consumed either β-glucan (N = 132) or control (N = 225) for the 45 days prior to, day of, and 45 days after the marathon (91 days total). Participants completed a daily online survey assessing compliance, training status, and URTI symptoms. URTI occurrence and severity were evaluated using the Jackson Index and confirmed by the study physician. No significant differences in average duration and number of URTI episodes were found between β-glucan and control. However, those who completed the study per protocol on the β-glucan beverage reported significantly fewer URTI symptomatic days (3.43 ± 6.44 days, max 27 days) compared to those on control beverage (3.84 ± 6.84 days, max 49 days). Total URTI severity was significantly lower for β-glucan (4.52 ± 1.61) compared to control (5.60 ± 2.23). Specifically, lower (p < .05) severity ratings for nasal discharge and sore throat were reported for β-glucan compared to control. Average missed postmarathon workout days due to URTI were significantly less for β-glucan (0.09 ± 0.38 days, max 2 days) compared to control (0.36 ± 1.40 days, max 10 days). Overall, consumption of dairy-based beverages containing dispersible yeast β-glucan decreased URTI symptomatic days, severity of specific URTI symptoms, and missed postmarathon workout days due to URTI, without affecting duration and number of URTI episodes.

A Slow-Digesting, Low-Glycemic Load Nutritional Beverage Improves Glucose Tolerance in Obese Pregnant Women Without Gestational Diabetes.

Obesity is a risk factor for gestational diabetes (gestational diabetes). Low-glycemic index diets attenuate hyperglycemia. We designed a study to determine whether a slow-digesting, low-glycemic load (SD-LGL) beverage improves glucose tolerance in obese pregnant women without GDM. This was a 3-arm comparison study comparing the effects of an SD-LGL nutritional beverage (glycemic load [GL] 730), an isocaloric control beverage (GL 1124), and habitual diet on glycemia in obese pregnant women. Sixteen women (mean body mass index 37 kg/m2) were recruited at 24-28 weeks to receive either the SD-LGL or eucaloric control beverage. This was consumed with breakfast and as a midafternoon snack over 2 days with a controlled diet. Following a 2-day washout period of habitual diet, women completed 2 days on the alternative beverage with controlled diet. A 10-h fast preceded each intervention phase. Twenty-four hour glucose was measured using continuous glucose monitoring. Consumption of the lower GL beverage was associated with improved measures of glycemia, compared with the control beverage and habitual diet at different time periods. Glucose estimates for control versus SD-LDL at 24 h (0.23 mmol/L [0.16 to 0.31], P < 0.001), daytime (0.26 mmol/L [0.18 to 0.34], P < 0.001), and nighttime (0.05 mmol/L [-0.01 to 0.11], P = 0.09). Postprandial glucose was lower after breakfast but not after dinner, compared with the control beverage (0.09 mmol/L [0.01 to 0.18], P = 0.03). A slow-digesting, low-glycemic nutritional beverage may facilitate improved glucose control in obese pregnant women. To address potential benefit for clinical outcomes, a randomized controlled trial is warranted.

Explicit Attitudes, Working Memory Capacity, and Driving After Drinking.

Attitudes toward driving after drinking are strongly predictive of drinking and driving behavior. This study tested working memory capacity (WMC) as a moderator of the association between attitudes and drinking and driving behavior. Consistent with dual process models of cognition, we hypothesized that the association between perceived danger and drinking and driving would be stronger for individuals with higher WMC. Participants (N=161) enrolled in larger alcohol administration study were randomly assigned to an alcohol (n=57), placebol (n=52), or control (n=52, not included) beverage condition. Past-year frequency of driving after drinking and WMC were assessed at baseline. Attitudes were assessed by asking participants to rate the perceived danger of driving at their current level of intoxication twice on the ascending limb (AL1, AL2), at peak breath alcohol concentration (BrAC), and twice on the descending limb (DL1, DL2). Analyses across the BrAC curve indicated that the hypothesized interaction was observed for the alcohol but not placebo condition. Analyses for each assessment point indicated that the interaction was significant for the ascending limb and peak BrAC. In the alcohol condition, for those higher in WMC, lower perceived dangerousness was strongly associated with increased driving after drinking (AL1: incident rate ratios [IRR]=5.87, Wald's χ2 =12.39, p=0.006, 95% CI [2.19, 15.75]; AL2: IRR=8.17, Wald's χ2 =11.39, p=0.001, 95% CI [2.41, 27.66]; Peak: IRR=5.11, Wald's χ2 =9.84, p=0.002, 95% CI [1.84, 14.16]). Associations were not significant at low WMC. Results suggest that individuals higher in WMC are more likely to act consistently with their explicit attitudes toward drinking and driving. Findings may have implications for existing drinking and driving interventions and suggest the potential for novel interventions targeting implicit associations or WMC.

Causal Effects of Alcohol Intoxication on Sexual Risk Intentions and Condom Negotiation Skills Among High-Risk Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM).

Alcohol use is a key risk factor for HIV infection among MSM, in part because intoxication may interfere with the use of prevention methods like condoms. However, few studies have examined whether this is due to alcohol's pharmacological or expectancy effects or explored the specific aspects of sexual decision-making that may be affected. In this study, high-risk, heavy drinking MSM (N = 121) were randomly assigned to receive either (1) alcohol beverages, (2) placebo beverages, or (3) control beverages, before navigating a video-based sexual risk scenario that assessed several aspects of sexual decision-making. Results showed that condom use intentions and negotiation behaviors were lower among alcohol and placebo participants compared with controls, but that few significant differences emerged between the alcohol and placebo groups. These findings contrast with similar past studies, and suggest that alcohol's expectancy effects may play a role in sexual decision-making.

Pomegranate Juice Increases Sirtuin1 Protein in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell from Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial.

Few studies have examined anti-inflammatory effects of pomegranate juice (PJ). The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of PJ on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and sirtuin1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), and plasma vascular inflammation biomarkers. Patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to either the PJ (n = 22) or the placebo group (n = 22). The patients in the PJ group received 250 mL of PJ daily for 12 weeks, whereas the placebo group received corresponding control beverages of similar color and energy content. At baseline and at the end of week 12, fasting plasma concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 (sVCAM-1), and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) were measured. NF-κB p65 and SIRT1 were measured in the PBMC. Plasma sE-selectin concentration decreased significantly in the PJ group at the end of week 12 compared to baseline (P < 0.001 for treatment effect), and the reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group (P < 0.05 for treatment effect). There were no significant differences between the two groups in plasma sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. At the end of the study, compared with the placebo group, NF-κB p65 in PBMC was significantly lower (P < 0.01 for treatment effect) and SIRT1 was significantly higher (P < 0.0001 for treatment effect) in the PJ group. This study supports the PJ consumption as a food with potential benefits in individuals with type 2 diabetes as evidenced by improvements in NF-κB and SIRT1 levels in PBMC of study participants.

Moderate consumption of a soluble green/roasted coffee rich in caffeoylquinic acids reduces cardiovascular risk markers: results from a randomized, cross-over, controlled trial in healthy and hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Coffee is rich in bioactive compounds with health beneficial properties, with green coffee presenting higher phenol content than roasted. We evaluated the effects of regularly consuming realistic amounts of a green/roasted coffee blend on cardiovascular health-related biomarkers. A randomized, cross-over, controlled study was carried out in 25 normocholesterolemic [total cholesterol (TC) < 200mg/dL] and 27 hypercholesterolemic (TC 200-240mg/dL) subjects. During 8 weeks, volunteers consumed 6g/day of soluble green/roasted (35:65) coffee or a control beverage (water or an isotonic drink). Blood pressure, heart rate and body weight were monitored at the end of each intervention, and serum lipids [TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C, triglycerides and phospholipids], cytokines and chemokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, G-CSF, GM-CSF, MCP-1, MIP-1β, TNF-α, INF-γ), adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), and C-reactive protein were measured. Plasma antioxidant capacity (FRAP, ORAC and ABTS methods), and lipid (malondialdehyde, MDA) and protein (carbonyl groups, CG) oxidation were also determined. Attending to the general lineal model of variance for repeated measures, after the green/roasted coffee intervention significant reductions in TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C and triglycerides levels (p = 0.006, 0.001, 0.003 and 0.017, respectively), and a significant group effect were observed (0.001, < 0.001, 0.019 and 0.027, respectively). Only within the hypercholesterolemic group, attending to the Bonferroni test, the aforementioned lipid parameters were significantly lower after regular green/roasted coffee intake compared to baseline values. Moreover, after the coffee stage, plasma antioxidant capacity improved, according to the increase in ORAC and FRAP values (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) and decrease of MDA (p = 0.015) and CG (p < 0.001) levels, without differences between groups. Systolic (p = 0.001) and diastolic (p < 0.001) blood pressure, heart rate (p = 0.035), and body weight (p = 0.017) were reduced in both normo- and hypercholesterolemic groups. Regular consumption of moderate amounts of a soluble green/roasted (35:65) coffee blend may contribute to improve cardiovascular health in moderately hypercholesterolemic people, as reducing serum lipids, blood pressure and body weight effects, as well as increasing plasma antioxidant capacity, have been observed. Moreover, positive influences on blood pressure, body weight, and plasma antioxidant capacity were obtained in the healthy group. Therefore, incorporation of green coffee beans into the coffee brew can be recommended as part of a dietary strategy to protect from cardiovascular disease.

High-Fructose Corn-Syrup-Sweetened Beverage Intake Increases 5-Hour Breast Milk Fructose Concentrations in Lactating Women.

This study determined the effects of consuming a high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)-sweetened beverage on breast milk fructose, glucose, and lactose concentrations in lactating women. At six weeks postpartum, lactating mothers (n = 41) were randomized to a crossover study to consume a commercially available HFCS-sweetened beverage or artificially sweetened control beverage. At each session, mothers pumped a complete breast milk expression every hour for six consecutive hours. The baseline fasting concentrations of breast milk fructose, glucose, and lactose were 5.0 ± 1.3 µg/mL, 0.6 ± 0.3 mg/mL, and 6.8 ± 1.6 g/dL, respectively. The changes over time in breast milk sugars were significant only for fructose (treatment × time, p < 0.01). Post hoc comparisons showed the HFCS-sweetened beverage vs. control beverage increased breast milk fructose at 120 min (8.8 ± 2.1 vs. 5.3 ± 1.9 µg/mL), 180 min (9.4 ± 1.9 vs. 5.2 ± 2.2 µg/mL), 240 min (7.8 ± 1.7 vs. 5.1 ± 1.9 µg/mL), and 300 min (6.9 ± 1.4 vs. 4.9 ± 1.9 µg/mL) (all p < 0.05). The mean incremental area under the curve for breast milk fructose was also different between treatments (14.7 ± 1.2 vs. −2.60 ± 1.2 µg/mL × 360 min, p < 0.01). There was no treatment × time interaction for breast milk glucose or lactose. Our data suggest that the consumption of an HFCS-sweetened beverage increased breast milk fructose concentrations, which remained elevated up to five hours post-consumption.

Effect of High-Pressure Processing on Quality and Microbiological Properties of a Fermented Beverage Manufactured from Sweet Whey Throughout Refrigerated Storage

The production of fermented beverages is a promising way to valorize by-products of dairy manufacturing. However, the shelf-life of these products is often limited by the post-acidification process that occurs during storage. In this work, we manufactured a fermented beverage from sweet whey by using the starter lactic acid bacteria (SLAB) Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. High-pressure processing (HPP) at 200 MPa for 10 min or 400 MPa for 1 min were applied after manufacturing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HPP on the quality of the beverage and on the behavior of the SLAB. Both high hydrostatic pressure treatments preserved flavor and texture attributes until 45 days post-HPP, without affecting chromatic parameters. Plate counts for both species were lower in HPP-treated beverages (HB) than in control beverages (CB), although treatment at 200 MPa maintained optimal amounts of total SLAB (6.6–7.9 log CFU/mL). Conversely, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and reverse transcription-qPCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that bacterial DNA or mRNA levels persisted after HPP (> 1.4 × 105 genome or cDNA copies/mL), even upon 400-MPa treatments. As a whole, this study indicated that HPP preserved the quality of the beverage until 45 days post-HPP, which is longer than the shelf-life of conventional fermented beverages obtained from milk. Moreover, our results obtained with these SLAB in a fermented dairy beverage upon HPP extend previous findings regarding the limitations of culture-dependent methods to assess microbial viability.

The effects of apples and apple juice on acute plasma uric acid concentration: a randomized controlled trial

The consumption of large amounts of fructose from added sugars results in the hepatic production and export of uric acid into the circulation. Our aim was to test whether fructose present in fruit is of sufficient quantity or in a form that will increase uric acid concentration. Seventy-three participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups to ingest small (205 g) and large (410 g) servings of apple segments, small (170 mL) and large (340 mL) servings of apple juice, or a glucose and a fructose control beverage. Within each group, participants ingested both treatments in a crossover design. The fructose control and the large servings of apple and juice contained 26.7 g fructose. Test foods were ingested within 10 min. Blood samples were taken at baseline and at 30 and 60 min after intake. Plasma uric acid concentrations increased after the intake of all fructose-containing treatments and decreased after the glucose beverage. The mean (95% CI) increase in uric acid at 30 min was 15 µmol/L (10, 21 µmol/L) for the fructose control and 19 µmol/L (8, 30 µmol/L) and 17 µmol/L (9, 24 µmol/L) for the large servings of apple and apple juice, respectively. There was no difference in change in uric acid between baseline and 30 min when comparing the apple (3 µmol/L; 95% CI: -8, 14 µmol/L) and apple juice (-7 µmol/L; 95% CI: -18, 5 µmol/L) with the fructose control. Blood pressure taken 70 min after ingestion was unaffected by any treatment (P>0.05). There was no difference in change in satiety scores between the fructose and glucose control beverages (P>0.05). Participants felt more satiated 30 min after ingesting whole apple than after apple juice. The glycemic response reflected the amount of glucose in each treatment. The body acutely responds to fructose regardless of source. Longer-term studies are required to assess how small and transient increases in plasma uric acid contribute to health. This trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry at https://www.anzctr.org.au/trial/registration/trialreview.aspx?id=367974 as ACTRN12615000215527.

Black pepper-based beverage induced appetite-suppressing effects without altering postprandial glycaemia, gut and thyroid hormones or gastrointestinal well-being: a randomized crossover study in healthy subjects.

Pleiotropic effects of spices on health, particularly on glucose metabolism and energy regulation, deserve further clinical investigation into their efficacy. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether consumption of a black pepper-based beverage (BPB) preload containing 20 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) would exert any effect on postprandial glycaemia, appetite sensations, gut hormones, thyroid function, and gastrointestinal well-being after a white wheat bread (WWB) challenge meal containing 50 g available carbohydrates (CHO) compared to a control beverage. Sixteen healthy subjects (10 men; 6 women; 26 ± 0.9 years; BMI 22.93 ± 0.53 kg m-2) completed a randomized, crossover intervention study. The BPB's bioactive compounds were characterized using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source (UHPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS). Nine compounds tentatively identified in BPB include: dihydroxybenzoic acid hexoside-pentoside, decaffeoyl-acteoside, cynaroside A, apigenin 6,8-di-C-hexoside, luteolin 6-C-hexoside-8-C-rhamnoside, apigenin 8-C-hexoside-C-deoxyhexoside, kaempferol 3-rhamnoside-4'-xyloside, apigenin 7-neohesperidoside, and apigenin-8-C-arabinopyranoside-2''-rhamnoside. Blood glucose and serum insulin responses, insulin sensitivity and β-cell function were not affected during the acute intervention with BPB. Neither were effects on gastrointestinal well-being observed after BPB. However, BPB modulated overall acute appetite by lowering 'hunger', 'desire to eat', and 'prospective consumption', and increasing 'satiety' and 'fullness'. In contrast, there were no changes in gut (peptide tyrosine-tyrosine [PYY] and glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1]) and thyroid (triiodothyronine [T3] and thyroxine [T4]) hormones after BPB compared to the control beverage. In conclusion, inclusion of BPB prior to the WWB challenge meal might be beneficial for appetite modulation, but we did not find supporting evidence in glycaemia, gut and thyroid hormones. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms of appetite-reducing pungent spices, such as black pepper.

Effects of a mixed berry beverage on cognitive functions and cardiometabolic risk markers; A randomized cross-over study in healthy older adults.

BackgroundBerries and associated bioactive compounds, e.g. polyphenols and dietary fibre (DF), may have beneficial implications with respect to the metabolic syndrome, including also cognitive functions. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects on cognitive functions and cardiometabolic risk markers of 5 wk intervention with a mixture of berries, in healthy humans.MethodsForty healthy subjects between 50–70 years old were provided a berry beverage based on a mixture of berries (150g blueberries, 50g blackcurrant, 50g elderberry, 50g lingonberries, 50g strawberry, and 100g tomatoes) or a control beverage, daily during 5 weeks in a randomized crossover design. The control beverage (water based) was matched with respect to monosaccharides, pH, and volume. Cognitive tests included tests of working memory capacity, selective attention, and psychomotor reaction time. Cardiometabolic test variables investigated were blood pressure, fasting blood concentrations of glucose, insulin, blood lipids, inflammatory markers, and markers of oxidative stress.ResultsThe daily amounts of total polyphenols and DF from the berry beverage were 795 mg and 11g, respectively. There were no polyphenols or DF in the control beverage. The berry intervention reduced total- and LDL cholesterol compared to baseline (both P<0.05), and in comparison to the control beverage (P<0.005 and P<0.01, respectively). The control beverage increased glucose concentrations (P<0.01) and tended to increase insulin concentrations (P = 0.064) from base line, and increased insulin concentrations in comparison to the berry beverage (P<0.05). Subjects performed better in the working memory test after the berry beverage compared to after the control beverage (P<0.05). No significant effects on the other test variables were observed.ConclusionsThe improvements in cardiometabolic risk markers and cognitive performance after the berry beverage suggest preventive potential of berries with respect to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and associated cognitive decline. Possibly the polyphenols and DF contributed to the beneficial effects.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01562392.

Dutch courage? Effects of acute alcohol consumption on self-ratings and observer ratings of foreign language skills.

A popular belief is that alcohol improves the ability to speak in a foreign language. The effect of acute alcohol consumption on perceived foreign language performance and actual foreign language performance in foreign language learners has not been investigated. The aim of the current study was to test the effects of acute alcohol consumption on self-rated and observer-rated verbal foreign language performance in participants who have recently learned this language. Fifty native German speakers who had recently learned Dutch were randomized to receive either a low dose of alcohol or a control beverage that contained no alcohol. Following the experimental manipulation, participants took part in a standardized discussion in Dutch with a blinded experimenter. The discussion was audio-recorded and foreign language skills were subsequently rated by two native Dutch speakers who were blind to the experimental condition (observer-rating). Participants also rated their own individual Dutch language skills during the discussion (self-rating). Participants who consumed alcohol had significantly better observer-ratings for their Dutch language, specifically better pronunciation, compared with those who did not consume alcohol. However, alcohol had no effect on self-ratings of Dutch language skills. Acute alcohol consumption may have beneficial effects on the pronunciation of a foreign language in people who have recently learned that language.

The effect of soluble fiber dextrin on postprandial appetite and subsequent food intake in healthy adults.

This crossover study investigated the effect of consuming a beverage that contains soluble fiber dextrin (SFD) on appetite and food intake in adults to test the hypothesis that beverages that contain 10 or 20 g of fiber from SFD would be more satiating than the control beverage. Forty-one participants consumed lunch with a beverage that contained 0 g, 10 g, or 20 g of fiber from SFD. Appetite questionnaires were completed and blood samples collected immediately before lunch and at regular intervals over the following 150 min. Then, participants were provided with an afternoon snack and the amount eaten was recorded. Participants then left the laboratory but were asked to complete hourly appetite questionnaires and record food intake for the remainder of the day. Consuming SFD had no effect on appetite over the 150 min after consumption of the lunch meal (P > 0.05). Hunger and desire to eat were lower and fullness higher after consumption of the beverage that contained 20 g of fiber from SFD (P < 0.05) after participants left the laboratory. There was no effect of consuming SFD on food intake at the snack meal or for the rest of the day (P > 0.05). Plasma glucose-dependent insulintropic polypeptide was lower during the 150 min after consumption of 20 g fiber from the SFD beverage (P < 0.05). There was no treatment effect on the plasma concentration of other biomarkers of glycemic response or appetite (P > 0.05). Overall, the study results did not show an effect of SFD on appetite, food intake, and plasma markers of appetite for the first 150 min postconsumption. Further research is required to quantify how SFD influences appetite several hours after consumption.

Problematic Drinking Mediates the Association Between Urgency and Intimate Partner Aggression During Acute Intoxication.

This study tested a moderated-mediation model whereby dimensions of impulsivity (i.e., negative urgency, positive urgency, sensation seeking, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance) differentially predict perpetration of physical intimate partner aggression (IPA) through problematic drinking in intoxicated and nonintoxicated heavy drinkers. Participants were 249 heavy drinkers (148 men and 101 women) with a recent history of psychological and/or physical IPA perpetration toward their current partner recruited from 2 metropolitan U.S. cities. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed impulsivity and problematic drinking, consumed an Alcohol or No-Alcohol Control beverage, and completed a shock-based aggression task in which they were ostensibly provoked by their intimate partner. Results indicated an indirect effect of urgency on IPA through problematic drinking that was significantly more positive in intoxicated individuals. These findings implicate a tendency to act rashly in response to emotions as the specific dimension of impulsivity associated with problematic drinking, which in turn exacerbates risk for IPA perpetration. Results also suggest acute effects of alcohol are key in facilitating this mechanism.

Polyphenol-rich spice-based beverages modulated postprandial early glycaemia, appetite and PYY after breakfast challenge in healthy subjects: A randomized, single blind, crossover study

Spices are rich in distinct polyphenols which might act on the gut by inhibiting glucose uptake and modulating appetite responses. To investigate this hypothesis, healthy adults were randomly assigned to receive isovolumetric (220ml) spice-based (contained total polyphenol concentration to 185mg gallic-acid equivalents) or control beverages followed by a standard bread breakfast containing 50g available carbohydrates in a cross-over trial. Postprandial glucose, insulin, PYY and appetite responses were evaluated. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-ESI-QTOF-MS) was used for polyphenols profiling. Cinnamon and turmeric lowered early blood glucose increment up to 45min compared to control. Turmeric increased p-PYY and lowered ‘desire to eat’ and ‘prospective consumption (quantity of food wanted to it)’ compared to control. By offering appetite modulation and glucose lowering effects, certain spices (e.g. turmeric and cinnamon) may be important in lowering cardiometabolic risk.

Development, Initial Testing and Challenges of an Ecologically Valid Reward Prediction Error FMRI Task for Alcoholism

To advance translational studies of the role of reward prediction error (PE) in alcohol use disorder, the present study sought to develop and conduct an initial test of an alcohol-specific PE task paradigm using functional magnetic resonance imaging in humans. Alcohol dependent or social drinkers received small tastes of their preferred alcohol beverage or control beverage, with preceding visual cues indicating whether alcohol (or water) would be delivered. To assess both positive and negative PE signals, expectancies were systematically violated in both positive (i.e. expecting water and receiving alcohol) and negative (i.e. expecting alcohol and receiving water) directions. Exploratory trial-by-trial analyses were conducted to explore temporal fluctuations of activation within a priori-defined regions of interest that have been implicated in cue reactivity and PE processing. Across the entire sample of participants, positive PE-related brain activation was found in a large cluster comprised of frontal lobe regions, as well as insular cortex, and motor/sensory cortices. Compared to social drinking subjects, alcohol dependent subjects had greater positive PE-related brain activity in left superior parietal lobule, lateral occipital cortex and postcentral gyrus. Exploratory trial-by-trial analyses indicated differences in activation specific to type of taste, mostly at earlier trials. This task-development oriented pilot study found that PE signaling may not be detected in expected brain regions when image analyses average across all PE trials of the task. Rather, a trial-by-trial analysis approach may help detect sparse, temporally distinct PE signaling in expected reward processing regions. This fMRI study of reward prediction error found greater positive prediction error-related activity (i.e. expecting water taste, receiving alcohol taste) in alcohol dependent individuals relative to social drinkers in parietal and occipital cortices. Trial-by-trial analyses may be able to better detect sparse prediction error signaling in expected reward processing regions.

The Divergent Effect of Coffee Polyphenol and Hydroxyhydroquinone Ingestion on Postprandial Hyperglycemia and Vascular Function in Healthy Men

Epidemiological studies indicate that coffee consumption reduces the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, interventional studies have failed to clarify the beneficial effects of coffee consumption on blood glucose and the cardiovascular system. We previously demonstrated that 1) coffee polyphenol (CPP) consumption improved postprandial hyperglycemia and vascular endothelial function in humans, and 2) improvement in vascular endothelial function due to CPP was impaired by hydroxyhydroquinone (HHQ) in rats. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of concomitant consumption of HHQ, a prooxidant in coffee, on the beneficial effects of CPP consumption on postprandial blood glucose and vascular function in humans. We conducted a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover intervention study in healthy male adults, measuring blood and urine parameters and flow-mediated dilation after ingestion of a meal with CPP with or without HHQ up to 180 min postprandially. Ten healthy male adults consumed a test meal with either a placebo, control (CPP with HHQ), or active (CPP without HHQ) beverage. The CPP-including active (without HHQ) beverage significantly blunted the postprandial increase in blood glucose and decline in flow-mediated dilation but not the control (with HHQ) beverage, compared with the placebo beverage. The active beverage reduced blood oxidative stress biomarker response compared with the control beverage. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that concomitant ingestion of HHQ, which increases oxidative stress, interferes with the improvement of postprandial blood glucose and vascular endothelial function after CPP consumption in healthy humans.

Phenolics from purple grape juice increase serum antioxidant status and improve lipid profile and blood pressure in healthy adults under intense physical training

Phenolic compounds have generated considerable interest in the scientific community and the media. Much of this interest is due to the properties ascribed to several phenolic compounds for prevention of cancer, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Grape juice made from cultivars Isabel, Bordeaux and Concord, was characterized in this work. Subsequently, twenty-eight healthy adults were randomly assigned to a group that consumed grape juice (GJG=15; 25–54years old) and a group that consumed a control beverage (CG=13; 20–53years old). The groups were evaluated for their nutritional status, blood pressure, and blood collection for analysis of total antioxidant capacity, nitrite, glucose and lipid profile, upon receiving supplementation (10m/kg/day) for 28days and reevaluated at the end. The results suggest that purple grape juice had a great potential as an antioxidant source in improving antioxidant status and cardiometabolic profile of healthy adults under intense physical exercise.

Acute Effects of Wild Blueberry Intake on Metabolic Markers and Cognitive Performance in Middle‐Aged Adults

BACKGROUNDConsumption of polyphenols has been associated with improvements in cognitive function in children (aged 8–10 years old), young adults (18–21 years old) and older adults (65–80 years old). In this study, we investigated the effect of wild blueberry (WBB) consumption on cognitive performance in middle aged adults (45–60 years old) and examined the relationship of cognitive outcomes with metabolic control.METHODSIn this randomized, single‐blind, 2‐arm, cross‐over trial, 29 middle aged men and women were asked to consume a high carbohydrate, moderate fat meal with 1 cup fresh weight equivalent freeze dried WBB drink or control beverage (flavored lemonade). Cognitive tests measuring response interference, executive/working memory, and performance in learning, memory recall and recognition were performed immediately before and every 2 hours after meal consumption for 8 h. Blood samples were collected at defined time points over 8 h after meal intake.RESULTSPreliminary analysis showed significant effects for treatment (p=0.01) and time (p=0.02) with respect to response inhibition on a task assessing executive function. Response inhibition was significantly higher after WBB consumption compared to control (p&lt;0.05) at the 2 hour time point and a trend for higher response inhibition was observed at the 4 hour time point (p = 0.08). Changes in postprandial insulin were significantly different by treatment (mean ± SE; WBB, 35.0 ± 3.0 uIU/mL, Control, 40.0 ± 3.0 uIU/mL, p=0.02) and time (p&lt;0.0001), whereas glucose and TG were different by time only (p&lt;0.0001 for both). Incremental area under the curve analysis also showed significantly reduced insulin exposure (control, 236.3 ± 32.7 uIU/mL*h vs WBB, 204.8 ± 33.4 uIU/mL*h, p=0.0431) with no significant change in glucose or TG (p&gt;0.05) between WBB and control.CONCLUSIONThese results support a role of WBB in acute facilitation of cognitive performance on the more demanding conditions of a response inhibition task and enhancing insulin action when consumed with a meal in middle aged adults. These findings, in conjunction with similar reports in young and older aged groups, support the notion that wild blueberry supplementation can be beneficial with respect to neurocognitive and metabolic function throughout the life span.Support or Funding InformationWild Blueberry Association of North America

Strawberry and cranberry polyphenols improve insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant, non-diabetic adults: a parallel, double-blind, controlled and randomised clinical trial.

Plant-derived foods rich in polyphenols are associated with several cardiometabolic health benefits, such as reduced postprandial hyperglycaemia. However, their impact on whole-body insulin sensitivity using the hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp technique remains under-studied. We aimed to determine the effects of strawberry and cranberry polyphenols (SCP) on insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, lipid profile, inflammation and oxidative stress markers in free-living insulin-resistant overweight or obese human subjects (n 41) in a parallel, double-blind, controlled and randomised clinical trial. The experimental group consumed an SCP beverage (333 mg SCP) daily for 6 weeks, whereas the Control group received a flavour-matched Control beverage that contained 0 mg SCP. At the beginning and at the end of the experimental period, insulin sensitivity was assessed by a hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp, and glucose tolerance and insulin secretion by a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Insulin sensitivity increased in the SCP group as compared with the Control group (+0·9 (sem 0·5)×10-3 v. -0·5 (sem 0·5)×10-3 mg/kg per min per pmol, respectively, P=0·03). Compared with the Control group, the SCP group had a lower first-phase insulin secretion response as measured by C-peptide levels during the first 30 min of the OGTT (P=0·002). No differences were detected between the two groups for lipids and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. A 6-week dietary intervention with 333 mg of polyphenols from strawberries and cranberries improved insulin sensitivity in overweight and obese non-diabetic, insulin-resistant human subjects but was not effective in improving other cardiometabolic risk factors.