Excessive Sugar Consumption Research Articles

Adolescents’ perspectives on soft drinks after the introduction of the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy: A focus group study using reflexive thematic analysis

BackgroundThe UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL), announced in March 2016 and implemented in April 2018, is a fiscal policy to incentivise reformulation of eligible soft drinks. We aimed to explore perceptions of sugar, sugary drinks and the SDIL among adolescents in the UK post-implementation. Methods23 adolescents aged 11–14 years participated in four focus groups in 2018–2019. A semi-structured topic guide elicited relevant perspectives and included a group task to rank a selection of UK soft drinks based on their sugar content. Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis was used to undertake inductive analysis. ResultsFour main themes were present: 1) Sweetened drinks are bad for you, but some are worse than others; 2) Awareness of the SDIL and ambivalence towards it 3) The influence of drinks marketing: value, pricing, and branding; 4) Openness to population-level interventions. Young people had knowledge of the health implications of excess sugar consumption, which did not always translate to their own consumption. Ambivalence and a mixed awareness surrounding the SDIL was also present. Marketing and parental and school restriction influenced their consumption patterns, as did taste, enjoyment and consuming drinks for functional purposes (e.g., to give them energy). Openness to future population-level interventions to limit consumption was also present. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that adolescents are accepting of interventions that require little effort from young people in order to reduce their sugar consumption. Further education-based interventions are likely to be unhelpful, in contexts where adolescents understand the negative consequences of excess sugar and SSB consumption.

Sugar Content and Consumption of Franchise Beverages as Risk Overweight Factors

Nowadays, the franchise business is growing very rapidly, one of which is sweet beverages. The characteristics of the berverages have a high sugar content that exceeds the recommended limit for daily consumption, which is 6-12 g. Excess sugar consumption can lead to being overweight. This study aimed to know the sugar content and total calories contained in franchise beverages. This research was an observational study with descriptive analysis design. The sugar content was tested using the Nelson-Somogyi method and total calories were tested using a bomb calorimeter. The number of beverage samples were 8 samples of drinks and toppings based on the best-selling drinks. The average total sugar contained in selected franchise beverages were 39,81 g/serving size and total calories were 389,75 kcal/serving size. The conclusion that total sugar contained in the selected drink topping was 2,47 g/serving size and total calories was 60,72 kcal/serving size. The average sugar content and total calories were exceeded the recommended daily sugar intake, so it was necessary to limit daily consumption of these drinks.

New insights into vesicle granulation in Citrus grandis revealed by systematic analysis of sugar- and acid-related genes and metabolites

Vesicle granulation is a common internal physiological disorder in citrus fruit, associated with excessive consumption of sugar and acid. Aside from cell wall metabolism, it remains largely unexplored how the sugar and acid metabolic pathways altered as vesicle granulation progressed. The present study performed systematic analysis of sugar- and acid-related genes and metabolites in vesicles during pomelo granulation. Eighty-one genes were identified from the pomelo genome, belonging to 19 families, including 37 and 44 genes for sugar and acid metabolism, respectively. Vesicle granulation was characterized by increasing expression levels of genes of sucrose and citrate degradation while decreasing expression levels of genes of sucrose and citrate synthesis, according to the genome-wide transcript analysis. Further, those genes of citrate degradation were mainly related to glutamine and acetyl-CoA pathways. Systematic analysis of metabolites suggested that various metabolites, including glutamine and other metabolites of the acetyl-CoA pathway, were accumulated dramatically upon granulation. Interestingly, the γ-aminobutyrate shunt, the pivotal pathway for citrate degradation in citrus fruit upon ripening, may not be activated during pomelo granulation. In conclusion, the present study discovered novel metabolic pathways underlying citrus granulation, including shifting citrate flux to the glutamine pathway and acetyl-CoA pathway, but not the γ-aminobutyrate shunt.

Public Awareness of Diet-Related Diseases and Dietary Risk Factors: A 2022 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey among Adults in Poland.

A suboptimal diet is a risk factor for numerous non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge on diet-related diseases and dietary risk factors among adults in Poland as well as to identify factors associated with awareness of diet-related diseases and dietary risk factors. This cross-sectional survey was carried out in July 2022 on a representative sample of adults in Poland. Data were received from 1070 individuals (53.3% females) aged 18–89 years. Out of eight diet-related diseases included in this study, overweight/obesity was the most recognized diet-related disease (85.0%). Stroke (26.2%) and osteoporosis (17.9%) were the least recognized diet-related diseases. Out of eight dietary risk factors included in this study, excessive consumption of sugar and salt (73.4%) was the most recognized dietary risk factor. Less than half of the respondents were aware that (1) too little vitamin intake, (2) too little intake of calcium and magnesium, (3) too little consumption of fish and oils, and (4) too little dietary fiber intake can lead to the development of the diseases. Having higher education and the presence of chronic diseases were the most important factors associated with a higher level of awareness of diet-related diseases and dietary risk factors (p < 0.05).

Assessment of diet, bad habits and psychological status in men and women of the XXI century

Background. The modern rhythm of life has a negative impact on the people lifestyle. Daily stress factors, anxiety, sleep disturbance contribute to the spread of bad habits and excessive consumption of sugars, which, in combination with physical inactivity, leads to weight gain and obesity, and subsequently the development of a number of associated diseases. Methods. Using a specially designed questionnaire, including questions about nutrition, bad habits, physical activity, psychological status, a direct, voluntary survey of 120 socially active, able-bodied men and women was conducted. The risk of developing diabetes mellitus was assessed using the FINDRISK scale, height, body weight, waist circumference were also measured, and body mass index was calculated. Results. The vast majority of respondents (72.5%) noted one or another lack in their lifestyle. More than half of females and males (only 57.5 % of participants) lead a sedentary lifestyle. An increased intake of sugars was revealed in the diet, 18.33 % of the participants consumed fast food weekly, among men there was insufficient consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits. Analysis of bad habits showed that 15.83 % of respondents smoke, 15 % (most men) use energy drinks, 5 % of respondents abuse alcohol. Sleep disorders are widespread in both sexes (generally 55 %), anxiety, mainly among women (51.76 %), depressive background was most often recorded among consumers of energy drinks (66.67 %). Insufficient awareness of rational nutrition was noted in both sexes. When setting goals for lifestyle correction, multitasking was revealed (more than three tasks in 20 % of men and 21.18 % of women) and a high expectation of achieving results. Conclusions. The results of the study highlight numerous risk factors in the lifestyle of socially active people of both sexes which if not corrected in time, can lead to the development of a number of serious diseases.

Relationship of BMI with the diet, physical activity and oral hygiene practices amongst the dental students

BackgroundRegardless of attaining adequate knowledge regarding oral hygiene, physical activity, and healthy eating habits, dental students still face oral health problems. This study was aimed to assess the association of oral hygiene habits, physical activity, and eating habits with the BMI in the dental students.MethodThis multi centric cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2021 in Pakistan. Three hundred and eighty-six study participants enrolled as undergraduate dental students, both males and females, were included in the study. A questionnaire used to gather data, was modified from a study conducted by Jouhar et al. Chi-square testing was used in order to assess the relationship between two categorical variables. Linear regression was performed to assess the association with putative confounders. Statistical significance was considered for p value < 0.05.ResultsRegarding brushing teeth, 57% of the underweight individuals brushed once daily, 69.8% of the healthy, 79.2% of overweight, and 48% of obese participants brushed twice. Horizontal brushing technique was performed by 50% of the underweight participants, followed by scrub technique. A soft bristled brush was frequently used by underweight (42.9%) and healthy (66%) individuals, while a medium textured bristle brush was used by overweight (62.3%) and obese (54.2%) participants. Majority of the underweight (64.3%), overweight (48.1%), and 45.8% of obese individuals had meals thrice a day, while healthy (62.3%) individuals had meals twice a day.ConclusionThis study further intensified the contributing role of having an excessive dietary intake and sugar consumption in causing obesity and dental caries. Findings from the current study, identify a statistically significant relationship that exists between BMI levels with oral hygiene, eating habits and the physical activity.

Sugars and non-transmissible diseases

Introduction. Sugar consumed in reasonable quantities plays a beneficial role for the human body. In recent decades, however, it has been found that increased sugar consumption has negative effects on the health of the population.&#x0D; Material and methods. The paper presents a synthesis of official international and national documents and bibliographic sources on the occurrence of certain non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a result of excessive sugar consumption. A focused search of literature sources was conducted using the Google Scholar search engine, PubMed, Research for Life, and Medline databases. The criteria for selecting the items included health problems caused by excessive sugar consumption.&#x0D; Results. Excessive sugar consumption contributes to the emergence of various NBTs such as circulatory system diseases, type 2 diabetes and a. Excessive sugar consumption has a major contribution to the phenomenon of overweight and obesity with its consequences. Excess sugar in the daily diet is one of the main causes of tooth decay. According to WHO recommendations, complex, multi-sectoral interventions are needed to reduce sugar consumption.&#x0D; Conclusions. In order to prevent NCDs associated with the nutritional factor, especially with excessive sugar consumption, in the Republic of Moldova, it is important to implement cost-effective interventions both socially and economically.

Perceptions of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax amongst tertiary accounting students in South Africa: a comparative study

An excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce excessive sugar consumption in South Africa came into effect on 1 April 2018. This study aimed to investigate perceptions of a limited sample of South Africans regarding the sugar-sweetened beverages tax based on certain economic factors, and whether participants perceived any likely benefit from the tax. These perceptions were compared with perceptions identified in selected foreign jurisdictions that have levied such a tax. A survey questionnaire was selected as the primary method of data collection. This questionnaire was administered to post-graduate Accounting students, aged twenty-one years and older, studying at three residential universities in South Africa. An extensive analysis of literature available on sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, both locally and internationally, was conducted. The two main constructs (construct 1: perception of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax and the price of sugar-sweetened beverages and construct 2: the social impact of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax) were analyzed using descriptive statistics. This study found that there is a significant association between gender and perception that the sugary beverage levy will be beneficial to health, with female perceptions of the benefit of the sugary beverage levy being greater than that of males. The study found that perception of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax may depend on several factors, closely linked to individual beliefs and cultures, and thus different populations may have different perceptions of the tax. The findings about sugar-sweetened beverage consumption trends across gender, ethnicities and physical activity groups can help guide targeted strategies to reduce consumption.

Context-aware Based Personalized Recommendation on Mobile for Monitoring Excessive Sugar Consumption of Thai Adolescents

Given the harmful effects of excessive sugar consumption, everyone should be aware of the amount of sugar they consume in daily life. Generally, managing nutrition and preventing negative effects from sugar intake requires a nutritional specialist or specialized knowledge, which may not always be readily accessible or understandable. Therefore, there is a need for a mobile application that can track excessive sugar consumption. This study proposes a context-aware personalized recommendation mobile application for monitoring excessive sugar consumption and providing individual recommendations (based on a predefined set of 144 rules) to Thai adolescents. The application is user friendly and can be used to provide recommendations to users for sugar consumption and proper exercise each day. Personal, health, and lifestyle data are collected and analyzed to provide individualized recommendations to each user. Experiments were conducted with 140 Thai adolescents aged 15 to 25 years old. Users’ preferences regarding degree of awareness in presentation style were also investigated. Users rated their satisfaction with the proposed mobile application as very high in terms of both function and personalization. In addition, fully automated recommendations were found to be the preferred degree of awareness among the test group.

Effects of Toxic AGEs (TAGE) on Human Health.

The habitual and excessive consumption of sugar (i.e., sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup, HFCS) is associated with the onset and progression of lifestyle-related diseases (LSRD). Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) have recently been the focus of research on the factors contributing to LSRD. Approaches that inhibit the effects of AGEs may be used to prevent and/or treat LSRD; however, since the structures of AGEs vary depending on the type of reducing sugars or carbonyl compounds to which they respond, difficulties are associated with verifying that AGEs are an etiological factor. Cytotoxic AGEs derived from glyceraldehyde, a triose intermediate in the metabolism of glucose and fructose, have been implicated in LSRD and are called toxic AGEs (TAGE). A dietary imbalance (the habitual and excessive intake of sucrose, HFCS, or dietary AGEs) promotes the generation/accumulation of TAGE in vivo. Elevated circulating levels of TAGE have been detected in non-diabetics and diabetics, indicating a strong relationship between the generation/accumulation of TAGE in vivo and the onset and progression of LSRD. We herein outline current findings on “TAGE as a new target” for human health.

THE POWER OF NUTRITION: HOW A HEALTHY DIET CAN SHIELD AGAINST CHRONIC DISEASES

In an era where chronic diseases are on the rise and health concerns have taken center stage, the role of a healthy diet in preventing and managing these conditions has gained significant attention. This article explores the profound impact of nutrition on health, particularly in the context of chronic disease prevention. Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer, are on the rise globally, necessitating a proactive approach to mitigate their impact. A balanced and nutrient-rich diet plays a pivotal role in shielding against these ailments. The article delves into the intricate relationship between nutrition and chronic diseases, elucidating the role of essential nutrients in maintaining bodily functions and bolstering the immune system. The Mediterranean diet is spotlighted as an exemplary nutritional strategy for disease prevention, while the detrimental effects of processed foods and excessive sugar consumption are also addressed. The article underscores the importance of holistic health, where nutrition aligns with physical activity, stress management, and sleep for optimal well-being. By empowering individuals to make informed dietary choices, this article advocates for nutrition as a formidable tool in the battle against chronic diseases.

The Effects of High Salt and Western Diets on Microcirculatory and Glycocalyx Properties in Genetically Heterogeneous Young Mice

A prominent feature of cardiovascular disease is microcirculatory dysfunction, characterized by low capillary density and a deteriorated glycocalyx. In most industrialized societies, individuals consume a high salt diet in combination with a western diet, characterized by excess consumption of fat and sugar. Therefore, we sought to determine the effects of high salt and/or western diet in genetically heterogeneous young mice. At 3 mo old, male and female UM‐HET3 mice were randomized into 1 of 4 dietary interventions for 12 weeks: 1. Normal chow diet (NC) (fat 13.5% kcal fat, N=19) 2. NC diet with 4% salt (NC4%) (13.0% kcal fat, N=19) 3. Western diet (WD) (39.1% kcal fat, N=19) 4. WD with 4% salt (WD4%) (40.4% kcal fat, N=18) Microvascular density and glycocalyx barrier function were evaluated in 4‐25 µm diameter microvessel segments in the mesenteric microcirculation using an intravital microscope equipped with an automated capture and analysis system. After 12 weeks of dietary intervention, WD and WD4% had ~32‐42% greater body mass and ~13‐16% greater blood glucose level than NC and NC4% (P&lt;0.05 for all). Microvascular density at each microvessel segment diameter is presented in Figure 1A. Total microvascular density summed across 4‐25 µm microvessel segment diameters was lower in NC4% compared to NC, WD, and WD4% (Figure 1B; P&lt;0.05). Total microvascular density in WD4% was also lower than NC (P&lt;0.05). After separating microvessels into capillaries (4‐6 µm diameter) and large microvessels (10‐25 µm diameter), capillary density was lower in NC4% compared to NC, WD, and WD4% (Figure 1C; P&lt;0.05). Capillary density was higher in WD compared to NC (P&lt;0.05). Large microvessel density was lower in NC4% and WD4% compared to NC (Figure 1D; P&lt;0.05). Perfused boundary region (PBR), a marker of glycocalyx barrier function, at each microvessel segment diameter is presented in Figure 2A. PBR averaged across 4‐25 µm microvessel segment diameters was similar between NC and NC4%, as well as between WD and WD4% (Figure 2B; P&gt;0.05). Surprisingly, PBR was lower in WD and WD4% compared to NC and NC4% (P&lt;0.05), indicating augmented glycocalyx barrier function in WD and WD4%. Capillary PBR was also lower in WD and WD4% and trending toward lower in NC (P=0.07) compared to NC4% (Figure 2C; P&lt;0.05). Large microvessel PBR was lower in WD and WD4% compared to NC and NC4% (Figure 2D; P&lt;0.05). There were strong, inverse relationships between PBR and body mass (Figure 2E; r=‐0.60, P&lt;0.05) and blood glucose (Figure 2F; r=‐0.47, P&lt;0.05). In summary, NC4% decreased microvascular density and glycocalyx barrier function. Although WD increased body mass and blood glucose, it appeared to augment capillary density and glycocalyx barrier function. Interestingly, the combination of high salt, western diet in WD4% resulted in lower total microvascular density that was similar to NC4%, as well as an elevation in body mass, blood glucose, capillary density, and glycocalyx barrier function that was similar to WD. These data indicate that there are distinct microcirculatory adaptations to high salt and western diets that appear to superimpose when these diets are combined in genetically heterogeneous male and female mice.

The Composition and Functional Capacities of Saliva Microbiota Differ Between Children With Low and High Sweet Treat Consumption.

Excess sugar consumption—common in youth—is associated with poor health. Evidence on the relationship between sugar consumption and the oral microbiome, however, remains scarce and inconclusive. We explored whether the diversity, composition, and functional capacities of saliva microbiota differ based on the consumption of select sugary foods and drinks (“sweet treats”). Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we characterized saliva microbiota from 11 to 13-year-old children who participated in the Finnish Health in Teens (Fin-HIT) cohort study. The sample comprised children in the lowest (n = 227) and highest (n = 226) tertiles of sweet treat consumption. We compared differences in the alpha diversity (Shannon, inverse Simpson, and Chao1 indices), beta diversity (principal coordinates analysis based on Bray–Curtis dissimilarity), and abundance (differentially abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the genus level) between these low and high consumption groups. We performed PICRUSt2 to predict the metabolic pathways of microbial communities. No differences emerged in the alpha diversity between low and high sweet treat consumption, whereas the beta diversity differed between groups (p = 0.001). The abundance of several genera such as Streptococcus, Prevotella, Veillonella, and Selenomonas was higher in the high consumption group compared with the low consumption group following false discovery rate correction (p < 0.05). Children with high sweet treat consumption exhibited higher proportions of nitrate reduction IV and gondoate biosynthesis pathways compared with the low consumption group (p < 0.05). To conclude, sweet treat consumption shapes saliva microbiota. Children who consume a high level of sweet treats exhibited different compositions and metabolic pathways compared with children who consume low levels of sweet treats. Our findings reveal novel insights into the relationship between sugary diets and oral microbiota.

Added Sugar and Oral Health: A Position Paper of the Brazilian Academy of Dentistry.

Excessive sugar consumption is the main cause of dental caries. Dental caries is highly prevalent and negatively impacts the quality of life at all stages. Furthermore, sugar consumption is associated with other noncommunicable conditions and diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this paper is to propose recommendations at the individual and population levels for health professionals, families, educators, stakeholders, and public officials to reduce the burden of dental caries and other noncommunicable diseases that are caused by the excessive sugar intake. A systematic search was performed in PubMed and Cochrane databases to investigate the effectiveness of strategies and policies aiming to reduce sugar consumption as well as the impact of different patterns of sugar consumption on the occurrence of dental caries. Reference list of the identified papers and practice guidelines were manually reviewed as well. Based on the best evidence available, the Brazilian Academy of Dentistry recommends not to offer sugars to children younger than 2 years of age, and to limit total sugar consumption to <25 g per day after 2 years of age. Furthermore, families should be informed to limit sugar exposure, sugar-free areas should be available, content of food labels and advertisement should be regulated, taxation of products with sugar should be introduced, and reformulation of foods and drinks to reduce concentrations of sugars should be considered.

The economic burden of excessive sugar consumption in Canada: should the scope of preventive action be broadened?

ObjectiveExcessive sugar consumption is an established risk factor for various chronic diseases (CDs). No earlier study has quantified its economic burden in terms of health care costs for treatment and management of CDs, and costs associated with lost productivity and premature mortality. This information, however, is essential to public health decision-makers when planning and prioritizing interventions. The present study aimed to estimate the economic burden of excessive free sugar consumption in Canada.MethodsFree sugars refer to all monosaccharides and disaccharides added to foods plus sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, and fruit juice. Based on free sugar consumption reported in the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey–Nutrition and established risk estimates for 16 main CDs, we calculated the avoidable direct health care costs and indirect costs.ResultsIf Canadians were to comply with the free sugar recommendation (consumption below 10% of total energy intake (TEI)), an estimated $2.5 billion (95% CI: 1.5, 3.6) in direct health care and indirect costs could have been avoided in 2019. For the stricter recommendation (consumption below 5% of TEI), this was $5.0 billion (95% CI: 3.1, 6.9).ConclusionExcessive free sugar in our diet has an enormous economic burden that is larger than that of any food group and 3 to 6 times that of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Public health interventions to reduce sugar consumption should therefore consider going beyond taxation of SSBs to target a broader set of products, in order to more effectively reduce the public health and economic burden of CDs.

Sugar reduction methods and their application in confections: a review.

Many American adults consume almost double the daily recommended amount of sugar. With excess consumption of sugar and consequential health problems arising, food manufacturers are investigating methods to reduce sugar while maintaining similar functional and sensory properties. The body of literature was searched for papers regarding sugar reduction, and the main methods of sugar reduction are summarized herein with a specific focus on high sugar products. Reducing sugar in confections is possible; however, the challenge is maintaining the balance between texture and sweetness perception. Texture plays a large role in the sweetness perception of confections, with firmer products often being perceived as less sweet. Depending on the method, 20-40% of sugar can be removed from confections without sacrificing sensory acceptance, often replaced with multiple ingredients. Further investigation is needed on confection models and how the emerging health trends set the foundation for sugar reduction.

Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Is Associated with Free Sugars Intake in the Canadian Population.

Excess sugar consumption can lead to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as type 2 diabetes. Increasingly, ultra-processed foods (UPF) are suspected to be great contributors to free sugars intake in the population’s diet. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between UPF consumption and free sugars intake in the Canadian population. We used data from one 24 h-recall of the nationally representative 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey–Nutrition (CCHS). Food items were classified according to the NOVA system, and to estimate free sugars intake, we used the University of Toronto’s Food Label Information Program (FLIP) 2017 database. Results: Almost half of the population’s energy intake (45.7%) came from UPF. On average, 221.5 kcal/day came from free sugars, and most of these calories (71.5%) came from UPF. Public health policies aiming to decrease consumption of UPF should be a priority considering their important contribution to sugar intake in the population.

Perceived Associations between Excessive Sugar Intake and Health Conditions.

Excessive sugar intake represents an increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases (e.g., obesity, cardiometabolic diseases, and dental diseases). Still, it is unclear whether people are aware of these adverse health outcomes. The current study systematically examined the extent to which people associate health conditions with excessive sugar intake. Participants (N = 1010 Portuguese volunteers) freely reported all health conditions they associated with excessive sugar consumption and rated the strength of these associations for eight specific health conditions. All participants reported health conditions associated with excessive sugar intake, with the most frequent being risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes), cardiovascular diseases, oral problems, oncological and mental health conditions. Moreover, participants considered diabetes, overweight/obesity, and oral problems as being the conditions most related to excessive sugar intake. Women, participants with children in the household, and experts in health/nutrition rated excessive sugar intake as being more strongly linked to some of the health conditions. The identification of the health conditions that people associate with excessive sugar consumption may inform policymakers, educators, and health professionals and support interventions targeting the general public or specific groups (e.g., overweight people) in raising awareness of potential adverse health outcomes and, ultimately, contribute to reducing sugar intake.

Review of natural sugar substitutes and comparing their potential impacts on obesity issue

Abstract The excessive dietary consumption of sugars is currently one of the key factors that have been associated with the development of the global obesity pandemic. To avoid high sugar intake, alternative sweeteners are of increasing interest and play an important role in food and beverage industry. Among sweeteners, natural sugar substitutes, which possess low/no calorie or intense sweetness, and various biological activities, provide ideal alternatives to caloric sugars such as sucrose and high fructose corn syrup. Therefore, this review focuses on several representative natural sweeteners: low-calorie carbohydrates (e.g., erythritol, l -arabinose, d -allulose, and d -tagatose) and high-potency sweet-tasting compounds (e.g., steviol glycosides, mogrosides, glycyrrhizin, and thaumatin). A comprehensive review of sugar substitutes is presented, including their characteristics and practical applications as well as a discussion on their effect on the obesity issue and emerging technologies that offer an alternative biosynthesis pathway to the traditional extraction method.

EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTATION WITH TYPICAL MEXICAN FOODS (OPTUNA FICUS INDICA, THEOBROMA CACAO AND EDIBLE CRICKETS) IN HIGH-FAT/HIGH-SUGAR DIET-FED MICE

The obesogenic environment, including high fat/ high sugar diet, are risk factors for developing multiple diseases associated with obesity, such as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and metabolic syndrome, among others. An increase in physical activity and change of diet is the first therapeutic line to prevent or treat obesity; however, adherence to this treatment is negligible. Therefore, this communication's objective was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a mixture of foods of Mexican origin: Optuna ficus indica, Theobroma cacao and edible crickets (MexTHER) on a diet high in saturated-fats and fructose-sucrose in obesogenic mice. Twenty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups between 7 and 8 weeks of age. Control group: Normal diet (ND) for 16 weeks; HF Group: Diet with 45% of Kcal from fat and water added with 55% fructose and 45% sucrose ad libitum for 16 weeks; and Therapeutic group: HF diet up to week eight and the last 8 weeks switched to a high fat/sugar diet supplemented with 10% nopal, 10% cocoa and 10% cricket (MexTHER). The animals were sacrificed at 16 weeks and histological, biochemistry and cognitive analysis were performed. Mice fed with MexTHER diet showed a significant reduction in weight at sacrifice. After two weeks MexTHER group equaled their weight to the ND group (ND = 35.92 ± 4.76, HF = 47 ± 7.11, MexTHER = 34.20 ± 6.71 p <0.001). Liver weight, visceral fat, and epididymal fat were also significantly reduced. The MexTHER group significantly decreased levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, insulin, glucose, GIP, leptin, PAI-1 and resistin. The livers of MexTHER and ND mice did not show histological alterations. The size of adipocytes showed significantly smaller diameters in the MexTHER group against HF group. Mice supplemented with MexTHER improved cognitive parameters, obtaining higher Discrimination Index than the ND group in test novel object recognition (NOR). Supplementation with nopal or cocoa has been shown to reduce alterations caused by a diet high in fat and sugar; however, the simultaneous supplementation proposed in this project induced more noticeable benefits, being similar to those achieved with a switch from HF diet to ND diet. MexTHER supplementation is a potential strategy for the treatment of diseases associated with excessive consumption of fat and sugars, such as MAFLD. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. This work has been fully subsidized by the Fond de Desarrollo Scientific de Jalisco (FODECIJAL) with key number 7941-2019.