Search Results (23)

Dietary fiber (DF) is one type of carbohydrate that cannot be digested by the gastrointestinal tract. It is widely recognized as an essential ingredient for health due to its remarkable prebiotic properties. Studies have shown that DF is important in the management of metabolic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, by regulating the balance of gut microbiota and slowing down the absorption of glucose. It is worth noting that patients with metabolic diseases might suffer from intestinal dysfunction (such as constipation), which is triggered by factors such as the disease itself or medication. This increases the complexity of chronic disease treatment. Although medications are the most common treatment for chronic disease, long-term use might increase the financial and psychological burden. DF as a prebiotic has received significant attention not only in the therapy for constipation but also as an adjunctive treatment in metabolic disease. This review focuses on the application of DF in modulating metabolic diseases with special attention on the effect of DF on intestinal dysfunction. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms through which DF alleviates intestinal disorders are discussed, including modulating the secretion of gastrointestinal neurotransmitters and hormones, the expression of aquaporins, and the production of short-chain fatty acids. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity during pregnancy is strongly related to increased insulin resistance, and subsequent development of metabolic syndrome-like disorders, such as glucose intolerance, pre-eclampsia, as well as preterm birth, and cesarean delivery. Nutrition can influence the evolution of glycemic response and may help improve adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term complications. The main objective of the Nutritional Intervention during Gestation and Offspring Health (NIGOHealth) randomized clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02285764) was to investigate the potential effects of a low glycemic index/slow digesting (LGI/SD) carbohydrate product on maternal glycemia (glucose AUC at 27⁺⁰–28⁺⁶ weeks; maternal fasting blood glucose (MFBG) at 34⁺⁰–36⁺⁰ weeks), and neonatal body composition. Methods: Obese pregnant women were randomized: 230 in the intervention group (IG), who consumed two servings of an LGI/SD study product daily from 15 weeks of pregnancy until delivery, and 102 participants in the Standard of Care (SOC) group. Results: When analyzing baseline characteristics, significant differences were found in glucose metabolic parameters with higher values for IG than for the SOC group, compromising the group’s comparability. Despite this, a statistical analysis was conducted (intention-to-treat analysis/evaluable cohort): no differences were detected regarding maternal blood glucose AUC at 27⁺⁰–28⁺⁶ weeks, nor for MFBG at 34⁺⁰–36⁺⁰ weeks. Nonetheless, HbA1c (%) at 34⁺⁰–36⁺⁰ weeks was significantly lower in the IG vs. the SOC group (5.26 ± 0.03, 5.31 ± 0.04, p = 0.007) after adjusting for baseline conditions. Conclusion: This result might suggest a potential effect of the intervention on Evaluable participants. However, it should be taken with caution, due to the limitations of the study. More RCTs should be carried out to explore the effects of LGI/SD products on glycemic response in obese pregnant women. Full article

Starch is one of the leading nutritional carbohydrates in the human diet; its characteristics, such as digestion rate, depend on molecular structure, and in particular, the molecular composition, type and length of amylopectin chains, which are known to present a parabolic behavior with respect to digestion rate. Amylopectin with a higher density of small branches (Chains A) and those abundant in long chains (B2/B3) often present a marked resistance to digestion and could be a challenge in bread production since both fermentation and digestion could be further modulated in the presence of hydrocolloids or gluten. The objective of this work was to analyze different mixtures of starches (rice, potato, and corn) with hydrocolloids (guar and xanthan gum) and vital gluten to understand the relationship between chain length and molecular characteristics with respect to speed of digestion and glycemic index, and their incorporation into a bread loaf at 50 and 100% wheat flour substitution. A Plackett–Burman design was used to design the mixtures. Mixtures were characterized in terms of amylose/amylopectin content, fast, slow, and resistant (SDS, RS) starch digestion fractions, in vitro glycemic index, molecular weight (Mw), radius of gyration (Rz) of amylopectin, chain length distribution, and textural analysis. In the bread, a tendency to increase the SDS was observed when the mixtures included rice or potato, which can be related to the relationship between Mw and size and the prevalence of B2 and B3 chains. The Rz and RS content were related to average chain size and amylose content. The use of vital gluten was a determinant in achieving volume and textural characteristics in the final products and significantly affected the proportions of SDS and RS. By combining the molecular characteristics of starch with hydrocolloids, we can obtain food ingredients for specific applications, such as gluten-free products. Full article

The 4Rs of sports nutrition were proposed in recent years as an evidence-based framework to optimize post-exercise recovery within the context of allostasis. Under this paradigm, it is important to consider that each R represents a factor with a tremendous influence on the allostatic response and improves individual components of the allostatic load (AL), which will positively impact the exercise-induced adaptations and the athlete’s recovery. The 4Rs correspond to the following. (i) Rehydration—This is necessary to guarantee the post-exercise consumption of at least 150% of the body mass lost during the exercise accompanied by sodium (if faster replacement is required). (ii) Refuel—Carbohydrate intake (~1.2 g/kg body mass per hour for up to 4 h post-exercise) is essential not only in restoring glycogen reserves but also in supporting the energy needs of the immune system and facilitating tissue repair. Despite changes in substrate utilization, a ketogenic diet generally has neutral or negative effects on athletic performance compared to carbohydrate-rich diets. (iii) Repair—The ingestion of high-quality protein stimulates post-exercise net muscle protein anabolism and might contribute to faster tissue growth and repair. The use of certain supplements, such as creatine monohydrate, might help to enhance recovery, while tart cherry, omega-3 fatty acids, and dietary nitrate (e.g., Beta vulgaris, Amaranthus L.), as well as other herbal extracts containing flavonoid-rich polyphenols, deserve further clinical research. (iv) Recuperate—Pre-sleep nutrition (casein- or protein-rich meal with slow digestion rate) has a restorative effect, facilitating the recovery of the musculoskeletal, endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. In this article, we update the 4Rs framework, delve deeper into the allostasis paradigm, and offer theoretical foundations and practical recommendations (the 4Rs app) for the assessment of AL in athletes. We cautiously propose an AL index (AL_index) for physique competitors and elite athletes to evaluate the cumulative physiological stress induced by exercise and, thereby, to adjust exercise and nutrition interventions. Full article

The consumption of forages high in slow-degradable carbohydrates by dairy cattle leads to greater ruminal acetate production, which benefits milk fat content. Although tropical grasses are typically rich in fibrous materials, the milk fat content of dairy cows in Southeast Asia is low. Here, we investigate the effects of the species and harvest time of three common tropical grasses (Guinea, King, and Mulato II) harvested at three instances (early, normal, late) on in sacco degradation kinetics and in vitro gas production (IVGP) characteristics. Grass samples were subjected to (1) chemical analysis, (2) a fully automated in vitro gas recording system using rumen fluid to measure fermentation characteristics over 72 h, and (3) in sacco degradation using the nylon bag technique, employing seven incubation times up to 336 h. Forage quality decreased with maturity, as reflected in changes to digestibility and fiber content. Overall, early harvested grasses yielded the highest total gas production (311 ± 12.5 mL/g OM) followed by normal (300 ± 45.7 mL/g OM) and late (273 ± 19.5 mL/g OM) harvested grasses. The in vitro fermentable fraction (A1 + A2) was the highest for early harvested grasses, with the A2 parameter, relevant for milk fat content, being the highest for Guinea (81.6% A2/(A1 + A2)) and the lowest for King grass (71.0% A2/(A1 + A2)). Consequently, early harvested Guinea had the longest incubation times (10.5 h) and lowest fermentation rates (Rmax2 = 12.8 mL/g OM/h). Regression analysis showed relationships between NDF content and degradability. Harvesting tropical grass earlier than customarily practiced enhanced forage quality and ruminal degradability. Of the three grasses studied, each at three levels of maturity, early harvested Guinea grass was the most promising candidate for improving milk fat content in Southeast Asian dairy cows. This grass showed a high fermentable OM content, with a large proportion of slow-degradable carbohydrates. Full article

The emptying rate of specific nutrients in enteral formulas is poorly understood, despite the importance of controlling the emptying rate in tube-fed patients. Because of their viscosity, thickened formulas are widely used to avoid gastric reflux and reduce the burden on caregivers. This study examined how thickeners in enteral formulas affected the gastric emptying rates of proteins and carbohydrates. A semi-dynamic gastric model was used to prepare and digest test enteral formulas that contained either no thickeners or agar (0.2%). The amounts of protein and carbohydrates in each emptied aliquot were determined, and the emptying rate was calculated. We found that agar accelerated protein emptying, and an exploratory experiment with agar (0.5%) suggested the possibility of concentration dependence. Additionally, experiments using gellan gum (0.08%), guar gum (0.2%), or carrageenan (0.08%, 0.2%) suggested that protein emptying could vary depending on the thickener type and that carrageenan might slow it. These results could help with the appropriate selection of thickeners added to liquid foods based on the patient’s metabolic profile to manage nutrition, not only for tube-fed patients but also for those with oropharyngeal dysphagia or diabetes. Full article

Improper glycemic carbohydrates (GCs) consumption can be a potential risk factor for metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, which may lead to cognitive impairment. Although several potential mechanisms have been studied, the biological relationship between carbohydrate consumption and neurocognitive impairment is still uncertain. In this review, the main effects and mechanisms of GCs’ digestive characteristics on cognitive functions are comprehensively elucidated. Additionally, healthier carbohydrate selection, a reliable research model, and future directions are discussed. Individuals in their early and late lives and patients with metabolic diseases are highly susceptible to dietary-induced cognitive impairment. It is well known that gut function is closely related to dietary patterns. Unhealthy carbohydrate diet-induced gut microenvironment disorders negatively impact cognitive functions through the gut–brain axis. Moreover, severe glycemic fluctuations, due to rapidly digestible carbohydrate consumption or metabolic diseases, can impair neurocognitive functions by disrupting glucose metabolism, dysregulating calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and accumulating advanced glycation end products. Unstable glycemic status can lead to more severe neurological impairment than persistent hyperglycemia. Slow-digested or resistant carbohydrates might contribute to better neurocognitive functions due to stable glycemic response and healthier gut functions than fully gelatinized starch and nutritive sugars. Full article

Rice provides 70% of dietary carbohydrates and other essential nutrients. Breeding for consumer preferences and health benefits are the main considerations. Rice with a low amylose content offers a good cooking quality with its soft and sticky texture but fast starch digestibility with a high sugar release. Therefore, to provide health benefits, it is important to identify rice varieties with slow starch digestibility and a low amylose content. A total of 167 indigenous upland rice germplasms were analysed for amylose content (AC) and in vitro starch digestibility. The results showed that 167 upland rice genotypes were mostly low in AC, which was related to a soft and sticky texture during cooking. Based on the glutinous and non-glutinous types, thirteen and nine indigenous upland rice germplasms were selected with a lower AC than RD6 and KDML105 (check varieties). The in vitro starch digestibility and the hydrolysis were different at each time point and different in each variety. In the glutinous group, ULR155, ULR138, ULR308, and ULR241 released less sugar and had slower starch digestibility than RD6. In the non-glutinous group, ULR219 and ULR264 showed lower AC, slower digestion, and lower sugar release than KDML105. The results suggest that six indigenous upland rice varieties will provide a rice source to accommodate consumer preferences while also offering health benefits. Full article

Currently, there is an increase in the use of preparations from collagen-containing raw materials in the production of meat products. The high functional and technological properties of such preparations make it possible to significantly improve the rheological properties of food products, as well as organoleptic indicators, and enrich meat products with dietary fibers. The aim of this study was to study the effect of an emulsion of 5% protein hydrolysate and 1% purslane powder on herodietic boiled sausages for the elderly. The results showed that the experimental samples of boiled sausages contained 15.44% protein, 6.6% fat, 4.2% carbohydrates and 71.1% moisture; this shows that boiled sausage with the addition of protein hydrolysate contains optimal chemical composition for dietary nutrition, a certain moisture index confirms the excellent consistency of boiled sausage. The change in the peroxide number was studied for 7 days. The results showed that the peroxide number did not change significantly from 2.0 meq/kg to 4.6 meq/kg. Thus, the addition of purslane with antioxidant properties helps to slow down the oxidation of fats and thereby increases the shelf life of boiled herodietic sausage. The results of the study of color characteristics showed stable color formation, which was influenced by an emulsion of collagen and purslane. It was found that products using emulsions from collagen-containing raw materials are characterized by a higher concentration of tyrosine due to the action of proteolytic enzymes (pepsin and trypsin)—from 728.1 mcg/mL (during the first three hours of hydrolysis) to 392.5 mcg/mL (during 6 h of hydrolysis)—which indicates a higher degree of protein digestibility these products. Thus, the addition of an emulsion of 5% protein hydrolysate and 1% purslane powder can be recommended for the production of boiled sausages with improved nutritional and taste properties. Full article

Background: Sorghum is a cereal source of energy, carbohydrates, resistant starch, proanthocyanidins, and 3-deoxyanthocyanins; it promotes satiety by slowing digestion and benefits intestinal health. Objective: This study investigated the effects of extruded sorghum SC319 consumption on intestinal health, weight loss, and inflammatory markers in men with overweight. Methods: This was a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial. Twenty-one men were randomly allocated into one of two groups: the sorghum group (test), which received 40 g of extruded SC319 whole sorghum (n = 10), or the wheat group (control), which received 38 g of extruded whole wheat (n = 11) for eight weeks. Results: The sorghum consumption increased the weight loss intragroup, decreased the body fat percentage intergroup, and did not change inflammatory markers, while the wheat group had increased IL-6 levels compared to baseline. Short-chain fatty acid production, fecal pH, and α and β diversity indexes did not differ intra- and intergroup after interventions. However, sorghum consumption decreased genus levels of Clostridium_sensu_stricto 1, Dorea, and Odoribacter and increased CAG-873 and Turicibacter compared to baseline. Further, sorghum showed a tendency (p = 0.07) to decrease the proteobacteria phyla compared to wheat. Conclusion: Extruded sorghum SC319 improved intestinal microbiota and body composition and promoted weight loss, demonstrating its prebiotic potential. Full article

The rising predominance of type 2 diabetes, combined with the poor medical effects seen with commercially available anti-diabetic medications, has motivated the development of innovative treatment approaches for regulating postprandial glucose levels. Natural carbohydrate digestion enzyme inhibitors might be a viable option for blocking dietary carbohydrate absorption with fewer side effects than manufactured medicines. Alpha-amylase is a metalloenzyme that facilitates digestion by breaking down polysaccharides into smaller molecules such as maltose and maltotriose. It also contributes to elevated blood glucose levels and postprandial hyperglycemia. As a result, scientists are being urged to target α-amylase and create inhibitors that can slow down the release of glucose from carbohydrate chains and prolong its absorption, thereby resulting in lower postprandial plasma glucose levels. Natural α-amylase inhibitors derived from plants have gained popularity as safe and cost-effective alternatives. The bioactive components responsible for the inhibitory actions of various plant extracts have been identified through phytochemical research, paving the way for further development and application. The majority of the findings, however, are based on in vitro investigations. Only a few animal experiments and very few human investigations have confirmed these findings. Despite some promising results, additional investigation is needed to develop feasible anti-diabetic drugs based on plant-derived pancreatic α-amylase inhibitors. This review summarizes the most recent findings from research on plant-derived pancreatic α-amylase inhibitors, including plant extracts and plant-derived bioactive compounds. Furthermore, it offers insights into the structural aspects of the crucial therapeutic target, α-amylases, in addition to their interactions with inhibitors. Full article

Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder marked by unusually high plasma glucose levels, which can lead to serious consequences such as retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy and cardiovascular disease. One of the most efficient ways to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia (PPHG) in diabetes mellitus, especially insulin-independent diabetes mellitus, is to lower the amount of glucose that is absorbed by inhibiting carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes in the digestive system, such as α-glucosidase and α-amylase. α-Glucosidase is a crucial enzyme that catalyzes the final stage of carbohydrate digestion. As a result, α-glucosidase inhibitors can slow D-glucose release from complex carbohydrates and delay glucose absorption, resulting in lower postprandial plasma glucose levels and control of PPHG. Many attempts have been made in recent years to uncover efficient α-glucosidase inhibitors from natural sources to build a physiologic functional diet or lead compound for diabetes treatment. Many phytoconstituent α-glucosidase inhibitors have been identified from plants, including alkaloids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, glycosides and others. The current review focuses on the most recent updates on different traditional/medicinal plant extracts and isolated compounds’ biological activity that can help in the development of potent therapeutic medications with greater efficacy and safety for the treatment of type 2 diabetes or to avoid PPHG. For this purpose, we provide a summary of the latest scientific literature findings on plant extracts as well as plant-derived bioactive compounds as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors with hypoglycemic effects. Moreover, the review elucidates structural insights of the key drug target, α-glucosidase enzymes, and its interaction with different inhibitors. Full article

Sugar reduction in food has attracted great health concerns worldwide. Gummies have been one of the most popular and highly favored candies due to their chewable properties, simplicity to swallow, and delicious taste. The general perception is that gummies raise blood sugar levels, but the truth is that gummies with the right formula can control glycemic response. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the gummy dosage form and sugar types on the glycemic response control. Maltitol and erythritol as sweetener alternatives were applied in gummy candies (total and partial sugar substitutes gummy, T-SG and P-SG), with sucrose-based gummies used as comparisons (CG). A prospective crossover study was then conducted on 17 healthy adults. The effects of different types of gummies on glycemic response in healthy adults were evaluated on the basis of the participants’ glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) values. Every three-day interval, participants took CG, P-SG, T-SG, and glucose solution, respectively, and the theoretical glucose conversion content was kept the same in all groups for each trial. Each participant performed four tests with each sample and recorded the changes in blood glucose after food consumption. It was found that all three types of gummies slowed down subjects’ glycemic response when not taken in excess, and the improvement effect was in the trend of T-SG > P-SG > CG. Both P-SG and T-SG were low-GI candies (54.1 and 49.9). CG that was not consumed in excess of 17.2 g had a high GI (81.9) but a low GL (<10). Texture analysis and in vitro digestion were used to explore the effect of gummy matrix on glucose release. T-SG and P-SG retained a higher hardness and were less hydrolyzed to release glucose during digestion compared with CG. Additionally, experiments have revealed that gummies can reverse the poor glucose tolerance in women. In conclusion, gummies are a good carrier for dietary supplements due to their sustained-release characteristic of available carbohydrates and provide healthier options for people in control of glucose homeostasis. Full article

Catch-up growth is a process that promotes weight and height gains to recover normal growth patterns after a transient period of growth inhibition. Accelerated infant growth is associated with reduced bone mass and quality characterized by poor bone mineral density (BMD), content (BMC), and impaired microarchitecture. The present study evaluated the effects of a diet containing slow (SDC) or rapid (RDC) digestible carbohydrates on bone quality parameters during the catch-up growth period in a model of diet-induced stunted rats. The food restriction period negatively impacted BMD, BMC, and microarchitecture of appendicular and axial bones. The SDC diet was shown to improve BMD and BMC of appendicular and axial bones after a four-week refeeding period in comparison with the RDC diet. In the same line, the micro-CT analysis revealed that the trabecular microarchitecture of tibiae and vertebrae was positively impacted by the dietary intervention with SDC compared to RDC. Furthermore, features of the cortical microstructure of vertebra bones were also improved in the SDC group animals. Similarly, animals allocated to the SDC diet displayed modest improvements in growth plate thickness, surface, and volume compared to the RDC group. Diets containing the described SDC blend might contribute to an adequate bone formation during catch-up growth thus increasing peak bone mass, which could be linked to reduced fracture risk later in life in individuals undergoing transient undernutrition during early life. Full article

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder characterized by higher levels of blood glucose due to impaired insulin mechanisms. Alpha glucosidase is a critical drug target implicated in the mechanisms of diabetes mellitus and its inhibition controls hyperglycemia. Since the existing standard synthetic drugs have therapeutic limitations, it is imperative to identify new potent inhibitors of natural product origin which may slow carbohydrate digestion and absorption via alpha glucosidase. Since plant extracts from Calotropis procera have been extensively used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, the present study used molecular docking and dynamics simulation techniques to screen its constituents against the receptor alpha glucosidase. Taraxasterol, syriogenin, isorhamnetin-3-O-robinobioside and calotoxin were identified as potential novel lead compounds with plausible binding energies of −40.2, −35.1, −34.3 and −34.3 kJ/mol against alpha glucosidase, respectively. The residues Trp⁴⁸¹, Asp⁵¹⁸, Leu⁶⁷⁷, Leu⁶⁷⁸ and Leu⁶⁸⁰ were identified as critical for binding and the compounds were predicted as alpha glucosidase inhibitors. Structurally similar compounds with Tanimoto coefficients greater than 0.7 were reported experimentally to be inhibitors of alpha glucosidase or antidiabetic. The structures of the molecules may serve as templates for the design of novel inhibitors and warrant in vitro assaying to corroborate their antidiabetic potential. Full article