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Mixed Nut Consumption May Improve Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Adults.
Abbaspour, N, Roberts, T, Hooshmand, S, Kern, M, Hong, MY
Nutrients. 2019;11(7)
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A large portion of heart disease cases are preventable through lifestyle and dietary modifications. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of daily intake of 42.5 g of mixed nuts on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in overweight and obese adults. This study is an 8-week randomized, parallel-arm, controlled trial with two isocaloric treatment groups of mixed-nuts and pretzels. A total of 54 participants (22 females and 32 males) were recruited. Results indicate that supplementation of 42.5 g/day of mixed nuts for 8 weeks decreases body weight, insulin, blood glucose, and lactate dehydrogenase [enzyme] levels compared with consumption of an isocaloric amount of pretzels. Additionally, consumption of pretzels increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels while decreasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Authors conclude that the incorporation of mixed nuts into a usual diet improves some risk factors for CVD.
Abstract
Emerging research indicates that nuts are a source of health-promoting compounds demonstrating cardioprotective benefits. However, most studies have assessed the effect of single nuts rather than a nut mixture. The objective of this study was, therefore, to examine the effect of mixed-nut consumption on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in overweight and obese adults. In a randomized, parallel-arm, controlled trial, 48 participants consumed isocaloric (250 kcal) amounts of pretzels or mixed-nuts. Body weight (BW) (p = 0.024), BMI (p = 0.043), and insulin levels (p = 0.032) were significantly lower in the nut group compared to the pretzel group. Mixed-nut consumption also significantly reduced glucose (p = 0.04) and insulin (p = 0.032) levels after 4 and 8 weeks compared to baseline, respectively. Lactate dehydrogenase of the nut group was significantly lower than the pretzel group (p = 0.002). No significant differences were detected between groups for triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C. However, pretzel consumption increased triglycerides (p = 0.048) from 4 weeks to 8 weeks. Moreover, LDL-C increased (p = 0.038) while HDL-C transiently decreased (p = 0.044) from baseline to 4 weeks. No significant lipid changes were detected within the nut group. Our results suggest that supplementing the diet with mixed-nuts could improve CVD risk factors by improving BW and glucose regulation in comparison to a common carbohydrate-rich snack without promoting the negative effects on lipids detected with pretzels.
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Association between intake of non-sugar sweeteners and health outcomes: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomised and non-randomised controlled trials and observational studies.
Toews, I, Lohner, S, Küllenberg de Gaudry, D, Sommer, H, Meerpohl, JJ
BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 2019;364:k4718
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Consumption of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) has recently increased due to an emphasis on a low sugar diet. However, the exact health effects of this switch are uncertain. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of 56 randomised and non-randomised trials aimed to determine the health effects of NSS’s in adults and children. The results showed that amongst adults body weight, blood sugar, daily energy intake, and blood pressure were all lower when exposed to NSS’s. Other health measures such as cancer and neurological disorders remained unaffected. Amongst children blood sugar was significantly higher and a small increase in body mass index was also observed when exposed to NSS’s. It was concluded that most health outcomes were unaffected by NSS’s, and there appears to be no health benefits on a broad range of outcomes when switching from sugar. Potential harm from regular NSS consumption could not be ruled out from this study. Healthcare professionals could use this study to understand that recommending diets which switch from sugar to NSS’s may have limited health benefits.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the association between intake of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) and important health outcomes in generally healthy or overweight/obese adults and children. DESIGN Systematic review following standard Cochrane review methodology. DATA SOURCES Medline (Ovid), Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Clinicaltrials.gov, and reference lists of relevant publications. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES Studies including generally healthy adults or children with or without overweight or obesity were eligible. Included study designs allowed for a direct comparison of no intake or lower intake of NSS with higher NSS intake. NSSs had to be clearly named, the dose had to be within the acceptable daily intake, and the intervention duration had to be at least seven days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Body weight or body mass index, glycaemic control, oral health, eating behaviour, preference for sweet taste, cancer, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, mood, behaviour, neurocognition, and adverse effects. RESULTS The search resulted in 13 941 unique records. Of 56 individual studies that provided data for this review, 35 were observational studies. In adults, evidence of very low and low certainty from a limited number of small studies indicated a small beneficial effect of NSSs on body mass index (mean difference -0.6, 95% confidence interval -1.19 to -0.01; two studies, n=174) and fasting blood glucose (-0.16 mmol/L, -0.26 to -0.06; two, n=52). Lower doses of NSSs were associated with lower weight gain (-0.09 kg, -0.13 to -0.05; one, n=17 934) compared with higher doses of NSSs (very low certainty of evidence). For all other outcomes, no differences were detected between the use and non-use of NSSs, or between different doses of NSSs. No evidence of any effect of NSSs was seen on overweight or obese adults or children actively trying to lose weight (very low to moderate certainty). In children, a smaller increase in body mass index z score was observed with NSS intake compared with sugar intake (-0.15, -0.17 to -0.12; two, n=528, moderate certainty of evidence), but no significant differences were observed in body weight (-0.60 kg, -1.33 to 0.14; two, n=467, low certainty of evidence), or between different doses of NSSs (very low to moderate certainty). CONCLUSIONS Most health outcomes did not seem to have differences between the NSS exposed and unexposed groups. Of the few studies identified for each outcome, most had few participants, were of short duration, and their methodological and reporting quality was limited; therefore, confidence in the reported results is limited. Future studies should assess the effects of NSSs with an appropriate intervention duration. Detailed descriptions of interventions, comparators, and outcomes should be included in all reports. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION Prospero CRD42017047668.
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Effect of yerba mate and green tea on paraoxonase and leptin levels in patients affected by overweight or obesity and dyslipidemia: a randomized clinical trial.
Balsan, G, Pellanda, LC, Sausen, G, Galarraga, T, Zaffari, D, Pontin, B, Portal, VL
Nutrition journal. 2019;18(1):5
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Yerba mate is a popular tea-like beverage, traditionally consumed in Latin and South America. Yerba mate contains a range of plant compounds that may have beneficial effects on health, such as weight loss and antioxidant activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the intake of yerba mate and green tea on serum levels of leptin, a hormone involved in regulating appetite, and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), an enzyme that can destroy harmful oxidised fats in the blood. 142 overweight or obese adults aged 35-60 years, with abnormal levels of fats in the blood and no history of coronary artery disease took part in this controlled, randomised clinical trial. Participants drank 1 litre of either yerba mate, green tea or apple tea daily for eight weeks. Blood PON-1 and leptin levels were measured at the beginning and end of the study. The group drinking yerba mate showed a significant 9.7% increase in blood levels of PON-1, but no difference in leptin levels. The consumption of green tea resulted in no significant differences in the levels of PON-1 or leptin. The increase in PON-1 levels in the yerba mate group was significantly associated with increased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c - often called ‘good’ cholesterol). The authors concluded that drinking yerba mate increased antioxidant capacity by increasing blood levels of PON-1 and was positively associated with increased HDL-c, demonstrating a protective role of this beverage against thickening and hardening of the arteries.
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the intake of yerba mate (YM) and green tea (GT) on serum levels of leptin and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), compared to control. METHODS Controlled, randomized clinical trial (RCT) that evaluated 142 men and women affected by overweight or obesity aged 35-60 years, untreated dyslipidemia and no history of coronary artery disease. Participants were randomized to ingest 1000 mL GT, YM or apple tea (AT, control group) daily, during eight weeks. Serum PON-1 and leptin levels were analyzed by ELISA immunoassay at the beginning (baseline) and after eight weeks of intervention. RESULTS The intake of 1 l of YM/day resulted in significant increase in serum levels of PON-1 (9.7%; p = 0.005). The consumption of GT induced no significant difference in the levels of PON-1 (p = 0.154) and leptin (p = 0.783). Intergroup analysis showed a significant difference (p = 0.036) in the variation of PON-1 levels in the YM group when compared to GT and AT groups. In addition, the increase in PON-1 levels in the YM group was significantly associated with increased HDL-c (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS The intake of yerba mate increased the antioxidant capacity by increasing serum levels of PON-1 and was positively associated with increased HDL-c, stressing the protective role of this beverage against atherosclerotic diseases. GT intake had no significant effect on serum levels of PON-1 and leptin. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under protocol number NCT00933647.