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Health-Promoting Components in Fermented Foods: An Up-to-Date Systematic Review.
Melini, F, Melini, V, Luziatelli, F, Ficca, AG, Ruzzi, M
Nutrients. 2019;11(5)
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While fermented foods have long been produced, a renewed interest has been observed in Western countries. Several reviews have investigated the health benefits of fermented foods, however none of them have discussed the components that form upon fermentation and their possible effect on health. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the health-promoting components of fermentation in order to better understand their role in healthy diets. This systematic review found fermentation increased antioxidant activity of milks, cereals, fruit, vegetables, meat and fish based on 125 analysed articles. Fermentation of different food categories led to varying health benefits including vitamin content, probiotic activity and anti-hypertensive properties. Based on the existing literature, the authors conclude fermented foods should be consumed regularly and recommend they be included in worldwide dietary guidelines.
Abstract
Fermented foods have long been produced according to knowledge passed down from generation to generation and with no understanding of the potential role of the microorganism(s) involved in the process. However, the scientific and technological revolution in Western countries made fermentation turn from a household to a controlled process suitable for industrial scale production systems intended for the mass marketplace. The aim of this paper is to provide an up-to-date review of the latest studies which investigated the health-promoting components forming upon fermentation of the main food matrices, in order to contribute to understanding their important role in healthy diets and relevance in national dietary recommendations worldwide. Formation of antioxidant, bioactive, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and FODMAP-reducing components in fermented foods are mainly presented and discussed. Fermentation was found to increase antioxidant activity of milks, cereals, fruit and vegetables, meat and fish. Anti-hypertensive peptides are detected in fermented milk and cereals. Changes in vitamin content are mainly observed in fermented milk and fruits. Fermented milk and fruit juice were found to have probiotic activity. Other effects such as anti-diabetic properties, FODMAP reduction, and changes in fatty acid profile are peculiar of specific food categories.
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Potential Factors Influencing the Effects of Anthocyanins on Blood Pressure Regulation in Humans: A Review.
Vendrame, S, Klimis-Zacas, D
Nutrients. 2019;11(6)
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Anthocyanins (ACNs) are plant compounds belonging to the flavonoid group of polyphenols and are naturally occurring in a number of foods. They are responsible for the red, blue and purple pigmentation within plant foods, such as blueberries and raspberries and are known to contain therapeutic compounds. Several studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and blood pressure modulation properties within ACNs, however, results for blood pressure modulation, unlike those for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have been mixed and less consistent. This paper reviews 66 human intervention trials exploring the effects of various forms of ACNs, like whole berries, concentrates and freeze-dried powders in order to identify the singular variables related to blood pressure modulation in order to further investigate. Having looked at a number of variables within the trials, researchers concluded that ACNs do in fact contain blood pressure lowering properties, but further research into varying factors including dose effect, synergistic effects, absorption and metabolism and the functionality of the individuals gut microbiota is needed to clarify results further.
Abstract
Dietary intake of anthocyanins (ACNs) is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease. While the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering effects of ACN consumption have been consistently reported, their effect(s) on blood pressure regulation is less consistent and results from human studies are mixed. The objective of this review is attempting to identify potential patterns which may explain the variability in results related to blood pressure. To do so, we review 66 human intervention trials testing the effects on blood pressure of purified ACN or ACN-rich extracts, or whole berries, berry juices, powders, purees and whole phenolic extracts, from berries that are rich in ACN and have ACNs as predominant bioactives. Several factors appear to be involved on the mixed results reported. In particular, the baseline characteristics of the population in terms of blood pressure and total flavonoid intake, the dose and duration of the intervention, the differential effects of individual ACN and their synergistic effects with other phytochemicals, the ACN content and bioavailability from the food matrix, and individual differences in ACN absorption and metabolism related to genotype and microbiota enterotypes.
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Headache Associated with Coeliac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Zis, P, Julian, T, Hadjivassiliou, M
Nutrients. 2018;10(10)
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Coeliac disease (CD) is the best-recognised gluten-related disorder (GRD), and it is characterized by a small bowel enteropathy occurring in genetically susceptible individuals whilst exposed to the protein gliadin. The aim of this study was to systematically review the current literature in order to establish the relationship between headache and CD. This study is a systematic review of 40 articles, studying a total of 42,388 individuals with either headache or GRD. Results show that: - There is an increased prevalence of headache amongst patients with CD. - There is an increased prevalence of CD amongst patients with idiopathic headache. - Headaches associated with CD are mainly migraines. - Gluten-free diet is a very effective treatment for headaches associated with CD. Authors conclude that further studies on the prevalence of gluten sensitivity in patients with idiopathic headache are needed, including further research on the pathogenetic mechanisms.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review was to explore the relationship between coeliac disease (CD) and headache. The objectives were to establish the prevalence of each entity amongst the other, to explore the role of gluten free diet (GFD), and to describe the imaging findings in those affected by headaches associated with CD. METHODOLOGY A systematic computer-based literature search was conducted on the PubMed database. Information regarding study type, population size, the age group included, prevalence of CD amongst those with headache and vice versa, imaging results, the nature of headache, and response to GFD. RESULTS In total, 40 articles published between 1987 and 2017 qualified for inclusion in this review. The mean pooled prevalence of headache amongst those with CD was 26% (95% CI 19.5⁻33.9%) in adult populations and 18.3% (95% CI 10.4⁻30.2%) in paediatric populations. The headaches are most often migraine-like. In children with idiopathic headache, the prevalence of CD is 2.4% (95% CI 1.5⁻3.7%), whereas data for adult populations is presently unavailable. Brain imaging can be normal, although, cerebral calcifications on CT, white matter abnormalities on MRI and deranged regional cerebral blood flow on SPECT can be present. GFD appears to be an effective management for headache in the context of CD, leading to total resolution of headaches in up to 75% of patients. CONCLUSIONS There is an increased prevalence of CD amongst idiopathic headache and vice versa. Therefore, patients with headache of unknown origin should be screened for CD, as such patients may symptomatically benefit from a GFD.
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Cardio-Metabolic Benefits of Plant-Based Diets.
Kahleova, H, Levin, S, Barnard, N
Nutrients. 2017;9(8)
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Chronic disease, which includes cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and stroke, is the underlying cause of many health and economic burdens. There is ample evidence that proper nutrition, specifically plant-based diets (PBDs), are an effective strategy for reducing the burden of chronic disease. The aim of this narrative review is to summarise the most recent evidence on the efficacy of PBDs on various cardio-metabolic disease risk factors. This review found consistent, convincing evidence around PBDs improving body weight, glycaemic control, blood pressure and blood lipid profile, thus reducing the overall risk factors associated with chronic disease. Based on these findings, the authors conclude properly planned PBDs are an effective tool for preventing and treating cardio-metabolic disease and encourage PBDs to be recommended and promoted.
Abstract
Cardio-metabolic disease, namely ischemic heart disease, stroke, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, represent substantial health and economic burdens. Almost one half of cardio-metabolic deaths in the U.S. might be prevented through proper nutrition. Plant-based (vegetarian and vegan) diets are an effective strategy for improving nutrient intake. At the same time, they are associated with decreased all-cause mortality and decreased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease. Evidence suggests that plant-based diets may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease events by an estimated 40% and the risk of cerebral vascular disease events by 29%. These diets also reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes by about one half. Properly planned vegetarian diets are healthful, effective for weight and glycemic control, and provide metabolic and cardiovascular benefits, including reversing atherosclerosis and decreasing blood lipids and blood pressure. The use of plant-based diets as a means of prevention and treatment of cardio-metabolic disease should be promoted through dietary guidelines and recommendations.
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Nonnutritive sweeteners and cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies.
Azad, MB, Abou-Setta, AM, Chauhan, BF, Rabbani, R, Lys, J, Copstein, L, Mann, A, Jeyaraman, MM, Reid, AE, Fiander, M, et al
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne. 2017;189(28):E929-E939
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Obesity is a major public health challenge that contributes to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Evidence that sugar consumption is fuelling this epidemic has stimulated the increasing popularity of non-nutritive sweeteners including aspartame, sucralose and stevioside. The aim of this study was to synthesize evidence of whether routine consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners by adults and adolescents is associated with adverse long-term cardiometabolic effects. This study is a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and prospective cohort studies. It includes 37 studies involving a total of 406910 individuals. The study shows that small RCTs with short follow-up (median 6 months) suggest that consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners is not consistently associated with decreases in body weight, BMI or waist circumference. However, in larger prospective cohort studies with longer follow-up periods (median 10 years), intake of non-nutritive sweeteners is significantly associated with modest long-term increases in each of these measures. Authors conclude that caution in the use of non-nutritive sweeteners is warranted until the long-term risks and benefits of these products are fully characterised.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonnutritive sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose and stevioside, are widely consumed, yet their long-term health impact is uncertain. We synthesized evidence from prospective studies to determine whether routine consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners was associated with long-term adverse cardiometabolic effects. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library (inception to January 2016) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated interventions for nonnutritive sweeteners and prospective cohort studies that reported on consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners among adults and adolescents. The primary outcome was body mass index (BMI). Secondary outcomes included weight, obesity and other cardiometabolic end points. RESULTS From 11 774 citations, we included 7 trials (1003 participants; median follow-up 6 mo) and 30 cohort studies (405 907 participants; median follow-up 10 yr). In the included RCTs, nonnutritive sweeteners had no significant effect on BMI (mean difference -0.37 kg/m2; 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.10 to 0.36; I2 9%; 242 participants). In the included cohort studies, consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners was associated with a modest increase in BMI (mean correlation 0.05, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.06; I2 0%; 21 256 participants). Data from RCTs showed no consistent effects of nonnutritive sweeteners on other measures of body composition and reported no further secondary outcomes. In the cohort studies, consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners was associated with increases in weight and waist circumference, and higher incidence of obesity, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events. Publication bias was indicated for studies with diabetes as an outcome. INTERPRETATION Evidence from RCTs does not clearly support the intended benefits of nonnutritive sweeteners for weight management, and observational data suggest that routine intake of nonnutritive sweeteners may be associated with increased BMI and cardiometabolic risk. Further research is needed to fully characterize the long-term risks and benefits of nonnutritive sweeteners. Protocol registration: PROSPERO-CRD42015019749.
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Associations between Yogurt Consumption and Weight Gain and Risk of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review.
Sayon-Orea, C, Martínez-González, MA, Ruiz-Canela, M, Bes-Rastrollo, M
Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.). 2017;8(1):146S-154S
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According to the WHO, overweight and obesity is defined as an excessive or abnormal fat accumulation that may affect human health. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is growing which is mainly due to sedentary lifestyles, as well as the increasing prevalence of obesity. The aim of the study was to analyse the relation between yoghurt consumption and changes in weight or waist circumference and the risk of becoming overweight, obese or develop metabolic syndrome. This study is a systemic review based on 10 cohort studies, 1 of which included the results of 3 cohort studies. Results demonstrate that there was no detrimental affect of yoghurt consumption on weight status or on the risk of developing metabolic syndrome. The study also showed that high consumption of yoghurt in tandem with high consumption of fruit may be inversely associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. Authors conclude that further prospective studies and high-quality randomised control trials are required in order to confirm that yoghurt consumption may contribute to a reduction in adiposity indexes and the risk of metabolic syndrome.
Abstract
The role of yogurt consumption in the risk of developing overweight, obesity, or metabolic syndrome has been the subject of epidemiologic studies over the last 10 y. A comprehensive literature search on MEDLINE and ISI Web of Knowledge from 1966 through June 2016 was conducted to examine the relation between yogurt consumption and weight gain, as well as the risk of overweight, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, in prospective cohort studies. Ten articles met all the inclusion criteria and were included in our systematic review. Of the 10 cohort studies, 3 analyzed the relation between yogurt consumption and the risk of overweight or obesity, 8 analyzed changes in waist circumference or weight changes, 3 studied the association with the risk of developing metabolic syndrome, and 1 studied the probability of abdominal obesity reversion. Although an inverse association between yogurt consumption and the risk of developing overweight or obesity was not fully consistent or always statistically significant, all studies but one showed in their point estimates inverse associations between yogurt consumption and changes in waist circumference, changes in weight, risk of overweight or obesity, and risk of metabolic syndrome during follow-up, although not all estimates were statistically significant (2 studies). Prospective cohort studies consistently suggested that yogurt consumption may contribute to a reduction in adiposity indexes and the risk of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, there is a need for more prospective studies and high-quality randomized clinical trials to confirm this apparent inverse association.