1.
Composition of two Spanish common dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), 'Almonga' and 'Curruquilla', and their postprandial effect in type 2 diabetics.
Olmedilla-Alonso, B, Pedrosa, MM, Cuadrado, C, Brito, M, Asensio-S-Manzanera, C, Asensio-Vegas, C
Journal of the science of food and agriculture. 2013;(5):1076-82
Abstract
BACKGROUND Legume consumption has been associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, the type of legume is a modifier of its effect. Two Spanish dry bean varieties-white ('Almonga') and cream ('Curruquilla')-were analyzed and used in a postprandial study in type 2 diabetics to assess glucose, insulin and triacylglycerol in blood. RESULTS 'Curruquilla' variety had higher total galactoside (stachyose, mainly), trypsin inhibitors and lectin content than 'Almonga'. The canning liquid was discarded prior to the analysis and the bean consumption by the subjects. The canning process reduced the total α-galactoside content (>50%), practically eliminated trypsin inhibitors, and no lectin content was found. After bean consumption, maximum glucose was obtained at 60 min and was three times lower than that in bread. After bean intake, maximum insulin was produced 60 min with 'Almonga' and occurred later (90 min) with 'Curruquilla' and bread. After 'Almonga' intake, the area under the curve response of triglycerides was 14% lower compared to bread (P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS 'Almonga' and 'Curruquilla' are similar in the content of the nutritional but not in that of the antinutritional components. Both beans showed similar effects on blood glucose and insulin in type 2 diabetics and marked differences compared to those of bread in terms of magnitude and time course, but only 'Almonga' rendered a significant reduction in the triglyceridemic response.
2.
Tocopherol isomer pattern in serum and stool of human following consumption of black currant seed press residue administered in whole grain bread.
Helbig, D, Wagner, A, Schubert, R, Jahreis, G
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2009;(6):662-7
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Serum gamma-tocopherol is thought to be associated with human health. The dietary influence of tocopherol and fibre-rich black currant seed press residue on serum and stool tocopherol concentration was investigated in a controlled human intervention study. METHODS Thirty-six women consumed bread enriched with black currant press residue (4 weeks). The resultant faecal and serum tocopherol concentrations were compared with those after a period consuming control bread without press residue and a normal baseline diet. Fibre intake and excretion, antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and vitamin C concentrations in serum and urine were also determined. Samples were obtained with a 5-day standardised diet at the end of each period. RESULTS The press residue bread lead to significantly increased beta-, gamma-, delta- and total tocopherol intake, serum alpha-, beta-, gamma- and total tocopherol concentration (with and without lipid adjustment), fibre intake and urinary vitamin C concentration compared to control bread (P<0.05). Faecal excretion of total tocopherols and fibre increased compared to baseline (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Fibre intake and excretion influence total tocopherol concentration in lipid-adjusted serum and in stool. The outstandingly high increase of serum gamma-tocopherol concentration through seed press residue consumption could be due to a presumed interruption of the enzymatic tocopherol degradation mechanism by bread constituents.
3.
Effect of Mucuna pruriens on semen profile and biochemical parameters in seminal plasma of infertile men.
Ahmad, MK, Mahdi, AA, Shukla, KK, Islam, N, Jaiswar, SP, Ahmad, S
Fertility and sterility. 2008;(3):627-35
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of Mucuna pruriens seeds on semen profiles and biochemical levels in seminal plasma of infertile men. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING Departments of Biochemistry and Obstetrics and Gynecology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India. PATIENT(S): Sixty normal healthy fertile men (controls) and 60 men undergoing infertility screening. INTERVENTION(S): High-performance liquid chromatography assay procedure for quantitation of vitamin A and E in seminal plasma. Biochemical parameters in seminal plasma, namely lipids, fructose, and vitamin C, were estimated by standard spectrophotometric procedures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Before and after the treatment, seminal plasma lipid profile, lipid peroxide, fructose, and antioxidant vitamin levels were measured. RESULT(S): Treatment with M. pruriens significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation, elevated spermatogenesis, and improved sperm motility. Treatment also recovered the levels of total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, and vitamin A, C, and E and corrected fructose in seminal plasma of infertile men. CONCLUSION(S): Treatment with M. pruriens increased sperm concentration and motility in all the infertile study groups. Oligozoospermic patients recovered sperm concentration significantly, but sperm motility was not restored to normal levels in asthenozoospermic men. Furthermore, in the seminal plasma of all the infertile groups, the levels of lipids, antioxidant vitamins, and corrected fructose were recovered after a decrease in lipid peroxides after treatment. The present study is likely to open new vistas on the possible role of M. pruriens seed powder as a restorative and invigorating agent for infertile men.