Dietitians vary by counseling status in bean promotion with type 2 diabetes clients: A pilot study

Suppression of the postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes by a raw medicinal herb powder is weakened when consumed in ordinary hard gelatin capsules: A randomized crossover clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Contradictory claims about the efficacy of several medicinal plants to promote glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been explained by divergences in the administration form and by extrapolation of data obtained from healthy individuals. It is not known whether the antidiabetic effects of traditional herbal medicines are influenced by gelatin capsules. This randomized crossover trial aimed to evaluate the acute effect of a single dose of raw cinnamon consumed orally either dissolved in water as a beverage or as ordinary hard gelatin capsules on postprandial hyperglycemia (>140 mg/dL; >7.8 mmol/L) in T2DM patients elicited by a nutritionally-balanced meal providing 50 g of complex carbohydrates.

METHODS

Fasting T2DM patients (n = 19) randomly ingested a standardized meal in five experimental sessions, one alone (Control) and the other after prior intake of 3 or 6 g of crude cinnamon in the form of hard gelatin capsules or powder dissolved in water. Blood glucose was measured at fasting and at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5 and 2 hours postprandially. After each breakfast, its palatability scores for visual appeal, smell and pleasantness of taste were assessed, as well as the taste intensity sweetness, saltiness, bitterness, sourness and creaminess.

RESULTS

The intake of raw cinnamon dissolved in water, independently of the dose, decreased the meal-induced large glucose spike (peak-rise of +87 mg/dL and Δ1-hour glycemia of +79 mg/dL) and the hyperglycemic blood glucose peak. When cinnamon was taken as capsules, these anti-hyperglycemic effects were lost or significantly diminished. Raw cinnamon intake did not change time-to-peak or the 2-h post-meal glycaemia, but flattened the glycemic curve (lower iAUC) without changing the shape that is typical of T2DM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This cinnamon's antihyperglycemic action confirms its acarbose-like property to inhibit the activities of the carbohydrate-digesting enzymes α-amylases/α-glucosidases, which is in accordance with its exceptionally high content of raw insoluble fiber. The efficacy of using raw cinnamon as a diabetes treatment strategy seems to require its intake at a specific time before/concomitantly the main hyperglycemic daily meals. Trial registration: Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC), number RBR-98tx28b.

Promotion of legume intake-Israeli dietitians' knowledge, beliefs and practices

BACKGROUND

The health and environmental benefits of legume consumption are reflected in dietary guidelines worldwide. However, legume intake fails to meet recommendations. Dietitians' legume counseling practices can impact consumption patterns. This cross-sectional study assessed Israeli dietitians' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices regarding legume counseling and identified pertinent barriers and facilitators.

METHODS

An electronic survey among Israeli dietitians (n = 309) was performed. Multivariable logistic regression assessed associations between recommending legumes with participants' socio-demographic and professional characteristics, knowledge, perceptions, attitudes toward legume counseling and personal legume intake.

RESULTS

Almost half (47.4%) of the participants recommended that 76% or more of their patients increase legume intake. Factors that were associated with recommending legumes were perceptions of fewer barriers to consumption [adjusted OR (aOR) 1.92 (95% CI 1.24-2.96)] and positive attitudes toward legume counseling pertaining to its importance [aOR 1.95 (95% CI 1.12-3.4)]. Negatively associated factors were a low level of personal legume consumption [aOR 0.38 (95% CI 0.15-0.94)] and working in hospitals [aOR 0.43 (95% CI 0.19-0.98)].

CONCLUSIONS

Israeli dietitians' recommendations for legume consumption were well below current guidelines. These findings indicate the need for a tailored intervention for nutrition professionals to increase the frequency of legume counseling and overall consumption.

Characterisation of Biologically Active Hydrolysates and Peptide Fractions of Vacuum Packaging String Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The aim of the study is to characterise biologically active hydolysates and peptide fractions obtained from vacuum-packed string beans (Phaseolus vulragis L.) (PB). Unpacked beans were a control sample. The influence on human squamous carcinoma cell line SCC-15 (ATCC CRL-1623) was determined. Packed bean (PB) and unpacked bean (UB) extracts were found to exert no effect on the tongue squamous carcinoma cells. The results of the study indicated that the packing process contributed to the retention of protein, soluble dietary fibre, and free sugar (2.36, 3.5, and 1.79 g/100 d.m., respectively). PB was characterised by higher antioxidant activity (expressed as neutralisation of 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS ABTS•+) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH·) free radicals) as well as Fe2+ chelation and reducing power (IC50 = 54.56, 0.46, 3.85 mg mL-1; 0.088 A700/peptide content, respectively) than the UB samples before hydrolysis. The hydrolysis process enhanced these properties. The IC50 value of lipase and α-amylase inhibitory activity of the hydrolysates obtained from UB was reduced. The PB and UB fractions exhibited a certain level of antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. Candida albicans were not sensitive to these peptide fractions.