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'Superfoods': Reliability of the Information for Consumers Available on the Web. Foods 2023; 12:foods12030546. [PMID: 36766074 PMCID: PMC9914617 DOI: 10.3390/foods12030546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The term 'superfoods', used frequently with marketing purposes, is usually associated with foodstuffs with beneficial health properties. 'Superfoods' appears in many information sources, including digital media. The information they provide is easily accessible for consumers through Internet search engines. The objective of this work is to investigate the data that web pages offer to consumers and their accuracy according to current scientific knowledge. The two main search engines were utilized for English language websites search, introducing the term 'superfoods'. In total, 124 search results were found. After applying the selection criteria, 45 web pages were studied. A total of 136 foods were considered as 'superfoods' by sites; 10 of them (kale, spinach, salmon, blueberries, avocado, chia, walnuts, beans, fermented milks and garlic) were mentioned on at least 15 sites. Nutritional and healthy properties displayed on sites were compared to scientific information. In conclusion, websites present the information in a very simplified manner and it is generally not wrong. However, they should offer to consumers comprehensible information without raising false expectations regarding health benefits. In any case, 'superfoods' consumption can have salutary effects as part of a balanced diet.
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Kamal RM, Abdull Razis AF, Mohd Sukri NS, Perimal EK, Ahmad H, Patrick R, Djedaini-Pilard F, Mazzon E, Rigaud S. Beneficial Health Effects of Glucosinolates-Derived Isothiocyanates on Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27030624. [PMID: 35163897 PMCID: PMC8838317 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are illnesses that affect the nervous system and heart, all of which are vital to the human body. To maintain health of the human body, vegetable diets serve as a preventive approach and particularly Brassica vegetables have been associated with lower risks of chronic diseases, especially NDDs and CVDs. Interestingly, glucosinolates (GLs) and isothiocyanates (ITCs) are phytochemicals that are mostly found in the Cruciferae family and they have been largely documented as antioxidants contributing to both cardio- and neuroprotective effects. The hydrolytic breakdown of GLs into ITCs such as sulforaphane (SFN), phenylethyl ITC (PEITC), moringin (MG), erucin (ER), and allyl ITC (AITC) has been recognized to exert significant effects with regards to cardio- and neuroprotection. From past in vivo and/or in vitro studies, those phytochemicals have displayed the ability to mitigate the adverse effects of reactive oxidation species (ROS), inflammation, and apoptosis, which are the primary causes of CVDs and NDDs. This review focuses on the protective effects of those GL-derived ITCs, featuring their beneficial effects and the mechanisms behind those effects in CVDs and NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramla Muhammad Kamal
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University Dutse, Dutse 720101, Jigawa State, Nigeria
| | - Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis
- Natural Medicines and Products Research Laboratory, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
| | - Nurul Syafuhah Mohd Sukri
- Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat 86400, Johor, Malaysia;
| | - Enoch Kumar Perimal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Hafandi Ahmad
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Rollin Patrick
- Université d’Orléans et CNRS, ICOA, UMR 7311, BP 6759, CEDEX 02, F-45067 Orléans, France;
| | - Florence Djedaini-Pilard
- LG2A UMR 7378, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 33 rue Saint Leu—UFR des Sciences, F-80000 Amiens, France; (F.D.-P.); (S.R.)
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- Laboratorio di Neurologia Sperimentale, IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino Pulejo", 98124 Messina, Italy;
| | - Sébastien Rigaud
- LG2A UMR 7378, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 33 rue Saint Leu—UFR des Sciences, F-80000 Amiens, France; (F.D.-P.); (S.R.)
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