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Dobrowolski H, Kopczyńska K, Kazimierczak R, Rembiałkowska E, Włodarek D. Organic Food in Athletes Diet-Narrative Review of Alternative Products in Sports Nutrition. Nutrients 2024; 16:2347. [PMID: 39064790 PMCID: PMC11279679 DOI: 10.3390/nu16142347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Athletes are characterized by special nutritional needs. Meeting their dietary needs associated with intensive exercise is a prerequisite for effective training and success in sports competitions. Hence, it is important to supply key performance nutrients, such as macronutrients, antioxidants, calcium, vitamin D, or iron, in adequate quantities. The increased need for these nutrients makes it necessary to look for food products on the market that more fully cover these needs. Such products may include organic foods. According to research, they have unique properties and are richer in selected nutrients, such as antioxidants. Hence, the aim of this review was to analyze the available literature as to whether organic foods have the potential to more fully cover the increased nutritional requirements of athletes for selected nutrients compared to conventionally produced foods. A narrative review of current literature was carried out. As the analysis showed, organic foods are characterized by a higher content of antioxidant bioactive compounds, a higher content of n-3 fatty acids, a better n:3/n:6 ratio, and a more optimal amino acid composition, which may result in an appropriate dietary ration design for athletes. In conclusion, organic food appears to be an interesting alternative to meet the special nutritional needs of professional and amateur athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hubert Dobrowolski
- School of Medical & Health Sciences, University of Economics and Human Sciences in Warsaw, Okopowa 59 Str., 01-043 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Klaudia Kopczyńska
- Department of Functional and Organic Food, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159c Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (R.K.); (E.R.)
| | - Renata Kazimierczak
- Department of Functional and Organic Food, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159c Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (R.K.); (E.R.)
| | - Ewa Rembiałkowska
- Department of Functional and Organic Food, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159c Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (K.K.); (R.K.); (E.R.)
| | - Dariusz Włodarek
- Department of Dietetics, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Nowoursynowska 159c Str., 02-776 Warsaw, Poland;
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Carullo G, Borghini F, Fusi F, Saponara S, Fontana A, Pozzetti L, Fedeli R, Panti A, Gorelli B, Aquino G, Basilicata MG, Pepe G, Campiglia P, Biagiotti S, Gemma S, Butini S, Pianezze S, Loppi S, Cavaglioni A, Perini M, Campiani G. Traceability and authentication in agri-food production: A multivariate approach to the characterization ofthe Italian food excellence elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.), a vasoactive nutraceutical. Food Chem 2024; 444:138684. [PMID: 38359701 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
A research platform for food authentication was set up by combining stable isotope ratio analysis, metabolomics by gas and liquid mass-spectrometry and NMR investigations, chemometric analyses for food excellences. This multi-analytical approach was tested on samples of elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.), a species belonging to the same genus of common garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.), mainly produced in southern Tuscany-(Allium ampeloprasum). The isotopic composition allowed the product to be geographically characterized. Flavonoids, like (+)-catechin, cinnamic acids, quercetin glycosides were identified. The samples showed also a significant amount of dipeptides, sulphur-containing metabolites and glutathione, the latter of which could be considered a molecular marker of the analyzed elephant garlic. For nutraceutical profiling to reach quality labels, extracts were investigated in specific biological assays, displaying interesting vasorelaxant properties in rat aorta by mediating nitric oxide release from the endothelium and exhibited positive inotropic and negative chronotropic effects in rat perfused heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Carullo
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; BioAgryLab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Francesca Borghini
- ISVEA Srl, Istituto per lo Sviluppo Viticolo Enologico e Agroindustriale, 53036 Poggibonsi(SI), Italy.
| | - Fabio Fusi
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Simona Saponara
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Anna Fontana
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Luca Pozzetti
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Fedeli
- BioAgryLab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Alice Panti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Beatrice Gorelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Aquino
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy; PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, University of Salerno, Fisciano, SA, Italy.
| | | | - Giacomo Pepe
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo 90133, Italy.
| | - Pietro Campiglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy.
| | - Stefano Biagiotti
- Telematic University Pegaso, Piazza Trieste e Trento, 48 -80132 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; BioAgryLab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; BioAgryLab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Silvia Pianezze
- Experimental and Technological Services Department, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38098 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.
| | - Stefano Loppi
- BioAgryLab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Cavaglioni
- ISVEA Srl, Istituto per lo Sviluppo Viticolo Enologico e Agroindustriale, 53036 Poggibonsi(SI), Italy.
| | - Matteo Perini
- Experimental and Technological Services Department, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38098 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; BioAgryLab, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; Bioinformatics Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-7346, Iran.
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Solnier J, Chang C, Pizzorno J. Consideration for Flavonoid-Containing Dietary Supplements to Tackle Deficiency and Optimize Health. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108663. [PMID: 37240008 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Randomized clinical trials (RCT) and observational studies have highlighted the importance of flavonoid consumption for human health. Several studies have associated a high intake of dietary flavonoids with (a) enhanced metabolic and cardiovascular health, (b) enhanced cognitive and vascular endothelial functions, (c) an improved glycemic response in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and (d) a reduced risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Since flavonoids belong to a broad and diverse family of polyphenolic plant molecules-with more than 6000 compounds interspersed in the human diet-researchers are still uncertain whether the intake of single, individual polyphenols or a large combination of them (i.e., synergistic action) can produce the greatest health benefits for humans. Furthermore, studies have reported a poor bioavailability of flavonoid compounds in humans, which presents a major challenge for determining their optimal dosage, recommended intake, and, consequently, their therapeutic value. Especially because of their scarce bioavailability from foods-along with the overall declining food quality and nutrient density in foods-the role of flavonoid supplementation may become increasingly important for human health. Although research shows that dietary supplements can be a highly useful tool to complement diets that lack sufficient amounts of important nutrients, some caution is warranted regarding possible interactions with prescription and non-prescription drugs, especially when taken concurrently. Herein, we discuss the current scientific basis for using flavonoid supplementation to improve health as well as the limitations related to high intakes of dietary flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Solnier
- ISURA, Clinical Research Unit, 101-3680 Bonneville Place, Burnaby, BC V3N 4T5, Canada
| | - Chuck Chang
- ISURA, Clinical Research Unit, 101-3680 Bonneville Place, Burnaby, BC V3N 4T5, Canada
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Ropero AB, Borrás F, Rodríguez M, Beltrá M. Nutritional Description of Organic and Conventional Food Products in Spain: The BADALI Project. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15081876. [PMID: 37111095 PMCID: PMC10144859 DOI: 10.3390/nu15081876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Organic food and drink is undoubtedly a growing market. Consumers perceive organic food as healthy, and nutrition claims (NCs) and fortification may add to this perception. Whether this is true is still a matter of controversy, particularly for organic food products. We present here the first comprehensive study of large samples of six specific organic food types, analysing the nutritional quality (nutrient composition and "healthiness") as well as the use of NCs and fortification. In parallel, a comparison with conventional food is also carried out. For this purpose, the Food Database of products in the Spanish market, BADALI, was used. Four cereal-based and two dairy-substitute food types were analysed. Our results show that as many as 81% of organic foods are considered "less healthy" by the Pan American Health Organization Nutrient Profile Model (PAHO-NPM). Organic foods present a slightly improved nutrient profile compared to conventional foods. However, many of the differences, though statistically significant, are nutritionally irrelevant. Organic foods use NCs very frequently, more than conventional foods, with very little micronutrient fortification. The main conclusion of this work is that consumers' perception that organic food products are healthy is unfounded from a nutritional point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana B Ropero
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernández University, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Fernando Borrás
- Department of Statistics, Mathematics and Informatics, Miguel Hernández University, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Marta Rodríguez
- Polytechnic School of Orihuela, Miguel Hernández University, 03202 Elche, Spain
| | - Marta Beltrá
- Institute of Bioengineering, Miguel Hernández University, 03202 Elche, Spain
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