The effect of flour-based foods intake in the reduction of cardiometabolic risk: A systematic review

Cardiometabolic risk triggers a state of chronic and subclinical inflammation, conferring a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. Thus, minimal processing of foods with high nutritional value, in the form of flour, becomes an effective dietary strategy in preventing and treating cardiometabolic risk factors. This systematic review aims to evaluate the evidence on the effect of flour-based food intake on reducing the most common cardiometabolic risk factors. We included all randomized controlled trials published up to April 2023 in the main databases PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Eleven clinical trials were included. The amount of flour used in the studies ranged from 1.5 g to 36 g/day, and the supplementation period ranged from six weeks to 120 days. Green jackfruit flour, green banana flour, soy flour, flour from rind of the yellow passion fruit, and fenugreek powder demonstrated significant results in improve parameters of glucose homeostasis. Chia flour, green banana flour, soy flour, and fenugreek powder showed improvements in blood pressure measurements. Brazil nut flour and chia flour reduced total cholesterol. Chia flour also increased HDL cholesterol levels. The evidence presented in the current systematic review indicates that flour-derived foods intake is related to improve cardiometabolic risk factors parameters.

A single dose of microencapsulated cocoa supplementation attenuated eccentric exercise-induced endothelial dysfunction

In the present study, it was evaluated whether microencapsulated cocoa supplementation could attenuate endothelial dysfunction caused by eccentric exercise in healthy subjects. Thirteen volunteers were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), blood flow and muscle O₂ saturation (StO₂) were evaluated by ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), respectively, before and after microencapsulated cocoa supplementation. The eccentric exercise was performed after microencapsulated cocoa supplementation to generate vascular dysfunction. Eccentric exercise significantly reduced FMD in the PLA condition, but cocoa attenuated this exercise effect. No significant effect was observed on muscle StO₂ and blood flow after eccentric exercise and nutritional supplementation. In conclusion, the present study showed that a single dose of microencapsulated cocoa ingestion attenuated FMD-induced eccentric exercise. These findings suggest that a single dose of microencapsulated cocoa may be an alternative nutritional strategy to attenuate vascular dysfunction induced by eccentric exercise in healthy individuals.

The effect of dietary nitrate on macro- and microvascular function: A systematic review

Previous studies have investigated the impact of dietary nitrate on vascular function due to the association between dietary nitrate ingestion and improvement in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Considering that NO can present different effects through vascular beds (macro- vs. microvasculature) due to the specific characteristic (function and morphology) that each vessel exhibits, it is crucial to investigate the effect of dietary nitrate ingestion on the macro- and microvascular function to understand the effect of nitrate on vascular function. For this reason, this review aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary nitrate on macro- and microvascular function in humans. A total of 29 studies were included in the systematic review, of which 19 studies evaluated the effect of nitrate supplementation on macrovascular function, eight studies evaluated the effect on microvascular function, and two studies evaluated the impact on both macro- and microvascular function. The literature suggests that dietary nitrate ingestion seems to improve the vascular function in macrovasculature, whereas microvascular function appears to be modest. Future studies investigating the effect of nitrate ingestion on vascular function should focus on measuring macro- and microvascular function whenever possible so that the impact of nitrate-rich foods on vascular segments could be better understood.

Impact of microencapsulated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) and beetroot (Beta vulgaris L) on storage stability of l-citrulline and dietary nitrate

The aim the current study was to developed a watermelon rind powder (WRP), watermelon pulp powder (WPP), and beetroot powder (BP), in order to compare the stability of L-citrulline and nitrate with that of watermelon rind juice (WRJ), watermelon pulp juice (WPJ), and beetroot juice (BJ), respectively. The stability was evaluated during 32 days at 25, 4 and - 20 ºC. L-arginine and L-ornithine content were also evaluated. At day 0, a significantly higher L-citrulline and L-ornithine content in WRP was observed when compared to WPP. However, a significantly lower L-arginine content in WRP was observed when compared to WPP. L-citrulline content in WRP and WRJ was stable over 32 days in all temperatures evaluated, whereas it reduced in WPP in 32 days at 25 ºC and it is reduced in in WPJ in day 16 and day 32 at 25 °C. L-arginine content in WRP and WPP was stable over 32 days in all temperatures evaluated. A reduction was observed in WRJ at day 2, 4 and 32 at 25 °C and in WPJ at day 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 days at 25 °C. L-ornithine content in WRP and WPP was stable over 32 days in all temperatures evaluated. An increase was observed in WRJ at day 2, 4 and 32 at 25 °C and in WPJ in day 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 at 25 °C. Nitrate content in BP was stable over 32 days in all temperatures evaluated, while nitrate content in beetroot juice was reduced in day 2 at 25 °C and day 8 at 4 °C. In conclusion, L-citrulline of the microencapsulated watermelon rind and nitrate of the microencapsulated beetroot were stable throughout storage.

Combined effect of high hydrostatic pressure and ultraviolet radiation on quality parameters of refrigerated vacuum-packed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets

This study investigated the effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and ultraviolet radiation (UV-C), individually and combined, on the physical, chemical and bacterial parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets stored at 4 °C for 14 days. Tilapia fillets were divided into four groups: control (untreated samples), UV-C, HHP, and UV-C combined with HHP (UV-C+HHP); UV-C was applied at dose of 0.103 ± 0.002 J/cm², and HHP at a pressure of 220 MPa for 10 min at 25 °C. All samples were analyzed for total aerobic mesophilic count (TAMC), total aerobic psychrotrophic count (TAPC), Enterobacteriaceae count, pH, lipid oxidation, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), ammonia (NH₃), and biogenic amines. Although UV-C accelerated (P ≤ 0.05) the formation of cadaverine, both UV-C and HHP, alone or together, retarded bacterial growth and delayed the increase (P ≤ 0.05) in pH, TVB-N, NH₃ and biogenic amines during refrigerated storage, extending the shelf life of refrigerated tilapia fillets at least 2.5 times considering the TAMC counts. Lipid oxidation was unaffected (P > 0.05) by UV-C radiation, and decreased (P ≤ 0.05) by HHP and UV-C+HHP. HHP alone or combined with UV-C showed higher potential benefits for tilapia fillets preservation considering the positive influence on cadaverine levels and lipid oxidation.

Physicochemical, nutritional, and sensory analyses of a nitrate-enriched beetroot gel and its effects on plasmatic nitric oxide and blood pressure

Background

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a dietary source of natural antioxidants and inorganic nitrate (NO3-). It is well known that the content of antioxidant compounds and inorganic nitrate in beetroot can reduce blood pressure (BP) and the risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to formulate a beetroot gel to supplement dietary nitrate and antioxidant compounds able to cause beneficial health effects following acute administration.

Design and subjects

A beetroot juice produced from Beta vulgaris L., without any chemical additives, was used. The juice was evaluated by physicochemical and microbiological parameters. The sample was tested in five healthy subjects (four males and one female), ingesting 100 g of beetroot gel.

Results

The formulated gel was nitrate enriched and contained carbohydrates, fibers, saponins, and phenolic compounds. The formulated gels possess high total antioxidant activity and showed adequate rheological properties, such as high viscosity and pleasant texture. The consumer acceptance test for flavor, texture, and overall acceptability of beetroot gel flavorized with synthetic orange flavor had a sensory quality score >6.6. The effects of acute inorganic nitrate supplementation on nitric oxide production and BP of five healthy subjects were evaluated. The consumption of beetroot gel increased plasma nitrite threefold after 60 min of ingestion and decreased systolic BP (−6.2 mm Hg), diastolic BP (−5.2 mm Hg), and heart rate (−7 bpm).

Hormonal response to L-arginine supplementation in physically active individuals

Background

Nutritional supplements based on the amino acid L-arginine have been hypothesized to improve exercise performance by increasing levels of insulin and growth hormone (GH). Changes of these parameters in response to L-arginine supplementation may clarify the mechanisms underlying its putative physiological effects on physical performance.

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of L-arginine supplementation on serum insulin, GH, Growth Factor Insulin-like (IGF-1), and cortisol in response to exercise. Exercise performance was also evaluated.

Design

Fifteen trained runners were divided into groups supplemented with 6 g of L-arginine (ARG) or placebo (PLA). Blood samples were collected before supplementation (T0), immediately after the first exercise session (T1), after the second exercise session (T2), and after 20 min of rest (T3). The exercise consisted of two bouts of 5 km time-trial running test.

Results

There was a significant increase in serum GH (T0: 3.28±0.95 vs. 3.21±0.5 ng/mL; T1: 4.35±0.23 vs. 4.17±0.13 ng/mL; T2: 4.22±0.25 vs. 4.17±0.09 ng/mL; T3: 4.14±0.29 vs. 4.13±0.18 ng/mL) and cortisol (T0: 198.71±53.77 vs. 207.57±69.51 nmol/L; T1: 458.16±116.12 vs. 433.26±101.77 nmol/L; T2: 454.61±125.21 vs. 431.88±74.82 nmol/L; T3: 311.14±102.91 vs. 362.26±110.42 nmol/L) after T1, T2, and T3, with no significant difference between the ARG and PLA groups, respectively. There was also no significant difference observed in the variables of IGF-1, insulin, and total running time between the ARG and PLA groups.

Conclusions

The supplementation of L-arginine did not appear to stimulate the production of insulin, GH, and IGF-1 and, thus, provided no benefit in hormonal response or exercise performance in trained runners.

Efeitos da suplementação de b-hidroxi-b-metilbutirato sobre a força e a hipertrofia

O b-hidroxi-b-metilbutirato é um metabólito da leucina estudado devido aos seus efeitos anticatabólicos e possíveis implicações sobre os ganhos de força e massa muscular associados ao treinamento contra-resistência (conhecido como musculação). O objetivo deste trabalho foi revisar a literatura referente à suplementação de b-hidroxi-b-metilbutirato e os seus efeitos sobre força e hipertrofia em adultos jovens e idosos iniciantes ou treinados em treinamento contra-resistência. Estudos em indivíduos iniciando um programa de treinamento contra-resistência sugerem que a suplementação diária de 1,5 a 3,0g de b-hidroxi-b-metilbutirato pode trazer benefício ergogênico durante as primeiras quatro ou cinco semanas. Entretanto, à medida que o programa de treinamento evolui, tais efeitos não permanecem e os ganhos de força e massa muscular são proporcionados apenas pelo treinamento contra-resistência. Em indivíduos treinados, os resultados parecem não ser os mesmos, uma vez que, desde o início da suplementação, o b-hidroxi-b-metilbutirato não demonstra qualquer benefício adicional aos induzidos pelo treinamento contra-resistência. Alguns efeitos do b-hidroxi-b-metilbutirato na redução do colesterol total e lipoproteína de baixa densidade também foram observados, porém, devido às poucas evidências, não há recomendações para tal finalidade. Nenhum efeito adverso da suplementação foi observado, sendo, aparentemente, segura, contudo a maioria dos estudos foi realizada em curto prazo (menos de 4 semanas) e em indivíduos destreinados. Assim, mais estudos são necessários para esclarecer o mecanismo fisiológico por meio do qual o b-hidroxi-b-metilbutirato exerce seus efeitos anticatabólicos em destreinados e para observar possíveis efeitos adversos.