Effects of ingredients on sensory attributes of gluten-free breads available in the UK

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of alternative ingredients in three different gluten-free breads (GFBs) available in the UK market with regard to their quality attributes and consumer preference. Design/methodology/approach Three different GFB samples purchased from a UK retailer were visually assessed. Their quality attributes and consumer acceptability were analysed via an untrained taste panel (n=35) on Day 1. Texture was compared using a texture analyser on Days 1 and 8, to examine the differences between samples and the effects of ingredients towards staling. Findings Results from visual inspection showed that ingredients affected the appearance of samples, in terms of crumb structure, and both crumb and crust colour. Firmness and springiness were significantly different (p<0.05, p=0.007) between samples on Days 1 and 8 although no significant difference existed within each individual sample. Sensory analysis showed no significant differences between samples with respect to denseness, chewiness, crumbliness, dryness and overall preference. Research limitations/implications The ingredient combination in each bread differed, and thus it is not clear if the results are due to the incorporation of individual ingredient or a combination of them. Practical implications Results of this study will help food industry to make an easier decision on gluten-free ingredients. Social implications It will help people with coeliac disease and those who wish to remove gluten from their diets. Originality/value Overall, the study showed that the use of different ingredients affected the appearance, firmness and springiness of three GFBs available in the UK market. However, it did not affect denseness, chewiness, crumbliness, dryness or consumer preference. This indicates that a number of ingredient combinations are possible in the manufacturing of acceptable GFB

Knowledge of and attitudes to sports drinks of adolescents living in South Wales, UK

Background: The UK sports drinks market has a turnover in excess of £200M. Adolescents consume 15.6% of total energy as free sugars, much higher than the recommended 5%. Sugar sweetened beverages, including sports drinks, account for 30% of total free sugar intake for those aged 11-18 years. Objective: To investigate children’s knowledge and attitudes surrounding sports drinks. Method: 183 self-complete questionnaires were distributed to four schools in South Wales. Children aged 12 - 14 were recruited to take part. Questions focussed on knowledge of who sports drinks are aimed at; the role of sports drinks in physical activity and the possible detrimental effects to oral health. Recognition of brand logo and sports ambassadors and the relationship of knowledge to respondent’s consumption of sports drinks were assessed. Results: There was an 87% (160) response rate. 89.4% (143) claimed to drink sports drinks. 45.9% thought that sports drinks were aimed at everyone; approximately a third (50) viewed teenagers as the target group. Over 2/3rds recognised the brand logos, yet less than a 1/3rd could identify brand ambassadors. About half were aware that dental erosion may result from consumption and approximately 2/3rds knew that they were linked to dental caries and energy provision. Despite this the majority claimed to drink them. As previously reported most of those drinking sports drinks did so because of the taste. Conclusion: Whilst most of the respondents had some understanding of the detrimental effects on health the majority of them were drinking them regularly despite this knowledge. Work is therefore needed at a macro level, with soft drink manufacturers, to consider marketing and reformulation of products for adolescent consumers who appear to enjoy them

The top 5 Selling UK Energy Drinks implications for dental and general health

Aim Energy drinks are widely consumed worldwide, and are recognised for their adverse health effects, usually due to their high caffeine content. However, little is known about their impact on oral and general health . The aim of this investigation was to review the most popular energy drinks sold in the UK, for their possible effect on oral health and contribution to obesity. Materials and Method s Five drinks constituting 75% of the UK energy drinks market were purposively selected ( Lucozade, Redbull, Monster, Rockstar and Relentless) . pH and sugar content were measured and their ingredients reviewed in the context of oral and general health, focussing on dental caries and erosion and obesity . Results All 5 energy drinks investigated had pH values below the critical value (5.5) associated with dental erosion; t he lowest pH was 2.7 2 (Lucozade ), the highest pH was 3.37 (Monster). The drinks also contained excessive amounts of free sugars, ranging from 25.5g (Red Bull) to 69.2g (Rockstar). Differences in sugar content were mainly explained by portion size. Other ingredients contained within the energy drinks, caffeine and various acids are also linked to oral and general health. Conclusion Regular consumption of energy drinks could contribute to dental erosion and the development of obesity. Lucozade and Rockstar were found to potentially have the greatest impact on oral health and obesity . Achieving a healthy product by reformulation is highly unlikely due to the very high initial free sugar content. Thus health professionals need to acknowledge the popularity of these products and help their clients to reduce their use. This is the first study which compares in detail the potential oral and general health consequences of overuse of a selection of energy drinks popular in the UK

Delivering multidisciplinary public health in action: the Cardiff Food Strategy case study

Background There is an increasing awareness that the provision of healthy food relies on the co-ordinated efforts of a number of diverse disciplines, not merely those traditionally linked with food. This paper documents the development of a food and health strategy, commissioned by the health alliance for the city of Cardiff, and focuses on the areas of sustainability, education and training as well as nutrition, food provision and food safety. Objective The aim of the strategy was to increase the uptake of a healthy, safe and sustainable diet for all those living in Cardiff. Method The methodology included a rapid appraisal of food initiatives operating within the city, establishing a food and health strategy working group and the production of strategy documentation. Multi-agency collaboration and consultation were key components of the approach. Results As the strategy developed, seven action areas became apparent, including education and training, public sector procurement and rewarding excellence. These action areas were incorporated into seven ‘action tables’, which constitute the core of the strategy. The food and health strategy document was ratified by the Local Health Alliance board in August 2004. But, far greater benefits were realised as a consequence of setting up the strategy working group. Long before the document was written, the strategy process was operating as ‘multidisciplinary public health in action’. Conclusion The network that comprised the food and health strategy working group was already able to commence delivery of a more integrated approach to food and health within Cardiff

Signpost to the new normal: An evidence-based summary from the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry

The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) is the UK’s professional association for the science, philosophy and practice of promoting oral health in society. They work with – and support – partners to improve population oral health and reduce health inequalities. In this article, they address some of the questions arising during the COVID-19 pandemic and signpost readers to helpful evidence-based information sources, to assist in the return to work and the ‘new normal’

Does the Relationship between Age and Brain Structure Differ in Youth with Conduct Disorder?

Conduct disorder (CD) is characterised by persistent antisocial and aggressive behaviour and typically emerges in childhood or adolescence. Although several authors have proposed that CD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, very little evidence is available about brain development in this condition. Structural brain alterations have been observed in CD, and some indirect evidence for delayed brain maturation has been reported. However, no detailed analysis of age-related changes in brain structure in youth with CD has been conducted. Using cross-sectional MRI data, this study aimed to explore differences in brain maturation in youth with CD versus healthy controls to provide further understanding of the neurodevelopmental processes underlying CD. 291 CD cases (153 males) and 379 healthy controls (160 males) aged 9–18 years (Mage = 14.4) were selected from the European multisite FemNAT-CD study. Structural MRI scans were analysed using surface-based morphometry followed by application of the ENIGMA quality control protocols. An atlas-based approach was used to investigate group differences and test for group-by-age and group-by-age-by-sex interactions in cortical thickness, surface area and subcortical volumes. Relative to healthy controls, the CD group showed lower surface area across frontal, temporal and parietal regions as well as lower total surface area. No significant group-by-age or group-by-age-by-sex interactions were observed on any brain structure measure. These findings suggest that CD is associated with lower surface area across multiple cortical regions, but do not support the idea that CD is associated with delayed brain maturation, at least within the age bracket considered here.</p

Positive and Negative Parenting in Conduct Disorder with High versus Low Levels of Callous-Unemotional Traits

Less is known about the relationship between conduct disorder (CD), callous-unemotional (CU) traits and positive and negative parenting in adolescence compared to early childhood. We combined traditional univariate analyses with a novel machine learning classifier (Angle-based Generalised Matrix Learning Vector Quantisation) to classify youth (N = 756; 9-18 years) into typically-developing (TD) or CD groups with or without elevated CU traits (CD/HCU, CD/LCU respectively) using youth- and parent-report measures of parenting behaviour. At the group level, both CD/HCU and CD/LCU were associated with high negative and low positive parenting relative to TD. However, only positive parenting differed between the CD/HCU and CD/LCU groups. In classification analyses, performance was best when distinguishing CD/HCU from TD groups and poorest when distinguishing CD/HCU from CD/LCU groups. Positive and negative parenting were both relevant when distinguishing CD/HCU from TD, negative parenting was most relevant when distinguishing between CD/LCU from TD, and positive parenting was most relevant when distinguishing CD/HCU from CD/LCU groups. These findings suggest that while positive parenting distinguishes between CD/HCU and CD/LCU, negative parenting is associated with both CD subtypes. These results highlight the importance of considering multiple parenting behaviours in CD with varying levels of CU traits in late childhood or adolescence