Black Beans, Fiber, and Antioxidant Capacity Pilot Study: Examination of Whole Foods vs. Functional Components on Postprandial Metabolic, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome.

Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) contain bioactive components with functional properties that may modify cardiovascular risk. The aims of this pilot study were to evaluate the ability of black beans to attenuate postprandial metabolic, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses and determine relative contribution of dietary fiber and antioxidant capacity of beans to the overall effect. In this randomized, controlled, crossover trial, 12 adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS) consumed one of three meals (black bean (BB), fiber matched (FM), and antioxidant capacity matched (AM)) on three occasions that included blood collection before (fasting) and five hours postprandially. Insulin was lower after the BB meal, compared to the FM or AM meals (p < 0.0001). A significant meal × time interaction was observed for plasma antioxidant capacity (p = 0.002) revealing differences over time: AM > BB > FM. Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) was not different by meal, although a trend for declining oxLDL was observed after the BB and AM meals at five hours compared to the FM meal. Triglycerides and interleukin-6 (IL-6) increased in response to meals (p < 0.0001). Inclusion of black beans with a typical Western-style meal attenuates postprandial insulin and moderately enhances postprandial antioxidant endpoints in adults with MetS, which could only be partly explained by fiber content and properties of antioxidant capacity

Prospective randomized controlled pilot study on the effects of almond consumption on skin lipids and wrinkles.

ObjectiveAlmonds are a rich source of fatty acids and antioxidants, and their supplementation is known to significantly modulate serum lipids. The effects of almond on the skin's lipid barrier and the appearance of wrinkles have not yet been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of almond consumption on facial sebum production and wrinkles.MethodsThis was a prospective, investigator-blinded, randomized controlled trial in which subjects consumed 20% of their daily energy consumption in either almonds or a calorie-matched snack for 16 weeks. This study was completed at the UC Davis Dermatology clinic. Participants were a volunteer sample of generally healthy postmenopausal females with Fitzpatrick skin types 1 and 2. A facial photograph and image analysis system was used to obtain standardized photographs and information on wrinkle width and severity at 0, 8, and 16 weeks. Measurements of transepidermal water loss and sebum production were also completed at 0, 8, and 16 weeks.ResultsFifty healthy postmenopausal females were recruited, 31 participants were enrolled, and 28 completed the study. Under photographic analysis, the almond group had significantly decreased wrinkle severity and width compared with the control group at 16 weeks (p < .02). Changes in skin barrier function were nonsignificant, measured by the transepidermal water loss (p = .65) between the almond and control groups relative to baseline after 16 weeks. No adverse effects were reported.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that daily almond consumption may reduce wrinkle severity in postmenopausal females to potentially have natural antiaging benefits

Soy may help protect against cardiovascular disease

Diet and lifestyle choices are major factors contributing to the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is responsible for more deaths in the United States than any other cause. One dietary component that has received considerable attention for its potential cardioprotective effects is soybeans, which contain lean vegetable protein, dietary fiber and bioactive compounds known as isoflavones. Recent research investigating the relationship between soy and cardiovascular disease has identified several potential mechanisms for the observed protective effects, including cholesterol-lowering properties, antioxidant activity and gene regulation. This review highlights current understanding of the complex relationship between soy and the risk of cardiovascular disease

Editorials: Soybeans or soymilk: does it make a difference for cardiovascular protection? Does it even matter?

The effect of dietary soy on cardiovascular disease risk factors has been a topic of intense scientific and public interest over the past 10 or more years-a topic that was brought to the forefront by Anderson's 1995 meta-analysis that highlighted clinical studies from the previous 20 y (1). The originally reported magnitude of the hypocholesterolemic effect of soy protein (9.3% decrease in total cholesterol and 12.9% decrease in LDL cholesterol) was criticized as being overstated because of the inclusion criteria used in the analysis, and it is difficult to reconcile with the current results of metabolic studies. Of interest, changes in serum cholesterol concentrations from the first and second quartiles of initial cholesterol values representing normo- and modest hypercholesterolemia are closer in magnitude to the changes reported in recent investigations, which suggests that the large response to soy is not driven by the amount of dietary soy but rather by the initial blood cholesterol concentration (2). Subsequently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a health claim in 1999 that food products containing soy protein protect against heart disease (3). The American Heart Association published a statement on soy in 2000 in which it was deemed "prudent" to recommend inclusion of soy protein in the diet for cardiovascular disease protection (4). On consideration of current research, this position was recently revised to state that soy protein and isoflavones do not appear to have clinically significant effects that are superior to those of other proteins for heart health, but that soy products in general are beneficial because of their overall nutrient profile (5). The soy hypothesis for lipid lowering and cardiovascular disease risk reduction has focused mainly on the isoflavone content of soy, but uncertainty still exists regarding the bioactive component responsible for the physiologic response to soy. Techniques for processing soy food can alter the isoflavone content and many other naturally occurring components. The use of different products in clinical trials and different study designs has contributed to much of the variability in study results. In an effort to make sense of the large body of research on soy and cholesterol lowering, a number of recent meta-analyses have examined study results since 1995 and reported a modest cholesterol lowering potential of soy. Weggemans and Trautwein (6) analyzed 10 studies (1995-2002) that compared soy protein with control protein (often casein) and found an average decrease of 4% in LDL cholesterol associated with the daily consumption of 36 g soy protein and 52 mg isoflavones but found no independent effect of soy-associated isoflavones. Zhuo et al (7) analyzed 8 studies that compared the effects of high with low isoflavones in subjects with identical soy-protein intakes. They found that soy-associated isoflavones have LDL cholesterol-lowering effects independent of soy protein, yet no linear relation exists in relation to the intakes of soy protein or isoflavones. Zhan and Ho (8) likewise concluded from a meta-analysis of 23 studies that soy protein containing isoflavones was associated with a 3.77% decrease in serum total cholesterol and a 5.25% decrease in LDL cholesterol, but no dose-response relation was observed. A 2006 comprehensive analysis of 41 trials conducted since 1966 concluded that a slight dose-response relation exists between soy protein, isoflavones, and net reductions in serum lipids (9). Lipid lowering is not the only proposed cardiovascular benefit of dietary soy, and results are limited and equivocal with regard to promoting vascular endothelial function and antioxidant protection and inhibiting platelet reactivity. ..

Human MicroRNAs Modulated by Diet: A Scoping Review

Because of their role in regulating and fine-tuning gene expression in the posttranscriptional period, microRNA (miRNA) may represent a mediating factor that connects diet and metabolic regulation. Given the vast number of miRNAs and that modulations in miRNA happen in response to a variety of stimuli, a comprehensive registry of miRNAs impacted by diet and the food items that modulate them, would have utility in the identification of miRNA complements for analysis of diet interventions and in helping to establish linkages between the specific impacts of diet components. A scoping literature search of online databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Web of Science) was performed. Only studies in human populations, those that used a diet intervention or meal challenge, and those that measured miRNA profiles in the same subject at multiple time points were included. Of the 6167 studies screened, only 25 met the study criteria and were included in the review. Seven studies examined miRNA following a meal challenge, whereas 18 investigated miRNA following a sustained diet intervention. The results demonstrated that miRNA are modulated following a variety of diet interventions and that intensity of miRNA response is greater in metabolically healthy subjects. Heterogeneity in the intensity and length of the diet intervention, the study populations being observed, and the methodology through which target miRNA are identified contribute to a lack of comparability across studies. The findings of this review highlight the need for more study of miRNA responsiveness to intake and provide recommendations for future research

Methods for Assessing Health Outcomes Associated with Food Insecurity in the United States College Student Population: A Narrative Review.

In the United States, college students experience disproportionate food insecurity (FI) rates compared to the national prevalence. The experience of acute and chronic FI has been associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes in this population. This narrative review aims to summarize the current methodologies for assessing health outcomes associated with the experience of FI in college students in the United States. To date, assessing the health outcomes of FI has predominately consisted of subjective assessments, such as self-reported measures of dietary intake, perceived health status, stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep behaviors. This review, along with the emergence of FI as an international public health concern, establishes the need for novel, innovative, and objective biomarkers to evaluate the short- and long-term impacts of FI on physical and mental health outcomes in college students. The inclusion of objective biomarkers will further elucidate the relationship between FI and a multitude of health outcomes to better inform strategies for reducing the pervasiveness of FI in the United States college student population

Soy may help protect against cardiovascular disease

Diet and lifestyle choices are major factors contributing to the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is responsible for more deaths in the United States than any other cause. One dietary component that has received considerable attention for its potential cardioprotective effects is soybeans, which contain lean vegetable protein, dietary fiber and bioactive compounds known as isoflavones. Recent research investigating the relationship between soy and cardiovascular disease has identified several potential mechanisms for the observed protective effects, including cholesterol-lowering properties, antioxidant activity and gene regulation. This review highlights current understanding of the complex relationship between soy and the risk of cardiovascular disease

Relationship Between HDL Functional Characteristics and Cardiovascular Health and Potential Impact of Dietary Patterns: A Narrative Review

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death around the world. Overall diet quality and dietary behaviors are core contributors to metabolic health. While therapeutic targets have traditionally focused on levels of lipoprotein cholesterol when evaluating cardiovascular risk, current perspectives on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) have shifted to evaluating the functionality of this lipoprotein particle. Effects of diet on cardiovascular health are mediated through multiple pathways, but the impact on HDL composition and function deserves greater attention. Potential areas of investigation involve changes in particle characteristics, distribution, microRNA cargo, and other functional changes such as improvements to cholesterol efflux capacity. Various dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health and may prevent cardiovascular events. These healthful dietary patterns tend to be rich in plant-based foods, with cardiovascular benefits likely resulting from synergistic effects of the individual dietary components. The purpose of this review is to summarize current perspectives on selected functions of HDL particles and how various dietary patterns affect cardiovascular health biomarkers, with a focus on HDL functionality