Antioxidant intake among Brazilian adults - The Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS): a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Antioxidant nutrient intake and the lesser formation of free radicals seem to contribute to chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intake profile of the main dietary antioxidants in a representative sample of the adult Brazilian population and discuss the main consequences of a low intake of these micronutrients on overall health.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The sample comprised 2344 individuals aged 40 years or older from 150 cities and was based on a probabilistic sample from official data. The research was conducted through in-home interviews administered by a team trained for this purpose. Dietary intake information was obtained through 24-h recall. The Nutrition Data System for Research software program was used to analyze data on the intake of vitamins A, C and E, selenium and zinc, which was compared to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Differences in intake according to sex, anthropometrics, socioeconomic status and region were also evaluated. The SPSS statistical package (version 13) was used for the statistical analysis. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Higher proportions of low intake in relation to recommended values were found for vitamin E (99.7%), vitamin A (92.4%) and vitamin C (85.1%) in both genders. Intake variations were found between different regions, which may reflect cultural habits.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results should lead to the development of public health policies that encourage educational strategies for improving the intake of micronutrients, which are essential to overall health and prevention of non-communicable diseases.</p

Effect of the intake of high or low glycemic index high carbohydrate-meals on athletes’ sleep quality in pre-game nights

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of the intake of high (HGI) or low glycemic index (LGI) high-carbohydrate meals on athletes’ sleep. Nine basketball adult male athletes were assessed during a championship and received high-carbohydrate meals (dinner and evening snack) with HGI or LGI. Quantitative and qualitative sleep variables were assessed: sleep latency (LAT), sleep efficiency (EFIC), Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO), sleep time through actigraphy and sleep diary. Dietary intake, satiety, sleepiness, glycemic response, salivary cortisol and melatonin were also assessed. On both days most athletes had LAT and WASO higher than recommendation, and nocturnal sleep time below the recommendations. There was no difference between sleep and hormonal parameters according to GI dietary manipulations; however, correlations were observed between sleep and diet. Daily energy intake had negative correlation with efficiency and nocturnal total sleep time, and a positive correlation with WASO, regardless of the GI nocturnal meals. No differences were observed in salivary cortisol and melatonin according to GI. The results suggest that food intake throughout the day seems to exert more influence on sleep parameters of basketball players than GI manipulation of evening meals on the pre-night game, but further studies are necessary to better understand this complex relationship