The effect of raisins on biomarkers of endothelial function and oxidant damage; an open-label and randomized controlled intervention

Based on the existing data in grapes and wine, the aim of the present study was to investigate the probability that raisins improve clinical features and markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and arterial function in healthy smokers. Thirty-six apparently healthy smokers were recruited to an open-label and randomized, controlled, 4-week prospective intervention. All participants were reported to consume less than the recommended amount of five servings fruits and vegetables daily. Participants in the intervention were instructed to consume raisins equal to five fruit servings (90 g/d). Anthropometric and blood pressure (BP) measurements, assessment of dietary intake, and fasting blood draws were conducted at baseline and at week 4. Biochemical (glucose, lipids, liver enzymes), inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin], oxidative stress [Malondialdehyde (MDA), Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs)] and arterial function markers [Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), Pulse wave velocity (PWV), Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), Nitric oxide (NO)] were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Baseline characteristics did not differ between the intervention and control arm. No effect of daily raisin consumption was observed on markers assessed between baseline and week 4 in either arm. Regarding vegetable consumption, no difference was observed in either group between baseline and post-intervention; however, as expected, a significant increase was reported in the intervention arm in fruit consumption between baseline and end point (p < 0.001) and between two arms post-intervention (p < 0.001). When analyzing according to age, ICAM-1 levels significantly decreased in subjects > 30 years (n = 8) in intervention arm (390.1 ± 17.6 to 302.2 ± 11 ng/mL, p = 0.004). After analysis of the data for sex, women in intervention (n = 5) decreased significantly diastolic BP (74.6 ± 4.2 to 67.4 ± 2.6 mg/dL, p = 0.043), total cholesterol (175.8 ± 7 to 166.6 ± 6.6 mg/dL, p < 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (96.2 ± 9.6 to 89 ± 10.5 mg/dL, p = 0.012). However, due to the small sample size in the above, no safe conclusions can be exported. © 201

Low-glycemic-index/load desserts decrease glycemic and insulinemic response in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease whose prevalence is growing worldwide. Consumption of desserts with low glycemic index (GI) and low glycemic load (GL) in a balanced hypocaloric diet has a positive impact on anthropometric and metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the glycemic and insulinemic response after consumption of desserts with low GI/GL in patients with T2DM. Fifty-one patients consumed either 83 g of the conventional dessert or 150 g of the low GI/GL dessert in random order after an overnight fast. Serum glucose, triglycerides, and insulin were measured at baseline (immediately before ingestion) and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min postprandially. Subjective appetite measurements were performed using visual analog scales (VASs). There were significant differences at 30 (p = 0.014), 60 (p < 0.001), and 90 min (p < 0.001) postprandially between the two desserts for glucose and at 30 (p = 0.014) and 60 min (p = 0.033) postprandially for insulin. Glucose iAUC was significantly lower in low-GI/GL dessert compared to control (p < 0.001). Serum triglycerides and insulin iAUC did not differ between the two trials. Fullness VAS ratings were significantly higher after consumption of the low-GI/GL dessert compared to conventional dessert. Likewise, hunger, additional food, and additional food quantity VAS ratings were significantly lower after the consumption of the low-GI/GL dessert compared to control. Consumption of low-GI/GL dessert indicates a positive impact on metabolic parameters in T2DM patients. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

A Study of Glycemic Response to Corinthian Raisins in Healthy Subjects and in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

This study was designed to evaluate the metabolic response to Corinthian raisins in healthy and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Healthy subjects (n = 15) and diabetic patients (n = 15) received 74 g raisins or 50 g glucose as reference food. Blood samples were collected at time 0 (before the consumption) and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after raisin or glucose consumption. There was no significant difference in baseline glucose and insulin between raisins and reference in both groups. The difference at glucose peaks between raisins and reference was significant in healthy and in diabetics. Glycemic and insulinemic responses were decreased after raisin consumption compared to reference. An estimate of the glycemic index would be 66.3 ± 3.4. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Tahini consumption improves metabolic and antioxidant status biomarkers in the postprandial state in healthy males

Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum L.) are rich in unsaturated fats, and also contain tocopherols and lignans (sesamin, sesamolin and sesamol), which may exhibit antioxidant properties. Sesame paste, or tahini, a semi-solid product of sesame, has not been examined in detail. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of tahini consumption on oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk indices in healthy men. Twenty healthy men with mean age of 28 years and mean BMI of 25.81 kg/m2 were included in the study. After a 12 h fast, baseline blood and urine samples were collected. After consumption of 50 g of tahini, blood and urine samples were collected at 1, 2, 3 and 4 h postprandially. Serum or plasma samples were used for the measurement of glucose, triglycerides, total phenolic content and ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), while levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F2a were measured in urine samples. Plasma glucose was significantly lower at 1, 3 and 4 h after tahini consumption compared to baseline (p < 0.05). A trend of increase in total phenolic content (p = 0.092) was observed 4 h postprandially. Alongside, significant increases in both serum triglyceride (p < 0.001) and urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2a levels (p = 0.016) were reported at the end of the trial. No differences were reported in FRAP postprandially compared to baseline. Consumption of 50 g of tahini, either as part of a healthy breakfast or by replacing snacks with a less desirable lipid profile, could be a good practice for modern consumers. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

A pilot, randomized controlled trial to examine the health outcomes of raisin consumption in patients with diabetes

Objectives: Dried fruits, like their fresh homologues, contain relatively high concentrations of antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the health outcomes of raisin consumption on patients with diabetes. Methods: We examined the effects of dried grapes (Vitis vinifera) cultivated in Greece, namely Corinthian Raisins (CR) on blood pressure, fasting glucose, glucated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid peroxidation, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, antioxidant status, and cytokines in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Forty-eight well-controlled patients with T2DM from the diabetes outpatient clinic of our hospital were recruited to a two-armed, randomized, controlled, 24-wk prospective intervention trial in order to examine the health outcomes of CR consumption. All participants were reported to consume less fruits and vegetables than the recommended amount of five servings daily. Participants in the intervention were instructed to consume CR equal to two fruit servings (36 g/d), replacing snacks with similar energy density twice during the day. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, assessment of dietary intake, and fasting blood draws were conducted at baseline and at week 24. Also, phenolic compounds present in CR were analyzed in plasma of the patients. t Test for parametric data and Mann-Whitney test or Wilcoxon test for non-parametric data were performed. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Body weight, glycemic control, and lipid profile were not affected in either arm. Patients in the CR arm reduced their diastolic blood pressure and increased their total antioxidant potential significantly compared with baseline. The differences between the two groups at week 24 were significant. No change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was observed. A significant difference in plasma circulating p-hydroxybenzoic acid was observed between groups at the end of the trial. Conclusions: Our study shows that naturally CR may improve health features in patients with well-controlled T2DM. © 2014 Elsevier Inc

Erratum to: Assessment of the Validity and Reproducibility of a Novel Standardized Test Meal for the Study of Postprandial Triacylglycerol Concentrations (Lipids, (2017), 52, (675-686), 10.1007/s11745-017-4275-9)

The article “Assessment of the Validity and Reproducibility of a Novel Standardized Test Meal for the Study of Postprandial Triacylglycerol Concentrations”, written by Nikolaos Tentolouris, Panagiotis T. Kanellos, Evangelia Siami, Elpida Athanasopoulou, Nikolaos Chaviaras, Genovefa Kolovou, Petros P. Sfikakis, Nikolaos Katsilambros, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 26 June 2017 without open access. The original article was corrected. With the author(s) decision to opt for Open Choice the copyright of the article changed on 31 August 2017 to © The Author(s) 2017 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. © AOCS 2017