Anthocyanin metabolites in human urine after the intake of new functional beverages

Sugar intake abuse is directly related with the increase of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and insulin resistance. Along this line, the development of new beverages using alternative sweeteners could help with combatting the pathophysiological disorders associated to the consumption of sugar. To provide evidence on this issue, in the present work, the bioavailability of anthocyanins was evaluated after the acute ingestion of a new maqui-citrus-based functional beverage rich in polyphenols, and supplemented with a range of sweeteners including sucrose (natural high caloric), stevia (natural non-caloric), and sucralose (artificial non-caloric), as an approach that would allow reducing the intake of sugars while providing bioactive phenolic compounds (anthocyanins). This approach allowed the evaluation of the maximum absorption and the diversity of metabolites excreted through urine. The beverages created were ingested by volunteers (n = 20) and the resulting anthocyanin metabolites in their urine were analyzed by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. A total of 29 degradation metabolites were detected: Caffeic acid, catechol, 3,4-dihidroxifenilacetic acid, hippuric acid, trans-ferulic acid, 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzaldehyde, trans-isoferulic acid, and vanillic acid derivatives, where peak concentrations were attained at 3.5 h after beverage intake. Sucralose was the sweetener that provided a higher bioavailability for most compounds, followed by stevia. Sucrose did not provide a remarkably higher bioavailability of any compounds in comparison with sucralose or stevia. The results propose two sweetener alternatives (sucralose and stevia) to sucrose, an overused high calorie sweetener that promotes some metabolic diseasesThis research was funded by the Spanish MINECO, grant number AGL2016-75332-C2-1-R and AGL-2016-75332-C2-2-R. VA was funded by a FPI grant (BES-2017-079754) of the Spanish MINECO. The APC was funded by the projects AGL2016-75332-C2-1-

Body composition and metabolic status of Italian and Spanish university students: relationship with fruit and vegetable consumption

Most university students do not follow recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake, with a consequent increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The aim of this study was to compare obesity prevalence and biomarkers of metabolic status between Italian and Spanish university students, in relation with the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Food consumption, adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MD), level of physical activity (PA), blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and ketones, blood pressure, and body composition were evaluated. Among CVD risk factors, only glucose was significantly higher in Spaniards (SP), and only 3.1% of SP presented ketosis. SP had a higher percentage of energy from fat. Although adherence to MD and fruit and vegetable consumption did not differ between Italians and SP, students who consumed at least four servings of fruit and vegetables (FV group) showed better values for pressure and metabolic parameters than the no FV group. We observed an association between consumption of fruit and PA. Students who consumed more vegetables than fruit reported a better body composition profile and lower glucose concentrations. As previously suggested, in addition to PA, two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables per day should be recommended

Relationship between the Ingestion of a Polyphenol-Rich Drink, Hepcidin Hormone, and Long-Term Training

The effects of polyphenol-rich foods on the iron status of athletes, as well as the effect of physical training on the hormone hepcidin, implicated in iron metabolism, are not clear. We investigated the influence on iron metabolism of a long-term training intervention of 120 days, measuring the hepcidin concentration in the plasma of 16 elite triathletes, and the effect of the ingestion of 200 mL of either aronia-citrus juice or a placebo drink for 45 days, in a crossover design. The highest plasma hepcidin concentrations were observed at the beginning of the study (116 ± 63 nM) and levels steadily decreased until the end of the intervention (final value 10 ± 7.5 nM). Long-term training might reduce inflammation and, hence, could be responsible for the decrease in hepcidin in triathletes. Polyphenols from aronia-citrus juice did not interfere in iron absorption, as we did not observe significant differences between the intake of the placebo drink or juice with regard to hepcidin levels. Further studies are required to ascertain the time and conditions necessary to restore hepcidin levels, which reflect the iron status of triathletes.The study received financial support from the National Funding Agencies, through the Project AGL2011-23690 (CICYT). Sonia Medina is grateful to the CICYT for a research contract (AGL2011-23690). This work has been partially funded by the “Fundación Séneca de la Región de Murcia” Grupo de Excelencia 19900/GERM/15

Overlap of orthorexia, eating attitude and psychological distress in some Italian and Spanish university students

Background Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is the persistent concern of maintaining the self-imposed diet to improve one's health. Many factors have been associated to ON in university students. AIM To assess the prevalence of ON in Italian and Spanish university students in relation to eating attitude and psychological distress, and the possible overlaps between ON (evaluated with different scored questionnaires from the originally proposed ORTO-15), distress and risk of eating disorders. Methods This study was carried out on 160 students recruited at La Sapienza University of Rome and at the Catholic University of Murcia. Questionnaires were administered to evaluate ON (ORTO-15 and sub-scores), body concerns (Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, MBSRQ, and Body Uneasiness test, BUT), psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K10), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ), eating attitude (Eating Attitudes Test, EAT-26) and malnutrition (Starvation Symptom Inventory, SSI). Sex differences, within the same country, and differences between Italian and Spanish students, within the same sex, were evaluated. RESULTS The ORTO-15 positive subjects, assessed with the originally proposed cut-off, were above 70% in both Italian and Spanish students, with a higher prevalence in the Spanish sample (Italian females 76.3%, Italian males 70.7%; Spanish females 97.0%, Spanish males 96.3%). According to ORTO-7, about 30% of Italian and 48% of Spanish students were positive to ON with no significant sex differences. When excluding students underweight (UW), overweight (OW) or obese (OB), as well as those potentially at risk of eating disorders or presenting mild, moderate and severe distress, in the resultant normal weight (NW)-K10neg-EAT26neg subgroup, we did not find many correlations observed in the whole sample, including those between ORTO scores and BUT, SSI, Total MBSRQ and some of its components. Moreover, ORTO7 resulted in the only ON score unrelated with Body Mass Index, MBSRQ components and IPAQassessed intense activity, in the NW-K10neg-EAT-26neg subgroup. After this sort of “exclusion diagnosis”, the prevalence of ON of these students on the overall sample resulted in 16.9%, 12.2%, 15.2% and 25.9% for Italian females, Italian males, Spanish females and Spanish males, respectively. Conclusion In some university students ON could be a symptom of other conditions related to body image concerns and distress, as well as to high physical activity and appearance, fitness, health or illness orientation (from MBSRQ). However, ORTO-7 became independent from these confounding variables, after the exclusion of UW, OW, OB and students positive to EAT-26 and K10, suggesting the possibility of identifying orthorexic subjects with this specific questionnaire

Alcohol Consumption by Italian and Spanish University Students in Relation to Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and to the Food Neophobia: A Pilot Study

This work aimed to relate alcohol consumption with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and with food neophobia (FN) among Italian and Spanish university students. Volunteers (n = 194, 108 Italian and 86 Spanish), recruited at the La Sapienza University of Rome and the Catholic University of Murcia, filled in standardized questionnaires to evaluate alcohol consumption (AUDIT), FN (FN Scale: FNS), and adherence to the MD (MDS-14, MED-55, QueMD). In addition to the previously reported QueMD sub-score (aMED), a sub-score for non-typical MD foods (ntMED, carbonated and/or sugar-sweetened beverages (soft drinks), butter, margarine, or cooking cream, and manufactured sweets, pastries, and cakes) was evaluated. Italian females had higher MED-55 and FNS scores, and a lower AUDIT score than Spaniards (p < 0.01). Students who stayed with their family (resident) were more adherent to MD than those who moved away from home. Resident Italians consumed less beer, hard liquors, and cocktails than Spaniards on Saturday nights (p < 0.01). There were negative correlations between AUDIT and QueMD (R squared: 0.137, p < 0.05), and AUDIT and ntMED (R squared: 0.201, p < 0.01) in Spaniards, however, there was no relationship between AUDIT and other MD scores. In conclusion, this pilot study suggests that non-typical MD foods and Saturday night consumptions, related to being far from home, have a great impact on alcohol consumption

Assessment of lifestyle, metabolic status and prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in a population of Italian and Spanish university students

Over the past 20 years there has been an increase in obesity rates among university students1. The interest in a healthy diet can lead to a psychological obsession known as orthorexia nervosa (ON)2,3. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of ON in Italian and Spanish university students in relation to eating attitude and psychological distress, and to compare obesity prevalence and biomarkers of metabolic status, in relation with the consumption of fruits and vegetables. This study was carried out on 160 students recruited at La Sapienza University of Rome and at the Catholic University of Murcia. Food consumption, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and ketones, blood pressure, and body composition were evaluated. Questionnaires were administered to assessed adherence to Mediterranean diet4-6, level of physical activity (PA)7, ON (ORTO-15 and sub-scores)8-11, body concerns (MBSRQ and BUT12), psychological distress (K1013), eating attitude (EAT-2614) and malnutrition (SSI15). The ORTO-15 positive subjects were above 70% in both Italians and Spaniards, with a higher prevalence in the Spanish sample. According to ORTO-7, about 30% of Italian and 48% of Spanish students were positive to ON. Orthorexia nervosa is an indicator/symptom of other problems related to body image perception, as well as high PA, and psychological distress. ORTO-7 was found to be independent from these confounders, after the exclusion of underweight, overweight, obese and EAT-26 and K10 positive students, suggesting the possibility of defining subjects with ON. Students who consumed at least four servings of fruit and vegetables (FV group) showed better values for pressure and metabolic parameters than the no FV group. Students who consumed more vegetables than fruit reported a better body composition profile and lower glucose concentrations. As previously suggested, in addition to PA, two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables per day should be recommended. [1] ISSN: 0973-709X. 2014. 8(5):CC05-7. [2] ISSN: 1873-7358. 2016. 21:11-17. [3] ISSN: 1545-7206. 2015. 56(4):397-403. [4] ISSN: 0169-2607. 2006. 83(1):73-77. [5] ISSN: 1932-6203. 2012. 7(8):e43134. [6] ISSN: 1590-3729. 2018. 28(11): 1140-1147. [7] ISSN: 1368-9800. 2006. 9(6):755-762. [8] ISSN: 1124-4909. 2005. 10(2):e28-32. [9] ISSN: 1590-1262. 2020. 25(6): 1771-1778. [10] ISSN: 1932-6203. 2015. 10(8): e135772. [11] ISSN: 1590-1262. 2019. 24(1): 21-28. [12] ISSN: 1590-1262. 2006. 11(1): 1-13. [13] ISSN: 0003-990X. 2003. 60(2): 184-189. [14] ISSN: 0033-2917. 1979. 9(2): 273-279. [15] ISSN: 2072-6643. 2017. 9(9):967

Estilos de vida y hábitos alimenticios en relación con la composición corporal de individuos deportivos

El ejercicio físico y la actividad deportiva son fundamentales para promover y mantener una salud óptima, y es universalmente reconocido el papel principal de la dieta en el deporte1,2. En ese trabajo se propuso una comparación de las elecciones alimentarias en dos grupos de deportistas, para investigar posibles problemas críticos en la dieta. Fueron rellenados cuestionarios para evaluar el nivel de actividad física, la atención que los sujetos le dan en su vida a la nutrición, la condición de bienestar psicofísico, y el grado de adherencia a la dieta Mediterránea. Se han analizado parámetros bioquímicos, medidos por muestreo capilar, y evaluado la composición corporal. Todos los sujetos rellenaron un diario de 7 días para evaluar el consumo de alimentos. Se reclutaron 23 deportistas, divididos en 2 grupos según el porcentaje de masa grasa: menos del 20% (grupo A) o superior al 20% (grupo B). Han sido estadísticamente significativas las diferencias en el porcentaje de masa grasa (p <0,001), en el índice de masa corporal (p <0.05) y niveles de grasa visceral (p <0.01). Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la adherencia a la dieta Mediterránea (p <0.01), para la condición de bienestar psicofisico (p <0.05) y para la importancia y preocupación que los sujetos prestan por la alimentación (p <0,05). Surgieron diferencias significativas en la contribución de proteínas (p <0,01) y fibra dietética (p <0,05). No hubo diferencias apreciables para los valores de glucosa, triglicéridos y colesterol en sangre. De los resultados se puede afirmar que existen diferencias en la elección de alimentos entre deportistas que tienen un porcentaje diferente de masa grasa