Moringa oleifera leaf supplementation as a glycemic control strategy in subjects with prediabetes

This article belongs to the Section Phytochemicals and Human Health.Moringa oleifera (MO) is a multipurpose plant with a high polyphenol content, which is being increasingly consumed to lessen the risk of chronic metabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes; however, scientific evidence from clinical trials is scarce. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group intervention study with MO leaves as a food supplement was conducted in subjects with prediabetes. They consumed six daily capsules of MO dry leaf powder (2400 mg/day) (MO, n = 31) or placebo (PLC, n = 34) over 12 weeks. Glycemia, appetite-controlling hormones and gut microbiota composition were studied. ANCOVA with the fixed factor “treatment” and the basal value as covariate was used to compare the change score between the groups. The results showed significant differences between groups in the rate of change of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), which showed opposite directions during the intervention, decreasing in MO and increasing in PLC. No different change scores were found between the groups in microbiota, hepatic and renal function markers or the appetite-controlling hormones measured. In conclusion, MO supplementation resulted in favorable changes in glycaemia markers compared to placebo in the subjects with prediabetes studied, suggesting that MO might act as a natural antihyperglycemic agent.This article is part of the R + D + i Project AGL2017-86044-C2-1-R, funded by CIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ and “ERDF A way of making Europe”.Peer reviewe

Dietary animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with obesity and cardio-metabolic indicators in European adolescents: The HELENA cross-sectional study

Background: Previous studies suggest that dietary protein might play a beneficial role in combating obesity and its related chronic diseases. Total, animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with anthropometry and serum biomarkers in European adolescents using one standardised methodology across European countries are not well documented. Objectives: To evaluate total, animal and plant protein intakes in European adolescents stratified by gender and age, and to investigate their associations with cardio-metabolic indicators (anthropometry and biomarkers). Methods: The current analysis included 1804 randomly selected adolescents participating in the HELENA study (conducted in 2006-2007) aged 12.5-17.5 y (47% males) who completed two non-consecutive computerised 24-h dietary recalls. Associations between animal and plant protein intakes, and anthropometry and serum biomarkers were examined with General linear Model multivariate analysis. Results: Average total protein intake exceeded the recommendations of World Health Organization and European Food Safety Authority. Mean total protein intake was 96 g/d (59% derived from animal protein). Total, animal and plant protein intakes (g/d) were significantly lower in females than in males and total and plant protein intakes were lower in younger participants (12.5-14.9 y). Protein intake was significantly lower in underweight subjects and higher in obese ones; the direction of the relationship was reversed after adjustments for body weight (g/(kg.d)). The inverse association of plant protein intakes was stronger with BMI z-score and body fat percentage (BF%) compared to animal protein intakes. Additionally, BMI and BF% were positively associated with energy percentage of animal protein. Conclusions: This sample of European adolescents appeared to have adequate total protein intake. Our findings suggest that plant protein intakes may play a role in preventing obesity among European adolescents. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the potential beneficial effects observed in this study in the prevention of obesity and related chronic diseases

Definición, concepto e investigación en la interacción nutrición-inmunidad

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Estrés, sueño y consumo de tabaco como factores determinantes en la composición de la microbiota

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Efecto de la actividad física, ejercicio físico y sedentarismo sobre la microbiota intestinal

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Papel de la microbiota, probióticos y prebióticos en desnutrición y trastornos del comportamiento alimentario

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Inmunonutrición

La inmunonutrición estudia y adapta el consumo de alimentos y el estilo de vida para mantener las defensas del organismo y prevenir la aparición de posibles enfermedades.El ser humano, a lo largo de su existencia, ha ido modificando su alimentación, adaptando los alimentos y la forma de elaborarlos y cocinarlos a cada etapa que ha vivido. Además, la evolución nos ha dotado de un sistema inmunitario formado por una red de células, tejidos y órganos que funcionan conjuntamente y que resulta imprescindible para mantener un buen estado de salud. Así, la inmunonutrición busca estudiar, conocer y adaptar el consumo de los alimentos y el estilo de vida para mantener las defensas del organismo, fomentando la salud mediante la prevención de posibles enfermedades, tanto las infecciosas como aquellas en las que subyacen procesos inflamatorios o las enfermedades autoinmunes. El mantenimiento de una dieta equilibrada que aporte todos los macronutrientes (carbohidratos, grasas y proteínas), micronutrientes, además de otros compuestos bioactivos e hidratación, juega a favor del buen estado del sistema inmunitario; los buenos hábitos, no solo de dieta y comportamiento alimentario, sino también de actividad física, sueño y descanso, así como de cuidado emocional, participan en la regulación de los sistemas fisiológicos, incluyendo la función inmunitaria, repercutiendo así en la salud global.Peer reviewe

Alimentos funcionales y nutracéuticos

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Obesidad: microbiota, probióticos y prebióticos

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Association between Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Subjective Quality of Life in Spanish Young Adults

Background: For the last 25 years, the debate on the benefit–risk balance of moderate alcohol consumption has been ongoing. This study explored the relationships between the pattern of alcohol consumption and subjective quality of life in healthy adults. Material and Methods: Participants were 247 healthy adults aged 25–45 years, with a moderate alcohol consumption, classified in three groups of alcohol intake: None (N = 37; <0.7 g/day), Low (N = 87; 0.7–<5 g/day) and Medium (N = 123; 5–16 g/day in women and 5–28 g/day in men). Information was collected with questionnaires including: alcoholic beverage frequency and pattern, quality of life (SF-36v2), anxiety, depression, health condition, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity and sleep time. Results: Mean (SD) age of participants was 35.9 (6.3). In the Medium group, the mean alcohol intake was 10.98 ± 4.84 g/day on weekly bases and 24.7 ± 15.2 g/day on weekend days. Beer was the main contributor to total daily alcohol consumption. The percentage of subjects in the Medium group that showed a weekend average intake higher than moderate was 58.5% in exclusively weekend consumers and 48.2% in those who are not exclusive-weekend consumers (p = 0.278). Regarding markers of quality of life and mental health, the results did not show any significant association with alcohol consumption. In conclusion, in subjects that show weekly bases moderate intake of alcohol, weekend-day consumption levels can be high; however, no association of an overall moderate alcohol consumption pattern with quality of life was found.The present work received funding from ERAB (European Foundation for Alcohol Research), Ref: EA 14. 44., and I.V.‐C. received the “Manuel de Oya–Beer, Health and Nutrition (2020)” grant from the organization ”Foro para la Investigación de la Cerveza y Estilos de Vida” (FICYE, Spain).Peer reviewe