Probiotic Cereal‐based Food and Beverages, their Production and Health Benefits

In January 2014, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and nonessential energy-dense food were implemented in Mexico to discourage the consumption of these products. Published evaluations have shown reductions in purchases of taxed food and beverages associated with the implementation of this fiscal policy. Although there are some studies on the impact on health based on simulation studies, no evaluations with empirical data on changes in oral health have been published. We used administrative records and data from an epidemiological surveillance system to estimate changes in (1) outpatient visits related to dental caries; (2) having experienced dental caries: Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) >0 for permanent dentition or dmft >0 for primary dentition (dmft); (3) number of teeth with caries experience (DMFT and dmft), (4) cases with DMFT >0 or dmft >0, and (5) the series of mean DMFT or dmft, associated with the taxes. We estimated probit and negative binomial models for outcomes at individual level, and interrupted time series analysis for population-level outcomes. The implementation of the taxes was associated with negative changes in the trends of outpatient visits, as well as for cases with DMFT >0, dmft >0 and mean DMFT. Taxes were also associated with a lower probability of having experienced dental caries and with a lower number of teeth with caries experience in the samples studied. Our results suggest positive impacts of the implementation of taxes on unhealthy food and beverages in the oral health of Mexicans, which are the first health benefits observed, and add to the health benefits predicted by modeling studies.

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Healthy Drinks with Lovely Colors: Phenolic Compounds as Constituents of Functional Beverages

Beverages ◽

10.3390/beverages7010012 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 12

Author(s):

Teresa Pinto ◽

Alice Vilela

Keyword(s):

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Food Industry ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Food Products ◽

The Other ◽

Sensory Characteristics ◽

Food And Beverages ◽

Functional Beverages ◽

Natural Characteristics ◽

Potential Use

Consumers increasingly prefer and seek food and beverages, which, due to their natural characteristics, bring health benefits, both in the prevention of diseases and in their curative power. In this way, the production of nutraceutical foods and beverages gains more and more importance in the market. On the other hand, and because the eyes also eat, producing attractive foods due to their color, texture, appearance, and sensory characteristics is a permanent challenge in the food industry. Being able to gather healthy and attractive items in a single food is an even greater challenge. The long list of benefits associated with phenolic compounds, such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiaging properties, among others, fully justifies their use in the enrichment of various food products. Thus, in this review, we propose to summarize the potential use of phenolic compounds used as ingredients of pleasant and functional beverages.

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Myrcene—What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent?

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.699666 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Shelini Surendran ◽

Fatimah Qassadi ◽

Geyan Surendran ◽

Dash Lilley ◽

Michael Heinrich

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Animal Studies ◽

Functional Foods ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Food Additive ◽

Major Constituent ◽

Potential Health ◽

Food And Beverages ◽

Toxicological Profile

Myrcene (β-myrcene) is an abundant monoterpene which occurs as a major constituent in many plant species, including hops and cannabis. It is a popular flavouring and aroma agent (food additive) used in the manufacture of food and beverages. This review aims to report on the occurrence, biological and toxicological profile of β-myrcene. The main reported biological properties of β-myrcene—anxiolytic, antioxidant, anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties—are discussed, with the mechanisms of activity. Here we also discuss recent data regarding the safety of β-myrcene. Overall, β-myrcene has shown promising health benefits in many animal studies. However, studies conducted in humans is lacking. In the future, there is potential for the formulation and production of non-alcoholic beers, functional foods and drinks, and cannabis extracts (low in THC) rich in β-myrcene.

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