scholarly journals Nutritional quality of organic food: shades of grey or shades of green?

2002 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Intensive Farming

Consumer concern regarding possible adverse health effects of foods produced using intensive farming methods has led to considerable interest in the health benefits of organically-produced crops and animal products. There appears to be widespread perception amongst consumers that such methods result in foods of higher nutritional quality. The present review concludes that evidence that can support or refute such perception is not available in the scientific literature. A limited number of studies have compared the nutrient compositions of organically- and conventionally-produced crops, with a very small number of studies that have compared animal products (meat, milk and dairy products) produced under the two agricultural systems. Very few compositional differences have been reported, although there are reasonably consistent findings for higher nitrate and lower vitamin C contents of conventionally-produced vegetables, particularly leafy vegetables. Data concerning possible impacts on animal and human health of diets comprising organic or conventional produce are extremely sparse. Data from controlled studies in animal models, particularly within single species, are limited or poorly designed, and findings from these studies provide conflicting conclusions. There are no reports in the literature of controlled intervention studies in human subjects. Comparison of health outcomes in populations that habitually consume organically- or conventionally-produced foods are flawed by the large number of confounding factors that might contribute to any differences reported. If consumer perceptions regarding potential health benefits of organic foods are to be supported, more research of better quality is needed than that which is currently available.

scholarly journals Understanding the Relationships Between the Consumer Perception on Food Risks, Quality, and Safety Indicators of Braised Meat Sold in “Dibiterie” Restaurants in Dakar, Senegal

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malik Orou Seko ◽  
Walter Ossebi ◽  
Nibangue Laré ◽  
Bassirou Bonfoh
Keyword(s):  
Latent Variables ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Consumer Perception ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Quality And Safety ◽  
Potential Health

Dibiteries are restaurants that sell braised meat of small ruminants and sometimes chicken. Current microbiological data indicate that the products sold are sometimes contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms exceeding the quality standards recommended for human consumption, hence a real public health concern. Despite the lack of hygiene, these establishments continue to thrive in the Senegalese food ecosystem. However, very few studies have analyzed the socio-economic motivations and risk representations of these populations who participate in the growing demand for meat from dibiteries. The main objective is to understand the relationships between consumer perception of food risks, quality, and safety indicators of braised meat sold in Dibiteries in Dakar. A total of 479 people from 404 households in the Dakar region were randomly selected and surveyed on the consumption of dibiterie meat using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire allowed to measure the relative importance given by each interviewee to the indicators related to the risk of food infection, and the quality and safety of dibiterie meat. The structural equation model was used to design the paths and analyze the relationships. Of the 479 people interviewed, 291 people consumed dibiterie meat. Only 16% of consumers strongly perceive the quality and safety of meat. This strong perception has been positively associated with monthly food expenditure, while the age of consumers explained it negatively. Among the latent variables identified, the perceived price effect and the dibiteries' expertise were positively related to the perception on the safety and the perception on the nutritional quality of the product. The nutritional quality of the product had negatively impacted the risks of food infection perceived by consumers. The results of this study suggest the strengthening of hygiene standards in dibiteries and the awareness of consumers, especially young people, about the potential health risks associated with the consumption of dibiterie meat. Further work on willingness to pay to improve the safety of dibiterie meat is needed.

scholarly journals Nutritional quality of selected African leafy vegetables cultivated under varying water regimes and different harvests

2019 ◽  
Vol 126 ◽  
pp. 78-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Maseko ◽  
B. Ncube ◽  
T. Mabhaudhi ◽  
S. Tesfay ◽  
V.G.P. Chimonyo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Water Regimes ◽  
African Leafy Vegetables

scholarly journals The potential health benefits of legumes as a good source of dietary fibre

2009 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trinidad P. Trinidad ◽  
Aida C. Mallillin ◽  
Anacleta S. Loyola ◽  
Rosario S. Sagum ◽  
Rosario R. Encabo
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Fibre ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Good Source ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Kidney Beans ◽  
Mineral Availability ◽  
Lima Beans

Dietary fibre has been shown to have important health implications in the prevention of risks of chronic diseases. The objective of the present study was to determine the potential health benefits of legumes as a good source of dietary fibre. Six to ten local legumes were studied as follows: cowpeas, mung beans, pole sitao, chickpeas, green peas, groundnuts, pigeon peas, kidney beans, lima beans and soyabeans. The following studies were conducted: (a) mineral availability, in vitro; (b) glycaemic index (GI) in non-diabetic and diabetic human subjects; (c) the cholesterol-lowering effect in human subjects with moderately raised serum cholesterol levels. The highest Fe availability among legumes was for lima beans (9·5 (sem 0·1)) while for Zn and Ca, the highest availability was for kidney beans (49·3 (sem 4·5)) and pigeon peas (75·1 (sem 7·1)), respectively. Groundnuts have the lowest Fe (1·3 (sem 1·1)), Zn (7·9 (sem 1·3)) and Ca (14·6 (sem 2·8)) availability. Legumes are low-GI foods ( < 55), ranging from 6 (chickpeas) to 13 (mung beans). Kidney beans showed significant reductions for both total (6 %) and LDL-cholesterol (9 %), and groundnuts for total cholesterol (7 %; P < 0·05). We conclude that mineral availability from legumes differs and may be attributed to their mineral content, mineral–mineral interaction and from their phytic and tannic acid content; legumes are considered low-GI foods and have shown potential hypocholesterolaemic effects. The above studies can be a scientific basis for considering legumes as functional foods.

scholarly journals Effect of Reduced Nitrogen and Supplemented Amino Acids Nutrient Solution on the Nutritional Quality of Baby Green and Red Lettuce Grown in a Floating System

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavlos Tsouvaltzis ◽  
Dimitrios S. Kasampalis ◽  
Danai-Christina Aktsoglou ◽  
Nikolaos Barbayiannis ◽  
Anastasios S. Siomos
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Nutrient Solution ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Nitrate Accumulation ◽  
Nitrogen Reduction ◽  
Soluble Solid ◽  
Floating System

Excessive nitrogen fertilization results in nitrate accumulation in leafy vegetables. Reducing the dose of mineral nitrogen or using alternate fertilizers lowers the nitrate accumulation; however, a critical minimum level of mineral nitrogen is necessary to maintain yield and nutritional quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two levels of mineral nitrogen (100% and 50%) and three levels of an amino acid solution (0, 0.3, and 0.9%) in the nutrient solution of two baby lettuce cultivars (green and red) grown in a floating system. Nitrogen reduction did not affect yield (12.9–13.4 and 11.0–11.3 g/plant, respectively) but reduced nitrate accumulation (by 43 and 19%, respectively) in both green and red lettuce, while enhancing phenolic content (by 28%) and antioxidant capacity (by 69%) in green lettuce and soluble solid (by 7%) and total chlorophyll content (by 9%) in red lettuce. Although nitrate accumulation was prevented (< 355 mg/kg FW) and most nutritional components increased in both lettuce types by amino acids supplementation, plant growth was negatively affected, especially in red lettuce, in both concentrations of amino acids (reduction by 9 and 35% in 0.3 and 0.9%, respectively). In both lettuce types, proline content increased by 0.9% amino acids supplementation (by 45%), implying a probable induction of a stress condition. Mineral nutrients were slightly affected by nitrogen reduction, which was probably perceived as an abiotic stress.

scholarly journals Are green caterers more likely to serve healthy meals than non-green caterers? Results from a quantitative study in Danish worksite catering

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 846-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
BE Mikkelsen ◽  
M Bruselius-Jensen ◽  
JS Andersen ◽  
A Lassen
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Organic Foods ◽  
Good Opportunity ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Organic Products ◽  
Service Training ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate whether organic conversion in catering has positive effects on the nutritional quality of menus offered.DesignThe methodology was based on a self-administered questionnaire. The self-declared priority given to the use of organic foods was measured as the basis for assigning catering managers to one of two groups: ‘green’ or ‘non-green’ caterers. These groups were then compared with regard to the relative nutritional quality of the menu options offered to customers.SettingThe study was carried out among randomly selected Danish worksite catering outlets.SubjectsThe subjects participating in the study comprised 526 Danish worksite catering managers.ResultsThe results showed a strong correlation between caterers' ‘green-ness’ and the nutritional quality of the menu options offered. Green caters had more healthy options in their menus than non-green caters, which is likely to result in improved nutritional quality of the diets of end consumers. The reason for this may partly be the increased service training efforts that green caterers practise in order to be able to implement organic foods successfully. It may also be associated with the fact that the price premiums and availability of the organic products forces caterers to serve menus with higher amounts of root and non-green leafy vegetables, pulses and seasonal vegetables.ConclusionThe present findings suggest that organic conversion of public canteens may be a good opportunity to promote healthier eating in public catering.

Millet Grains: Nutritional Quality, Processing, and Potential Health Benefits

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed S.M. Saleh ◽  
Qing Zhang ◽  
Jing Chen ◽  
Qun Shen
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Potential Health

scholarly journals Common Elements of Two Popular Diets That Confer Health Benefits

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 553-553
Author(s):  
James Painter ◽  
Margaret McGinnis
Keyword(s):  
Health Benefits ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Common Elements ◽  
Sugar Consumption ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Allium Vegetables ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Whole Foods

Abstract Objectives Many popular diets cite peer reviewed evidence of their effectiveness for disease reduction, yet point to very different reasons for their purported health benefits. The Atkins diet credits the low carbohydrate, high fat and moderate animal proteins as providing the benefit, while the Ornish diet credits the high carbohydrate, low fat, and low animal proteins. These diets seem to be at polar opposites in macronutrient recommendations but both claim benefits. Our hypothesis was that aside from the vastly differing macronutrient percentages, there are common elements in these diets that may be providing some of the benefits. Our research question was: Are there common elements in each diet and are they providing some of the purported health benefit? Methods The Atkins and Ornish dietary plans were compared to determine if there were similarities in dietary recommendations. A review of the literature was conducted regarding the potential health benefits of the common elements. Results Common elements within both the Aktins and Ornish dietary guidelines include: 1. Reduce consumption of low nutrient, low fiber foods that are typical of the Standard American diet, and increase consumption of whole foods 2. Reduce added sugar consumption and consume adequate fiber 3. Increase consumption of non-starchy, green leafy, cruciferous, and allium vegetables A literature review of each of these three elements revealed a broad consensus on the health benefits. Frequent consumption of low nutrient, low fiber foods are associated with increased risk of many chronic diseases. Added sugar consumption has been shown to cause dental caries. Green leafy vegetables provide high levels of many nutrients necessary for good health including vitamin A and potassium. Cruciferous vegetables have been shown to increase phase 2 enzymes in the liver and are associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. Allium vegetables exhibit antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. Conclusions These common elements could be used as a starting point for a healthy diet. Rather than focus on macronutrient percentages and sources, nutrition advice should focus on discouraging foods high in added sugars and low nutrients, low fiber foods and encouraging consumption of whole foods and non-starchy vegetables. Funding Sources Funding was not secured for this study.

scholarly journals Biscuits: a systematic review and meta-analysis of improving the nutritional quality and health benefits

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahamadé Goubgou ◽  
Laurencia T. Songré-Ouattara ◽  
Fabrice Bationo ◽  
Hagrétou Lingani-Sawadogo ◽  
Yves Traoré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Wheat Flour ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Foxtail Millet ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Traditionally Prepared ◽  
Fiber Proteins

AbstractBiscuits are ready-to-eat foods that are traditionally prepared mainly with wheat flour, fat, and sugar. Recently, biscuits’ technologies have been rapidly developed to improve their nutritional properties. This study aimed to determine the strategies of improving the nutritional quality of biscuits and the potential health benefits associated with them. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, including articles on biscuits improved by technological processes and raw materials variation. Studies were searched from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science published between 1997 and 2020, in English and French. The meta-analysis was performed using RStudio software, version 4.0.4 to classify the biscuits. One hundred and seven eligible articles were identified. Rice, pea, potato, sorghum, buckwheat, and flaxseed flours were respectively the most found substitutes to wheat flour. But the meta-analysis shown that the copra and foxtail millet biscuit fortified with amaranth, the wheat biscuits fortified with okra, and rice biscuits fortified with soybeans had a high protein content. These biscuits therefore have a potential to be used as complementary foods. The substitution of sugar and fat by several substitutes lead to a decrease in carbohydrates, fat, and energy value. It has also brought about an increase in other nutrients such as dietary fiber, proteins/amino acids, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds. Among the sugar and fat substitutes, stevia and inulin were respectively the most used. Regarding the use of biscuits in clinical trials, they were mainly used for addressing micronutrient deficiency and for weight loss.

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