Health benefits of Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), potential remedy for diseases, rare to cancer: A mini Review

Author(s):  
Sana Noreen ◽  
Bahisht Rizwan ◽  
Mudassir Khan ◽  
Sana Farooq

Buckwheat is a gluten-free pseudo-cereal that is a part of the Polygonaceae family. Grain of buckwheat is a highly healthy component of food and has been found to have a broad variety of beneficial effects. It is cultivated as grain in a popular buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a secondary significance in many countries. It contains certain high-level nutritionally beneficial components and can have other characteristics as functional food. Buckwheat protein is of outstanding quality and, unlike popular cereals, is rich in critical amino acid lysine. Health benefits of this plants include reducing plasma cholesterol level, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic effects and enhancing hypertension symptoms. Buckwheat is also used in gluten free diet in people with celiac disease and in the alleviation of other common disease. It has also been recognized that buckwheat has a prebiotic and antioxidant activity. The key purpose of this review article is to analyze advance work on the health benefits of buckwheat, concentrating on the particular function of its bioactive compounds and the process by which such effects are carried out.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1196-1208
Author(s):  
Ramin Ghodsi ◽  
Rahmat Nosrati

Background: Oils and fats are the densest sources of food energy among food groups. Vegetable oils are constituted predominantly of triglycerides. Due to the importance of edible oils in nutrition, food industry and human health, great attention has been paid to them in recent years. Some minor bioactive constituents in oils include phospholipids, tocols, sterols, carotenoid, chlorophyll, phenols, phylokynon and terpenes. Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine beneficial effects of minor compounds in edible oils on human health. Results: Minor compounds of edible oils that we use daily can produce remarkable results in the prevention and treatment of various diseases like diabetes, inflammation, hypertension, cancer, allergy and central nervous system disorders due to their antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammation, anti-mutagenic, hypolipidemic, and hypoglycemic properties, among others. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the presence of beneficial minor compounds in oils could have significant impact on the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Therefore, the type of consumed oil can play an important role in human health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 891-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wissam Zam

Probiotics are viable microorganisms widely used for their claimed beneficial effects on the host health. A wide number of researchers proved that the intake of probiotic bacteria has numerous health benefits which created a big market of probiotic foods worldwide. The biggest challenge in the development of these products is to maintain the viability of bacterial cells during the storage of the product as well as throughout the gastrointestinal tract transit after consumption, so that the claimed health benefits can be delivered to the consumer. Different approaches have been proposed for increasing the resistance of these sensitive microorganisms, including the selection of resistant strains, incorporation of micronutrients, and most recently the use of microencapsulation techniques. Microencapsulation has resulted in enhancing the viability of these microorganisms which allows its wide use in the food industry. In this review, the most common techniques used for microencapsulation of probiotics will be presented, as well as the most usual microcapsule shell materials.


Author(s):  
Alison N Beloshapka ◽  
Tzu-Wen L Cross ◽  
Kelly S Swanson

Abstract Resistant starch (RS) is fermentable by gut microbiota and effectively modulates fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations in pigs, mice, and humans. RS may have similar beneficial effects on the canine gut, but has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% dietary RS (Hi-maize 260) on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, and fecal characteristics, fermentative end-product concentrations, and microbiota of healthy adult dogs. An incomplete 5 x 5 Latin square design with 7 dogs and 5 experimental periods was used, with each treatment period lasting 21 d (d 0-17 adaptation; d 18-21 fresh and total fecal collection) and each dog serving as its own control. Seven dogs (mean age = 5.3 yr; mean BW = 20 kg) were randomly allotted to one of five treatments formulated to be iso-energetic and consisting of graded amounts of 100% amylopectin cornstarch, RS, and cellulose, and fed as a top dressing on the food each day. All dogs were fed the same amount of a basal diet throughout the study and fresh water was offered ad libitum. The basal diet contained 6.25% RS (DM basis), contributing approximately 18.3 g of RS/d based on their daily food intake (292.5 g DM/d). Data were evaluated for linear and quadratic effects using SAS. The treatments included 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% of an additional RS source. Because Hi-maize 260 is approximately 40% digestible and 60% indigestible starch, the dogs received the following amounts of RS daily: 0% = 18.3 g (18.3 g + 0 g); 1% = 20.1 g (18.3 g + 1.8 g); 2% = 21.9 g (18.3 g + 3.6 g); 3% = 23.7 g (18.3 g + 5.4 g); and 4% = 25.5 g (18.3 g + 7.2 g). Apparent total tract dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, fat, and gross energy digestibilities and fecal pH were linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with increased RS consumption. Fecal output was linearly increased (P < 0.05) with increased RS consumption. Fecal scores and fecal fermentative end-product concentrations were not affected by RS consumption. Although most fecal microbial taxa were not altered, Faecalibacterium were increased (P < 0.05) with increased RS consumption. The decrease in fecal pH and increase in fecal Faecalibacterium would be viewed as being beneficial to gastrointestinal health. Although our results seem to indicate that RS is poorly and/or slowly fermentable in dogs, the lack of observed change may have been due to the rather high level of RS contained in the basal diet.


Author(s):  
Leonardo Mancabelli ◽  
Walter Mancino ◽  
Gabriele Andrea Lugli ◽  
Chiara Argentini ◽  
Giulia Longhi ◽  
...  

Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid (AMC) is one of the most frequently prescribed antibiotic formulations in the Western world. Extensive oral use of this antimicrobial combination influences the gut microbiota. One of the most abundant early colonizers of the human gut microbiota is represented by different taxa of the Bifidobacterium genus, which include many members that are considered to bestow beneficial effects upon their host. In the current study, we investigated the impact of AMC administration on the gut microbiota composition, comparing the gut microbiota of 23 children that had undergone AMC antibiotic therapy to that of 19 children that had not been treated with antibiotics during the preceding six months. Moreover, we evaluated AMC sensitivity by Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) test of 261 bifidobacterial strains, including reference strains for the currently recognized 64 bifidobacterial (sub)species, as well as 197 bifidobacterial isolates of human origin. These assessments allowed the identification of four bifidobacterial strains, which exhibit a high level of AMC insensitivity, and which were subjected to genomic and transcriptomic analyses to identify the putative genetic determinants responsible for this AMC insensitivity. Furthermore, we investigated the ecological role of AMC-resistant bifidobacterial strains by in vitro batch-cultures. Importance Based on our results, we observed a drastic reduction in gut microbiota diversity of children treated with antibiotics, also affecting the abundance of Bifidobacterium, a bacterial genus commonly found in the infant gut. MIC experiments revealed that more than 98% of bifidobacterial strains tested were shown to be inhibited by the AMC antibiotic. Isolation of four insensitive strains and sequencing of their genome revealed the identity of possible genes involved in AMC resistance mechanisms. Moreover, gut-simulating in-vitro experiments revealed that one strain, i.e. B. breve PRL2020, is able to persist in the presence of a complex microbiota combined with AMC antibiotic.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanca Hernández-Ledesma

Background: Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a pseudocereal traditionally cultivated by Andean cultures which production and consumption has increased worldwide in the last decades. Quinoa was defined as “one of the grains of the 21st century” because of its resistance to extreme environmental conditions and its nutritional and functional properties. In addition to its high content in protein, lipids, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and its excellent balance of essential amino acids, quinoa contains a plethora of phytochemicals including saponins, phytosterols, phytoecdysteroids, phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, and bioactive proteins and peptides. The recent investigations demonstrating the beneficial effects of these compounds on metabolic, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal health have made quinoa to gain recognition as a functional food and nutraceutical. This review summarizes the available data on the nutritional and functional role of quinoa emphasizing on the bioactive compounds mainly responsible for the health benefits attributed to this crop. Keywords: quinoa, pseudocereal, nutritional value, bioactive compounds, health benefits


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrycja Cichońska ◽  
Małgorzata Ziarno

The use of millet for the production of plant-based beverages has beneficial effects because it is healthy and gluten-free. In its raw form, millet is rich in dietary fiber and polyphenols. Millet beverages are characterized by relatively low popularity among the consumers of plant beverages. This is mainly due to the drawbacks, namely the presence of plant flavors and “millet” smell. Constant market growth requires new products to be developed in order to meet the consumers’ expectations. The acceptance of millet beverages significantly increases when these are offered in various flavors. Furthermore, the addition of apple or banana puree to millet recipes can increase their desirability. Stabilization of millet beverages is important as they have the tendency to delaminate. This can be overcome by the use of natural stabilizers such as pectin and agar-agar which seems to be an effective option for these products.


Author(s):  
S. K. Sekendar Ali ◽  
Narendra Nath Mukhopadhyay

Subhepatic appendicitis is a very rare presentation that has been rarely reported, accounting for 0.01% of acute appendicitis case. It is difficult to diagnose and prime to be aware of variants, manage such challenging case in emergency setting. We present a case of 29 years male patient with subhepatic perforated appendicitis and its sequelae-abscess and peritonitis who underwent an exploratory laparotomy and appendectomy. The initial diagnosis and surgical management of such patients is challenging due to very rare and atypical presentation in emergency setting. A high level of clinical suspicion, promote decision to operate and skillful surgical approach is discussed with briefly.


2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (3) ◽  
pp. E347-E353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Ho Han ◽  
Lorraine A. Nolte ◽  
Jeong-Sun Ju ◽  
Trey Coleman ◽  
John O. Holloszy ◽  
...  

To address the potential role of lipotoxicity and mitochondrial function in insulin resistance, we studied mice with high-level expression of uncoupling protein-1 in skeletal muscle (UCP-H mice). Body weight, body length, and bone mineral density were decreased in UCP-H mice compared with wild-type littermates. Forelimb grip strength and muscle mass were strikingly decreased, whereas muscle triglyceride content was increased fivefold in UCP-H mice. Electron microscopy demonstrated lipid accumulation and large mitochondria with abnormal architecture in UCP-H skeletal muscle. ATP content and key mitochondrial proteins were decreased in UCP-H muscle. Despite mitochondrial dysfunction and increased intramyocellular fat, fasting serum glucose was 22% lower and insulin-stimulated glucose transport 80% higher in UCP-H animals. These beneficial effects on glucose metabolism were associated with increased AMP kinase and hexokinase activities, as well as elevated levels of GLUT4 and myocyte enhancer factor-2 proteins A and D in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that UCP-H mice have a mitochondrial myopathy due to depleted energy stores sufficient to compromise growth and impair muscle function. Enhanced skeletal muscle glucose transport in this setting suggests that excess intramyocellular lipid and mitochondrial dysfunction are not sufficient to cause insulin resistance in mice.


Author(s):  
Mark Hargreaves

Since ancient times, the health benefits of regular physical activity/exercise have been recognised and the classic studies of Morris and Paffenbarger provided the epidemiological evidence in support of such an association. Cardiorespiratory fitness, often measured by maximal oxygen uptake, and habitual physical activity levels are inversely related to mortality. Thus, studies exploring the biological bases of the health benefits of exercise have largely focused on the cardiovascular system and skeletal muscle (mass and metabolism), although there is increasing evidence that multiple tissues and organ systems are influenced by regular exercise. Communication between contracting skeletal muscle and multiple organs has been implicated in exercise benefits, as indeed has other inter-organ "cross-talk". The application of molecular biology techniques and 'omics' approaches to questions in exercise biology has opened new lines of investigation to better understand the beneficial effects of exercise and, in so doing, inform the optimisation of exercise regimens and the identification of novel therapeutic strategies to enhance health and well-being.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 704-704
Author(s):  
Kristina Arslain ◽  
Pratiksha Baishya ◽  
Christopher Gustafson ◽  
Devin Rose

Abstract Objectives The gluten-free diet (GFD) has been adopted by many people who do not have Celiac disease or non-Celiac gluten sensitivity, but no studies examine the relationship of perceived health benefits of, and the sources that recommend trying, the GFD to the decision to follow the diet. Methods We surveyed a large, nationally representative sample of 3051 US residents about their attitudes, perceptions, and experiences with the GFD. Logistic regression was used to compare respondents who had no diagnosed need for a GFD but were currently avoiding or had avoided gluten previously (GF-Consumer) to the consumers that had never tried a GFD. Results Over one-fifth of our respondents were GF-Consumers. Beliefs that “a gluten-reduced diet is healthier for people than a full-gluten containing diet” (OR 1.55; P < 0.01), that “gluten-free products are generally more nutritious than their gluten-containing variant” (OR 1.53; P < 0.01) and that a GFD can help clear acne (OR 1.44; P < 0.01) were all positively associated with trying a GFD. The most influential source that suggested the diet was oneself who learned about a GFD through personal research (OR 3.35; P < 0.01). This was followed by “family member or friend” (OR 2.68; P < 0.01) and “healthcare center or health professional (doctor, dietitian, etc.)” (OR 2.10; P < 0.01). Conclusions Positive, but scientifically unsubstantiated, beliefs about the benefits of the GFD were strongly associated with trying a GF diet. Both conventional and unconventional sources of information about the GFD were positively associated with following the diet. These findings about beliefs and information sources highlight potential barriers to the promotion of scientifically based nutritional recommendations to consumers. Funding Sources University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division Innovation Fund for Wheat/Cereal Crops.


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