Role of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases—Cardioprotective Potential of Bioactive Compounds

In terms of safe and healthy food, beans play a relevant role. This crop belongs to the species of Phaseolusvulgaris L., being the most consumed legume worldwide, both for poor and developed countries, the latter seek to direct their diet to healthy feeding, mainly low in fat. Phaseolus vulgaris L. stands out in this area—an important source of protein, vitamins, essential minerals, soluble fiber, starch, phytochemicals, and low in fat from foods. This species has been attributed many beneficial properties for health; it has effects on the circulatory system, immune system, digestive system, among others. It has been suggested that Phaseolus vulgaris L. has a relevant role in the prevention of cardiovascular events, the main cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Conversely, the decrease in the consumption of this legume has been related to an increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. This review will allow us to relate the nutritional level of this species with cardiovascular events, based on the correlation of the main bioactive compounds and their role as cardiovascular protectors, in addition to revealing the main mechanisms that explain the cardioprotective effects regulated by the bioactive components.

Oats as a Functional Food

Oat (Avena sativa) belongs to the grass (Poaceae) family. It has been recognized as a healthful and nutritious cereal containing high concentration of soluble fiber compounds such as β-glucan, which are beneficial for digestive system and preventive against colon rectal cancer help to maintain an optimal weight due to high fiber content. It also contains antioxidants, vitamins, phenolic acids sterols and phytic acid which has essential role in our body functioning. The key cholesterol lowering ingredient in oats is soluble fiber. β-glucans, the most important cereal non-starch. β-glucan, is abundant in oat kernels and exhibits a high viscosity at relatively low concentrations. Viscosity is an important rheological property of β-glucan and is associated with beneficial physiologic responses that mediate appetite regulation. Oats were traditionally eaten as porridge with salt or sugar were added recent modern product innovation has created an array of oat products (Oat breads, oat cakes and oats milk etc.). Oats are used as an additive in Cereal breakfast, baked goods, oat milk and oat powder is incorporated in many Dairy products like (low-fat ice creams, yoghurts, cheese and other fermented drinks). It is stated that 3 g/day oat β-glucan reduced the total and LDL cholesterol by five to ten per cent.

Dietary fiber and risk of coronary heart diseases

Dietary fiber is the portion of plant-derived food that cannot be completely broken down by human digestive enzymes. Dietary fibers can be grouped generally by their solubility, viscosity, and fermentation, which affect how fibers are processed in the body. Dietary fiber has two main components: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber, which are components of plant foods, such as legumes, whole grains and cereals, vegetables, fruits, and nuts or seeds. Consumption of cereals, vegetable and fruit may lower the risk of coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease involves the reduction of blood flow to the heart muscle due to build-up of plaque on the arteries of the heart. Dietary fiber makes three primary contributions: bulking, viscosity and fermentation. The bulking effect of some fibers reduces constipation and the risk of colon disease because they absorb water, which increases bulking and promotes regularity. Viscosity effects on fibers reduce the absorption of cholesterol and other nutrients because of the formation of gels that attenuate postprandial blood glucose and lipid rises. The formation of gels also slows gastric emptying, maintaining levels of satiety and contributing towards less weight gain. In the fermentation process, the bacteria GIT helps to digest fiber through a process of microbial fermentation to generate short chain fatty acids like acetate, propionate and butyrate. Butyrate binds to G-protein coupled receptors on the brush borders of intestinal lining and trigger a signal cascade that release GLP-1 and PYY. These peptides behave like hormones to trigger satiety. One of the reasons for eating fiber rich foods is because they promote satiety and prevent uncontrollable quest for food. People that eat food low in fiber experience over feeding issues. When people over eat they consume more calories leading to weight gain and that contributes to obesity. Obesity is the accumulation of fats in fat tissues. Excess fats are converted to cholesterol (LDL) which accumulates on the walls of the arteries and prevent the flow of blood to the heart. This is prevented when an individual consumes foods rich in fiber.

EFFECT OF BANANA PEEL FLOUR INFUSION ON SERUM LDL LEVELS OF MALE WISTAR RAT GIVEN HEATED COOKING OIL

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease causing a coronary heart disease (CHD). Atherosclerosis is related to the levels of LDL in the blood. An increased LDL in the blood can be prevented by consuming soluble fiber and antioxidants from such Kepok banana peels. The aim of this study is to know the effects of Kepok banana peel flour infusion in various dosage on LDL serum level of male wistar rats which were treated with a repeatedly heated cooking oil. This study used post test control group as experimental design in which 24 male rats were randomly categorized in five groups, namely (1) a negative control group, (2) a positive control group treated with a repeatedly heated cooking oil and distilled water, as well as the groups treated with a repeatedly heated cooking oil and 0.5, 1, and 2 ml/rats of Kepok banana peel flour solution, for group (3), (4), and (5) respectively. LDL level were measured by using calorimetric method . The result of this study showed that the highest average levels of LDL obtained in control positive group K(+) was 14,25 mg/dl and the lowest average level of LDL obtained in the group treated with a repeatedly heated cooking oil and 0.5 ml/rat was 11,2 mg/dl. It can be concluded that Kepok banana peel flour can not significantly reduce the mean of LDL serum level of male Wistar rats treated with repeatedly heated cooking oil (p>0,05)

Nutritional Contributions and Health Associations of Traditional Fermented Foods

The growing interest in the consumption and study of traditionally fermented food worldwide has led to the development of numerous scientific investigations that have focused on analyzing the microbial and nutritional composition and the health effects derived from the consumption of these foods. Traditionally fermented foods and beverages are a significant source of nutrients, including proteins, essential fatty acids, soluble fiber, minerals, vitamins, and some essential amino acids. Additionally, fermented foods have been considered functional due to their prebiotic content, and the presence of specific lactic acid bacterial strains (LAB), which have shown positive effects on the balance of the intestinal microbiota, providing a beneficial impact in the treatment of diseases. This review presents a bibliographic compilation of scientific studies assessing the effect of the nutritional content and LAB profile of traditional fermented foods on different conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Study of Proportion of Milk with Lesser Yam Filtrate and Starter Concentration for Producing Synbiotic Yoghurt

This study aimed to determine the effect of the proportion of cow's milk with lesser yam filtrate and starter concentration on the characteristics of synbiotic yoghurt. The research used a factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors, factor I was the proportion of cow's milk with lesser yam filtrate (100:0; 60:40; 50:50; 40:60; 0:100) and factor II was the starter cocentration (3%, 5%, 7%). The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variant (ANOVA) and if there was a significant difference between treatments, then continued with Duncan's test at the 5% level. Synbiotic yoghurt from proportion of cow's milk with lesser yam filtrate (50:50) and 5% starter concentration was the best treatment with total Lactic Acid Bacteria of 7.23 log CFU/ml; pH 4.20; total dietary fiber 3.05%, soluble fiber content 1.3%, inulin content 1.2%, fat content 0.41% and soluble protein content 2.66% with an average texture preference score of 6.13 (like much); taste core 6.02 (like much) and smell score 5.20 (like).

The physical characteristics of analog cincau from different proportions of the cottonii organic powder

Black grass jelly often called black jelly, also known as black cincau (“cincau” in Indonesian), was produced by boiling the black grass jelly to extract the jelly. It has a high soluble fiber content. This study investigated the analog cincau formulation using organic powder cottonii (OPC) ingredients as the gelling agent. The OPC was obtained from Seaweed Eucheuma cottonii (Lampung) without an alkali treatment. The analog cincau formulation consists of OPC, konjac, KCl, tapioca flour, cincau flavor. A commercial cincau was used as a reference. The physical quality characterization of analog cincau in this study includes gel strength, elasticity, and syneresis. Based on the physical analysis results, the best formula of analog cincau was the cincau using the following formula: OPC 65%, konjac 15%, tapioca flour 10%, and KCl 10%. Its physical characteristics were almost similar to the commercial cincau. The characteristics of the cincau with the best formula were the gel strength of 532 g/cm2, elasticity 246 (g/sec), and syneresis 2.70%.

Dietary Soluble Fiber Improved Fecal Consistency in Burned Patients with Diarrhea

Backgrounds: Diarrhea frequently occurs in severely burned patients attributable to impaired intestinal integrity and dysbiosis. Soluble fiber may improve intestinal barrier function, avoid bacterial translocation, then subsequently prevent and treat diarrhea. Soluble fiber is rapidly fermented by commensal bacteria and produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Case Reports: A 51-year-old male with severe burn injury involving 53,5% total body surface area (TBSA) and diarrhea were given soluble fiber as part of his diet. Results: Administration of 6–10 g/d soluble fiber clinically improves stool consistency, assessed by Bristol Stool Scale, in the severely burned patient. The patient was discharged after 19 days of hospitalization with improvement in clinical condition. Summary: SCFA maintains intestinal integrity, supports the growth of commensal bacteria, and inhibits pathogens. There is no specific recommendation regarding fiber intake in burned patients

Gut Microbiota Reshaped by Pectin Treatment Improves Liver Steatosis in Obese Mice

Pectin, a soluble fiber, improves non-alcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD), but its mechanisms are unclear. We aimed to investigate the role of pectin-induced changes in intestinal microbiota (IM) in NAFLD. We recovered the IM from mice fed a high-fat diet, treated or not with pectin, to perform a fecal microbiota transfer (FMT). Mice fed a high-fat diet, which induces NAFLD, were treated with pectin or received a fecal microbiota transfer (FMT) from mice treated with pectin before (preventive FMT) or after (curative FMT) being fed a high-fat diet. Pectin prevented the development of NAFLD, induced browning of adipose tissue, and modified the IM without increasing the abundance of proteobacteria. Preventive FMT also induced browning of white adipose tissue but did not improve liver steatosis, in contrast to curative FMT, which induced an improvement in steatosis. This was associated with an increase in the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in contrast to preventive FMT, which induced an increase in the concentration of branched SCFAs. Overall, we show that the effect of pectin may be partially mediated by gut bacteria

Examining the Effects of Diet Composition, Soluble Fiber, and Species on Total Fecal Excretion of Bile Acids: A Meta-Analysis

Bile acids (BA) are produced in the liver and conjugated with glycine or taurine before being released into the small intestine to aid with lipid digestion. However, excessive BA losses through feces can occur due to several dietary factors that in turn require greater production of BA by the liver due to a reduction in BA recycling. Consequently, net utilization of taurine and/or glycine is increased. To quantify this impact, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the effect of soluble fiber, diet composition, and species on fecal excretion of BA. After a systematic review of the literature, twelve studies met all inclusion criteria. Dietary carbohydrate, protein, fat, cellulose, cholesterol, soluble fiber and animal species were tested as independent variables. Mixed models were developed treating study as a random effect, and fixed effect variables were retained at P < 0.05 significance and where collinearity was absent between multiple X variables. A total of ten studies comprised of four species [(rat = 5), hamster (n = 1), guinea pig (n = 3) and dog (n = 1)], and 30 observations were evaluated in the final models after outlier removal. Model evaluation was based on the corrected Akaike Information Criteria, the concordance correlation coefficient and the root mean square prediction error. Three base models were developed, examining carbohydrate, protein and fat impacts separately. The best fitting models included the fixed effect of species and the interaction between soluble fiber (yes/no) and dietary carbohydrate, protein or fat (%, as-fed). Increased concentrations of dietary protein and fat resulted in greater fecal excretion of BA (P < 0.05). Conversely, increasing levels of dietary carbohydrate led to lower excretions of BA (P < 0.05). Increased dietary soluble fiber containing ingredients resulted in greater excretion of BA in all models (P < 0.05). Rats had greater excretion of BA compared to hamsters and guinea pigs (P < 0.05) in all models, and also compared to dogs (P < 0.05) in the carbohydrate model. The findings from this meta-analysis indicate that not only soluble fiber, but also increasing levels of dietary fat and protein may result in greater fecal excretion of BA, potentially altering taurine and/or glycine metabolism and affecting the need for diet delivery of these AA.