Analysis of Free Sugars, Organic Acids, and Fatty Acids of Wood Apple (Limonia acidissima L.) Fruit Pulp

Wood apple (Limonia acidissima L.) is an underutilized, fruit-yielding tree that is native to India and Sri Lanka. Wood apple trees are also cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Kampuchea, Laos, and Indonesia for delicious fruits and medicinal purposes. The major objective of the present work was the analysis of the nutritional status of wood apple fruit pulp.The fruits are rich in total carbohydrates (24.74 ± 0.19%), total proteins (9.30 ± 0.16%), oil (0.99 ± 0.01%), fiber (3.32 ± 0.02%), and ash (2.73 ± 0.12%). Further analysis and quantification of free sugars, organic acids, and fatty acid methyl esters were carried out by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatographic (GC) methods. In total, five sugars and nine organic acids were detected and quantified. The predominant sugars were fructose (16.40 ± 0.23%) and glucose (14.23 ± 0.10%), whereas the predominant organic acids were D-tartaric (4.01 ± 0.03%), ascorbic (4.51 ± 0.05%), and citric acid (4.27 ± 0.04%). The oil content of fruit pulp was 0.99 ± 0.01% and GC-MS analysis revealed that, it comprise of 16 fatty acid methyl esters. The percentage of saturated fatty acids were 32.17 ± 0.35%, that includes palmitic (18.52 ± 0.12%) and stearic acids (9.02 ± 0.08%), whereas, the unsaturated fatty acids were 51.98 ± 0.94%, including oleic acid (23.89 ± 0.06%), α-linolenic acid (16.55 ± 0.26%), linoleic acid (10.02 ± 0.43%), and vaccenic acid (1.78 ± 0.23%).

Energy-dense dietary patterns high in free sugars and saturated fat and associations with obesity in young adults

Purpose To derive dietary patterns based on dietary energy density (DED), free sugars, SFA, and fiber and investigate association with odds of overweight/obesity in young adults. Methods Cross-sectional data from 625 young Australian adults (18–30 years) were used. Dietary patterns were derived using reduced rank regression based on dietary data from a smartphone food diary using DED, free sugars, SFA, and fiber density as response variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate associations between dietary patterns and odds of self-reported overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2). Results Two dietary patterns were identified (DP1 and DP2). DP-1 was positively correlated with DED, free sugars, and SFA, and inversely correlated with fiber density. It was characterized by higher sugar-sweetened beverages intake and lower vegetable intake, and associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity (OR: 1.22; 95% CI 1.05, 1.42). DP-2 was positively correlated with fiber density and free sugars, and inversely correlated with DED and SFA. It was characterized by higher sugar-sweetened beverages intake and lower non-lean red meat intake, and was not significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Conclusion An energy-dense dietary pattern high in free sugars and SFA and low in fiber was associated with higher odds of obesity in young adults. These findings support dietary interventions that target reductions in energy-dense foods and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Estimation of Intake of Critical Nutrients Associated with Noncommunicable Diseases According to the PAHO/WHO Criteria in the Diet of School-Age Children in Montevideo, Uruguay

Unhealthy diet is an important health problem in the region of the Americas, and Uruguay does not escape this reality. Nutritional problems in Uruguayan school-age children are overweight and obesity. Caloric intake is excessive for 60% of children and 28% of calories come from ultra-processed products (UPP) [CODICEN 2021] [MIDES 2020) (Köncke, Toledo, 2021). In 2018, an evaluation of food intake was conducted in a representative sample of public schools in the city of Montevideo. Food and preparations were categorized according to the NOVA system, later they were analyzed according to the Pan American Health Oganization nutrient profile model (PAHO NPM). Only 0.52% of children consumed exclusively natural foods, unprocessed, minimally processed or culinary ingredients. Twenty-five percent of children consumed ≥ 4 products categorized with excessive content of free sugars, total fat or saturated fat according to the PAHO NPM; in the case of excessive sodium this was 40%. In general, children who included products with excessive free sugars, sodium or saturated fat in their diet exceeded the limits established by PAHO and as a result their diet is of poorer nutritional quality compared to children who did not consume such products.

Intake of Free Sugars and Main Food Category Contributors among French Children, Adolescents and Adults

A high intake of free sugars (FS) is assumed to be associated with overweight and obesity as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an intake of FS of less than 10% of daily total energy intake (TEI). The purpose of this study was to update the FS intake data for the French population, including children and adolescents as well as adults, based on the 2019 French Food Behavior and Consumption survey (CCAF). FS intakes were assessed at 67 g/day (15.3% of TEI) in children and adolescents as well as 57 g/day (10.5% of TEI) in adults. The main FS contributors were cakes/pastries, sugary drinks and fruit juices in children as well as sugary products, cakes/pastries and fruit juices in adults. The contribution of FS intakes to TEI fell with age, from 15.6% of TEI in 3–6 years children to around 8–9% for adults older than 50 years. On average, children were above the WHO recommendation of FS intake, but adults were close to or even below the threshold of 10% TEI. These observations are of great importance to prospective public health activities focusing on changes in FS intakes.

The Role of Sugars in the Caries Process

The carious disease is a post-eruptive infectious pathology of the hard tissues of the tooth. It is the most common dental disease, with a prevalence of 60 to 90% in school children worldwide. It is a significant public health issue. The caries process involves cariogenic bacteria (mutans streptococci - lactobacilli), which, by metabolizing carbohydrates, produce acids that lower the pH of the oral cavity below a critical threshold and thus cause demineralization of the enamel.Indeed, the consumption of sugars and sweetened products is a known risk factor for caries induction. The most cariogenic sugars are the fast sugars, mainly sucrose, widely used in the food industry. In addition to the nature of the sugar, several other factors condition the appearance of caries disease, namely the quantity of sugar consumed, its consistency, the duration of its contact with the teeth, the time and frequency of its consumption.Among the pillars of caries prevention, the control of the frequency and timing of consumption is essential. If the eradication of free sugars remains challenging to apply, their consumption must be reduced. This article aims first to discuss the link between the different types of sugars and the caries process and then present the current recommendations for the consumption of sugars to prevent caries disease.

Association between Free Sugars Intake and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness among Chinese Adolescents

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and explore the association between free sugars intake and EDS. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1517 middle school students (808 boys and 707 girls) aged 12~14 years were recruited. The study was conducted in Changsha city, China. Adolescents completed an online questionnaire, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), sleep characteristics, a 12-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and other self-reported information. The ESS score ≥ ten was defined as EDS. The anthropometric indices, including height, weight, and waist circumference, were measured and recorded by uniformly trained assistants. Statistical analyses included the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression model. The mean ESS score and free sugars consumption were 6.8 ± 3.9 points and 53.1 ± 44.7 g/d, respectively. The prevalence of EDS among adolescents was 22.5%, and more girls than boys had EDS (26.1% vs. 19.4%, p < 0.05). An exceeded free sugars intake was positively associated with EDS, with the adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) with its 95% Confident Interval (95% CI) of 1.366 (1.060~1.761, p < 0.05). EDS and excessive consumption of free sugars are commonly found among Chinese adolescents. Further studies are needed to confirm whether free sugars restriction can be meaningful to improve daytime drowsiness in those with EDS.

Excessive Consumption of the Sugar Rich Longan Fruit Promoted the Development of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Mediating Gut Dysbiosis

Background: Controversy exists as towards the association of excessive fruits intake and certain disease risks. Longan is an edible fruit rich in high levels of fructose, glucose and sucrose. The aim of this study was to provide direct evidence on the effect of the sugar rich longan fruit on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Chemical profiling of longan fruit was conducted using LC-HRMS and HPLC-ELSD.Results: Longan extracts at the doses of 4.0 g/kg, 8.0 and 16.0 g/kg were orally administered for 4 weeks to healthy C57BL/6J mice or to C57BL/6J mice fed with a HFD diet. Fecal microbiome was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. The amounts of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in colonic contents were determined by GC-MS. Colon and liver tissues were used for histopathological examination after H&E, Masson’s trichrome, and Oil-red O staining. ELISA method was used for biochemical analysis in serum. In mice fed a normal diet, repeated longan intake for 4 weeks at excess doses (8 or 16 g/kg), but not the normal dose (4 g/kg), promoted inflammation and gut dysbiosis-like status and reduced short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production. In high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, longan intake at 4 g/kg hardly influenced the NAFLD development. In contrast, excess longan intake (8 or 16 g/kg) promoted NAFLD pathogenesis, including increased abnormality in hepatic indices, elevated inflammation, and gut permeability associated with more severe liver steatosis and fibrosis. Moreover, the exacerbated pathogenic markers were positively correlated with increased blood sugar, aggravated HFD-associated microbial dysbiosis. Conclusions: Effects mediated by excess longan intake resembled that of equivalent free sugars supplementation, suggesting that high level of free sugars in fruits contributed to the promotion of NAFLD development as demonstrated in case of excessive longan intake.

Comparison of Quality Characteristics of Commercial Kimchi Manufactured in Korea, China, and the United States

Recently, kimchi has been recognized as a healthy food worldwide, prompting increased interest in its health benefits and quality characteristics. Although commercial kimchi is manufactured in various countries, little is known about quality differences between the kimchi from different countries. To clarify differences in quality characteristics, minerals, free sugars, organic acids, free amino acids, and volatile compounds, commercial kimchi manufactured in Korea, China, and the United States were investigated. The composition of the microbial community and antioxidant activity were compared. Mineral and free sugar contents were high in Korean commercial kimchi, while the organic acid content was relatively low. The free amino acid content was markedly higher in Korean kimchi than that in kimchi manufactured in China and the United States. In addition, the volatile compound content differed between the kimchi produced in different countries. Considering the microbial communities, Leuconostoc and Weissella were more abundant in commercial kimchi from Korea than that from China or the United States. Commercial kimchi in Korea showed the highest antioxidant activity. These results support the high quality and antioxidant activity of commercial kimchi manufactured in Korea, emphasizing its importance in the global kimchi industry.