Comparison of Indices of Carbohydrate Quality and Food Sources of Dietary Fiber on Longitudinal Changes in Waist Circumference in the Framingham Offspring Cohort

The long-term impact of carbohydrate quality on abdominal weight gain is not fully understood. We aimed to examine the prospective relation of a carbohydrate quality index (CQI; defined by four criteria: dietary fiber, glycemic index, whole grain-to-total grain ratio, and solid-to-total carbohydrate ratio), total, cereal grain, vegetable, and fruit fiber, carbohydrate-to-total fiber ratio, and carbohydrate-to-cereal fiber ratio with changes in waist circumference (WC). Subjects were middle-aged to older, mostly white, participants in the Framingham Offspring cohort (n = 3101 subjects), with mean baseline age 54.9 ± 0.2 years (mean ± SE) and body mass index (BMI) 27.2 ± 0.1 kg/m2. Food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), health, and lifestyle data were collected approximately every four years over a median total follow-up of 18 years. Repeated measure mixed models were used to estimate adjusted mean change in WC per four-year interval across quartiles of carbohydrate variables. In the most adjusted model, a higher CQI was marginally associated with a smaller increase in WC (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.4 ± 0.1 cm in highest vs. lowest quartile, p-trend = 0.04). Higher ratios of carbohydrate-to-fiber and carbohydrate-to-cereal fiber were associated with greater increases in WC per four-year interval (2.6 ± 0.1 vs. 2.0 ± 0.1 cm, p-trend < 0.001, and 2.5 ± 0.1 vs. 2.1 ± 0.1 cm in highest versus lowest categories, p-trend = 0.007, respectively); whereas higher intake of total fiber (1.8 ± 0.1 vs. 2.7 ± 0.1 cm, p-trend < 0.001), cereal fiber (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.5 ± 0.1 cm, p-trend = 0.001), and fruit fiber (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.7 ± 0.1 cm, p-trend < 0.001) were associated with smaller increases in WC compared to lower intakes. There was a significant interaction between total fiber and total carbohydrate (as % of total energy intake). After stratification, the association between fiber intake and change in WC was not maintained in the context of a high carbohydrate diet. Better carbohydrate quality, primarily higher fiber intake and lower carbohydrate-to-fiber ratios, may help attenuate increases in abdominal adiposity over time.

Effects of cereal fibers on short-chain fatty acids in healthy subjects and patients: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Cereal fiber supplementation significantly affected fecal SCFA concentrations in randomized clinical studies. A more significant impact appeared in overweight and obese subjects with BMI >29 kg m−2 than in individuals with BMI ≤29 kg m−2.

Gut microbiome responses to dietary intake of grain-based fibers with the potential to modulate markers of metabolic disease: a systematic literature review

Context Cereal fiber modulates the gut microbiome and benefits metabolic health. The potential link between these effects is of interest.0 Objective The aim for this systematic review was to assess evidence surrounding the influence of cereal fiber intake on microbiome composition, microbiome diversity, short-chain fatty acid production, and risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Data Sources and Extraction The MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases were searched systematically, and quality of studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Evidence relating to study design, dietary data collection, and outcomes was qualitatively synthesized on the basis of fiber type. Data Analysis Forty-six primary publications and 2 secondary analyses were included. Cereal fiber modulated the microbiome in most studies; however, taxonomic changes indicated high heterogeneity. Short-chain fatty acid production, microbiome diversity, and metabolic-related outcomes varied and did not always occur in parallel with microbiome changes. Poor dietary data were a further limitation. Conclusions Cereal fiber may modulate the gut microbiome; however, evidence of the link between this and metabolic outcomes is limited. Additional research is required with a focus on robust and consistent methodology. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42018107117

Evaluating an Intervention to Increase Cereal Fiber Intake in Children: A Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial

ABSTRACT Background Observational studies have shown that higher cereal fiber intake is associated with reduced type 2 diabetes risk. However, it remains uncertain whether this association is causal. Objective This study evaluated the feasibility of an intervention to increase cereal fiber intake in children using breakfast cereals. Methods The study was a 2-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial in 9–10-y-old children, who received free supplies of high-fiber breakfast cereals (&gt;3.5 g/portion) or low-fiber breakfast cereals (&lt;1.0 g/portion) to eat daily for 1 mo with behavioral support to promote adherence. Children provided baseline and 1-mo fasting blood samples, physical measurements, and 24-h dietary recalls. The primary outcome was the group difference in change in plasma total alkylresorcinol (AR) concentration; secondary outcomes were group differences in nutrient intakes and adiposity indices. Analyses (complete case and multiple imputation) were conducted by regressing the final AR concentration on baseline AR in models adjusted for sex, ethnicity, age, and school (random effect). Results Two-hundred seventy-two children were randomly assigned (137 receiving a low-fiber and 135 a high-fiber diet) and 193 (71%) provided fasting blood samples at baseline and follow-up. Among randomized participants, median (IQR) of baseline AR was 43.1 (24.6–85.5) nmol/L and of cereal fiber intake was 4.5 (2.7–6.4) g; 87% of participants reported consuming the cereal on most or all days. Compared with changes in the low-fiber group, the high-fiber group had greater increases in AR (40.7 nmol/L; 95% CI: 21.7, 59.8 nmol/L, P &lt; 0.0001) and in reported cereal fiber intake (2.9g/d; 95% CI: 2.0, 3.7 g; P &lt; 0.0001). There were no appreciable differences in other secondary outcomes. Conclusions We have developed a simple and acceptable nutritional intervention that increases markers of daily cereal fiber intake in children. This intervention could be used to test whether increases in cereal fiber intake in children might reduce insulin resistance. This trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN33260236.

Global review of heart health claims for oat beta-glucan products

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death globally. Consumption of whole grains and cereal fiber, as part of a healthy diet, can lower the risk of CHD. Health claims on food products are effective in helping consumers select healthful diets. The US Food and Drug Administration was the first to approve a health claim, in 1997, between beta-glucan soluble fiber from whole oats, oat bran, and whole oat flour and reduced risk of CHD. Only a few countries have approved similar claims. Since 1997, a significant amount of additional evidence has been published on the relationship between oat beta-glucan and CHD. To assist other jurisdictions in potentially utilizing this claim, the full extent of data that supports this claim (ie, the evidence utilized by the US Food and Drug Administration to substantiate the claim, as well as the results of 49 clinical trials published since 1997) are reviewed here. The complexities involved in authoring evidence-based health claims, including the impact of processing on beta-glucan cholesterol-lowering efficacy in approving eligible beta-glucan products, are also discussed.

Effect of Flour Extraction Rate on the Sensory Evaluation of Iraqi Flatbread

Background: Increasing cereal fiber consumption is a trend worldwide nowadays because of the health benefits of fiber. Increasing flour extractionn rate is a way to increase fiber consumption. Methods: Three high extraction rate flours were produced (80%, 85%, and 92%) to make Iraqi flatbread. The produced flour was obtained from a big scale technical mill (10 tons/ h, Altaji mill) by changing roll adjustment or merging bran output with the flour from the production line. The bread samples were evaluated for sensory acceptability using 9-points hedonic scale for palatability, flavor, and freshness, and using the just-about-right scale for color and texture attributes for three sequencing days. Results: Significant differences for palatability, color, and flavor attributes between slices of bread produced from 80% and 92% extraction rates flours were observed. There were no significant differences between the treatments for other attributes for the first day. In the second day, there were significant differences for color attribute between 92% extraction rate flour and other treatments. While the third day, there were no significant differences between the treatments for all attributes. The results also indicated that there were no significant differences in the studied attributes within the same treatment in different days. Conclusion: Iraqi consumers preferred bread prepared from lower extraction rates compared to higher, and it is mostly because of the color factor.

Analisis Kadar Serat dan Protein Total Sereal Berbasis Tepung Ampas Kelapa dan Ikan Cakalang (Katsuwonus pelamis)

Research on the analysis of fiber and protein on cereal based on coconut pulp and skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) flour has been carried out. The purpose of this study was to determine the ratio of coconut pulp flour and skipjack tuna flour which produced the highest fiber content and protein content in cereal processed products and to know the preference level of panelists for cereal processed products. The ratio of coconut pulp and skipjack tuna flour used in this study, namely 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 (w/w), and without the addition of coconut pulp flour and skipjack tuna flour. The results showed that cereal with the highest fiber content was obtained at a ratio of 75:25 i.e. 10.52% and the lowest fiber content was obtained at the cereal without the addition of coconut pulp flour and skipjack tuna flour i.e. 1.19%, whereas the highest protein content of cereal was obtained at a ratio of 25:75 i.e. 26.02% and the lowest protein content was obtained at the cereal without the addition of coconut pulp flour and skipjack tuna flour i.e. 9.17%. The highest preference level (5.57) of the panelists for the cereal flour of coconut pulp and skipjack tuna flour is the 75:25 ratio. Keywords: Skipjack tuna flour, coconut pulp flour, cereal, fiber, protein

Alkylresorcinols (biomarkers of whole grain intake), cereal fibre intake and metabolic profile - results from a European study

Background:High intakes of whole-grains and cereal fiber have been consistently associated with lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases in observational studies. Yet, improved understanding about the underlying mechanisms is needed. We hypothesized that cereal fiber and whole-grain are associated with beneficial metabolic marker profiles.Aim:To investigate if cereal fiber intake, estimated by food frequency questionnaires and plasma total alkylresorcinols concentrations as well as the C17:0/C21:0-ratio in plasma as biomarkers of whole-grain wheat and rye intake or the relative whole-grain rye to wheat intake, respectively, were associated with metabolic biomarkers.Design:A cross-sectional study conducted to investigate the associations between alkylresorcinols as biomarker of whole-grain wheat and rye intake, cereal fiber and selected metabolic biomarkers among 954 participants of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study. Cereal fiber intake was assessed by FFQ and whole grain wheat and rye were reflected by biomarkers analyzed in plasma samples, i.e. total alkylresorcinol (AR). Moreover, the ratio of two of the five measured alkylresorcinols (AR C17:0/C21:0 ratio) was used as an indicator of whole-grain source (wheat or rye). Metabolic biomarkers (HbA1c, C-peptide, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and CRP) were measured in blood samples. All biomarkers were already measured for nested case-control studies of colorectal cancer matched based on sex, study center, age at blood collection, date and time of blood collection, fasting status. Women were further matched by menopausal status, phase of menstrual cycle, and use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy at time of blood collection. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between exposure variables metabolic biomarkers adjusted for case-control status and common confounders.Results:No associations were found between cereal fiber intake and the metabolic markers. However, whole-grain wheat and rye intake, reflected by total AR, was associated with a lower concentration of the inflammation marker CRP. The alkylresorcinol C17:0/C21:0 ratio was not associated with any of the measured metabolic markers in this cohort.Conclusion:Overall, we found no support for an association between cereal fibre intake, whole grain wheat and rye intake reflected by biomarkers and metabolic markers in the present cohort. One exception was the finding of an inverse association between whole grain biomarkers and CRP. Prospective studies or RCTs are warranted to confirm our findings.