Dietary Fibre Intake and the 10-Year Incidence of Tinnitus in Older Adults

Tinnitus is the phantom perception of sound in the ears or head that increases in prevalence as age increases. With strong evidence supporting the benefits of dietary fibre for vascular health and hearing loss, intake of dietary fibre may also have a role in the prevention of tinnitus symptoms. This longitudinal study aims to determine the association between the intake of dietary fibre and other carbohydrate nutrition variables including glycaemic index (GI), glycaemic load (GL) and total carbohydrate intakes, and incident tinnitus over 10 years. Of the 1730 participants (aged ≥50 years) from the Blue Mountains Hearing Study with complete baseline data on tinnitus symptoms and carbohydrate intakes, 536 (31%) cases of tinnitus were identified and excluded from further incidence analysis. Dietary data were collected using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to determine intakes of total dietary fibre and fibre contributions from cereals, vegetables, and fruit. A purpose-built database based on Australian GI values was used to calculate mean GI. Lower versus higher intakes of fruit fibre (≤3.6 g/day vs. >3.6 g/day) and cereal fibre (≤4.2 g/day vs. >4.2 g/day) were significantly associated with a 65% (HR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.15–2.36) and 54% (HR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.07–2.22) increased risk of developing tinnitus over 10 years, respectively. Associations between intake of other carbohydrate nutrients and incident tinnitus were mostly non-significant. In summary, our study showed modest associations between intake of dietary fibre and incident tinnitus. The protective effects of fibre, particularly insoluble fibre, could underlie observed associations by reducing the risk of tinnitus via vascular risk factors such as cardiovascular disease. Further longitudinal studies evaluating different types and sources of fibre and tinnitus risk are needed to confirm our study findings.

Effect of cassava on proximate composition, insulin index, glycemic profile, load, and index in healthy individuals: a cross-sectional study

Background: The major challenge in Africa is the growing prevalence of metabolic syndrome which has been attributed to changing lifestyles in developing countries. The impact of the commonly available staple starchy food; eaten in this environment may also be a factor contributing to growing concerns of metabolic syndrome. Hence, the need to assess the affordable staple starchy foods. Cassava is the most consumed staple starchy food in our environment; therefore, our study evaluated its impact on glycaemic and insulin response in consumers.Aim: To determine Insulin Index (II), glycaemic profile (GP), glycaemic load (GL) and Glycaemic Index (GI), incremental glucose peak value (IGPV), and glycaemic profile index (GPI) of cassava food meals.Methods: Participants ingested three cassava processed products (cassava dough [fufu], chips [Abacha], and flakes [garri] (the equivalent of 50g glucose) and 50 g of reference meal (glucose solution). Fasting and post-prandial samples were taken for blood glucose and insulin however sample for glucose was taken at intervals of 30 mins to a maximum of 180mins and 120 mins for insulin, respectively.Result: The GI for cassava dough, flakes and chips were 93.26; 95.92 and 91.94, respectively. Their glycaemic load was 46.62; 47.96 and 45.97, respectively. The glycaemic profile index was 37.34; 41.41 and 46.19, respectively. In addition, the insulin index was 55.83; 69.36 and 97.02. The proximate analysis showed protein, moisture, fibre, fat, ash, and carbohydrate content as follows the cassava (%) (crude form) 1.075%; 72.00%; 0.80%; 0.58%; 0.35%; 25.07%, Chips 1.44%; 59.13%; 0.73%; 1.71%; 36.83%, flakes 1.82%; 67.36%; 0.15%; 0.91%; 0.25%; 39.64% and dough 1.56%; 67.51%; 0.21%; 0.52%; 0.20%; 30.22% respectively.Conclusion: II, GP, GL, and GI of cassava dough (fufu), cassava flakes(garri)and cassava chips (Abacha) were found to be high. Unregulated dietary intake in adults may lead to metabolic diseases.Keywords: Glycaemic index, Glycaemic load, Glycaemic profile, Cassava, Makurdi

Refined Carbohydrate Consumption and Facial Attractiveness

Since the second half of the 20th century, a massive increase in the consumption of refined carbohydrates has occurred, generating well-described detrimental health effects such as obesity, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and dental caries. Certain physiological mechanisms involved, particularly through chronic hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia, suggest that a non-medical trait such as facial attractiveness could also be affected. To explore this possibility, variation in facial attractiveness was evaluated relative to refined carbohydrate consumption. Attractiveness was assessed from facial pictures as judged by raters of the opposite sex. Estimates of refined carbohydrate consumption were based on the glycaemic load of three mealtimes at-higher glycaemic risk (breakfast, afternoon snack and between-meal snack). In the presence of several control variables, facial pictures of women and men with higher between-meal glycaemic loads were preferred by opposite-sex raters. Structural equation modeling suggests that this result is possibly mediated by an increase in apparent age for men and an increase in femininity for women. The different physiological ecologies of the three meals at-higher glycaemic risk are discussed as well as the interpretation of the results in terms of adaptation or maladaptation to the modern and unique dietary environment.

The Influence of Thermal Processing of Fruit and Vegetables on Their Glycaemic Index and Glycaemic Load*

Aim: Diabetes is a metabolic disease caused, among others, by malnutrition. Therefore, more attention is paid to products containing carbohydrates, as they increase the blood glucose concentration. In order to prevent type 2 diabetes and obesity, it is recommended to consume food with a low glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL). The GI value of foodstuffs is influenced by their composition, as well as physicochemical and biochemical changes occurring in raw materials during technological processes. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of technological processing on the glycaemic index and glycaemic load values of selected vegetables and fruit. Material/Methods: The research was conducted on cruciferous vegetables, carrots, potatoes and apples. The raw materials underwent pretreatment, which included washing, peeling, shredding and thermal processing. In order to determine the glycaemic index, clinical trials were conducted on 20 healthy people of both sexes, aged 20–60 years, normal weight (BMI 18–24.5). The content of dietary fibre and its fractions was also measured in the products. Results: The thermal treatment influenced the GI and GL values of the food products and content of dietary fibre. The highest GI and GL values were measured in the boiled and baked products, whereas the GI and GL values of the steamed foodstuffs were slightly lower. Conclusions: The results let us conclude that adequate handling of raw materials, i.e. appropriate thermal processing, may limit the development of type 2 diabetes. Diabetic patients are advised to use steaming as the preferable method of thermal processing of foodstuffs.

Is There an Association Between Diet, Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms in the Perinatal Period? An Analysis of the UPBEAT Cohort of Obese Pregnant Women

Introduction Depression is a common morbidity of the perinatal period (during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum). There is evidence for an association between diet and physical activity, and depression in the non-pregnant population but this association has been relatively less explored during the perinatal period; particularly poorly understood is the relationship between specific dietary components and depression. The aim of this study was to explore the association between glycaemic load, saturated fat intake and physical activity and depressive symptoms in a high-risk population of obese pregnant women. Methods In a cohort of 1522 women participating in the UPBEAT trial, physical activity, glycaemic load and saturated fat intake were used as predictors of depressive symptoms measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Measures taken in early pregnancy were used in linear and logistic regression models. Repeated measures at three points during pregnancy and at six months postpartum were utilised in multilevel mixed effects models. Multiple imputation was used to account for missing data. Results Increased glycaemic load was associated with small increases in levels of depressive symptoms across the perinatal period (adjusted beta coefficient 0.01; 95% CI 0.01,0.02). There was no evidence for an association between reduced physical activity and increased saturated fat intake and increased levels of depressive symptoms. Conclusions Glycaemic load may be a useful focus for interventions aiming to optimise the mental health of obese women in the perinatal period.