Ethnobotanical and Chemical Studies on Gezo Molasses from Quercus brantii Lindl. Acorns in Turkey

Oak molasses, called “Gezo,” have been produced by the local people of Southeastern Anatolia. In this study, the ethnobotanical characteristics, production stages, health effects, and chemical composition of Gezo were determined. Traditional Gezo molasses is produced from the acorn of Quercus brantii Lindl. The survey was carried out in seven provinces with large populations. Molasses samples were collected from local producers in the region alongside the local names, usage, sorting, and grading methods used by the local people. The total contents of phenolics and flavanoids were found to vary between the range of 1.60–2.56 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) and 0.62–0.72 mg rutin (RE) per g of Gezo molasses, respectively. Gezo displayed scavenging activity against DPPH radicals ranging from 7.57 to 9.44 µM Trolox/g. The CUPRAC assay results showed that molasses also possessed reducing power activity with a value of 8.57–10.20 µM Trolox/g. Gezo is typically consumed by local people as a breakfast food. However, it is also used for medical purposes to treat bronchitis, cough, asthma, and diabetes. The region’s oak species are used by locals for fuel, feed, handicrafts, and games.

Optimization and Development of Ready to Eat Chocolate Coated Roasted Flaked Rice as Instant Breakfast Food

The present study aimed to optimize and develop ready-to-eat rice-based functional breakfast food using response surface methodology. The levels of ingredients viz. skim milk powder, guar gum, and ferrous sulfate were pre-optimized and remained constant, whereas jaggery and dark chocolate were taken as independent variables. The optimum levels of jaggery and dark chocolate for chocolate-coated roasted flaked rice (CCRFR) were 8.49 g and 25.43 g, respectively. The physical, pasting, textural, functional, morphological, optical, and sensory characteristics of CCRFR and uncoated roasted flaked rice (RFR) were also studied. CCRFR had significantly higher mineral (iron and calcium) and total polyphenolic contents. Furthermore, the dimensional, sensory, and functional properties were also improved. The changes in morphological structure were also observed between the CCRFR and uncoated product using scanning electron microscopy. The coating adds nutritional value to the roasted rice and renders it an essential functional RTE convenience gluten-free cereal breakfast item.

What do Australian adults eat for breakfast? A latent variable mixture modelling approach for understanding combinations of foods at eating occasions

Background The patterning of food intake at eating occasions is a poorly understood, albeit important, step towards achieving a healthy dietary pattern. However, to capture the many permutations of food combinations at eating occasions, novel analytic approaches are required. We applied a latent variable mixture modelling (LVMM) approach to understand how foods are consumed in relation to each other at breakfast. Methods Dietary intake at breakfast (n = 8145 occasions) was assessed via 24-h recall during the 2011–12 Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (n = 3545 men and n = 4127 women, ⩾19 y). LVMM was used to determine breakfast food profiles based on 35 food group variables, reflecting compliance with Australian Dietary Guidelines. F and adjusted-chi2 tests assessed differences in timing of consumption and participant characteristics between the breakfast profiles. Regression models, adjusted for covariates, were used to examine associations between breakfast food profiles and objective adiposity measures (BMI and waist circumference). Results Five distinct profiles were found. Three were similar for men and women. These were labelled: “Wholegrain cereals and milks” (men: 16%, women: 17%), “Protein-foods” (men and women: 11%) and “Mixed cereals and milks” (men: 33%, women: 37%). Two “Breads and spreads” profiles were also found that were differentiated by their accompanying beverages (men) or type of grain (women). Profiles were found to vary by timing of consumption, participant characteristics and adiposity indicators. For example, the “Protein-foods” profile occurred more frequently on weekends and after 9 am. Men with a “Bread and spreads (plus tea/coffee)” profile were older (P < 0.001) and had lower income and education levels (P < 0.05), when compared to the other profiles. Women with a “Protein-foods” profile were younger (P < 0.001) and less likely to be married (P < 0.01). Both men and women with a “Wholegrain cereals and milks” profile had the most favourable adiposity estimates (P < 0.05). Conclusions We identified five breakfast food profiles in adults that varied by timing of consumption, participant characteristics and adiposity indicators. LVMM was a useful approach for capturing the complexity of food combinations at breakfast. Future research could collect contextual information about eating occasions to understand the complex factors that influence food choices.

Breakfast Food Advertising and Prevention of Obesity: Analysis of the Nutritional Value of the Products and Discursive Strategies Used in the Breakfast Ads from 2015 to 2019

Breakfast is widely considered the most important meal of the day. Despite this, the consumption of ready to eat industrial products with low nutritional value is increasing. This study correlated longitudinally the nutritional value of breakfast products with advertising discursive strategies. The research design applied quantitative analysis to compile all media advertising data from 2015 to 2019, qualitative analysis of the content, and a study of the adverts’ discourse. Moreover, a Nutri-score analysis was used to determine the products’ nutritional value. Results indicated that breakfast products advertised in Spain presented a low or very low nutritional value. In addition, they showed that the lower the nutritional value of the product, the greater the proportion of positive emotions or moods that emerge from the discourse used in the advertisement. To establish effective policies for the prevention of obesity, greater involvement of the government, and better self-regulation mechanisms for the food industry, communication agencies, and advertisers are needed. In this sense, the hedonistic language used in advertisements for unhealthy food must treated as a priority. This measure would have the aim not only of protecting minors from ads for unhealthy food that are broadcast during breakfast time but would also generate healthy eating patterns within the family.

An acute gastroenteritis outbreak associated with breakfast contaminated with norovirus by asymptotic food handler at a kindergarten in Shenzhen, China

Background An outbreak of acute gastroenteritis occurred in a kindergarten located Shenzhen City on March 4, 2018. We were invited to investigate to the risk factors associated with this outbreak. Methods We conducted retrospective cohort-studies on three different groups of subjects in order to figure out the difference of incidence of acute gastroenteritis among subjects of different activities on March 2: group one consisted of people who attended the Lantern festival activities; group two consisted of children and employees who ate breakfast and bread provided by the kindergarten; and groups three consisted of children and employees who did not eat breakfast or bread provided by the kindergarten. Fecal, anal swabs, dishware swabs and hand swabs specimens were collected in the study. Bacteria known to cause acute gastroenteritis were cultured. Viruses associated with acute gastroenteritis were tested using real-time PCR. Capsid gene fragment of 557 bp of norovirus was amplified and sequenced. The phylogenetic tree was constructed with MEGA 7.0 using neighbor-joining method based on capsid gene fragment of norovirus. Results A total of 143 suspected cases were identified in this outbreak. Diarrhea happened more often in adults than in children while emesis and bellyache were more frequently found in children than in adults. Higher AGE incidence was observed in group 2, children and employees who had breakfast in the kindergarten on March 2, as well as in group 3, and among employees who eating bread involved in breakfast provided on March 2. Five anal swab specimens were positive for norovirus. All noroviruses belongs to group II.3 and have an identity more than 99%. Conclusion A chef, as an asymptomatic carrier with norovirus, was the infectious resource in this outbreak. He contaminated breakfast food provided on March 2. Although morning check is implemented in kindergartens of China, employees are often excluded in morning check. Our finding highlights the importance of morning check covering employees and periodical training for cooks.

Breakfast Food Advertisements in Mediterranean Countries: Products’ Sugar Content in the Adverts from 2015 to 2019

Although Spain was considered to be the healthiest country in the world in 2019, some studies reported that Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, especially for breakfast, is low among children in Mediterranean countries, where child obesity is increasing alarmingly. This study correlated longitudinally the sugar content of breakfast products with advertising strategies. The research design applied quantitative analysis to compile the advertising data from 2015 to 2019 for all media, qualitative analysis of the content, and the use of popular characters to promote the food purchase. Additionally, a nutritional analysis was used to determine the products’ sugar content. The results were analyzed according to the target they were aimed at (adults or children). Results showed that the Spanish food industry promoted unhealthy products for breakfast, especially those targeted to children, with very high sugar content. To improve the childhood obesity rate in Spain, greater involvement from the food industry is needed. The reformulation of breakfast products must be a priority along with additional sugar reduction strategies so as not to lose adherence to MD in younger generations. More nutrition education is necessary among children, especially on balanced breakfast consumption, a basic meal that helps children to concentrate better in class during the morning.

Hepatotoxicity and biochemical evaluation of a novel breakfast food produced from the blend of fonio (Digitaria iburua Stapf) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh) in albino rats

Background The production of novel foods from underutilized nutritious tropical crops is increasing; however, the toxicological studies are sparse. In this study, the safety of the breakfast food produced from the blend of fonio and pigeon pea was examined by evaluating the biochemical and toxicological parameters of the breakfast food using Wistar albino rats. Twenty male Wistar albino rats subdivided into 4 groups of 5 were separately fed with four food samples (100% fonio, 80:20 fonio:pigeon pea, standard rat feed (control) and a commercial brand of corn flake) for 28 days after which the animals were sacrificed and blood samples collected for analyses. Body weight, blood glucose, biochemical, and hematological parameters were examined during the experimental period. Results The feeding of rats with the four diets did not cause mortality and adverse toxicity during the experimental period. Steady body weight gain was observed in fonio-pigeon pea fed rats, and slight changes were obtained in percentage blood glucose. There was no significant difference in the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes, mean corpuscular volume, platelet, high-density lipoprotein, catalase, SOD, and malondialdehyde of the group fed with fonio-pigeon pea diet as compared with the control group. Furthermore, significant (p < 0.05) lower levels of density lipoprotein, triacylglyceride, and cholesterol were observed in the fonio-pigeon pea-fed rats than the control group. The liver function marker of fonio-pigeon pea-fed-rat and the control showed no significant difference. Conclusion The study showed no severe toxicity in the test animals, although a mild loss of liver parenchyma and variation in size and shape of nuclei were observed in the group fed with the fonio-pigeon pea diet.

National Identity for Breakfast: Food Consumption and the Everyday Construction of National Narratives in Estonia

Political debates on the Baltics, and in particular Estonia, have often pointed to “nationalisting” and exclusive narratives constructed at the institutional level. Accordingly, emphasis has been put on the lack of opportunities for Russians to integrate into an Estonian context. While acknowledging the shortfalls of the Estonian political project, this article contrasts these views in two ways. By emphasizing people’s agency and their capacity to question, contrast, or even reject the identity markers proposed by Estonian official narratives, we maintain that the integration of Russians might be more advanced than insofar claimed by other studies. We then look at the way identities are lived in an everyday context by inhabitants of Estonia to counterpose national narratives proposed by the state and its political institutions, with the way people live and whether they accept these narratives. By doing this, we explore the role of the everyday in the reconstruction of national identity narratives, in which citizens actively participate in their individual capacity. We suggest that, from a James Scott “infrapolitics” perspective, these micro-actions have a fundamental role in the reshaping of a national identity and its acceptance among citizens.