Current Nutrition & Food Science - Volume 17, Issue 2, 2021

Background: Regarding the multifactorial etiology of breast cancer, food choices, as well as dietary intake, are the main modified factors in cancer prevention. In this sense, understanding molecular pathways involved in breast cancer proliferation can help determine the mechanisms of action of organic compounds such as antioxidant vitamins that are known to protect against cancer. Objective: Assess the mechanism of action of vitamin E in breast cancer modulation, with emphasis on important markers of tumor development. Methods: It is a systematic review carried out in PubMed and Web of Science databases, from the last 5 years, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. The following terms were selected according to The Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): “breast cancer” OR “breast neoplasms”, “tocopherol” OR “tocotrienols” OR “vitamin E”, as equated terms. Results: A total of 595 articles were found and 25 were selected according to inclusion criteria. Vitamin E has been related to suppression/overexpression of important tumorigenic pathways, mainly associated with proliferation, energy metabolism, chemosensitivity and invasion/metastasis. Clinical studies of vitamin E supplementation are needed to assess the dose/response effect on breast cancer patients. Conclusion: The safety of vitamin E supplementation is still controversial due to current studies design available. However, when vitamin E is supplemented, the dose and therapeutic regimen must be carefully decided, including the route of administration and breast cancer subtypes to enhance desired effects and minimize unwanted side effects.

The possible beneficial properties of functional foods are due to their content in bioactive ingredients, with specific biological properties. A number of processed functional foods are available in the market - probiotic yogurt, calcium and ω-3 fatty acids enriched orange juice and milk. Simultaneously, new research studies confer potential health benefits of various conventional foods (salmon, berries, green tea, vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals and breads, etc.) termed as “superfood” which is a marketing term and there is no established medical definition. Following suitable dietary patterns, superfood reduces the risk of degenerative diseases by promoting physical and emotional health. Scientific evidences suggest that superfoods are a dense source of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. There is insufficient research on the exact explanation of the term ‘superfood’and its health claims by different companies without any legislation. This buzz word has created confusion among consumers, that how much and what quantity should make a food superfood, as no single food may be as nutritious to be stated as a superfood. This article introduces further investigation on superfood which was categorized on the basis of their major constituents and potential health benefits. Further, there is a need for more reviews, researches, clinical trials and human case studies to investigate or test superfood.

Background: Colorectal cancer is caused by genetic predisposition and lifestyle risk factors and is associated with altered homeostasis of the intestinal microbiota. Evidence suggests that chronic infection and inflammation contribute to carcinogenic mutagenesis and promote cancer initiation and progression. Food components with prebiotic properties, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), promote intestinal integrity and health benefits. Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) is an abundant source of FOS, which are fermented by beneficial bacteria, improving the intestinal environment affected by colorectal cancer. Objective: In the current review, the aim was to discuss colorectal cancer and its inflammatory process of development. Also, some general aspects concerning yacon roots and its prebiotic properties are described. Finely, the beneficial effects of yacon to reduce intestinal parameters altered due to colorectal cancer are summarized. Conclusion: It was verified that yacon might improve immunological parameters, intestinal barrier, intestinal microbiota, and inflammation in induced colorectal cancer in animals, especially. Researches with humans must be further investigated to prove these positive effects.

Herbal Teas prepared from leaves, roots, fruits, and flowers of different herbs contain many useful nutrients that may be a good replacement for medicating certain diseases. These herbal teas are very rich in poly-phenols, therefore are significant for their antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anticancer, anticardiovascular, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, and antiobesity properties. Medical chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, constipation, diabetes, and bed wetting in children can be easily cured by the use of these herbal teas in regular and moderate amounts. This review focuses on the diverse constituents of herbal teas due to which these can be an attractive alternative towards promoting human health.

Background: Exposures to agrochemicals can be directly through the handling of chemicals as well as indirectly when consuming food containing residues of them. Such exposure may affect the health of the population if accumulated in the human body, including in human milk. Objective: This literature review aims to assess the potential impact of agrochemical residues in human milk as a barrier to breastfeeding. Methods: The search followed PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses), by selecting original articles published between 1995 and 2019, extracted from the free access databases PubMed, Scielo, Web of Sciences and Scopus using as keywords: agrochemicals, pesticides, breastfeeding, human milk, contamination and infant. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were used as descriptors. Results: We selected 11 studies. Taking as inclusion criteria those most aligned with the objective of our study. Conclusion: The studies presented in this review ratified the benefits of breastfeeding compensating for the potential risks of agrochemical residues in human milk.

Breast cancer has a multifactorial etiology and, among the main causal factors, the dietary profile stands out, mainly the components of the pro-inflammatory diet and their interaction with genetic characteristics. In this sense, deciphering the molecular networks involved in the proliferation of cancer cells in breast tissue can determine ways of action of organic compounds that modulate the pathogenesis of cancer, such as vitamin A and analogs, as well as their possible mechanisms of modulation of breast tumorigenesis. This is a review study conducted according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and by consulting the PubMed and Web of Science databases including articles, published in Portuguese, English and Spanish, in the last five years. 126 articles were obtained, of which 13 were selected for full analysis and only 6 were included in the study for meeting the eligibility criteria. The results of the compiled studies demonstrate the role of some retinol-binding proteins in metabolism, as well as in differentiation, cell proliferation and inflammation. Although controversial, the results point to the use of these proteins as possible prognostic markers. The need for further studies in humans is also emphasized in order to assess the main effects of vitamin isoforms on tumor activity.

Background: Increasing cereal fiber consumption is a trend worldwide nowadays because of the health benefits of fiber. Increasing the flour extraction 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. On the second day, there were significant differences in 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 on different days. Conclusion: Iraqi consumers preferred bread prepared from lower extraction rates compared to higher, and it is mostly because of the color factor.

Background: Diplazium esculentum is found throughout Asia growing along with water channels and is used for many purposes. In India, the rhizomes are used to control insects and pests while the young fronds are used as a vegetable and salad. But very few reports on phytochemicals of young fronds and its anti-oxidant activity is available. Objective: The present study was undertaken to assess the antioxidant, antimicrobial and phytochemical analysis of D. esculentum. Methods: Proximate analysis was done according to the standard protocol while antioxodant and antimicrobial activity was performed by DDPH. and well diffusion method respectivity. Phytochemical analysis was performed by GC-MS. Results: The present study revealed that the young fronds of D. esculentum contain high amount of carbohydrate followed by protein, crude fibre, and fat. The free radical scavenging activity of methanolic extract was 87.93 ± 0.3% reduction, which shows it have potential antioxidant activity. The antioxidant property may be contributed by the presence of phytochemicals such as Phosphoric acid, phytol, 2,6,10-Trimethyl,14 ethylene-14-pentadecene, Hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, Pentadecanoic acid, Stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol, acetate, (3.beta.). It showed promising antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and B. subtilis. The antimicrobial activity may be due to the presence of Phytochemicals such as beta-Ocimene, 2,6,10-Trimethyl,14 ethylene-14-pentadecene, 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, BIS(2-Methylpropyl)ester, Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, 1-Heneicosanol, Phytol, 5,8,11,14- Eicosatetraenoic acid, methyl ester(all Z), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, Ergost-5-en-3-ol, (3.beta), Stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol, acetate, (3.beta.), stigmast-5-EN-3-OL, (3.beta). Conclusion: From the present study, it can be deduced that D. Esculentum is a rich source of medically important phytochemicals. Further work is required, so that these phytochemicals can be explored in the management of various chronic diseases.

Background: Obesity is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and associated with type 2 diabetes. Seaweed is one of the largest producers of biomass in the marine environment and is a rich arsenal of functional ingredients that may possess the potential to prevent type 2 diabetes. Objective: The aim was to investigate the effects of seaweed extract on glucose metabolism and markers of inflammation in overweight and obese individuals. Methods: Participants (N=76, ≥40 years, body mass index ≥25 kg/m²) who volunteered for this 10- week randomized, controlled, doubly blinded intervention study, were randomized into an intervention group (seaweed extract, 3 capsules=1200 mg/day) or a control group (placebo, 3 capsules/day). The extract derived from the brown seaweed bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus). At baseline and endpoint of the study, fasting samples were analysed for blood glucose, insulin, inflammation markers, liver enzymes and creatinine (renal function). Results: Drop out was 11.8% and not significantly different between groups. Fasting blood glucose and insulin were improved at the endpoint in the intervention group, but no changes were observed in the control group (corrected endpoint differences between groups: glucose=0.61 mmol/L, P=0.038; insulin=0.72 μU/L, P=0.038). Measures of inflammation, liver enzymes and renal function did not change significantly during the study. Conclusion: Ingestion of seaweed extract over 10 weeks improves glucose metabolism without affecting measures of inflammation, liver function or renal function.

Background: Extraction is an important step to obtain phytochemical compounds from natural materials. Among different extraction techniques, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is an advanced method with high extraction efficiency and low energy consumption. Objective: This study aimed to optimize the MAE parameters for obtaining the highest levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from cacao pod husk (CPH). Methods: The dried CPH was prepared using a microwave drying method. The CPH extract was prepared using a microwave-assisted extraction method. The powdered CPH extract was prepared using vacuum evaporation and freeze-drying methods. Phytochemical compounds and antioxidant capacity of CPH extracts were analyzed using spectrophotometric methods. Results: The optimal MAE parameters were 600 W microwave power, 5 s/min irradiation time, 30 min extraction time, and 50 mL/g solvent to sample ratio. Under these MAE parameters, total phenolic content (TPC), phenolic extraction efficiency (PEE), saponin content (SC), and DPPH radical scavenging capacity (DRSC) were achieved from the CPH to be 10.97 mg GAE/g dried sample, 76.82%, 70.10 mg EE/g dried sample, and 141.18 mg DPPH/g dried sample, respectively, which were not significantly different from the predicted values (10.38 mg GAE/g dried sample, 72.68%, 70.09 mg EE/g dried sample, and 121.49 mg DPPH/g dried sample, respectively). The residual moisture, water activity, density, water-soluble index and pH of powdered CPH extract were 9.72%, 0.38, 0.17 g/ml, 84.93% and 7.68, respectively. TPC, total flavonoid content (TFC) and SC of powdered CPH extract were 15.75 mg GAE/g dried sample, 27.03 mg CE/g dried sample and 133.67 mg EE/g dried sample, respectively. DRSC and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of powdered CPH extract were 227.79 mg DPPH/g dried sample and 14.12 mg Fe(II)/g dried sample, respectively. Conclusion: The findings from this study reveal that the powdered extract obtained from the CPH at the optimal MAE parameters is a rich source of phytochemicals possessing great antioxidant activity. Therefore, it is a potential candidate to apply in functional foods.

Background: In Saudi Arabia, few studies have addressed iron, selenium and copper intake and status. Most studies on iron have focused on iron deficiency anemia rather than the intake of iron. Objective: To assess the relative validity and repeatability of a Zinc-food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for estimating the intakes of iron, copper and selenium in Saudi adults. Methods: Ninety-seven Saudi adults participated in this study. All participants completed the FFQ1 and a three-days (3d) Food Record (FR) to assess validity. After one month, the FFQ was administered again (FFQ2) to assess the repeatability. Results: Mean intakes of iron, copper and selenium estimated by FFQ1 were significantly higher than those from the 3d FR. Estimated intakes of iron and selenium by both methods were significantly correlated. The Bland-Altman analysis showed that the difference in iron intakes, as measured by the two methods, was similar across the range of intakes while the difference in copper and selenium intakes increased with an increase in the mean intake. No detectable differences were observed between FFQ1 and FFQ2 in estimating iron, copper and selenium intakes. For all nutrients, the intakes from both FFQs were highly correlated. Conclusion: The Zinc-FFQ showed reasonable relative validity and repeatability for estimating other micronutrients, such as iron, copper and selenium.