Search

Background: The occurrence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing global problem which commonly affects patients with co-existing diseases/conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia. The effective treatment of MASLD is still limited; however, diet plays a significant role in its management. There are multiple beneficial properties of dietary fiber, including its ability to modify the gut microbiome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of the consumption of fiber-enriched rolls on the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites in patients suffering from MASLD., Methods: The participants were recruited according to the inclusion criteria and were required to consume fiber-enriched rolls containing either 6 g or 12 g of fiber. There were three assessment timepoints, when the anthropometric and laboratory parameters were measured, and 16s on nanopore sequencing of the fecal microbiome was conducted., Results: Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the most abundant phyla in the patients living with MASLD. It was demonstrated that the amount of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) changed after the consumption of fiber-enriched rolls; however, this was strongly associated with both the timepoint and the type of SCFAs-acetate and butyrate. Additionally, the high-fiber diet was related to the increase in phyla diversity ( p = 0.006571)., Conclusions: Overall, the introduction of an appropriate amount of fiber to the diet seems to be promising for patients suffering from MASLD due to its ability to create an improvement in gut microbiome-related aspects.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with dysfunction of the intestinal microbiota and its metabolites. We aimed to assess whether replacing bread with high-fiber buns beneficially changes the metabolome in NAFLD patients. This study involved 27 adult patients with NAFLD validated by FibroScan ® (CAP ≥ 234 dB/m). Patients were asked to replace their existing bread for two meals with high-fiber buns. In this way, the patients ate two rolls every day for 2 months. The following parameters were analysed (at the beginning and after 2 months): the anthropometric data (BIA), eating habits (24 h food recalls), gut barrier markers (lipopolysaccharide S and liposaccharide binding protein (LPS, LBP)), serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and branched chain fatty acids (BCFAs) by GC/MS chromatography, as well as serum metabolites (by 1 H NMR spectroscopy). After 2 months of high-fiber roll consumption, the reduction of liver steatosis was observed (change Fibroscan CAP values from 309-277 dB/m). In serum propionate, acetate, isovaleric, and 2-methylbutyric decrease was observed. Proline, choline and one unknown molecule had higher relative concentration in serum at endpoint. A fiber-targeted dietary approach may be helpful in the treatment of patients with NAFLD, by changing the serum microbiota metabolome.

The fermented tea beverage Kombucha is obtained through a series of biochemical and enzymatic reactions carried out by symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY). It contains organic acids, vitamins, amino acids, and biologically active compounds, notably polyphenols, derived mainly from tea. Kombucha exhibits a range of health-promoting properties, including antioxidant or detoxifying effects. This fermented beverage is traditionally brewed with black tea, but other types of tea are used increasingly, which may have significant implications in terms of chemical composition and health-promoting effects. In this preliminary study, we investigated the content of micronutrients (manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn)) by the ICP-OES method in Kombucha prepared with black, red, green and white tea at different time points of fermentation (1, 7, 14 days). It should be noted that the composition of separate ingredients such as tea, leaven or sugar has not been studied. Kombucha had the highest content of zinc-0.36 mg/L to 2.08 mg/L, which accounts for between 3% and 26% of the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) for adults, and the smallest amounts of chromium (0.03 mg/L to 0.09 mg/L), which however represents as much as between 75% and 232% of the RDA. It has been demonstrated that the type of tea as well as the day of fermentation have a significant effect on the concentrations of selected minerals. Kombucha can therefore supplement micronutrients in the human diet.

Matcha, or powdered green tea ( Camellia sinensis ) of the Tencha type, is popular all around the world, and its consumption continues to rise. Because of its unique cultivation method, it is rich in phytochemicals and has many health-promoting properties; it contains high concentrations of polyphenols, theanine and chlorophyll. Tea, and by extension matcha, contains numerous minerals, one of which is fluorine. Under physiological conditions, this mineral plays a significant role in hard tissue mineralisation processes. However, even in low concentrations, with prolonged exposure, fluoride can accumulate in the body, leading to a number of harmful effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time, the fluoride content of the matcha infusions from different harvests, brewed using water at different temperatures (25 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C and 90 °C). The content of fluoride ions was measured by the potentiometric method. The fluoride content ranged from 3.36 to 4.03 mg/L and was dependent on both the leaf harvest time and brewing temperature. The concentration of this mineral in the dry powder ranged from 118.39 to 121.65 mg/kg. Irrespective of the water temperature or harvest time, matcha was found to have a high fluoride content, with particularly high concentrations being noted in the powder itself.

Edible flowers have been gaining popularity among researchers, nutritionists and chefs all around the world. Nowadays, flowers are used to make food look and/or taste better; however, they are also a very good source of valuable nutrients (antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, macro and microelements). The aim of our study was to determine the content of dietary fibre and total protein in selected edible flowers; we also compared the nutritional content of petals, differentiating between the representatives of the Oleaceae and Asteraceae families, as well as herbaceous vs. woody plants. The study material consisted of petals of 12 edible flower species ( Magnolia × soulangeana , Sambucus nigra L., Syringa vulgaris L. (white and violet flowers), Robinia pseudoacacia , Forsythia × intermedia , Cichorium intybus L., Bellis perennis , Tussilago farfara L., Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wiggers coll., Centaurea cyanus L., Calendula officinalis ). Dietary fibre content was determined by the enzymatic-gravimetric method and ranged from 13.22 ( Magnolia × soulangeana ) to 62.33 ( Calendula officinalis L.) g/100 g. For insoluble dietary fibre (IDF), the values ranged from 8.69 ( Magnolia × soulangeana ) to 57.54 ( Calendula officinalis L.) g/100 g, and the content of soluble dietary fibre (SDF) was between 1.35 ( Syringa vulgaris L.-white flowers) and 7.46 ( Centaurea cyanus L) g/100 g. Flowers were also shown to be a good, though underappreciated, source of plant protein, with content ranging from 8.70 ( Calendula officinalis L.) to 21.61 ( Magnolia × soulangeana ) g/100 g dry matter (Kjeldahl method). Considerable amounts of protein were found in the flowers of the olive family ( Oleaceae ) and woody plants, which can enrich the daily diet, especially vegan and vegetarian. Edible flowers of the Asteraceae family, especially the herbaceous representatives, contained high levels of both total dietary fibre and its insoluble fraction; therefore, they can be a rich source of these nutrients in the daily diet of athletes, which would perform a prebiotic function for gut bacteria.

Background: Stress is a natural response of the body, induced by factors of a physical (hunger, thirst, and infection) and/or psychological (perceived threat, anxiety, or concern) nature. Chronic, long-term stress may cause problems with sleep, concentration, and memory, as well as affective disorders. The passionflower ( Passiflora incarnata ) is a perennial plant with documented therapeutic properties. The literature data suggest that the passionflower itself, as well as its preparations, helps reduce stress and can therefore be helpful in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and depression. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate Passiflora incarnata in terms of its neuropsychiatric effects., Methods: The scientific databases PubMed, ClinTrials.gov, and Embase were searched up to 22 October 2019. The search identified randomized clinical trials describing the effects of Passiflora incarnata in neuropsychiatric disorders., Results: The systematic review included nine clinical trials. The duration of the studies included in the analysis varied widely, from one day up to 30 days. Study participants were no less than 18 years old. In each of the papers, the effects of passionflower were measured by using a number of different tests and scales. The majority of studies reported reduced anxiety levels following the administration of Passiflora incarnata preparations, with the effect less evident in people with mild anxiety symptoms. No adverse effects, including memory loss or collapse of psychometric functions, were observed., Conclusion: Passiflora incarnata may be helpful in treating some symptoms in neuropsychiatric patients.

The gut microbiota have gained much scientific attention recently. Apart from unravelling the taxonomic data, we should understand how the altered microbiota structure corresponds to functions of this complex ecosystem. The metabolites of intestinal microorganisms, especially bacteria, exert pleiotropic effects on the human organism and contribute to the host systemic balance. These molecules play key roles in regulating immune and metabolic processes. A subset of them affect the gut brain axis signaling and balance the mental wellbeing. Neurotransmitters, short chain fatty acids, tryptophan catabolites, bile acids and phosphatidylcholine, choline, serotonin, and L -carnitine metabolites possess high neuroactive potential. A scoping literature search in PubMed/Embase was conducted up until 20 June 2020, using three major search terms "microbiota metabolites" AND "gut brain axis" AND "mental health". This review aimed to enhance our knowledge regarding the gut microbiota functional capacity, and support current and future attempts to create new compounds for future clinical interventions., Competing Interests: Igor Łoniewski and Wojciech Marlicz are probiotic company (Sanprobi) co-founders and shareholders. Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka and Mariusz Kaczmarczyk receive remuneration from Sanprobi probiotic company for laboratory and bioinformatic analyses, respectively.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is regarded as one of the most common liver pathologies in many societies. Resveratrol, as a phenolic compound with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties exerting positive effects on the lipid profile and lipid accumulation and also on insulin resistance, appears to be an effective, natural, and safe complementary treatment option in NAFLD therapy. This meta-analysis was undertaken to evaluate the effects of resveratrol supplementation in NAFLD patients. To this end, scientific databases PubMed/Medline/Embase were searched up to 19 March 2020. We included seven randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with a total of 302 patients with NAFLD. In all the trials included in the analysis, resveratrol was administered daily over periods between 56 and 180 days in doses ranging from 500 mg to 3000 mg a day. The results of this meta-analysis reveal that resveratrol supplementation, irrespective of the dose or duration, did not affect the analyzed parameters ( p < 0.05). The sole exception was an increase in alanine aminotransferase following the administration of resveratrol ( p = 0.041). Currently available evidence is insufficient to confirm the efficacy of resveratrol in the management of NAFLD. Due to the inconsistencies between the existing scientific reports, a number of which found a positive effect on NAFLD-related parameters; further research in this area is needed.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare the impact of 6 weeks of reducing daily caloric intake by 20% of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE)-CRI vs. reducing daily caloric intake by 30% of TDEE-CRII on body mass reduction and insulin metabolism in former athletes., Methods: 94 males aged 35.7 ± 5.3 years, height 180.5 ± 4.1 cm, and body mass 96.82 ± 6.2 kg were randomly assigned to the CRI ( n = 49) or CRII ( n = 45) group. Thirty-one participants (18 subjects from CRI and 13 from CRII) resigned from the study. The effects of both diets on the body composition variables (body mass-BM; body fat-BF; fat free mass-FFM; muscle mass-MM; total body water-TBW), lipid profile (total lipids-TL; total cholesterol-TCh; HDL cholesterol-HDL; LDL cholesterol-LDL; triglycerides-TG), and glucose control variables (glucose-GL, insulin-I, HOMA-IR, insulin-like growth factor-1-IGF-1, leptin and adiponectin) were measured., Results: After adhering to the CR I diet, significant differences were observed in FFM, MM and TG. After adhering to the CR II diet, significant differences were registered in tCh, TL and LDL. Both diets had a significant influence on leptin and adiponectin concentrations. Significant differences in FFM, MM, and tCh were observed between the CR I and CR II groups. At the end of the dietary intervention, significant differences in BF, FFM, MM and TBW were observed between the CR I and CR II groups., Conclusion: The 6 weeks of CR II diet appeared to be more effective in reducing BF and lipid profile and proved to be especially suitable for subjects with high body fat content and an elevated level of lipoproteins and cholesterol. Both reductive diets were effective in improving the levels of leptin and adiponectin in obese former athletes.