Search

The juçara palm tree produces a small spherical and black–purple fruit similar to açaí. It is rich in phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. A clinical trial evaluated the absorption and excretion of the main bioactive compounds in urine and the antioxidant capacity in serum and erythrocytes of 10 healthy subjects after juçara juice intake. Blood samples were collected before (0.0 h) and 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h after a single dose (400 mL) of juçara juice, while urine was collected at baseline and 0–3 and 3–6 h after juice intake. Seven phenolic acids and conjugated phenolic acids were identified in urine deriving from the degradation of anthocyanins: protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, vanillic acid glucuronide, hippuric acid, hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxyphenylacetic acid, and ferulic acid derivative. In addition, kaempferol glucuronide was also found in urine as a metabolite of the parent compound in juçara juice. Juçara juice caused a decrease in the total oxidant status of serum after 0.5 h in comparison to baseline values (p < 0.05) and increased the phenolic acid metabolites excretion. This study shows the relationship between the production of metabolites of juçara juice and the total antioxidant status in human serum, indicating evidence of its antioxidant capacity.

The arbitration exercise in a soccer game requires high physical fitness and all federations apply physical tests to referees, including anthropometric tests, classifying them as fit or not for the role. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of the total body fat percentage (%BF) through different evaluation methods of body composition referenced in a four-compartment (4C) model. Cross-sectional study performed in 2018 with 21 elite male referees. %BF was estimated by 4 methods: anthropometry; bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA); Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP). Moreover, three and four-compartment (3 and 4C) models were calculated. Bland–Altman and intraclass correlations (ICC) analysis were performed to determine validity of all methods compared to a 4C reference. The results of one-way ANOVA revealed that there was no significant difference (F=1.541; p=0.182) between %BF analyzed by 4C model (15.98 ± 6.20), anthropometry (mean ± SD, 18.46 ± 7.03), ADP (16.19 ± 6.24), BIA (16.67 ± 5.30), DXA (20.33 ± 6.56) and 3C (16.92 ± 5.53). The Bland–Altman analysis showed that all methods analyzed overestimate %BF compared to the 4C model. The best agreement was obtained from the ADP evaluation (bias=-0.2), followed by BIA (bias=-0.6), 3C (bias=-0.9), anthropometry (bias=-2.4) and DXA (bias=-4.3). Validation assessed by ICC was excellent (ICC≥0.90) in most methods, except for anthropometry (ICC=0.80) and DXA (ICC=0.71). Overall, the results suggest that ADP, BIA and 3C were the best method to %BF evaluation. Nevertheless, anthropometry remains as a feasible method to monitor %BF of elite soccer referees. resumo A arbitragem no futebol exige alto preparo físico. As federações aplicam testes antropométricos para classificar os árbitros como aptos ou não para a função. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a validade do percentual de gordura corporal (%GC) aferido por meio de diferentes métodos de avaliação referenciado em um modelo de quatro compartimentos (4C). O %GC foi estimado por seis métodos: antropometria; bioimpedância elétrica (BIA); absortometria dupla de raios-X (DXA); pletismografia por deslocamento de ar (ADP); modelo de três e quatro compartimentos (3 e 4C). Bland-Altman e correlações intraclasse (ICC) foram realizadas para determinar a validade de todos os métodos em comparação com o modelo de referência 4C. Os resultados da ANOVA revelaram que não houve diferença significativa (F = 1,541; p = 0,182) entre o %GC analisado pelo modelo 4C (15,98 ± 6,20), antropometria (média ± DP, 18,46 ± 7,03), ADP (16,19 ± 6,24), BIA (16,67 ± 5,30), DXA (20,33 ± 6,56) e 3C (16,92 ± 5,53). Segundo Bland-Altman todos os métodos superestimam o %GC em comparação com o 4C. A melhor concordância foi obtida na ADP (viés= -0,2), seguida da BIA (bias = -0,6), 3C (viés = -0,9), antropometria (viés = -2,4) e DXA (viés = -4,3). O ICC foi excelente (ICC≥0,90) na maioria dos métodos, exceto para antropometria (ICC = 0,80) e DXA (ICC = 0,71). Os resultados sugerem que ADP, BIA e 3C foram os melhores métodos para avaliação do %GC. No entanto, a antropometria continua sendo um método válido para monitorar o %GC.

Açaí (E. oleracea) and juçara (E. edulis) are berries considered a source of bioactive compounds, especially anthocyanins and unsaturated fatty acids, with recognized health-promoting activities. An integrative review was conducted to identify available clinical trials that evaluated the effects of açaí and juçara intake on the human organism. Science Direct and Medline databases were searched. Human studies that evaluated any biological activities after açaí and juçara intake were included in this review. Twenty-three clinical trials were identified up to April 12, 2020. Studies evaluated the biological effects of açaí (n = 17), juçara (n = 5), or both berries simultaneously (n = 1). The results of these trials suggest both types of berries may contribute to improved antioxidant defense and to attenuating metabolic stress and inflammation. However, considerable heterogeneity was observed among trials, and few studies explored the bioactive compounds of the food matrix provided in the interventions. More clinical trials are encouraged to strengthen the current evidence on human biological outcomes, including comparative analysis between these berries.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of juçara juice on oxidative stress biomarkers and fatigue in a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session. Fifteen physically active men were assigned to drink 250 mL of juçara juice or water (control) 1 h before exercise. Blood samples were collected 1 h prior to exercise, immediately post exercise, and 1 h post exercise. From the relative average changes, a decrease in oxidative stress index was observed immediately post exercise (P = 0.020) and an increase in reduced glutathione 1 h post exercise (P = 0.044) in the juçara juice intake group in relation to the control. Juçara juice intake also promoted increases in plasma total phenols (P = 0.020), and uric acid (P = 0.001) over time. Moreover, individuals who consumed juçara juice presented lower fatigue compared to the control (P