ABSTRACT
A crossover study was conducted to evaluate suppressive effect of a commercially available green juice (Katuna-Aojiru;Egao Co., Ltd.) containing mulberry leaf powder as the main ingredient on postprandial hyperglycemia. The blood glucose and iAUC (0-120min) values after loading cooked white rice were significantly lower with the consumption of Katuna-Aojiru than with the consumption of water. Katuna-Aojiru is effective in controlling postprandial blood glucose.
ABSTRACT
<b>Objective</b>: “<i>Ashitaba</i>” (<i>Angelica keiskei</i>) is a traditional vegetable peculiar to Japan. <i>Ashitaba</i> contains vitamins, dietary fiber and polyphenols such as chalcones abundantly. We previously reported anti-diabetic action of <i>Ashitaba </i>in an animal model as well as in diabetics. In this study, we evaluated the safety of<i> Ashitaba</i> green juice in healthy and borderline mildly diabetic subjects.<br> <b>Methods</b>: Japanese adult subjects (n = 24) ingested <i>Ashitaba</i> green juice (31.5 g granulated powder) for 4 weeks. For evaluation of safety, blood chemistry analysis, hematological analysis and urinalysis were conducted.<br> <b>Result</b>: On excessive ingestion of <i>Ashitaba</i> green juice for 4 weeks, there were no adverse clinical changes in blood analysis and urinary analysis and no serious symptom was observed.<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: These results indicate that excessive ingestion of <i>Ashitaba</i> green juice is safe in healthy and borderline mildly diabetic subjects.<br>
ABSTRACT
It has been suggested that green juice supplementation may have some health promoting benefits. We evaluated the effects of green juice (Angelica keiskei) consumption on parameters of lipid profiles and plasma antioxidant status in healthy male smokers. Fifty-four smokers were supplemented with 300 ml of green juice for 6 weeks while maintaining their normal diet. Blood samples were collected on week 0 and week 6 in order to evaluate plasma lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol) , plasma antioxidant vitamin levels (ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin and lycopene) , the degree of LDL oxidation and GOT, GPT levels for liver function. Plasma ascorbic acid level remained at the same level. However, alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol normalized by total cholesterol (p<0.05) and beta-carotene (p<0.001) level were all significantly increased after green juice supplementation. Plasma cholesterol was reduced for 12%, LDL-cholesterol was reduced for 9.3% after green juice consumption, while plasma triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol was not changed. Oxidized LDL assessed by conjugated diene (CD) , was decreased (p<0.0001) after green juice consumption. These results further support a role for green juice supplementation in the improvement of lipid status, prevention of lipid peroxidation, and thereby reducing risk factors of numerous diseases associated with elevated oxidative stress in smokers.