La ingesta de "once", en reemplazo de la cena, se asocia al riesgo de presentar síndrome metabólico / Five o'clock tea and the risk of metabolic syndrome

Background: Seventy four percent of Chileans replaced the traditional dinner for the consumption of "five o'clock tea" (5CT), a mealtime that includes bread and is simliar to western breakfast. The latter favors the intake of unhealthy foods. Aim: To study whether the consumption of "5CT", instead of dinner, could be a risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). Material and Methods: Anthropometric parameters, mean blood pressure, lipid profile, thyroid stimulating hormone and fasting glucose were measured in 489 subjects aged 39 ± 12 years (33% women) who attended a primary cardiovascular prevention (CV) program. A 24-hour recall and usual meal times were registered during a dietary interview. To determine the association between the consumption of "5CT" or dinner and the probability of presenting two or more components of MetSyn, we built an odds proportional model adjusted by age and sex. In addition, severity for MetSyn was calculated. Results: Nineteen percent of participants had MetSyn and 39%, two or more MetSyn components. Those who consumed "5CT" instead of dinner, had 54% more probability of having 2 or more MetSyn components (Odds ratio = 1.54, confidence intervals 1.032.32, p = 0.04). Participants who included processed carbohydrates in their last meal had a higher probability of having components of MetSyn. This probability decreased among participants who ate dinner with a low proportion of refined carbohydrates. Conclusions: Subjects who eat "5CT", instead of dinner as the last meal, have a higher cardiometabolic risk and MetSyn severity.

Tannase application in secondary enzymatic processing of inferior Tieguanyin oolong tea

Background: Inferior Tieguanyin oolong tea leaves were treated with tannase. The content and bioactivity of catechins in extracts from the treated tea leaves were investigated to assess the improvement in the quality of inferior Tieguanyin oolong tea. Results: Analysis showed that after treatment, the esterified catechin content decreased by 23.5%, whereas non-galloylated catechin and gallic acid contents increased by 15.3% and 182%, respectively. The extracts from tannase-treated tea leaves showed reduced ability to bind to BSA and decreased tea cream levels. The extracts also exhibited increased antioxidant ability to scavenge OH and DPPH radicals, increased ferric reducing power, and decreased inhibitory effects on pancreatic α-amylase and lipase activities. Conclusions: These results suggested that tannase treatment could improve the quality of inferior Tieguanyin oolong tea leaves.

El efecto quimioprotector del té y sus compuestos / The chemo-protector effects of tea and its components

Tea has been consumed worldwide since ancient times to maintain and improve health. Its main active components are a type of polyphenols known as flavonoids, which include catechins and theaflavins. Several epidemiological studies suggest that the consumption of green tea could prevent cancer development in humans. Likewise, animal studies have shown that green tea consumption may inhibit the development of prostate and breast cancer. It has been shown that, through several mechanisms, tea polyphenols present antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities, thus affording several health benefits. It is important to better characterize tea components, to study their bio-availability and bio-transformation in vivo and to conduct clinical studies of its main active compounds.