Effect of cashew nut flour on hematological parameters of children living with HIV.

Aim: To assess the effect of cashew nut flour on the hematological parameters of children living with HIV-AIDS. Method: A 32-week randomized, blind clinical trial conducted at a specialized outpatient clinic. Children aged 2-12 years were allocated to intervention groups (IGs) (n = 11) receiving 12 g/day of cashew nut flour and control groups (CGs) (n = 9) receiving 12 g/day of carboxymethyl cellulose. Parameters of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, and lipid profiles were evaluated. Results: In the IG, the elevation and reduction of leukocyte and lipid profile biomarkers, respectively, were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). A clinically and statistically significant increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration was observed in the CG (p = 0.018), with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.9). There were no statistically significant changes in platelet counts among participants (p = 0.18). The effect size for white blood cell count, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides was moderate in the IG compared to the CG. Conclusion: Cashew nut flour supplementation may increase levels of leukocytes and lipid profile parameters in children living with HIV. Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC): U1111.1276.6591.

Consumption of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee enriched with cocoa and fructo-oligosaccharides among non-diabetic persons: Double blind randomized clinical trial.

Food industry has been investing in bringing to the market coffee-based drinks enriched in compounds that promise weight loss, which consequently influences diabetes risk. However, there are no clinical trials showing the effects of brewed coffee (with or without caffeine) enriched with bioactive compounds on body fat and glycemic control in healthy individuals. Therefore, we have evaluated the effect of consuming two coffee formulas enriched with cocoa and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on glycemic and anthropometric biomarkers and blood pressure in non-diabetic adults for 10 weeks. In general, we observed that the values of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (p = .006) and fasting capillary blood glucose (FCBG) (p < .001) had lower values with a tendency to decrease in FCG (p = .003) and FBG (p < .005) in both formulas. We observed statistically significant reductions in waist circumference (WC) (p = .012), arm circumference (AC) (p = .015), and percentage of fat (<0.0001) for all participants. However, we noticed a greater reduction in the caffeinated formula group (-2.92%, p = .005) compared to the decaffeinated formula (-1.62%, p = .008). Consumers of both cocoa and FOS-enriched coffee formulas benefited from reduced FBG, FCG, WC, and body fat percentage. The consumption of caffeinated formula was more effective in reducing the percentage of fat, while the decaffeinated formula was more effective in reducing diastolic blood pressure. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study provides robust evidence that effects of fortified coffee on non-diabetic people is positive for reduction in blood glucose, body fat and diastolic blood pressure. This study proposes a practical and safe coffee formulation for the consumption of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee for non-diabetic people.

Effect of a Nutritional Intervention, Based on Transtheoretical Model, on Metabolic Markers and Food Consumption of Individuals Undergoing Hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nutritional intervention, based on the transtheoretical model, on the metabolic markers and dietary intake of individuals undergoing hemodialysis (HD). METHODS: Intervention study at a nephrology clinic includes 83 individuals undergoing HD, over a period of 4 months. The nutritional intervention based on the transtheoretical model was composed of two group meetings and three individual ones, with delivery of personalized food plans and nutritional education activities. Anthropometry, dietary intake, metabolic markers, and stage of behavior change were evaluated before and after nutritional intervention. RESULTS: There was a significant change from the stage of contemplation to the stage of action, after the intervention (P < .001). There was a significant reduction in serum concentrations of creatinine and predialysis and postdialysis urea (P < .001). Hyperphosphataemia and hyperkalemia in the group were also significantly reduced as were markers related to bone metabolism (P < .001). The markers of iron metabolism (P < .001), protein (P = .042), and globulin (P < .001) showed a significant increase. Regarding food consumption, the caloric intakes (P = .034), cholesterol (P = .034), protein, and lipid as well as intake of iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and vitamin C (P < .001) were significantly higher after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional intervention based on the transtheoretical model promoted a change in the behavior of individuals undergoing HD, with an important improvement in their metabolic control. This can be explained by the significant change in the intake of calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients, as well as adequate use of phosphorus binders, indicating the crucial role of nutrition in this group.