Nutritional Interventions and Considerations for the Development of Low Calorie or Sugar Free Foods.

Diabetes is a globally prevalent chronic metabolic disease characterized by blood glucose levels higher than the normal levels. Sugar, a common constituent of diet, is also a major factor often responsible for elevating the glucose level in diabetic patients. However, diabetic patients are more prone to eat sweets amongst the human population. Therefore, we find a popular consumption of zero or low-calorie sweeteners, both natural and artificial. But, the uses of these sweeteners have proved to be controversial. Thus, the purpose of this review was to critically analyze and highlight the considerations needed for the development of sugar-free or low-calorie products for diabetic patients. For this purpose, various measures are taken such as avoiding sugary foods, using natural nectar, artificial sweeteners, etc. It cannot be ignored that many health hazards are associated with the overconsumption of artificial sweeteners only. These sweeteners are high-risk compounds and a properly balanced consideration needs to be given while making a diet plan for diabetic patients.

Analyzing the Blood Bank Service Quality from Indian Blood Donors' Perspective: An Empirical Evidence.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the levels of service quality provided by blood banks from blood donors' perspective and simultaneously judge the opinion of their satisfaction level based on SERVQUAL (service quality) variables, namely Reliability, Assurance, Tangibility, Empathy, and Responsiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-administered and respecified structured SERVQUAL questionnaire is prepared to address expectation and perception of services experienced by blood donors. A total of 280 blood donors' responses were collected by visiting blood banks. RESULTS: The study endorsed all the significant five dimensions affecting the blood donors' expectation with actual service experienced during the exercise of donation. Average of overall service quality index gap is 0.38. Highest gap scores were significantly perceived in "Assurance" (Gap score 0.55) and "Empathy" (Gap score 0.49). In addition, "Tangibles," "Reliability," and "Responsiveness" scores are equitable, implying the blood donors' satisfaction level with the blood bank services. CONCLUSIONS: This study divulges blood bank's need to dissect and evaluate the level of service quality provided by them, along with consideration to the measurements of service quality gap models for the better fulfillment of blood contributors and retention.