Effect of Nutrition Education on Health Science University Students to Improve Cardiometabolic Profile and Inflammatory Status.

The inadequate lifestyle associated with university life may have a negative impact on various cardiometabolic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a one-year nutrition education course on cardiometabolic parameters in undergraduate health science students. During the 2021-22 academic year, 1.30 h nutrition sessions were conducted twice a week. Capillary blood samples were collected and centrifuged to measure cardiometabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in serum. The sample studied consisted of 49 students: 20.4% male and 79.6% female. The nutritional intervention resulted in changes in dietary patterns, with increased consumption of vegetables, nuts and legumes. After the course, females showed an increase in HDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.007) and no change in LDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.189). On the other hand, males showed significant changes in HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.043) levels. The atherogenic index was also significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in both males (p = 0.009) and females (p = 0.002). Differences were also observed in the increase in vitamin D levels in both males and females, although the magnitude of the increase was greater in the men (Δ = 7.94, p = 0.016 in men vs. Δ = 4.96, p = 0.001 in women). The monocyte-to-HDL ratio (MHR) showed a significant reduction, although these differences were only significant in males. Students with low vitamin D levels had higher LDL-cholesterol values (p = 0.01) and atherogenic index (p = 0.029). Adjusted linear regression analysis showed a significant association between post-course vitamin D MHR (ß = -0.42, IC: -0.29, -0.06, p < 0.01). These findings suggest the importance of including nutrition education programs during the university stage for the prevention of long-term health problems.

Red Quinoa Hydrolysates with Antioxidant Properties Improve Cardiovascular Health in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

In recent years, quinoa has been postulated as an emerging crop for the production of functional foods. Quinoa has been used to obtain plant protein hydrolysates with in vitro biological activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of red quinoa hydrolysate (QrH) on oxidative stress and cardiovascular health in an in vivo experimental model of hypertension (HTN) in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). The oral administration of QrH at 1000 mg/kg/day (QrHH) showed a significant reduction in SBP from baseline (-9.8 ± 4.5 mm Hg; p < 0.05) in SHR. The mechanical stimulation thresholds did not change during the study QrH groups, whereas in the case of SHR control and SHR vitamin C, a significant reduction was observed (p < 0.05). The SHR QrHH exhibited higher antioxidant capacity in the kidney than the other experimental groups (p < 0.05). The SHR QrHH group showed an increase in reduced glutathione levels in the liver compared to the SHR control group (p < 0.05). In relation to lipid peroxidation, SHR QrHH exhibited a significant decrease in plasma, kidney and heart malondialdehyde (MDA) values compared to the SHR control group (p < 0.05). The results obtained revealed the in vivo antioxidant effect of QrH and its ability to ameliorate HTN and its associated complications.

Dietary Nitrate Ingestion Does Not Improve Neuromuscular Performance in Male Sport Climbers.

Beetroot juice (BJ) is commonly used as an ergogenic aid in endurance and team sports, however, the effect of this supplement on climbing performance is barely studied. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of acute BJ ingestion on neuromuscular and biochemical variables in amateur male sport climbers. Ten physically active sport climbers (28.8 ± 3.7 years) underwent a battery of neuromuscular tests consisting of the half crimp test, the pull-up to failure test, the isometric handgrip strength test, the countermovement jump (CMJ) and the squat jump (SJ). Participants performed the neuromuscular test battery twice in a cross-over design separated by 10 days, 150 min after having consumed either 70-mL of BJ (6.4 mmol NO3-) or a 70-mL placebo (0.0034 mmol NO3-). In addition, nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) saliva concentrations were analysed, and a side effect questionnaire related to ingestion was administrated. No differences were reported in particular neuromuscular variables measured such as the CMJ (p = 0.960; ES = 0.03), the SJ (p = 0.581; ES = -0.25), isometric handgrip strength (dominant/non dominant) (p = 0.459-0.447; ES = 0.34-0.35), the pull-up failure test (p = 0.272; ES = 0.51) or the maximal isometric half crimp test (p = 0.521-0.824; ES = 0.10-0.28). Salivary NO3- and NO2- increased significantly post BJ supplementation compared to the placebo (p < 0.001), while no side effects associated to ingestion were reported (p = 0.330-1.000) between conditions (BJ/placebo ingestion). Acute dietary nitrate supplementation (70-mL) did not produce any statistically significant improvement in neuromuscular performance or side effects in amateur sport climbers.

Potential Role of Bioactive Proteins and Peptides Derived from Legumes towards Metabolic Syndrome.

Legumes have been widely consumed and used to isolate bioactive compounds, mainly proteins. The aim of this study was to review the beneficial actions of different legumes proteins and peptides updating the main findings that correlate legumes consumption and the effects on non-transmissible chronic diseases, specifically metabolic syndrome. An exhaustive revision of five relevant bioactivities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, hypocholesterolemic -all of them linked to metabolic syndrome- and antitumoral) of proteins and peptides from legumes focused on isolation and purification, enzymatic hydrolysis and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was carried out. The promising potential of bioactive hydrolysates and peptides from pulses has been demonstrated by in vitro tests. However, only a few studies validated these biological activities using animal models. No clinical trials have been carried out yet; so further research is required to elucidate their effective health implications.

Protein and Sport: Alternative Sources and Strategies for Bioactive and Sustainable Sports Nutrition.

Nutrition and sport play an important role in achieving a healthy lifestyle. In addition to the intake of nutrients derived from the normal diet, some sport disciplines require the consumption of supplements that contribute positively to improved athletic performance. Protein intake is important for many aspects related to health, and current evidence suggests that some athletes require increased amounts of this nutrient. On the other hand, society's demand for more environmentally friendly products, focus on the search for alternative food sources more sustainable. This review aims to summarize the latest research on novel strategies and sources for greener and functional supplementation in sport nutrition. Alternative protein sources such as insects, plants or mycoproteins have proven to be an interesting substrate due to their high added value in terms of bioactivity and sustainability. Protein hydrolysis has proven to be a very useful technology to revalue by-products, such as collagen, by producing bioactive peptides beneficial on athletes performance and sport-related complications. In addition, it has been observed that certain amino acids from plant sources, as citrulline or theanine, can have an ergogenic effect for this target population. Finally, the future perspectives of protein supplementation in sports nutrition are discussed. In summary, protein supplementation in sports nutrition is a very promising field of research, whose future perspective lies with the search for alternatives with greater bioactive potential and more sustainable than conventional sources.

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet, Alcohol Consumption and Emotional Eating in Spanish University Students.

(1) Introduction: The university period may increase the risk of different unhealthy habits, such as low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, high alcohol consumption and eating in response to specific emotions. The aim of this study was to detect early-risk alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence (ADS), the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and emotional eating in university students of the Madrid community. (2) Methods: For each individual, anthropometric parameters, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), AUDIT-Consumption (AUDIT-C), the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) were assessed. (3) Results: A total of 584 university students aged 20.5 (sex ratio = 0.39) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. In total, 63.6% of students showed low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, with no differences by sex (64.3% female versus 61.5% male, p = 0.19). According to the AUDIT questionnaire, 26.2% of participants were categorized as high-risk drinkers and 7.7% as ADS. About 38.6% of the students were categorized as eating very emotionally or eating emotionally, and 37.2% were categorized as low emotional eaters. A weak positive correlation was observed between the EEQ and BMI in female students (rho= 0.15, p = 0.03). (4) Conclusions: University students in our sample showed a low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, an important high-risk alcohol consumption and low emotional eating.

Influence of eating habits and alcohol consumption on the academic performance among a university population in the community of Madrid: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between dietary habits and alcohol consumption on academic performance among university students. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University located in Madrid, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: 56 university students of nursing (45 women and 11 men). The study complies with the Helsinki Declaration and was approved by the University Ethics Committee (36/2018). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Dietary intake and habits assessed with validated survey, alcohol consumption and academic performance. ANALYSIS: Chi-square test, Student's t-test, ANOVA analysis, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis analysis and Shapiro-Wilk test. RESULTS: The average daily energy intake of the students was 1918 ± 725 kcal and, on average, alcohol accounted for 6%. The increased energy contribution from alcohol was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI). Moreover, an inverse association was also found in alcohol intake according to Body Mass Index (BMI) (p < 0.02). Students with failing grades (53.6%) reported a higher daily alcohol intake than those who passed (42.2 %) (32 g/day versus 24 g/day) (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption is related to both poor academic performance as well as diminished quality of life. Thus, it is of vital importance to undertake awareness campaigns at various levels to dissuade alcohol consumption especially at early ages.

Pseudocereals: a novel source of biologically active peptides.

The interest in the research about underexploited foods has increased in the last two decades. Pseudocereals have been consumed by the ancient populations for hundreds of years. These plants that do not belong to the family of cereals, but that have properties and uses similar to them, stand out among underexploited foods. Some of the most representative species are quinoa, amaranth, chia and buckwheat. They do not contain gluten but high valued proteins and peptides can be obtained from them, as well as other nutritional and bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic and antihypertensive properties have been found and postulated for pseudocereals protein derived peptides. These interesting characteristics of pseudocereals are producing an increase of the relevance of these crops. The purpose of this work was to carry out an exhaustive revision of the scientific literature describing the biological activities of peptides and protein hydrolysates obtained from the most widely studied pseudocereals: quinoa, amaranth, chia and buckwheat.

Physical and Psychological Effects Related to Food Habits and Lifestyle Changes Derived from Covid-19 Home Confinement in the Spanish Population.

As a consequence of COVID-19, millions of households have suffered mobility restrictions and changes in their lifestyle over several months. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 home confinement on the food habits, lifestyle and emotional balance of the Spanish population. This cross-sectional study used data collected via an anonymous online questionnaire during the month before lockdown finished in Spain, with a total of 675 participants. 38.8% of the respondents experienced weight gain while 31.1% lost weight during confinement. The increase in body weight was positively correlated with age (Rs = 0.14, p < 0.05) and BMI (Rs = 0.20, p < 0.05). We also identified that 39.7% reported poorer quality sleep, positively correlated with BMI (Rs = -0.18, p < 0.05) and with age (Rs = -0.21, p < 0.05). 44.7% of the participants had not performed physical exercise during confinement with differences by sex (p < 0.05), by age (p < 0.05), by BMI (p < 0.05) and by sleep quality (p < 0.05). According to an emotional-eater questionnaire, 21.8% and 11% were classified as an emotional eater or a very emotional eater, respectively. We emphasize the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, as the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing.

Antioxidant, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Properties and Blood-Pressure-Lowering Effect of Rice Bran Protein Hydrolysates.

This research aimed to investigate the biological properties of different hydrolysates derived from industrial and laboratory defatted rice bran proteins. Industrial and laboratory defatted rice bran protein concentrates were hydrolyzed with alcalase or flavorzyme. The degree of hydrolysis (DH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), reducing power, total phenolic compounds (TPC), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, were determined in the hydrolysates and the molecular fractions lower than 3 kDa. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured using the tail-cuff method before and after oral administration of 80 mg/kg of different rice bran protein hydrolysate (RBPH) fractions lower than 3 kDa in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The highest values of in vitro antioxidant activity and TPC were observed in RBPH with alcalase defatted by industry (RBPH2A), and, in all cases, these bioactivities were higher in the molecular fractions lower than 3 kDa. Once again, fractions lower than 3 kDa obtained with alcalase showed a potent ACE inhibitory activity (RBPH1A<3 and RBPH2A<3). The administration of RBPH1A<3 caused a significant decrease in the SBP in SHR, where the maximum decrease was reached at 8 h after administration. SBP in WKY rats was not modified after the administration of RBPH1A<3. These results suggest that the rice bran protein hydrolysates obtained from industry after treatment with alcalase could be an interesting source of bioactive peptides, with potential action on hypertension and other related pathologies.

Egg white hydrolysates improve vascular damage in obese Zucker rats by its antioxidant properties.

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is related to increased risk of early death due to cardiovascular complications, among others. Dietary intervention has been suggested as the safest and most cost-effective alternative for treatment of those alterations in patients with MS. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different egg white hydrolysates (HEW1 and HEW2) in obese Zucker rats, focus on the development of cardiovascular complications. Blood pressure, heart rate, basal cardiac function and vascular reactivity in aorta and mesenteric resistance arteries were evaluated. Reactive oxygen species production by dihydroethidium-emitted fluorescence, NOX-1 mRNA levels by qRT-PCR, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity by fluorimetry and kidney histopathology were also analysed. Both hydrolysates improve the endothelial dysfunction occurring in resistance arteries. Additionally, HEW2 reduced vascular oxidative stress. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Egg white is a good source of bioactive peptides, some of them with high antioxidant activity. They may be used as functional foods ingredients and could serve as an alternative therapeutic option to decrease some Metabolic Syndrome-related complications. This study suggests that these hydrolysates could be an interesting non-pharmacological tool to control cardiovascular complications related to Metabolic Syndrome.

High Fat/High Glucose Diet Induces Metabolic Syndrome in an Experimental Rat Model.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a constellation of many metabolic disorders such as hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia and obesity, being this last disorder a key factor in the etiology of the syndrome. The widespread of MetS in actual society, mainly in developed countries, is becoming an important health problem and is increasing the need to develop new treatments against this pathology is increasing fast. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the MetS-associated alterations developed in a new glucose diet-induced-obesity (DIO) rodent model. These alterations were also compared to those alterations developed in a fructose-DIO rodent model. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control (C), High-fat (HF), High-fat/high-fructose (HFF) and High-fat/high-glucose (HFG). The animals were fed ad libitum for 20 weeks. At the end of the study, HFG animals showed lower expression of energy expenditure genes when compared to the other DIO groups. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as MDA and mitochondrial RT-qPCR analyses showed an increase of oxidative damage together with mitochondrial dysfunction in HFG group. This group also showed increased insulin and glucose plasma levels, though HFF animals showed the greatest increase on these parameters. All DIO groups showed increased plasma levels of triglycerides. Altogether, our results indicated a better impact of glucose than fructose, when combined with a high-fat diet, to induce most of the alterations associated with MetS in rats. In addition, our research facilitates a new animal model to evaluate future treatments for MetS.

Pepsin Egg White Hydrolysate Improves Glucose Metabolism Complications Related to Metabolic Syndrome in Zucker Fatty Rats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the administration of two egg white hydrolysates on glucose metabolism complications related to Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in Zucker fatty rats (ZFR). ZFR were given 750 mg/kg/day of egg white hydrolyzed with pepsin (HEW1) or with aminopeptidase (HEW2) for 12 weeks in their drinking water or just water. Zucker lean rats (ZLR), which received water, were used as a control. The presence of tactile allodynia, which is a sign of peripheral neuropathy, was assessed. Blood samples and pancreas were collected to determine the effect of the hydrolysates on glucose metabolism. The intake of HEW1 significantly lowered plasma insulin levels and improved the quantitative indexes of insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and pancreatic ß-cell functionality (HOMA-IR, HOMA-ß, and QUICKI, respectively), but non-significant changes were observed in group treated with HEW2. Compared to ZLR, ZFR showed tactile allodynia, but the consumption of both hydrolysates significantly increased mechanical sensitivity in ZFR. In conclusion, HEW1 pepsin could improve the glucose metabolism abnormalities associated with MS in obese Zucker rats.

Pepsin egg white hydrolysate modulates gut microbiota in Zucker obese rats.

There is limited information that relates the intake of food-derived bioactive peptides and the gut microbiota. We have previously described a pepsin hydrolysate of egg white (EWH) that ameliorates fat accumulation and dyslipidemia, while reducing oxidative stress and inflammation markers in obese Zucker rats. The aim of this study was to associate the beneficial effects of EWH with gut microbiota changes in these animals. Obese Zucker rats received daily 750 mg kg-1 EWH in drinking water for 12 weeks and faeces were analysed for microbial composition and metabolic compounds in comparison with Zucker lean rats and obese controls. EWH supplementation modulated the microbiological characteristics of the obese rats to values similar to those of the lean rats. Specifically, counts of total bacteria, Lactobacillus/Enterococcus and Clostridium leptum in EWH fed obese Zucker rats were more similar to the lean rats than to the obese controls. Besides, feeding the obese Zucker rats with EWH reduced (P < 0.05) the faecal concentration of lactic acid. The physiological benefits of EWH in the improvement of obesity associated complications of Zucker rats could be associated with a more lean-like gut microbiota and a tendency to diminish total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production and associated obesity complications. The results warrant the use of pepsin egg white hydrolysate as a bioactive food ingredient.

Randomized clinical trial on the efficacy of hesperidin 2S on validated cardiovascular biomarkers in healthy overweight individuals.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid with antioxidant and other biological properties, potentially exerts beneficial effects on endothelial function (EF). OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of hesperidin 2S supplementation on EF in overweight individuals. DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 68 individuals were randomly assigned to receive hesperidin 2S (450 mg/d) or a placebo for 6 wk. At baseline and after 6 wk of intervention, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were assessed. Acute, reversible ED was induced by intake of a high-fat meal (HFM). A second FMD scan was performed 2 h postprandially, and adhesion molecules were assessed 2 and 4 h postprandially. An additional exploratory analysis was performed in subjects with baseline FMD ≥3%. RESULTS: No significant change in fasting or postprandial FMD was observed after 6 wk of hesperidin intake compared with placebo intake. However, there was a trend for a reduction of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, sP-selectin, SBP, and DBP after 6 wk of hesperidin treatment. In the FMD ≥3% group, hesperidin protected individuals from postprandial ED (P = 0.050) and significantly downregulated sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 (all P ≤ 0.030). The results reported in the current article were not adjusted for multiplicity. CONCLUSIONS: Six weeks of consumption of hesperidin 2S did not improve basal or postprandial FMD in our total study population. There was a tendency toward a reduction of adhesion molecules and a decrease in SBP and DBP. Further exploratory analyses revealed that, in subjects with baseline FMD ≥3%, hesperidin 2S improved ED after an HFM and reduced adhesion molecules. These results indicate the cardiovascular health benefits of hesperidin 2S in overweight and obese individuals with a relatively healthy endothelium. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02228291.