Improving the Nutrient Quality of Foods and Beverages Using Product Specific Standards for Nutrients to Limit Will Substantially Reduce Mean Population Intakes of Energy, Sodium, Saturated Fat and Sugars towards WHO Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: International strategies to reduce chronic diseases have called for a reduction in the amounts of saturated fat (SAFA), trans fat (TFA), salt and sugars in the global food supply. This paper describes the development approach and potential impact of a set of standards for these nutrients to drive food (re)formulation. METHODS: To set the standards, WHO nutrient guidelines for daily intake were translated into product group specific standards. The impact of reformulation towards these standards on population nutrient intakes was modelled using the food consumption data of five countries: UK, France, US, Brazil and China. The impact of the TFA standards could not be modelled due to lack of data. RESULTS: (Re)formulation of foods and beverages towards these standards would substantially decrease mean population intakes of energy, sodium, SAFA and sugars, with reductions up to 30%. CONCLUSIONS: These science-based standards for nutrients to limit could drive impactful reductions in energy, sodium, SAFA and sugars in food and beverage products, enabling mean population intakes to move closer to WHO nutrient guidelines.

Sustained hunger suppression from stable liquid food foams.

OBJECTIVE: Simple aeration of food matrices with gas has previously been shown to generate immediate suppression of appetite, though duration of effects has not been shown. This research tested whether liquids aerated with nitrous oxide (N2 O) to achieve high in-body stability could produce enhanced and sustained effects on eating motivations. METHODS: In two randomized cross-over studies, appetite ratings were collected for 240 min. In Study 1, 24 volunteers consumed a full portion liquid (325 ml, 190 kcal) or aerated (1,000 ml, 190 kcal) drink at 0 min, or half portions of liquid (162 ml, 95 kcal) or aerated (500 ml, 95 kcal) drink at 0 and 120 min. In Study 2, assessing the effect of N2 O itself, 23 volunteers consumed water saturated with N2 O or with CO2 10 min after a mini-drink (180 kcal). Appetite was quantified by area-under-the curve (AUC) and time-to-return-to-baseline (TTRTB). RESULTS: Full- and half-size aerated drinks decreased hunger AUC over 4 h by 26 and 50% (P < 0.0001) versus the respective liquid versions. Effects were also sustained significantly longer (TTRTB from 203 to 335 and from 173 to 286 min, respectively). In Study 2, N2 O and CO2 had similar effects on appetite ratings. CONCLUSIONS: Aeration of foods using appropriate microstructural design has a powerful effect on eating motivations.

A quantitative method for estimating and comparing the duration of human satiety responses: statistical modeling and application to liquid meal replacers.

Current methods of analyzing appetite-related self-report data do not allow for representation or statistical comparison of results in terms of common units or response durations. Using data from 13 previous studies, we assessed the suitability of several alternative approaches (interpolation, linear regression, non-linear models) for quantitatively estimating and comparing time to return to baseline pre-prandial levels (TTRTB, min). Curve modeling using the Weibull distribution gave the best fit and ability to determine mean TTRTB values with 95% confidence intervals. We then applied this in a study comparing liquid meal replacers (MR, 190 kcal) to 3 'meals' of similar weight and equal or greater energy content (yogurt, 190 kcal; bagel with cream cheese and juice, 400 kcal; hamburger with bun and soft drink, 400 kcal). While area under the curve data did not significantly differ amongst these, TTRTB was significantly longer for MR than yogurt. When corrected for energy content, TTRTB (min/kcal) was greater for MR than all other treatments. While further method development and validation are needed, the Weibull modeling procedure appears most suitable for estimating and quantitatively comparing durations of appetite-related responses to foods, providing an absolute response measure that can be expressed in commonly understood units.

Effects of catechin enriched green tea on body composition.

Obesity is a major health problem in the developed and developing world. Many "functional" foods and ingredients are advocated for their effects on body composition but few have consistent scientific support for their efficacy. However, an increasing amount of mechanistic and clinical evidence is building for green tea (GT). This experiment was therefore undertaken to study the effects of a high-catechin GT on body composition in a moderately overweight Chinese population. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, 182 moderately overweight Chinese subjects, consumed either two servings of a control drink (C; 30 mg catechins, 10 mg caffeine/day), one serving of the control drink and one serving of an extra high-catechin GT1 (458 mg catechins, 104 mg caffeine/day), two servings of a high-catechin GT2 (468 mg catechins, 126 mg caffeine/day) or two servings of the extra high-catechin GT3 (886 mg catechins, 198 mg caffeine/day) for 90 days. Data were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days. We observed a decrease in estimated intra-abdominal fat (IAF) area of 5.6 cm(2) in the GT3 group. In addition, we found decreases of 1.9 cm in waist circumference and 1.2 kg body weight in the GT3 group vs. C (P < 0.05). We also observed reductions in total body fat (GT2, 0.7 kg, P < 0.05) and body fat % (GT1, 0.6%, P < 0.05). We conclude that consumption of two servings of an extra high-catechin GT leads to improvements in body composition and reduces abdominal fatness in moderately overweight Chinese subjects.

Effect of moderate intakes of different tea catechins and caffeine on acute measures of energy metabolism under sedentary conditions.

Green tea may stimulate energy metabolism; however, it is unclear if acute effects are caused by specific catechins, caffeine or their combination. The objective of the present study was to examine the separate and combined effects of different catechins and caffeine on energy expenditure (EE) and fat oxidation over a single day. Fifteen healthy, normal-weight males received capsules containing placebo, caffeine alone (150 mg), or caffeine plus a catechin mixture (600 mg) enriched in either epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin or a mix of catechins, in a randomised cross-over double-blinded design. On each test day EE, respiratory quotient (RQ) and substrate oxidation were measured under sedentary conditions in a respiratory chamber for 13.5 h. We found no significant treatment effect on EE (P = 0.20) or RQ (P = 0.68). EGCG with caffeine insignificantly raised EE and fat oxidation v. caffeine-only and placebo (EE 5.71 (SE 0.12) v. 5.68 (SE 0.14) v. 5.59 (SE 0.13) MJ/12.5 h, respectively; fat oxidation 84.8 (SE 5.2) v. 80.7 (SE 4.7) v. 76.8 (SE 4.0) g/12.5 h). Catechin/caffeine combinations at these dosages and mode of application had non-significant acute effects on EE and fat oxidation. The maximum observed effect on EE of about 2 % could still be meaningful for energy balance over much longer period of exposure. However, higher short-term effects reported in the literature may reflect variations in green tea extracts, added caffeine, or synergies with physical activity. The specific mechanisms and conditions that may underpin observed longer-term benefits of catechin-enriched green tea consumption on body composition remain to be confirmed.

Effects of (-)-hydroxycitrate on net fat synthesis as de novo lipogenesis.

(-)-Hydroxycitrate (HCA) might promote weight maintenance by limiting the capacity for de novo lipogenesis (DNL). It was investigated whether HCA may reduce DNL in humans during a persistent excess of energy intake as carbohydrate. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized and cross-over design, 10 sedentary lean male subjects (mean+/-S.D., age: 24+/-5 years, BMI: 21.8+/-2.1 kg/m2) performed a glycogen depletion exercise test followed by a 3-day high-fat diet (F/CHO/P, 60/25/15% energy; 100% of energy expenditure (EE)) and a 7-day high-CHO diet (F/CHO/P, <5/>85/10% energy; 130-175% of EE; overfeeding). During overfeeding, they ingested 3 x 500 mg/day HCA or placebo (PLA). Each intervention ended with a 60-h stay in the respiration chamber (days 9 and 10). Body weight increased during overfeeding (mean+/-S.E., HCA: 2.9+/-0.2 kg, PLA: 2.8+/-0.2 kg). Respiratory quotient (RQ) was >1.00 in all subjects indicating that DNL was present. On day 9, 24-h EE was lower with HCA compared to PLA (P < 0.05). On day 10, resting metabolic rate and RQ during night were lower (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Non-protein RQ, fat balance and net fat synthesis as DNL tended to be lower (P < 0.1) with HCA compared to PLA indicating lower DNL; activity-induced EE was higher with HCA (P < 0.05) indicating the urge to eliminate the excess of energy ingested. We conclude that an experimental condition resulting in DNL in humans was created and that treatment with HCA during overfeeding with carbohydrates may reduce DNL.

Effect of green tea on resting energy expenditure and substrate oxidation during weight loss in overweight females.

We assessed the effect of ingestion of green tea (GT) extract along with a low-energy diet (LED) on resting energy expenditure (REE), substrate oxidation and body weight as GT has been shown to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation in the short term in both animals and people. Forty-six overweight women (BMI 27.6 (sd 1.8) kg/m2) were fed in energy balance from day 1 to day 3, followed by a LED with GT (1125 mg tea catechins +225 mg caffeine/d) or placebo (PLAC) from day 4 to day 87. Caffeine intake was standardised to 300 mg/d. Energy expenditure was measured on days 4 and 32. Reductions in weight (4.19 (sd 2.0) kg PLAC, 4.21 (sd 2.7) kg GT), BMI, waist:hip ratio, fat mass and fat-free mass were not statistically different between treatments. REE as a function of fat-free mass and fat mass was significantly reduced over 32 d in the PLAC group (P<0.05) but not in the GT group. Dietary restraint increased over time (P<0.001) in both groups, whereas disinhibition and general hunger decreased (P<0.05). The GT group became more hungry over time and less thirsty, and showed increased prospective food consumption compared with PLAC (P<0.05). Taken together, the ingestion of GT along with a LED had no additional benefit for any measures of body weight or body composition. Although the decrease in REE as a function of fat-free mass and fat mass was not significant with GT treatment, whereas it was with PLAC treatment, no significant effect of treatment over time was seen, suggesting that a robust limitation of REE reduction during a LED was not achieved by GT.

Body weight loss and weight maintenance in relation to habitual caffeine intake and green tea supplementation.

OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the effect of a green tea-caffeine mixture on weight maintenance after body weight loss in moderately obese subjects in relation to habitual caffeine intake. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A randomized placebo-controlled double blind parallel trial in 76 overweight and moderately obese subjects, (BMI, 27.5 +/- 2.7 kg/m2) matched for sex, age, BMI, height, body mass, and habitual caffeine intake was conducted. A very low energy diet intervention during 4 weeks was followed by 3 months of weight maintenance (WM); during the WM period, the subjects received a green tea-caffeine mixture (270 mg epigallocatechin gallate + 150 mg caffeine per day) or placebo. RESULTS: Subjects lost 5.9 +/-1.8 (SD) kg (7.0 +/- 2.1%) of body weight (p < 0.001). At baseline, satiety was positively, and in women, leptin was inversely, related to subjects' habitual caffeine consumption (p < 0.01). High caffeine consumers reduced weight, fat mass, and waist circumference more than low caffeine consumers; resting energy expenditure was reduced less and respiratory quotient was reduced more during weight loss (p < 0.01). In the low caffeine consumers, during WM, green tea still reduced body weight, waist, respiratory quotient and body fat, whereas resting energy expenditure was increased compared with a restoration of these variables with placebo (p < 0.01). In the high caffeine consumers, no effects of the green tea-caffeine mixture were observed during WM. DISCUSSION: High caffeine intake was associated with weight loss through thermogenesis and fat oxidation and with suppressed leptin in women. In habitual low caffeine consumers, the green tea-caffeine mixture improved WM, partly through thermogenesis and fat oxidation.

Additional protein intake limits weight regain after weight loss in humans.

Since long-term weight maintenance (WM) is a major problem, interventions to improve WM are needed. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the addition of protein to the diet might limit weight regain after a weight loss of 5-10 % in overweight subjects. In a randomised parallel study design, 113 overweight subjects (BMI 29.3 (SD 2.5) kg/m2); age 45.1 (SD 10.4) years) followed a very-low-energy diet for 4 weeks, after which there was a 6-month period of WM. During WM, subjects were randomised into either a protein group or a control group. The protein group received 30 g/d protein in addition to their own usual diet. During the very-low-energy diet, no differences were observed between the groups. During WM, the protein group showed a higher protein intake (18 % v. 15 %; P<0.05), a lower weight regain (0.8 v. 3.0 kg; P<0.05), a decreased waist circumference (-1.2 (SD 0.7) v. 0.5 (SD 0.5 ) cm; P<0.05) and a smaller increase in respiratory quotient (0.03 (SD 0.01) v. 0.07 0.01; (SD/)P <0.05) compared with the control group. Weight regain in the protein group consisted of only fat-free mass, whereas the control group gained fat mass as well. Satiety in the fasted state before breakfast increased significantly more in the protein group than in the control group. After 6 months follow-up, body weight showed a significant group x time interaction. A protein intake of 18 % compared with 15 % resulted in improved WM in overweight subjects after a weight loss of 7.5 %. This improved WM implied several factors, i.e. improved body composition, fat distribution, substrate oxidation and satiety.

Effects of green tea on weight maintenance after body-weight loss.

The present study was conducted to investigate whether green tea may improve weight maintenance by preventing or limiting weight regain after weight loss of 5 to 10 % in overweight and moderately obese subjects. The study had a randomised, parallel, placebo-controlled design. A total of 104 overweight and moderately obese male and female subjects (age 18-60 years; BMI 25-35 kg/m(2)) participated. The study consisted of a very-low-energy diet intervention (VLED; 2.1 MJ/d) of 4 weeks followed by a weight-maintenance period of 13 weeks in which the subjects received green tea or placebo. The green tea contained caffeine (104 mg/d) and catechins (573 mg/d, of which 323 mg was epigallocatechin gallate). Subjects lost 6.4 (sd 1.9) kg or 7.5 (sd 2.2) % of their original body weight during the VLED (P<0.001). Body-weight regain was not significantly different between the green tea and the placebo group (30.5 (sd 61.8) % and 19.7 (sd 56.9) %, respectively). In the green tea treatment, habitual high caffeine consumption was associated with a higher weight regain compared with habitual low caffeine consumption (39 (sd 17) and 16 (sd 11) %, respectively; P<0.05). We conclude that weight maintenance after 7.5 % body-weight loss was not affected by green tea treatment and that habitual caffeine consumption affected weight maintenance in the green tea treatment.

Effect of capsaicin on substrate oxidation and weight maintenance after modest body-weight loss in human subjects.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether capsaicin assists weight maintenance by limiting weight regain after weight loss of 5 to 10 %. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, ninety-one moderately overweight subjects were randomly assigned to an intensive group that underwent all the measurements, and an extensive group that underwent the same measurements except the metabolism measurements. After a 4-week very-low-energy diet (VLED) intervention, a 3-month weight-maintenance period followed. During weight maintenance, subjects were divided into a capsaicin (135 mg capsaicin/d) and a placebo group. Body mass was measured before and after the VLED and after 1, 2 and 3 months of weight maintenance. The mean body-mass loss during the VLED was 6.6 (SD 2.0) kg (7.8 (SD 1.8) % initial body mass), and was not different between the subsequent treatment and placebo group. During weight maintenance, mean % regain during treatment was not significantly different compared with placebo (33.3 (SD 35.7) v. 19.2 (SD 41.8) %, P=0.09). RQ was significantly less increased during weight maintenance in the treatment group compared with placebo (0.04 (SD 0.06) v. 0.07 (SD 0.05), P<0.05), indicating a relatively more sustained fat oxidation. Fat oxidation (g/h) after weight maintenance was higher in the capsaicin group compared with placebo (4.2 (SD 1.1) v. 3.5 (SD 0.9), P<0.05). These results indicate that capsaicin treatment caused sustained fat oxidation during weight maintenance compared with placebo. However, capsaicin treatment has no limiting effect on 3-month weight regain after modest weight loss.

The effects of enterostatin intake on food intake and energy expenditure.

Enterostatin (ENT) has been found to inhibit food intake and selectively inhibit fat intake in rats. Both peripheral and central mechanisms have been proposed. It also has been suggested that ENT may increase thermogenesis. The present study investigated the effects of oral ENT administration on food intake, energy expenditure and body weight in subjects with a preference for a high-fat diet. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized and crossover design, nine female and three male healthy subjects (age 34 (sd 11) years, BMI 24.5 (sd 2.5) kg/m(2)) with a preference for a high-fat diet ingested ENT (3 x 15 mg/d) or placebo (PLA) while consuming a high-fat diet ad libitum for 4 d. Eight subjects ended each intervention with a 36 h stay in the respiration chamber, continuing the diet and treatment. Body-weight loss was significant (ENT 0.8 (se 0.3) kg, P<0.05; PLA 1.3 (se 0.3) kg, P<0.001), but not different between treatments. There was no difference between treatments in total energy intake (ENT 37.1 (se 2.6), PLA 35.9 (se 3.2) MJ), macronutrient composition, hunger, satiety and hedonic scores during the 4 d high-fat diet. Energy expenditure (24 h) (ENT 9.6 (se 0.4), PLA 9.5 (se 0.4) MJ), sleeping and resting metabolic rate, diet-induced thermogenesis, activity-induced energy expenditure and 24 h RQ (ENT 0.77 (se 0.01), PLA 0.77 (se 0.01)) were similar for both treatments. We conclude that oral ENT administration did not affect food intake, energy expenditure or body weight in subjects with a preference for a high-fat diet experiencing a negative energy and fat balance.

Effect of high and low rates of fluid intake on post-exercise rehydration.

The effect of a high (H) and a low (L) rate of post-exercise fluid consumption on plasma volume and fluid balance restoration was investigated. Eight well-trained cyclists were dehydrated at 3% of body weight (BW) by cycling at 28 degrees C. During the recovery period, they ingested a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution in a volume equivalent to 120% of BW loss. Randomly, they ingested 60%, 40%, and 20% in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd hours of the recovery period, respectively (H), or 24% x h(-1) during 5 hours (L). BW loss was similar for both trials and resulted in a total drink intake of 2.6 +/- 0.1 kg. Urine output in H exceeded significantly that of L in the 2nd and 3rd hours. This was reversed in the 5th and 6th hours. Plasma volume and fluid balance increased more rapidly in H compared to L. After 6 hours this difference disappeared. It is concluded that H results in a faster rate of plasma volume and fluid balance restoration compared to L, despite a temporary large urine output.

Associations between spontaneous meal initiations and blood glucose dynamics in overweight men in negative energy balance.

The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between spontaneous meal initiations and blood glucose dynamics in overweight male subjects in negative energy balance. In a randomized crossover design, fifteen overweight male subjects (BMI 28.6 (SD 1.8 kg/m2) participated in three treatments, each of which consisted of 2 weeks consuming a low-energy diet followed by a test of voluntary food ingestion in the absence of time-related cues. The low-energy diet consisted of three daily meals (947 kJ) which were either semi-solid with or without 2.5 g guar gum, or solid, and a dinner of subject's own choice. During the time-blinded test, on the first, second, and third meal initiation subjects ingested a low-energy meal corresponding to that used during the preceding weeks. Changes in blood glucose were monitored on-line. Associations between spontaneous meal initiations and blood glucose dynamics were determined using the chi2 test. No difference was found between treatments in the occurrence of postabsorptive and postprandial declines in blood glucose or in associations between meal initiations and blood glucose dynamics. Postprandial dynamic blood glucose declines were associated with meal initiation (chi2 26 8, P<0.00 1), but postabsorptive and postprandial transient declines were not. In overweight subjects, the usual association between transient declines and spontaneous meal initiation was completely absent in negative energy balance.