Consumo de alimentos altamente procesados y de alta palatabilidad y su relación con el sobrepeso y la obesidad / Ultra-processed and highly palatable foods on the development of obesity

Resumen Introducción: la obesidad es un rasgo multifactorial determinado por la interacción de factores biológicos, ambientales, psicosociales y político-socioeconómicos. Propósito: el objetivo de esta revisión descriptiva-exploratoria es discutir el papel del consumo de alimentos altamente procesados y de alta palatabilidad (APAP) en la epidemia de la obesidad, así como presentar algunas propuestas para disminuir su ingesta. Argumentos para la discusión: los APAP se caracterizan por ser energéticamente densos, ricos en grasas y azúcares. En su formulación se utiliza una gran cantidad de aditivos industriales para potenciar su sabor, vida útil y la estabilidad de sus componentes. Suelen contener sustancias químicas conocidas como disruptores endocrinos (EDC) que se transfieren de los empaques al alimento, como el bisfenol A y los ftalatos, y afectan distintas vías de señalización hormonal, promoviendo alteraciones en el metabolismo del tejido adiposo y otros sistemas endocrinos. El sobreconsumo de APAP induce a cambios neuroplásticos en el sistema de recompensa y esto aumenta, a la vez, el número de porciones, con la subsecuente acumulación de grasa corporal; además, dicho abuso causa desbalances en la composición del microbioma intestinal (disbiosis) asociados al desarrollo de obesidad. Conclusiones: el sobreconsumo de APAP incrementa el riesgo de obesidad y enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, máxime si se inicia a edades tempranas. Para contrarrestar esta problemática, se plantea cambiar la estructura de la canasta básica, regular la venta dentro y alrededor de centros educativos, crear mayores impuestos y fortalecer la investigación en obesidad, APAP y EDC.

Abstract Introduction. Obesity is a multifactorial trait provoked by the interaction of biological, environmental, psychosocial, and socioeconomic factors. Proposal: The goal of the present review is to discuss the role of ultra-processed and highly palatable foods (UPHP) in the development of the obesity epidemic through an exploratory-descriptive review and to present some suggestions for controlling its consumption. Arguments for discussion: UPHP are energy dense foods with high contents of fat and sugar. UPHP are formulated with many industrial additives used for enhancing flavor, shelf life, and the stability of their components. UPHP used to contain diverse chemicals known as endocrine disruptors (EDC), which are transferred from packaging to foods, with bisphenol A and phthalates as the most common EDC. The EDC disrupt different hormonal signaling pathways affecting the metabolism of the adipose tissue and other endocrine systems. The overconsumption of UPHP induces neuroplastic changes in the brain reward system that increases their consumption, leading to body fat accumulation. In addition, the overconsumption of UPHP alters the composition of the intestinal microbiome (dysbiosis), which is associated with the development of obesity. Conclusions: The overconsumption of UPHP increases the risk of obesity and its related chronic, non-communicable diseases, especially when consumption initiates during early life. To counteract this problem, we proposed the following actions: changing the structure of the market-food basket, incorporating regulations to reduce the UPHP supply in and around educational centers, creating new taxes upon UPHP, and strengthening the research regarding obesity, and the effects of UPHP and EDC.

Consumo de plantas ornamentales como suplemento de la dieta del mono araña (Ateles fusciceps robustus) / Consumption of Ornamental Plants as a Supplement to the Spider Monkey Diet (Ateles fusciceps robustus)

Resumen El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la palatabilidad de Monstera deliciosa Liebm, Eugenia myrtifolia sims y Justicia carnea lindl en programas de alimentación de mono araña de cabeza negra (Ateles fusciceps robustus). Esta investigación se desarrolló en la Fundación Zoológico Santacruz, localizada en el San Antonio del Tequendama (Colombia). Se utilizaron ocho animales adultos en cautiverio, los cuales tuvieron una ración complementaria. Asimismo, se ofreció forraje producido en el centro de conservación con 60 días de rebrote. Además, se determinó el consumo de forraje verde y materia seca de la planta completa y de cada fracción (hojas y tallos); y se evaluó la relación hoja: tallo y la calidad nutricional de la planta completa y de cada fracción. En el proceso, se empleó un diseño dado completamente al azar y de estadística descriptiva; para ello, se utilizó el programa Infostat®. Se presentaron diferencias entre especies en el consumo de forraje verde y materia seca de la planta completa (p = 0,0001, p < 0,0001, respectivamente) y de las fracciones hoja (p = 0,0002, p = 0,0001, respectivamente) y tallo (p < 0,0001, p < 0,0001, respectivamente). Como resultado, las especies presentaron buena calidad nutricional, siendo mayor en J. carnea, seguida de M. deliciosa y E. myrtifolia y se notó una relación positiva hoja: tallo, aunque se presentaron diferencias (p < 0,0001) entre las especies. Las especies evaluadas presentan potencial para ser utilizadas en los centros de conservación en cautiverio en planes de alimentación para Ateles fusciceps robustus.

Abstract This article aims to determine the palatability of Monstera deliciosa Liebm, Eugenia myrtifolia sims and Justicia carnea lindl in marimonda (Ateles fusciceps robustus) feeding programs. This research was developed at the Santacruz Zoo Foundation, located in San Antonio del Tequendama (Colombia). In the study, eight adult animals in captivity were used, which had a complementary ration. Likewise, forage produced in the conservation center was offered with 60 days of regrowth, the consumption of green forage and dry matter of the complete plant and of each fraction (leaves and stems) was determined. Also, the leaf: stem ratio and the nutritional quality of the complete plant and of each fraction were evaluated. It is worth to mention, a design was used for completely randomized and descriptive statistics, and the Infostat® program was used. There were differences between species in the consumption of green forage and dry matter of the whole plant (p = 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively) and of the leaf fractions (p = 0.0002, p = 0.0001, respectively) and stem (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). In the explored case, the species presented good nutritional quality, being higher in J. carnea, followed by M. delicious and E. myrtifolia and positive leaf: stem ratio were apparent, although there were differences (p < 0.0001) between species. The evaluated species have the potential to be used in captive conservation centers as feeding plans for Ateles fusciceps robustus.

Positive improvement in palatability of metabolic formula with the use of miraculin protein in patients with inborn errors of metabolism and healthy adults / Cambio positivo en la palatabilidad de la fórmula metabólica con el uso de la proteína miraculina en pacientes con errores innatos del metabolismo y adultos sanos

ABSTRACT As palatability of medical formulas has been documented as unpleasant, new options are required to improve acceptance and adherence in people with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM). Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) has a glycoprotein named miraculin that transforms a sour, bitter taste such as the one found in metabolic formula, into a sweet perception. The objective of this work is to analyze the response in the taste perception of metabolic formula with the use of the miraculin tablets in patients with IEM and healthy adults. To test this hypothesis a prospective, longitudinal, quasi-experimental, analytical study was performed. Patients with IEM and healthy adults were recruited. All participants assessed 3 different liquids (lemon, apple cider vinegar and metabolic formula) before and after the administration of miraculin tablets and completed a questionnaire. The sensory responses were evaluated using hedonic scales, analyzed with nonparametric tests for paired data. Seven patients with IEM and 14 healthy subjects were included. After miraculin intake 57% of patients (Z ≤ -1.89 p= 0.059) and healthy adults (Z≤ -2.31 p= 0.021) had a positive change in their taste perception. The absolute frequency of patients who did not like the metabolic formula decreased from 4 to 1, and in patients who liked it or loved, it increased from 0 to 2 and from 0 to 1 respectively; the frequency of patients who perceived the metabolic formula as indifferent or hated it, did not change. Response in taste perception had a positive change of 57% in both groups. The use of miraculin tablets may improve palatability of metabolic formula.

RESUMEN La palatabilidad de las fórmulas médicas se ha reportado como desagradable, se requieren nuevas opciones para mejorar la aceptación en personas con errores innatos del metabolismo (EIM). La fruta milagrosa (Synsepalum dulcificum) contiene una glucoproteína llamada miraculina que transforma el sabor agrio y amargo en dulce. El objetivo fue analizar la respuesta en la percepción del sabor de la fórmula metabólica con el uso de las tabletas de miraculina en pacientes con EIM y adultos sanos. Se realizó un estudio analítico prospectivo, longitudinal, cuasi-experimental. Los participantes evaluaron la percepción de 3 líquidos (limón, vinagre de manzana y fórmula metabólica) antes y después de la administración de tabletas de miraculina y completaron un cuestionario. Las respuestas sensoriales se evaluaron mediante escalas hedónicas, analizadas con pruebas no paramétricas para datos pareados. Se incluyeron 7 pacientes con EIM y 14 adultos sanos. Después de la miraculina el 57% de los pacientes (Z ≤ -1,89 p= 0,059) y adultos sanos (Z≤ -2,31 p= 0,021) tuvieron un cambio positivo en su percepción del sabor. La frecuencia absoluta de pacientes a los que no les gustó la fórmula disminuyó de 4 a 1, y en quienes les gustó o les encantó, aumentó de 0 a 2 y de 0 a 1 respectivamente; la frecuencia de los pacientes que percibieron la fórmula como indiferente u odiada, no cambió. La respuesta en la percepción del sabor cambió positivamente en el 57% en ambos grupos. El uso de miraculina puede mejorar la palatabilidad de la fórmula metabólica.

Multisensory influence on eating behavior: Hedonic consumption. / Influencia multisensorial sobre la conducta alimentaria: ingesta hedónica.

Research in obesity has traditionally focused on prevention strategies and treatments aimed at changing lifestyle habits. However, recent research suggests that eating behavior is a habit regulated not only by homeostatic mechanisms, but also by the hedonic pathway that controls appetite and satiety processes. Cognitive, emotional, social, economic, and cultural factors, as well as organoleptic properties of food, are basic aspects to consider in order to understand eating behavior and its impact on health. This review presents a multisensory integrative view of food at both the homeostatic and non-homeostatic levels. This information will be of scientific interest to determine behavior drivers leading to overeating and, thus, to propose effective measures, at both the individual and population levels, for the prevention of obesity and associated metabolic diseases.