Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) infusions have been shown to reduce plasma glucose in animals and serum lipids in humans. However, the effects of regularly consuming yerba mate on glucose metabolism in humans has been less studied. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of regularly consuming yerba mate on diabetes related biomarkers in healthy and moderately hypercholesterolemic people.

A randomized, crossover, controlled study was carried out in normocholesterolemic (NC, n = 25) and hypercholesterolemic (HC, n = 27), non-smoker and non-vegetarian, men and women, with BMI 18–25 kg/m2. After a run-in stage, the effects of consuming three servings/day of yerba mate in boiled water during 8 weeks (mate stage) were compared with an isotonic drink during the same time (control stage). Along the study, polyphenol rich foods were restricted. At the beginning and the end of each intervention, urine and blood samples were collected. Dietary records and physical activity questionnaires were completed in each stage. Glucose was analyzed using a colorimetric kit (Sprinreact), and insulin, glucagon, C-peptide, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), resistin and visfatin were analyzed using Bio-Rad Multiplex Diabetes kits on Bio-Plex MAGPIX system. Results were statistically studied using a mix model with repeated measures and a Bonferroni test within each group (SPSS 23.0).

Nutrient intake and physical activitiy did not show changes along the study. In contrast, fasting levels of glucose, insulin, glucagon, and GLP-1 significantly decreased after the mate stage, showing glucagon a significant yerba mate*group interaction. Attending to these results, it may be concluded that sustained consumption of yerba mate may prevent type 2 diabetes. These outcomes indicate that the effects of yerba mate in pre-diabetes and T2DM subjects are worth further studying.

Funded by the Spanish State Research Agency, projects AGL2010-18269 and AGL2015-69986-R

Literature regarding the health effect of coffee consumption was contradicting, whereby it was found to protect against type 2 diabetes while inducing acute glucose intolerance. Previous studies suggested that adding sugar and milk into coffee may alter the effect of its consumption on glucose metabolism, potentially explaining the contradiction, but this is seldom investigated. This study aimed at assessing the effect of adding milk and sugar into coffee on the postprandial glycemic metabolism after a subsequent, high glycemic index (GI) meal. A total of 11 apparently healthy adults were recruited for this randomized, cross-over acute feeding study. In each experimental session, overnight-fasted participants consumed one cup of the following drinks: espresso (35 ml), instant, boiled, and decaffeinated coffee (all 150 ml). Then they consumed a high GI meal and blood samples were collected every 15–30 minutes in the subsequent two hours. Each type of coffee was tested for 3 times, twice with 50 g low-fat milk and 7.5 g white sugar added (i.e. white coffee) and once without (i.e. black coffee). Postprandial levels of glucose, insulin, and active GLP-1, as well as the incremental area-under-curve (iAUC) of the biomarkers, were compared between black and white coffee, with baseline measurements as a covariate. Results showed that the peak glucose level after the meal was lower in white coffee sessions than black coffee sessions, regardless of coffee types. The difference was the greatest between black and white decaffeinated coffee (mean difference from baseline ± SEM, white coffee: 2.5 ± 0.2 mmol/L; black coffee: 3.3 ± 0.3 mmol/L, p = 0.019). The mean glucose iAUC of white coffee sessions was significantly smaller than black coffee sessions for all coffee types except for instant coffee (all p < 0.05). The peak insulin levels between black and white coffees were not significantly different, yet white decaffeinated coffee had a 35% smaller mean insulin iAUC than black decaffeinated coffee (p = 0.025). The active GLP-1 levels were not significantly different between black and white coffee sessions. These results showed that prior ingestion of coffee with milk and sugar added attenuated the glucose response after the subsequent meal, compared with drinking black coffee beforehand. Our results may provide an explanation for the conflicting literature regarding the protective effects of coffee consumption against type 2 diabetes.

Exercise has many health benefits for individuals with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), however it carries the risk of hypoglycaemia. Research has indicated that intermittent high intensity exercise reduces this risk compared to steady state exercise, potentially via a greater anaerobic component inducing increased lactate and catecholamine response.Six physically active males aged 23 ± 5 years, BMI 24.9 ± 1.8 kg•m-2, Vo2 max 47.9 ± 10.1 ml•kg-1•min-1 diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes for 9 ± 3 years and a HbA1c concentration of 8.6 ± 0.3% participated in a randomised counterbalanced trial. Participants exercised for 60 min on a cycle ergometer on two occasions separated by 7 days, which consisted of a moderate continuous steady state exercise session at 40% o2 max (CONT), or the same exercise intensity interspersed with 7 s high intensity sprints at 100% Vo2 max every 2 min (INT). Blood glucose concentration was assessed via capillary blood sampling every 10 min during exercise and at regular intervals in the 60 min post exercise (Accu-Chek Aviva, Roche, UK). Additional metabolic measures such as blood lactate concentration and carbohydrate oxidation rates were assessed during exercise. Participants ingested small quantities of a carbohydrate drink, if required, to avoid hypoglycaemia during exercise. Magnitude based inferences were used to compare the two exercise trials and Effect Sizes (ES) calculated using Cohen's d and results presented as mean ± SD.Average blood glucose concentration was lower on the INT trial compared to CONT during both the exercise phase (8.9 ± 1.7 mmol•l-1 vs 7.1 ± 1.1 mmol•l-1; ES 0.55) and the 60 min post-exercise recovery phase (8.1 ± 1.9 mmol•l-1 vs 7.0 ± 1.8 mmol•l-1; ES 0.56). Carbohydrate oxidation was greater on the INT trial compared to CONT (1.9 ± 1.4 g•min-1 vs 1.5 ± 0.6 g•min-1; ES 0.35). Capillary blood lactate concentration was markedly elevated on INT when compared to CONT (5.0 ± 1.4 mmol•l-1 vs 2.4 ± 1.1 mmol•l-1; ES 2.48). Carbohydrate ingestion during exercise was 13 ± 11 g and differed little between trials (ES 0.18).Despite greater anaerobic metabolic response, the addition of intermittent high intensity sprints to 60 min steady-state cycle exercise resulted in greater declines in blood glucose concentration during the exercise and post-exercise period, potentially by inhibition of the counter regulatory hormone response expected on the INT trial. These results would indicate that additional exogenous carbohydrate ingestion may be required for individuals with T1D when intermittent sprints are added to prolonged continuous exercise.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that includes dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and insulin resistance. MetS is more prevalent in postmenopausal women than in other population groups. Furthermore, postmenopausal women are also more prone to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between fatty acid (FA) status, dietary lipid indices, and noninvasive biomarkers of NAFLD in postmenopausal women with or without MetS.

One hundred and thirty-one postmenopausal women were included in the study. Dietary lipid indices (PUFA/MUFA and n-3/n-6 ratios) were calculated using the mean macronutrient intake, which was evaluated with dietary records. Selected biochemical biomarkers in the blood (e.g., lipid profile and enzymes related to liver function) were measured using the colorimetric method. FA concentrations in red blood cells (RBC) were analyzed using gas chromatography. Noninvasive biomarkers of NAFLD, such as fatty liver index (FLI) and hepatic steatosis index (HSI), were calculated.

The mean age of the study group was 61.48 ± 5.62, and the mean waist circumference was 96.27 ± 12.44 cm. Levels of n-3/n-6 intake exceeding the median were associated with higher levels of EPA, EPA/AA, DHA/AA, and EPA + DHA/AA and lower levels of n-6/n-3 in RBC (p < 0.05). Women with MetS had significantly higher n-6/n-3 levels in RBC and lower levels of EPA, total n-3, EPA/ALA, EPA/AA, DHA/AA, EPA + DHA/AA, PUFA/SFA, and PUFA/MUFA in RBC than women without MetS. Women with MetS had a higher FLI than women without MetS (p < 0.001), but there were no differences in the concentrations of enzymes related to liver function. Women with FLI and HSI values over the median and AST/ALT values below the median had lower concentrations of n-3, PUFA/SFA, and PUFA/MUFA in RBC and higher concentrations of n-6/n-3 in RBC (p < 0.05). Subjects with higher levels of n-3/n-6 and PUFA + MUFA/SFA in RBC had a lower concentration of GGTP, while those with higher levels of PUFA/SFA in RBC had lower FLI (p < 0.05).

MetS is associated with unfavorable FA status in postmenopausal women—specifically with lower levels of n-3, PUFA/SFA, and PUFA/MUFA. Moreover, concentrations of these FAs in RBC are associated with NAFLD biomarkers.

The project was financed by the National Science Centre award (decision number 2015/17/N/NZ9/04133).

Some species of gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from dietary fiber—mainly acetate, propionate, and butyrate. The composition of human gut microbiota is dependent on dietary intake and health status. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of diet and anthropometric parameters on the potential of gut microbiota to metabolize dietary fiber and produce SCFA.

A group of 200 men and women aged 31 to 50 years old participated in the study. The diet was assessed using three-day dietary records and the dietary pattern was determined using score methods. The potential to utilize water-insoluble fiber was assessed by measuring the β-glucosidase enzymatic activity of dissolved feces. To estimate the potential to metabolize water-soluble dietary fiber, cultures containing feces and pectin were incubated under anaerobic conditions for 24 hours. The amounts of fiber, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid before and after incubation were measured.

Pectin utilization correlated positively with the amount of energy intake from fat (r = 0.19) and with the intake of nuts and seeds (r = 0.17) and was negatively correlated with the amount of energy from complex carbohydrates (r = -0.16) and its sources, such as refined grain products (r = -0.15). The dietary pattern did not affect the potential of the gut microbiota to metabolize pectin, but did influence the potential to digest insoluble dietary fiber, as the subjects following the western dietary pattern had lower potential than those following the rational pattern. β-glucosidase activity correlated positively with the intake of dietary fiber (r = 0.19) and intake of its sources, such as fruits (r = 0.18), vegetables (r = 0.21), and nuts and seeds (r = 0.18); it correlated negatively with nonalcoholic beverage intake (r = -0.15) and sugar and honey intake (r = -0.16). The potential to synthesize acetic acid correlated negatively with dietary indices and dietary fiber intake (r = -0.18). The potential to synthesize propionic acid correlated negatively with hip and waist circumference (r = -0.14, -0.15, respectively). The potentials to synthesize both propionic and butyric acid were affected by the intake of nuts and seeds (r = 0.18, 0.21, respectively).

Diet affects the potential of gut microbiota to utilize dietary fiber and to produce SCFAs. The impact of anthropometry parameters was only seen on the potential to synthesize propionic acid.

Anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil are partly attributed to the inhibition of the Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF), a potent inflammatory mediator that is implicated in the initiation and prolongation of atherosclerosis. PAF inhibitors also exist in an extract from olive pomace that inhibits development and regression of atherosclerotic plaques in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. On the other hand, fish consumption is recommended for prevention of cardiovascular diseases, leading to a constantly increasing demand for fish supply, which is further enhanced by the rising consumers’ awareness. As a result a significant growth of aquaculture worldwide has been occurred, which among others strives for improving the nutritional value of the produced fish. Important breakthroughs have occurred in the replacement of fish oil, traditionally used, by plant oils in compounded fish feeds contributing to more nutritious fish products. Under this perspective, present work aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective properties of a novel seabream fed with olive pomace extract.

In this crossover study, thirty apparently healthy, men and women were randomly assigned in two diet sequences for 8-week duration (6-week washout period between them), consuming either normal or enriched with olive pomace fish, twice a week. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of Harokopio University. Dietary intake was assessed with a validated for the Greek population semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Lifestyle parameters, biochemical factors, P-selectin and Plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were determined. In addition, ex-vivo platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma against PAF, ADP and thrombin were measured and the results expressed as EC50 values (the concentration of the agonist that cause 50% of maximum aggregation). Also, PAF key metabolic enzymes activities, responsible for PAF levels, were determined.

Concerning dietary habits and biochemical markers only total cholesterol revealed a small increase, within the normal range, after enriched fish consumption, compared to baseline levels. Both fishes resulted in higher EC50 (lower platelet sensitivity) values only against PAF without being differentiated (ptime = 0.02, ptrial = 0.9), while PAI-1 levels were only increased after normal fish consumption (p0–8 weeks = 0.01). The ratio of Lipoprotein-Associated-Phospholipase A2 (catabolic enzyme of PAF) to LDL and PAF-CDP-choline:cholinephosphotransferase (biosynthetic enzyme of PAF) were decreased after the enriched (p0–8 weeks = 0.003) and the normal (p0–8 weeks = 0.01) fish consumption, respectively.

Seabream fed with olive pomace seems to exhibit cardioprotective properties by decreasing platelet sensitivity against PAF and modulate PAF metabolism.

This research has been co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund of the EU and Greek national funds (project code:T1EDK-00687).

Cognitive performance is related to lipid and glucose metabolism and metabolic activation that are regulated by diet. Further, there is good evidence to support that change in lifestyle, for instance in diet, may promote cognitive health. However, vast majority of the existing studies have focused on children or older adults. We studied the effects of a brain-friendly diet (Brainfood) on metabolic and physiological parameters and cognitive performance in office workers at assumed metabolic risk. We conducted a diet-switch, 4-week intervention study on 84 volunteers with elevated plasma LDL levels in pre-screening. The brainfood diet was planned to be optimal for metabolism and cognitive function; special attention was paid for regular meal frequency, a well-balanced light lunch at work and optimised recipes ensuring quality of carbohydrates and fat, and sufficient protein amount. The control diet was a typical western diet. Breakfast supplies, lunch and afternoon snacks were provided to participants, and they received nutritional counselling. Participants' sociodemographic characteristics, such as age and sex, were queried in the beginning of the intervention. Plasma samples were collected at the end of the 2-week lead-in period, and control and intervention periods. The samples were analysed using high-throughput nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry for quantification of lipoprotein subclasses and particle sizes, cholesterol, glycerides, phospholipids, apolipoproteins, fatty acids, amino acids, ketone bodies, fluid balance, glycolysis and inflammation markers. Participants completed a 3-day food diary at the end of the 2-week lead-in period, and control and intervention periods. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were measured at the same timepoints by a study nurse. Physical activity was instructed to be maintained at the pre-study level during the whole study period and it was monitored by using a 3-axial accelerometer (Active style Pro HJA, Omron, Japan). Cognition was measured with standardized neuropsychological tests (Bourdon-Wiersma, FAT, N-Back, NASA-TLX, KSS, RAVLT, Stroop, WMS-III, task-switching) under a psychologist's supervision and as tablet, PC or online tests. Brainfood reduced saturated fat and salt intakes and increased polyunsaturated fat, fibre, vitamin C and D, iron and magnesium intakes. Favourable effects were seen in the atherogenic lipid measurements, such as fatty acids, LDL, IDL and small VLDL, as well as fatty acids, phospholipids and glutamine. Intervention did not affect the physiological or cognitive parameters except for a decrease in inaccuracy of visual attention (p = 0.027). In conclusion, the Brainfood diet could be recommended for office workers as a healthy diet following Nordic nutrition recommendations.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that prevents free radical propagation in membranes and plasma lipoproteins. Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), stablished at 13 and 11 mg/day for adult men and women, respectively, is not fulfilled in most European countries. Thus, strategies to cover the daily recommendations of this vitamin are essential, and one may be to encourage the consumption of foods rich in this micronutrient.

Olive-pomace oil (OPO), which is obtained from the solid by-product obtained during olive oil extraction, is nutritionally relevant due to its high content in oleic acid (C18:1), among other monounsaturated fatty acids. In addition, OPO contains a wide range of minor bioactive components that may contribute to its healthy properties. Among these, it is especially relevant the high content of vitamin E in OPO.

The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of consuming nutritional relevant doses of olive pomace oil within a normal, non-supplemented diet, in the vitamin E status in adults.

We carried out a randomized, cross-over, controlled clinical trial, 14 weeks long in 70 subjects, consisting in two 4-week interventions in which volunteers consumed either OPO or high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) preceded each by 3-week wash-out steps with sunflower oil. Participants daily consumed 50 mL of either OPO or HOSO, containing 357 and 420 ppm vitamin E, respectively, to meet the nutritional requirements of fat intake. Intake of macronutrients and micronutrients (vitamin E) was analyzed using the DIAL software (Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid).

The results obtained showed that the average consumption of vitamin E increased from 9.61 mg/day (intake of volunteers before starting the study) to 17.76 mg/day and 18.45 mg/day after the intervention with OPO and HOSO, respectively. Acceptance tests to evaluate the level of satisfaction of both oils showed higher preference of OPO compared to HOSO.

OPO was well accepted and, thus, constitutes an important dietary source of vitamin E covering the recommended daily intake. It is worth thinking about OPO as part of a healthy diet.

Multivitamins are the most commonly consumed dietary supplement in the United States and worldwide. Micronutrient insufficiency and clinical deficiency are more common in middle-aged to older adults, and multivitamin use has been shown to improve status in this population. This analysis aimed to assess contributions of sporadic and consistent multivitamin use to total usual micronutrient intakes and associated nutritional biomarkers among middle-aged to older U.S. adults age 351 years, stratified by obesity status. Self-reported dietary intake and laboratory measures from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used in these analyses. The National Cancer Institute method was used to assess usual intakes of 18 micronutrients. Compared with food alone, multivitamin use was associated with a lower prevalence of inadequacies and improved nutritional biomarker status for folate, iodine, selenium, and vitamins B6, B12, and D. Consistent use decreased the prevalence of inadequacy for most micronutrients assessed, except for those micronutrients typically not found (or in miniscule amounts) in standard multivitamin products. In addition to a lower prevalence of inadequacy for many micronutrients associated with consistent use of multivitamins, sporadic use decreased the prevalence of inadequacy for a greater number of micronutrients in obese versus nonobese individuals. Multivitamin use (sporadic and consistent) also increased the proportion of individuals who exceeded the tolerable upper intake level for folic acid to 8–10%. Nutritional biomarker data indicate that obese individuals may be at greater risk of clinical deficiency in vitamins B6and D. Use of gender- and age-specific multivitamins may serve as a practical means to increase micronutrient status and decrease prevalences of clinical deficiency in the middle-aged to older population, particularly in those who are obese.

Emerging evidence has been revealed that high fat diet (HFD) correlate with insulin resistance (IR) which could be induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Recently, obesity or HFD induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) could promote alteration of iron metabolism. Disorder of iron metabolism have been linked to unnormal metabolism of glucose and lipid. Herein, we investigated the effect of impaired iron homeostasis on hepatic IR, focusing on ferritinophagy. Male C57/6J mice were administered with HFD (60% energy from fat) or LFD (10% energy from fat) for 10 weeks (n = 10), and Palmitic acid (PA)-insulin treated HepG2 cells were also established. Hepatic IR as evidenced by increased hepatic steatosis and decreased of p-AKT (48%, p < 0.0005), p-GSK-3β (34%, p < 0.05) in the liver of HFD mice. In addition, decreased iron level and expression NCOA4, as well as increased up-regulation of IRE1α and EIF2α were observed in HFD liver. By using desferrioxamine (DFO) and ferric ammonium citrate (FAC), we examined iron level on IRE1α and EIF2α. And glucose uptake assay shown that FAC supplementation, and ERS inhibitors of 4-PBA and STF could improve the glucose uptake of HepG2 cells in the presence of PA. Furthermore, we evaluated the glucose uptake of HepG2 cells incubated with adenovirus which mediated overexpression of NCOA4, FAC, 4-PBA (ERS inhibitor) or STF (IRE1 inhibitor). Taken together, deficiency of iron induced by impaired ferritinophagy induced hepatic IR, partly by aggravating hepatic ERS, especially IRE1 signal pathway in vivo and vitro. These findings provide evidence and new insight for therapeutic strategy of iron deficiency in NAFLD.