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Abstract: Green tea’s popularity can be largely attributed to its potential health benefits, with an emphasis on antioxidant properties from its catechin constituents, especially (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG appears to be responsible for many of the potential health benefits of green tea. However, while higher intake levels may provide benefit, lower intake levels may not. The objective was to determine whether commercially available green tea products provide label information about EGCG content and other constituents and then to analyze the label information in terms of existing research. A descriptive analysis of product label information was conducted. In total, 105 green tea products evaluated, 58% of green tea supplements and 5% of green tea beverages included information about EGCG content on the label. Among the dietary supplement products providing sufficient information on the label, the amount of EGCG listed ranged from 70 mg to 600 mg per serving. The average EGCG per serving was 223.7 mg.The average reported caffeine content was 56.0 mg per serving. In conclusion, most green tea beverages to not provide adequate information about EGCG or other constituents. Green tea supplements are more likely to provide this information. One to two servings of green tea supplements are typically needed to achieve EGCG or catechin intake levels similar to those demonstrating efficacy in clinical studies. Consumers should consider selecting products that adequately describe constituent information on the label. Manufacturers should consider providing this essential information on the product label in order to better inform consumer decision-making. Keywords: Nutraceutical, green tea, catechins, EGCG, supplement labeling.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Background: Results from previous work indicated that when consumers make purchasing decisions, they pay more attention to freshness, taste and hygiene attributes of fruits and vegetables than price and nutritional value, when these attributes are considered individually. Methods: To shed light on the underlying factors that shape the pattern of reported preferences, researchers used five doubly censored Tobit models to analyze data generated from a fuzzy pairwise comparison model (FPC) to explain the pattern of reported preferences. In the model, nutritive value, hygiene, taste, price and freshness were separately regressed on a number of demographic and personal characteristics variables. For this study, a random sample was drawn proportionate to population size by county in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Data were collected from 412 respondents. Results: Higher levels of education and income did not affect how consumers rate the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables. This relative lack of difference among consumers as classified in the model, along with results that showed consumers giving a higher preference rating to hygiene, taste and price offer support for the notion that the nutritional value attribute plays a subsidiary role in consumers purchasing decisions. Conclusion: The multi-method approach used in this study provides information on the demographic characteristics of consumers that influence attitudes and behaviors toward fruit and vegetable attributes. Nutrition educators and marketers will be able to use this knowledge about consumers’ attitudes and behaviors to customize programs that more accurately address consumers’ preferences. Keywords: Consumer Preferences, Purchasing Behavior, Fruits and Vegetables, Tobit, Fuzzy Pairwise Comparison.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Background: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is most prevalent form of anemia affecting around 2 billion people world-wide. Ayurveda, an Indian system of medicine, describes pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits as a Rasayana and a dietary supplement for managing a condition called Pandu, which is akin to IDA. Rasayanas are methods to maintain homeostasis by improving digestion, metabolism and absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste. Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been a well-accepted model organism to study iron metabolism. Materials & Methods: In the current study we developed ‘anemic yeast’ by culturing yeast cells in iron-free medium with bathophenanthroline disulfonate (BPS). The effect of pomegranate juice (PJ) on reversing the ‘IDA like’ condition in yeast was studied. Results: Culturing iron deficient (ID) cells in the presence of 10% PJ supplemented medium (IDP), improved iron status by at least 7 fold (p<0.0001) and reversed mitochondrial degeneration induced by iron deficiency. Percentage of healthy reticulate mitochondria in IDP cells was >30% higher (p<0.0001) than that in the ID cells grown in iron deficient medium (IDD) and at least 14% more than that in ID cells grown in 10% PJ-equivalent iron substituted media. Interestingly, PJ substitution improved the functional ferrous (Fe2+) form as well as the bio-assimilated heme form of iron, but not the ferric (Fe3+) storage form in ID cells. Conclusion: Yeast model can be useful as a quick screen to identify potential nutritional supplements. Pomegranate’s potential role as a nutritional supplement in IDA management and as a hematinic is worthy of further research. Keywords: Iron deficiency anemia, Ayurveda, Pandu, Pomegranate, Rasayana, S. cerevisiae.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: Activation of microglia and astrocytes leads to the production of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators which may contribute to the apoptotic cell death of neurons observed in many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Vulnerability of the central nervous system (CNS) to oxidative and inflammatory stress increases with age and has been postulated to be a leading contributing factor to the cognitive impairment and thereby development of neurodegenerative diseases. Suppression of microglial production of neurotoxic mediators may result in neuroprotection. This heightens the interest in the development of neuroinflammation-targeted therapeutics. Nutrition is involved in the pathogenesis of age-related cognitive decline and also neurodegenerative diseases. Certain nutrients facilitate human brain function with their immediate and long term effects. On the other hand, malnutrition influences the brain throughout life, with profound implications on cognitive decline and dementia. Several phytochemicals with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, have been shown to repress microglial activation and exert neuroprotective effects. Thus this review highlights the role of foods, nutrients and phytochemicals in suppressing neuro-inflammation and also enhancing cognition. Keywords: Microglia, Neuroinflammation, Neurodegenerative diseases, Malnutrition, Antioxidant, Nutrients, Phytochemicals.Download Full Article |
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Abstract: This policy article sets the stage for birth of a novel public science that establishes living on rhythms to minimize risks of different cancers in the overly busy modern life. Keeping body and mind away from irregularities before incursion in genes, proteomes, metaboloms, and cells and thus in the incognizant human societies of the new times, must be highly pursued. Healthy rhythms in working, eating, drinking, sleeping, entertaining, socializing, sciencing, modernizing, exercising, travelling, and contemplating must be created and maintained for a life style to not be threatened by cancer. Keywords: Rhythm, Cancer, Science, Public health.Download Full Article |