scholarly journals Is Eating Raisins Healthy?

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Olmo-Cunillera ◽  
Danilo Escobar-Avello ◽  
Andy J. Pérez ◽  
María Marhuenda-Muñoz ◽  
Rosa Mª Lamuela-Raventós ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Model Studies ◽  
Daily Diet ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Potential Benefits

Raisins are dried grapes consumed worldwide that contain beneficial components for human health. They are rich in fiber and phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds. Despite a 60% sugar content, several studies have reported health-promoting properties for raisins and this review compiles the intervention studies, as well as the cell line and animal model studies carried out to date. It has been demonstrated that raisins possess a low-to-moderate glycemic index, which makes them a healthy snack. They seem to contribute to a better diet quality and may reduce appetite. Their antioxidant capacity has been correlated to the phenolic content and this may be involved in the improvement of cardiovascular health. In addition, raisins maintain a good oral health due to their antibacterial activity, low adherence to teeth and an optimum oral pH. Raisin consumption also seems to be favorable for colon function, although more studies should be done to conclude this benefit. Moreover, gut microbiota could be affected by the prebiotic content of raisins. Cell line and animal model studies show other potential benefits in specific diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. However, deeper research is required and future intervention studies with humans are needed. Overall, incorporating an 80–90 g portion of raisins (half a cup) into the daily diet may be favorable for human health.

scholarly journals A Novel Promising Frontier for Human Health: The Beneficial Effects of Nutraceuticals in Cardiovascular Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8706
Author(s):  
Albino Carrizzo ◽  
Carmine Izzo ◽  
Maurizio Forte ◽  
Eduardo Sommella ◽  
Paola Di Pietro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cardiovascular Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Individual

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and diabetes are a significant public health problem worldwide. Although several novel pharmacological treatments to reduce the progression of CVDs have been discovered during the last 20 years, the better way to contain the onset of CVDs remains prevention. In this regard, nutraceuticals seem to own a great potential in maintaining human health, exerting important protective cardiovascular effects. In the last years, there has been increased focus on identifying natural compounds with cardiovascular health-promoting effects and also to characterize the molecular mechanisms involved. Although many review articles have focused on the individual natural compound impact on cardiovascular diseases, the aim of this manuscript was to examine the role of the most studied nutraceuticals, such as resveratrol, cocoa, quercetin, curcumin, brassica, berberine and Spirulina platensis, on different CVDs.

scholarly journals Horseradish: A Neglected and Underutilized Plant Species for Improving Human Health

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
Stuart Alan Walters
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Food Aid ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
History Of Use

Horseradish is a flavorful pungent herb that has been used for centuries to enhance the flavor of food, aid in digestion, and improve human health. Horseradish is a neglected and underutilized plant species (NUS), especially concerning the potential benefits to improve human health. The roots of this plant have been known for centuries to provide effective treatments for various human health disorders and has a long history of use in traditional medicine. Horseradish is a source of many biologically active compounds and its richness in phytochemicals has encouraged its recent use as a functional food. The medicinal benefits of horseradish are numerous, and this plant should be promoted more as being beneficial for human health. Glucosinolates or their breakdown products, isothiocyanates, are responsible for most of the claimed medicinal effects. Recent studies have suggested that glucosinolates provide prevention and inhibitory influences on different types of cancer, and horseradish contains high amounts of these compounds. Other medicinal benefits of horseradish include its well-known antibacterial properties that are also attributed to isothiocyanates, and its high content of other antioxidants that benefit human health. Additionally, horseradish contains enzymes that stimulate digestion, regulate bowel movement, and reduce constipation. Horseradish is a species that is vastly underexploited for its abilities as a medicinal plant species for improving human health. The health promoting effects of horseradish are numerous and should be used in an extensive marketing campaign to improve consumption habits. Consumers need to be made more aware of the tremendous health benefits of this plant, which would most likely increase consumption of this valuable NUS. Although horseradish is a highly versatile plant species and holds great potential for improving human health, this plant can also be used to enhance biodiversity in landscapes and food systems, which will also be briefly discussed.

“In vitro” and in Animal Model Studies on a Double Virus- Inactivated Factor VIII Concentrate

1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (03) ◽  
pp. 868-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Arrighi ◽  
Roberta Rossi ◽  
Maria Giuseppina Borri ◽  
Vladimir Lesnikov ◽  
Marina Lesnikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Factor Viii ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Hepatitis A Virus ◽  
Virus Inactivation ◽  
Enveloped Viruses ◽  
Model Studies ◽  
Heat Treated

SummaryTo improve the safety of plasma derived factor VIII (FVIII) concentrate, we introduced a final super heat treatment (100° C for 30 min) as additional virus inactivation step applied to a lyophilized, highly purified FVIII concentrate (100 IU/mg of proteins) already virus inactivated using the solvent/detergent (SID) method during the manufacturing process.The efficiency of the super heat treatment was demonstrated in inactivating two non-lipid enveloped viruses (Hepatitis A virus and Poliovirus 1). The loss of FVIII procoagulant activity during the super heat treatment was of about 15%, estimated both by clotting and chromogenic assays. No substantial changes were observed in physical, biochemical and immunological characteristics of the heat treated FVIII concentrate in comparison with those of the FVIII before heat treatment.

Evaluation of Health Promoting Minerals of A. squamosa L. Based Products

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 802-807
Author(s):  
Shashi Bala ◽  
Vinod K. Nigam ◽  
Ambarish S. Vidyarthi
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Content ◽  
Sweet Taste ◽  
Proximate Analysis ◽  
Tribal Community ◽  
Nutritional Properties ◽  
Tropical Fruit ◽  
Total Sugar Content ◽  
Custard Apple ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Apple Products

Background: Annona squamosa L. (custard apple) is a tropical fruit known for its sweet taste, distinct flavour, and pleasant, aromatic creamy pulp. The fruit is traditionally used as different folk medicines by tribal community in India. The present study was focussed on the nutritional properties of custard apple based products like pulp, juice, jam, jelly and powder. Methods: Standard ICP-OES and recognized methods of analysis were used for investigation of minerals and biochemical constituents of process products of custard apple. Results: The proximate analysis showed the highest quantity of vitamin C as 32.5 mg/100g, 16.4 mg/100g, 15.8 mg/100g 16.85 mg/100g and 12.3 mg/100g in pulp, jam, jelly, juice and in powder with a total sugar content of 20.96, 51.26, 49.83, 13.17 and 33.5 g/100g for pulp, jam, jelly, juice and powder respectively. The content of calcium in different products of custard apple was observed as 64.25, 58.15, 55.20, 58.20 and 138.35 mg/100g while, the amount of iron as constituent was found as 2.8, 2.25, 2.25, 2.65, 5.45 mg/100g respectively. The observed value of potassium in pulp, juice, jam, jelly and powder was recorded as 428.00, 545.50, 415.0, 411.9 and 1094.5 mg/100g while the concentration of magnesium was found as 54.5 mg/100g in pulp, 65.0 mg/100g in juice, 45.5 mg/100g in jam, 41.2 mg/100g in jelly and 130.4 mg/100g in powder respectively. The study of analytes like As, Pb, Ni and Sn in custard apple products were found below the level of toxicity. Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that these underutilized fruits could greatly add in the improvement of the nutrition of consumers and promote good human health.

scholarly journals Chromatography-Independent Fractionation and Newly Identified Molecular Features of the Adzuki Bean (Vigna angularis Willd.) β-vignin Protein

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 3018
Author(s):  
Biane Philadelpho ◽  
Victória Souza ◽  
Fabiani Souza ◽  
Johnnie Santos ◽  
Fabiana Batista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metal Binding ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Electrophoretic Analysis ◽  
Adzuki Bean ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
High Degree

Adzuki seed β-vignin, a vicilin-like globulin, has proven to exert various health-promoting biological activities, notably in cardiovascular health. A simple scalable enrichment procedure of this protein for further nutritional and functional studies is crucial. In this study, a simplified chromatography-independent protein fractionation procedure has been optimized and described. The electrophoretic analysis showed a high degree of homogeneity of β-vignin isolate. Furthermore, the molecular features of the purified protein were investigated. The adzuki bean β-vignin was found to have a native size of 146 kDa, and the molecular weight determined was consistent with a trimeric structure. These were identified in two main polypeptide chains (masses of 56–54 kDa) that are glycosylated polypeptides with metal binding capacity, and one minor polypeptide chain with a mass 37 kDa, wherein these features are absent. The in vitro analysis showed a high degree of digestibility of the protein (92%) and potential anti-inflammatory capacity. The results lay the basis not only for further investigation of the health-promoting properties of the adzuki bean β-vignin protein, but also for a possible application as nutraceutical molecule.

scholarly journals Pinus Species as Prospective Reserves of Bioactive Compounds with Potential Use in Functional Food—Current State of Knowledge

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1306
Author(s):  
Marcin Dziedziński ◽  
Joanna Kobus-Cisowska ◽  
Barbara Stachowiak
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Food Ingredients ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pine Tree ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Few Data

The pine (Pinus L.) is the largest and most heteromorphic plant genus of the pine family (Pinaceae Lindl.), which grows almost exclusively in the northern hemisphere. The demand for plant-based remedies, supplements and functional food is growing worldwide. Although pine-based products are widely available in many parts of the world, they are almost absent as food ingredients. The literature shows the beneficial effects of pine preparations on human health. Despite the wide geographical distribution of pine trees in the natural environment, there are very few data in the literature on the widespread use of pine in food technology. This study aims to present, characterise and evaluate the content of phytochemicals in pine trees, including shoots, bark and conifer needles, as well as to summarise the available data on their health-promoting and functional properties, and the potential of their use in food and the pharmaceutical industry to support health. Various species of pine tree contain different compositions of bioactive compounds. Regardless of the solvent, method, pine species and plant part used, all pine extracts contain a high number of polyphenols. Pine tree extracts exhibit several described biological activities that may be beneficial to human health. The available examples of the application of pine elements in food are promising. The reuse of residual pine elements is still limited compared to its potential. In this case, it is necessary to conduct more research to find and develop new products and applications of pine residues and by-products.

scholarly journals Grapes and Their Derivatives in Functional Foods

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 672
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Kandylis
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Consumer Interest ◽  
Health Promoting

Consumer interest in the consumption of health promoting foods is growing worldwide due to the realization of the link between diet and human health [...]

Investigation of the efficiency of beet syrup usage in products based on nutraceutical principles

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Kryzhova ◽  
◽  
O Deyak ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Energy Value ◽  
Total Sugar Content ◽  
Healthy Nutrition

The nature of nutrition is the most important factor determining human health. Proper healthy nutrition maintains health, plays an important role in preventing chronic diseases in modern humans. The level of food product quality must meet the human physiological needs for nutrients and energy, and healthy nutrition also includes the concept of the preventive effect of food, or food as a risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases. When nutrients are in improper proportions, nutrition is considered incorrect, unhealthy, irrational, and may play a role as a risk factor for the development of human diseases. The paper substantiates the use of beet syrup and beet in ketchup technology and the benefits of the developed recipes for human health. It also covers the physicochemical composition of beet syrup, which contains 93.5% dry matter, and sugar composition and content in beet syrup: glucose, fructose, sucrose, and maltose, the total sugar content is 48.8 g/100 g that is 50.2 g/100 g less than common sugar. The ratio of prescription ingredients, established by experimental investigations on organoleptic parameters, is substantiated. The water activity index was investigated, which constituted 0.92 in the second sample, 0.93 – in the first sample, and 0.93 – in the control sample, which will have a positive effect on their shelf life. The examination of the chemical composition showed that the protein content in the first sample increased by 33%, in the second sample – by 56% compared to the control sample; the sugar content reduced by 42.7% in the first sample and by 50.6% in the second sample; the vitamin C content increased; the fiber content increased 3 times; the developed products are enriched with iron, phosphorus, and potassium. The Nutri-score calculation showed that the samples developed according to formulas №1 and №2 belong to categories A and B and are more balanced and beneficial to human health, which indicates the high nutritional value of the products. In terms of the energy value, the developed samples have an advantage over the control. The energy value (kcal/100 g) of the first sample is 100, the second sample – 89.5, and the control sample – 104.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document