Open Access
Biological effects of stevia, sucralose and sucrose in citrus-maqui juices on overweight subjects
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2021-07-01) Zafrilla, Pilar; Masoodi, Hedyeh; Cerdá, Begoña; García-Viguera, Cristina; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Background: In the last few years there has been emerging interest in substituting added sugars from juices with other sweeteners to make them healthier. But their long-term effects have been poorly evaluated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the addition of stevia, sucralose and sucrose (control) to maqui-citrus beverages on antioxidant and inflammatory status. Methods: a 3-arm parallel, randomized and triple blind clinical trial was performed in overweight subjects (n = 138), who consumed the test beverage (330 mL day-1) for 60 days. The following markers were determined: antioxidant status (ORAC, homocysteine, and oxidized LDL), safety parameters (ALP, AST, ALT, and total bilirubin), lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides) and inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-a, and IL-10). Results: The homocysteine levels significantly increased after consumption of sucralose (27%, p = 0.001) and sucrose (40%, p = 0.006). A significant increase in the IL-10 concentration after consumption of the stevia sweetened beverage, and in ORAC values (21%) in subjects with lower basal antioxidant status were observed. The HDL and total cholesterol levels significantly increased after consumption of sucralose (p = 0.039) and sucrose (p = 0.001), respectively. No changes in triglycerides, LDL or oxidized LDL were observed. Conclusions: Oxidative stress and an inflammatory response were observed after consumption of these sweetened beverages, with the exception of stevia, which produced an anti-inflammatory response. The possible antioxidative effects of this polyphenol-rich beverage may only benefit those individuals with poorer antioxidant status. Many randomized controlled trials at normal levels of consumption using commonly consumed sweeteners are necessary to clarify their roles in health.
Open Access
Nutrición y dietética en el climaterio
(Eunate, 2024) Villaño Valencia, Débora; Zornoza Cebeiro, Arantza; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Es necesario establecer unos conceptos para definir una de las etapas vitales de la mujer como son: la menopausia es una fecha, el momento en que cesan de modo permanente las funciones del ovario y, por ello, los ciclos fisiológicos de la menstruación; la perimenopausia es el período caracterizado por el conjunto de fenómenos que se manifiestan por una serie de cambios biológicos, endocrinológicos y clínicos; y la transición menopáusica es el período que precede al período menstrual final y que se caracteriza por un aumento de la variabilidad menstrual. Actualmente existe un consenso sobre el establecimiento de tres fases principales en el patrón reproductivo feme-nino, según los criterios STRAW10+ (Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop): etapa reproductiva, transición a la menopausia, y postmenopausia (Harlow y cols., 2012). A su vez estas fases están divididas en función del momento de menopausia1, que es una fecha concreta (cese de periodo menstrual durante 12 meses consecutivos) y tiene lugar en torno a los 50 años. En este sentido, puede decirse que hay un paralelismo entre la menopausia y la pubertad. En la pubertad, existe un momento, la menarquia y luego hay un período, el período puberal que se extiende antes, durante y después de la menarquia. Actualmente existe un consenso sobre el establecimiento de tres fases principales en el patrón reproductivo femenino, según los criterios STRAW10+ (Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop): etapa reproductiva, transición a la menopausia, y postmenopausia. A su vez estas fases están divididas en función del momento de menopausia, que es una fecha concreta (cese de periodo menstrual durante 12 meses consecutivos) y tiene lugar en torno a los 50 años. En este sentido, puede decirse que hay un paralelismo entre la menopausia y la pubertad. En la pubertad, existe un momento, la menarquia y luego hay un período, el período puberal que se extiende antes, durante y después de la menarquia.
Open Access
Melatonin in wine and beer: beneficial effects
(MDPI, 2021) Marhuenda, Javier; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Arcusa, Raúl; Zafrilla, Pilar; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD
Melatonin is a hormone secreted in the pineal gland with several functions, especially regulation of circadian sleep cycle and the biological processes related to it. This review evaluates the bioavailability of melatonin and resulting metabolites, the presence of melatonin in wine and beer and factors that influence it, and finally the different benefits related to treatment with melatonin. When administered orally, melatonin is mainly absorbed in the rectum and the ileum; it has a half-life of about 0.45–1 h and is extensively inactivated in the liver by phase 2 enzymes. Melatonin (MEL) concentration varies from picograms to ng/mL in fermented beverages such as wine and beer, depending on the fermentation process. These low quantities, within a dietary intake, are enough to reach significant plasma concentrations of melatonin, and are thus able to exert beneficial effects. Melatonin has demonstrated antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective actions. These benefits are related to its free radical scavenging properties as well and the direct interaction with melatonin receptors, which are involved in complex intracellular signaling pathways, including inhibition of angiogenesis and cell proliferation, among others. In the present review, the current evidence on the effects of melatonin on different pathophysiological conditions is also discussed.
Open Access
Potential role of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases
(Frontiers Media, 2022) Arcusa, Raúl; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Marhuenda, Javier; Cano, Miguel; Cerdá, Begoña; Zafrilla, Pilar; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Ginger is composed of multiple bioactive compounds, including 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 10-gingerol, gingerdiones, gingerdiols, paradols, 6-dehydrogingerols, 5-acetoxy-6-gingerol, 3,5-diacetoxy-6-gingerdiol, and 12-gingerol, that contribute to its recognized biological activities. Among them, the major active compounds are 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol. Scientific evidence supports the beneficial properties of ginger, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities and in contrast, a specific and less studied bioactivity is the possible neuroprotective effect. The increase in life expectancy has raised the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), which present common neuropathological features as increased oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and protein misfolding. The structure-activity relationships of ginger phytochemicals show that ginger can be a candidate to treat NDs by targeting different ligand sites. Its bioactive compounds may improve neurological symptoms and pathological conditions by modulating cell death or cell survival signaling molecules. The cognitive enhancing effects of ginger might be partly explained via alteration of both the monoamine and the cholinergic systems in various brain areas. Moreover, ginger decreases the production of inflammatory related factors. The aim of the present review is to summarize the effects of ginger in the prevention of major neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
Open Access
Revalorisation of broccoli crop surpluses and field residues: novel ingredients for food industry uses
(Springer, 2023) Villaño Valencia, Débora; Fernández Pan, Idoya; Arozarena Martinicorena, Íñigo; Ibáñez Moya, Francisco C.; Virseda Chamorro, Paloma; Beriain Apesteguía, María José; Institute on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Food Chain - ISFOOD; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Research on the management of broccoli crop residues and surpluses is critical for improving agricultural practices, optimizing food industrial manufacture, and contributing to better human nutrition. The objective of this study was to obtain novel ingredients based on these residues and surpluses for a wide range of applications in the food industry. The efect of air-drying (60 °C or 80 °C) applied to feld residues (broccoli stalks), mimicking industrial conditions, was compared with dehydration by freeze-drying applied to these same feld residues and to crop surpluses (broccoli whole plant). Thus, diferent broccoli fours were obtained and characterised for technological and biological properties including colour, antioxidant activity, nutrients, total polyphenol content, and content of glucosinolates. Flours from feld residues showed high levels of dietary fbre (≈22% dry weight). Broccoli crop surpluses fours had relevant contents of glucosinolates (≈13 mg/g dry weight). Therefore, within the framework of the circular economy, these fours are proposed to revalorise the two main broccoli crop discarded fractions. Such fours could be used in a realistic and simple way by the agri-food industries interested in the development of healthy and conscience foodstufs, in a cost-efcient manner.
Open Access
Stevia, sucralose and sucrose added to a maqui-citrus beverage and their effects on glycemic response in overweight subjects: a randomized clinical trial
(Elseiver, 2021-02-26) Villaño Valencia, Débora; Masoodi, Hedyeh; Marhuenda, Javier; García-Viguera, Cristina; Zafrilla, Pilar; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Background: Low-caloric sweeteners represent a good alternative to the extra boost of energy of sugar-sweetened beverages. However, their long-term effects have barely been assessed. In the present study, the influence of low-caloric sweeteners added to a maqui/Citrus beverage on the glycemic profile has been evaluated. Methods: A parallel, randomized and triple blind clinical study was performed in overweight subjects (n = 138), who consumed 330 mL/day of a beverage added with Stevia, Sucralose or Sucrose, for 60 days. Results: BMI did not change significantly with any treatment. Fasting glucose increased after the short-term consumption of Sucrose added beverage (26%), as well as with the addition of the low-caloric sweeteners, but in a lesser extent: 11% for Stevia and 20% for Sucralose. Insulin concentrations did not change significantly with any drink, which resulted in a significant increase in HOMA-IR with Sucralose (p = 0.002) and Sucrose (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The results obtained link the consumption of sucrose sweetened beverages with a disbalance in glycaemic response, and a better response with Stevia addition, although it also produces certain negative effects on glycemic control. The evidence available to date is not conclusive enough to advise the wide use of LCS. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 04016337.
Open Access
Ginger in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases
(IntechOpen, 2022) Cerdá, Begoña; Marhuenda, Javier; Arcusa, Raúl; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Ballester, Purificación; Zafrilla, Pilar; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Ginger, Zingiber officinale, is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, used in traditional medicine for treatment of a variety of conditions. Many pharmacological activities have been reported for this plant (anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, anti-apoptotic, anti-hyperglycemic, cancer-chemopreventive, and anti-lipidemic). Cardiovascular disease, which includes coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and stroke, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, several studies have described that ginger can control or improve some cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol levels, hypertension, or atherosclerosis. The aim of the present review is to summarize the effects of ginger bioactive compounds on cardiovascular diseases.
Open Access
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity of a fruit and vegetable-based nutraceutical measured by urinary oxylipin concentration in a healthy population: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
(MDPI, 2022) Arcusa, Raúl; Carrillo, Juan Ángel; Cerdá, Begoña; Durand, Thierry; Gil-Izquierdo, Ángel; Medina, Sonia; Galano, Jean-Marie; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Marhuenda, Javier; Zafrilla, Pilar; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Oxylipins, lipid biomarkers of inflammation are considered the gold standard method to evaluate the inflammatory and antioxidant status. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the administration of a polyphenolic extract shot in the form of a nutraceutical was able to reduce inflammation, measured in urine markers. Ninety-two participants (45 males, 47 females, age 34 ± 11 years, weight 73.10 ± 14.29 kg, height 1.72 ± 9 cm, BMI 24.40 ± 3.43 kg/m2 ) completed the study after an intervention of two 16-week periods consuming extract or placebo separated by a 4-week washout period. The results showed significant differences in terms of reduction of different pro-inflammatory oxylipins (15-keto-PGF2α (from 0.90 ± 0.25 ng/mL to 0.74 ± 0.19 ng/mL p < 0.05), ent-PGF2α (from 1.59 ± 0.37 ng/mL to 1.44 ± 0.32 ng/mL p < 0.05), 2,3-dinor-15-F2t-Isop) (from 1.17 ± 0.35 ng/mL to 1.02 ± 0.27 ng/mL p < 0.05), in total oxylipins count (from 8.03 ± 1.86 ng/mL to 7.25 ± 1.23 ng/mL p < 0.05), and increase in PGE2 (from 1.02 ± 0.38 ng/mL to 1.26 ± 0.38 ng/mL p < 0.05) which has an anti-inflammatory character, after extract consumption compared to placebo. The available data seem to indicate that long-term consumption of a nutraceutical with high polyphenol content improves inflammation and oxidation parameters measured in urine, through UHPLCQqQ-ESI-MS/MS.
Open Access
Overlap of orthorexia, eating attitude and psychological distress in some Italian and Spanish university students
(Baishideng Publishing Group, 2022) Aiello, Paola; Toti, Elisabetta; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Raguzzini, Anna; Peluso, Ilaria; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
Background Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is the persistent concern of maintaining the self-imposed diet to improve one's health. Many factors have been associated to ON in university students. AIM To assess the prevalence of ON in Italian and Spanish university students in relation to eating attitude and psychological distress, and the possible overlaps between ON (evaluated with different scored questionnaires from the originally proposed ORTO-15), distress and risk of eating disorders. Methods This study was carried out on 160 students recruited at La Sapienza University of Rome and at the Catholic University of Murcia. Questionnaires were administered to evaluate ON (ORTO-15 and sub-scores), body concerns (Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, MBSRQ, and Body Uneasiness test, BUT), psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K10), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ), eating attitude (Eating Attitudes Test, EAT-26) and malnutrition (Starvation Symptom Inventory, SSI). Sex differences, within the same country, and differences between Italian and Spanish students, within the same sex, were evaluated. RESULTS The ORTO-15 positive subjects, assessed with the originally proposed cut-off, were above 70% in both Italian and Spanish students, with a higher prevalence in the Spanish sample (Italian females 76.3%, Italian males 70.7%; Spanish females 97.0%, Spanish males 96.3%). According to ORTO-7, about 30% of Italian and 48% of Spanish students were positive to ON with no significant sex differences. When excluding students underweight (UW), overweight (OW) or obese (OB), as well as those potentially at risk of eating disorders or presenting mild, moderate and severe distress, in the resultant normal weight (NW)-K10neg-EAT26neg subgroup, we did not find many correlations observed in the whole sample, including those between ORTO scores and BUT, SSI, Total MBSRQ and some of its components. Moreover, ORTO7 resulted in the only ON score unrelated with Body Mass Index, MBSRQ components and IPAQassessed intense activity, in the NW-K10neg-EAT-26neg subgroup. After this sort of “exclusion diagnosis”, the prevalence of ON of these students on the overall sample resulted in 16.9%, 12.2%, 15.2% and 25.9% for Italian females, Italian males, Spanish females and Spanish males, respectively. Conclusion In some university students ON could be a symptom of other conditions related to body image concerns and distress, as well as to high physical activity and appearance, fitness, health or illness orientation (from MBSRQ). However, ORTO-7 became independent from these confounding variables, after the exclusion of UW, OW, OB and students positive to EAT-26 and K10, suggesting the possibility of identifying orthorexic subjects with this specific questionnaire.
Open Access
Nutrición y dietética en la vejez
(Eunate, 2024) Baleztena Gurrea, Joaquín; Villaño Valencia, Débora; Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación; Agronomia, Bioteknologia eta Elikadura
La vejez, ancianidad, o edad avanzada constituye un grupo extraordinariamente heterogéneo, de tal modo que la fecha de comienzo de esta etapa fisiológica no está claramente delimitada. Algunos autores la definen a partir de la edad de jubilación. La OMS indica como cifra los 65 años, aunque debido al aumento de la esperanza de vida cada vez se considera población de edad avanzada a personas más mayores (en torno a los 75 años en adelante) tendiendo a conceder menor importancia a la edad cronológica respecto a la situación funcional.