Microbiota Composition of Breast Milk from Women of Different Ethnicity from the Manawatu-Wanganui Region of New Zealand.

Human breastmilk components, the microbiota and immune modulatory proteins have vital roles in infant gut and immune development. In a population of breastfeeding women (n = 78) of different ethnicities (Asian, Maori and Pacific Island, New Zealand European) and their infants living in the Manawatu-Wanganui region of New Zealand, we examined the microbiota and immune modulatory proteins in the breast milk, and the fecal microbiota of mothers and infants. Breast milk and fecal samples were collected over a one-week period during the six to eight weeks postpartum. Breast milk microbiota differed between the ethnic groups. However, these differences had no influence on the infant's gut microbiota composition. Based on the body mass index (BMI) classifications, the mother's breast milk and fecal microbiota compositions were similar between normal, overweight and obese individuals, and their infant's fecal microbiota composition also did not differ. The relative abundance of bacteria belonging to the Bacteroidetes phylum was higher in feces of infants born through vaginal delivery. However, the bacterial abundance of this phylum in the mother's breast milk or feces was similar between women who delivered vaginally or by cesarean section. Several immune modulatory proteins including cytokines, growth factors, and immunoglobulin differed between the BMI and ethnicity groups. Transforming growth factor beta 1 and 2 (TGFß1, TGFß2) were present in higher concentrations in the milk from overweight mothers compared to those of normal weight. The TGFß1 and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (sCD14) concentrations were significantly higher in the breast milk from Maori and Pacific Island women compared with women from Asian and NZ European ethnicities. This study explores the relationship between ethnicity, body mass index, mode of baby delivery and the microbiota of infants and their mothers and their potential impact on infant health.

The Effects on Immune Function and Digestive Health of Consuming the Skin and Flesh of Zespri® SunGold Kiwifruit (Actinidia Chinensis var. Chinensis 'Zesy002') in Healthy and IBS-Constipated Individuals.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that results in constipation (IBS-C) or diarrhoea with abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea and bloating. Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) are nutrient-dense fruit with a number of reported health benefits that include lowering glycaemic response, improving cardiovascular and inflammatory biomarkers, and enhancing gut comfort and laxation. This study investigated the effect of consuming three whole Zespri® SunGold kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis 'Zesy002') with or without skin on cytokine production and immune and gut health in healthy people and those with IBS-C symptoms. This study enrolled thirty-eight participants in a 16 week randomized cross-over study (19 healthy and 19 participants with IBS-C). Participants were randomized to consume either three kiwifruit without eating the skin or three kiwifruit including the skin for 4 weeks each, with a 4 week washout in between each intervention. There was a significant decrease in the pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, for both the healthy and the IBS-C participants when they consumed whole kiwifruit and skin, and also for the healthy participants when they ate whole kiwifruit without the skin (p < 0.001). The kiwifruit interventions increased bowel frequency and significantly reduced the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale constipation and Birmingham IBS pain scores for both participant groups. We have demonstrated that consuming the skin of SunGold kiwifruit might have beneficial effects on gastrointestinal health that are not produced by consuming the flesh alone.

The effect of 'Zesy002' kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis) on gut health function: a randomised cross-over clinical trial.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders including constipation affect up to 14 % of the world's population. Treatment is difficult and challenging resulting in a need for alternative safe and effective therapies. The present study investigated whether daily consumption of three gold-fleshed kiwifruit could alleviate constipation and improve gastrointestinal discomfort in mildly constipated individuals with and without pain. A total of thirty-two participants were enrolled in a 16-week randomised, single-blind, crossover study. Participants received either three 'Zesy002' kiwifruit or 14·75 g Metamucil® (5 g dietary fibre/d (a positive control)) for 4 weeks each with a 4-week washout between treatments. A 2-week washout period was included at the beginning and end of the study. Daily bowel habit diaries were kept throughout the study. The primary outcome measure was differences in the number of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM). Secondary outcome measures were bowel movement frequency and stool form as well as digestive symptoms and comfort. The number of CSBM per week was significantly greater during daily consumption of three kiwifruit compared with the baseline (6·3 v. 3·3; P < 0·05) and the Metamucil® treatment (6·3 v. 4·5; P < 0·05). Stool consistency was also improved, with kiwifruit producing softer stools and less straining (P < 0·05). Gastrointestinal discomfort was also improved compared with baseline for abdominal pain, constipation and indigestion (P < 0·05) during the kiwifruit intervention and constipation during the Metamucil® intervention (P < 0·05). This randomised controlled trial demonstrates that daily consumption of three gold-fleshed kiwifruit is associated with a significant increase of two CSBM per week and reduction in gastrointestinal discomfort in mildly constipated adults.

Kiwifruit-derived supplements increase stool frequency in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The worldwide growth in the incidence of gastrointestinal disorders has created an immediate need to identify safe and effective interventions. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we examined the effects of Actazin and Gold, kiwifruit-derived nutritional ingredients, on stool frequency, stool form, and gastrointestinal comfort in healthy and functionally constipated (Rome III criteria for C3 functional constipation) individuals. Using a crossover design, all participants consumed all 4 dietary interventions (Placebo, Actazin low dose [Actazin-L] [600 mg/day], Actazin high dose [Actazin-H] [2400 mg/day], and Gold [2400 mg/day]). Each intervention was taken for 28 days followed by a 14-day washout period between interventions. Participants recorded their daily bowel movements and well-being parameters in daily questionnaires. In the healthy cohort (n = 19), the Actazin-H (P = .014) and Gold (P = .009) interventions significantly increased the mean daily bowel movements compared with the washout. No significant differences were observed in stool form as determined by use of the Bristol stool scale. In a subgroup analysis of responders in the healthy cohort, Actazin-L (P = .005), Actazin-H (P < .001), and Gold (P = .001) consumption significantly increased the number of daily bowel movements by greater than 1 bowel movement per week. In the functionally constipated cohort (n = 9), there were no significant differences between interventions for bowel movements and the Bristol stool scale values or in the subsequent subgroup analysis of responders. This study demonstrated that Actazin and Gold produced clinically meaningful increases in bowel movements in healthy individuals.

No difference in fecal levels of bacteria or short chain fatty acids in humans, when consuming fruit juice beverages containing fruit fiber, fruit polyphenols, and their combination.

This study examined the effect of a Boysenberry beverage (750 mg polyphenols), an apple fiber beverage (7.5 g dietary fiber), and a Boysenberry plus apple fiber beverage (750 mg polyphenols plus 7.5 g dietary fiber) on gut health. Twenty-five individuals completed the study. The study was a placebo-controlled crossover study, where every individual consumed 1 of the 4 treatments in turn. Each treatment phase was 4-week long and was followed by a 2-week washout period. The trial beverages were 350 g taken in 2 doses every day (ie, 175 mL taken twice daily). The hypothesis for the study was that the combination of polyphenols and fiber would have a greater benefit on gut health than the placebo product or the fiber or polyphenols on their own. There were no differences in fecal levels of total bacteria, Bacteroides-Prevotella-Porphyromonas group, Bifidobacteriumspecies, Clostridium perfringens, or Lactobacillus species among any of the treatment groups. Fecal short chain fatty acid concentrations did not vary among treatment groups, although prostaglandin E2 concentrations were higher after consumption of the Boysenberry juice beverage. No significant differences were found in quantitative measures of gut health between the Boysenberry juice beverage, the apple fiber beverage, the Boysenberry juice plus apple fiber beverage, and the placebo beverage.

Variability in measurements of blood glucose response to foods in human subjects is not reduced after a standard breakfast.

Measurements of blood glucose response to food are highly variable. We determined whether within-individual variability in data for blood glucose responses were reduced if individuals consumed a standard meal 2 hours before testing and investigated the effect of serving size. Blood glucose responses to muesli and macaroni cheese were determined in 13 individuals by taking 2 fasting capillary blood samples. Food was then consumed, and capillary blood samples were taken every 15 minutes for the first hour and every 30 minutes for the second hour. The incremental area under the blood glucose response curve was determined, and glycemic glucose equivalents (GGEs) were calculated. The GGE values were not significantly different whether the muesli and macaroni cheese were fed fasting or after a standard breakfast (29.2 vs 34.5 g for muesli and 11.0 vs 14.6 g for macaroni cheese). Within-individual coefficients of variation were not significantly different whether the food was consumed fasting or after a standard breakfast (24.9% and 32.5% for muesli and 38.1% and 59.4% for macaroni cheese). Differences in GGE between measured and estimated half serving size for macaroni cheese were 0.8 g (P = .6) and for muesli, 3 g (P = .2); for the double serving size for macaroni cheese, 1.7 g (P = .7); and for muesli, 6.7 g (P = .06). The GGE values for foods and variability in blood glucose response within individuals were not significantly different whether individuals fasted or consumed a standard breakfast before testing. However, blood glucose levels tended to differ significantly after consumption of the double serving size of muesli compared with other serving sizes.

Considerable temporal variability in glucose reference curves in humans for a year period.

Glycemic glucose equivalent (GGE) is a measure of the blood glucose response to a defined portion of food. Their calculation requires the measurement of a standard glucose-response curve, with beverages containing 0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 75 g of glucose measured twice each. This study was designed to determine the stability of an individual's glucose-response curve measured every 3 months for a year and of their GGE estimates for 10 foods for that period. The blood glucose response to beverages containing 0, 12.5, 25, 50, and 75 g glucose and to 10 foods was measured for 16 healthy individuals. Capillary blood samples were collected fasting, then every 15 minutes for 1 hour, and every 30 minutes for at least 2 hours. The slopes and intercepts of the 4 glucose curves and the GGE of the 10 foods calculated using the available curves for each food was compared. The results showed considerable temporal variability in the slope (intraindividual coefficient of variation (CV) = 30%) and intercept (intraindividual CV = 40%) of the glucose curves. However, if GGE values were categorized into 3 groups (low GGE, < or = 10; medium GGE, 10.01-19.99; and high GGE, > or = 20), all but one food was consistently classified in the same category across the 4 glucose curves. In conclusion, it appears that if the exact GGE value is required, glucose curves should be repeated at least once every 3 months, but if foods are classed into general GGE categories, it may be possible to use the same glucose curve for a longer period.