Dietary Polyphenols and Gut Microbiota Cross-Talk: Molecular and Therapeutic Perspectives for Cardiometabolic Disease: A Narrative Review.

The intricate interplay between the gut microbiota and polyphenols has emerged as a captivating frontier in understanding and potentially harnessing the therapeutic potential of these bioactive compounds. Phenolic compounds, renowned for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties, are subject to intricate transformations within the gut milieu, where the diverse microbial ecosystem exerts profound effects on their metabolism and bioavailability. Conversely, polyphenols exhibit a remarkable capacity to modulate the composition and activity of the gut microbiota, fostering a bidirectional relationship that extends beyond mere nutrient processing. This symbiotic interaction holds significant implications for human health, particularly in cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. Through a comprehensive exploration of molecular interactions, this narrative review elucidates the reciprocal dynamics between the gut microbiota and polyphenols, unveiling novel avenues for therapeutic intervention in cardiometabolic disorders. By unravelling the intricate cross-talk between these two entities, this review underscores the multifaceted roles of polyphenols in overall health and the pivotal role of gut microbiota modulation as a promising therapeutic strategy in mitigating the burden of cardiometabolic diseases.

Relationship between anthropometric nutritional status and functional capacity in older adults living in the community.

BACKGROUND: The functional fitness of older people may be associated with their nutritional status. AIM: To assess the association between of anthropometric measures with functional fitness in older people. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in 75 participants aged 65 to 89 years. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), fat mass (FM) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were calculated from anthropometric measures. The functional fitness was determined using the Senior Fitness Test battery. RESULTS: BMI and FM indicated obesity, and WHtR indicated cardiometabolic risk in 49%, 55% and 83% of participants, respectively. SMI indicated a low muscle mass in 91% of females. Performance standards of chair stand, arm curl, 2-min step test and 8-foot up-and-go tests were met in 1%, 8%, 1% and 89% of participants, respectively. Significant negative correlations were found between 2-min step test and BMI, WHtR and FM (r = -0.26, -0.31 and -0.48 respectively). Back scratch had a negative correlation with BMI (r = -0.23) and SMI (rho = -0.28). Significant positive correlations were found between 8-foot up-and-go, WHtR (rho = 0.28) and FM (rho = 0.23), and between 2-min step test and SMI (rho = 0.28). The coefficient of determination (R2) between 2-min step test with BMI, WHtR and FM were 0.05, 0.08 and 0.22, respectively, while the R2 between back scratch and BMI was 0.04. Multiple regression models indicated that FM affected the 2-min step test independently of BMI and WHtR (adjusted R2 = 0.22), however age and sex negatively influenced these associations. CONCLUSIONS: Functional fitness of older adults is influenced by nutritional anthropometric measures, particularly BMI, WHtR and FM for aerobic capacity, and BMI for upper limb flexibility.

[Effects of D-tagatose, Stevia and Sucrose on pH and oral bacterial activity in dentistry students. A randomized controlled trial]. / Efectos de D-tagatosa, estevia y sacarosa sobre el pH y la actividad bacteriana oral en estudiantes de odontología. Ensayo controlado y aleatorizado.

BACKGROUND: stevia and D-tagatose have shown a reduction in total calorie and carbohydrate intake as a substitute for sucrose, demonstrating a stabilizing effect on pH and bacterial proliferation. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of D-tagatose, stevia and sucrose on salivary pH and bacterial activity in odontology students. METHODOLOGY: a controlled study of parallel and randomized groups with a single blind, whose sample considered three groups subjected to a mouthwash of D-tagatose (n = 10), stevia (n = 10) and sucrose (n = 10). These solutions were administered over 1 minute in a single 6.4 % concentrated dose. Data collection and analysis considered the recording of salivary pH 5 min before exposure to the sweetener, immediately after expulsion of the mouthwash and 15 min later, 30 min, 45 min and 48 hours. The counting of the final number of colony-forming units per mL (CFU/mL) was counted using the salivary samples obtained immediately after exposure of the sweetener together with the sample obtained 30 minutes later, with the cultures performed on agar plates. RESULTS: D-tagatose, stevia and sucrose presented significant differences in total CFU/mL at 30 minutes (p < 0.001), while salivary pH showed significant differences at 48 hours after administration (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: D-tagatose, stevia and sucrose present significant differences in total CFU/mL and salivary pH, these findings being a possible indication of a partial inhibitory effect on bacterial metabolism.

Effect of Oral Nutritional Supplements with Sucromalt and Isomaltulose versus Standard Formula on Glycaemic Index, Entero-Insular Axis Peptides and Subjective Appetite in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomised Cross-Over Study.

Oral diabetes-specific nutritional supplements (ONS-D) induce favourable postprandial responses in subjects with type 2 diabetes (DM2), but they have not been correlated yet with incretin release and subjective appetite (SA). This randomised, double-blind, cross-over study compared postprandial effects of ONS-D with isomaltulose and sucromalt versus standard formula (ET) on glycaemic index (GI), insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and SA in 16 individuals with DM2. After overnight fasting, subjects consumed a portion of supplements containing 25 g of carbohydrates or reference food. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min; and SA sensations were assessed by a visual analogue scale on separate days. Glycaemic index values were low for ONS-D and intermediate for ET (p < 0.001). The insulin area under the curve (AUC0-180 min) (p < 0.02) and GIP AUC (p < 0.02) were lower after ONS-D and higher GLP-1 AUC when compared with ET (p < 0.05). Subjective appetite AUC was greater after ET than ONS-D (p < 0.05). Interactions between hormones, hunger, fullness and GI were found, but not within the ratings of SA; isomaltulose and sucromalt may have influenced these factors.

D-Tagatose Is a Promising Sweetener to Control Glycaemia: A New Functional Food.

The objective of the current research was to review and update evidence on the dietary effect of the consumption of tagatose in type 2 diabetes, as well as to elucidate the current approach that exists on its production and biotechnological utility in functional food for diabetics. Articles published before July 1, 2017, were included in the databases PubMed, EBSCO, Google Scholar, and Scielo, including the terms "Tagatose", "Sweeteners", "Diabetes Mellitus type 2", "Sweeteners", "D-Tag". D-Tagatose (D-tag) is an isomer of fructose which is approximately 90% sweeter than sucrose. Preliminary studies in animals and preclinical studies showed that D-tag decreased glucose levels, which generated great interest in the scientific community. Recent studies indicate that tagatose has low glycemic index, a potent hypoglycemic effect, and eventually could be associated with important benefits for the treatment of obesity. The authors concluded that D-tag is promising as a sweetener without major adverse effects observed in these clinical studies.

Noncaloric Sweeteners in Children: A Controversial Theme.

Noncaloric sweeteners (NCS) are food additives used to provide sweetness without adding calories. Their consumption has become more widespread around the world in all age groups, including children. The aim of this study is to show the state of the art about the intake of noncaloric sweeteners in children, as well as their benefits and consumption risk. Scientific searchers were used (PUBMED, Scopus, and Scielo) to analyze articles that included keywords (noncaloric sweeteners/saccharin/cyclamate/acesulfame potassium/aspartame/sucralose/stevia/children) in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Authors conclude that it is imperative that health professionals judiciously and individually evaluate the overall benefits and risks of NCS use in consumers before recommending their use. Different subgroups of the population incorporate products containing NCS in their diet with different objectives, which should be considered when recommending a diet plan for the consumer. In childhood, in earlier age groups, this type of additives should be used as a dietary alternative when other forms of prevention in obesity are not sufficient.

Glycemic index, glycemic load and insulin response of two formulas of isoglucose with different sweeteners and dietary fiber in healthy adults and type-2 diabetes / Índice glicémico, carga glicémica e insulina posprandial a dos fórmulas isoglucídicas con distintos edulcorantes y fibra en adultos sanos y diabéticos tipo 2

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of two formulas with the same glucose content with different sweeteners and dietary fiber for diabetics in healthy adults and in patients with type-2 diabetes (DM2). Methodology: In this randomized, double-blind crossover research, eleven healthy people and six with DM2 consumed two enteral formulas, Glucerna SR®, Laboratorios Abbott C.A. (GF) and Enterex Diabetic®, Victus C.A. (EF), sweetened with fructose y sucralose, with 1.2 and 1.3 g/100 ml of fiber source respectively (four times). Additionally, they consumed glucose solution once, obtaining blood samples at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min for controls; in the diabetics, minutes 150 and 180 were added for measuring blood glucose, basal and postprandial insulin after two and three hours. Results: The incremental area under the curve (IAUC) was lower for the formulas rather than for SG. In the healthy controls was 12,857 ± 422 for EF and 11,601 ± 272 for GF (p < 0.014). In diabetics, this curve reduced for GF (28,656 ± 123) compared to EF (29,855 ± 496) (p < 0.01). The IG resulted in 58.07 ± 8.4 and 60.7 ± 2 for GF and EF, respectively, in the controls, and 65.16 ± 0.2 and 68.06 ± 1 in diabetics, without significant differences, as well as in post-prandial insulin. Conclusions: The GI and the GL of the two formulas resulted in an intermediate value in both groups, with a glycemic profile inferior to SG. No significant differences were observed regarding insulin behavior, showing that the absorption rate of carbohydrates in these formulas is slower, with a lower glycemic impact than the pattern product; thus, making its indication acceptable for the diabetic patient.

Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el índice glicémico (IG), la carga glicémica (CG) y la insulina posprandial de dos fórmulas isoglucídicas con distintos edulcorantes y fibra en adultos sanos y diabéticos tipo 2 (DM2). Metodología: en este estudio aleatorizado, cruzado y doble ciego, once sujetos sanos y seis diabéticos consumieron dos fórmulas en cuatro ocasiones (Glucerna SR® Laboratorios Abbott C.A [FG] y Enterex Diabetic®, Victus, C.A [FE], edulcoradas con fructosa y sucralosa respectivamente, con distintas fuentes de fibra), además de solución glucosada (SG) en una ocasión. Se obtuvieron muestras de sangre en ambos grupos a los tiempos 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 y 120 minutos; en los diabéticos se adicionó el minuto 150 y 180 para medición de glicemias e insulina basal/posprandial de dos y tres horas. Resultados: el área de incremento bajo la curva de glucosa (IAUC) fue menor para las fórmulas que para SG. En sanos fue de 12.857 ± 422 para FE y 11.601 ± 272 para FG (p < 0,014). En diabéticos resultó más disminuida para FG (28.656 ± 123) comparada con FE (29.855 ± 496) (p < 0,01). El IG resultó 58,07 ± 8,4 y 60,7 ± 2 para FG y FE respectivamente en controles, y 65,16 ± 0,2 y 68,06 ± 1 en diabéticos, sin diferencias; igualmente en la insulina posprandial. Conclusiones: el IG y la CG de ambas fórmulas resultaron en un valor intermedio en los dos grupos, con perfil glicémico inferior al de SG. No se observaron diferencias en el comportamiento insulínico, evidenciando que la velocidad de absorción de los carbohidratos de estas fórmulas es prolongada, con impacto glicémico menor que el producto patrón, lo que sugiere que es aceptable su indicación en el diabético.

[Role of the stevia and L-carnitine of a nutritional supplement on glycemic impact in adults]. / Rol de la estevia y L-carnitina sobre el impacto glicémico de un suplemento nutricional en adultos.

Currently the food industry has generated interest in non-nutritive sweeteners, for example Stevia and in special components such as L-carnitine, used in formulations of nutritional supplements for glycemic control specific for diabetics. The present study evaluated the effect of stevia and L-carnitine on the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (CG) of a nutritional supplement in 19 healthy subjects (9 men and 10 women), who randomly completed 3 consumption tests, 1 for the supplement and 1 for each reference product: Glucose solution (SG) and white bread (PB), obtaining blood samples at the 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min times; for measurement of blood glucose, basal and postprandial insulin. The increase area under the glucose curve (IAUC) was lower for supplement 11,778.73 than for reference products (SG) 13,724.06; (PB) 13,153.56 α= p 0.005. IG = (62) and CG = (16) were intermediate and lower than white bread IG = (69) and CG = (18), with no difference in postprandial insulin. This demonstrates that this nutritional supplement formulated with stevia and L-carnitine is able to prolong the glycemic response without increasing the insulin requirements in healthy subjects. Specific studies are required in diabetics to validate whether the glycemic impact is lower than the standard product. The presence of other nutrients in the formula, influential in these indicators, does not allow to infer that the results are due only to the type of sweetener used and the L-carnitine.

Relationship between anthropometric nutritional status and functional capacity in older adults living in the community / Relación entre estado nutricional antropométrico y condición física funcional en adultos mayores independientes

ABSTRACT Background: The functional fitness of older people may be associated with their nutritional status. Aim: To assess the association between of anthropometric measures with functional fitness in older people. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in 75 participants aged 65 to 89 years. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), fat mass (FM) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were calculated from anthropometric measures. The functional fitness was determined using the Senior Fitness Test battery. Results: BMI and FM indicated obesity, and WHtR indicated cardiometabolic risk in 49%, 55% and 83% of participants, respectively. SMI indicated a low muscle mass in 91% of females. Performance standards of chair stand, arm curl, 2-min step test and 8-foot up-and-go tests were met in 1%, 8%, 1% and 89% of participants, respectively. Significant negative correlations were found between 2-min step test and BMI, WHtR and FM (r = −0.26, −0.31 and −0.48 respectively). Back scratch had a negative correlation with BMI (r = −0.23) and SMI (rho = −0.28). Significant positive correlations were found between 8-foot up-and-go, WHtR (rho = 0.28) and FM (rho = 0.23), and between 2-min step test and SMI (rho = 0.28). The coefficient of determination (R2) between 2-min step test with BMI, WHtR and FM were 0.05, 0.08 and 0.22, respectively, while the R2 between back scratch and BMI was 0.04. Multiple regression models indicated that FM affected the 2-min step test independently of BMI and WHtR (adjusted R2 = 0.22), however age and sex negatively influenced these associations. Conclusions: Functional fitness of older adults is influenced by nutritional anthropometric measures, particularly BMI, WHtR and FM for aerobic capacity, and BMI for upper limb flexibility.

Introducción: El estado nutricional y la condición física funcional (CFF) pueden estar relacionados en adultos mayores. Objetivo: Analizar la influencia de medidas antropométricas nutricionales sobre CFF. Material y Método: Estudio transversal realizado en 75 adultos de 65 a 89 años. Las variables antropométricas fueron índice de masa corporal (IMC), razón cintura-talla (RCT), masa adiposa (MA) e índice de masa muscular esquelética (IMME). La evaluación de CFF se efectuó con la batería Senior Fitness Test. Resultados: El IMC y MA indicaron obesidad, y RCT indicó riesgo cardiometabólico en 49%, 55% y 83% de los participantes, respectivamente. IMME indicó una baja masa muscular en 91% de las mujeres. El estándar de rendimiento para las pruebas sentarse-levantarse, flexión-codo, paso-2-minutos y levantarse-caminar-sentarse se logró en 1%, 8%, 1% y 89% de los participantes, respectivamente. Se encontraron correlaciones significativas negativas entre paso-2-minutos con IMC, RCT y MA (r = −0.26,-0.31 y-0.48 respectivamente. La misma asociación se observó entre juntar-manos-espalda con IMC (r = −0.23) e IMME (rho = −0.28). Se encontraron correlaciones significativas positivas entre levantarse-caminar-sentarse con RCT (rho=0.28) y MA (rho = 0.23), y entre paso-2-minutos con IMME (rho = 0.28). Los R2 entre paso-2-minutos e IMC, RCT y MA fueron 0.05, 0.08 y 0.22, respectivamente, mientras que el R2 entre juntar-manos-espalda e IMC fue 0.04. Los modelos de regresión múltiple indicaron que MA afectó la prueba paso-2-minutos independientemente de IMC y RCT (R2 ajustado = 0.22), aunque la edad y sexo afectaron negativamente estas asociaciones. Conclusiones: La CFF de adultos mayores es influenciada por alteraciones evidenciadas por medidas antropométricas nutricionales, particularmente IMC, RCT y MA sobre la capacidad aeróbica, e IMC sobre la flexibilidad de extremidad superior.