Acute effect of oat ß-glucan on the bioavailability of orange juice flavanones.

The impact of ß-glucan on the bioavailability of orange juice (OJ) flavanones was investigated in a randomised controlled trial. Volunteers consumed 500 mL of OJ without or with either 3 g (OB-3) or 6 g (OB-6) of ß-glucan. Urine samples, collected 12 h before and over a 0-24 h period post-supplementation, were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. The overall 0-24 h urinary excretion of the 17 flavanone metabolites identified and quantified in urine after OJ ingestion corresponded to 29.7 µmol, and 25.0 and 9.3 µmol, respectively, after OB-3 and OB-6 intake. This corresponds to 9.3, 7.9, and 2.9% recoveries of the 318 µmol of the ingested flavanones. The acute ingestion of OJ with 6 g, but not 3 g of ß-glucan led to a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the excretion of flavanone metabolites compared with consumption of OJ alone.

Sugar Content and Nutritional Quality of Child Orientated Ready to Eat Cereals and Yoghurts in the UK and Latin America; Does Food Policy Matter?

Ready to eat breakfast cereals (REBCs) and yoghurts provide important nutrients to children's diets, but concerns about their high sugar content exist. Food reformulation could contribute to sugar reduction, but policies across countries are not uniform. We aimed to compare the sugar content and nutritional quality of child-orientated REBCs and yoghurts in Latin American countries with the UK. In a cross-sectional study, nutritional information, marketing strategies, and claims were collected from the food labels and packaging of products available in Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador and the UK. Nutritional quality was assessed using the UK Ofcom Nutrient Profiling System. In total, 262 products were analysed (59% REBCs/41% yoghurts). REBCs in the UK had a lower sugar content (mean ± SD) (24.6 ± 6.4) than products in Ecuador (34.6 ± 10.8; p < 0.001), Mexico (32.6 ± 7.6; p = 0.001) and Guatemala (31.5 ± 8.3; p = 0.001). Across countries, there were no differences in the sugar content of yoghurts. A large proportion (83%) of REBCs and 33% of yoghurts were classified as "less healthy". In conclusion, the sugar content of REBCs in Latin America is higher than those of the UK, which could be attributed to the UK voluntary sugar reduction programme. Sugar reformulation policies are required in Guatemala, Mexico and Ecuador.

Confused health and nutrition claims in food marketing to children could adversely affect food choice and increase risk of obesity.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the nutritional quality of foods marketed to children in the UK and to explore the use of health and nutrition claims. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a wide range of UK food retailers. Products marketed to children above the age of 1 year containing any of a range of child friendly themes (i.e. cartoons, toys and promotions), and terms suggesting a nutritious or healthy attribute such as 'one of 5-a-day', on product packaging were identified both in stores and online. Information on sugar, salt and fat content, as well as health and nutrition claims, was recorded. The Ofcom nutrient profiling model (NPM) was used to assess if products were healthy. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-two products, including breakfast cereals, fruit snacks, fruit-based drinks, dairy products and ready meals, were sampled. The use of cartoon characters (91.6%), nutrition claims (41.6%) and health claims (19.6%) was a common marketing technique. The one of 5-a-day claim was also common (41.6%), but 75.4% (103) of products which made this claim were made up of less than 80 g of fruit and vegetables. Sugar content (mean±SD per 100 g) was high in fruit snacks (48.4±16.2 g), cereal bars (28.9±7.5 g) and cereals (22.9±8.0 g). Overall, 41.0% of the products were classified as less healthy according to the Ofcom NPM. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of products marketed to children through product packaging are less healthy, and claims used on product packaging are confusing. Uniform guidance would avoid confusion on nutritional quality of many popular foods.