Kombuchas from green and black teas reduce oxidative stress, liver steatosis and inflammation, and improve glucose metabolism in Wistar rats fed a high-fat high-fructose diet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of green and black tea kombuchas consumption on adiposity, lipid and glucose metabolism, liver steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in Wistar rats fed a high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) diet. Wistar rats, after 8 weeks to induce metabolic alterations, were divided into an AIN-93M control group, HFHF control group, green tea kombucha + HFHF diet (GTK group), and black tea kombucha + HFHF diet (BTK group), for 10 weeks. The kombuchas improved glucose metabolism, plasma total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity, and decreased nitric oxide concentration. Moreover, both kombuchas reduced systemic inflammation by decreasing the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), reduced the total adipose tissue and blood triglyceride, and reverted liver steatosis (from grade 2 to 1), besides the modulation of genes related to adipogenesis and ß-oxidation. Therefore, kombuchas from green and black teas have bioactive properties that can help control metabolic alterations induced by the HFHF diet.

Effect of Pereskia aculeata Mill. in vitro and in overweight humans: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Mill.) flour on the adhesion of probiotics to intestinal epithelial cells and to evaluate the effect of a product based on this flour on gastrointestinal symptoms, weight, body fat, glycemia, and lipid profile in overweight men. METHODS: Microbiological counts (probiotic count, survival after in vitro gastrointestinal resistance, Caco-2 cell adhesion) were analyzed. A randomized, cross-over intervention was performed. Intestinal microbiota was indirectly assessed on the basis of consistency, color of feces, and gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS: P. aculeata did not affect Lactobacillus casei adhesion to Caco-2 cells. Ora-pro-nobis flour improved gastrointestinal symptoms and increased satiety. CONCLUSION: The consumption of ora-pro-nobis flour improved intestinal health. In addition, it maintained the high adherence of L. casei to intestinal cells as well as patient anthropometric and biochemical parameters. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Pereskia aculeata Mill. is well known in folk medicine and has several nutrients; however, there are few studies on this plant. This is the first study to analyze the influence of P. aculeata on bacterial adherence and the first cross-over clinical trial to evaluate the beneficial potential of ora-pro-nobis flour in overweight men. Thus, this study will contribute to the promotion of ora-pro-nobis as a functional ingredient and will arouse the interest of industries to develop related healthy foods. In addition, it is an effective dietary strategy to improve the gastrointestinal health of men.