Development of Germinated-Brown-Rice-Based Novel Functional Beverage Enriched with γ-Aminobutyric Acid: Nutritional and Bio-Functional Characterization.

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), recognized as a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter within the brain, serves a crucial role in the aging process and in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Research has demonstrated the beneficial effects of GABA, particularly for elderly individuals. Given that elderly individuals often encounter challenges with swallowing food, beverages designed to address dysphagia represent a preferable option for this demographic. Among the different processing techniques, the germination process triggers biochemical changes, leading to an increase in certain nutrients and bioactive compounds (e.g., GABA). Therefore, we attempted to develop a novel functional beverage utilizing germinated brown rice enriched with GABA and studied its nutritional and bio-functional characterization. The optimal conditions (X1, X2, X3 and X4.) were determined: powdered sugar (40 g), chocolate powder (20 g), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (0.5 g), GBR (220 g), and water (440 mL). The results of storage studies indicated that the germinated-brown-rice-based beverage exhibited favorable nutritional attributes, including increased γ-oryzanol (52.73 ± 1.56%), total phenolic content (26.68 ± 1.56 mg GAE/100 g), niacin (5.17 ± 0.14%), and GABA (42.12 ± 0.63 mg/100 g) levels. Additionally, the beverage demonstrated notable antioxidant activity (74.23 ± 2.37 µmol TE/100 g), suggesting potential health-promoting effects. Sensory evaluation revealed satisfactory acceptability among consumers, highlighting its palatability. Overall, this study elucidates the development of a novel functional beverage utilizing germinated brown rice enriched with GABA, offering promising nutritional and bio-functional characteristics for health-conscious consumers.

Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods: The Foods for the Future World.

The health and wellness of human beings is largely dictated by the consumption of nutritious foods. Various studies have linked foods as helpful in combating a number of degenerative diseases; as such, a lot of research on functional attributes linked directly to the health benefits of various plant and animal foods have been witnessed in recent years. Although vast number of naturally occurring health-enhancing substances are of plant origin, there are a number of physiologically active components in animal products as well that deserve attention for their potential role in optimal health. Consumption of biologically active ingredients in fruits and vegetables has been linked to help combat diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and gastrointestinal tract disorders. Lot of research is required to substantiate the potential health benefits of those foods for which the diet-health relationships are not sufficiently validated, and create a strong scientific knowledge base for proper application of naturally present foods in combating various diseases and disorders.