Evaluation of antioxidant activity and nutritional composition of flavoured dehydrated soups packaged in different formats. Reducing the sodium content.

The antioxidant activity and nutritional composition of four dehydrated soups (vegetables, meat, chicken and fish) packaged in four formats - carton, plastic, and aluminium bags (the last with and without modified atmosphere) - were evaluated during 12 months' storage. The results showed that all four soups had a good or very good antioxidant capacity as tested by the lipid peroxidation, deoxyribose, and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) tests. Of interest from a nutritional point of view was the finding that the lipid fraction of all the soups was below 1 %. The sodium content of the four soups and their ingredients was also analysed. By modifying some of the ingredients, a 25 % reduction in the sodium content of the soups was obtained, permitting them to be labelled as "sodium reduced". The monosodium glutamate (MSG) content of the reformulated soups (lower sodium content) was below levels permitted by European legislation.

[ADHERENCE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND HYDRATION IN SPANISH AND MOROCCAN POPULATIONS]. / SEGUIMIENTO DE LA DIETA MEDITERRÁNEA E HIDRATACIÓN DE LA POBLACIÓN ESPAÑOLA Y MARROQUÍ.

INTRODUCTION: southern European, Middle Eastern, and North African countries bordering the Mediterranean share dietary habits characterized by moderation and a variety of foods, notably fruit and vegetables. These customs are becoming modified due to social and economic changes. An adequate intake of water and other drinks is essential for a healthy diet. OBJECTIVE: to study adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and bottled water/beverage consumption in two Mediterranean populations. METHODS: adults from North-Western Morocco and Southern Spain (n = 400) completed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The bottled waters they reported were then purchased locally (17 brands in Morocco, 30 in Southern Spain) for ionic-exchange chromatography study. RESULTS: cation values (mg/L) ranged from 140.16 to 439 for C, 53.15 to 87.5 for Mg, 1169.78 to 257.2 for Na, and 50.26 to 26.5 mg/L for K, i.e. waters with medium mineralization levels. No cation supplied > 7% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) in either population. MD adherence was higher in the Spanish (6.28 ± 1.38) versus Moroccan (4.42 ± 1.52) population. There is a substantial intake of water through the MD due to its elevated fruit/vegetable content. Consumption of bottled water, infusions, and juices was higher in the Moroccan population; consumption of beer and other alcoholic drinks was higher in the Spanish population. The total liquid consumption was higher in the Moroccan population. The drinks intake profile permits classification of the populations, with odds ratios ranging from 1.6 to 11.01 for a higher intake of juices, soft drinks, tea, bottled water, and total liquids in the Moroccan versus Spanish population.

Introducción: la dieta mediterránea (DM) comprende la ribera europea, africana y asiática del mar Mediterráneo. Características de la DM son variedad de alimentos y sobriedad. Junto a los nutrientes, es esencial la ingesta de agua y bebidas. Objetivo: estudiar la DM y la contribución del agua y las bebidas a la hidratación de dos poblaciones de la ribera mediterránea. Métodos: adultos procedentes del noroeste de Marruecos y sur de España (n = 400), completaron un cuestionario semi-cuantitativo de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos. Se analizó agua envasada consumida por la población y comprada en el mercado local (17 marcas/ tipos en Marruecos y 30 en el sur de España). Resultados: por cromatografía de intercambio iónico se analizaron diversas sales. El rango fue: Ca entre 140,16 y 439 mg/L; Mg entre 53,15 y 87,5 mg/L; Na entre 1169,78 y 257,2 mg/L y K 50,26 y 26,5 mg/L, valores tanto para muestras españolas como marroquís. Son aguas de mineralización media y su ingesta de minerales no contribuye más del 7% a la RDA de las poblaciones estudiadas. El seguimiento de la DM es superior en la población española (6,28 ± 1,38) que en la marroquí (4,42 ± 1,52). El perfil de ingesta de bebidas permite clasificar a la población al encontrar valores OR que van desde 1,6 a 11,01 para mayor ingesta de zumo, refrescos, te, agua envasada y total de ingesta de líquidos para la población marroquí frente a la española. Conclusión: el consumo de aguas envasadas no supone un suplemento mineral de interés en estas poblaciones.

Aluminium content of drinking waters, fruit juices and soft drinks: contribution to dietary intake.

Concentrations of aluminium in drinking waters (tap water, still mineral water and sparkling mineral water), fruit juices and soft drinks were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) of samples processed with a HNO3-V205 acid digestion pre-treatment. In water samples, aluminium was determined directly. We verified the sensitivity, accuracy and precision of the method and ruled out matrix interferences. In analysed samples, aluminium values ranged from 4.2 to 165.3 microg/l in drinking water (n=41), from 49.3 to 1,144.6 microg/l in fruit juices (n=47), and from 44.6 to 1053.3 microg/l in soft drinks (n=88). According to the type of container (glass or can) statistically significant differences (P<0.01) have been demonstrated. Considering the mean daily individual consumption of these beverages in Spain, the daily dietary intake of Al supplied by this source is estimated as 156 microg/person/day. This study contributes new data on the Al content of a variety of foods and beverages in Spain and to estimate reliably the total dietary intake of aluminium.

Aluminum levels in convenience and fast foods: in vitro study of the absorbable fraction.

We evaluated the levels of aluminum in a total of 120 samples of 35 different convenience and fast foods that are widely consumed in Spain. Aluminum was determined in the samples mineralized with HNO3, HClO4 and V2O5, using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry as the analytical technique. Reliability of the procedure was checked by statistically comparing the results with those obtained with a previous microwave oven mineralization stage and by analysis of several certified reference materials. No matrix effect was observed and aqueous standard solutions were used for calibration. The detection limit was 4.0 pg and the characteristic mass of 10.0 pg. Aluminum concentrations ranged from 0.85 to 38.10 microg/g, refereed to fresh weight of the edible portion. The presence of this metal was detected in all the samples we analyzed, but the most elevated levels were encountered in pork- and chicken- based foods (mean 8.45 and 13.94 microg/g, respectively). The more elevated Al concentrations were detected in foods with a greater content of spices and aromatic herbs, pasta, certain vegetables and additives, and foods packaged in Al vessels. The absorbable fraction of Al estimated with in vitro assays was between 0.85 and 2.15%. The growing popularity of these products in recent years requires additional data and a periodical control. In addition, the present findings are of potential use to efforts aimed at determining tolerable levels of Al intake from the diet.

Differences in food intake and nutritional habits between Spanish adolescents who engage in ski activity and those who do not.

BACKGROUND: Increasing obesity among adolescents in the industrialized world may result from poor nutritional habits and inadequate exercise. AIM: To determine differences in food intake, nutritional habits, and body mass index between Spanish adolescents who engage in ski activity and those who do not. METHODS: A socio-demographic survey, food frequency questionnaire, 24-hr dietary recall, and physical activity questionnaire were completed by 300 Spanish schoolchildren aged 10 to 18 yrs. RESULTS were compared (Student's t, chi-square and Fisher's exact test) between adolescents engaged (SP) and not engaged (N-SP) in skiing according to their sex. RESULTS: SP adolescents devoted > 4 h/day to physical activity versus < 1 h for N-SP adolescents. No significant differences were found in nutrient intake or nutritional habits between SP and N-SP adolescents. Protein and fat intakes of both groups were above recommended levels. A higher proportion of N-SP than SP males were overweight. Logistic regression analysis showed that the maintenance of a normal weight was favored by the practice of skiing, the consumption of sugar-free drinks, and supplementation with vitamins/mineral salts and was negatively associated with body weight dissatisfaction, intake of nutritional supplements other than vitamins or minerals, and the consumption of snacks. CONCLUSIONS: The diet of this adolescent population was poorly balanced. Engagement in physical activity appears to be a key factor in maintaining a healthy body mass index.

Antecedentes: El aumento de la obesidad entre los adolescentes en países desarrollados puede ser consecuencia de malos hábitos alimentarios y falta de actividad. Objetivo: Determinar las diferencias en la ingesta de alimentos, hábitos nutricionales e índice de masa corporal entre adolescentes españoles que practican esquí y los que no lo hacen. Métodos: Una muestra de 300 adolescentes españoles de 10 a 18 años completó una encuesta que incluyó variables sociodemográficas, un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos, recordatorio de 24h y un cuestionario de actividad física. Se utilizaron test de comparación paramétricos y no paramétricos para comparar los resultados entre adolescentes que practican (SP) y no practican (N-SP) esquí, en función al sexo. Resultados: Los adolescentes SP dedicaron más de 4h diarias a la realización de actividad física mientras que los adolescentes N-SP dedicaron menos de 1 hora diaria a la actividad física. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la ingesta de nutrientes o los hábitos nutricionales entre adolescentes SP y N-SP. La ingesta de proteínas y lípidos de ambos grupos estuvo por encima de los niveles recomendados. El sobrepeso fue más frecuente entre adolescentes N-SP. El análisis de regresión logística mostró que el mantenimiento de un peso normal se ve favorecido por la práctica del esquí, el consumo de bebidas sin azúcar y la suplementación con vitaminas/minerales y se asoció negativamente con la insatisfacción con el peso corporal, el consumo de suplementos nutricionales distintos a vitaminas o minerales y el consumo de aperitivos. Conclusiones: La dieta de esta población adolescente fue desequilibrada. La participación en la actividad física parece ser un factor clave en el mantenimiento de un índice de masa corporal saludable.