Fructose co-ingestion to increase carbohydrate availability in athletes.

Carbohydrate availability is important to maximize endurance performance during prolonged bouts of moderate- to high-intensity exercise as well as for acute post-exercise recovery. The primary form of carbohydrates that are typically ingested during and after exercise are glucose (polymers). However, intestinal glucose absorption can be limited by the capacity of the intestinal glucose transport system (SGLT1). Intestinal fructose uptake is not regulated by the same transport system, as it largely depends on GLUT5 as opposed to SGLT1 transporters. Combining the intake of glucose plus fructose can further increase total exogenous carbohydrate availability and, as such, allow higher exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates. Ingesting a mixture of both glucose and fructose can improve endurance exercise performance compared to equivalent amounts of glucose (polymers) only. Fructose co-ingestion can also accelerate post-exercise (liver) glycogen repletion rates, which may be relevant when rapid (<24 h) recovery is required. Furthermore, fructose co-ingestion can lower gastrointestinal distress when relatively large amounts of carbohydrate (>1.2 g/kg/h) are ingested during post-exercise recovery. In conclusion, combined ingestion of fructose with glucose may be preferred over the ingestion of glucose (polymers) only to help trained athletes maximize endurance performance during prolonged moderate- to high-intensity exercise sessions and accelerate post-exercise (liver) glycogen repletion.

Seasonal and Morphology Effects on Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Capacity, and Sugars Profile of Black Carrot (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.).

Black carrot (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) is widely recognized for its bioactive compounds and antioxidant properties. The black carrot of Cuevas Bajas (Málaga) is a local variety characterized by a black/purple core, which differs from other black carrot varieties. Therefore, this autochthonous variety was characterized according to the root size and the harvesting season by means of a study of its antioxidant capacity analyzed by three methods, its total carotenoids content, and its sugars and phenolic compounds profile by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS). A total of 20 polyphenolic compounds were quantified in 144 samples analyzed. The anthocyanidins group was observed to be the most abundant, followed by the hydroxycinnamic acids group. Moreover, pelargonidin 3-sambubioside was observed in black carrot for the first time. The medium-sized carrots presented the highest content of phenolic compounds, largely due to their significantly higher anthocyanidins content. Comparatively, the small carrots showed a higher content of simple sugars than the large ones. Regarding the influence of season, significantly higher quantities of glucose and fructose were observed in the late-season carrots, while sucrose was the main sugar in early-season samples. No significant differences were observed in the total carotenoid content of black carrot.

A Low Daily Intake of Simple Sugars in the Diet Is Associated with Improved Liver Function in Cirrhotic Liver Transplant Candidates.

(1) Background: We investigated, for the first time, whether dietary simple sugar intake affects MELD score changes over time in a cohort of cirrhotic liver transplant candidates. (2) Methods: the MELD score, dietary habits using a 3-day food diary, and visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) measured with CT scan were assessed in 80 consecutive outpatient cirrhotic patients at baseline, after counseling to follow current nutritional guidelines. The MELD score was reassessed after six months and the DELTA-MELD was calculated as the MELD at the second assessment minus the MELD at baseline. (3) Results: Compared with the baseline, the MELD score of cirrhotic patients at the end of the study was decreased, stable, or increased in 36%, 8% and 56% of patients, respectively. In separate multiple linear regression models, DELTA-MELD was positively and independently correlated with the daily intake of simple sugars expressed in g/kg body weight (p = 0.01) or as a percentage of total caloric intake (p = 0.0004) and with the number of daily portions of fruit, added sugar, jam, and honey (p = 0.003). These associations were present almost exclusively in patients with VATI above the median value. (4) Conclusions: In cirrhotic patients with high amounts of visceral adipose tissue the consumption of simple sugars and fructose should be limited to improve their clinical outcome.

Effect of diet composition on glandular gastric disease in horses.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional factors are suggested to influence the incidence and severity of glandular gastric disease (GGD) in horses. OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively assess whether dietary fermentable carbohydrates increase the severity of GGD and to prospectively evaluate whether the partial substitution of concentrates by dehydrated alfalfa would decrease GGD severity scores. ANIMALS: In total, 82 trotters from 4 training centers exercised ≥5 days/week. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective observational study, and prospective 2-arm randomized trial. Glandular mucosae were observed by gastroscopy and scored (0-4 severity scale) at day 0 (D0). Biochemical composition of the diet fed was compared between ulcerated and nonulcerated groups. After D0, horses either received the same diet (control, n = 41) or pelleted dehydrated alfalfa substituting 50% concentrates (alfalfa, n = 41). Glandular scores were recorded in both groups after 21 (D21) and 42 days (D42). The first end point was a successful outcome, defined as a horse with a glandular score of 2 to 4 on D0, decreasing to a score of 0 to 1 on days 21 or 42. RESULTS: Horses scored 0 to 1 at D0 ingested more (P = .01) soluble sugars from concentrates than those scored 2 to 4 before D0 (77.5 g/kg BW; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.1-84.0, vs 59.1 g/kg BW; 95% CI: 48.0-70.3), whereas starch intake did not differ between groups (P = .24). Among horses scored 2 to 4 at D0, fewer were scored 2 to 4 in the alfalfa group (1 out of 6) compared with the control group (6 out of 6) at D42 (P = .02). Clinical success was 47.7 times more likely in horses fed alfalfa compared with horses in the control group (95% CI: 1.6-1422.8). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Relationships were found between diet composition and integrity of the glandular mucosa. Feeding pelleted dehydrated alfalfa could help to reduce the incidence and severity of GGD.

Association between ultrapocessed food and chronic kidney disease.

The modern diet is closely linked to the consumption of processed foods, causing an increase in the intake of salt, simple sugars, phosphorus and added potassium. This excess intake is associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD, which according to data from the ENRICA study affects 15% of the population, magnifies its impact due to the higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and due to limitations in the management of sodium and phosphorus. The intake of these products far exceeds the established recommendations, assuming 72% of total sodium, 25%-35% of phosphorus, 12%-18% of potassium and exceeding 10% of the caloric intake in simple sugars. Measures are necessary to reduce their contribution through nutritional advice, labeling review, education campaigns on healthy habits, fees and institutional actions that involve food safety agencies, industry, distribution and scientific societies.

Nutraceutical Properties of Mulberries Grown in Southern Italy (Apulia).

In this work, for the first time, were analyzed mulberry genotypes grown in Apulia (Southern Italy, Salento region) were analyzed. Two local varieties of Morus alba (cv. Legittimo nero and cv. Nello) and one of Morus nigra were characterized for content in simple sugars, organic acids, phenols, anthocyanins; fruit antioxidant activity (AA) was also evaluated by three different methods (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH; 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), ABTS; and Ferric reducing antioxidant potential, FRAP test). The results showed that the sugars amount ranged between 6.29 and 7.66 g/100 g fresh weight (FW) while the malic and citric acids content was low, at about 0.1-1 g/100 g FW. Mulberries are a good source of phenols which are present in higher values in M. nigra and M. alba cv. Legittimo nero (485 and 424 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/ 100 g FW, respectively). The high performance liquid chromatography/diode array detector/mass spectrometry (HPLC/DAD/MS) analysis identified 5 main anthocyanin compounds present in different concentrations in each variety of mulberry: cyanidin 3-sophoroside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-rutinoside, pelargonidin 3-glucoside, pelargonidin 3-rutinoside. The highest concentration of anthocyanins was determined in Morus alba Legittimo (about 300 mg/100 g FW) while the lowest content (about 25 mg/100 g FW) was measured in M. alba cv. Nello. Morus nigra showed a good AA in comparison with the different M. alba genotypes with all the used methods; its AA was equal to 33, 26 and 21 µmols Trolox/g FW when using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP tests, respectively. All genotypes showed an anti-inflammatory activity (measured by cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory assay) which was also compared with two commercial anti-inflammatory drugs. The data obtained support the high biological qualities of mulberry fruits and their diffusion in human nutrition.

Impairment of Novel Object Recognition Memory and Brain Insulin Signaling in Fructose- but Not Glucose-Drinking Female Rats.

Excessive sugar intake has been related to cognitive alterations, but it remains unclear whether these effects are related exclusively to increased energy intake, and the molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. We supplemented Sprague-Dawley female rats with 10% w/v fructose in drinking water or with isocaloric glucose solution for 7 months. Cognitive function was assessed through the Morris water maze (MWM) and the novel object recognition (NOR) tests. Plasma parameters and protein/mRNA expression in the frontal cortex and hippocampus were determined. Results showed that only fructose-supplemented rats displayed postprandial and fasting hypertriglyceridemia (1.4 and 1.9-fold, p < 0.05) and a significant reduction in the discrimination index in the NOR test, whereas the results of the MWM test showed no differences between groups. Fructose-drinking rats displayed an abnormal glucose tolerance test and impaired insulin signaling in the frontal cortex, as revealed by significant reductions in insulin receptor substrate-2 protein levels (0.77-fold, p < 0.05) and Akt phosphorylation (0.72-fold, p < 0.05), and increased insulin-degrading enzyme levels (1.86-fold, p < 0.001). Fructose supplementation reduced the expression of antioxidant enzymes and altered the amount of proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion/fission in the frontal cortex. In conclusion, cognitive deficits induced by chronic liquid fructose consumption are not exclusively related to increased caloric intake and are correlated with hypertriglyceridemia, impaired insulin signaling, increased oxidative stress and altered mitochondrial dynamics, especially in the frontal cortex.

The Addition of Liquid Fructose to a Western-Type Diet in LDL-R-/- Mice Induces Liver Inflammation and Fibrogenesis Markers without Disrupting Insulin Receptor Signalling after an Insulin Challenge.

A high consumption of fat and simple sugars, especially fructose, has been related to the development of insulin resistance, but the mechanisms involved in the effects of these nutrients are not fully understood. This study investigates the effects of a Western-type diet and liquid fructose supplementation, alone and combined, on insulin signalling and inflammation in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-deficient mice (LDL-R-/-). LDL-R-/- mice were fed chow or Western diet ±15% fructose solution for 12 weeks. Plasma glucose and insulin, and the expression of genes related to inflammation in the liver and visceral white adipose tissue (vWAT), were analysed. V-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog-2 (Akt) activation was measured in the liver of the mice after a single injection of saline or insulin. None of the dietary interventions caused inflammation in vWAT, whereas the Western diet induced hepatic inflammation, which was further enhanced by liquid fructose, leading also to a significant increase in fibrogenesis markers. However, there was no change in plasma glucose or insulin, or insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation. In conclusion, hepatic inflammation and fibrogenesis markers induced by a Western diet supplemented with liquid fructose in LDL-R-/- mice are not associated with a significant impairment of hepatic insulin signalling.

Experimental mixture design as a tool to optimize the growth of various Ganoderma species cultivated on media with different sugars.

The influence of different medium components (glucose, sucrose, and fructose) on the growth of different Ganoderma isolates and species was investigated using mixture design. Ten sugar combinations based on three simple sugars were generated with two different concentrations, namely 3.3% and 16.7%, which represented low and high sugar levels, respectively. The media were adjusted to either pH 5 or 8. Ganoderma isolates (two G. boninense from oil palm, one Ganoderma species from coconut palm, G. lingzhi, and G. australe from tower tree) grew faster at pH 8. Ganoderma lingzhi proliferated at the slowest rate compared to all other tested Ganoderma species in all the media studied. However, G. boninense isolates grew the fastest. Different Ganoderma species were found to have different sugar preferences. This study illustrated that the mixture design can be used to determine the optimal combinations of sugar or other nutrient/chemical components of media for fungal growth.

Carbohydrate composition, viscosity, solubility, and sensory acceptance of sweetpotato- and maize-based complementary foods.

BACKGROUND: Cereal-based complementary foods from non-malted ingredients form a relatively high viscous porridge. Therefore, excessive dilution, usually with water, is required to reduce the viscosity to be appropriate for infant feeding. The dilution invariably leads to energy and nutrient thinning, that is, the reduction of energy and nutrient densities. Carbohydrate is the major constituent of food that significantly influences viscosity when heated in water. OBJECTIVES: To compare the sweetpotato-based complementary foods (extrusion-cooked ComFa, roller-dried ComFa, and oven-toasted ComFa) and enriched Weanimix (maize-based formulation) regarding their 1) carbohydrate composition, 2) viscosity and water solubility index (WSI), and 3) sensory acceptance evaluated by sub-Sahara African women as model caregivers. METHODS: The level of simple sugars/carbohydrates was analysed by spectrophotometry, total dietary fibre by enzymatic-gravimetric method, and total carbohydrate and starch levels estimated by calculation. A Rapid Visco™ Analyser was used to measure viscosity. WSI was determined gravimetrically. A consumer sensory evaluation was used to evaluate the product acceptance of the roller-dried ComFa, oven-toasted ComFa, and enriched Weanimix. RESULTS: The sweetpotato-based complementary foods were, on average, significantly higher in maltose, sucrose, free glucose and fructose, and total dietary fibre, but they were markedly lower in starch content compared with the levels in the enriched Weanimix. Consequently, the sweetpotato-based complementary foods had relatively low apparent viscosity, and high WSI, than that of enriched Weanimix. The scores of sensory liking given by the caregivers were highest for the roller-dried ComFa, followed by the oven-toasted ComFa, and, finally, the enriched Weanimix. CONCLUSION: The sweetpotato-based formulations have significant advantages as complementary food due to the high level of endogenous sugars and low starch content that reduce the viscosity, increase the solubility, impart desirable sensory characteristics, and potentially avoid excessive energy and nutrient thinning.

Hábitos de consumo de bebidas e infusiones sin alcohol y su relación en el estado nutricional en los empleados de mostrador de cuatro farmacias de la ciudad autónoma de Buenos Aires / Consumer habits of beverages and herbal infusions without alcohol intake and its relationship to the nutritional status of employees of four pharmacies from the autonomous city of Buenos Aires

The nutrition transition occurred in recent years was accompanied by changes in the pattern of fluid intake worldwide, replacing water for beverages that provide calories. The aim of this study was to characterize the habitual consumption of non-alcoholic drinks and teas in a group of clerks and relate it to the presence of excess weight. A quantitative, descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study was performed. A 24h recall and a food frequency questionnaire was used. During the month of August 2012 , 72 individuals, of whom 55.6 % were overweight and obese ( Ow/Ob) were interviewed. The average fluid intake was 2,188 ml/day resulting in 18.22 % water, 24.8 % of drinks and tea without sugar and 56.9 % of drinks and sweetened teas. The latter group contributed 13.8 % of Kcal/day/person, exceeding the WHO recommendations. 64% of respondents exceeded that recommendation, highlighting the Ow/Ob group with 85% inadequacy and 19.6 % of total daily Kcal as simple sugars. These data confirm that there is a relationship between sugar consumption and the presence of excess weight.

La transición nutricional ocurrida en estos últimos años se ha acompañado por cambios en el patrón de ingesta de líquidos a nivel mundial, desplazando al agua por bebidas que aportan calorías. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar el consumo habitual de bebidas e infusiones analcohólicas en un grupo de empleados de comercio y relacionar el mismo con la presencia de exceso de peso. Se realizó un estudio un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, correlacional y de corte transversal. Se utilizó un recordatorio de 24 horas y un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo. Durante el mes de Agosto del 2012, se entrevistaron 72 individuos, de los cuales, un 55.6% presentó sobrepeso y obesidad (Sp/Ob). El consumo promedio de líquidos fue de 2188 ml/día, resultando 18.22% de agua, 24.8% de bebidas e infusiones sin azúcar y 56.9% de bebidas e infusiones azucaradas. Este último grupo aportó 13.8% de las Kcal/día/persona, superando las recomendaciones de la OMS. El 64% de los entrevistados superó dicha recomendación, destacándose el grupo Sp/Ob con un 85% de inadecuación y 19.6% del total de Kcal diarias como azúcares simples. Estos datos confirman que existe una relación entre el consumo de azúcares y la presencia de exceso de peso.