Dr Sangeetha Thondre

Objective:

This study aimed to measure urinary sodium and potassium as a measure of sodium and potassium intake concerning the knowledge, attitude and practice towards sodium intake among a group of healthy residents in the UAE.

Design:

A cross-sectional study on a sample of healthy adults in the UAE. In addition to the knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire, sodium and potassium excretions and food records were taken.

Setting:

The UAE.

Participants:

A sample of 190 healthy individuals aged between 20 and 60 years.

Results:

The mean (± sd) age of the sample was 38·6 (± 12·5) years, and 50·5 % were females. The mean urinary sodium and potassium intake were 2816·2 ± 675·7 mg/d and 2533·3 ± 615 mg/d, respectively. The means were significantly different compared with the WHO recommendation of sodium and potassium (P 

Conclusions:

These findings may suggest an increase in the risk of hypertension in the UAE population. Moreover, these findings emphasise the need to establish education and public awareness programmes focusing on identifying the sodium contents of foods and establishing national regulations regarding food reformulation, particularly for staple foods such as bread.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are becoming an increasingly important health concern due to a rapidly ageing global population. The fastest growing NCD, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is responsible for over 2 million deaths annually. Lifestyle changes, including dietary changes to low glycemic response (GR) foods, have been shown to reduce the risk of developing T2DM. The aim of this study was to investigate whether three different doses of Reducose®, a mulberry leaf extract, could lower the GR and insulinemic responses (IR) to a full meal challenge in healthy individuals. A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, repeat-measure, crossover design trial was conducted by the Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health; 37 healthy individuals completed the study. Participants consumed capsules containing either 200 mg, 225 mg, 250 mg Reducose® or placebo before a test meal consisting of 150 g white bread and egg mayo filler. Capillary blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals in the first hour and at 30-min intervals over the second and third hours to determine glucose and plasma insulin levels. The consumption of all three doses of Reducose® resulted in significantly lower blood glucose and plasma insulin levels compared to placebo. All three doses of Reducose® (200 mg, 225 mg, 250 mg) significantly lowered glucose iAUC 120 by 30% (p = 0.003), 33% (p = 0.001) and 32% (p = 0.002), respectively, compared with placebo. All three doses of Reducose® (200 mg, 225 mg, 250 mg) significantly lowered the plasma insulin iAUC 120 by 31% (p = 0.024), 34% (p = 0.004) and 38% (p ® can be used to help lower the GR and IR of a full meal containing carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

Purpose.

Niacin (Nicotinic acid), known for its lipid-modifying effects, has been explored for its potential anti-inflammatory properties and potential to affect adipokines secretion from adipose tissue. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effects of Niacin on inflammatory markers and adipokines.

Methods.

A comprehensive search was conducted across five databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ISI Web of Science. Randomized controlled trials exploring the effects of Niacin on inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) and adipokines (adiponectin, leptin) were included. Pooled effect sizes were analysed using a random-effects model, and additional procedures including subgroup analyses, sensitivity analysis and dose-response analysis were also performed.

Results.

From an initial 1279 articles, fifteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Niacin administration demonstrated a notable reduction in CRP levels (SMD: -0.88, 95% CI: -1.46 to -0.30, p = 0.003). Subgroup analyses confirmed CRP reductions in trials with intervention durations ≤24 weeks, doses ≤1000 mg/day, and elevated baseline CRP levels (>3mg/l). The meta-analysis of IL-6 and TNF-α revealed significant TNF-α reductions, while IL-6 reduction did not reach statistical significance. Niacin administration also substantially elevated adiponectin (SMD: 3.52, 95% CI: 0.95 to 6.1, p = 0.007) and leptin (SMD: 1.90, 95% CI: 0.03 to 3.77, p = 0.04) levels.

Conclusion.

Niacin treatment is associated with significant reductions in CRP and TNF-α levels, suggesting potential anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, Niacin positively influences adipokines, increasing adiponectin and leptin levels. These findings provide insights for future research and clinical applications targeting inflammation and metabolic dysregulation.

Niacin has been investigated for its potential impact on lipid metabolism and cardiovascular health. This meta-analysis aims to systematically evaluate the effects of Niacin interventions on apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) levels, key regulators of lipoprotein metabolism and markers of cardiovascular risk. A comprehensive search of the literature was performed on five databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane library, from inception up to 15 July 2023. This search identified 1452 publications, from which 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria. The intervention dosages ranged from 500 to 3000 mg/day, and the study durations spanned 6 to 102.8 weeks. The Niacin intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in Apo B levels (WMD: -24.37 mg/dl, p = 0.01). Subgroup analyses indicated that intervention duration played a role, with trials of ≤16 weeks showing a greater reduction in Apo B. Regarding Apo A1, Niacin significantly increased its levels (WMD: 8.23 mg/dl, p 1500 mg/day (p

Diabetes prevalence achieved 470B in 2021. Diabetics are looking for foods that allow them to better manage the postprandial glycemia. Owing to its large amylose fraction, pea starch may contribute to formulate recipes with a lower glycemic index (GI). This study measured the rapidly, slowly digested and resistant fractions in pea starch and in a powder mix recipe. Starch fractions were determined according to the Englyst methodology. A nonblind repeat measure crossover design trial in healthy humans was used to study the GI of pea starch and maltodextrin powder mix recipes against glucose. Gastrointestinal symptoms were measured. Thirteen healthy volunteers aged 18–60 years with body mass index

Aging is accompanied by a decline in appetite and food intake with associated deficiencies in both macronutrients and micronutrients. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of adding Iranian brown sumac (Rhus coriaria) (CIBS) into butternut squash soup on sensory evaluation and food intake among older adults (n = 20; >65 years old) and younger adults (n = 20; 18–35 years old). To evaluate the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of the sumac samples, a Folin–Ciocalteu assay (FCR) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay were used, respectively. L-glutamic acid was assessed using a Megazyme L-glutamic acid assay. Compusense software was used to assess the sensory evaluation attributes of free-living older adults and younger adults receiving different doses of sumac in butternut squash soup. Nutritics software was used to assess food intake following the addition of 0.37 g of sumac to soup. CIBS was selected based on a preliminary assessment in vitro for L-glutamic acid, antioxidant, and polyphenol content of six varieties of sumac. Sensory evaluation results revealed that the difference in perceived intensity of brown color between the soup samples with different doses of CIBS was greater in the younger adults' group (p = .001) than in older adults (p = .037). In addition, the food intake study found that during the ad libitum lunch, older adults consumed more energy (kcal; p = .014), protein (g; p = .025), carbohydrate (g; p = .013), and fat (g; p = .002) after soup with sumac compared to control soup. The overall findings of this study suggest that the addition of sumac to food may have a potential benefit in enhancing ad libitum lunch intake in older adults leading to effective management of malnutrition. This may promote healthy aging and minimize the burden and the consequences of anorexia of aging as main public health concerns.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of mortality globally, accounting for more deaths than all other causes combined. World Health Organization launched its initiative in 2013 to reduce the intake of salt, the number of countries that have national sodium reduction strategies reached to 89 countries in 2017. In 2020, a study conducted in UAE showed more than 65% of the population exceeded WHO recommendations for salt intake. This study aimed to measure effectiveness of using digital platform approach to deliver educational materials to facilitate salt reduction in a sample of UAE population.

Methods: A controlled parallel intervention study was conducted in 2020. A sample of 121 participants completed the study and fulfilled the inclusion criteria with female to male ratio of (0.95:1.05). Participants were distributed randomly into three groups Control group, WhatsApp group, and Electronic Brochures group. Educational materials were distributed among participants of WhatsApp and Electronic brochures groups for 6-weeks. 24-h urinary excretion for sodium, potassium and creatinine, were measured in addition to KAP questionnaire and physical activity on two occasions at baseline and endpoint after 10-weeks (6-weeks of educational intervention).

Results: Both intervention groups showed a reduction in sodium with 278 mg (p

Conclusion: The digital platform approach such as WhatsApp and Electronic Brochure were effective in salt reduction. This study proves that UAE population is ready to reduce salt intake with appropriate education materials and easy delivery approach.

Millet is a grain high in polyphenols and antioxidants, which are bioactive compounds known to influence blood glucose response. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of finger millet muffin and wheat muffin on glycaemic response (GR), insulin response (IR), gastric emptying (GE) and satiety in healthy individuals and people with prediabetes. In a single blind randomised controlled crossover trial at Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health, 15 healthy individuals and 14 individuals with prediabetes were recruited between May and December 2017. The participants’ GR (3 hours), IR (3 hours), GE (4 hours) and satiety (4 hours) were measured before and after the consumption of muffins. A mixed method analysis of variance was used to compare GE and the incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for GR and IR between the participant groups and muffins. There was a significant interaction between participants and muffins on IR iAUC at 180 min (p = 0.042). A significant effect of muffins was found on the GR peak (p = 0.013). The millet muffin decreased the GR peak and IR iAUC compared with the wheat muffin in participants with prediabetes. A significant interaction between participants and muffins for GE ascension time Tasc (p = 0.017) was observed; with no effect of muffins on satiety AUC in the participant groups. This study suggested that polyphenol and fibre-rich finger millet may have the potential to influence the management of prediabetes.

Slimming World (SW), a commercial weight management organisation, has designed a range of low energy-dense ready meals (LEDRMs) in line with their programme. This randomised crossover study compared commercially available equicaloric ready meals differing in energy density on satiety and food intake. It was hypothesised that the LEDRM would reduce energy intake (EI) whilst increasing fullness and reducing hunger compared to higher energy-dense ready meal (HEDRM, control). A total of 26 female participants (aged 18–65 years; body mass index of 28.8 ± 3.0 kg·m−2) attended two test days. The participants ate a standard breakfast, and four hours later, ate either a LEDRM or HEDRM at lunch. EI was measured four hours later at an ad libitum tea. Satiety measurements were recorded throughout the day using visual analogue scales and a weighed food diary was completed for the remainder of the day. The results revealed that the LEDRM reduced hunger and increased fullness (both p 0.05), however, during the whole LEDRM testing day, the participants consumed significantly less fat (7.1%) and saturated fat (3.6%) (both p

This research investigated the effects of gluten free diet (GFD) on nutritional intake, glycaemic and insulin response. In a cross-sectional study, participants who consumed gluten-containing diet (GCD; n=11) and GFD (n=11) completed a food diary, blood glucose and insulin measurements. In a pre-post intervention study (n= 11), glycaemic and insulin responses were tested before and after four weeks of a GFD. Food intake was recorded before and after two weeks. No significant differences in nutrient intake, glycaemic or insulin responses were found in the cross-sectional study. In the intervention study, there was a significant reduction in body weight (p=0.007) and body mass index (BMI) (p=0.004) after four weeks and lower thiamine intake (p=0.021) after two weeks of GFD. Glycaemic response was significantly higher (p

Background. There are many benefits of maintaining healthy blood glucose levels, and studies have shown that lifestyle changes such as changes to diet can successfully restore normoglycaemia in participants with dysglycaemia. Significant health-related lifestyle changes are often difficult to implement and functional ingredients that can reduce glycaemic and insulaemic responses may help at risk populations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a mulberry leaf extract could lower the glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to 75 g sucrose in healthy individuals.

Methods. A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover design trial was conducted by the Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health. Thirty-eight participants were recruited into the trial and, after an overnight fast, were given 75 g sucrose + white mulberry leaf extract, or 75 g sucrose alone. Capillary blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals in the first hour and at 30-min intervals over the second hour to determine glucose and plasma insulin levels. Data analysis was conducted using a paired samples T test or a Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results. The addition of mulberry leaf extract to sucrose resulted in a significantly lower glycaemic response and insulinaemic response compared to a matched placebo (sucrose alone). The change in blood glucose measurements were significantly lower at 15 min (p

Conclusions. Mulberry leaf extract can be used as part of lifestyle changes that may lead to healthy blood glucose levels.

Purpose. Plant-based proteins may have the potential to improve glycaemic and gastrointestinal hormone responses to foods and beverages. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of two doses of pea protein on postprandial glycaemic, insulinaemic, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) response following a high-carbohydrate beverage intake in healthy individuals.

Methods. In a single-blind, randomised, controlled, repeat measure, crossover design trial, thirty-one participants were randomly assigned to ingest 50 g glucose (Control), 50 g glucose with 25 g pea protein (Test 1) and 50 g glucose with 50 g pea protein (Test 2) on three separate days. Capillary blood samples (blood glucose and plasma insulin measurements) and venous blood samples (GIP and GLP-1 concentrations) were taken before each test and at fixed intervals for 180 min. The data were compared using repeated-measures ANOVA or the Friedman test.

Results. Glucose incremental Area under the Curve (iAUC180) was significantly lower (p 

Conclusion. The consumption of pea protein reduced postprandial glycaemia and stimulated insulin release in healthy adults with a dose–response effect, supporting its role in regulating glycaemic and insulinaemic responses.

Inconsistent evidence exists for greater satiety after medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) compared to long-chain triglycerides (LCT). Furthermore, the mechanisms are poorly understood and effects in people with a healthy weight and those with overweight/obesity have not been compared. This study aimed to compare appetite responses in these groups and examine the mechanisms behind any differences.\n) consumed a breakfast containing either 23.06 g vegetable oil (CON), 25.00 g MCT oil (MCT), or 6.25 g CLA and 16.80 g vegetable oil (CLA). Appetite, peptide YY (PYY), total ghrelin (TG), β-hydroxybutyrate, and gastric emptying (GE) were measured throughout. Energy intake was assessed at an ad libitum lunch and throughout the following ~ 36 h.\nNeither MCT nor CLA decreased ad libitum intake; however MCT decreased day 1 energy intake (P = 0.031) and the 48-h period (P = 0.005) compared to CON. MCT delayed GE (P ≤ 0.01) compared to CON, whereas CLA did not. PYY and TG concentrations were not different (P = 0.743 and P = 0.188, respectively), but MCT increased β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations compared to CON (P = 0.005) and CLA (P 

Daily consumption of millet-based foods is associated with a reduced risk of type-2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to systematically review the literature describing intervention studies that have investigated the effects of consuming different types and forms of millet on the risk factors for type-2 diabetes. A literature search was conducted, using five databases, from May 2016 to January 2017, which identified 57 articles. Search terms included ‘millet’ AND healthy, pre-diabetic or type-2 diabetes AND fasting blood glucose or glycaemic or glycemic response or insulin response or glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity. Nineteen
studies met the inclusion criteria. Although glycemic and insulin responses differ depending on the millet type and cooking method used, overall, millet has a beneficial effect on fasting and postprandial blood glucose and the plasma-insulin response in healthy individuals and those with type-2 diabetes. It can be concluded that millets do have the potential to play a protective role in the management of type-2 diabetes.

Consumption of a yogurt drink with oligofructose which was 20% reduced in sugars significantly lowered the glycaemic response compared to the full-sugar reference (iAUC120min 31.9 and 37.3 mmol/L/min, respectively; p 120min 53.7 and 63.7 mmol/L/min, respectively; p

Conclusions. In conclusion, the studies confirmed that substitution of glycaemic sugars by inulin or oligofructose from chicory may be an effective strategy to reduce the postprandial blood glucose response to foods.

Barley β-glucan (BG) has been shown to reduce glycaemic response (GR) in some studies. It is hypothesised that this reduction may be a function of its physical properties that delay gastric emptying (GE). The effect of these changes in GR and GE on diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) is not known. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of BG of different molecular weights and purities on GR, GE and DIT in healthy subjects. This was a randomised, single-blind, repeated-measures design where fifteen healthy subjects were tested on three occasions following an overnight fast. Following the baseline measurements, the volunteers were fed a soup containing high-molecular-weight BG (HBG), a soup containing low-molecular-weight BG (LBG) or a control soup with no BG (CHO). Following the consumption of the breakfast, GR was measured using finger-prick blood samples, GE was determined using the C-octanoic acid breath test and DIT was measured using indirect calorimetry. There was a difference in GR AUC between the soups after 60 min but not after 120 min. The CHO and LBG meals had a greater GR than the HBG meal. There were differences in all GE time points, with the HBG meal having the slowest GE time. There was a correlation between the GR and the initial GE times. There were differences in total DIT between the three test meals with the HBG meal having the lowest DIT. The present study indicates that HBG has the ability to delay GE due to increased viscosity, resulting in a decreased GR and DIT. © The Authors 2013.

In a randomized, repeated-measures design, the glycaemic response and satiety ratings of a potato and leek soup were compared with and without the addition of 5 g of yellow mustard bran. Ten healthy, non-smoking, moderately active male subjects (mean age of 21.1 years and mean body mass index 23.2 kg/m(2)) were recruited to the study. Capillary blood glucose and satiety were measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min, postprandial of each food. The incremental area under the blood glucose curve, blood glucose at each time point and satiety rating were calculated and compared via paired t-test. Mean blood glucose values at 15, 30 and 90 min (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0059, respectively) were all significantly lower with the addition of 5 g of yellow mustard bran. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the attenuation of postprandial glycaemic response following the addition of 5 g of yellow mustard bran to a soup.

The interest in barley as a food is increasing worldwide because of its high dietary fibre (DF) content and low glycaemic index (GI). DF in cereals may prove beneficial in improving blood glucose response in the long term. However, a dose-dependent effect of insoluble fibre on reducing postprandial blood glucose levels is yet to be proven. The objective of the present study was to determine the glycaemic response to two barley porridges prepared from whole barley grains varying in fibre content. In two separate non-blind randomised crossover trials, ten human subjects consumed barley porridge with 16 g/100 g and 10 g/100 g fibre content provided in different serving sizes (equivalent to 25 and 50 g available carbohydrate). The glycaemic response to both barley porridges was significantly lower than the reference glucose (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the glucose areas under the curve or GI for the two barley porridges. We concluded that irrespective of the difference in total fibre content or serving size of barley porridges, their GI values did not differ significantly.

Oats are a rich source of b-glucans and bioactive phytochemicals. The established health-beneficial properties of oats have led to an increase in the consumption of oats and oat-based food products in recent years. The objective of the present study was to analyse and compare the polyphenol content and total antioxidant capacity (via FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant power) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl) inhibition) of 30 commercially available oat-based breakfast cereals. All of the breakfast cereals analysed were a significant source of polyphenols (1506-1853 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g) and antioxidants (1682-3542 mmol/l FRAP; 30-201% inhibition of DPPH compared to gallic acid standard). There was little difference between premium and budget brand varieties of the breakfast cereals. The polyphenol levels in an average serving (40 g) of an oat-based breakfast cereal are comparable to those found in fruits and vegetables. Overall, our findings suggest that consumption of oat-based breakfast cereals could be a significant contributor to the total polyphenol content and antioxidant potential of the diet.