Current Nutrition & Food Science - Volume 20, Issue 9, 2024

Candy is a popular product consumed by children, young and elderly alike. The major ingredient sugar makes it an instant source of energy, mostly blended with a variety of flavors and colors for sensory and aesthetic appeal. Flavors such as caramel, chocolate, peppermint, butterscotch, and vanilla are the most popular among many, that comprises of more than 2000 kinds. Although synthetic flavors and colors are predominant, natural sources such as herbs are being increasingly used. Herbal (made from herbs) products have lesser effects, more therapeutic effects, and health benefits. The advantages of herbs used in candy manufacturing are safe, with good efficacy, lower side effect, compatibility with the human body, and wide cultural acceptability. Herbal candies are used as an efficient delivery system for vitamins, minerals, and numerous bioactive compounds like anthocyanin, lycopene, ascorbic acid, etc. They are a remedy of choice in case of cough, sore throat, digestive and stomach problems. The choice of herb often is influenced based on the target health problem, reduced side effects, availability, and preferences. Apart from sugar, these candies are also manufactured using sweetening agents. Sugar and sweeteners consumption is associated with various myths and prejudices owing to increased health concerns. The review is thus designed to justify various aspects of herbal candy like production process, ingredients, historical importance, and types of herbal candies, myths, facts and risks, consumer awareness towards herbal candies. The paper will also draw a roadmap for the future of herbal candy amongst today’s health-wary consumers.

Malnutrition in children is a major problem in developing countries. An increased number of children are dying because of a lack of nutrition in their regular diet. The nutritional value of food during the growing stage of children is important. The development of the human body requires various types of nutrition for normal growth, which is obtained from a regular healthy diet. In this study, an exhaustive literature survey was done using Pubmed, Google Scholar, and various other internet sources, and also other reference records were studied. This review highlighted the causes and consequences of the perpetual lack of a healthy diet that leads to malnutrition. It also summarized the steps taken for the management and treatment of malnutrition. This review may be a vital tool for the researchers working on malnutrition for its proper understanding.

The ever-increasing population and malnutrition in tropical and sub-tropical countries upsurge the demand and security for poor people’s food and nutrition. In erratic climatic conditions, millets can survive as they require less water, short cultivation period and are somewhat tolerant to biotic (bacteria and fungi) and biotic stresses (drought, salinity, nutrient deficiency, etc). Millets possess several nutrient rich components and several health benefits. Despite having superior nutritional, health and agricultural advantages, millets have not received their due attention. Among the millets, foxtail millet is one of the major millets in terms of its second in global production and millets’ yield, quality, and quantity are affected by various diseases. This review provides an overview of the origin and distribution of eight millets, their morphological characteristics with chemical composition, potential health benefits and the fungal, bacterial and viral diseases affecting the growth and yield of millets and their effective management in the framework of ensuring food and nutritional securities in the tropical and sub-tropical countries.

According to the World Health Organization, “malnutrition is the “deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients”. Indian population has the highest rate of adolescent malnutrition. Deficiency, Illness, Small level of education, and a range of other factors contribute to India's malnutrition crisis. Undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency conditions, and overnutrition are all forms of malnutrition. A malnourished always lags in every aspect of life which will eventually affect the productivity of the country. In the 2023 Global Hunger Index, India is positioned at 111^th among 125 countries, reflecting a serious level of hunger with a score of 28.7. India is grappling with a substantial population affected by anemia, malnutrition, and obesity. Other than this Indian population is also affected by several other micronutrient deficiencies. The present article provides an overview of the triple burden of malnutrition in India by applying the literature review method and the data were collected from online sources such as government survey reports, articles, and publications related to nutrition, healthcare status, healthcare indicators, nutritional indicators, and healthcare survey reports, etc. A brief introduction of the strategies followed by the Government as well as global health organisations to combat the issue is also discussed.

One out of every six people in the world is suffering from cancer disease. The major causes of cancer are high consumption of tobacco, high body mass index, and alcoholic beverages with low intake of a healthy diet and limited physical activity. Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity worldwide. In the past few years, probiotics have drawn a lot of interest as potential preventive and therapeutic anticancer agents. This literature review addressed both human and animal research that has explored the association between probiotics and colon cancer. Probiotic administration has remarkable potential for the prevention and treatment of colon cancer through various mechanisms such as inhibiting the growth of cancer cells via apoptosis, improving immune activity, restoring gut microbiota, improving intestinal barrier properties, synthesizing anticarcinogenic compounds, and degrading carcinogenic compounds. Therefore, probiotics emerge as an adjunct therapy, holding the potential to significantly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

The situation is made worse by the absence of detailed treatment plans for liver disease, a dangerous illness. The current liver disease treatments are insufficient, and their long-term usage is prevented by systemic toxicity. Since the toxicity factor seems to be on the lower end of the spectrum, herbal remedies have been utilized for ages to treat liver ailments. This article focuses on providing insight into liver diseases along with the herbal components that are used nowadays for efficiently treating them. The given herbal components glycyrrhizin, quercetin, curcumin, silymarin, and Phyllantus niruri have proven to be efficacious in treating liver diseases with no or bare minimum side effects. The liver diseases discussed in this review article include alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, hemochromatosis as well and auto-immune hepatitis. After summarization, it is concluded that these herbal components are proven to be effective in the treatment of liver diseases, and various research as well as studies have been conducted for the same.

Background: Recent evidence demonstrates the fundamental role of the gut microbiota in inflammatory diseases, and several mechanisms of action of probiotics in improvement of inflammatory parameters. Objectives: The objective of this review was to relate the consumption of probiotic bacteria and its effects on inflammatory diseases, including obesity, type II diabetes and celiac disease. Methods: A search was carried out in English, between the years 2011 and 2022, for research articles and clinical trials with humans and in vivo studies. Research showed improvement in cardiovascular risk markers, and improvement in insulin sensitivity, lipid profile and plasma atherogenic index, in obesity with the use of probiotics. In type II diabetes, decreased levels of fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, insulin and glycemic index, and increased levels of peptide 1, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were observed. Results: In addition to cellular protection of the islets of Langerhans and positive alteration of TNF- α and IL-1β markers. Improvement in the condition of patients with celiac disease was observed, since the neutralization of the imbalance in serotonin levels was observed, reducing the expression of genes of interest and also, a decrease in cytokines. Conclusion: Therefore, the use of probiotics should be encouraged.

Background: Red meat from livestock is an excellent source of high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals. Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the levels of two of the most toxic heavy metals; lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in meat and edible offal (liver and kidney) of livestock (sheep, buffalo, and cow) in Iran with assessing their health risk of developing cancer. Methods: A systematic search was conducted covering ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Finally, data from 4 articles including 624 samples were analysed. Results: Pooled results show that the mean concentrations of Pb and Cd were 0.18 mg/kg and 0.13 mg/kg respectively which were both higher than their eligible maximum limits by FAO/WHO. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of Pb and Cd in meat, liver, and kidney for adults and children was lower than the Total Daily Intake (TDI) limits. The consumers' non-carcinogenic risk (THQ) for meat consumption was generally safe in terms of Cd and Pb in all cities except for Pb in Hamadan which was greater than one (unsafe) for both adults and children. Carcinogenic Risk (CR) for meat consumption was generally safe or within the acceptable range in terms of Cd and Pb in all cities except for Pb in Hamadan which had a Pb-CR greater than safe/permissible level for children. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the dangerous levels of CR and THQ of meat in terms of Pb in Hamadan warrant concern and further study.

Background: Methods of incorporating millets in daily diets are increasingly being explored to suit the consumer's changing needs. They are consumed mainly in low-middle-income countries. Data (functional, sensory, physical, and nutritional) to support browntop millet (BTM) use in various minimally processed/convenience foods is scanty. Objectives: This study was carried out to study the water absorption capacity and viscosity of whole browntop millet (WBTM) grains and WBTM flour at different ratios with water after autoclaving and blending and to explore the scope of developed BTM pastes, which could be used for preparing a variety of products. Methods: WBTM grain pastes and WBTM flour pastes were prepared in different ratios of water, such as 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3, 1:3.5, 1:4, 1:4.5, 1:5, 1:5.5, 1:6, 1:6.5. Results: It was found that the viscosity of pastes made from WBTM grain ranged from 40911 ± 1469 to 66867 ± 7469 mPa's at 24.2 ± 0. 2 to 24.7 ± 0.1#154;C at 84.7 ± 3.3 to 95.3 ± 3.0% torque respectively. RPM ranged from 11.9 ± 0.2 to 18.6 ± 0.5. The viscosity of WBTM flour pastes ranged from 33874 ± 2864 to 45792 ± 1664 mPa's at 24.2 ± 0.1 to 24.5 ± 0.3°C at 81.7 ± 1.7 to 89.1 ± 3.0% torque with 10.8 ± 1.2 to 13.3 ± 3.2 RPM respectively. Conclusion: The viscosity of WBTM grain pastes was statistically greater than the viscosity of WBTM flour pastes at a 5% significant level. Such pastes can be explored as convenience foods (ready to cook/ ready to eat) for use at household and commercial levels to produce products similar to bread, extruded products such as noodles, pasta, snacks etc.

Background: Guavira fruit is widely used for juice extraction purposes, and this process generates large amounts of pomace (waste). Guavira pomace was dried and milled to produce guavira pomace flour (GPF), which is rich in antioxidants and dietary fibers (polysaccharides). These compounds are known for their immunomodulatory and antitumor effects. Objective: To investigate whether GPF intake promotes immunomodulation and reduces Walker 256 tumor growth in rats. Methods: GPF was provided to Wistar rats in two different models: 1) 15-day Model, according to which, Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats received GPF (63 mg/200 g b.w./day) simultaneously to tumor growth for 15 days; 2) 45-day Model, according to which, tumor-bearing rats received GPF for 30 days before tumor cell implantation, as well as during tumor growth - it totaled 45 days. After animals were euthanized, tumors were collected and weighed, and tumor cells were isolated for proliferation capacity determination ex vivo. Enzymatic/colorimetric methods were used to determine resident peritoneal macrophages’ functionality, whereas blood T and B lymphocytes were assayed for proliferation capacity, ex vivo, under stimuli. Results: The 15-day Model did not show tumor mass or cell proliferation reduction in the treated group. GPF stimulated macrophage response in tumor-bearing and non-tumor-bearing rats. However, there was a substantial reduction in tumor mass and tumor cell proliferation under the 45-day Model. Macrophage and lymphocyte response decreased; it suggested that GPF can directly act in the tumor. Conclusion: Based on these findings, GPF has immunomodulatory and antitumor actions, and ingestion time plays a key role in them.

Background: Mental and behavioral disorders are influenced by biological, psychological and social factors, especially income, gender, age and family environment, indicating that physical health is directly associated with mental health. In this perspective, food consumption is highlighted as a risk factor for mental health, as healthy behaviors, along with a good quality diet, can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Objective: The objective of this a study is to investigate the association between CMD and dietary patterns, among other lifestyle and socioeconomic factors. Methods: Cross-sectional population-based and household study conducted with 1574 individuals aged over 20 years, of both sexes, residing in Teresina and Picos, Piaui, Brazil. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and food consumption data were collected. The instrument used to identify the presence of CMDs was the Self Reporting Questionnaire 20 (SRQ-20). Dietary patterns were obtained using the Principal Component Analysis method. Results: Individuals of female sex, separated, with low education, smokers and lower level of physical activity had a higher prevalence of common mental disorders. As for the eating pattern, after adjustments, individuals who adhered to the unhealthy eating pattern had a 9% higher prevalence of CMD. Furthermore, adherence to the white meat standard represented 12% higher prevalence of CMD. Conclusion: The results showed that, regardless of other socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, adherence to a more monotonous eating pattern in foods, characterized by the mainly consumption of animal protein and the lack consumption of foods like fruits and vegetables, as well as a less healthy one, characterized by the consumption of ultra-processed foods, increases the risk of developing CMD.

Background: The Cerrado region has one of the world's largest and most diverse tropical biodiversity, hosting several species of exotic fruits little explored. In this context, we can highlight the gabiroba (Campomanesia cambessedeana), a native fruit tree belonging to the Myrtaceae family. However, its fruits are not used frequently, except by the local population who consume them, and are also reported as nutritional. Objective: This work evaluated the chemical composition of the whole fruit, pulp, peel, and seed of gabiroba. Methods: Physicochemical characterization, bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential, and mineral profile (ICP-OES) were evaluated. Individual phenolic compounds and organic acids by liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) of the pulp, peel, and seed fractions of gabiroba were also explored. Results: The results showed that the gabiroba fruit has a low lipid content (1.09 g 100 g^-1), high magnesium content (12.60 μg g^-1), and significant values of total phenolics (153.17 mg EAG 100 g^-1), vitamin C (51.20 mg AA 100 g^-1) and antioxidant potential by DPPH radical scavenging (15.35 g sample g^-1 DPPH). The analysis of organic acids showed that the pulp and peel are rich in malic acid (7.29 and 8.15 mg 100 g^-1, respectively) and the seed in citric acid (10.26 mg 100 g^-1). On the other hand, both pulp, peel, and seed fractions showed similar individual phenolic composition, mainly being composed of catechin (3.36, 2.71, and 2.70 mg 100 g^-1), gallic acid (1.67, 1.66, and 1.68 mg 100 g^-1) and rutin (0.85, 1.39 and 1.16 mg 100 g^-1, respectively). Conclusion: The individual phenolics in the gabiroba fractions may have been responsible for the high antioxidant activity. In this way, gabiroba has demonstrated its technological potential for its full use in producing food products and applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry.