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Maize in Zimbabwe lacks essential nutrients like protein, iron, and zinc. This study explored alternative ingredients, including climate smart cereals used in porridge, to address this issue. A fortified porridge was developed by adding mopane worm powder, known for its high protein content. Consumer analysis in the UK and Zimbabwe confirmed acceptability of the fortified porridge. The study also assessed the nutritional quality by examining protein, iron, and zinc bioaccessibility after digestion. Results showed a significant increase in the porridge's nutritional profile. A 20 kg child consuming a 50 g portion of the fortified porridge had a potential 230 % increase in protein uptake and 164 % and 109 % increases in iron and zinc uptake, respectively. Acknowledging dietary diversity and use of local raw materials, the study concludes that food-to-food fortification offers a recommended and sustainable solution to address food security challenges in sub-Saharan African nations.

Objective Intake of white rice has been associated with elevated risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D), while studies on brown rice are conflicting. To inform dietary guidance, we synthesised the evidence on white rice and brown rice with T2D risk.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sources PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched through November 2021.Eligibility criteria Prospective cohort studies of white and brown rice intake on T2D risk (≥1 year), and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing brown rice with white rice on cardiometabolic risk factors (≥2 weeks).Data extraction and synthesis Data were extracted by the primary reviewer and two additional reviewers. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models and reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale for prospective cohort studies and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCTs. Strength of the meta-evidence was assessed using NutriGrade.Results Nineteen articles were included: 8 cohort studies providing 18 estimates (white rice: 15 estimates, 25 956 cases, n=5 77 426; brown rice: 3 estimates, 10 507 cases, n=1 97 228) and 11 RCTs (n=1034). In cohort studies, white rice was associated with higher risk of T2D (pooled RR, 1.16; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.32) comparing extreme categories. At intakes above ~300 g/day, a dose–response was observed (each 158 g/day serving was associated with 13% (11%–15%) higher risk of T2D). Intake of brown rice was associated with lower risk of T2D (pooled RR, 0.89; 95% CI: 0.81 to 0.97) comparing extreme categories. Each 50 g/day serving of brown rice was associated with 13% (6%–20%) lower risk of T2D. Cohort studies were considered to be of good or fair quality. RCTs showed an increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (0.06 mmol/L; 0.00 to 0.11 mmol/L) in the brown compared with white rice group. No other significant differences in risk factors were observed. The majority of RCTs were found to have some concern for risk of bias. Overall strength of the meta-evidence was moderate for cohort studies and moderate and low for RCTs.Conclusion Intake of white rice was associated with higher risk of T2D, while intake of brown rice was associated with lower risk. Findings from substitution trials on cardiometabolic risk factors were inconsistent.PROSPERO registration number CRD42020158466.

The oxidative and physical stability of the reformulated mayonnaise with processed beetroot was investigated and compared with a control (mayonnaise without beetroot) and a commercially available product. Processing of beetroot had an impact on the structural integrity of the antioxidants present. Microwaving (960 W for 7 min) was advantageous for preserving the betalain and polyphenol content of beetroot compared to roasting (180 °C for 90 min) and boiling (100 °C for 30 min). The oxidative stability of mayonnaise samples was determined by Rancimat and the thiobarbituric (TBA) assay. The addition of microwaved beetroot significantly enhanced the oxidative stability of mayonnaise at the end of a storage period of 4 weeks (4 °C). Although no significant differences (P > 0.05) were detected between the mayonnaise samples containing beetroot and the commercial control, the latter was less susceptible to oxidation during storage. The turbiscan stability index (TSI) revealed that the commercial mayonnaise was less prone to destabilization phenomena. All the textural parameters increased with the incorporation of beetroot. The sensory evaluation revealed that, with the exception of graininess and uniformity, most of the sensory attributes are preserved if not improved with the addition of beetroot.

The seed coat (hull) of broad bean (Vicia faba) (BBH) is a significant secondary product of processing with a promising nutritional profile. Bean hull has a high fiber content (49%), yet it remains underexploited as an ingredient by the food industry. This study investigated the potential of this secondary product to partially replace wheat flour for the development of high-fiber breads. Bread formulations with a range of supplementation levels (0%, 11%, 21% and 31%) were developed and tested for their nutritional and physical properties. The proximate composition of breads revealed that at 31% replacement, the fiber content was 19.19 g/100 g bread, which was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than control breads (3.62 g/100 g bread). The physical (specific volume, density and color) and textural properties of breads were affected by the addition of bean hull. Specific volume and hardness of breads were significantly reduced at ≥21% replacement compared to the control, which may reduce acceptability of the product by some consumer groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the gluten content of breads was significantly reduced with bean hull addition (62% depletion for 31% replacement). At 11%, 21% and 31% replacement, one portion (80 g of bread) contains 6.8 g, 11.6 g and 15.3 g of dietary fiber, respectively, which contributes 23%, 38% and 51% of the recommended daily fiber intake (30 g/day). In conclusion, bean hull can be a valuable source of dietary fiber in bread formulations. The study showed BBH could be used to replace up to 21% of the wheat flour without significantly impacting on bread texture and volume.

Objective: Low glycemic index (GI) foods have been suggested to minimize large fluctuations in blood glucose levels and reduce food intake. However, the majority of studies have been conducted on Caucasian populations with limited data on Asians. The objective of this study was to investigate how the provision of a low GI breakfast and afternoon snack affected daily blood glucose profiles and food intake. Materials and methods: In a randomized, controlled crossover non blind design, 11 healthy Chinese male adults (body mass index 22.4 ± 1.3 kg m−2) attended two sessions where they consumed either a high or low GI breakfast and afternoon snack, and a standardized buffet lunch. Daily changes in glycemic response (GR) were measured using the Medtronic MiniMed (Northridge, CA) iPro™2 continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS). The GR was further calculated to obtain the incremental area under the curve (IAUC). Glycemic variability was calculated as mean amplitude of glycemic excursion (MAGE) and energy intake (kcal) was measured quantitatively at the buffet lunch. Results: Compared to the high GI intervention, the low GI intervention significantly reduced the GR following breakfast (p = 0.02), lunch (p = 0.02) and dinner (p = 0.05). The low GI treatment showed a reduction in daily AUC (p = 0.03). There was a significant reduction in IAUC after a low GI breakfast compared to the high GI breakfast (p = 0.03). The low GI breakfast resulted in a significantly lower food intake at lunch and a resulting decreased energy intake of 285 kcal (p = 0.02). The MAGE was significantly lower during the entire low GI treatment (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Consumption of a low GI breakfast and afternoon snack was capable of attenuating 24-h blood glucose profiles, minimize glycemic excursions and reduce food intake in healthy Asian males. This simple dietary intervention may be an acceptable approach in improving overall glycemia and energy balance in Asians. Clinical trial registration number: NCT02340507

Aqueous extracts (20% w/w) of dried berry fruits and skins were used as sources of phenolic compounds to fortify yogurt beverages. The total phenol and anthocyanin content of the reformulated yogurts were determined, and the antioxidant properties were compared to plain yogurt (C) during storage at 4 °C for a total period of four weeks. Yogurt beverages fortified with salal berry (SB) extracts contained higher amounts of phenolic compounds (>69.9 μg GAE/mL) and anthocyanins (>19.12 mg C3G/L) compared to drinks supplemented with blackcurrant pomace (BC) extract (>50.13 μg GAE/mL and >10.80 mg C3G/L respectively). Storage affected the stability of anthocyanins, whereas total phenol content remained unaffected. Yogurts with SB displayed the highest antioxidant capacity followed by samples with BC, which is attributed to the radical scavenging effect of the bioactive compounds present with antioxidant properties. The antioxidant capacity of the yogurt beverages fortified with fruit extracts was maintained during cold storage. Findings of this study indicate that SB and BC pomace can be used as functional ingredients to increase the antioxidant potential of yogurt beverages.

The present article describes the second part of a study investigating the effect of adding vegetables on the nutritional, physico-chemical, and oxidative properties of wheat bread, and specifically focuses on bread that does not contain oil as an added ingredient. Wheat flour breads fortified with freeze-dried carrot, tomato, beetroot or broccoli were developed and assessed for their nutritional composition, antioxidant potential, oxidative stability, and storage properties. Using a simulated in vitro model, the study also examined the impact of vegetable addition on the oxidative stability of macronutrients during gastro-intestinal digestion. Adding vegetables improved the nutritional and functional attributes of the oil-free breads. However, they demonstrated a lower antioxidant potential compared to their oil-containing counterparts. Similarly, the textural and storage properties of the oil-free vegetable breads were poorer compared to the oil-containing breads. As expected, in the absence of oil the oil-free breads were associated with lower lipid oxidation both in their fresh form and during gastro-intestinal digestion. Adding vegetables reduced protein oxidation in the fresh oil-free breads but had no effect during gastro-intestinal digestion. The impact of vegetables on macronutrient oxidation in the oil-free breads during digestion appears to be vegetable-specific with broccoli exacerbating it and the others having no effect. Of the evaluated vegetables, beetroot showed the most promising nutritional and physico-chemical benefits when incorporated into bread that does not contain added oil.

There is increasing emphasis on reformulating processed foods to make them healthier. This study for the first time comprehensively investigated the effects of fortifying bread (containing oil as an ingredient) with freeze-dried vegetables on its nutritional and physico-chemical attributes. Breads fortified with carrot, tomato, beetroot or broccoli were assessed for nutrition, antioxidant potential, storage life, shelf stability, textural changes and macronutrient oxidation. Furthermore, using an in vitro model the study for the first time examined the impact of vegetable addition on the oxidative stability of macronutrients during human gastro-intestinal digestion. As expected, adding vegetables improved the nutritional and antioxidant properties of bread. Beetroot and broccoli significantly improved bread storage life. None of the vegetables significantly affected bread textural changes during storage compared to the control. Lipid oxidation in fresh bread was significantly reduced by all four types of vegetables whilst protein oxidation was lowered by beetroot, carrot and broccoli. The vegetables demonstrated varying effects on macronutrient oxidation during gastro-intestinal digestion. Beetroot consistently showed positive effects suggesting its addition to bread could be particularly beneficial.