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Giant swamp taro is an underutilized root crop in the Philippines. The nutrient content, carbohydrate profile, and in vitro digestibility of starch of cultivated and wild varieties of giant swamp taro were determined in this study. Boiled giant swamp taro of cultivated and wild varieties has energy contents of 377.29 and 385.67 kcal, respectively. The cultivated taro flour showed a significantly higher amounts of amylose, dietary fiber and resistant starch compared to the wild variety. The glycemic index of the flour from the two varieties were classified as intermediate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of indigenous plant-based drink is one of the fastest emerging trends in functional food product development. The study aims to develop a drink from Adlai (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) and Pili (Canarium ovatum L.). The adlai grain and pili nut were processed into a blend. Their proximate composition as well as calcium content were analyzed following the AOAC (2000) and the dry ash extraction method, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, respectively. The adlai-pili blend showed lower proximate composition and calcium content than commercial plant-based drinks. Its potential to be a substitute sustainable drink warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Fishes and shellfish not only contribute to food and nutrition security but also to the livelihood of coastal communities in the Philippines. However, some fishing grounds are contaminated and health advisories against seafood consumption are issued, which may negatively affect the fishing communities' livelihood. This study aimed to assess fish and shellfish consumption of households living in selected coastal barangays of the Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System (MMORS). The food systems framework was applied whereby fish and shellfish consumption and livelihoods were viewed as part of a larger food system. Methods: The study was conducted in five barangays of the MMORS. A total of 110 household respondents were selected based on systematic random sampling. Key informants were interviewed to determine fish farm production and distribution. The final questionnaire included questions on socio-demographic information, household consumption information on frequency of consumption of fishes and shellfishes, sources of produce, fish and shellfish preparation and cooking methods, and perceptions on the fish produce in the area. Data were encoded and tabulated while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Fishes and shellfishes are grown in earth-diked fish ponds using river water or harvested along the river system. No post-harvest processing is done and harvests are directly sold in fish markets within the area or nearby towns depending on the price and size of harvests. Fish consumption in both areas is affected by taste, tradition, price, nutritional value, age, gender and intra-household roles, and is found to be higher compared to national levels in the Philippines. Conclusion: The feedback of health and nutrition advisories which are based on food consumption patterns to other food outcomes like livelihoods and ecological health were included in this study. Based on the findings, it is suggested that appropriate interventions should be implemented to balance food system outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The study was conducted to determine the glucose lowering effect of horseradish tree leaf decoction (HTLD) in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Methods: The leaves of the Institute of Plant Breeding Moringa 3 (IPBM3) strain of horseradish tree were used in this study. The median effective dose (ED50) of IPBM3 HTLD was determined using normal Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice for 14 days and the computed ED50 was administered once, twice and thrice per day for 28 days via gavage in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Fasting blood glucose level (FBGL), body weight, feed intake and water intake were determined weekly. Thin layer chromatography and in vitro glucose lowering activity experiments were also done to determine the major polyphenol found in IPBM3 HTL with glucose lowering activity. Results: Administration of the ED50, 417 mg/20 mL/ kgbw, once, twice and thrice per day for 28 days significantly reduced the mean FBGL of diabetic mice by more than 50% and the reduction was statistically comparable with the metformin-treated group. Mean body weights and feed intakes were normal and statistically comparable for all groups. Mean water intakes were slightly higher than in the non-diabetic control group. The major polyphenol in IPBM3 HTLD was found to be quercetin. The in vitro glucose lowering activity experiment showed that both petroleum ether and water extracts of IPBM3 HTL have glucose lowering activity similar to standard quercetin. Conclusion: The present results show that IPBM3 HTLD possesses glucose lowering activity and offers potential for use in the management of diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey results showed that the contribution of fruits and vegetables (FV) in the one-day food intake of adolescents only accounted for 2.6% and 5.9%, respectively. Numerous literatures also stated that insufficient intake of FV is associated with the development of most non-communicable diseases., Objectives: This study was undertaken to compare the knowledge and consumption of FV between selected respondents from public and private SHS in Imus City., Methods: The study used a descriptive research design, and convenience sampling was done to gather respondents. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and the level of knowledge on FV was classified into low, fair, and good. In the evaluation of FV amount consumption, the Daily Nutrition Guide Pyramid for Teens was used. The data were reported in mean, mode, and percentages., Results: More public SHS (49%) obtained a good level of knowledge on nutrient contents of FV, and consumed fruits (61%) more than the recommended daily serving. While more private SHS (96%) had a good level of knowledge of its health benefits but consumed vegetables (67%) less than the recommended daily serving. Their most consumed vegetables were dahon ng sili and garlic. The most consumed fruits were Indian mango and pear. Squash (47%) was the most liked vegetable by both groups. The majority of public SHS identified banana (37%) as their most liked fruit while it was mango (22%) for the majority of private SHS. Public SHS respondents were also recorded to have a lower average estimated family expenditure on FV., Conclusion: The study concluded that both public and private SHS do not consume adequate amounts of FV despite their good level of knowledge of its nutrients and health benefits., Competing Interests: All authors declared no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 Acta Medica Philippina.)