Search

Researchers are exploiting natural food sources to fight against various diseases. Traditionally, numerous medicinal products have been derived from natural food compounds with therapeutic properties. As a natural food source, berries and their bioactive components have a pivotal role in gastrointestinal (GI) health. Among others, polyphenols are responsible for many of the beneficial properties attributed to berries. Purposely, this review is aimed to summarize the recent literature regarding the impact of berries-derived polyphenols on gut microbiota, gut motility, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colon cancer, and overall intestinal health. Moreover, efforts have been made to identify the knowledge gaps for future work. Overall, the data suggest that phenolic compounds aid in the improvement of gastric health. Anthocyanins and phenolic acids are successful in reducing metabolic changes and inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory factors. Owing to their fiber content and antioxidant potential, berries are considered a functional remedy to minimize the risks of GI disorders. Additionally, berries support the growth of beneficial bacteria, easing several GI disorders. Yet, the evidence regarding gut motility and IBS is not conclusive. To better understand the mechanisms and their potential in preventing and managing GI problems, further interventions are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delayed conceiving is a failure of a female to attain clinical pregnancy within a year without the use of contraception or any precautionary measure. The females of reproductive age (20–49 years) are the sufferers, that is, about 1.5 million or 10% of couples globally are facing this issue. Delayed conception can be caused by several reasons including diet, lifestyle, and genetic and clinical problems. Deficiencies or overconsumption of any nutrient may also cause delayed conception in females. Dietary deficits such as iron, iodine, zinc, folate, and vitamin D reduce the ovarian reserve. Heavy metals such as copper, manganese, lead, and cadmium also have an impact on fertility. Overconsumption of fast foods and nonhome‐made foods increases the likelihood of infertility by 2–3. Smoking, physical activity, age, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, and depression have all been considered lifestyle and clinical factors. If women have a sedentary lifestyle, too much exercise or obesity both contribute to infertility. In clinical factors, type 1 diabetes, insulin resistance, and hypertension mainly cause infertility. Our focus in this review is on the studies probe that how these variables contributed to delayed conception and how it can be controlled to help combat infertility. Prevention from delayed conception involves consuming a healthy and balanced diet that contains essential nutrients engaging in physical activity and abstaining from smoking, PCOS, and medical issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic condition marked by a decreased body's capacity to produce or react to endocrine hormones to keep blood glucose levels within normal ranges. DM is categorized into type 1 DM (T1DM), type 2 DM (T2DM), and gestational diabetes. T2DM accounts for 90% of DM cases and is largely associated with diet. In this research, bitter gourd seeds (BGS) were incorporated at 10% into crackers to make BGS-fortified crackers (BGS-C), to investigate their therapeutic impact on DM. A 35-day therapeutic trial on 15 male Wister rats was performed. Rats were divided into five groups where G0 (non-diabetic: control diet), G1 (diabetic: Metformin), G2 (diabetic: Metformin + 25% BGS-C), G3 (diabetic: Metformin + 50% BGS-C), and G4 (diabetic: Metformin + 75% BGS-C). The results of this study revealed that the inclusion of BGS-C into the diet of diabetic rats brought much faster, highly significant, and health-promising outcomes. The results of G4 and G3 were quite close to the normal healthy lab values for almost all biomarkers including body weight, diabetic biomarkers, lipid profile, liver and renal function tests. The outcomes of G4 when compared to G1 indicated highly significant improvements in diabetic biomarkers i.e. percentage decline of 11.98% in serum glucose, 33.7% in serum insulin, and 54.8% in fasting blood glucose. These outcomes have strengthened the nutraceutical significance of BGS against DM. Moreover, the treatment of DM only relying on the medicine may prolong the disease but the use of BGS along with the use of medicine may help in speeding up the recovery process from DM. Hence, the regular dietary intake of BG or BGS is highly recommended to lower the negative health outcomes of DM and its associated metabolic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangiferin (MGF) is a phenolic compound, which is a major source of MGF is the mango tree. MGF possesses some antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties, enabling it to play its role against various diseases such as diabetes, obesity, lung injuries, and cancer. The word "Cancer" depicts an uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells. This review paper reveals MGF's therapeutic, curative and protective potential impact against lung, liver, ovarian, prostate, breast, stomach, and oral cancers. MGF is used in various types of research in the form of powder, liquid extract, intramuscular, intravenous, nanoparticles coated with gold, in the form of a solution, or in combination with other drugs to evaluate synergistic effects. Many studies showed that MGF is safe to use but has less bioavailability in the body and 0.111 mg/mL solubility in water. However, certain studies indicated that its bioavailability and retention time increased when taken in the form of nanoparticles and in combination with other drugs. MGF also increases the sensitivity of other drugs (i.e., cisplatin) resistant to tumors. MGF has different mechanisms of action for different cancers. It mainly targets enzymes, interleukins, tumor growth factors, signaling pathways, apoptotic proteins, and genes to inhibit the growth of tumors, volume, angiogenesis, cellular functionality, further progression, and movement to other areas of the body. Moreover, MGF increases apoptosis and body weight with no or fewer side effects on normal cells. MGF unveiled a novel gate toward the treatment of cancer. Further research and human trials are needed in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regardless of etiology, hepatocarcinogenesis is frequently preceded by a distinctive sequence of chronic necroinflammation, compensatory hepatic regeneration, development of hepatic fibrosis, and ultimately cirrhosis. The liver being central immunomodulators, closely maintains immunotolerance. Any dysregulation in this management of immunotolerance is a hallmark of chronic hepatic disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Apart from other malignancies, hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for 90% of liver cancers. Several emerging evidences have recognized diet as lifestyle associated risk factor in HCC development. However, natural compounds have the potential to fight hepatoma aggressiveness via inhibition of cellular proliferation and modulation of oncogenic pathways. This review aimed to identify the several plant-based foods for their protective role in HCC prevention by understating the molecular mechanisms involved in inhibition of progression and proliferation of cancer. Information from relevant publications in which several plant-based foods demonstrated protective potential against HCC has been integrated as well as evaluated. For data integration, Science direct, Google scholar, and Scopus websites were used. Nutrition-based approaches in the deterrence of several cancers offer a substantial benefit to currently used medical therapies and should be implemented more often as an adjunct to first-line medical therapy. Furthermore, the inclusion of these plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices) may improve general health and decline cancer incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Raised cholesterol levels can alleviate the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke and are responsible for one‐third of all ischemic heart diseases worldwide. Moringa oleifera (MO) plant has gained nutraceutical prominence; therefore, its lipid‐lowering potential was investigated by its incorporation (leaves MOL, seeds MOS and leaves + seeds MOLS) into cookies. These cookies were then analysed for nutritional, physicochemical and clinical properties. The sensory properties received overall higher acceptability scores of 15% and 25% in MOL followed by MOS and MOLS cookies. Clinical investigations in hyperlipidaemic patients revealed significant reductions in total cholesterol (7.56% and 5.56%), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (6.59% and 5.03%) and triglycerides (6.75% and 4.76%) in MOL and MOLS. While a significant increase in the high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (10.66%, 5.88% and 9.15%) in all three groups was observed, with a more pronounced raise in MOL Cookies. Furthermore, serum biochemistry (AST, ALT, ALP, urea and Creatinine) values remain within normal range revealing the safety for utilisation. The overall results indicated that MO possesses a positive effect on the lipid profile, therefore, can be a part of diet‐based therapy for the attenuation of chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research focused on improving the nutritional quality of cupcakes by using micronutrient-rich vegetables, specifically purslane's leaves and stems. The purslane leaves and stems were sun-dried and analyzed for their proximate, mineral, and antioxidant potential. After conducting preliminary trials, flour blends supplemented with purslane powders ranging from 2 to 4% were evaluated for their rheological behavior and suitability in bakery cupcakes. The results indicated that purslane leaves and stems are a rich source of crude proteins (18.04 ±0.61 and 15.62 ±1.63%, respectively) and mineral contents, especially iron contents (214.28 ±123.13 and 243.37 ±5.25 mg/100 g, respectively). The powder retained a significant quantity of phenolic compounds and antioxidant potential after sun-drying. The rheological evaluation indicated the dose-dependent incremental response on dough development and dough stability time. Although cupcakes prepared with purslane leaves and stem powder received lower ratings than the control, statistically, the cupcakes supplemented with 2 to 4% purslane powder were on par with each other. In conclusion, purslane leaves and stems are a rich source of micronutrients and their incorporation in bakery products can improve the consumer's micronutrient intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllanthus emblica L. (also popularly known as amla) is a tree native to the India and Southeast Asia regions that produces fruits rich in bioactive compounds that could be explored as part of the increasing interest in naturally occurring compounds with biological activity. Thus, this review aims to highlight the nutritional aspects, rich phytochemistry and health-promoting effects of amla. Scientific evidence indicates that polyphenols are central components in fruits and other sections of the amla tree, as well as vitamin C. The rich composition of polyphenol and vitamin C imparts an important antioxidant activity along with important in vivo effects that include improved antioxidant status and activity of the endogenous antioxidant defense system. Other potential health benefits are the anti-hyperlipidemia and antidiabetic activities as well as the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, digestive tract and neurological protective activities. The promising results provided by the studies about amla bioactive compounds support their potential role in assisting the promotion of health and prevention of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camel milk is known as the white gold of the desert because it contains within it a variety of nutrients which play a key role in the human diet. The health benefits of camel milk have been described for a variety of diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, hepatitis, etc. including improved overall survival. A major health burden worldwide is liver diseases, and the ninth leading cause of death in Western countries is due to liver cirrhosis. Treatment is mostly ineffective for cirrhosis, fatty liver, and chronic hepatitis which are the most common diseases of the liver; furthermore current treatments carry the risk of side effects, and are often extremely expensive, particularly in the developing world. A systematic review of studies was performed to determine the association of consumption of camel milk on multiple diseases of the liver. The impact of camel milk on the laboratory tests related to the liver disorders, viral hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were evaluated. The consumption of camel milk was accompanied by modulation of the values of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase in persons who are at risk of liver disease. In the patients with chronic liver disease, it was observed that they have low rates of mortality and low chances of progression to cirrhosis when they consume camel milk. Therefore, in patients with liver diseases, the addition of camel milk to their normal daily diet plan should be encouraged. In this review, camel milk's impact on the different kinds of liver diseases or any disorder associated with liver functioning was evaluated. Camel milk has a therapeutic as well as a preventive role in the maintenance and improving the metabolic regulations of the body., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Shakeel, Rabail, Iahtisham-Ul-Haq, Sehar, Nawaz, Manzoor, Walayat, Socol, Maerescu and Aadil.)

Chia ( S. hispanica L.) is an annual herbaceous plant that has gained popularity for its seeds of high-quality vegetative proteins, richest contents of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Ω-3 PUFA), soluble dietary fiber, and great gelling ability, as well as its high contents of bioactive peptides of antioxidative and nutraceutical potential for many other clinical biomarkers. Such health protective bioactive peptides should be utilized for supplementation in the food and nutrition industries. This review was therefore designed to align the researches done on chia bioactive peptide's derivation, processing, consumption and to identify their antioxidative and nutraceutical potential for various disease biomarkers. The evidence gathered is fairly compelling for the health-promising nutraceutical and clinical potential of chia seed bioactive peptides as antioxidants, dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitors (DPP4), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Their assimilation into everyday diets has the potential to open new doors in health departments and food sectors., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by BRI.)