Lentils based pasta affect satiation, satiety and food intake in healthy volunteers.

Plant-based diets represent a valid strategy to improve human health and increase food sustainability. The availability of legume-based products, a good source of proteins and fibers, could help consumers to promote healthy dietary patterns. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of different legume-based pastas on energy intake and appetite in healthy volunteers.

Cobalamin status is negatively correlated with vascular endothelial-cadherin in vegetarian and vegan women with vitamin B deficiency.

Optimal vitamin B status is important for vascular health. Vascular endothelial (VE) cadherin is an adherent junction protein involved in the maintenance of a functional endothelium. We hypothesized that vitamin B deficiency can negatively affect markers of vascular function, such as VE-cadherin.

Effect of two different sublingual dosages of vitamin B on cobalamin nutritional status in vegans and vegetarians with a marginal deficiency: A randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aims: Vegetarians and vegans are more vulnerable to vitamin B deficiency with severe risks of megaloblastic anemia, cognitive decline, neuropathy, and depression. An easy and simple method of supplementation consists of taking one weekly dosage of 2000 μg. However, single large oral doses of vitamin B are poorly absorbed.

Benefits of breakfast meals and pattern of consumption on satiety-related sensations in women.

This study evaluated the effects on satiety-related sensations of seven isoenergetic cereal-based breakfasts and two fruit products (salad and juice) consumed within breakfast or as a midmorning snack. Nine healthy women participated to 11 sessions following a randomized repeated-measures design. Subjects were asked to consume seven breakfasts consisting of a standard beverage and a different cereal-based product, and also fruit salad or apricot juice consumed within breakfast or as a midmorning snack.

Modulation of plasma antioxidant levels, glutathione S-transferase activity and DNA damage in smokers following a single portion of broccoli: a pilot study.

Background: Broccoli is a rich source of bioactive compounds (i.e. glucosinolates, carotenoids, vitamin C and folate) that may exert an antioxidant effect and reduce oxidative damage.

Lycopene absorption in humans after the intake of two different single-dose lycopene formulations.

Lycopene is the main carotenoid present in tomato and its derivatives. It can also be obtained from the fungus Blakeslea trispora and its use as novel food ingredient was recently approved. The aim of the present study was to investigate the absorption of lycopene, in humans, after the intake of a single dose providing 15mg of lycopene from tomato extract (oleoresin 6%) or B.

Absorption of bioactive compounds from steamed broccoli and their effect on plasma glutathione S-transferase activity.

Cruciferous vegetables are characterized by high amounts of glucosinolates (GLSs) that are hydrolysed to isothiocyanates (ITCs) and other phytochemicals. The aim of the study was to verify the effect of broccoli intake on plasma levels of carotenoids, vitamins and ITCs and on glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity. Twenty healthy subjects, characterized for GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotype, participated in a cross-over intervention study (broccoli diet versus cruciferous-free diet).

Effect of a tomato drink intervention on insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 serum levels in healthy subjects.

There is concern that dietary factors can modulate the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a tomato drink intervention providing small amounts of lycopene and other carotenoids on serum levels of IGF-1. Twenty healthy young subjects participated in a repeated measure double-blind, cross-over design.

Effect on appetite control of minor cereal and pseudocereal products.

Recent findings suggest that Western diets based on highly palatable foods are likely to be much less satiating than more traditional diets or those typical of less developed countries. In particular, some alternative crops (for example, buckwheat, oat, barley, spelt, rye, quinoa, amaranth) seem to be of great nutritional interest and to represent important recipes for healthier and typical regional foods. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect on subsequent food intake and feelings of satiety of alternative oat bread, oat and buckwheat pasta and of quinoa as compared with their wheat counterparts and rice, respectively.

Effects of blood orange juice intake on antioxidant bioavailability and on different markers related to oxidative stress.

Orange juice is a source of antioxidants that might afford in vivo protection from oxidative stress. To test this hypothesis, we carried out a human intervention study with blood orange juice containing high amounts of vitamin C, anthocyanins, and carotenoids. Sixteen healthy female volunteers were enrolled in a crossover study and were given 600 mL/day of blood orange juice or a diet without juice for 21 days.

Daily intake of a formulated tomato drink affects carotenoid plasma and lymphocyte concentrations and improves cellular antioxidant protection.

The salutary characteristics of the tomato are normally related to its content of carotenoids, especially lycopene, and other antioxidants. Our purpose was to verify whether the daily intake of a beverage prototype called Lyc-o-Mato((R)) containing a natural tomato extract (Lyc-o-Mato((R)) oleoresin 6 %) was able to modify plasma and lymphocyte carotenoid concentrations, particularly those of lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene and beta-carotene, and to evaluate whether this intake was sufficient to improve protection against DNA damage in lymphocytes. In a double-blind, cross-over study, twenty-six healthy subjects consumed 250 ml of the drink daily, providing about 6 mg lycopene, 4 mg phytoene, 3 mg phytofluene, 1 mg beta-carotene and 1.

Comparison of lutein bioavailability from vegetables and supplement.

Lutein is a carotenoid present in dark green leafy vegetables and it may be involved in the prevention of several diseases related to oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate bioavailability of lutein from different food sources (150 g spinach and 200 g broccoli) and a supplement in oil (300 mg VEGEX), all providing about 9 mg lutein. Eight healthy females were instructed to eat a low-carotenoid diet for the period of experimentation.