Effects of Undaria pinnatifida, Himanthalia elongata and Porphyra umbilicalis extracts on in vitro α-glucosidase activity and glucose diffusion.

Background: Seaweeds are good sources of dietary fibre, which can influence glucose uptake and glycemic control.

Objective: To investigate and compare the in vitro inhibitory activity of different extracts from Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame), Himanthalia elongata (Sea spaghetti) and Porphyra umbilicalis (Nori) on α-glucosidase activity and glucose diffusion.

Methods: The in vitro effects Chloroform-, ethanol- and water-soluble extracts of the three algae were assayed on α- glucosidase activity and glucose diffusion through membrane.

Effect of the red seaweed Mastocarpus stellatus intake on lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in healthy Wistar rats.

Health-promoting effect of dietary supplementation with the red seaweed Mastocarpus stellatus was studied. Its major component is dietary fibre (31.7/100 g dry weight), 72% as soluble fibre, mainly formed by carrageenans, sulphated-galactans of red seaweeds.

Molecular weight distribution of polysaccharides from edible seaweeds by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC).

Biological properties of polysaccharides from seaweeds are related to their composition and structure. Many factors such as the kind of sugar, type of linkage or sulfate content of algal biopolymers exert an influence in the relationship between structure and function. Besides, the molecular weight (MW) also plays an important role.

Stroke: roles of B vitamins, homocysteine and antioxidants.

In the present review concerning stroke, we evaluate the roles of B vitamins, homocysteine and antioxidant vitamins. Stroke is a leading cause of death in developed countries. However, current therapeutic strategies for stroke have been largely unsuccessful.

Health-promoting effects of a dietary fiber concentrate from the soybean byproduct okara in rats.

Okara (a byproduct of the soy milk industry) is rich in proteins (24.5-37.5 g/100 g of dry matter (dm)), lipids (9.

Multifunctional in vitro antioxidant evaluation of strawberry (Fragaria virginiana Dutch.).

Berries have shown the highest potential antioxidant activity among fruits using a unique antioxidant method. The antioxidant activity of aqueous-organic extracts of strawberry (Fragaria virginiana Dutch., var.

Effect of a blueberry nutritional supplement on macronutrients, food group intake, and plasma vitamin E and vitamin C in US athletes.

Antioxidants from a blueberry beverage may impact plasma vitamins. We examined vitamins/food selection in 12 college athletes during 30 days compared with placebo. Blood was collected before and after exercise at the beginning of the study (day 1) and then after a 30-day period of taking a daily supplemental beverage (day 30).

Common sources and estimated intake of plant sterols in the Spanish diet.

Plant sterols (PS) are minor lipid components of plants, which may have potential health benefits, mainly based in their cholesterol-lowering effect. The aim of this study was to determine the composition and content of PS in plant-based foods commonly consumed in Spain and to estimate the PS intake in the Spanish diet. For this purpose, the determination of PS content, using a modern methodology to measure free, esterified, and glycosidic sterol forms, was done.

In vitro antioxidant activities of edible artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and effect on biomarkers of antioxidants in rats.

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.), an edible vegetable from the Mediterranean area, is a good source of natural antioxidants such as vitamin C, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavones. The antioxidant activity of aqueous-organic extracts of artichoke were determined using three methods: (a) free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(*)) scavenging, (b) ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and (c) inhibition of copper(II)-catalyzed in vitro human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation.