Consumption of plant sterols-enriched soy milk with a healthy dietary pattern diet lowers blood pressure in adults with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aims: Plant sterols (PS) have been shown to lower blood lipid-lipoproteins concentrations and may serve as a potential functional ingredient for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management. However, there are limited studies examining this effect in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PS-enriched food consumption as part of a healthy dietary pattern (HDP) on blood pressure and endothelial function in Singaporean adults with MetS.

Higher adiposity predicts greater intra-individual inconsistencies in postprandial glycemic measurements-an analysis of three randomized controlled trials in Asian populations.

Background/objectives: Acute glycemic responses offer important insights into glucose homeostasis although the repeatability of these measurements particularly in Asian populations remains unclear. This research aimed to critically investigate the inconsistencies of the postprandial glycemic profile within individuals, and identify potential variables predicting greater inconsistencies.

Subjects/methods: This was a secondary analysis of three randomized controlled trials which fed subjects with glucose (and other carbohydrate-rich foods), and measured postprandial blood glucose at regular intervals.

Plant-Based Meat Analogs and Their Effects on Cardiometabolic Health: An 8-Week Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Plant-Based Meat Analogs With Their Corresponding Animal-Based Foods.

Background: With the growing popularity of plant-based meat analogs (PBMAs), an investigation of their effects on health is warranted in an Asian population.

Objectives: This research investigated the impact of consuming an omnivorous animal-based meat diet (ABMD) compared with a PBMAs diet (PBMD) on cardiometabolic health among adults with elevated risk of diabetes in Singapore.

Methods: In an 8-wk parallel design randomized controlled trial, participants (n = 89) were instructed to substitute habitual protein-rich foods with fixed quantities of either PBMAs (n = 44) or their corresponding animal-based meats (n = 45; 2.

Effects of wolfberry () consumption on the human plasma lipidome and its association with cardiovascular disease risk factors: a randomized controlled trial of middle-aged and older adults.

Background: Long-term wolfberry intake as part of a healthy dietary pattern was recognized to have beneficial vascular outcomes. Characterization of the plasma lipidome may further provide comprehensive insights into pathways underlying these cardiovascular protective effects.

Objective: We analyzed the plasma lipidome of subjects who adhered to a healthy dietary pattern either with or without wolfberry and investigated the associations between the plasma lipidomic profile and cardiovascular health-related indicators.

Effects of dietary fat type and emulsification on carotenoid absorption: a randomized crossover trial.

Background: Although emerging evidence has suggested that the type and emulsification of dietary fat may be important to carotenoid absorption, these effects have not yet been validated in a human trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of dietary fat type and emulsification on the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of carotenoids from a carotenoid-rich salad.

Methods: An identical salad was used for the in vitro and the human trial.

Measures of carbohydrate quality and their association with diet quality and cardiometabolic health outcomes in Singapore middle-aged and older adults.

Background And Aims: Carbohydrate quality may play a key role in cardiometabolic health and disease risk. This study aimed to assess the dietary carbohydrate quality of the free-living middle-aged and older adults in Singapore, and its association with overall diet quality and cardiometabolic health.

Methods And Results: This cross-sectional study examined the diet and cardiometabolic disease risk indicators of middle-aged and older adults in Singapore (n = 104).

Association Between Dietary Protein Intake and Sleep Quality in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Singapore.

Poor sleep has been associated with the increased risk of developing detrimental health conditions. Diet and certain nutrients, such as dietary protein (PRO) may improve sleep. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between PRO intake, their amino acid components, and sources with sleep quality in middle-aged and older adults residing in Singapore.

Impact of following a healthy dietary pattern with co-consuming wolfberry on number and function of blood outgrowth endothelial cells from middle-aged and older adults.

Blood outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) have received growing attention in relation to cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the effect of diet intervention, a primary strategy for CVD prevention, on BOECs is not reported. This study aims to investigate the effect of following a healthy dietary pattern (HDP) with or without wolfberry consumption, healthy food with potential cardiovascular benefits, on the number and function of BOECs in middle-aged and older adults.

Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with wolfberry consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: Wolfberry is rich in bioactive compounds which may lower cardiovascular disease risk. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of wolfberry-based randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on overall cardiovascular health.

Methods: Four online databases (PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Medline and Cochrane Library) were searched to shortlist relevant RCTs.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Different Intensity of Dietary Counselling on Cardiometabolic Health in Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

Dietary counselling has been identified as one of the nutritional strategies to alleviate cardiometabolic health conditions. Its effectiveness however may vary due to factors such as intensity level and provider while this has not been comprehensively studied. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of dietary counselling on the cardiometabolic health in middle-aged and older adults and the sub-group analyses with dietary counselling intensity and the provider were also assessed.

Enhancing the cardiovascular protective effects of a healthy dietary pattern with wolfberry (Lycium barbarum): A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The consumption of wolfberry (Lycium barbarum), a rich source of carotenoids and bioactive polysaccharides, may serve as a potential dietary strategy for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management although limited studies examined its effects as whole fruits.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of wolfberry consumption as part of a healthy dietary pattern on vascular health-related outcomes and classical CVD risk factors in middle-aged and older adults in Singapore.

Methods: This is a 16-week, parallel design, randomized controlled trial.

Wolfberry () Consumption with a Healthy Dietary Pattern Lowers Oxidative Stress in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Incorporating zeaxanthin-rich wolfberry () into a healthy dietary pattern may augment its antioxidant potential. The present 16-week, parallel design randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the impact of adhering to a healthy dietary pattern, either with or without whole dried wolfberry (15 g/d) on oxidative stress status (plasma malondialdehyde and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α) in middle-aged and older adults. Changes to carotenoids status (plasma and skin carotenoids) and body composition were further evaluated to explore potential mechanisms which underlie the antioxidant properties of wolfberry.

Animal Protein versus Plant Protein in Supporting Lean Mass and Muscle Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Although animal protein is usually considered to be a more potent stimulator of muscle protein synthesis than plant protein, the effect of protein source on lean mass and muscle strength needs to be systematically reviewed. This study aimed to examine potential differences in the effect of animal vs. plant protein on lean mass and muscle strength, and the possible influence of resistance exercise training (RET) and age.

Skin carotenoid status and plasma carotenoids: biomarkers of dietary carotenoids, fruits and vegetables for middle-aged and older Singaporean adults.

Skin carotenoid status (SCS) measured by resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS) may serve as an emerging alternative measurement for dietary carotenoid, fruit and vegetable (FV) intake although its application had not been assessed in a middle-aged and older population in Asia. This cross-sectional study aims to concurrently examine the use of SCS and plasma carotenoids to measure FV and carotenoid intake in a middle-aged and older population, taking into consideration potential socio-demographic and nutritional confounders. The study recruited 103 middle-aged and older adults (mean age: 58 years) in Singapore.

Skin carotenoids status as a potential surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease risk determination in middle-aged and older adults.

Background And Aims: Upon consumption, carotenoids, which may attenuate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, diffuse from the blood and accumulate in the skin. This study aimed to assess the associations between dietary, plasma, and skin carotenoids with CVD risk indicators and to examine the mediational role of plasma carotenoids in the relationship between skin carotenoids status (SCS) and CVD risk.

Methods And Results: Dietary, plasma, and skin carotenoids were assessed in a cross-sectional study from a community in Singapore (n = 103) aged 50 to 75 y.

Effects of fatty acids composition in a breakfast meal on the postprandial lipid responses: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Replacement of food rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) with unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) is a well-known dietary strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease while its impact on postprandial blood lipids is less examined. This study assessed the effects of fatty acids composition on the postprandial triglycerides and cholesterol responses. Seventeen randomised controlled trials were identified and pooled analysis results revealed that consumption of a UFAs-rich or an SFAs-rich breakfast meal did not acutely affect postprandial triglycerides and cholesterol responses.

Incorporating healthy dietary changes in addition to an increase in fruit and vegetable intake further improves the status of cardiovascular disease risk factors: A systematic review, meta-regression, and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Context: Fruit and vegetable (FV) intake has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Beyond increasing FV intake, the incorporation of other healthy dietary changes may help to further attenuate CVD risk.

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect of increasing FV intake to > 3 servings daily as well as incorporating other healthy dietary changes on classical CVD risk factors through a systematic review, meta-regression, and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Lowering breakfast glycemic index and glycemic load attenuates postprandial glycemic response: A systematically searched meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Low glycemic index (GI) diets are recommended to reduce the risk for chronic diseases by managing postprandial elevations in blood glucose and insulin. However, to our knowledge, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate this relationship and interpret its clinical relevance has yet to be performed. This review aims to assess the effect of low versus high GI breakfast meals on postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses in adults.

Daily consumption of essence of chicken improves cognitive function: a systematically searched meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Essence of chicken (EC) is a dietary supplement with potential benefits on one's cognitive performance. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effects of consuming EC on cognitive function, applying extensively represented domains. Six databases were systematically searched to yield 1760 articles.