The occurrence of resveratrol in foodstuffs and its potential for supporting cancer prevention and treatment. A review.

Over recent years, there has been increasing interest noted in those active substances derived from plants that show potential for preventing cancer development. The most promising candidate is resveratrol which can be found in large amounts in the skin of grapes, tomatoes and in red wine. Its beneficial effects on the human body are seen both in prevention and therapy.

Assessing polyphenols content and antioxidant activity in coffee beans according to origin and the degree of roasting.

Background: The roasting stage constitutes a key component in the manufacturing process of natural coffee because temperature elicits changes in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and that Maillard-reaction compounds appear, thus affecting the product’s sensory and antioxidant properties. Actual contents of these compounds may depend on which region the coffee is cultivated as well as the extent to which the beans are roasted

Objectives: To determine polyphenols content and antioxidant activity in the ‘Arabica’ coffee type coming from various world regions of its cultivation and which have undergone industrial roasting. Also to establish which coffee, taking into account the degree of roasting (ie.

Beverage osmolality as a marker for maintaining appropriate body hydration.

Background: Osmolalities can be useful markers for determining whether given beverages are suited for maintaining an adequate hydration of the body. Losing 2% of body water relative to body mass reduces the efficiency of body function when undertaking physical effort by around 20%. Deficiencies in water intakes approaching 5-8% of body mass, double the impairment to the body’s physical and mental functioning, whereas at a level of 10% the body becomes incapable of performing any sort of physical effort.

Spent yeast as natural source of functional food additives.

Spent yeasts are by-products arising from beer and wine production which over many years have been chiefly used as feed additives for livestock. They contain many valuable and bioactive substances which has thereby generated much interest in their exploitation. Up till now, the main products obtained from beer-brewing yeasts are β-glucans and yeast extracts.

[Fish intake and risk of prostate cancer].

The aim of the study was to present the current state of knowledge concerning the relationship between the consumption of fish as materials rich in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFA) omega-3, and the risk of prostate cancer. Many scientific reports confirm the health benefits from the consumption of fish and protective properties of LC PUFA omega-3 in relation to prostate cancer. However, there are reports that indicate a relationship of the high consumption of PUFA with the risk of prostate cancer.

Evaluation of vitamins A, C and E content in diets of adolescents living in Warsaw, Poland.

Background: Antioxidant vitamins such as alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and beta-carotene (provitamin A), play a significant role in protecting the body from an excess of free radicals. The vitamin content of the diet is thus very important.

Objective: To assess whether the dietary intake of vitamins A, C and E is adequate in a selected group of adolescents living in Warsaw.

The content of trace elements in the diet of adolescents in Warsaw.

The aim of the study is to assess the contents of iron, zinc and copper in the diet among of adolescents living in Warsaw. The intake ofselected trace elements was estimated on the basis of three-day dietary records. Microelement contents in the diet were calculated using Food Composition Tables.

[Vitamin intake in an average diet of Warsaw adult inhabitants].

The study aimed to establish the intake of vitamins in an average diet of Warsaw adult inhabitants using 3-day records method. The consumption of vitamin B1 was about 40% lower than recommended, the intake level of vitamin C, B2, PP and B6 was about 20-30% lower than recommended, whilst, folate in the diet realized the norms only in 50%. The intake of vitamins E, A and B12 was higher than recommended.

[The comparison of fat, trans isomers and cholesterol intake in the diet of Warsaw inhabitants in relation to Polish food ration].

The aim of the study was to establish the intake level of fat, linolenic and linoleic acids, trans fatty acids and cholesterol in an average diet of Warsaw adult inhabitants in comparison with the Polish diet. The intake of nutrients in an average diet of Warsaw adult inhabitants was estimated based on research data gathered using three-day dietary records in 2001/2002 as well as the research results of household budgets, elaborated by the Central Statistical Office in 1998 and 2001. Excessive consumption of fats in the diet resulted from high consumption of fried products, adding fat to dishes and the consumption of high-fat milk and meat products.