Fruit Intake to Prevent and Control Hypertension and Diabetes

Undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among adult population in central zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia 2020: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

Undiagnosed hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and complications such as heart attack and stroke. Limited information is available on the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors in Ethiopia, particularly in the study setting. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors in the central zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to May 31, 2020. A pretested structured questionnaire was used and both face-to-face interview and physical measurement were used to collect the data. Blood pressure was measured on two different days for each study participant, and an average of the measurements were taken. In addition, 736 participants were included in this study, through a systematic random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to show the strength of the association and declare statistical significance at p < 0.05.

Results

In the study, the mean age of the participants was 51.9 (standard deviation: 17.9) years old. Prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was found 15.4% (N = 113). The factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension were being divorced (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 15.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.2-28.3), alcohol consumption (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.22-3.51), not eating fruits (AOR = 4.1, 95% CI: 2.37-7.08), not eating vegetables (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI: 2.02-5.96) and poor knowledge (AOR = 3.05, 95% CI: 2.75-7.83).

Conclusion

Around one in six study participants had undiagnosed hypertension. Being divorced, drinking alcohol, not eating fruits, not consuming vegetables, and having poor knowledge of hypertension were significant factors. Public health interventions, like providing adequate hypertension health information, frequent screening, and implementation of an appropriate intervention for particular factors, are critical for reducing the burden of undiagnosed hypertension.

Is breakfast consumption detrimental, unnecessary, or an opportunity for health promotion? A review of cardiometabolic outcomes and functional food choices

Breakfast consumption is generally considered a health-promoting habit for cardiometabolism, particularly with regard to chrononutrition. Glucose uptake is enhanced by proper insulin secretion triggered by the pancreatic clock, averting metabolic dysregulation related to insulin resistance. Breakfast skipping, in turn, is often considered a behaviour detrimental to health, in part due to putative inverse metabolic actions compared to breakfast consumption, such that breakfast skipping may promote circadian desynchrony. However, most ill health concerns about breakfast skipping are inferred from observational research, and recent well-controlled randomized clinical trials have shown benefits of breakfast skipping for cardiovascular risk factors. Accordingly, this review describes the effects of breakfast consumption versus breakfast skipping on cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure and glycaemic and lipid indices). In addition, the view of breakfast consumption as an opportunity for functional food ingestion is considered to provide further insights into decision-making practice. Collectively, both breakfast consumption and breakfast skipping can be considered viable habits, but they depend on individual preferences, planning, and the specific foods being consumed or omitted. When consumed, breakfast should consist primarily of functional foods typical for this meal (e.g., eggs, dairy products, nuts, fruits, whole grains, coffee, tea, etc.). While breakfast consumption aligns with chrononutrition principles, breakfast skipping can contribute to a calorie deficit over time, which has the potential for widespread cardiometabolic benefits for patients with overweight/obesity. The concepts and practical considerations discussed in the present review may aid health care personnel in personalising breakfast consumption recommendations for diverse patient populations.

Revisiting Fruit Allergy: Prevalence across the Globe, Diagnosis, and Current Management

Fruit allergies manifest with a diverse array of clinical presentations, ranging from localized contact allergies and oral allergy syndrome to the potential for severe systemic reactions including anaphylaxis. The scope of population-level prevalence studies remains limited, largely derived from single-center or hospital-based investigations. In this comprehensive review, we conducted a systematic literature search spanning the years 2009 to 2023, with full acknowledgment of potential analytical biases, to provide a global overview of fruit allergy prevalence. The primary mechanistic underpinning of fruit allergies stems from cross-reactivity between aeroallergens and food allergens, a consequence of structurally similar epitopes-a phenomenon recognized as pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS). In the era of molecular allergology, numerous studies have dissected allergen components with substantial clinical relevance. Within this review, we explore important allergenic molecules found in plant-based foods, scrutinize pertinent cross-reactivity patterns, and offer insights into management recommendations. Additionally, we compare guideline recommendations to enhance clinical understanding and inform decision making.

Effects of fresh vs dried mango consumption on satiety and postprandial glucose in healthy adults

Mango is a widely favored fruit that offers high nutritional value. Mango has been studied to examine its influence on postprandial glucose, but few studies have used fresh mango compared to dried mango to measure blood glucose and satiety after consumption. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of fresh versus dried mango consumption on satiety and postprandial glucose. A crossover design was implemented where 34 healthy adults (29 females and 5 males; 25.0 ± 6.0 years; BMI 23.8 ± 4.3 kg/m²) consumed either 100 kcal of fresh mango, dried mango, or white bread on three separate occasions. Following consumption, satiety was assessed every 15 min for 90 min and blood glucose was assessed every 30 min for 90 min. Consumption of fresh mango results showed a significant increase in satiety (tendency of greater fullness (P = 0.073) and less desire to eat (P < 0.05)) in participants. Fresh mango exhibited a more efficient decrease in postprandial glucose levels (P < 0.05) compared to dried mango or white bread, and fresh mango promoted a greater stability in blood glucose. Dried mango consumption also significantly lowered postprandial glucose compared to white bread (P < 0.05). These results suggest that fresh mango consumption may be beneficial in improving satiety responses and postprandial glucose control when compared to its dried alternative or white bread. The results of the study may help guide individuals who are overweight or obese and/or have type 2 diabetes by altering their food choices that ultimately could improve their health. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03956602.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and characteristics of maize polysaccharides from different sites

Antitumor, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and immunomodulatory properties are all exhibited by maize polysaccharides. With the increasing sophistication of maize polysaccharide extraction methods, enzymatic method is no longer limited to a single enzyme to extract polysaccharides, and is more often used in combination with ultrasound or microwave, or combination with different enzymes. Ultrasound has a good cell wall-breaking effect, making it easier to dislodge lignin and hemicellulose from the cellulose surface of the maize husk. The "water extraction and alcohol precipitation" method is the simplest but most resource- and time-consuming process. However, the "ultrasound-assisted extraction" and "microwave-assisted extraction" methods not only compensate for the shortcoming, but also increase the extraction rate. Herein, the preparation, structural analysis, and activities of maize polysaccharides were analyzed and discussed.

The effect of dietary patterns on mild cognitive impairment and dementia incidence among community-dwelling older adults

Multiple studies have shown that dietary patterns have beneficial health effects on cognitive function. However, information on this relationship is presently limited, particularly among older adults. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of dietary patterns on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia incidence among Malaysian community-dwelling older adults. In this prospective cohort study, a total of 280 participants aged 60 years and above were included in the 5-year follow-up analysis. Participants' sociodemographic, medical history, anthropometry, blood pressure, body composition, biochemical indices, cognitive assessments, psychosocial functions, functional status, and dietary intake were obtained. MCI was classified based on Petersen criteria, whereas dementia status was assessed using clinical dementia rating (CDR). Univariate analysis was performed for all variables, followed by multinomial regression analysis to identify the ability of dietary patterns in predicting the incidence of MCI and dementia. After controlling for confounding factors, the findings indicated that "local snacks-fish and seafood-high salt foods" dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of MCI incidence, where the T3 [adjusted OR = 3.943 (95% CI: 1.212-12.832), p = 0.032] had the highest OR compared to T2 [adjusted OR = 3.252 (95% CI: 1.108-9.546), p = 0.023]. Meanwhile, a negative association across the tertiles of tropical fruits-oats dietary pattern and dementia incidence was observed [T2: adjusted OR = 0.152 (95% CI: 0.026-0.871), p = 0.034; T3: Adjusted OR = 0.101 (95% CI: 0.011-0.967), p = 0.047]. In conclusion, specific dietary patterns, particularly "local snacks-fish and seafoods-high salt foods," were shown to increase the risk of MCI, while increasing intakes of "tropical fruits-oats" dietary patterns would protect against the dementia incidence among Malaysian older adults.

Caregiver Perceptions of Child Diet Quality: What Influenced Their Judgment

This study aimed at assessing the correctness of a caregiver’s perception of their child’s diet status and to determine the factors which may influence their judgment. 815 child-caregiver pairs were recruited from two primary schools. 3-day 24-h recall was used to evaluate children’s dietary intake, Chinese Children Dietary Index (CCDI) was used to evaluate the dietary quality. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the factors that could influence the correctness of caregiver’s perception. In the current study, 371 (62.1%) children with “high diet quality” and 35 (16.1%) children with “poor diet quality” were correctly perceived by their caregivers. Children who were correctly perceived as having “poor diet quality” consumed less fruits and more snacks and beverages than those who were not correctly perceived (p < 0.05). Obese children were more likely to be correctly identified as having “poor diet quality” (OR = 3.532, p = 0.040), and less likely to be perceived as having “high diet quality”, even when they had a balanced diet (OR = 0.318, p = 0.020). Caregivers with a high level of education were more likely to correctly perceive children’s diet quality (OR = 3.532, p = 0.042). Caregivers in this study were shown to lack the ability to correctly identify their children’s diet quality, especially amongst children with a “poor diet quality”. Obesity, significantly low consumption of fruits or high consumption of snacks can raise caregivers’ awareness of “poor diet quality”.