Explore the vast range of titles available.

The importance of chronic low-grade inflammation in the pathology of numerous age-related chronic conditions is now clear. An unresolved inflammatory response is likely to be involved from the early stages of disease development. The present position paper is the most recent in a series produced by the International Life Sciences Institute's European Branch (ILSI Europe). It is co-authored by the speakers from a 2013 workshop led by the Obesity and Diabetes Task Force entitled ‘Low-grade inflammation, a high-grade challenge: biomarkers and modulation by dietary strategies’. The latest research in the areas of acute and chronic inflammation and cardiometabolic, gut and cognitive health is presented along with the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation–health/disease associations. The evidence relating diet composition and early-life nutrition to inflammatory status is reviewed. Human epidemiological and intervention data are thus far heavily reliant on the measurement of inflammatory markers in the circulation, and in particular cytokines in the fasting state, which are recognised as an insensitive and highly variable index of tissue inflammation. Potential novel kinetic and integrated approaches to capture inflammatory status in humans are discussed. Such approaches are likely to provide a more discriminating means of quantifying inflammation–health/disease associations, and the ability of diet to positively modulate inflammation and provide the much needed evidence to develop research portfolios that will inform new product development and associated health claims.

Background/objectivesDespite considerable literature supporting the potential health benefits of reducing postprandial glucose (PPG), and insulin (PPI) exposures, the size of a clinically relevant reduction is currently unknown. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify effects of alpha-glucosidase-inhibiting (AGI) drugs on acute PPG and PPI responses.MethodsWe searched EMBASE and MEDLINE until March 13, 2018 for controlled studies using AGI drugs together with a standardized carbohydrate load or mixed meal. The mean incremental PPG and PPI levels were calculated as outcomes. Meta-analyses, stratified by diabetes state, were performed by using random effects models.ResultsThe 66 included publications comprised 127 drug-control comparisons for PPG, and 106 for PPI, mostly testing acarbose or miglitol. The absolute effects on PPG were larger among individuals with diabetes (−1.5 mmol/l mean PPG [95% CI −1.9, −1.1] by acarbose, and −1.6 [−1.9, −1.4] by miglitol) as compared to individuals without diabetes (−0.4 [95% CI −0.5, −0.3] by acarbose, and −0.6 [−0.8, −0.4] by miglitol). Relative reductions in PPG by both drugs were similar for diabetic and non-diabetic individuals (43−54%). Acarbose and miglitol also significantly reduced mean PPI, with absolute and relative reductions being largest among individuals without diabetes.ConclusionsThe present meta-analyses provide quantitative estimates of reductions of PPG and PPI responses by AGI drugs in diabetes and non-diabetic individuals. These data can serve as benchmarks for clinically relevant reductions in PPG and PPI via drug or diet and lifestyle interventions.

Due to the increasing evidence of their health benefits, whole grains are recommended for consumption worldwide. Such recommendations are, however, rarely quantitative. Our aim was to perform a quantitative evaluation of the relationship between whole grain consumption and the occurrence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) to support a recommendation on the daily consumption of whole grains. We conducted a systematic review by searching three bibliographic databases. We included human studies addressing the relationship between whole grain consumption and T2D occurrence, and providing quantitative information on daily intake of whole grains. A dose-response meta-regression analysis between whole grain intake and T2D occurrence was performed, using a hierarchical mixed least square linear regression model. Eight observational studies were included (all but one prospective), with a total of 15,573 cases of T2D among 316,051 participants. Quantitative meta-regression demonstrated a significant linear inverse relationship between whole grain intake and T2D occurrence (P<0.0001), with an overall absolute reduction of 0.3% in the T2D rate for each additional 10 g of whole grain ingredient consumed daily. The association persisted when adjusted on sex, age, country, study design, follow up duration, and mode of report of whole grain intakes (as foods or ingredients). The meta-regression model made it possible to estimate the decrease in T2D risk corresponding to various changes in whole grain intakes, and the results contribute to setting up quantitative recommendations. For instance, consuming three servings of whole grain foods (45 g of whole grain ingredients) daily would induce a 20% relative reduction in the T2D risk as compared to consuming a half serving (7.5 g of whole grain ingredients). These results should be considered for future recommendations, by considering the actual whole grain intake of the concerned populations. The systematic review protocol was published on the PROSPERO register (CRD42013006925).

Starch is one of the major sources of carbohydrates (CHO) contributing to about 50–70% of the daily energy intake in human diet. Processed foods contribute to an important part of daily energy intake, especially in occidental countries. During food processing, starch undergoes dramatic changes when heated in the presence of water or high pressure. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of controlling food processes on starch digestibility profile in cereal-based foods and the interest of preserving starch in its native, slowly digestible, form on in vivo metabolic fate. Four different food processes were evaluated: extrusion, dry bread, soft cake and rotary-moulded biscuit. The resulting differences in gelatinization of each product translated to different SDS levels. Imaging techniques (X-ray diffraction, microtomography and electronic microscopy) were used to investigate the changes in SDS structure obtained through the different food processes. For in vivo evaluation, 12 healthy subjects were recruited and consumed a portion of 50 g of available CHOs of each product, in a crossover design. Glycemic and insulin responses were evaluated over 120 minutes in postprandial period. We showed that rotary molding technology preserved starch in its intact form and provided the highest SDS content (28g/100g) when the three other technologies (dried bread, soft cake and extrusion) led to SDS content below 3g/100 g. In addition, the lowest SDS contents are explained by a higher level of starch structure disruption which translated in a shift from crystalline structure into amorphous one. These data were linked to in vivo results. The global analysis for GI indicated that a significant difference existed among the foods’ mean GI values (p < 0.0001). Rotary product showed the lowest GI values. The soft, the dried bread had medium GI and extruded product had the highest GI with 77. The global analysis for II indicated that a significant difference existed among the foods’ mean II values (p < 0.0001), with the same order as for GI values. In addition, a portion of rotary-molded biscuit decreased significantly the glycemic peak by 1 mM compared to the 3 other products. Decrease of postprandial glycemia is a meaningful target in the prevention of metabolic diseases. This can be achieved through the modification of dietary factors such as starch digestibility.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence highlights the significant impact of diet to modify low-grade inflammation closely linked to cardiometabolic profile. Multifunctionnal diets, combining several compounds have been shown to beneficially impact metabolic parameters. OBJECTIVE: This study synthesizes the knowledge on the impact of RCTs combining dietary multifunctional compounds on low-grade inflammation in humans. We investigate whether the effects of dietary multifunctional interventions on inflammatory markers were parallel to alterations of cardiometabolic parameters. METHODOLOGY: We considered both the integrated dietary interventions (ID, i.e. global diets such as Mediterranean, Nordic…) and the dietary interventions based on selected bioactive mix (BM) compounds, in healthy individuals and those at cardiometabolic risk. Out of 221 screened publications, we selected 27 studies: 11 for BM (polyphenols and/or omega-3 fatty acids and/or antioxidants and/or dietary fiber) and 16 for ID (Mediterranean, paleo, Nordic, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet…). RESULTS: ID studies reflected significant improvements in inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1b), concomitantly with beneficial changes in metabolic parameters. In BM studies, pronounced effects on low-grade inflammatory markers were observed, while improvements in metabolic parameters were not consistent. Both types of studies suggested a favorable impact on oxidative stress, a factor closely linked to the inflammatory profile. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that multifunctional RCT diets have differential role in managing low-grade inflammation and cardiometabolic health, with a large heterogeneity in explored inflammatory markers. Further research is imperative to elucidate the link between low-grade inflammation and other cardiometabolic risk factors, such as intestinal inflammation or postprandial inflammatory dynamics, aiming to attain a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved in these processes. These future investigations not only have the potential to deepen our insights into the connections among these elements but also pave the way for significant advancements in the prevention and management of conditions related to the cardiovascular and metabolic systems.

To draw attention to the necessity of considering differences in the digestibility of carbohydrates, and more specifically of starch, a symposium was held at the 12th European Nutrition Conference (FENS), which took place in Berlin from October 20 to 23, 2015. The purpose of this session was to present the consolidated knowledge and recent advances regarding the relationship between slow-release carbohydrates, metabolic responses, and public health issues. Three main topics were presented: 1) the definition of, sources of, and recognised interest in the glycaemic response to slowly digestible starch (SDS); 2) clinical evidence regarding the physiological effects of slow-release carbohydrates from cereal foods; and 3) interest in reducing the postprandial glycaemic response to help prevent metabolic diseases. Foods with the highest SDS content induce the lowest glycaemic responses, as the starch is protected from gelatinisation during processing. In humans, high-SDS food consumption induces slower glucose release, lower postprandial insulinaemia, and stimulation of gut hormones. Moreover, postprandial hyperglycaemia is an independent risk factor for type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, given the plausible aetiologic mechanisms, we argue that postprandial glucose levels are relevant for health and disease and represent a meaningful target for intervention, for example, through dietary factors. This symposium was organised by Mondelez International R&D.

Glucose is the main metabolic fuel of the brain. The rate of glucose delivery from food to the bloodstream depends on the nature of carbohydrates in the diet, which can be summarized as the glycaemic index (GI). To assess the benefit of a low versus high GI breakfast on cognitive performances within the following 4 h. The influence of the GI of the breakfast on verbal memory of young adults was measured throughout the morning in parallel to the assessment of blood glucose levels. The learning abilities of rats performing an operant-conditioning test 3 h after a breakfast-like meal of various GI was also examined. A low GI rather than high GI diet improved memory in humans, especially in the late morning (150 and 210 min after breakfast). Similarly, rats displayed better learning performance 180 min after they were fed with a low rather than high GI diet. Although performances appeared to be only remotely related to blood glucose, our data provide evidence that a low GI breakfast allows better cognitive performances later in the morning.

In three from the 5 selected studies, in order to describe the difference in plasma glucose kinetics between the two types of breakfasts, the flour used in manufacturing the four cereal products was intrinsically labeled with 13C, and plasma glucose kinetics was measured using dual-tracer methodology with [6,6-2H2]glucose infusion. [...]in the three studies evaluating plasma glucose turnover (Nazare et al., 2010; Vinoy et al., 2013; Péronnet et al., 2015), for both cereal products, RaE kinetics increased rapidly to reach a plateau and remained stable for the high SDS products, whereas it decreased in the late phase of the postprandial period for the low SDS products. [...]the ingestion of a high SDS cereal product reduces excursions in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, and release the ingested glucose over a longer period.

Changing food preferences brought about by westernization that have deleterious health effects 1 , 2 —combined with myriad forces that are contributing to increased food insecurity—are catalysing efforts to identify more nutritious and affordable foods 3 . Consumption of dietary fibre can help to prevent cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity 4 – 6 . A substantial number of reports have explored the effects of dietary fibre on the gut microbial community 7 – 9 . However, the microbiome is complex, dynamic and exhibits considerable intra- and interpersonal variation in its composition and functions. The large number of potential interactions between the components of the microbiome makes it challenging to define the mechanisms by which food ingredients affect community properties. Here we address the question of how foods containing different fibre preparations can be designed to alter functions associated with specific components of the microbiome. Because a marked increase in snack consumption is associated with westernization, we formulated snack prototypes using plant fibres from different sustainable sources that targeted distinct features of the gut microbiomes of individuals with obesity when transplanted into gnotobiotic mice. We used these snacks to supplement controlled diets that were consumed by adult individuals with obesity or who were overweight. Fibre-specific changes in their microbiomes were linked to changes in their plasma proteomes indicative of an altered physiological state. Fibre snacks that target distinct features of the microbiomes of donors with obesity transplanted into gnotobiotic mice also lead to fibre-specific changes in the microbiome and physiology when used in controlled-diet human studies.

Cereal products exhibit a wide range of glycaemic indexes (GI), but the interaction of their different nutrients and starch digestibility on blood glucose response is not well known. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate how cereal product characteristics can contribute to GI and insulinaemic index and to the parameters describing glycaemic or insulinaemic responses (incremental AUC, maximum concentration and Δpeak). Moreover, interactions between the different cereal products characteristics and glycaemic response parameters were assessed for the first time. Relationships between the cereal products characteristics and the glycaemic response were analysed by partial least square regressions, followed by modelling. A database including 190 cereal products tested by the usual GI methodology was used. The model on glycaemic responses showed that slowly digestible starch (SDS), rapidly digestible starch (RDS) and fat and fibres, and several interactions involving them, significantly explain GI by 53 % and Δpeak of glycaemia by 60 %. Fat and fibres had important contributions to glycaemic response at low and medium SDS contents in cereal products, but this effect disappears at high SDS levels. We showed also for the first time that glycaemic response parameters are dependent on interactions between starch digestibility (interaction between SDS and RDS) and nutritional composition (interaction between fat and fibres) of the cereal products. We also demonstrated the non-linear effect of fat and fibres (significant effect of their quadratic terms). Hence, optimising both the formula and the manufacturing process of cereal products can improve glucose metabolism, which is recognised as strongly influential on human health.