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Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The aim of the present research was to determine if the developed ovo-vegetarian sausage (SO), which was made with 15% chickpea flour, 51% albumin and 34% soy protein...
The aim of the present research was to determine if the developed ovo-vegetarian sausage (SO), which was made with 15% chickpea flour, 51% albumin and 34% soy protein concentrate, exhibited improved physicochemical and sensory characteristics compared to vegetarian sausages available on the local market (classic vegan sausage, SC; vegan fine herb sausage, SH; and quinoa sausage, SQ). According to the physicochemical results, the developed sample, SO, presented significant differences ( < 0.05) compared to the others, including higher protein content, lower pH and a higher a* value. Three types of sensory analyses were conducted-flash profile, overall liking and purchase intention (to determine consumers' willingness to purchase the product)-with the first involving 15 consumers and the second and third involving 60 participants each. Descriptors for each sample were determined using the vocabulary provided by consumers in the flash profile analysis. Descriptors for SO included 'elastic', 'smell of cooked corn', 'characteristic flavor', 'pasty', 'soft' and 'pastel color', contributing to its greater overall liking and purchase intention compared to the others. Through the hierarchical multiple factor analysis, a positive correlation was observed between the texture and sensory descriptors of the flash profile. Conversely, a correlation was found between the physicochemical characteristics (pH, a, color) and overall liking and purchase intention.
PubMed: 38890961
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111733 -
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and... Jun 2024The difficulty in swallowing is a frequent problem when oral solid dosage forms (conventional tablets or capsules) are administered to paediatric population or patients...
The difficulty in swallowing is a frequent problem when oral solid dosage forms (conventional tablets or capsules) are administered to paediatric population or patients with dysphagia. An interesting alternative to overcome these problems are non-conventional formulations like chewable gels, commonly known as 'gummies'. Therefore, this work addresses the design, development and characterization of gummies using gelatine and pectin, for the vehiculization of the antiarrhythmic amiodarone (AMIO). Applying a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach, four gelatine (G-G) and eight pectin formulations (P-P) were developed. Considering the obtained results for responses during DoE evaluation (i.e., volume, syneresis, hardness, and gumminess), G and P were selected for complete characterization. Water activity, pH, drug content, texture parameters (adhesiveness, springiness, cohesiveness, and fracturability), disintegration time, in vitro dissolution, and microbiological features were evaluated. The obtained results were within the expected values for this type of formulation. The dissolution profiles showed a 94 % - 99 % of the AMIO content released for G and P, respectively, so they could be considered suitable as immediate release dosage forms. In conclusion, the chewable gels were successfully developed and characterised, suggesting a potential means to accomplish a final prototype for the improvement of congenital cardiopathies treatment.
PubMed: 38880402
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2024.114370 -
Appetite Jun 2024While moral concern for animals has become increasingly important for both consumer food choice and food policy makers, previous research demonstrated that meat eaters...
While moral concern for animals has become increasingly important for both consumer food choice and food policy makers, previous research demonstrated that meat eaters attribute lower moral status and mental capacities to animals raised for meat compared to non-food animals. The current research investigated whether this strategic flexibility in moral concern and mind perceptions also occurs when considering aquatic food animals and animals used for dairy and egg products, and the degree to which these concerns and perceptions are evident in pescatarians and vegetarians. We compared perceptions (mind attributions and moral concern) of land food animals versus aquatic food animals, and of animals in the meat versus dairy and egg industry between omnivores (n = 122), pescatarians (n = 118), vegetarians (n = 138), vegans (n = 120), and flexitarians (n = 60). Pescatarians scored lower than other dietary groups on moral concern and mind attribution for aquatic animals relative to farmed land animals. Unlike the other dietary groups, pescatarians and vegetarians scored lower on moral concern and mind attribution for dairy than beef cows and for layer chickens than broiler chickens. These findings demonstrate that pescatarians and vegetarians were flexible in their moral thinking about different types of food animals in ways that suited their consumption habits, even when the same animal was evaluated (e.g., dairy vs beef cows). This research highlights the psychological barriers that might prevent people from reducing animal product consumption and may need to be addressed in interventions to encourage transitioning towards more plant-based diets.
PubMed: 38880280
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107559 -
Allergologie Select 2024[This corrects the article on p. 57 in vol. 7, PMID: 37056444.].
Corrigendum of the article Reese I, Schäfer C, Ballmer-Weber B, Beyer K, Dölle-Bierke S, van Dullemen S, Jappe U, Müller S, Schnadt S, Treudler R, Worm M. Vegan diets from an allergy point of view - Position paper of the DGAKI working group on food allergy. Allergol Select. 2023; 7: 57-83.
[This corrects the article on p. 57 in vol. 7, PMID: 37056444.].
PubMed: 38872873
DOI: 10.5414/ALX02400ECorr -
Current Health Sciences Journal 2024Owing to ergosterol content, after UV irradiation yeast become a well-known source of ergocalciferol (vitamin D2). Additionally, pharmaceutical yeast-based supplements...
Owing to ergosterol content, after UV irradiation yeast become a well-known source of ergocalciferol (vitamin D2). Additionally, pharmaceutical yeast-based supplements may represent a suitable option for treating hypovitaminosis, especially in patients adhering to a vegan diet. Using the high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) methodology our study sought to analyse three commercially available yeast-based vitamin D2 supplements while comparing the effect of UV-C irradiation (254 nm) on yeast biomass derived from the brewing process and pure ergosterol. The two compounds were precisely separated under the described conditions in an efficient and quick manner with a retention time (Rt) of 4.152 ± 0.018 minutes for vitamin D2 and 5.097 ± 0.013 minutes for ergosterol. However, when approaching the quantitative analysis, based on our findings, it appears that the pharmaceutical supplements deviate from the declared amount of substance indicated on the label. 15 minutes of UV-C irradiation generates vitamin D2 in yeast biomass with a conversion rate of 1.78%. Also, high content of ergosterol, beside vitamin D2 formation after irradiation, may trigger the appearance of secondary products such as tachysterol.
PubMed: 38846468
DOI: 10.12865/CHSJ.50.01.12 -
Appetite Jun 2024social networks (SN) including Instagram have increased in popularity. However, SN-mediated content may influence eating behaviors in a negative way. This study analyzed...
OBJECTIVE
social networks (SN) including Instagram have increased in popularity. However, SN-mediated content may influence eating behaviors in a negative way. This study analyzed whether Instagram content claimed as "healthy" complies with nutritional guidelines.
METHODS
recipes posted in French on Instagram with the caption #healthy or similar ones were analyzed, once from February to May 2023 and again in April 2024. Health authorities' guidelines and food pyramid inclusion criteria were used for the quantitative and qualitative analysis, respectively. Recipes were then classified as balanced, partially unbalanced or unbalanced, with the two subgroups "restrictive" and "excessive", and according to the main protein source.
RESULTS
we coded a total of 114 courses (2 datasets of 57 courses each). Among these, 3 were classified as balanced main courses, 45 as partially unbalanced main courses and 66 as unbalanced main courses (21 were deemed as restrictive, 21 as excessive and 24 were otherwise inadequate), with a majority of hypocaloric courses. Approximately half of the recipes were vegetarian or vegan.
DISCUSSION
these results suggest that food recipes published on Instagram as #healthy may, at times, be far from nutritional guidelines and could rather promote unbalanced eating patterns. This suggest that food-related content on SN might be insufficiently moderated and that recipes referenced as #healthy should perhaps be accompanied by warnings and preventive measures. This observation, in addition to other detrimental behaviors displayed on SN (e.g. extreme physical activity or body image pressure) may contribute to the increased incidence of eating disorders (ED) associated with problematic SN use. Alerts on this risk and accessible tools for the prevention and early detection of ED risk in SN users are urgently needed.
PubMed: 38844048
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107542 -
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County,... May 2024Healthy plant-based diets, such as the lacto-ovo-vegetarian and the vegan diet, offer numerous benefits to human health. Poorly designed plant-based diets, however, bear...
BACKGROUND
Healthy plant-based diets, such as the lacto-ovo-vegetarian and the vegan diet, offer numerous benefits to human health. Poorly designed plant-based diets, however, bear the risk for vitamin- and micronutrient deficiencies. Vitamin B12 (B12, cobalamin) is a nutrient of particular concern in both diets, and should be readily supplemented on a continuous basis to ensure adequate B12 levels and to prevent deficiencies.
CASE REPORT
This case reports describes the history of a healthy man in his mid-30s who adopted a vegan diet approximately 10 y ago. Well informed about the risks of vitamin B12 deficiency on a plant-based diet, he regularly supplemented methylcobalamin for years (single oral dose: 500 µg, 3-4 times a week) in order to maintain an adequate vitamin B12 status. In late 2023, however, he decided to cease B12 supplementation for undisclosed reasons. Subsequent to this decision, we closely monitored his B12 status and longitudinally measured serum B12, homocysteine, and holotranscobalamin (holo-TC). Total serum folate was also determined as it is a modifier of homocysteine concentration. A gradual decrease in holo-TC and vitamin B12 levels was observed after 4 weeks and supplements had to be re-introduced after 16 weeks. Homocysteine increased concomitantly up to 18.2 μmol/L after 20 weeks.
CONCLUSIONS
While a short-term B12 supplement intake cessation might be well tolerated by vegans with an adequate B12 status, an interruption of more than 8 weeks could signify B12 loss approaching suboptimal status. This case report reiterates the need for continuous B12 supplementation in persons following an unfortified plant-based diet.
PubMed: 38833779
DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2024.112498 -
Journal of Food Science Jun 2024The ultra-processed food (UPF) concept first emerged 15 years ago, and is now studied worldwide in different contexts, for example, human health, food behavior,... (Review)
Review
The ultra-processed food (UPF) concept first emerged 15 years ago, and is now studied worldwide in different contexts, for example, human health, food behavior, socio-economic, food consumption, food scoring, and food system sustainability. Briefly, UPFs are defined as containing at least one marker of ultra-processing (MUP). MUPs are (1) cosmetic additives, (2) aromas, (3) some highly processed carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and/or fiber, and (4) drastic processes directly applied to food such as extrusion cooking or puffing. The first three categories of MUPs are on the food packaging in the list of ingredients, and are extracted, then purified, from raw foods or coming from artificial syntheses, leading to a-matrix/a-cellular compounds. Therefore, the core paradigm to define MUP is extreme food matrix degradation, and for UPF, matrix artificialization. Besides, UPFs are more than just junk food, encompassing numerous industrialized foods, falsely presented as healthy, for example, animal-based food analogs, but also organic, vegan, gluten-free, micronutrient-enriched, and/or light foods. In this way, UPFs are "high-quality junk foods." Otherwise, UPF being a holistic and indivisible concept by essence, we propose in this review to analyze ultra-processing at four holistic levels corresponding to four important scientific issues: the food matrix, the dietary pattern, food system, and food scoring. We reached the main conclusion that UPFs should be first studied with a holistic and scientifically based approach, not a reductionist one. Otherwise, we take the risk of performing greenwashing and create still more new health threats at a global level.
PubMed: 38829743
DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.17139 -
Public Health Nutrition Jun 2024Limited research is available on how motivations to adopt plant-based diets and nutrition literacy influence diet quality. This study assessed diet quality, diet motives...
OBJECTIVE
Limited research is available on how motivations to adopt plant-based diets and nutrition literacy influence diet quality. This study assessed diet quality, diet motives and nutrition literacy in vegans, vegetarians, and semi-vegetarians, and investigated predictors of dietary quality.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional study, participants completed an online survey about diet-related motives and nutrition literacy. Dietary intake was assessed with the Diet History Questionnaire III and diet quality was calculated with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015. A one-way ANCOVA was used to compare diet quality, nutrition literacy, and diet motives among diets. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to identify significant predictors of diet quality.
SETTING
Online survey, participants were recruited through paid targeted social media (Facebook/Instagram) advertising.
PARTICIPANTS
Adults following a plant-based diet, including 117 (52.5%) vegans, 51 (22.9%) vegetarians, and 55 (24.6%) semi-vegetarians.
RESULTS
Vegans had higher HEI-2015 scores (80.8±6.5, p<0.001) compared to vegetarians (75.1±9.1), and semi-vegetarians (76.8±7.5). Most participants (74%) had good nutrition literacy scores. Total nutrition literacy did not differ between groups, but vegans had higher vegetarian nutrition literacy than vegetarians and semi-vegetarians (p<0.001). Ecological welfare, health, and sensory appeal were highly important to all participants. Motives accounted for 12.8% of the variance in diet quality scores. HEI-2015 scores were positively associated with motives of health and natural content, but negatively associated with weight control motivation (all p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Individuals following plant-based dietary patterns have high diet quality and nutrition literacy. Messages valuing intrinsic over extrinsic factors may facilitate healthier dietary adherence in this population.
PubMed: 38825725
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980024001241 -
The Veterinary Record Jun 2024
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Diet, Vegan; United Kingdom; Humans; Animal Feed
PubMed: 38819898
DOI: 10.1002/vetr.4347