"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"-the ancient adage proposed by Greek philosopher Hippocrates of Kos thousands of years ago already acknowledged the importance of the beneficial and health-promoting effects of food nutrients on the body (Mafra et al., 2021). Recent epidemiological and large-scale community studies have also reported that unhealthy diets or eating habits may contribute heavily to the burden of chronic, non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, arthritis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (Jayedi et al., 2020; Gao et al., 2022). Emerging evidence highlights that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can prevent various chronic diseases (Chen et al., 2022). Food bioactive compounds including vitamins, phytochemicals, and dietary fibers are responsible for these nutraceutical benefits (Boeing et al., 2012). Recently, phytochemicals such as polyphenols, phytosterols, and carotenoids have gained increasing attention due to their potential health benefits to alleviate chronic diseases (van Breda and de Kok, 2018). Understanding the role of phytochemicals in health promotion and preventing chronic diseases can inform dietary recommendations and the development of functional foods. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the health benefits of phytochemicals derived from commonly consumed foods for the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
Humans ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diet ; Vegetables/chemistry* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control* ; Phytochemicals ; Chronic Disease

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ginger, a root vegetable, is known to have antioxidant and antiobesity effects. Preparation, such as by steaming, can affect the chemical composition of prepared root vegetables or herbs and can change their functional activities. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of steamed ginger against oxidative stress and steatosis in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. MATERIALS/METHODS: The levels of polyphenols and flavonoids in two different extracts of steamed ginger, i.e., water extract (SGW) and ethanolic extract (SGE); as well, their antioxidant activities were examined. Forty male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND, n = 10), high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat, w/w, n = 10), HFD supplemented with 200 mg/kg of SGE or garcinia (GAR) by weight (SGED or GARD, respectively, n = 10) for 12 weeks. Serum chemistry was examined, and the expressions of genes involved in lipid metabolism were determined in the liver. Histological analysis was performed to identify lipid accumulations in epididymal fat pads and liver. RESULTS: The SGE had higher contents of polyphenols and flavonoids and higher DPPH and ABTS⁺ free radical scavenging activities compared to those of SGW. Treatment with SGE or GAR significantly decreased the HFD-induced weight gain. Both SGE and GAR significantly reduced the high serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein levels induced by HFD. Compared to ND, HFD significantly increased hepatic TC and TG levels. SGE or GAR supplementation significantly decreased the increase of hepatic lipids by HFD. Interestingly, SGE had a more significant effect in reducing hepatic TC and TG levels than GAR. Furthermore, hepatic genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis were altered in both the SGED and GARD groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that steamed ginger supplementation can decrease plasma TC and TG and can inhibit liver steatosis by regulating the expressions of hepatic genes.
Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Chemistry ; Cholesterol ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat* ; Ethanol ; Fatty Liver ; Flavonoids ; Garcinia ; Ginger* ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipogenesis ; Lipolysis ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Male ; Mice* ; Obesity* ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Polyphenols ; Steam* ; Triglycerides ; Vegetables ; Water ; Weight Gain

This study aimed to compare the effects of activity-based personalized nutrition education (APNE) with a general instruction for diabetes (control, CTRL) in middle-aged and older Korean outpatients with type 2 diabetes. After an initial screening, 70 subjects were randomly assigned to APNE (n = 37) or CTRL (n = 33) group. APNE considered each patient’s anthropometry, blood chemistry data, and dietary habits in addition to planning meal choices with the aid of registered dietitians. After 3 months, dietary behavior, food intake, and anthropometric and blood measurement results were evaluated. Fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin levels decreased in the APNE group (n = 33) but not in the CTRL group (n = 23). In the APNE group, the meal intervals and number of days of consuming high-fat food were decreased, while the number of days following a meal plan and balanced diet that entailed consuming fruits, vegetables, and healthy food was increased. A lower consumption of carbohydrates, saccharides, grains, and tuber crops and a higher protein, pulses, and fat-derived calorie intake compared with the initial values were observed in the APNE group. In contrast, only the number of days following the meal plan and balanced diet was increased in the CRTL group, without significantly changing the individual macronutrient-derived calorie intake. The APNE approach appeared to effectively educate outpatients with type 2 diabetes about changing their dietary behavior and food intake and improving the clinical parameters related to diabetic conditions.
Anthropometry ; Blood Glucose ; Carbohydrates ; Chemistry ; Diet ; Eating ; Education* ; Fasting ; Food Habits ; Fruit ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Meals ; Nutritionists ; Outpatients* ; Vegetables

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antibacterial and cytotoxic activity of fourteen different edible vegetables methanolic extract from Bangladesh.

METHODSThe antibacterial activity was evaluated using disc diffusion assay method against 12 bacteria (both gram positive and gram negative). The plant extracts were also screened for cytotoxic activity using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay method and the lethal concentrations (LC50) were determined at 95% confidence intervals by analyzing the data on a computer loaded with "Finney Programme".

RESULTSAll the vegetable extracts showed low to elevated levels of antibacterial activity against most of the tested strains (zone of inhibition=5-28 mm). The most active extract against all bacterial strains was from Xanthium indicum which showed remarkable antibacterial activity having the diameter of growth inhibition zone ranging from 12 to 28 mm followed by Alternanthera sessilis (zone of inhibition=6-21 mm). All extracts exhibited considerable general toxicity towards brine shrimps. The LC50 value of the tested extracts was within the range of 8.447 to 60.323 µg/mL with respect to the positive control (vincristine sulphate) which was 0.91 µg/mL. Among all studied extracts, Xanthium indicum displayed the highest cytotoxic effect with LC50 value of 8.447 µg/mL.

CONCLUSIONSThe results of the present investigation suggest that most of the studied plants are potentially good source of antibacterial and anticancer agents.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Artemia ; drug effects ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Bangladesh ; Lethal Dose 50 ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; toxicity ; Species Specificity ; Vegetables ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this survey was to investigate the level of contamination of the most consumed foods in China with 16 rare earth elements (REEs), and to provide the basic data for establishing and revising food safety standards for REEs.

METHODSSixteen REEs in foods were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in the labs of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of four provinces and two municipalities, during 2009-2010.

RESULTS1 231 samples were analyzed and 19 121 concentration data of 16 REEs were collected. The REEs levels in the investigated foods varied significantly. The concentrations of cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), yttrium (Y), lanthanum (La), and neodymium (Nd) were relatively high, while the remaining eleven REEs were at low levels. The mean values of total rare earth element oxides (REOs) in cereals, fresh vegetables, fresh aquatic products, fresh meats and eggs varied from 0.052 mg/kg to 0.337 mg/kg.

CONCLUSION16 REEs in the major foods were at very low contamination levels in the investigated regions.

Animals ; China ; Edible Grain ; chemistry ; Eggs ; Fishes ; Food Analysis ; Food Contamination ; Meat ; analysis ; Metals, Rare Earth ; chemistry ; Mollusca ; Swine ; Vegetables ; chemistry

The study was purposed to investigate whether the cyclooxygenase inhibitors from some dietary vegetables can inhibit platelet aggregation function by the arachidonic acid (AA). The vegetable juice was mixed with platelet rich plasma (PRP), and asprin was used as positive control. The maximum ratio of platelet aggregation induced by AA was measured on the aggregometer; heme and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX(1)) or cyclooxygenase-2 (COX(2)) were added to test tubes containing COX reaction buffer, the mixture was vortex-mixed and exposed to aspirin or vegetable juice, followed by addition of AA and then hydrochloric acid (1 mol/L) was added to stop the COX reaction, followed by chemical reduction with stannous chloride solution. The concentration of COX inhibitors was detected by the enzyme immunoassay kit; vegetable juice (aspirin as positive control) was mixed with whole blood, which was followed by the addition of AA, and then the reaction was stopped by adding indomethacin, centrifuged, then the supernatant was collected, and the plasma thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)) was measured by radioimmunoassay. The results showed that spinach juice, garlic bolt juice, blanched garlic leave juice and Chinese leek juice could inhibit by 80% human platelet aggregation induced by AA. 4 kinds of vegetables were all found a certain amount of cyclooxygenase inhibitors, which COX(1) and COX(2) inhibitor concentrations of spinach were higher than that of aspirin; 4 vegetable juice could significantly reduce the human plasma concentrations of TXB(2) induced by AA (p < 0.05). It is concluded that 4 kinds of raw vegetables containing cyclooxygenase inhibitors inhibit the production of TXA(2) and thus hinder platelet aggregation. Raw spinach, garlic bolt, blanched garlic and chinese leek inhibit significantly AA-induced human platelet aggregation in vitro. 4 kinds of vegetables may have a good potential perspective of anti-platelet aggregation therapy or prevention of thrombosis.
Adult ; Arachidonic Acid ; metabolism ; Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Vegetables ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDMaternal exposure to nitrate, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds from drinking water or diet has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in some studies. Pickled vegetables contain relatively large amounts of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds. We examined the association between maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables and NTDs in Shanxi Province of northern China.

METHODSData were derived from a population based case-control study of major external birth defects in four counties of Shanxi Province. Participants included 519 NTDs cases identified between 2003 and 2007 and 694 healthy controls. Exposure information was collected within 1 week after delivery. Multivariable non-conditional Logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) controlling for potential confounding variables.

RESULTSThe risk of NTDs was positively associated with the frequency of the consumption of pickled vegetables by the mother. Compared with pickled vegetables consumption at < 1 meal/week, the adjusted OR for consumption at 1 - 3, 4 - 6, and > 6 meals/week were 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 1.8), 1.9 (1.1, 3.2), and 3.6 (1.9, 6.9), respectively. A protective effect was found for maternal meat consumption at ≥ 1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.7) and egg or milk consumption at ≥ 1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.8).

CONCLUSIONMaternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables may increase the risk for NTDs in Shanxi Province.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Maternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neural Tube Defects ; etiology ; Nitrites ; adverse effects ; Nitroso Compounds ; adverse effects ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Vegetables ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Young Adult

Carbamates ; analysis ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; analysis ; Pesticide Residues ; analysis ; Vegetables ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the variations of flavonoids contents in vine tips of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) among different varieties, parts and the time of topping.

METHODThe flavonoid contents in leaf, petiole and stem of vine tips at 6 different topping time of 3 varieties for vegetable-use Pushu 53, Guangcaishu No. 2 and Fushu 7-6, which were collected from Chongqing were determined by UV spectrophotometry with rutin as a standard substance.

RESULTThe results showed that the flavonoid content of Guangcaishu No. 2 was higher than that of Pusu 53, so was that of Pusu 53 than that of Fushu 7-6. The average flavonoid contents in leaf of 3 varieties were between 3.66 mg x L(-1) and 11.09 mg x L(-1) during 6 topping time, and those in petiole, stem were between 2.20-5.26 mg x L(-1) and 4.03-7.79 mg x L(-1), respectively. The rations of average flavonoid contents in leaf, petiole and stem to the total contents of vine tips among 3 varieties during their whole topping periods were 46.71%, 20.65% and 32.63%, respectively. The contents during earlier topping time were higher than those of later periods. The variance analysis of flavonoid contents revealed that there was significant difference between different varieties, parts and time of topping and significant interactions among varieties, parts and time of topping.

CONCLUSIONThe results of the study indicate that the contents of flavonoid should be considered for the breeding, cultivation and industrialization of sweetpotato for vegetable-use.

China ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Ipomoea batatas ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Plant Structures ; chemistry ; Time Factors ; Vegetables ; chemistry

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Cerebellum ; cytology ; Dietary Supplements ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Male ; Muscle Fatigue ; drug effects ; Neurons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Physical Exertion ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vegetables ; chemistry