Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis have concluded from an animal study published in Science, that a specific microbe found in the gut may protect consumers of flavonoid-rich foods against flus.
The protection from flu was found to be the result of a metabolite produced in the gut as a result flavonoid consumption. […]
By Stephen Daniells, 02-May-2017
A combination of anthocyanins and prebiotics may improve the composition of the gut microflora and reduce bloating and abdominal pain in obese adults, according to data presented at Experimental Biology 2017.
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Article By Akam Anyangwe
Results from a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition(Jennings et al 2017), which looked at the associations between flavonoid intakes and fat mass in the body, suggests that regular intake of flavonoids, like anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins, is associated with lower fat mass, independent of genetic and […]
AbstractBackgroundBlack elderberries (Sambucus nigra L.) are well known as supportive agents against common cold and influenza. It is further known that bacterial super-infection during an influenza virus (IV) infection can lead to severe pneumonia. We have analyzed a standardized elderberry extract (Rubini, BerryPharma AG) for its antimicrobial and antiviral activity using the microtitre broth micro-dilution […]
While not a berry, purple corn is also deeply pigmented by anthocyanins and therefore offers similar anthocyanin-based health benefits. One particular health benefit is related to complications from diabetes. Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major diabetic complications and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. In a study by Korean researchers, purple corn extract […]
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) produced by resident and inflammatory cells in response to periodontopathogens play a major role in periodontal tissue destruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of A-type cranberry proanthocyanidins (AC-PACs) on: (i) the production of various MMPs by human monocyte-derived macrophages stimulated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and (ii) […]
Visual display terminals (VDT) such as computer monitors, televisions, and videogames are an intrinsic part of modern society and require users to undergo high levels of concentration for long periods without rest. Many VDT operators complain of weary eyes due to tiredness, prolonged concentration, stress, and dryness. The close focusing involved in these tasks causes […]
Menopausal women are no longer able to produce estrogen and are therefore at a higher risk for heart disease, breast cancer, severe bone loss, and depression. Researchers have linked the use of pomegranate as a possible “natural” hormone replacement without any dire repercussions. Pomegranate is known to contain estrogens (estradiol, estrone, and estriol) and show […]
The Kokum fruit is a natural source of Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA), which has gained much attention in recent years for its pivotal role in fat/lipid metabolism. Normally, excess glucose in the body is converted to lipids and stored as fat, contributing to weight gain. ATP-citrate lyase is an enzyme that cleaves citrate, produces oxaloacetate and […]
Researchers in Japan discovered that the garcinol in Kokum suppresses colon carcinogenesis in rats. Dietary administration of garcinol caused significant reduction in the frequency of abberant crypt foci (ACF). Possible mechanisms include the suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) enzymatic reactions due to the apparent ability of garcinol to suppress the […]