Nestlé (Brazil)

Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle mass (SMM) disease characterized by loss of strength with generalized loss of SMM. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a 12-week intervention on SMM, strength, and functionally in older adults. This is a retrospective analysis of an intervention protocol with older adults at risk of sarcopenia who performed a daily intake of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and resistance training exercise (RET), 3 times a week. Calf circumference (CC), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), handgrip strength (HGS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) were performed at baseline and at 12 weeks. Fifty-one older adults were included. The mean age was 76.3 ± 8.3 years and 68.6% were women. After 12 weeks, the study showed an increase of CC in cm (1.9 ± 2.5, p < 0.001), increase of strength in kg (5.4 ± 2.1, p < 0.001), reduction of TUG in seconds (-2.4 ± 4.8, p = 0.001), increase of free-fat mass in kg (1.0 ± 1.3, p < 0.001) and SMM in kg (0.9 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). Nutritional intervention with ONS associated with RET, can increase muscle strength, SMM and functionality among older adults at risk for sarcopenia.

The complexity of the carbohydrate structure is associated with post-prandial glucose response and diverse health benefits. The aim of this study was to determine whether, thanks to the usage of minimally invasive glucose monitors, it was possible to evaluate, in a decentralized study setup, the post-prandial glycemic response (PPGR) of α-glucans differing systematically in their degree of polymerization (DP 3 vs. DP 60) and in their linkage structure (dextrin vs. dextran). Ten healthy subjects completed a double-blind, randomized, decentralized crossover trial, testing at home, in real life conditions, four self-prepared test beverages consisting of 25 g α-glucan dissolved in 300 mL water. The incremental area under the curve of the 120 min PPGR (2h-iAUC) was the highest for Dextrin DP 3 (163 ± 27 mmol/L*min), followed by Dextrin DP 60 (−25%, p = 0.208), Dextran DP 60 (−59%, p = 0.002), and non-fully caloric Resistant Dextrin (−68%, p = 0.002). These results show that a fully decentralized crossover study can be successfully used to assess the influence of both polymerization and structure of α-glucans on PPGR.

The present study aimed at developing a low-fat, low-sugar green tea yoghurt. The final acidities of the green tea and plain yoghurts were similar, but the lactic acid count in green tea yoghurt (5.8*107 cfu/g) was twice of that in the plain yoghurt (2.7*107 cfu/g). This suggested that the tea extract buffered pH lowering during fermentation. Sensorially, the green tea yoghurt was at par acceptable with the plain yoghurt. The total phenolic content of green tea yoghurt was significantly higher (397.9 µg GAE/ mL) than that of the plain yoghurt (81.0 µg GAE/ mL). These polyphenols have proven health benefits like gut health, weight loss, and bone health.

Abstract The development of inhibitory control is an early construct of executive function (EF) and a key milestone of neurocognitive maturation. However, while its functional connectivity (fc) patterns have been well-defined in adults, its developmental trajectory in early childhood remains poorly understood. Using tablet-based EF tasks, we assessed inhibitory control in typically developing children between 2 to 6 years of age. Overall successful inhibition and improvement during competitive and non-competitive inhibition displayed converging patterns of fc. With increasing inhibitory control and task difficulty, additional frontal and parietal fc was recruited, and long-range connections established. Insights into early development and refinement of inhibitory control could provide essential information for the support in normal development as well as for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders with EF and inhibition difficulties, such as autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract Purpose It is well established that mental fatigue impairs performance during lab-based endurance tests lasting &lt; 45 min. However, the effects of mental fatigue on longer-duration endurance events and in field settings are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mental fatigue on performance during a half-marathon race.Methods Forty-six male amateur runners (means ± SD: age 43.8 ± 8.6 years, V̇O2max 46.0 ± 4.1 ml/kg/min) completed an half-marathon after being randomly allocated to performing a 50-min mentally-fatiguing task (mental fatigue group) or reading magazines for 50 min (control group). Running speed, heart rate, and perceived effort were measured during the race.Results The mental fatigue group completed the half-marathon approximately four minutes slower (106.2 ± 12.4 min) than the control group (102.4 ± 10.2 min), but this difference was not statistically significant (Cohen’s d = 0.333; p = 0.265). However, equivalence was not established (t(40.88) = 0.239, p = 0.594) and equivalence testing analysis excluded a worthwhile positive effect of mental fatigue on half-marathon performance.Conclusion Due to its posttest-only design and the achievable sample size, the study did not have enough power to provide evidence that the observed 4-minute increase in half-marathon time is statistically significant. However, equivalence testing suggests that mental fatigue has no beneficial effects on half-marathon performance in male amateur runners, and harmful effects cannot be excluded. Overall, it seems prudent for endurance athletes to avoid mentally-fatiguing tasks before competitions.

Abstract Consumption of nutritionally adequate complementary foods is essential for optimal growth and development of infants and toddlers, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to describe percentages of consumption, energy contribution (6-23.9mo), and usual nutrient intakes (12-23.9mo) from complementary foods among Filipino infants and toddlers stratified by household wealth. Data from 1087 infants and toddlers from the 2013 National Nutrition Survey were included. Dietary intake data was assessed using a 24Hr recall and population food intakes were stratified into pre-defined wealth categories. Breast milk, infant formula, powdered milk and rice were the most commonly consumed foods and beverages across the age groups. Several differences in complementary feeding by wealth status were observed. Infants and toddlers from poor households reported significantly greater consumption of human milk, in comparison to those from the rich households who reported a significantly greater consumption of infant/toddler formula (P&gt;0.05). A higher percentage of toddlers from rich households consumed protein-containing foods, cookies and cakes. There was no difference in fruit and vegetable consumption between wealth groups in 6-11.9mo and 18-23.9mo children. Human milk and formula were the top contributors to energy in 6.11.9mo and 12-17.9mo children, while rice was the top energy contributor in 18-23.9mo children. Intakes of protein, fat, vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, iron and calcium were higher in 12-23.9mo children from rich households. Interventions are required to enable caregivers of young Filipino children to provide complementary foods of high nutritional quality, particularly among children from the poor households.