Current Nutrition & Food Science 

About: Current Nutrition & Food Science is an academic journal published by Bentham Science Publishers. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Biology. It has an ISSN identifier of 1573-4013. Over the lifetime, 883 publications have been published receiving 6525 citations. The journal is also known as: Current nutrition and food science.

Toxicological Effects of Dietary Biogenic Amines

Abstract: Biogenic amines (BAs) are defined as low molecular weight organic bases with biological activity. They are formed and degraded as part of the normal metabolism of microorganisms, plants and animals, in which they have important physiological functions. In humans, BAs are involved in brain activity, the regulation of body temperature and stomach pH, gastric acid secretion, the immune response, and cell growth and differentiation etc. However, the consumption of foods with high concentrations of BAs can induce adverse reactions such as nausea, headaches, rashes and changes in blood pressure. The accumulation of BAs in the food matrix is mainly due to the presence of bacteria able to decarboxylate certain amino acids. The most common and powerful BAs found in food are histamine, tyramine and putrescine. Their contents vary, sometimes reaching over 2 g per kg. Histamine is the only BA for which maximum levels in food have been set, although general interest exists in reducing the presence of all BAs in all food products. This review discusses the toxic effects of BAs when ingested with food.

Potential Health Benefits of Berries

Abstract: Fruit and vegetable consumption is inversely related to the incidence of heart disease and several cancers. However, many people in countries in Northern latitudes do not eat the recommended “5-a-day” of fruit and vegetables. For such populations, a potentially important source of fruit may be locally grown soft fruits (eg. raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants). Such berries contain micronutrients such as vitamin C and folic acid which are essential for health. However, berries may have additional health benefits as they are also rich in phytochemicals such as anthocyanins which are glycosidic-linked flavonoids responsible for their red, violet, purple and blue colours. In vitro studies indicate that anthocyanins and other polyphenols in berries have a range of potential anti-cancer and heart disease properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell regulatory effects. Such experimental data has lead to numerous health claims on the internet implying that “berries are edible superstars that may protect against heart disease, cancers and ageing”. However, the bioavailabilty of polyphenols such as anthocyanins would appear to be limited, thus compromising their nutritional relevance. Consequently the aim of the article is to assess the current scientific evidence for claims that berries may have additional health benefits to those normally associated with consuming fruit and vegetables.

Protection and Restitution of Gut Barrier by Probiotics: Nutritional and Clinical Implications.

Abstract: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria present in various dietary components and many of these colonize in the human and animal intestine. In the gut probiotics help the host by assisting in maintenance of normal mucosal homeostasis. Probiotics not only help maintain normal function of the gut mucosa, but also protect mucosa from injurious factors such as toxins, allergens and pathogens. The beneficial effect of probiotics is mediated by multiple mechanisms, including cytoprotection, cell proliferation, cell migration, resistance to apoptosis, synthesis of proteins and gene expression. One of the important cytoprotective effects of probiotics in the intestinal mucosa is to strengthen the epithelial tight junctions and preservation of mucosal barrier function. Probiotics not only enhance barrier function by inducing synthesis and assembly of tight junction proteins, but also preventing disruption of tight junctions by injurious factors. Bioactive factors released by probiotics trigger activation of various cell signaling pathways that lead to strengthening of tight junctions and the barrier function. This article reviews and summarizes the current understanding of various probiotics that are involved in the protection of gut barrier function, highlights the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the protective effect and addresses the clinical implications of probiotic supplementation.

Dietary Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress from a Human and Plant Perspective: A Review

Abstract: Plants have evolved antioxidant molecules to help them withstand environmental stresses. Humans may also benefit from these defense molecules through their consumption in fruits and vegetables. Dietary antioxidants are indeed believed to play a very important role in the human body defense system, protecting, as in plants, against oxidative damage induced by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of aging and many degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancers. In this review, we compare the systems involved in ROS production and scavenging in humans and in plants. We focus mainly on the description of the best-known dietary antioxidants: ascorbate (vitamin C), tocopherols (vitamin E), carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. Their redox properties, metabolism and functions are discussed from both a human and a plant perspective.

Recent Trends in Development of Fermented Milks

Abstract: Ever-growing consumer demand for convenience, combined with a healthy diet and preference for natural ingredients has led to a growth in functional beverage markets. Current trends and changing consumer needs indicate a great opportunity for innovations and developments in fermented milks. Scientific and clinical evidence is also mounting to corroborate the consumer perception of health from fermented milks. Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and associated ingredients also add an attractive dimension to cultured dairy products. Also, owing to expanding market share and size of dairy companies, there has been a reduction of clearly structured markets i.e. merging of dairy products and fruit beverage markets with introduction of ‘juiceceuticals’ like fruit-yogurt beverages that are typical example of hybrid dairy products offering health, flavour and convenience. Another potential growth area for fermented milks includes added-value products such as low calorie, reduced-fat varieties and those fortified with physiologically active ingredients including fibers, phytosterols, omega-3-fatty acids, whey based ingredients, antioxidant vitamins, isoflavones that provide specific health benefits beyond basic nutrition. World over efforts have been devoted to develop fermented milks containing certain nonconventional food sources like soybeans and millets and convert them to more acceptable and palatable form thus producing low cost, nutritious fermented foods especially for developing and underdeveloped nations where malnutrition exists. Furthermore, use of biopreservatives and certain innovative technologies like membrane processing, high pressure processing and carbonation lead to milk fermentation under predictable, controllable and precise conditions to yield hygienic fermented milks of high nutritive value.