Insights & Discussion
Pomegranate extract and its phytochemicals can potentially inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) and improve gut microbiota, preventing obesity and diabetes.
The study employs the use of in silico molecular docking methodologies to demonstrate that extract from pomegranates and their phytochemicals can serve as inhibitors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2's spike protein and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor contact. These findings are further reinforced by clinical trials which suggest that pomegranates can also alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, dental infections, and symptoms of menopause.
This study has also identified numerous active compounds within pomegranates such as alkaloids, anthocyanidins, tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, proanthocyanidins, sterols, terpenes, terpenoids, xanthonoids, fatty acids, organic acids, lignans, saccharides, and vitamin C. This mixture of active compounds is believed to significantly contribute to the broad array of pharmacological activities identified within the pomegranate. This includes anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-malaria, anti-fibrotic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial effects. The extract from this fruit improves gut microbiota which could potentially aid in the prevention of obesity and diabetes.
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Consuming “Sneznik-1/79” mineral water significantly improves intestinal health and reduces cholesterol in type 2 diabetes patients.
2023 Heliyon The еffects of low mineral content water on microbiota, metabolic, and oxidative stress parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus Jovicic N, Andjic M, Novakovic J, Jeremic N, Zivkovic V, Srejovic I, et al.
Cohort Study Gut Microbiota Intestinal Peristalsis Mineral Water
The study involved 60 patients with confirmed Type 2 Diabetes, who drank “Sneznik-1/79” mineral water from Serbia daily for 28 days. Researchers conducted standard biochemical tests, including glucose level, lipid profile, and stool analysis. Additionally, blood samples were taken to assess the impact of the water on oxidative stress markers.
Post consumption of “Sneznik-1/79” water, a substantial decrease in total cholesterol levels was noted. Notably, all patients experienced regular daily bowel movements, indicating improved intestinal peristalsis. Half of the participants showed elimination of dysbiosis. Furthermore, there was an increase in antioxidants like superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione, suggesting enhanced antioxidant capacity. The study highlights “Sneznik-1/79” water as a potential complementary treatment for improving gut health and reducing cholesterol in Type 2 Diabetes patients.
Almond consumption has beneficial impacts on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and it can improve cognitive performance and protect against skin aging.
2023 Nutrire Nutritional and health-beneficial values of almond nuts consumption Ouzir M
Review Article Almond Cardiovascular Disease Cognitive Function
The methodology employed in this study included analyzing a range of clinical studies centered on the health benefits linked to the consumption of sweet almond nuts. Various health outcomes correlated with almond consumption were investigated such as body weight, food intake, blood pressure, blood lipid composition, glucose and insulin levels, oxidative status, liver enzymes, and some inflammation biomarkers.
The discussion of the results reveals that almond consumption has been found to create favorable alteration in aspects like body weight, food intake, blood pressure, blood lipid composition, glucose, and insulin levels, as well as oxidative status, liver enzymes, and inflammation biomarkers. These findings highlight the beneficial impact of almonds on multiple health issues including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity. Additionally, the consumption of almonds has been associated with improved cognitive performance and protection against skin photodamage and aging.
Pomegranate juice consumption appears to somewhat enhance inflammatory status and complete blood count in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
2023 Complementary Therapies in Medicine Adjuvant pomegranate juice intake improves the inflammatory status of hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A randomized and placebo-controlled trial Yousefi M, Sadriirani M, Mahmoodi S, Samimi B, Pourmahmoudi A, Hosseinikia M, et al.
Randomised Controlled Trial Common Cold, Flu & Viral Infections CRP Inflammation
The study was a randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled trial involving 48 patients and had two parallel arms. As part of their standard hospital care, patients were either given 500 mL of whole pomegranate juice daily or a placebo for a period of 14 days. The researchers focused on measuring inflammatory indicators and complete blood counts both at the start of the study and at the end of the 14-day intervention period.
Following the 14-day intervention, there was a distinguishable decrease in primary outcomes including inflammatory markers such as C reactive protein, interleukin-6, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the group that consumed pomegranate juice as compared to the readings before the intervention. In addition, considerable changes were also observed in secondary outcomes such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, platelets-to-lymphocyte and neutrophils-to-lymphocyte ratios in the pomegranate juice group compared to the parameters before the intervention. Finally, the mean changes in levels of interleukin-6, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocyte, platelets, platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio, blood oxygen saturation and MCV were significantly different between the two groups by the end of intervention, while no significant difference was noted in other blood indices.
Cooked adzuki beans contribute notably to preventing obesity and regulating gut microbiota composition, while also alleviating systemic inflammation and metabolic disorders.
2022 Frontiers in Nutrition Cooked Adzuki Bean Reduces High-Fat Diet-Induced Body Weight Gain, Ameliorates Inflammation, and Modulates Intestinal Homeostasis in Mice Zhao Q, Liu Z, Zhu Y, Wang H, Dai Z, Yang X, et al.
Animal Study Adzuki Bean Anti-Inflammatory Fatty Liver Disease
The methodology involved a controlled experiment where mice were fed diets of varying lipid content: a low-fat diet or a high-fat diet. The specific twist in this experiment was the inclusion or exclusion of cooked adzuki beans to their diet, ensuring 15% of the diet comprised of this. The duration of this dietary regimen was 12 weeks.
In the discussion of results, it was discovered that cooked adzuki beans provided key beneficial effects. This included a significant inhibition of weight gain and hepatic steatosis, a reduction in high levels of specific markers such as serum triacylglycerol, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, providing a counter to systemic inflammation and metabolism-related endotoxemia commonly found in those consuming a high-fat diet. Moreover, the inclusion of adzuki beans positively affected the gut microbiota composition, reducing fat-inducing bacteria and enriching the gut with beneficial bacteria to help alleviate inflammation and metabolic disorders associated with high-fat diets.
Pu-erh tea, through the increase of Cinnabarinic acid, can improve obesity induced by circadian rhythm disorders by enhancing fat metabolism and altering gut microbes.
2022 Food Chemistry Pu-erh tea increases the metabolite Cinnabarinic acid to improve circadian rhythm disorder-induced obesity Hu S, Hu C, Luo L, Zhang H, Zhao S, Liu Z, et al.
Experimental Study Cinnabarinic Acid Circadian Rhythm Gut Microbiota
In this study, a CRD-induced obesity model in mice was developed and Pu-erh tea was used as an intervention. The effect of Pu-erh tea on obesity was observed and determined to come from its production of Cinnabarinic acid (CA). CA was found to promote adipose tissue lipolysis and heat generation response, increasing the sensitivity of fat cells to hormones and neurotransmitters. This was accomplished by targeting the expression of specific receptor proteins in adipose tissue. These processes improved mitochondrial activity in the fat cells and expedited metabolic processes in the adipose tissue, thereby speeding up glucose and fat metabolism.
In the final stage of the study, CA was found to make changes in the gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids which further helped to improve the lipid accumulation mediated by CRD. The researchers concluded that the increase in CA, caused by drinking Pu-erh tea and reaching the fat tissue through blood circulation, could be a crucial mechanism to reduce obesity induced by circadian rhythm disorders.
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