Food and Nutrition

En la actualidad, una de las bebidas que más se consume alrededor del mundo es la cerveza porque se asocia con la relajación, fiestas y la camaradería. La mayoría de las personas cree que fue creada en Europa, ya que desde la época del Imperio Carolingio (768-843) los monjes cristianos, crearon y mantuvieron monasterios que fungieron como centros de elaboración y distribución de esta nutricia bebida. Sin embargo, en el antiguo país del Nilo, Egipto, esta bebida fue un importante elemento de la dieta que aportó gran parte de la energía para el desarrollo de la cultura de los faraones y fue tan apreciada que se deseaba se consumiera en el Más Allá. Evidencia de ello son las ofrendas funerarias que incluyen contenedores para servir heneqet (cerveza) durante toda la eternidad.

Para los antiguos egipcios, la cerveza era una parte esencial de su dieta. Más que una bebida embriagante, era considerada como reza un adagio alemán: bier ist flüssiges brot “la cerveza es pan líquido”. Con los argumentos de la arqueología experimental se emprendió durante marzo y abril de 2018 una iniciativa, auspiciada por el Museo Nacional de las Culturas del Mundo (MNCM) de la Ciudad de México, para elaborar un tipo de cerveza egipcia: la heneqet ba khemen o “Cerveza 8 Almas” y contestar la pregunta: ¿se pueden conocer las recetas y modo de preparación de la antigua cerveza egipcia?. Experimento a cargo de Oscar Sánchez, enólogo y maestro cervecero; Miguel Ángel Valdés, gastrónomo y Gerardo P. Taber, arqueólogo curador e investigador del MNCM.

כיצד זכו החומוס, העמבה והשקשוקה למעמדם בחברה הישראלית? מתי ולמה הפכו מאכלים ערביים למסמן של "ישראליות"? האם ניכוס ישראלי של מאכלים מן הרפרטואר הערבי הוא קולוניאליזם? ומדוע המטבח הישראלי מקפיד לשמור מרחק ממורשתו היהודית המזרח-אירופית?

https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/premium/0,7340,L-5603350,00.html
כתבה של יוגב ישראלי

We hypothesized that early infancy would be a time of oxidative stress due to the difficulty of adapting to ambient oxygen. Therefore, we measured levels of products of lipid peroxidation (F2-isoprostanes), antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)), and ability to resist oxidative stress (ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP)) in full-term infants (38-42 wk) fed human milk from birth. Seventy-seven infants were followed at 1, 3.5, 6, and 12 mo of age. F2-isoprostanes in plasma declined significantly (p < 0.05) from 1 to 6 mo (160 +/- 43; 90 +/- 33; 41 +/- 27 pg/mL (mean +/- SD)). FRAP values (775 +/- 196, 723 +/- 133, 697 +/- 126, 669 +/- 145 microM) 1, 3.5, 6, and 12, respectively) declined (p = 0.06) from 1 to 3.5 mo and from 3.5 to 6 mo of age. RBC-SOD (2.7 +/- 2, 3.2 +/- 2.8, 2.1 +/- 1.8, 2.5 +/- 1.8 U, 1, 3.5, 6, 12 mo, respectively) declined from 3.5 to 6 mo. RBC-CAT (76 +/- 23, 94 +/- 28, 81 +/- 22, 85 +/- 31 U, 1, 3.5, 6, 12 mo, respectively) also declined between 3.5 and 6 mo, after a significant increase between 1 and 3.5 mo. These data suggest that the human infant is under oxidative stress early in infancy and further study may be warranted to assess the potential benefits of antioxidant supplementation for either the mother or the infant.

To test whether iron supplementation affects hematologic, biochemical, and developmental status in term breast-fed infants. Term breast-fed infants (n=77) were randomly selected to receive either 7.5 mg per day of elemental iron as ferrous sulfate or placebo from 1 to 6 months of age. Investigators and families were unaware of group assignment. Complete blood count and ferritin, red cell superoxide dismutase, catalase, plasma ferric reducing antioxidant power, and zinc and copper levels were analyzed at 1, 3.5, 6, and 12 months of age. Bayley mental and psychomotor developmental indexes (MDI and PDI) and visual acuity (with the use of Teller acuity cards) were assessed from 12 to 18 months of age. Analysis performed by analysis of variance and t tests was by intention to treat. Iron supplementation resulted in higher hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume at 6 months of age and significantly higher visual acuity and PDI at 13 months of age (100+/-12 vs 93+/-9 [+/-SD]). Treatment and placebo groups did not differ in anthropometric indexes, compliance, biochemical status, or demographic characteristics. Iron supplementation of breast-fed infants appears safe and might have beneficial hematologic and developmental effects for some infants.

Objective: Exposure to food marketing may influence children's food preferences and consumption patterns and may increase the risk of childhood obesity. The WHO Office for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has recently released a regional nutrient profile model (WHO EMR) for the purpose of regulating the marketing of food and beverages to children. This study aimed at 1) analyzing the frequency and types of food and drink advertisements during children's viewing time in Lebanon; 2) examining the nutritional content of the advertised food products in reference to the nutrient thresholds specified by the WHO EMR model; and 3) assessing the proportion of food advertisements that included health messages. Design: This study consisted of a cross-sectional content analysis of food advertisements on local TV channels, during children's viewing time. Setting: Three local Lebanese channels with the highest viewership among 4-to 14-year-olds were selected. Recorded broadcasts (September 2016 through January 2017) were analyzed between 3 pm and 10 pm on weekdays and between 8 am and 10 pm on weekend days. Results: Approximately 31% of advertisements were for foods or drinks. The proportion of food advertisements was the highest during children's programs (43%) compared to general viewing (32%) and parental guidance (29%) programs. Approximately 8 out of 10 food advertisements were for products that did not meet the standards of the WHO EMR model. Of concern was the heavy advertisement of alcoholic beverages during programs for general audiences. The majority of the advertisements that comprised a health claim were for foods that did not meet the WHO EMR's nutritional standards (79%). Conclusions: The findings of this study, which is the first to utilize the new WHO EMR profile model, should be viewed as a foundation for the development of food marketing policies aimed at reducing chil-dren's exposure to TV food advertisements in Lebanon, a country that harbors a high burden of childhood obesity.

One hundred random samples of cooked head meat, liver, kofta and mixed offal (25 of each) were collected
from street vendors level in Kalyobia, Giza and Cairo governorates. All collected samples were examined
to determine their microbiological profiles. The obtained results indicated that the mean values of APC,
Enterobacteriaceae and coliform counts in the examined samples of cooked meat products were 1.4 x 107
0.5 x 107, 1.7 x 104  0.43 x 104 , 3.4 x 105  0.17 x 105 CFU /g, for liver, 1.2 x 107  0.4 x 107, 2.4 x 104 
0.52 x 104, 9.6 x 105  0.37 x 105 CFU /g, for mixed offal, 1.5 x 107  0.43 x 107, 1.5 x 107  0.48 x 107, 2.6
x 105  0.5 x 105 CFU /g for kofta, 5.4 x 106 0.33 x 106, 2 x 103  0.58 x 103 , 1.4 x 103  0.44 x 103 CFU
/g, for head meat, respectively. The differences associated with the examined samples of cooked meat
products were significant (P < 0.05) because of product type. Concerning Salmonella organisms, S. entritidis
was isolated from (8%, 12%, 4%) of liver, mixed offal and kofta respectively. In addition, S.typhimurium
was isolated from 8% and 4% of the examined samples of liver and kofta, retailed at low level of sanitation,
respectively. While, all examined samples of cooked head meat products were free from Salmonellae.
Finally, the significance of isolated bacteria in ready- to- eat meat products and possible sources of
contamination as well as some recommendations to improve the quality of these products were discussed.

Chicken meat and its products are important for human diet
in all over the world because they contribute to solve the global
food problems and provide the well-known protein, fat, essential
amino acids, minerals, vitamins and other nutrients and they also
have a milder flavor which is more readily complemented with
flavoring and sauces. Environmental pollution by heavy metals is
considered as one of the most serious problems in the world over
the last few decades. Emissions of heavy metals to the environment
occur via a wide range of pathways, including air, water and soil,
threatening the animal and human health and quality of the
environment. Heavy metal toxicity could be present in different
ways depending on its route of ingestion, its chemical form, dose,
tissue affinity, age and sex, as well as whether exposure is acute or
chronic and. Nowadays, poultry feed is produced from various raw
materials such as fish by-products that can transfer heavy metals
to poultry feed in undesirable levels following collecting them from
contaminated waters, that may lead to increase of trace metals in
chicken and chicken products with a serious threat because of their
toxicity, bioaccumulation and biomagnifications in the food chain.
The main heavy metals of concern are lead, cadmium, copper,
mercury and arsenic which at even low concentrations pose
serious health hazard to primary and secondary consumers due
to bio magnifications. The effects of metals and metalloids are
partly due to the direct inhibition of enzymatic systems and, also
to the indirect alteration of the essential metal ion equilibrium.
Majority of the known metals and metalloids are very toxic to living
organisms and even those considered as essential can be toxic if
present in excess. Moreover, owing to their toxicity persistence and
tendency to accumulate, heavy metals when occurring in higher
concentrations, become severe toxic for human being and all
living organisms through alteration of physiological activities and
biochemical parameters in blood and tissues, and through defects
in cellular uptake mechanisms in the mammalian liver and kidney,
inhibiting hepatic and renal sulfate / bicarbonate transporter
causing sulfaturia.
Lead is an accumulative poison; it has hematological effect due
to the inhibition of hemoglobin synthesis and shortening life span
of circulating erythrocytes resulting in anemia. It has a toxic and
damage effects leading to reduction of the cognitive development
and intellectual performance in children; increase blood pressure;
damage of the brain and kidneys; cardiovascular and reproductive
diseases in adults.
Cadmium is used extensively in the mining and electroplating
industries and found in fertilizes and fungicides. It is a very toxic
heavy metal, which accumulates inside the body particularly
kidneys and chronic exposure may induce heart diseases, anemia,
skeletal weakness, depressed immune system response, kidney and
liver diseases; cancer and death.
Copper is an essential element for man and animals. It is
required for normal biological activity of several enzymes and
it added to poultry diets with manganese and zinc (premix) to
enhance their weight gain and disease prevention. Meanwhile,
ingestion of excessive doses of copper may lead to adverse health
problems, such as severe nausea, bloody diarrhea, hypotension,
liver and kidney damage.
Arsenic is a metalloid that occurs in inorganic and organic forms
and is found in the environment, both naturally occurring and as a
result of human activity. The inorganic forms of arsenic are more
toxic than organic ones. However, so far, most of the data regarding
arsenic occurrence in food, gathered under the official control of
foodstuff, is still reported as total arsenic, without differentiating
the various types of arsenic in the diet. It has a toxic effects includes
decrease in hemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocytic count
and total leukocytic counts, heterophils and lymphocytes

Afin de lutter contre certaines maladies telles que l’obésité, le diabète ou encore les troubles cardio-vasculaires, les pouvoirs publics ont mis en place ces vingt dernières années des politiques de prévention sanitaire visant à la transmission de normes nutritionnelles aux populations, et ce dès le plus jeune âge. Une alimentation plus saine, considérée comme « plus bénéfique », est supposée maintenir les individus en meilleure santé tout au long de leur vie. Or ces normes peuvent être considérées différemment d’une famille à l’autre, selon l’ensemble plus large des normes sociales dans lesquelles elles sont prises....

In case you haven't consumed any health news recently, there is a big beef over research showing red meat is not bad for you. A huge study has contradicted decades of anti-red-meat advice, and the experts who gave that advice are red-faced and livid, and accidentally admit that public health policy is based on politics and bad science.

Aims: Carbohydrate stands out among the various classes of food synthesized by plants. It has the highest proportion in cassava tuber which is a staple root crop in many developing countries, especially in West Africa. This research is aimed at determining the sugar contents in cassava tuber. In this examination, the sugar contents were further analyzed at the development phases of the tubers. Study Design: The root tubers of three cultivars which included TMS 98/0581, TMS 98/0505 and TMS 98/0524 from Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria were investigated. The samples were collected in triplicates. Samples were collected between the month of November to April. Methodology: The starch and sugar contents were determined by techniques described by A.O.A.C. Original Research Article Otache et al.; AJOCS, 3(3): 1-8, 2017; Article no.AJOCS.37112 2 Results: The outcome from this finding uncovers that the Cassava varieties studied had appreciable quantities of sugars and starches. The result shows the following ranges of values amongst the varieties: total sugar (4.02-5.58)%, non-reducing sugar (2.74-4.24)%, reducing sugar (0.28-0.34)%, sucrose (2.60-4.03)% and starch (27.98-38.34)%. Variations were observed in the sugar content with sucrose and reducing sugar recording a mean value across the varieties of (0.82-4.15)% and (0.83-2.03)% respectively from November-March. Conclusion: Reducing sugar and sucrose are important sugars in cassava, which serve as the immediate product of photosynthesis and the fundamental requisite for the synthesis of sucrose. Results from this finding, will be used to enlighten farm extension workers on the requirement for improved photosynthetic process, as a way to build starch yield in cassava tuber. This research will also be used as a pointer in enhancing better awareness on the right season of harvest targeted towards improved nutritional yield in tubers.

The cyanide content of the parenchyma (pulp) of three sweet cassava cultivars: Alhaji (Tropical Manihot Selection; TMS 98/0581), Ochengbila (Tropical Manihot Selection; TMS 98/0505), and Onono (Tropical Manihot Selection; TMS 98/0524) from three local government areas of Benue State were studied. Their contents were: TMS 98/0581 (41.46-53.40) mg/kg, TMS 98/0505 (45.12-58.93) mg/kg and TMS 98/0524 (46.38-58.08) mg/kg for all the local government areas. For the peels, it ranged from (63.41-108.96) mg/kg for all cultivars. The cyanide content of the cultivars varies from one local government to another and also from one farm to another. No appreciable loss of cyanide was observed after four days of storage. The cyanide content of boiled and roasted cassava parenchyma was (5.26-7.85) mg/kg and (9.73-10.55) mg/kg respectively for all the cultivars. Air dried parenchyma at (26˚C-32˚C for one week and oven dried parenchyma at 60˚C for four hours ranged from (16.05-18.83) mg/kg and (21.82-24.04) mg/kg respectively for all cultivars.

The nutrient yields from three different peels of sweet cassava cultivars (Manihot esculenta Crantz) from three local government areas of Otukpo, Apa and Ushongo in Benue State were investigated. These cultivars include; TMS 98/0581, TMS 98/0505, and TMS 98/0524. The proximate analysis and mineral contents were determined according to the method of A.O.A.C. (1990) and triple acid digestion respectively. The results of the proximate analysis of the peels reveal the various ranges of values (69.03-72.00) %, (85.97-89.32) %, (1.06-3.55) %, (0.40-1.33) %, (5.44-8.63) % and (1.28-4.05) % of moisture, dry matter, crude protein, fat, crude fiber and ash content respectively. Altogether the three cultivars have an appreciable high value of carbohydrates with the highest value (73.07-77.28) % found in TMS 98/0524 while TMS 98/0505 has the lowest value (69.35-74.64) %. The mineral contents show ranges of (9.90-19.81) mg/100 g, (7.86-14.21) mg/100 g, (70.72-123.98) mg/100 g, (7.04-17.38) mg/100 g, (5.16-7.57) mg/100 g for Ca, Mg, K, Na and Zn Original Research Article Otache et al.; AJOPACS, 3(4): 1-10, 2017; Article no.AJOPACS.36502 2 respectively for the various varieties of the local Government areas. The outcome of the three cassava cultivar showed that cassava peels contained some nutrients. These peels which are presently disposed as environmental waste can be modified and used as animal feed. The codes (TMS) are depicting characteristic espoused from the international plants as Tropical Manihot Specie.