Network Health Dietitians July 08 Issue 36

news
Latest on pre- and Beneﬁ ts of tomato
least 125ml tomato juice daily had
a lower risk of ID. The researchers
pro-biotics juice
concluded that tomato juice may
be beneﬁ cial for iron status.
Scientists from Finland compiled The prevalence of iron deﬁ ciency Regular consumption of tomato
a study to establish whether the (ID) anaemia remains to be high products is thought to lower heart
composition of gut microbiota in young children. A study set out
disease risk but the protective
(micro-organisms) early in infancy to evaluate risk factors that may
mechanisms are not fully under-
may inﬂ uence bodyweight during be associated with the onset of
stood. Finnish scientists compiled
childhood. anaemia in a sample of American
a study to investigate how tomato
Carefully matched overweight/ children (12-36 months old, n=498).
products may inﬂ uence plasma lipid
obese children (n=25) and normal- The study analysed dietary and
levels and LDL oxidation. Twenty-
weight children (n=24) were selected lifestyle data from the Women,
one healthy participants consumed
to take part in the study. Early fecal Infants, and Children Supplemental
either: 1) a low tomato diet (no
microbiota composition was analyzed Nutrition Programme. The results
tomato products), or 2) a high
using ﬂ uorescent in situ hybridization showed that children drinking at
tomato diet (400ml tomato juice +
(FISH) and the quantitative real-time
30mg ketchup consumed daily).
polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Participants followed these diets
Results indicated that children with
for a three-week period. After the
a normal, healthy body weight at
three-week study, total cholesterol
seven years had higher biﬁ dobacterial
reduced by 5.9 percent while LDL
fecal numbers during infancy. It was
‘bad’ cholesterol reduced by 12.9
also reported that early faecal con-
percent. LDL oxidation, a risk factor
centrations of Staphylococcus aureus
for heart disease, was lower in those
were higher in overweight children,
receiving the tomato products.
compared with those of normal body
The authors suggested that tomato
weight. Preliminary ﬁ ndings from this
products might be protective be-
study indicate that the composition of
cause they reduce LDL cholesterol
early gut microbiota may play a role
levels and increase resistance to LDL
in childhood weight management.
oxidation. Lycopene, beta-carotene
Further research is now required to de-
and gamma-carotene carotenoids
termine the physiological mechanisms
found in tomatoes are probably as-
behind these ﬁ ndings.
sociated with these effects.
A second study looked into the
For more information see: Sch-
consumption of short-chain fructo-oligo-
neider JM et al (2008) American
saccharides (FOS) and how these may
Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 87:
provide help to patients with ‘digestive
pages 614-620 and Silaste ML et al
discomfort’. In this large randomised,
(2007) British Journal of Nutrition. 98:
pages 1251-1258.
double-blind trial, initially 2235 vol-
unteers were questioned about their
bowel disorders. Later, 105 participants,
High carb diets better for cognitive
ofﬁ cially diagnosed with a minor func-
tional bowel disorder, consumed either:
performance?
1) a 5g FOS supplement or 2) a 5g
placebo supplement. These were taken
Omega-3 is one nutrient that is frequently associated with improved
daily for six weeks. At the start and end
cognition (mental performance). Now a new study has tested whether
of the study participants also complet-
carbohydrate rich diets may inﬂ uence psychological well-being.
ed a quality of life questionnaire. Scientists randomly assigned 93 weeks), working memory was un-
Investigators found that the inten- overweight/obese Australian partici- changed. Speed of thought and
sity of digestive disorders decreased pants to one of two groups: 1) A low- information processing was found
by 44 percent in the FOS group and carbohydrate diet high in fat (LCHF) be slightly better in the LCHF group,
rose by 14 percent in those taking the and 2) A high-carbohydrate diet low compared to the HCLF diet group.
placebo. Digestive symptoms were in fat (HCLF). The test diets were con- Although, some of these ﬁ ndings
also reduced by 75 percent in par- sumed for eight weeks during which may be attributed to a ‘placebo ef-
ticipants taking the FOS supplement. cognitive function was evaluated us- fect’ (the belief that the intervention
Findings from this study do appear to ing the Beck Depression Inventory and is working), researchers concluded
demonstrate that the consumption Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory. that a LCHF diet may help to regu-
of FOS may help to reduce digestive Results showed that participants late body weight and improve the
discomfort in individuals with minor eating the LCHF lost an average speed of information processing in
functional bowel disorders. of 7.8kg during the study period, the brain. Further investigations are
For more information see: Kalliomaki compared with those on the HCLF now required to reinforce ﬁ ndings
M et al (2008). American Journal ofClin- diet (average weight loss: 6.4kg). from this preliminary study.
ical Nutrition. 87: pages 534-538 and Although psychological well-being For more information see: Halybur-
Paineau D et al (2008) British Journal of improved signiﬁ cantly in both groups ton AK et al (2007). American Journal
Nutrition. 99: pages 311-318. (particularly during the ﬁ rst two study of Clinical Nutrition. 86: pages 580-587.
6 NHDmag.com July ‘08 - issue 36
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