fructooligosaccharide and Overweight

Yacon root is a natural source of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and it has been studied for its potential effect as a functional food. However, FOS in the in natura root are rapidly hydrolyzed. Thus, the use of dehydrated products such as flour ensures stability of FOS. The effect of chronic consumption of yacon flour on body composition, food intake and of biochemical variables concentration has not yet been evaluated in humans. Thus, we evaluated the effects of yacon flour consumption on these variables associated with excess body weight.. Daily yacon flour consumption was well tolerated, did not cause adverse gastrointestinal effects, increased dietary fiber consumption, promoted greater body weight, waist circumference, waist to height index, sagittal abdominal diameter, and body fat reduction, besides improving bowel function in comparison to the control group.. Yacon flour served as a natural fiber supplement and proved to be an effective adjuvant to be used in nutritional strategies to control excess body weight.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Adiposity; Adult; Asteraceae; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Flour; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Insulin; Lipids; Liver; Male; Oligosaccharides; Overweight; Plant Roots; Triglycerides; Waist Circumference; Weight Gain; Young Adult

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of yacon flour on iron and zinc nutritional status and immune response biomarkers in preschool children.. Preschool children ages 2 to 5 y were selected from two nurseries and were placed into a control group (n = 58) or a yacon group (n = 59). The yacon group received yacon flour in preparations for 18 wk at a quantity to provide 0.14 g of fructooligosaccharides/kg of body weight daily. Anthropometric parameters were measured before and after the intervention and dietary intake was measured during the intervention. To assess iron and zinc status, erythrograms, serum iron, ferritin, and plasma, and erythrocyte zinc were evaluated. Systemic immune response was assessed by the biomarkers interleukin IL-4, IL-10, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-α). Intestinal immune response was analyzed by secretory IgA (sIgA) levels before and after the intervention. Statistical significance was evaluated using the paired t test (α = 5%).. Before and after the study, the children presented a high prevalence of overweight and an inadequate dietary intake of zinc and fiber. The yacon group presented with lower hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration at the end of the study (P < 0.05). Erythrocyte zinc was reduced in both groups at the end of the study (P < 0.05). Yacon intake increased the serum levels of IL-4 and fecal sIgA (P < 0.05). The control group had lower serum TNF-α after the study period (P < 0.05).. Yacon improved intestinal immune response but demonstrated no effect on the nutritional status of iron and zinc in preschool children.

Topics: Asteraceae; Biomarkers; Body Height; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Child, Preschool; Cytokines; Erythrocytes; Female; Ferritins; Flour; Hemoglobins; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Intestinal Mucosa; Iron, Dietary; Male; Nutrition Assessment; Nutritional Status; Oligosaccharides; Overweight; Prebiotics; Prevalence; Zinc