The Brassicaceae family, known as cruciferous vegetables, includes many economically important species, mainly edible oil plants, vegetable species, spice plants, and feed plants. Cruciferous vegetables are foods rich in nutritive composition and are also a good source of dietary fiber. Besides, cruciferous vegetables contain various bioactive chemicals known as glucosinolates and S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide, including sulphur-containing cancer-protective chemicals. Numerous studies have reported that daily intake of sulphurous vegetables helps prevent cancer formation and reduces cancer incidence, especially in colorectal cancer, through various mechanisms. The potential mechanisms of these compounds in preventing cancer in experimental studies are as follows: protecting cells against DNA damage, inactivating carcinogenic substances, showing antiviral and antibacterial effects, triggering apoptosis in cells with disrupted structure, inhibiting tumour cell migration causing metastasis and the development of tumour-feeding vessels (angiogenesis). These beneficial anticancer effects of cruciferous vegetables are generally associated with glucosinolates in their composition and some secondary metabolites, as well as other phenolic compounds, seed oils, and dietary fiber in the literature. This review aims to examine to the roles of cruciferous vegetables and their important bioactive metabolites in the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer.
Fermented dairy products are the good source of different species of live lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are beneficial microbes well characterized for their health-promoting potential. Traditionally, dietary intake of fermented dairy foods has been related to different health-promoting benefits including antimicrobial activity and modulation of the immune system, among others. In recent years, emerging evidence suggests a contribution of dairy LAB in the prophylaxis and therapy of non-communicable diseases. Live bacterial cells or their metabolites can directly impact physiological responses and/or act as signalling molecules mediating more complex communications. This review provides up-to-date knowledge on the interactions between LAB isolated from dairy products (dairy LAB) and human health by discussing the concept of the food–gut-health axis. In particular, some bioactivities and probiotic potentials of dairy LAB have been provided on their involvement in the gut–brain axis and non-communicable diseases mainly focusing on their potential in the treatment of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel diseases, and cancer.
Cancer is the most common cause of death worldwide, following cardiovascular diseases. Cancer is a multifactorial disease and many reasons such as physical, chemical, biological, and lifestyle‐related factors. Nutrition, which is one of the various factors that play a role in the prevention, development, and treatment of many types of cancer, affects the immune system, which is characterized by disproportionate pro‐inflammatory signaling in cancer. Studies investigating the molecular mechanisms of this effect have shown that foods rich in bioactive compounds, such as green tea, olive oil, turmeric, and soybean play a significant role in positively changing the expression of miRNAs involved in the regulation of genes associated with oncogenic/tumor‐suppressing pathways. In addition to these foods, some diet models may change the expression of specific cancer‐related miRNAs in different ways. While Mediterranean diet has been associated with anticancer effects, a high‐fat diet, and a methyl‐restricted diet are considered to have negative effects. This review aims to discuss the effects of specific foods called “immune foods,” diet models, and bioactive components on cancer by changing the expression of miRNAs in the prevention and treatment of cancer.
Background: Human breast milk is a complex biological fluid containing multifaceted biological compounds that boost immune and metabolic system development that support the short- and long-term health of newborns. Recent literature suggests that human breast milk is a substantial source of nutrients, bioactive molecules, and exosomes. Objectives: This review examines the factors influencing exosomes noted in human milk and the impacts of exosomes on infant health. Furthermore, it discusses potential future prospects for exosome research in dietetics. Methods: Through a narrative review of the existing literature, we focused on exosomes in breast milk, exosome components and their potential impact on exosome health. Results: Exosomes are single-membrane extracellular vesicles of endosomal origin, with an approximate radius of 20–200 nm. They are natural messengers that cells secrete to transport a wide range of diverse cargoes, including deoxyribonucleic acid, ribonucleic acid, proteins, and lipids between various cells. Some studies have reported that the components noted in exosomes in human breast milk could be transferred to the infant and cause epigenetic changes. Thus, it can affect gene expression and cellular event regulation in several tissues. Conclusions: In this manner, exosomes are associated with several pathways, including the immune system, oxidative stress, and cell cycle, and they can affect the short- and long-term health of infants. However, there is still much to learn about the functions, effectiveness, and certain impacts on the health of human breast milk exosomes.
Deep-fried foods are among the foods that are increasing in popularity both in the food industry and in domestic applications. While these foods stand out due to their sensory properties, oxidative alterations in frying oils cause concern. This study analysed the thermo-oxidative alterations that occur during deep frying with 10 commonly used culinary oils. Deep frying processes (180 ± 5°C) were carried out with a total of one liter of each type of oil and 100-g potatoes at every turn (sliced into 1 cm 1 cm 6 cm pieces). The process was carried out keeping the conditions constant for all oils and was repeated 10 times consecutively for all oils. The malondialdehyde and peroxide values of vegetable ghee (VG) were found to be 0.669 nmol/g and 21.0 mEqO2/kg, respectively, and were higher than those of other oils. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) (232.23) had the highest iodine value, while hazelnut oil (HO) (27.92) had the lowest value. While total polar compounds were within legal limits in all oils, they were higher (17%–23%) in EVOO, palm oil (PO), VG, and refined olive pomace oil than in other oils (17%–23%). As a result of this study, the thermo-oxidative changes in frying made with sunflower oil types are less than those of other oils, and the oxidative product/polar compound levels, which have adverse effects on health, are close to the legal limit in some oils (PO, VG, refined olive pomace, and corn oil).
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a group of microorganisms which are beneficial and well-characterized with respect to the flavor and texture of food products via fermentation. The accumulated literature has suggested that dietary intake of fermented foods rich in LAB is related to different health-promoting benefits; however, in recent years, emerging evidence suggests a contribution of LAB to blood lipid regulation and cardiovascular health via certain mechanisms. Different potential mechanisms for the lipid regulatory effects of LAB may include the interaction of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase and bile salt hydrolase activity and bile salt metabolism; gut microbiome modulation; and regulation of mRNA expression of genes related to fat metabolism in animal models and human studies. This review comprehensively aims to answer whether/how LAB influence blood lipids in both animal models and human studies while also uncovering the underlying mechanisms linking LAB to lipid metabolism.