Rice bran (RB) is a nutrient-rich by-product of the rice milling process. It consists of pericarp, seed coat, nucellus, and aleurone layer. RB is a rich source of a protein, fat, dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals (mainly oryzanols and tocopherols), and is currently mostly used as animal feed. Various studies have revealed the beneficial health effects of RB, which result from its functional components including dietary fiber, rice bran protein, and gamma-oryzanol. The health effects of RB including antidiabetic, lipid-lowering, hypotensive, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, while its consumption also improves bowel function. These health benefits have drawn increasing attention to RB in food applications and as a nutraceutical product to mitigate metabolic risk factors in humans. This review therefore focuses on RB and its health benefits.

The present study was to investigate in vitro α-glucosidase, pancreatic α−amylase and protein glycation inhibitory activities of nine edible plants. The results indicated that total phenolics, flavonoids, and condensed tannins of nine edible plants showed marked variations, ranging from 12.2 to 80.1 mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract, 2.34 to 13.65 mg quercetin equivalent/g extract, and 97.2 to 460.1 mg catechin equivalent/g extract, respectively. Our findings showed that grape seed, Cat's whiskers and Sweetleaf extract were the most effective pancreatic α-amylase, intestinal maltase, and sucrase inhibitor with IC₅₀ values of 0.29 ± 0.01 mg/ml, 0.97 ± 0.10 mg/ml and 0.86 ± 0.01 mg/ml, respectively. All extracts (1 mg/ml) markedly inhibited the glycation of bovine serum albumin in fructose-mediated non-enzyme glycation by 50–30% at week 1. It was found that Pennywort maintained the high percentage inhibition among those of the extracts during the 4 weeks of experiment. These edible plants may be used for controlling blood glucose level and prevention of the development of type 2 diabetes.

By-products from sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil extraction as the husk and shell are used as low value fertilizer or animal feed. The nutritive values, antioxidant activities, phenolics, and in vitro health-related activities of the sacha inchi husk and shell were investigated and compared to increase their economic potential as future food sources. Higher protein, carbohydrates, and total dietary fiber content were detected in the husk, while higher fat content and energy were found in the shell. Several phenolics were also detected in both the husk and shell, with p-coumaric acid being the most abundant phenolic in the shell and caffeic acid in the husk. Total phenolic content was 1.6-fold greater in the shell than in the husk, leading to 1.8–2.7-fold higher antioxidant activity and 1.2-fold higher anti-glycation activity. Various types and quantities of phenolics also led to diverse in vitro enzyme inhibitory activities in the husk and shell. Knowledge received from this research might be useful to maximize the utilization of by-products from sacha inchi oil extraction as future food sources with valuable nutritional compositions, phenolics, and potential health benefits. Further investigations on the health properties of the sacha inchi husk and shell should include toxicity, bioaccessibility, and in vivo experiments.

Background: The consumption of a high carbohydrate diet may be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Previous studies in vitro have revealed that grape seed extract (GSE) inhibited the intestinal α-glucosidases and α-pancreatic amylase that may delay carbohydrate digestion and absorption, resulting in the suppression of postprandial glycemia. The objective of the study was to assess whether consumption of GSE together with high carbohydrate meal affects postprandial glycemia in healthy participants. Materials and Methods: The study used acute, randomized, controlled crossover design in which eight healthy subjects (four female and four male, mean aged 21.25 ± 3.69 years; body mass index =20.28 ± 1.40 kg/m ² ) received high carbohydrate (HC) meal (73.6 %) together with or without 100 and 300 mg GSE. Results: Results showed that postprandial plasma glucose concentrations at 15 min and 30 min after ingestion HC meal together with 100 mg GSE (5.33 ± 0.41 mmol/L and 5.62 ± 0.47 mmol/L, respectively) and 300 mg GSE (5.27 ± 0.29 mmol/L; 5.75 ± 0.44 mmol/L, respectively) were significantly lower than that of HC meal (P<0.05). There was statistically significant difference in the 2 h area under the glucose response curve between HC meal and HC meal plus GSE. Conclusions: GSE reduces postprandial plasma glucose in healthy participants. The delayed and attenuated hyperglycemia may have a useful strategy to prevent development of diabetes in the healthy population.

Resistant maltodextrin is a non-viscous dietary fiber that is fermentable in the colon by colonic bacteria. The objective of this review is to summarize the studies of resistant maltodextrin and its effect on metabolic profile, such as blood glucose, lipid profile, and body weight. Several studies support the idea that resistant maltodextrin may improve blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, and obesity. However, the use of resistant maltodextrin should be limited to minimize the adverse effect on the gastrointestinal system. This review provides information regarding the benefits of resistant maltodextrin on metabolic health as well as its proposed mechanism to enhance the knowledge of this novel fiber.

The current study aimed to determine the effect of fasting during Ramadan on the metabolic profile, anthropometry, and serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations. Anthropometry and blood samples were examined at 2 phases: baseline (within 3 days of the start of the Ramadan fast) and end-line (in the last 3 days before the end of the Ramadan fast) in 27 healthy Muslim male participants who completed Ramadan fasting. Results demonstrate reductions in body weight (P < .001), body mass index (P < .001), fat mass (P = .003), muscle mass (P = .004), and waist circumference (P < .001) following reductions in energy intake (P = .003). Insulin sensitivity was improved. Serum insulin concentration and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance decreased significantly (P = .005 and P = .009). No significant change in fasting plasma glucose was observed. Correlation coefficients showed a significant correlation between the percentage changes in body weight and percentage changes in serum leptin concentration (r = 0.412; P = .037). These results demonstrate that intermittent fasting during Ramadan leads to beneficial effects by improving insulin sensitivity. It also resulted in a beneficial effect on weight and fat loss.