| Abstrakt: |
Introduction: Phytonutrients like polyphenols, carotenoids, glucosinolates and phytoestrogens may not be as essential as micronutrients. But, these have been useful to prevent disease and keep the fitness of the body. Amla (Indian Gooseberry), guava, kokum and purple grapes are highly nutritious seasonal fruits, rich in these phytonutrients and micronutrients. Regular consumption of these fruit-based beverages can improve the antioxidant status and health of the young adults. Aim: The aim was to study efficacy of two formulations (F1 and F2) as health beverages made using juices of amla and dark grapes as main ingredients to be assessed as antioxidant rich natural fortificants. Materials and Methods: Fourty-eight healthy volunteers were recruited (age 18-35 years) and randomised in a double blind trial of four weeks comprising of three groups (placebo, F1 and F2). Placebo was pineapple flavoured sugar syrup, F1 was amla based syrup containing water extracts of tulsi, brahmi, bael and jambhul juice while F2 had purple grape juice as major ingredient along with guava, pomegranate and kokum juices in sugar syrup. Results were assessed using two-way ANOVA followed by paired t-test and p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: F1 resulted in significant decrease in total cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) levels (p-value <0.001, 0.001 and 0.01, respectively); while F2 resulted in significant lowering in plasma glucose, total cholesterol and HDL levels (p-value <0.05, 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). Both F1 and F2, showed a significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase. Further, F2 resulted in a significant increase of haemoglobin percentage and F1 exhibited decrease in SGOT. There was a significant effect of F1 and F2 on plasma MDA (biomarker of lipid peroxidation), Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), Catalase (CAT) and Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD). Two way ANOVA indicated time by treatment interaction terms between F1 and placebo to be significant for MDA, TEAC and SOD. In case of F2, differences between placebo and F2 were significant for Reduced Glutathion (GSH), and time by treatment interaction terms between F2 and placebo were significant for MDA and TEAC. Conclusion: The present formulations as functional food products have shown a favourable effect on lipid profile and antioxidant status of healthy human subjects. These will have value as health beverages both at national and international level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
