<p> Both epidemiological and clinical evidence support the notion that polyphenol rich foods and beverages may modify glycemic response, glucose homeostasis and subsequent risk of Type-2 diabetes. <i>In vitro</i> evidence typically derived from experiments with pure phenolics and phenolic rich extracts have pointed to this benefit being associated with two potential mechanisms: (1) the ability of specific polyphenolics to inhibit carbohydrate digestion (amylase and glucosidase) and (2) polyphenolic inhibition of intestinal glucose transport. While the high potential of these activities is evident, little is actually known regarding the extent to which these benefits are extendable to the actual food matrix these phenolics are naturally present in. Further, the extent to which co-consumption of polyphenol rich foods may actually result in decreased glycemic response from a mixed meal remains mostly unknown. Considering these limitations, additional insights are required in order to advance knowledge on the benefits of polyphenolics on glucomodulatory mechanisms and translation of these insights into meaningful recommendations and products for consumers. With this in mind, the objectives of these studies were to determine the extent to which phenolic-rich foods (grapes and potatoes) exert glucomodulatory properties in model food systems using <i>in vitro </i> and <i>in vivo</i> assessments. First, mechanisms associated with polyphenol rich extracts or model foods on carbohydrate intestinal digestion and glucose transport were investigated <i>in vitro</i> using a three-stage <i>in vitro</i> digestion model coupled to the Caco-2 human intestinal cell model. Components of this model used individually or in combination allowed for assessment of the two main mechanistic steps in phenolic modulation of glycemic response (starch digestion and glucose transport) in the context of interactions with bioaccessible phenolics. Additionally, the ability of the coupled <i>in vitro</i> digestion/Caco-2 model to predict <i>in vivo</i> outcomes was assessed.</p><p> The first study compared the ability of 100% Niagara or Concord grape juice (GJ) phenolics to modify carbohydrase activity and intestinal glucose transport relative to a sugar sweetened beverage. While grape juices remain a major dietary source of phenolics, they are also well recognized to be naturally high in sugar content. Insights into the ability of natural fruit phenolics to modify glycemic response of grape juice were investigated <i>in vitro. </i> Also, in consideration that 100% GJ is consumed with meals, the extent to which modulation of carbohydrate digestion and intestinal absorption by GJ phenolics can be extended to a carbohydrate rich meal was evaluated. In the first experiment, inhibition of &alpha;-amylase and &alpha;-glucosidase by GJ extracts (300 and 500 &mu;M total phenolics) and ability of GJ extracts (10 to 100 &mu;M total phenolics) to modulate labelled glucose and fructose transport across Caco-2 intestinal cell monolayers compared to a phenolic-free control were determined. GJ extracts decreased &alpha;-glucosidase, but not &alpha;-amylase activity at both concentrations tested. Further, glucose and fructose transport were significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased in a dose-dependent manner by Niagara and Concord GJ extracts. In a second experiment, GJs and phenolic-free control beverages were co-digested <i>in vitro</i> with a starch-rich model meal. Resulting aqueous digesta (AQ) from both experiments were used to assess impact of bioaccessible GJ phenolics on carbohydrate digestion and glucose transport. Concord and Niagara GJs significantly decreased <i>in vitro </i> gastrointestinal digestion of carbohydrate from model meal compared with a sugar-matched control. Further, d7-glucose transport from AQ fraction of GJ and co-digested GJ and carbohydrate-rich meal across Caco-2 human intestinal cell monolayers was significantly decreased compared to phenolic-free sugar-sweetened control.</p><p> The second study evaluated potential for phenolics from starch rich white, purple, or red potatoes to modulate carbohydrate digestion or glucose transport in a Caco-2 intestinal cell model. Potato phenolic extracts (300 &mu;M) had no impact on &alpha;-amylase activity, and marginally decreased &alpha;-glucosidase activity. However, potato phenolic extracts (25-100&mu;M) did decrease d7-glucose transport compared to phenolic-free control. Interestingly, whole potato phenolic extracts reduced glucose transport to a greater extent compared to those from potato peel. To determine if results from aforementioned <i>in vitro </i> assays are predictive of effects <i>in vivo</i>, a pilot clinical study (n=11) was completed to assess differences in acute blood glucose response and gastric emptying following consumption of phenolic-rich purple and red potato chips compared to white potato chips (50g available carbohydrate) containing lower level of total phenolics. Blood glucose levels were measured for up to two hours. Peak blood glucose levels were lower for pigmented chips, especially purple chips, compared to white chips without any significant changes in gastric emptying. These results suggest that potato phenolics may play a role in modulation of intestinal glucose transport and that these effects are translatable to consumer products such as potato chips.</p><p> Taken together, these data support the notion that phenolics intrinsic to select foods have the ability to modify glycemic response through alteration of glucose transport and to a certain extent starch digestion. Therefore, it is likely that observed benefits associated with consumption of phenolic-rich foods and 100% fruit juices, as a part of an overall healthy diet, may be associated with the ability of intrinsic and bioaccessible phenolics to modify glycemic response. Future research that focuses on hypoglycemic effects of phenolic-rich foods should be larger scale and should evaluate a greater variety of phenolic-rich foods in order to better understand the extent to which phenolic class and food matrix impact hypoglycemic effects. Regarding meal-effects, a pilot clinical study should be completed to validate <i>in vitro</i> results and to provide information as to what degree various types of meal patterns alter glycemic effects of phenolic-rich foods. Such information can be leveraged in the development of phenolic-rich food products that have post-prandial glycemic effects and for making recommendations of dietary choices which may result in improved glucose homeostasis.</p>

<p> The consumption of added sugars has gained much attention due to its affiliation with increased incidence of type 2 diabetes and associated chronic illnesses. In this study, an ice-cream prototype was developed using whole dried figs and evaluated for overall consumer acceptability (34 subjects) based on flavor and texture, compared to a control using 9- point hedonics (1 = like extremely; 9 = dislike extremely). Overall acceptability of the prototype and consumer awareness of the FDA proposed new nutrition facts label were also evaluated. Significant (P &lt; 0.000) differences were observed between the prototype and control regarding flavor (4.79&plusmn;0.34; 2.35&plusmn;0.19), texture (4.35&plusmn;0.33; 1.94&plusmn;0.16), and overall acceptability (4.94&plusmn;0.35; 2.41&plusmn;0.23) respectively. Furthermore, 88.2% of participants preferred seeing nutrition-related psychographical information on the PDP. It can be concluded that consumers may purchase the prototype based on psychographical information related to health claims and their awareness of the FDA proposed food label.</p>

Diet related chronic disease is a global problem related to millions of deaths worldwide. To encourage healthier diets, a greater understanding of the determinants of food choice is necessary. Food choice is a complex, multifaceted process, with a wide range of non-price determinants of food choice. Economic studies tend to focus on the importance of price factors and categorise non-price determinants as individual preferences. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the role of non-price determinants of food choice, specifically exploring how perceived barriers towards healthy eating, time preference, and signposting a food tax can influence food choices. Analysis of the Scottish Health Survey identified associations between perceived barriers to healthy eating and fruit and vegetable consumption. Results show perceiving healthy foods as too boring or not liking the taste of healthy foods were associated with lower fruit and vegetable consumption for men and women. A lack of willpower was reported as the most commonly reported perceived barrier to healthy eating. Time preference is a concept closely related to willpower and to investigate the impact of dietary choices further, primary data were collected to estimate the relationship between time preference and diet. No association between time preference and diet was observed in this study. The effect of signposting a food tax on food purchases was tested using two methods: a discrete choice experiment and field experiment. The discrete choice experiment found that the tax signpost was significantly associated with food choices whilst the field experiment showed no effect. These contradictory results may be explained by the majority of participants failing to notice the signpost in a real-world setting, compared to the discrete choice experiment which was completed online. To conclude, this thesis highlights that non-price determinants of food choice play an important role in the understanding of food choices.

<p> The purpose of this project was to develop an experiment aimed at investigating the acceptability and willingness for consumers to adopt snacks formulated with cricket protein. As chips are commonly well-liked snacks, a commercialized chip product containing cricket protein would be used for the sensory evaluations. Three sensory evaluation tools were created to evaluate the perceptions of the participants: A 9-point hedonic scale test, paired-comparison test, and a Food Action Rating Scale test. A review of literature is included which demonstrates the history of entomophagy and the benefits associated with cricket protein consumption. Furthermore, the researcher provides current food trends of cricket protein. Overall, through extensive research, this project suggests that incorporating cricket protein into commonly well-liked snacks is uncommonly practiced; however, through increasing awareness of its benefits and with more food companies featuring cricket protein in products, perhaps in the near future eating bugs will be more common in Western society. </p><p>

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-70). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis--Syracuse University. / National Research Council. Publication 642. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Bibliography: p. 102-110.

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-80).

Proefschrift--Utrecht. / "Stellingen" (2 p.) inserted. "Geraadpleegde literatuur": p. 112-115.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1969. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

<p> Obesity, cardiovascular disease, and vulnerability among older adults highlight a critical need for a careful consideration of effective and preventive dietary interventions. Consuming flaxseed, along with a well-balanced diet, has been shown to significantly improve weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, serum lipids, plasma glucose levels, and inflammatory biomarkers. Although flaxseed exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, little is known regarding its consumer acceptability among older adults. The objective of this study was to investigate the acceptability of a flaxseed bagel in individuals 50 years and older using a 9-point Hedonic rating scale, Paired Preference test, and Food Action (FACT) rating scale. There were no significant differences between the control bagel (0% flaxseed) and flaxseed bagel (23%) in sensory attributes (appearance, color, flavor, aroma, texture, and overall acceptability) and FACT ratings in 20 participants (69.0 &plusmn; 6.3 years old). Age was significantly associated with the overall acceptability of the flaxseed bagel (<i>p</i> = .004) while gender showed no association with overall acceptability and FACT ratings in both bagels. Appearance, color, flavor, and texture were strongly correlated (<i>p</i> &lt; .01) to overall acceptability in both bagels. Further exploration of consumer acceptance of flaxseed products among older adults is needed; clinical trials may also shed light on potential health impacts of regular flax consumption.</p><p>