Vitamin E & Sleep / Physical Activity & Cognitive Function / Kombucha & Post Meal Blood Sugar

Acute Probiotic Supplementation May Provide Microbiome Benefits Within Hours 

A recent study conducted by researchers from University College Cork has found that acute supplementation with a probiotic may provide beneficial effects on the microbiome within hours of consumption. 

The researchers enrolled 11 adults in their study. While in a fasted state, they were given a breakfast of oat-based porridge and wheat-based cereal. Half were also given a placebo with their breakfast. The other half were given 5 billion CFUs of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE111. They switched interventions following a 1-week intervention period. 

Samples were collected from the small intestine every hour for 8 hours after consumption. They were evaluated for hypolipidemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive molecules. 

The researchers found that the consumption of the probiotic provided beneficial changes in the digestive, metabolic, and immune systems as early as 4 hours after consumption. These changes included measures linked to lipid metabolism, skeletal muscle respiration, and inflammation. 

The study was published online ahead of print on February 15, 2023 in the journal Beneficial Microbes. 

A previous study found that a well-balanced gut microbiome may provide glycemic response benefits. 

article 2Physical Activity During Adulthood May Help Support Cognitive Health 

Previous studies have suggested that physical activity in midlife and later may be beneficial for cognition as a person ages. Now a new study has found that being physically active at any time and to any extent in adulthood may help support cognitive health later in life. 

Researchers from University College London tracked the physical activity patterns of 1,417 adults over the course of 30 years. They tested participants cognitive state, verbal memory, and processing speed at the age of 69. 

Participants were categorized as not active, moderately active (1-4 times per month), or most active (5 or more times per month). 

Being physically active at all stages of adulthood was associated with better cognition at the age of 69 compared to not being physically active. Being physically active throughout adulthood was found to have a cumulative effect and the longer a participants was physically active, the greater the impact on cognitive function at the age of 69. 

The researchers also found that participants who became physically active in their 50’s and 60’s had better cognition compared to those who were not physically active. In addition, being physically active at least once a month was found to provide cognitive benefits. 

The study was published online ahead of print on February 21, 2023 in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. 

Regular fish oil consumption was associated with cognitive health support in a previous study. 

article 3Vitamin E Supplementation May Provide Sleep Quality Benefits 

Postmenopausal women may experience more frequent sleep disturbances due to changes in the levels of various sex hormones such as estradiol and progesterone. According to a new study, vitamin E supplementation may help support sleep quality in postmenopausal women. 

The researchers recruited 160 postmenopausal women experiencing sleep disturbances for their study. They received 400 IUs of vitamin E or a placebo daily for 1 month. Sleep quality was assessed at baseline and at the end of the study period using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). 

Participants in the vitamin E group saw significant reductions in PSQI scores (indicating better sleep quality) compared to the placebo group. They also a greater reduction in the use of sedative sleep aid medications. 

The study was conducted by researchers from Mahidol University. It was published online ahead of print on February 27, 2023 in the journal Nutrients. 

A previous study found that corn leaf extract may provide sleep quality benefits. 

article 4Kombucha May Provide Blood Sugar Health Benefits 

Kombucha is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. It contains beneficial bacteria which may have a probiotic function. A recent study has found that kombucha may provide blood sugar health benefits. 

The researchers enrolled 11 adults between the ages of 18 and 45 for the study. They consumed 1 of 3 beverages on different days together with a high glycemic index (GI) meal, with at least one day between tests. The beverages consumed were organic kombucha, diet lemonade soft drink, and soda water. The kombucha contained a mix of 200 probiotic species and a high concentration of polyphenols. 

Blood samples were taken before consumption, and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 minutes after consumption. These were used to measure the postprandial glucose response and the insulin index. 

The glycemic index was 68 following consumption of kombucha. This is in comparison to values of 86 and 84 following consumption of soda water and diet lemonade, respectively. This indicates a lower glycemic response following consumption of kombucha. 

There was also a reduction in the insulin index following consumption of kombucha. The insulin index measures the postprandial insulin response. 

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney. It was published online ahead of print on February, 17, 2023, in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition. 

Extracts of schisandra and soybean were found to provide blood sugar benefits in a previous study. 

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