Gut-lung axis: RCT supports Bifido probiotic’s immune-supporting benefits
Daily supplementation with a Bifidobacterium probiotic strain may significantly reduce the incidence of respiratory infections and eczema in infants and toddlers.
This is according to a six-month-long randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in China, which examined the immunomodulatory potential of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLa80 in 360 formula-fed infants and children.
Writing in Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers said that the probiotic also alleviated a raft of symptoms related to feeding, digestion, and irritability in the formula-fed children.
Green tea catechins and exercise shown to improve knee extension - ITO EN study
A combination of green tea catechins supplementation, lower limb exercise and resistance training may improve knee extension strength in healthy seniors, according to a 24-week study by ITO EN.
Writing in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, researchers said the study has shown that the combination of catechin-enriched green tea and exercise could have a beneficial effect on muscle strength.
A total of 78 seniors aged 60 and above who reported self-perceived weakness or slowness took part in this trial.
Piceatannol intake shown to improve skin hydration, wrinkles: Morinaga-funded study
Daily intake of piceatannol has shown significant improvement in skin hydration and wrinkles, according to a new study from Japan.
A naturally occurring polyphenolic stilbene, piceatannol’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have shown promise as a therapeutic agent for obesity, cardiovascular health, and skin aging.
Writing in Frontiers in Nutrition, researchers highlighted that the intervention group exhibited a statistically significant increase in facial stratum corneum hydration compared to the placebo group, underscoring piceatannol’s potential as a dietary intervention for reducing the appearance of crow’s feet.
Caffeine intake before exercise may aid breakdown of fats in overweight women
Taking caffeine 60 minutes before exercising may significantly improve the breakdown of fats in overweight and obese women, says new findings from China.
In particular, caffeine intake at 3mg/kg was found to be superior to higher doses of 5mg/kg and 9mg/kg, as it could promote fat oxidation during exercise without causing cardiovascular strain.
However, caffeine intake did not affect fat and carbohydrate oxidation when the participants were at rest, researchers wrote in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
Hydrolyzed chicken extract shown to improve perceived sleep quality: Suntory-funded study
Daily consumption of a hydrolyzed chicken extract may improve sleep and memory, and be potentially incorporated as a nutritional supplement within a wider, multi-pronged strategy for sleep management.
Funded by Suntory Beverage & Food Asia, the study involved 52 healthy subjects with poor baseline sleep quality, who were randomized to take either 670mg of hydrolyzed chicken extract commercially available as ProBeptigen or a placebo for four weeks.
A significantly greater improvement in the subjective sleep quality component score was reported in the intervention group compared to the placebo group, say findings published in Frontiers in Nutrition.
