Inhibition of intestinal starch digestion by food bioactives

Background

Obesity is worldwide rising with impact, partly as it is a major cause of other (metabolic) diseases. Numerous preventive measures are being taken to reduce its prevalence, including the use of extracts containing food bioactive compounds; of note, the majority of the world population is still using traditional medicines obtained from plant sources (WHO). Thus far, as mainly extracts were used, the establishment of compound-specific effects and their mechanisms of action are largely lacking. Moreover, most of these studies were performed in vitro, not in vivo. One of the in vitro effects seen is inhibition of intestinal starch digestion by the pancreatic enzyme alpha-amylase. Whether this holds in vivo is still an open question, which might provide applications in light of blood glucose maintenance, gut health in support of whole body health, and simultaneously sheds light on the effects on gut microbial fermentation.

Project description

Intestinal dietary starch digestion and absorption of glucose leads to increased circulatory glucose levels, depending on the speed of digestion. Dampening of glucose appearance will contribute to improved glucose homeostasis and consequently potentially delay the development of e.g. T2DM. Food-bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols, are claimed to be effective in their inhibitory effects on starch-digesting enzymes. Here, in-depth in vivo studies will be used to show the individual effects of selected compounds on an array of parameters, all linked to intestinal starch digestion, while simultaneously, taking effects on gut microbiota activity into account.