Life Sciences Commons^™

Interaction Of Cocoa Powder With Intestinal Microbiota, Zuyin Li

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Cocoa powder contains polyphenolic compounds, which can provide potential health benefits to humans. The human gastroinestinal tract hosts diverse microorganisms which are called the human gut microbiota. These microbes can utilize carbohydrates through fermentation resulting in the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which cause a reduction of pH in gastroinestinal tract. The cocoa processing can change the composition of the carbohydrates, which can affect the fermentation patterns.

In this study we established an in vitro model system which simulated gastric digestion and colon fermentation. Five different processed cocoa samples (alkalized cocoa samples: D-11-B and D-11-S; non-alkalized cocoa samples: …

Influence Of Dietary Polyphenols On Carbohydrate Intestinal Digestion And Absorption, Sydney E. Moser

Open Access Dissertations

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. In vitro 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 …

Brain Bioavailability Of Polyphenols: Implications For Delivery Of Brain Health Benefits, Tzu-Ying Chen

Open Access Dissertations

Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with neuroprotection and cognitive benefits throughout the life span. These associations have sparked interest in plant-derived polyphenols as biologically active agents with potential for targeting brain benefits. However, little is known regarding the ability of the polyphenols or their metabolites from polyphenol-rich products to cross the blood-brain-barrier, and be available for biological action. Furthermore, additional insight is needed on factors affecting the absorption and brain distribution of polyphenol metabolites in vivo. To fill gap in current knowledge, this thesis will focus on the effects of diabetogenic diet and diabetic state which have …