Physiology

Gut bacteria from the phylum Firmicutes increase the body's intake of calories from food. The microbiota increase epithelial lipid droplets (LD) number formation in the intestinal epithelium and liver in a diet dependent manner. Intake of food leads to an increase of Firmicutes bacteria in the intestine,  increasing the number of small-sized epithelial LD number, whereas LD size was increased by other bacterial types.

Chiva-Blanch et al 2012 evaluated the effects of red wine fractions (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) on Blood-pressure and plasma nitric oxide (NO). [1]
A group of participants of the study was submitted to a diet containing red wine with 30g alcohol/d being compared to a group consuming the equivalent amount of dealcoholized red wine, and a group receiving gin with 30g alcohol/d.

Using dietary intake data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of British Adults, Aston, Smith and Powels 2012 assessed the impact of reduction of consumption of red meat and processed meat on  the reduction   in risks of coronary heart disease, diabetes and colorectal cancer, and greenhouse gases  (GHG) emissions. [1]

A non-communicable disease, or NCD, is a medical condition or disease which is non-infectious and non-transmissible between persons.  They include autoimmune diseases, heart disease, stroke, many cancers, asthma, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataracts, and more.

According to Zupancic et al. 26 species of bacteria in the human gut microbiota are linked to obesity and related metabolic syndrome. The scientists used deep pyrosequencing of bar-coded PCR amplicons from the V1-V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene to identify bacteria entangled in this process. The metabolic syndrome include insulin resistance, high blood sugar levels, increased blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. [1]

Nehling 2012, in a review of studies, stresses that cocoa powder and chocolate contain numerous flavonoids, such as  epicatechin which stimulate brain perfusion. [1]

According to Zomer et al. 2012, studies reported reduction of cardiovascular diseases risk, however  such studies were short term trials. [1]

Zomer and colleagues, therefore, using statistical modelling techniques estimated the long term effectiveness and the cost effectiveness of daily dark chocolate consumption in a population with metabolic syndrome at high risk of cardiovascular disease was assessed during the  Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study.

Taste and olfaction are the most important sensory inputs which leads to whether a food is liked or not. Ortho- and retronasal olfaction are important to the perception of  flavour.  [1]

Scales et al 2012 assessed the prevalence of stone disease and associated factors. The authors found that kidney stones affect 10.6% men and 7.1% women and 11.2% obese compared with 6.1% of normal-weight individuals. [1]

Ramalho et al 2012 claim that the milk of the Portuguese breeds of Minhota cows presented healthier fatty acids as Holstein Friesian cows. [1]

The authors found that Holstein milk has higher content of total polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-6, higher content of trans fatty acids and a higher cholesterol content as compared to Minhota milk. Minhota milk had significantly higher monounsaturated fatty acids content, and a higher average amount of conjugated linoleic acid compared to Holstein milk.