Weekly Digest: Arla expands fiber yogurt range, probiotics may reduce hay fever symptoms

25 May 2018 --- This week in nutrition news, Arla revealed a new addition to its fiber yogurt range, hoping to boost the UK's daily fiber intake. In research news, probiotic formulations were found to have positive effects on hay fever symptoms, while following a diet high in antioxidants may protect people from the adverse effects of pollution. Furthermore, researchers have made steps in understanding the link between a mothers nutrition during pregnancy and the child's growth, and a study undercovered that consumers are more likely to order unhealthy options when dining out amid louder, ambient music.

In brief: Product and ingredient launches
Arla has expanded its fiber yogurt range, launched earlier this year with the addition of a plain format product that will sit alongside the current range of four fruit flavors. The extra yogurt was added in response to UK government guidelines suggesting that as a nation, the UK is not hitting the recommended 30g of fiber a day. James Quayle, Brand Manager for Arla Fibre, says, “When developing Arla Fibre, we wanted to make sure it was tasty as well as helping to increase intake so it is easy for consumers. With the introduction of plain into the range, this offers another choice and with plain yogurt being so versatile in usage occasions, fiber can be enjoyed at any time in a number of different ways, whether it's breakfast or dessert.”

In brief: Research studies
The life quality of hay fever patients could be improved with probiotic formulations, new research from Griffith University and Winclove Probiotics has found. The researchers gave 40 hay fever patients the probiotic (probiotic formulation Ecologic AllergyCare) twice a day for a period of eight weeks. The patients were asked to report hay fever symptoms, medication use, and rated their quality of life. At the end of the study, 63 percent of the participants taking the probiotic reported a significantly improved quality of life. Importantly, the patients experienced less severe hay fever symptoms and used fewer medications. The lead author of the study, Nic West, stated that the results were very promising and provide strong support for further investigation of the probiotic supplement.

“The positive study outcomes might be explained by the multi-strain nature of the probiotic formulation. We know that in allergies there is a reduction in microbial diversity. By exposing people to a multi-strain formulation, with a broad number of probiotic bacteria, we may have a stronger effect on the immune system,” he adds.

The Mediterranean diet may blunt the adverse effects of pollution on health, researchers from the NYU School of Medicine have found. Previous studies have suggested that a diet rich in antioxidants may protect against pollution, but the association between the two in the long-term was unknown. Analyzing data that followed nearly 550,000 participants with an average age of 62 for 17 years, the researchers concluded that a diet high in antioxidants could reduce the effects of air pollution on health. Following the diet did not, however, appear to be protective against ozone exposure. It was thought that the diet that is high in anti-inflammatory foods could counteract the oxidative stress and inflammation caused by air pollution.

“You are what your mother eats,” researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) conclude. The study sought to determine the correlation between a mother’s nutrition habits and metabolism and the growth of a child. The study, published in Nature Communications, found that two neurons key to growth and metabolism – GHRH and AgRP – are developmentally interconnected. GHRH is the growth hormone-release hormone, while the AgRP neurons stimulate feeding and suppress energy usage. “We found that one specific protein called DLX1 is critical for GHRH neuron development. However, it also suppresses the development of the AgRP neuron,” says Jae Lee, a Professor of Pediatrics in the OHSU School of Medicine and OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital. “When DLX1 was removed, the mouse's growth was stunted, yet it appears obese.” The researchers now are working to determine if DLX1 may be controlled by diet. By testing both high-fat and low-protein and malnourished diets in mice, Lee hopes to identify how food impacts a baby's genetic makeup in the womb. This could scientifically support the idea that “you are what your mother eats.”

Music may do more than set the mood, a study published in the Journal of Academy of Marketing Sciences has found. In fact, researchers found that the volume of ambient music has a systemic effect on consumers' preferences for healthy vs. non-healthy foods. That is because volume is proven to directly impact heart rate and arousal, the researchers state. Softer music has a calming effect, making us more mindful of what we order. This typically results in healthier choices, such as a salad. Louder environments increase stimulation and stress, inspiring diners to crave a greasy cheeseburger and fries instead. While previous studies have looked at varying aspects of ambiance's impact on food sales such as lighting, scent and décor, this is the first study to look specifically at how volume dictates healthy vs. non-healthy food choices. These findings may allow restaurant managers to strategically manipulate music volume to influence sales.

By Laxmi Haigh