RESUMO
The fruit of the cashew, a tree belonging to the family Anacardiaceae, is composed of approximately 10% nut (cashew) and 90% stalk or pseudofruit, usually discarded in situ and fermented in the soil. This review identifies cashew pseudofruit's physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds and their possible relationship to health benefits. Different processing techniques have been used to preserve the pseudofruit, and the effect of these techniques on its nutrients is also reviewed in this work. Cashew is a highly perishable product with moisture content above 80% w/w and 10% w/w sugars. It also has a high content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins and high antioxidant properties that are best preserved by nonthermal processing techniques. The pseudofruit presents the high inhibitory activity of α-amylase and lipase enzymes, has anti-inflammatory and body weight reduction properties and healing activity, and controls glucose levels, insulinemia, and insulin resistance. For all these reasons, cashews have been promoted as a propitious food/ingredient for preventive and therapeutic management of different pathologies such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, fatty liver, and acne. Moreover, it has positive effects on the intestinal microflora, among others. This pseudofruit has a high potential for the development of functional foods.
RESUMO
This review aims to study the alternatives to conventional industrial starches, describing uncommon sources along with their technological characteristics, processing, and performance on food products. Minor components remaining after extraction play an important role in starch performance despite their low percentage, as happens with tuber starches, where minerals may affect gelatinization. This feature can be leveraged in favor of the different needs of the food industry, with diversified applications in the market being considered in the manufacture of both plant and animal-based products with different sensory attributes. Hydrocolloids, different from starch, may also modify the technological outcome of the amylaceous fraction; therefore, combinations should be considered, as advantages and disadvantages linked to biological origin, consumer perception, or technological performance may arise. Among water-based system modifiers, starches and nonstarch hydrocolloids are particularly interesting, as their use reaches millions of sales in a multiplicity of specialties, including nonfood businesses, and could promote a diversified scheme that may address current monocrop production drawbacks for the future sustainability of the food system.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the publication of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study on patients' and physicians' attitudes in relation to hormone therapy (HT). DESIGN: A survey focused on the degree of knowledge and on the reactions to the WHI study was administered to 600 women allocated in two groups according to their socioeconomic status, high (HSES) or low (LSES). Additionally, 283 physicians were surveyed to determine their attitudes regarding HT after the publication of the WHI study. The rates of HT prescription before and after publication of the study were compared. RESULTS: Among patients, HT use and knowledge of the WHI study were less common among women of lower socioeconomic status (LSES 16.7% v HSES 47.3%, and LSES 15.7% v HSES 67.3%; P < 0.0001). Of the women in the LSES group who were HT users and had knowledge on the subject of the WHI study (n = 30), 56.7% contacted their physicians and 6.6% abandoned HT. These rates were similar for women in the HSES group. Among physicians, 97.2% of physicians referred to being aware of the WHI study, and 64.7% modified their clinical approach. The main changes were that 21.5% applied more rigorous risk/benefit assessment, 20.1% lowered hormone dosage, 18.8% decreased continuous-combined therapy use, 12.1% shortened the duration of HT, 7.7% abandoned medroxyprogesterone or conjugated estrogen use, and 5.0% increased the use of transdermal estrogens, tibolone, or other alternatives. As for prescriptions, after the publication of the WHI study, there was an 8.6% drop in the rate of HT prescriptions. This decrease was more pronounced for prescriptions based on conjugated equine estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate. In contrast, prescription of transdermal estrogens and tibolone increased 5.2% and 16%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant change in physicians' and patients' attitudes toward HT after publication of the WHI study.