Title : Does winter melon (benincasa hispida) improves nutritional values and ameliorating glycaemic parameters?
Abstract:
An excessive consumption of refined carbohydrates and a low intake of dietary fibres (DFs), notably from vegetables, has elevated the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other illnesses. The incidence of chronic diseases is increasing, with the number of diabetics predicted to rise from 180 million in 2010 to 368 million by 2030. This is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide since it can create health issues and lower quality of life. This study aims to investigate the ability of dietary fibres from winter melon in improving glycaemic profiles for diabetic individuals. Our research reveals that the aqueous extract of winter melon exhibits a significant hypoglycaemic and protective effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Winter melon-treated rat’s liver and kidney show improvement of hepatic cells which resembles normal structure of hepatic cells. Besides, the incorporation of winter melon in granola bars proven in improving nutritional composition and DF content while improving the regularity of defecation behaviour and well accepted by consumers. In the intervention study, the group presented a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (? ?7.0 mmHg, 95% CI: ?11.4, ?2.5). Mean fasting plasma glucose (? ?0.8 mmol/L, 95% CI: ?1.8, 0.2) showed a greater reduction in the intervention group compared to the control group (? ?0.4 mmol/L, 95% CI: ?1.2, 0.4). Mean lean body mass showed favourable trend of increment in Week 6 (? 0.05 kg, 95% CI: -0.40, 0.49) and Week 12 (? 0.16 kg, 95% CI: -0.33, 0.64) as compared to baseline in the intervention group but not in the control group which manifested decreasing lean body mass. In short, the use of B. hispida extract may potentially improve blood pressure and glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and it may be an attractive natural item for the development of functional food products. Being physically active and eating a sufficient amount of DF from vegetable and fruits are essential in reducing the risks of having diabetes, maintaining the health status and sustaining quality of life and societal well-being.
