Understanding Bioactive Dietary Chemicals

Click here to view original web page at www.nifa.usda.gov

The foods and drinks we consume contain natural chemicals (vitamins, minerals, fat, sugar, protein, flavonoids, toxicants, hormones and more) that can positively or negatively impact human health. Since 1971, a multistate project has brought together researchers at 22 Land-grant Universities to conduct cutting edge research on the effects of […]

Click here to view original web page at www.nifa.usda.gov

Ingredients for the healthy foods selection. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.

The foods and drinks we consume contain natural chemicals (vitamins, minerals, fat, sugar, protein, flavonoids, toxicants, hormones and more) that can positively or negatively impact human health.

Since 1971, a multistate project has brought together researchers at 22 Land-grant Universities to conduct cutting edge research on the effects of dietary bioactive chemicals on human health, chronic diseases and food safety.

To better understand bioactive dietary chemicals, researchers are investigating exposure levels, doses, factors influencing absorption and metabolism, synergistic effects with other compounds, and transgenerational effects.

Understanding bioactive dietary chemicals is important for scientists, farmers, food processors, healthcare professionals and policymakers charged with determining optimal human nutrition requirements, maintaining the safety of the food supply, and preventing and treating chronic disease.

The multistate project structure provides many advantages.

Collaboration allows members to share research facilities, tools and other resources and limits unnecessary duplication of research efforts.
With researchers in multiple states, this project can study populations with different dietary patterns and share findings widely.
Diverse expertise in microbiology, nutritional epidemiology, cancer research, big data, biocomputing and more allows the team to investigate the complex role of dietary bioactive chemicals from various angles to get a more complete picture.
As faculty at Land-grant Universities, project members can share their expertise with students.

Research Highlights

Researchers discovered bioactive chemicals and determined their effects on human health. Studies shed light on mechanisms involved in bioactivity and determined how agricultural practices and processing techniques affect bioactivity. For example, researchers:

Characterized specific bacteria taxa and metabolites consumed in foods and beverages that reduce the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes. California

Completed several human clinical trials that linked intake of probiotic supplements to improvements in gut health, immune parameters, inflammation, and vascular function in humans. Colorado

Identified a placental enzyme that could be targeted through dietary interventions to protect fetuses from maternal high-fat diets. Colorado

Determined that crickets (which are growing in popularity as a sustainable food source) provide prebiotic and anti-inflammatory effects and a good source of iron when consumed. Colorado

Showed that consuming CBD reduces inflammation, but bioactivity varies with different preparations. Colorado

Provided epidemiological evidence that drinking high amounts of citrus juices increases risk of skin cancer. Connecticut

Found that indigenous mango leaves can be processed into a functional food, such as herbal tea, that has anti-diabetic activity. Guam

Showed that polyphenols from native cacao and bitter melon may protect against diabetes. Hawaii

Showed that reusing frying oils multiple times creates byproducts that exacerbate the development of lung and breast cancer. Illinois

Developed a diet that optimizes protein to reduce colon inflammation and colon cancer risk according to a preclinical animal model. Illinois

Demonstrated that certain polyphenolic compounds in dried plums have significant impacts on inflammation and tumor formation. Michigan, Texas

Suggested that an omega-3 fatty acid supplement (DHA) can reduce the risk of or delay progression of lupus. Michigan

Used bioactive peptides from dry beans to develop diet-based ways to treat hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Nebraska

Provided the first demonstration that diets high in sulfur (such as diets high in processed meats and low in vegetables and legumes) are associated with development of colorectal cancer. Nebraska

Showed that a compound in hops reduces obesity induced by high-fat diets in rodents, and its effects on the liver and hippocampus could help reverse obesity related neurocognitive decline. Oregon

Performed the first human studies on the bioactivity of benzo[a]pyrene, which is carcinogenic and found in almost all food. Oregon, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Discovered that bacteria growth in the human intestine depends on the type of carbohydrate fuel they receive, which has important implications for probiotics and prebiotics. Indiana

Found that red raspberry ketones have anti-obesity effects in mice. New Jersey

Found that black raspberries may be a useful prebiotic or probiotic for suppressing gut inflammation. Utah

Showed that cooking reduces the ability of some types of sorghum bran to protect against cancer. Michigan

Identified a genetic marker for the allele that makes wild turkeys resistant to aflatoxin in feed, which will help breed resistant domestic turkeys and save the industry millions of dollars each year. Tennessee, Utah

Showed how dietary iron absorption is controlled, which will guide ways to combat anemia in livestock and humans. Wisconsin

Discovered gene-diet interactions that govern the influence of dietary fats on heart disease risk. Colorado

Showed that the adverse impacts of the Western diet can be passed down to offspring through epigenetic mechanisms. Utah

Showed that grape pomace could be added to extruded foods to enhance nutritional value without negatively affecting quality. Washington

This project developed research tools, techniques and models that will enable future discoveries. For example, members:

Developed a non-invasive method for monitoring metabolism in egg cells and embryos. Colorado

Identified metabolomic signatures that more precisely indicate high and low fruit and vegetable intake compared to self-reporting. Colorado

Developed methods to discover unreported metabolic events in diverse biological samples, including urine, blood, other biofluids and tissue samples. Minnesota

Created a standardized tool to evaluate the impact of food compounds on human digestion and health. Nebraska

This project developed workshops, courses and tools to educate students and scientists about bioactive chemicals. For example, project members:

Created 3D-printed models of the human microbiome as a tool for K-12 and college courses. Nebraska

Created the Southwest Agriculture and Food Security Education project, in which students complete e-learning courses related to food security, food safety and agro-terrorism and gain certifications offered by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Participated in the 2021 Ag and Health Summit, a first of-its-kind event that brought together plant breeders, nutritionists and microbiome scientists to understand how to improve crop development and productivity in ways that benefit human health. Nebraska

Worked with the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua in Mexico to organize and participate in an international food research workshop session that attracted 86 attendees and stimulated international research collaboration. Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Minnesota

Impacts

Showed how dietary iron absorption is controlled, which will guide ways to combat anemia in livestock and humans. Wisconsin

Discovered gene-diet interactions that govern the influence of dietary fats on heart disease risk. Colorado

Showed that the adverse impacts of the Western diet can be passed down to offspring through epigenetic mechanisms. Utah

Showed that grape pomace could be added to extruded foods to enhance nutritional value without negatively affecting quality. Washington

Discovering and understanding bioactive chemicals provides new opportunities for disease prevention and treatment. Findings have led to more accurate nutrition labels and dietary guidelines, including recommended daily amounts. This research has made it easier to provide individualized dietary recommendations based on a person’s genetics, microbiome, and other factors.

By determining acceptable levels of exposure to specific bioactive compounds, this project has illuminated ways to improve the safety of our food supply. Findings have also pinpointed ways that food can be grown or processed to mitigate safety risks or improve health benefits.

This project is supported in part by the Hatch Multistate Research Fund through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and by grants to project members at participating institutions: University of Arizona, University of California-Berkeley, University of California-Davis, Colorado State University, University of Connecticut, University of Guam, University of Hawaii, University of Illinois, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska, University of Nevada, New Mexico State University, Ohio State University, Oregon State University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, University of Tennessee, Utah State University, University of Vermont, Washington State University, University of Wisconsin. Learn more: https://bit.ly/W4122

The Multistate Research Fund Impacts Program communicates the importance and value of Hatch Multistate research projects. Learn more: mrfimpacts.org

Topic

Food and Nutrition Security,

Farm Bill Priority Areas

Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health

U.S. States and Territories

Arizona,

California,

Colorado,