BIG · Effect of bioactive compounds from novel tomato on glycaemia - short title (Bioactive compounds Impact on Glycaemia)

Effect of bioactive compounds from novel tomato on glycaemia - short title (Bioactive compounds Impact on Glycaemia)

The project addresses the urgent need for innovative dietary interventions to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), where projections indicate a 13% rise in cases by 2045 in Europe. This increase is closely linked to high-glycaemic diets, as frequent glucose peaks after a meal can strain the glucose metabolism, often leading to impaired glucose tolerance and increased diabetes risk. Timely dietary and lifestyle interventions have proven effective in delaying or preventing T2D onset. However, there is a need for sustainable, feasible solutions that allow individuals to manage glycaemia without drastic dietary changes. This project aims to address these gaps by exploring the potential of tomato-derived bioactive compounds, polyphenols and carotenoids, to mitigate the glycaemic impact of high-starch foods commonly consumed in Mediterranean diets, such as bread and pasta. The project will explore the interactions between bioactive compounds in tomatoes and starch in carbohydrate-based foods. The goal is to determine whether the presence of bioactive compounds can reduce the glycaemic impact of starch-based foods, contributing to better metabolic health outcomes. Tomatoes are rich in polyphenols and carotenoids that may inhibit starch digestibility, offering a promising pathway to moderating blood glucose levels. By using tomato skins as a source for these compounds, the project also presents a sustainable solution, transforming agricultural by-products into valuable dietary supplements and supporting the UN’s sustainable development goals. The objectives of this study are: 1) To measure digestibility of starch when in combination with different concentrations of polyphenols and carotenoids from tomatoes using an established single-enzyme system that is well-correlated with glycaemic response measured in vivo. 2) To determine the bioaccessibility of starch and bioactive compounds within a food matrix using the INFOGEST static simulated digestion system. 3) To determine the effect of bioactive compounds daily intake from tomato on glycaemia using biological samples from an ongoing dietary intervention study in the Polyphenol Research Group (MITOS). The project’s research framework spans multiple levels, from generating new data using in vitro digestion models and analytical techniques for compounds identification and quantification to data re-use from human dietary studies. The aim is to examine how bioactive compounds from tomatoes interact with starch in different food matrices. These findings are expected to support the development of glycaemia-moderating functional foods, directly targeting dietary factors in T2D prevention strategies. Expected impact include: 1. Public Health: Providing evidence-based dietary interventions could improve glycaemic control across Europe, reducing T2D incidence rates. 2. Sustainable Food Production: By valorising tomato by-products, the project encourages waste reduction in agriculture, aligning with circular economy goals. 3. Policy and Industry Relevance: Project findings could shape public health recommendations and inspire the food industry to develop biofortified, low-glycaemic foods. To promote wider awareness and application, findings will be disseminated through open-access publications, public science events, and targeted engagement with stakeholders, including industry and policymakers. These outreach activities will ensure that the project’s contributions to nutritional science and sustainable food systems reach diverse audiences, setting a foundation for impactful public health interventions and innovations in food production.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз