Monthly Archives: October 2021

The Pectin Content of Oranges

Oranges contain fibre, which is mainly in the form of pectin. Pectin is a common fibre in fruit and it gives fruit health properties that are not present in pectin-free foods. One aspect of pectin that is useful is the … Continue reading

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Resveratrol and Mood

Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in the skins of red grapes and therefore red wine is a rich source. Resveratrol is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and studies show that it may confer a number of health effects. One aspect of … Continue reading

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A High Polyphenol Diet and Mood

Polyphenols are a group of phytonutrients characterised by their phenol ring structure. This structure makes them chemically useful antioxidants as the hydroxyl groups are able to donate electrons, becoming oxidised in the process, but the unpaired electronic structure does not … Continue reading

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Phenolic Compounds Modulate Brain Function

Phenolic compounds are abundant in plants as they are used by the plants as secondary metabolites. When humans and animals eat the plants they can absorb the phenolic compounds or their metabolites following bacterial alteration, and this may provide significant … Continue reading

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Gut Bacteria and Anxiety

One of the main factors that can influence the mood of an individual is the health of the gut. In particular, the variety of bacteria within the gut can have a significant impact on mental health. In turn, both diet … Continue reading

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Serotonin and Anxiety

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in humans and animals that is synthesised from the amino acid tryptophan. It is often considered that the function of serotonin is to induce a sense of well being and contentment. However, within the brain … Continue reading

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Vanillic Acid as An Antidepressant: Mechanisms

Vanillic acid is a polyphenolic substance found in plants. Vanillic acid is an oxidised form of vanilla, and is characterised by a similar creamy flavour. The neuroprotective effects of vanillic acid have been evidenced and a number of studies have … Continue reading

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Therapeutics of Vanillic Acid

Vanillic acid is a polyphenolic phytochemical. Like all polyphenols, vanillic acid is derived from benzoic acid through enzymatic reactions in plant cells. In cuisine, vanillic acid is used as a flavour enhancer and preservative, and this latter role is possible … Continue reading

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Fats, Lipids and Mood

The brain contains large amounts of lipids, which are located particularly in the cell membranes of neurones. The lipid in the diet can directly influence the fat in the brain, and it has been shown for example that diets high … Continue reading

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Vanillic Acid Against Mood Disorders?

Vanillic acid is a polyphenolic compound that is found in a range of edible plants and herbs such as the trunk bark of Amburana cearensis and in the roots of Angelica sinensis. Evidence suggests that vanillic acid has antioxidant and … Continue reading

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