b'Antioxidants and DementiaNew research suggests that higher levels of specific antioxidants in blood may help guard against age-related dementia. Using data from 7,283 participants in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examina-tionSurvey(1988-1994)(NHANESIII), researchers studied these participants whoArtificial Sweeteners were at least 45-years-old at baseline andage group, even in a lifestyle-adjusted model.and the Microbiomefollowed for an average of 16 to 17 years.Individuals with the highest serum levels ofNew research has confirmed that non-nu-NHANES III is linked with the Centerslutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin,tritivesweeteners(NNS)affectthemicro-for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).at baseline, were significantly less likely tobiome in ways that also affect blood-sugar The researchers analyzed associations andhave dementia decades later than their peersregulation. Prior research has demonstrated interactions of serum levels of Vitamins A,with lower levels of these antioxidants. Lu- the harmful influence of NNS in mice, but C, and E, along with the total and individ- tein and zeaxanthin are found in green leafyarandomizedcontrolledstudywith120 ual serum levels of carotenoids and the in- vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli,healthy adults shows that this is also true cident of Alzheimers disease and all-causeand peas. Beta-cryptoxanthin is found inin humans. Before the study, all participants dementia. Carotenoids are the pigments thatfruits such as oranges, papaya, tangerines,strictly avoided NNS. The subjects were giv-produce the bright yellow, red, and orangeand persimmons.en saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and ste-colors in plants, vegetables, and fruits. via sachets for twoweeks in doses lower than After the complete 26-year follow-upBeydoun M, Beydoun H,Fanelli-Kuczmarski M,etthe acceptable daily intake and were com-al.,Associationofserumantioxidantvitamins period, the serum levels of the carotenoidsandcarotenoidswithincidentAlzheimersdiseasepared with controls, who received a glucose lutein and zeaxanthin, were associated withandall-causedementiaamongUSadults,Neu- sachet or no sweetening supplement at all. rology, 2022, 98(21): e2150-e2162,athttps://doi. Each NNS clearly altered stool and oral mi-reduced risk of all-cause dementia in the 65+org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000200289. crobiome and plasma metabolome; whereas saccharinandsucralosesignificantlyand distinctly impaired glycemic responses.Ac-Grape Seed andcording to a leader of the research team, Eran Hypertension Elinav, M.D., Ph.D., We need to raise aware-Grapeseedextract appearstohaveness of the fact that NNS are not inert to the numeroushealthbenefits.Placebo-con- human body as we originally believed. With trolled research has shown that in healthythat said, the clinical health implications of adults who consumed grape seed extractthe changesthey may elicit in humans re-(300 mg a day for 16 weeks), taken as amain unknown and merit future long-term single dose prior to exercise, their bloodstudies. pressure and heart rate were significant- Because of the unique composition of lyloweredwhencomparedtoplacebo.eachpersonsmicrobiome,theeffectsof Grape seed extract also reduced arterialthese sweeteners will likely vary from one pressure at rest and during exercise, withperson to the next. Kim Barrett, Ph.D., Vice a substantial reduction in aortic stiffnessDean for research and distinguished profes-among obese and overweight men. Theducing the risk of blood clots by inhibitingsor of physiology and membrane biology at powerful vasodilating effect lowered bothplatelet aggregation, and activating proteinsthe University of California, Davis School of systolicanddiastolicbloodpressure,that slow down cellular aging. Grape seedMedicine, concurs and points out that, this compared to placebo, even among peo- extractis also anti-inflammatory. Researchwell-designed study indicates the potential ple with metabolic syndrome. A dose ofshows that it significantly lowers C-reactivefor NNS to have adverse effects in at least some individuals.grape seed extract could reduce the risk ofprotein (CRP) levels. CRP is a key marker Abou-Donia M, El-Masry E, Abdel-Rahman A, a cardiovascular event occurring duringof inflammation and a significant risk factoret al., Splenda alters gut microflora and increases exercise in hypertensive or prehyperten- thatcanindicatepotentialcardiovascularintestinalp-glycoproteinandcytochromep-450in sive people. problems. male rats, JournalofToxicologyandEnvironmen-tal Health, Part A, 2008,71:1415-1429, at https://Grape seed extract offers other ben- doi.org/10.1080/15287390802328630;SuezJ,Cohen efitstocardiovascularhealth-enhancingGupta M, Dey S, Marbaniang D, et al., Grape seed ex- Y,Valds-MasR,etal.,Personalizedmicrobi-tract: having a potential health benefits [sic], Journalome-driveneffectsofnon-nutritivesweetenerson oxygen delivery, preventing atherosclero- of Food Science and Technology, 2020, 57: 1205-1215, athuman glucose tolerance, Cell, 2022, 185(18): 3307-sis by limiting the oxidation of LDL, re- https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-019-04113-w 3328,athttps://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(22)00919-9.H ealtHF reedomN ews /F all2022 23NHF_40-3_Linda_11-25-2022.indd 23 11/25/22 8:02 AM'