Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are beneficial microbes known for their health-promoting properties. LAB are well known for their ability to produce substantial amounts of bioactive compounds during fermentation. Peptides, exopolysaccharides (EPS), bacteriocins, some amylase, protease, lipase enzymes, and lactic acid are the most important bioactive compounds generated by LAB activity during fermentation. Additionally, the product produced by LAB is dependent on the type of fermentation used. LAB derived from the genera Lactobacillus and Enterococcus are the most popular probiotics at present. Consuming fermented foods has been previously connected to a number of health-promoting benefits such as antibacterial activity and immune system modulation. Furthermore, functional food implementations lead to the application of LAB in therapeutic nutrition such as prebiotic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, blood glucose lowering actions. Understanding the characteristics of LAB in diverse sources and its potential as a functional food is crucial for therapeutic applications. This review presents an overview of functional food knowledge regarding interactions between LAB isolated from dairy products (dairy LAB) and fermented foods, as well as the prospect of functioning LAB in human health. Finally, the health advantages of LAB bioactive compounds are emphasized.
Little is known about the effects of manipulating sequence of fruit consumption during a meal in suppressing an individual's appetite. Therefore, we investigate the effects of the sequence of fruit intake on satiety and blood glucose in a group of 17 healthy, young male adults. This intervention study repeatedly measured the effects of fruit intake (120 g red apple) before and after a meal and control (no fruit). Ad libitum test meal was weighed before and after a meal. Subjective appetite rating and appetite-related hormones were assessed at regular time intervals. The satiety score was significantly higher for fruit intake before a meal followed by after a meal and control (p < 0.05). Eating fruit before a meal reduced 18.5% (166 kcal) subsequent energy intake compared to control (p < 0.05). Fruit intake before a meal had a significantly higher incremental area under the curve (iAUC) of Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), compared to after a meal (p < 0.05). There were no differences in plasma changes of ghrelin, Cholecystokinin 8 (CCK8), or blood glucose in all sessions. Consuming fruit before a meal potentially enhanced satiety. Further research is required to confirm both short- and long-term effects of the sequence of fruit intake on appetite regulation in a wider population.