Exploring the Effects of Whole Food‐Based Dragon Fruit on Metabolic Disorders in High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Mice
Journal
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
ISSN
1613-4125
1613-4133
Date Issued
2024-10-03
Author(s)
Pin‐Yu Ho
Pin‐Xuan Lin
Yen‐Chun Koh
Wei‐Sheng Lin
Kai‐Liang Tang
Yu‐Hsin Chen
Monthana Weerawatanakorn
Abstract
Scope: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) significantly contributes to premature mortality, with obesity being a major risk factor. Dragon fruit, cultivated globally, exhibits bioactivity in preventing obesity-related diseases. Traditional studies using organic solvents for extraction do not align with actual consumption patterns.
Method and results: This study evaluates whole red dragon fruit's effectiveness in ameliorating metabolic disorders using a high-fat diet-induced obesity model in mice for 20 weeks. The experimental groups include the supernatant (RS), precipitate (RP), and pomace (PO) of red dragon fruit juice, compared to the supernatant of white dragon fruit juice (WS). The study finds that dragon fruit extracts reduced adipose tissue weight, body fat percentage, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improved blood lipid profiles. RP is the most effective, reducing body weight by 4.33 g, improving lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis, and altering gut microbiota to enhance beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acids. RP's efficacy in preventing MetS and obesity is attributed to its bioactive components.
Conclusion: These findings advocate for using whole fruits in developing functional products, amplifying the agricultural economic value of red dragon fruit.
Publisher
Wiley
Type
journal article