Five fruits species commonly cultivated and consumed in Madeira Island (Portugal) were investigated for their phenolic profile by means of reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS(n)) and antioxidant potential. A large number of compounds were characterised, flavonoids and phenolic acids being the major components found in target samples, 39 compounds (flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, cyanogenic glycosides and organic acids) were identified in cherimoyas, lemons, papayas, passion-fruits and strawberries for the first time. Furthermore, all samples were systematically analysed for their total phenolic and flavonoid contents along with two radical scavenging methods (ABTS and ORAC) for antioxidant activity measurement. Target fruits presented high phenolic contents which is responsible for most of the antioxidant activity against radical reactive species (R(2)>0.80). Quantitative data showed that anthocyanins, in particular pelargonidin-3-O-hexoside (>300 mg/100 mL), present only in strawberries were the compounds in largest amounts but are the ones which contribute less to the antioxidant activity.

Health literacy, a more complex concept than knowledge, is a required capacity to obtain, understand, integrate and act on health information [1], in order to enhance individual and community health, which is defined by different levels, according to the autonomy and personal capacitation in decision making [2]. Medium levels of Health literacy in an adolescent population were found in a study conducted in 2013/2014, being higher in sexual and reproductive health and lower in substance use. It was also noticed that the higher levels of health literacy were in the area adolescents refer to have receipt more health information. The health literacy competence with higher scores was communication skills, and the lower scores were in the capacity to analyze factors that influence health. Higher levels were also found in younger teenagers, but in a higher school level, confirming the importance of health education in these age and development stage. Adolescents seek more information in health professionals and parents, being friends more valued as a source information in older adolescents, which enhance the importance of peer education mainly in older adolescents [3]. As a set of competences based on knowledge, health literacy should be developed through education interventions, encompassing the cultural and social context of individuals, since the society, culture and education system where the individual is inserted can define the way the development and enforcement of the health literacy competences [4]. The valued sources of information should be taken into account, as well as needs of information in some topics referred by adolescents in an efficient health education. Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic mental illness which has a profound effect on the health and well-being related with the well-known nature of psychotic symptoms. The exercise has the potential to improve the life of people with schizophrenia improving physical health and alleviating psychiatric symptoms. However, most people with schizophrenia remains sedentary and lack of access to exercise programs are barriers to achieve health benefits. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of exercise on I) the type of intervention in mental health, II) in salivary levels of alpha-amylase and cortisol and serum levels of S100B and BDNF, and on III) the quality of life and selfperception of the physical domain of people with schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 31 females in long-term institutions in the Casa de Saúde Rainha Santa Isabel, with age between 25 and 63, and with diagnosis of schizophrenia according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). Physical fitness was assessed by the six-minute walk distance test (6MWD). Biological variables were determined by ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). Psychological variables were assessed using SF-36, PSPP-SCV, RSES and SWLS tests. Walking exercise has a positive impact on physical fitness (6MWD -p = 0.001) and physical components of the psychological test...

The aims of this study were twofold: a) to provide a detailed report on the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of fresh berries and leaves of Sambucus lanceolata (Madeiran elderberry); b) to study the effects caused by a simulated in vitro digestion on the composition and antioxidant activity of the berries and leaves. Seventy-seven phytochemicals, mainly polyphenols, were identified in the methanol extracts of fresh berries and leaves, with the content of polyphenols higher in berries (27.2mg·g dry extract, DE) than in leaves (25.9mg·g DE). Anthocyanins were dominant in berries, while hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) and flavonols were abundant in leaves. Higher antioxidant activities were found in leaves than in berries, using several in vitro assays. After the simulated in vitro digestion, the levels of polyphenols were significantly reduced, in particular those of berries (81.8% decrease). Anthocyanins were the most affected compounds during the simulated digestion. However, despite the significant loss of phenolic compounds during digestion, methanol extracts of digested berries and leaves were still able to scavenge free-radicals. Hence, the consumption of leaves and/or berries of S. lanceolata may help prevent oxidative stress.

Fish processing industry has experienced significant growth, playing an important role in the world economy. The increased exploration of marine resources contributes to the generation of considerable amounts of biowaste, which ends up as discards. In the face of the resultant disposal and environmental problems, many efforts have been made to deal with the fishery waste in more efficient ways. Nowadays, these by-products are regarded as important sources of high added value compounds, such as hydroxyapatite, collagen, gelatin, lipids, enzymes, hydrolysates and bioactive peptides, with great potential for human health applications. The present paper aims to review the current methods of extraction and characterization of added value products from fish by-products, as well as their actual and potential applications.

Vaccinium cylindraceaeum (Azores blueberry) and V. padifolium (Madeira blueberry) are two Portuguese endemic species, which phytochemical composition and beneficial properties lack scientific validation. In this work, their potential in vitro inhibitory effects against key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes and obesity and glycation of proteins were evaluated. Anthocyanins were predominant in fruits, while hydroxycinnamic acids (in particular 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) and flavonoids were the main compounds in leaves. Vaccinium extracts showed effective inhibitions of glucosidases and glycation of proteins and mild activity towards α-amylase and pancreatic lipase (by comparison with reference compounds). Phenolic composition was strongly correlated with reported bioactivities. In fact, 5-O-caffeoylquinic can be considered one of the main hypoglycemic and anti-glycation agents of analysed extracts. Consumption of both Vaccinium species should be encouraged since berries could offer a dietary option in the prevention and control of diabetes and obesity, while leaves are good candidates for development of nutraceuticals. is home to several endemic berry-producing species, with local/domestic use, but knowledge about their health properties is scarce. Vaccinium cylindraceum Sm. and V. padifolium Sm. (family Ericaceae), endemic to Azores and Madeira archipelagos (Portugal), respectively, are commonly known as uveira or uva-da-serra (blueberries) (Cabrita & Andersen, 1999;Lima, Baptista, & Albuquerque, 2009). These wild plants grow as semi-evergreen shrubs or small trees from 3 to 6 m tall.Leaves are oblong to elliptic, usually reddish when new. In the late summer, they grow ovoid-shape berries of blue-black color, when ripe, that are consumed fresh and/or used to make jams and liquors (Lima et al., 2009;Press & Short, 1994). V. cylindraceum is relatively common in rural areas (above 300 m of altitude) in all the Azores islands (except

In this work, the phenolic composition of E. umbellata leaves and berries is reported. Berries were rich in flavonols, whereas leaves presented abundant flavonols and ellagitannins. Then, the enzyme-inhibitory properties, anti-glycation and antioxidant activities of E. umbellata and Sambucus lanceolata (its phenolic profile has been already established in a previous work) were tested by several in vitro assays and compared. The simulated gastrointestinal digestion resulted in a decrease on their phenolic composition. Nevertheless, both species still had the ability to inhibit aldose reductase activity and protein glycation and scavenge free radicals at the end of the process. Thus, the potential beneficial effects of E. umbellata and S. lanceolata seems to be kept to some extent after passage throughout the digestive system. Altogether, this study provides further insight into investigation of these species as dietary sources of bioactive compounds to lower the risk of type-2 diabetes and obesity.

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Inhibition of enzymes involved in carbohydrate and lipids metabolism is an important strategy against type 2 diabetes and obesity, by suppressing dietary sugar and fat absorption. This work reports, for the first time, the in vitro inhibition of α‐glucosidase, α‐amylase and lipase by watercress juice (WJ). Juice was analyzed for qualitative and quantitative composition and in vitro antioxidant activities. Several components were identified, namely hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, and other minor water‐soluble phytochemicals. Quantitative data revealed a dimer of caffeoylmalic acid (0.73 mg mL−1 of juice), disinapoylgentibiose (0.64 mg mL−1), ferulic acid (0.56 mg mL−1), and isorhamnetin‐O‐sophoroside‐O‐malonyl(hexoside) (0.38 mg mL−1) as the predominant polyphenols. The results showed that WJ had dose‐dependent inhibitory potential against targeted enzymes, displaying a more potent inhibitory effect against α‐glucosidase relative to α‐amylase and lipase. WJ can be considered a potential complementary dietary approach to control hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia, through inhibition of digestive enzymes. Practical applications Currently, raw watercress is widely consumed in liquid form, alone or together with other fresh vegetables, as an ingredient of the “detox juices.” Studies on watercress phenolic composition and antidiabetic properties have been performed on extracts, but not on juice, which is closer to the edible form. The present study supports consumption of watercress juice as source of phytochemicals potentially capable of inhibiting digestive enzymes linked to diabetes and obesity prevention/control.