A Japanese Box Lunch Bento Comprising Functional Foods Reduce Oxidative Stress in Men: A Pilot Study. Issue 1 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ide, Hisamitsu; Tsukada, Shuhei; Asakura, Hitomi; Hattori, Ayaka; Sakamaki, Kentaro; Lu, Yan; Okada, Hiroshi; Maeda-Yamamoto, Mari; Horie, Shigeo
• Is Part Of: American journal of men's health. Volume 16:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: obesity -- functional food -- oxidative stress; Men -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Sex factors in disease -- Periodicals; Men -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Men -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; Men -- Medical care -- Periodicals; 362.10811
• DOI: 10.1177/15579883221075498
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1557-9883

Abstract

The elder population has increased, introducing the profound medical and social challenge of maintaining health in aging seniors and the need for a medical approach to sustaining physical and mental health. The relationship between diseases and lifestyle-related factors such as diet and exercise are important. A health-conscious lifestyle improves one's health condition from a medical perspective, as indicated by new wellness monitoring using health devices and recent research into the efficacy of functional lunches incorporating utilitarian agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and foods. For a period of 3 months, and solely at lunchtime, 21 participants consumed the contents of a bento (Japanese box lunch), which incorporated functional (healthy) foods. A variety of factors were analyzed, including: weight, weight fluctuation rate, abdominal girth, triglycerides, total cholesterol value, and 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine). The bento comprising functional foods resulted in a reduction in both weight and abdominal girth without calorie restrictions. A reduction over time was observed in 8-OHdG, an oxidative stress marker, as compared to values prior to initiation of the study. Usage of a health device, exercise/dietary advice from a physician and nutritionist, and the availability of meals incorporating functional agricultural products might help prevent lifestyle disease and lead to improved health management.