Reference Number: 458
Year: 2017
Link: Link to original paper
Health: Gut Microbiome
Nutrition: Antioxidants | Carbohydrates | Fibre | Polyphenols | Prebiotic | Short chain fatty acids | Vitamins
Inclusions: Vegetables
Summary
Background: Orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) improves vitamin A (VA) status of young children; research with pregnant and lactating women is limited.
Objective: We examined the effectiveness of the Mama SASHA (Sweet potato Action for Security and Health in Africa) program to improve nutrition knowledge, diets, and nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women (PLW) in Western Kenya.
Methods: Eight health facilities were allocated to the Mama SASHA intervention or comparison arms. PLW in intervention facilities received enhanced nutrition counselling at health clinics, were linked with community-based maternal support groups, and received vouchers for OFSP vine cuttings. Control PLW received clinic-based nutrition counselling only. A total of 505 women in early and midpregnancy, attending their first antenatal care visit, and with no previous engagement in project activities were enrolled from the 8 facilities. Nutrition and health-seeking knowledge, food security, dietary patterns, and anthropometric measurements were collected at 4 time points at ?9 mo postpartum. VA intakes were assessed with multipass 24-h recalls in a subsample of 206 mothers at 8–10 mo postpartum. VA status was assessed by using serum retinol-binding protein (RBP). Impacts were estimated with multilevel mixed models adjusted for clustering and differences at enrolment.
Results: At enrolment, 22.9% of women had RBP <1.17 ?mol/L. By 9 mo postpartum, intervention women had significantly higher intakes of VA [adjusted difference = 297.0 retinol activity equivalent (RAE) units; 95% CI: 82, 513 RAE units; P = 0.01; n = 206], greater consumption of VA-rich fruit and vegetables in the previous 7 d (difference-in-difference estimate: 0.40 d; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.56 d; P < 0.01), and a 45% reduction in the odds of RBP <1.17 ?mol/L (OR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.92; P = 0.01).
Conclusion: Promotion of OFSP to PLW through health services is a feasible strategy to improve women’s nutrition knowledge, VA intakes, and maternal RBP.
Significance of this study to the baker:
Sweet Potato is included in our botanical blends. We also include it in many of our recipes at the Sourdough Club, such as the Sweet potato and Orange Sourdough.
Sweet potato is a great dietary fibre, but is also rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, which is important for good vision and eye health, reducing the incidence of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. The carotenoids it contains we know also display anti-oxidant properties to add to the diversity of polyphenols supporting our gastrointestinal microbiome.
This human study shows how its richness in Vitamin A may improve our nutrient status and visual function in some.
