domingo, 26 de junio de 2011

All about Cytokines

Natural ingredients in functional drinks (like the ones InnOrbit produce) often have a profound effect on the human body and biochemical processes. Some of the ingredients can even effect programmed cell-death - apoptosis -  and we focussed on this recently.

In our sister blog we have reported the research that investigators are performing in this area.  Many of the ingredients can "control" biochemicals called cytokines.  Take a look at this article on Licorice for an idea of how natural ayurvedic ingredients work on the body.

Cytokines are the communication system of the body's cells of the immune system and beyond.  The cells communicate via cytokines.

 They can mediate long and short range communication between cells.
In many cases Cytokines are produced by one type of cell and have an effect on another type of cell.

The nomenclature has been adopted to simplify them.

Under the microscope: Leukocytes are the fuzzy irregular shaped cells.  The other cells are mostly Red Blood Cells


Any molecule that communicates between leukocytes (or white blood cells) is known as INTERLEUKIN and is given the prefix IL.  However, this has not been adopted universally and there are molecules which have retained their original name: IFNs (Interferons) and TNFs (Tumour Necrosis Factors).  Normal designations are used as follows: IL-1, IL-2, IL-3 etc.

"IL-1β is a major cytokine driving the inflammatory processes leading to the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis and other inflammatory diseases (see this article on Green Tea)"

So, the nomenclature gets worse.  Investigators soon realised that cytokines can be produced by a whole host of other types of cells!  Further it was shown that the same cytokines are muti-functional in a variety of different tissues.

Cytokines: regulate and coordinate cellular responses throughout the body and not just the immune system.
Example of Cytokine Activity:

As a way of an example on how Cytokines work we can look at TNFs (Tumour Necrosis Factor).
TNFs are multi-tasking cytokines that have several biological functions.

TNFs are implicated in the response to injury and/or infection, amongst other roles.
TNFs can:

  • Mediate the killing of infected cells making them cells more susceptible to killing by other cells;
  • Trigger the production of other molecules (e.g. prostaglandins) which can induce tumour necrosis (the breakdown or lysis of tumour cells);
  • Augment the effect of leukocytes and other blood cells (i.e. their stickiness to other cells);
  • Stimulate the resorption of bone by ostoclasts (basically part of the essential process of bone remodelling and reshaping);
  • Immuno-regulation - play a role in the body's defense against parasitic, viral & bacterial attack.









martes, 21 de junio de 2011

Sweetness & Liquorice

Liquorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which is known to be 50 times sweeter than sugar.  Due to its sweetness and flavouring properties, it has been used to make more unpalatable or bitter foods tastier. 

It can be used as a sweetener to sweeten foods, such as when cooking fruit like plums and other "tarty" fruits. Also, Diabetics have found liquorice useful for sweetening and flavouring other food items like drinks.  

Liquorice after a meal is a traditional way to help with digestion.

In InnOrbit drinks the effect of sweetness and the actual taste of liquorice can be very subtle and depends on the level of liquorice used.  

In Young&Fun the level of liquorice is physically higher, and our taste experts have found that the overall perception of aniseed flavour, or liquorice flavour is correspondingly higher.  In more lower doses the liquorice flavour is much less and almost disappears but the sweetness is higher.  It really does depend on the level of liquorice used and the balance of other components in the recipe.


"Liquorice flavour can have a subtle sweetening effect or a more pronounced aniseed taste in the InnOrbit drinks"




It is important that the levels of liquorice complement other flavours and can enhance other ingredients in certain cases.

In the InnOrbit drinks we get "2 for the price of 1" in the sense that we get a sensory effect (great taste!) and a bonus of a healthy ingredient (Click HERE for our sister blog which has more information on the health benefits of liquorice).

Click on the image for a video on the benefits of Liquorice:


sábado, 18 de junio de 2011

Astringency Explained

Many infusion and tea ingredients are rich in phenolics. Phenolics are found in the leaves and flowers which are used in many natural and traditional food items like InnOrbit drinks.  They give a complex and highly aromatic flavour and are extracted when water is poured over the infusion mix.  Similar phenolic compounds are found in red wine which give it its characteristic astringency.


There are many types of phenolics in infusion ingredients, and, depending on their chemical structure, these substances play a unique part in the way the infusion tastes, looks and feels in the mouth.






For example, catechins are known for their bitterness. Flavanols can be more astringent.

Saliva contains proteins that lubricate the surface of the mouth. When we drink an infusion or a tea, salivary proteins can react with the phenolics found in these drinks.


When a protein reacts with certain phenolics (e.g. tannin), they form a larger structure....effectively glued together by bonds which can react with more proteins and phenolics and like a snowball form even bigger molecules. These large structures are so heavy that they precipitate.  The lubricating proteins therefore are no longer doing there job of lubricating - they are effectively tied up with the phenolics and the mouth  "feels" dry.  The receptors in the mouth signal to the brain the existence of this "rough", drying sensation known as astringency. 




InnOrbit drink astringency can be a positive taste sensation and also change with time and in others it can be a very subtle attribute (due to concentration differences and different phenolics present in the ingredients).


There are several descriptors which can be used and all revolve around the feeling of having a fine powder in the mouth e.g. Powdery, Chalky, Grainy. More subtle descriptions may include Silky, Emery, Velvety, Furry.


Higher levels of astringency, like those found in wine, can cause the sensation to be even stronger e.g. Pucker, Chewy, Grippy and Adhesive


In wine and other fine foods a similar reaction occurs with tannins and similar compounds and some terms you may read include Soft, Supple, Fleshy, and Rich.


"The subtle sensation of astringency is an important sensory attribute of InnOrbit Drinks and is an important part of the overall drinking experience."







Excuses....

Seth Godin on:

Excuses are easy to find (but worthless)

"Even good excuses, really good ones, don't help very much.
Explanations, on the other hand, are both scarce and useful.
And accurate forecasts and insightful intuition are priceless."


lunes, 6 de junio de 2011

Top Global Locations which are worth a visit.....if you dare...



"A drive in the country anyone?"
La Paz y Corioco (Bolivia)
80 kilometres of road unites these two places at 4000 metres above sea level.  The Yunga road is known as the most dangerous road in the world.  In places its 3 metres wide and with drops up to 1000 metres.  If the slippy & muddy surface was not enough to contend with the road is used regularly by buses and lorries.  An average of 100 people die every year on this road.

Disguise recommended
Cuidad Juarez (Mexico)
The frontier where the Rio Bravo witnesses the steady flow of drugs and any other marketable goods, including human beings.  According to studies it has 229 murders per 100,000 inhabitants - the most dangerous urban area in the world.  It was the 8th most popular city with tourists in Mexico but they are now recommended to keep a low profile and use a local guide

"A walk in the country anyone?"
Málaga (Spain)
A road between Álora and Ardales, known as the King's Track, is 1 metre wide and 100 metres in the air with vertical drops either side.  Many of died traversing this road - so many, in fact, that the authorities destroyed access to it.  It's neither safe nor legal to use this road with a fine of 6000 Euros!   Use it at your own peril.

Paddling only! with a machine gun....
Hawaii & Florida (USA)
It sounds idyllic but the but the sea just off the beach of Hanakapiai is a death trap.  The currents are treacherous and in the last 5 years nearly 100 people have drowned due to the huge undertows and currents.
The sea not only can be unsavoury due to its dangerous power but also the beasts that live in it.  In Florida (New Smyrna) more than 30 shark attacks have taken place since 2008.

Top up the tan?
El Azizia (Libya) and Death Valley (USA)
Death valley in the USA - temperatures can get over 56ºC.
And in Libya El Azizia the local sirocco (known as el ghibli) can elevate temperatures by 20ºC in a matter of minutes.

A camera probably not recommended
Turkmenistan
Bordered by Afghanistan and Iran, Turkmenistan is one of the worlds most hidden and secretive countries. The local regime has banned taking photographs.  At least you can't bore your friends when you get back home!

Taken from 20 minutes.es (6.6.2011)