Utilization of Foods Rich in Vitamin D as Nutritional Supplements in Pasta Products and the Biological Impact on Obese Rats

Abstract

Due to the widespread prevalence of obesity on a global scale, it has emerged as a significant public health concern. The number of individuals attempting to lose weight has decreased over the last 10 years. The initial step in tackling this issue involves the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. This research endeavor is designed to explore the influence of specific dietary components on the biochemical characteristics of obese rats. In this study, 36 Wister strain rats were subjected to different dietary conditions, with half of them being fed a high-fat diet while residing in well-lit environments, and the other half in dark conditions. Before sacrifice, the rats underwent a 12-hour fast, followed by the analysis of their blood and serum to assess various biochemical parameters. This study's findings imply that enriching the diet with hulled sunflower seed powder and wheat germ, along with vitamin D supplementation, led to increased vitamin D levels in the rats. Furthermore, the analysis revealed rats' lipid profiles improved. Moreover, the rats exposed to sunlight exhibited enhanced levels of vitamin D and improved hematological parameters when compared to those housed in dark conditions. Additionally, the sensory assessment of the food products containing sunflower seeds and wheat germ showed that the panelists were satisfied with the product quality. In summary, the study's results suggest that incorporating hulled sunflower seeds powder and wheat germ into the diet may contribute to the reduction and management of obesity.