Efeito do consumo da farinha de palma (opuntia fícus-indica) sobre parâmetros físicos e glicemia capilar em ratos idosos.

Abstract

Aging is considered a natural process marked by numerous changes anatomical and functional, resulting in health conditions and the state nutrition of the elderly. Functional foods can provide health benefits acting in the prevention, control or treatment of chronic diseases or their symptoms, That is why the importance of its consumption in the diet is emphasized, as it provides, in quality and quantity, sufficient nutrients to satisfy the needs basic metabolic processes of consumers. As it contains a high nutritional value, it is rich in vitamins, proteins and minerals, palm is seen as an excellent food source. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of consuming Palm flour (Opuntia ficus-indica) on physical parameters and capillary blood glucose of aged rats. The palm-treated groups received 5, 10 and 15% of palm flour. palm added to the feed. This study lasted 4 consecutive weeks, and the physical parameters were measured through body weight, where the animals were weighed weekly. Murinometric evaluation was carried out using measurements naso-anal length, abdominal circumference and thoracic circumference, later, these measurements together with body weight were used to determination of anthropometric parameters, namely: body mass index (BMI,) Lee index and the relationship of abdominal and chest circumference. It was also Capillary glycemia was performed to assess the amount of sugar in the blood of animals. Therefore, there was no statistically significant difference in the parameters physical, and there was also no change in the capillary glucose levels of the animals healthy elderly people, not interfering with anthropometric measurements or levels of glycemia, suggesting benefits for maintaining health.