Abstract

Author(s): González Acevedo, Olivia; Reyes Hernández, Jaime; Gaytán Hernández, Dario; Victoria Campos, Claudia Inés; Palos Lucio, Ana Gabriela

Background: Aging implies a decrease in physical abilities associated with a nutritional deficit due to a low consumption of calories and / or proteins that decrease muscle mass. The development of diets that incorporate functional foods such as amaranth, whose protein content is very similar and comparable to casein, could improve the nutritional status of this population group.

Objetive: in this work was to assess the nutritional effect of consumption of a drink made of amaranth in antropometric parameters of older adults.

Materials and methods: Twenty-six adults older over 60 years were supplemented with “Atole” amaranth. Body composition was assessed by impedance at 0, 30 and 90 days before, during and after of supplementation.

Results: After 90 days, the weight and fat mass decreased » 0.97 ± 1.9kg and » 2 ± 2.0kg (p£0.05), respectively. However, lean mass increased »1.20 ±1.8 Kg (p£0.005).

Conclusions: Se sugiere que el atole de amaranto favorece la ganancia de masa muscular en adultos mayores. Future research is needed on the effects of amaranth consumption on the development and maintenance of muscle mass.