Markandeya Jois
La Trobe University, Australia
Title: Inclusion of molasses in a high fat, high sugar diet prevents the development of obesity in C57BL6/J mice
Biography
Biography: Markandeya Jois
Abstract
Statement of the problem: One of the contributing factors for the current epidemic of obesity is the increased consumption of added sugar in the diet. Sugarcane accounts for 80% of the sugar production. Molasses, a byproduct of sugar production from sugarcane, is known rich in many bioactive compounds including flavonoids and phenylpropanoids. Here we show that inclusion of molasses in a high fat, high sugar diet protects mice from developing obesity. Methods: Thirty-six 6-wk old male mice were assigned to one of 3 groups. Each group was fed either a high fat, high sugar diet (HFC), a HFC diet containing 10% molasses replacing 5% sugar and 5% cellulose (Mol-Sugar) or a HFC diet containing 10% molasses replacing 5% starch and 5% cellulose (Mol-Starch). Mice were maintained on these diets for 14 weeks and food intake and bodyweights were monitored weekly. At weeks 7 and 14, randomly selected mice were culled and body composition, plasma metabolites and tissue gene expression were measured Findings: Molasses groups gained significantly less bodyweight and had lower body fat. The effects of molasses on body fat content was greater in the Mol-Sugar group. Reduced body fat in the molasses groups were associated with an up-regulation of SIK2 gene expression and a down-regulation of ATF3 gene expression in adipose tissue. Circulating adiponectin levels were also elevated in the molasses groups. Conclusion & Significance: Sugarcane molasses contain anti-obesity compounds and addition of these compounds to sugar containing food products may help prevent the development of obesity.