Coronel Oviedo

Researchers are evaluating the effect of a mango and chia-based beverage on the gut microbiota in 100 Paraguayan children aged 8 to 16 years who have obesity. The study aims to characterize the gut bacteria of these children for the first time and to explore whether this special beverage can positively change the intestinal bacteria as a way to help address childhood obesity, which affects one in three school-age children in Paraguay. Participants will be randomly assigned to consume either a mango juice drink or a mango and chia juice drink. Each beverage will be taken for 6 weeks at a dose of 200 ml daily, five days a week. The study compares these two interventions to see how they influence gut bacteria. During the study, fecal samples will be collected before and after the 6-week beverage consumption period to analyze changes in microbiota using 16S rRNA sequencing. Researchers will monitor gut bacteria changes over this time. The total participation time is 6 weeks, during which children's intestinal bacteria and any changes will be carefully tracked and studied.

Researchers are evaluating how the harvest time of Ilex paraguariensis, commonly known as yerba mate, and the way it is consumed (mate, tereré, or both) affects the lipid profiles of regular consumers in the Department of Caaguazú, Paraguay. Yerba mate contains bioactive compounds like polyphenols, xanthines, and saponins, and this study aims to understand how these factors influence dyslipidemias. This is a triple-blind randomized clinical trial involving participants who regularly consume yerba mate, focusing on the differences between yerba mate harvested at the beginning versus the end of the harvest period.