Reduction in Fat Storage in C. elegans Using Protein- and Polyphenol-Rich Hempseed Kombucha

Obesity, a widespread global health challenge, is a condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat that poses significant risks to overall health. It is often associated with a wide range of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Functional foods, particularly those enriched with bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and proteins, hold promise as effective tools for addressing obesity-related issues. Moreover, functional foods can address obesity-related comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, by reducing markers like LDL cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels [1,2]. This study evaluated the anti-obesity effects of hempseed-enriched kombucha (HK) using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. The analysis included the quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the assessment of lipid storage using established staining techniques. First, HK was prepared with a previously developed formula [3] optimized to include hempseeds, and it was fermented for 12 days under controlled conditions until a safe pH (3.5-4.5) was achieved. Antioxidant capacity was analyzed via a 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay (DPPH+), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays, and a C. elegan in vivo assay, while fat storage reduction was assessed using Nile-Red fluorescence microscopy in daf-2 mutants. HK demonstrated significantly higher antioxidant activity (DPPH+ inhibition: 56%) compared to from conventional kombucha (K) (34% inhibition). HK significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in C. elegans, showing lower fluorescence intensity in ROS assays compared to K. HK also reduced fat storage in C. elegans by 80-85%, outperforming K, which achieved a 60-65% reduction compared to glucose controls (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the bioactive components in HK may enhance lipid metabolism through antioxidant mechanisms [4,5]. This research highlights the potential of hempseed-enriched kombucha as a functional beverage for managing obesity while contributing to sustainable health solutions.