Work

Hydrogel-Based Finger Foods: Enhancing Nutritional Intake and Swallowing Safety in Older Persons with Dysphagia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Dysphagia is a common problem in older adults, characterized as a swallowing disorder that prevents food from passing from the mouth to the esophagus. Besides impairing dietary intake and leading to malnutrition, dysphagia also severely restricts water intake. PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop polysaccharide-based hydrogels as dysphagia-friendly finger foods designed to provide high water content and enable controlled vitamin delivery to older persons with dysphagia. PROCEDURES: were developed and tested for their textural and rheological properties, vitamin stability during storage, and vitamin release under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Finally, a fiberoptic endoscopic swallowing assessment and sensory evaluation were conducted. MAIN FINDINGS: Increasing the agar concentration in Agar-CMC hydrogels improved their internal structure and handling properties as finger foods, while still being easily breakable during swallowing. Agar-CMC hydrogels' structure protected vitamins during processing and six weeks of storage. Vitamin release started immediately and remained steady in the gastric phase, with a noticeable increase at the beginning of the intestinal phase, resulting in 70-100% vitamin release by the end of this phase. The Fiberoptic Endoscopic Swallowing Evaluation confirmed their suitability for individuals with mild to moderate oropharyngeal dysphagia, with a low risk of aspiration (1 point on the Penetration-Aspiration Scale out of 8). PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: The developed Agar-CMC hydrogels present a promising dysphagia-friendly finger food alternative with high water content. They effectively deliver essential vitamins throughout the gastrointestinal tract, and notably demonstrate a low aspiration risk, making them suitable for individuals with mild to moderate oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Source: Nutrients

DOI: 10.3390/nu17203289

Authors: Enrika Lazickaitė, Milda Keršienė, Viktorija Eisinaitė, Ina Jasutienė, Gytė Damulevičienė, Daiva Leskauskaitė

Institutions: Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics

Language: English

Topic: Dysphagia Assessment and Management

Subfield: Speech and Hearing

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499