Current Developments in Nutrition最新文献

{"title":"Estimating the Number of People Eating Biofortified Foods On-Farm and from Markets: a Detailed Methodology and Tool","authors":"Richard Alioma ,&nbsp;Rita Wegmüller ,&nbsp;Bho Mudyahoto ,&nbsp;James P Wirth ,&nbsp;Wolfgang Pfeiffer ,&nbsp;Munawar Hussain ,&nbsp;Erick Boy","doi":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107653","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107653","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Biofortification is a cost-effective and scalable approach to reducing micronutrient deficiencies. Currently, there are scant data detailing the number (reach) and proportion (coverage) of individuals consuming biofortified foods, which is a key limitation for policymakers.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to develop a method to estimate the reach and coverage of biofortified foods using primary and secondary data sources.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We used data from 2023 to estimate the reach and coverage of zinc biofortified rice in Bangladesh and wheat in Pakistan, and vitamin A maize and cassava in Nigeria. Our calculation is divided into 5 phases: <em>1</em>) seed availability, <em>2</em>) agricultural production, <em>3</em>) on-farm consumption, <em>4</em>) off-farm consumption, and <em>5</em>) overall national level reach and coverage. Phase 4 includes 2 consumption scenarios: full replacement and half replacement, where biofortified foods, respectively, account for 100% or 50% of the food crop per capita consumption.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In 2023, ∼13–16 million people (8%–9% of the population) consumed biofortified rice in Bangladesh. In Pakistan, between 97 and 173 million people consumed biofortified wheat (39%–70% of the population). In Nigeria, biofortified maize was consumed by 42–66 million people (18%–29% of the population) and biofortified cassava by 25–38 million people (11%–17% of the population).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our method estimates on-farm and off-farm reach and the reach/coverage of biofortified foods with visible and invisible traits. Because there is insufficient primary or secondary data describing the intake of biofortified foods, we estimated a range for off-farm reach. We estimate that in 2023, between 177 and 293 million people consumed the 4 biofortified crops explored in this analysis. This approach can be used to estimate the reach and coverage of other biofortified crops in other countries. More information about the consumption of these foods is usually needed to improve the accuracy of national reach and coverage estimates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10756,"journal":{"name":"Current Developments in Nutrition","volume":"10 3","pages":"Article 107653"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147410932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Drying Duration on the Bioactive Profile of Black Garlic and Its Utilization in Functional Herbal Tea","authors":"Efri Mardawati,&nbsp;Keisha Effia Putri,&nbsp;Jihan Ardhanariswari,&nbsp;Cahyani Rizki Sendi,&nbsp;Selly Harnesa Putri,&nbsp;Totok Pujianto,&nbsp;Aisyah Hanifah,&nbsp;Awaly Ilham Dewantoro","doi":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107659","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107659","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The increasing demand for functional foods has stimulated interest in black garlic (BG), a thermally processed garlic product known for its antioxidant potential.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the effect of drying duration on the physicochemical properties and bioactive stability of BG powder and its application in herbal tea formulations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Single- and multi-clove BG samples were dried at 80°C for durations between 5 and 20 h and analyzed for moisture, ash, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Drying duration significantly affected all parameters, with single-clove BG dried for 5 h showing optimal quality and the strongest antioxidant activity. This powder was further applied to herbal tea formulations containing roselle and ginger. The formulation ratio of 2:3:2 produced the highest antioxidant activity.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These results emphasize the importance of controlled drying to preserve BG bioactivity and support its use in antioxidant-rich herbal beverages.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10756,"journal":{"name":"Current Developments in Nutrition","volume":"10 3","pages":"Article 107659"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147449703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Healthcare Providers' Perceptions and Experiences of Prenatal Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation-A Qualitative Study in Botswana.","authors":"Letumile Moeng, Poloko Kebaabetswe, Modiegi Diseko, Rebecca Zash, Gloria Mayondi, Judith Mabuta, Mompati Mmalane, Joseph Makhema, Shahin Lockman, Elizabeth Lowenthal, Roger Shapiro, Ellen C Caniglia","doi":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107660","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107660","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The World Health Organization recommends daily iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation during pregnancy to prevent maternal anemia and adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth. However, uptake of IFA has varied substantially in low- and middle-income countries due to issues regarding supply, knowledge, access to health services, and acceptability. In Botswana, nearly one-third of pregnant women do not receive IFA. <b>Objectives:</b> To assess knowledge of IFA supplementation, supplement availability, and barriers and facilitators to preconception and antenatal supplementation in Botswana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted qualitative interviews with 2 key stakeholder groups at 2 different levels: the individual level (pregnant women) and the service delivery level (healthcare providers). In this study, we present results from 16 interviews with healthcare providers at 2 representative antenatal clinic sites in Botswana in 2022-8 nurse/midwives, 4 pharmacists, 2 dieticians, and 2 Ministry of Health sexual and reproductive health officials.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Healthcare providers were knowledgeable about the benefits of IFA supplementation and prescribed supplements when available. Several key barriers were identified: lack of availability of supplements due to frequent and long-lasting stockouts, late antenatal care registration, nonadherence and side effects, costs, and cultural and traditional beliefs. Healthcare providers indicated that foods rich in IFA were available and that fortification of staple foods with IFA would be feasible and acceptable.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study identified an urgent need to increase the availability of IFA supplementation at antenatal clinics, with the ultimate goal of improving maternal and infant outcomes. In addition, addressing patient concerns around side effects and providing foods fortified with IFA to pregnant women could improve maternal and infant health.</p>","PeriodicalId":10756,"journal":{"name":"Current Developments in Nutrition","volume":"10 3","pages":"107660"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12991837/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147472973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validity of the Diet Quality Questionnaire Compared with Observed Intake for Estimating Population-Level Diet Quality in Rwandan Adults","authors":"Betül TM Uyar ,&nbsp;Inge D Brouwer ,&nbsp;Anna W Herforth ,&nbsp;Rhys Manners ,&nbsp;Maria Giovanna Delfine ,&nbsp;Rosil Hesen ,&nbsp;Karin J Borgonjen-van den Berg ,&nbsp;Edith JM Feskens ,&nbsp;Elise F Talsma","doi":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The diet quality questionnaire (DQQ) is a standardized low-burden tool for collecting data on minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W) and other population-level diet quality indicators related to risk of noncommunicable disease (NCD). Although 24-h recalls (24hRs) are often used for evaluating validity of DQQ, they may underestimate consumption of specific food groups. Therefore, comparison with observed weighed food records (OWFR), can provide a more accurate assessment of DQQ criterion validity.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of this study is to evaluate criterion validity of DQQ for estimating population-level diet quality using OWFR and 24hR as reference methods.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Cross-sectional data were collected among 281 Rwandan adults (Musanze district), using OWFR, DQQ, and 24hR on the same day. Diet quality indicators derived from each method were compared using parametric and nonparametric methods and the method of triads, which calculates pairwise validity coefficients to evaluate accuracy (low: &lt;0.30; moderate: 0.30–0.70; high &gt;0.70).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Mean percent agreement in food group consumption data was high: 93% (DQQ-OWFR; DQQ-24hR). Compared with OWFR, DQQ overestimated MDD-W-prevalence [DQQ: 46.0% compared with OWFR: 40.4%; +6 percentage points (pp), <em>P</em> &gt; 0.05], whereas using 24hR, the MDD-W-prevalence was 29.8% (16.2 pp &lt; DQQ, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05, and 10.6 pp &lt; OWFR, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.05). Compared with OWFR, mean scores of food group diversity score (FGDS) and NCD-Protect were 0.2 (ns) and 0.2 (<em>P</em> = 0.01) points higher by DQQ, respectively, and 0.4 (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) points higher by DQQ compared with 24hR. NCD-Risk median scores were 0 across methods. For DQQ, validity coefficients were 0.70 (FGDS), 0.67 (NCD-Protect), and 0.66 (NCD-Risk), compared with 0.93, 0.89, and 0.59 for OWFR, respectively, and 0.84, 0.83, and 0.98 for 24hR, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The DQQ showed high agreement with OWFR and 24hR for collecting population-level food group consumption data, and slight overestimations of diet quality indicator scores compared with observed intakes. DQQ is a valid and practical method for collecting population-level food group consumption data and estimating diet quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10756,"journal":{"name":"Current Developments in Nutrition","volume":"10 2","pages":"Article 107628"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146075383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vitamin D Supplementation for Steatotic Liver Disease: an Updated Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Randomized and Nonrandomized Interventional Studies","authors":"Ehsaneh Taheri ,&nbsp;Shirin Esmaeili ,&nbsp;Fatemeh Jodeiri ,&nbsp;Nastaran Babajani ,&nbsp;Erfan Shahir-Roudi ,&nbsp;Armita Mahdavi-Gorabi ,&nbsp;Zahra Nouri Ghonbalani ,&nbsp;Kiavash Semnani ,&nbsp;Mostafa Qorbani","doi":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is among the leading causes of chronic liver disease, with few approved treatment options. Vitamin D supplementation has been proposed as a safe and efficacious supplement intervention for MASLD. The current study aimed to systematically evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation in any preparation on hepatic (histological, radiological, and biomarker) and metabolic parameters (glucose regulation, lipid profile, and indices of obesity) in patients diagnosed with steatotic liver disease. These effects were compared with patient baseline and/or placebo response, where available. MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, <span><span>clinicaltrials.gov</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>, and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were systematically searched for relevant randomized or nonrandomized studies of intervention. Screening and data extraction were completed by independent pairs of reviewers. Effects were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. One-stage dose–response analysis was performed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl transferase. The effect of baseline vitamin D, ALT, body mass index, and vitamin D response on treatment response was explored via metaregression. Treatment efficacy was evaluated in subgroup analyses according to patient and intervention characteristics. A total of 28 studies (21 randomized controlled trials) were analyzed. Statistically significant improvements were noted in FibroScan parameters, liver enzymes, insulin resistance, serum triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein. However, the magnitude of effect regarding these improvements was smaller than thresholds for clinical benefit, and analyses demonstrated inconsistencies. Subgroup analyses failed to identify a specific subset of patients with MASLD benefiting from supplementation. Vitamin D supplementation was safe and well-tolerated, but no meaningful clinical benefit was identified for hepatic or metabolic parameters of interest in MASLD.</div><div>This trial was registered at PROSPERO as CRD420251125809.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10756,"journal":{"name":"Current Developments in Nutrition","volume":"10 2","pages":"Article 107631"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146075384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Maternal Prenatal Psychosocial Stress in Relation to Maternal and Neonatal Anemia","authors":"Rebecca Kramer Campbell ,&nbsp;Konstantina Tsintsifas ,&nbsp;Jessica Britt ,&nbsp;Andrew Franklin ,&nbsp;Gregory E Miller ,&nbsp;Lauren Keenan-Devlin ,&nbsp;Ann Borders ,&nbsp;Amy Crockett","doi":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107639","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107639","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Maternal prenatal psychosocial stress and iron deficiency are both common, and each may affect fetal iron stores and subsequent offspring neurodevelopment. The extent to which psychosocial stress affects maternal iron status and maternal-fetal iron regulation is not known.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To assess <em>1</em>) associations of prenatal stress and mental health with maternal anemia and neonatal hemoglobin (Hb), and <em>2</em>) the extent to which prenatal stressors modify maternal anemia–neonatal Hb associations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Observational data from participants enrolled in a randomized prenatal care trial were used. Prenatal distress, perceived stress, life stressors, and depression symptoms were assessed with validated questionnaires in the second (T2) and third trimesters (T3). T2 and T3 anemia (Hb &lt;10.5 and 11 g/dL, respectively) and neonatal Hb were abstracted from participants’ electronic health records. Adjusted log Poisson and linear regression models were fit. Effect measure modification was examined with stratified regression models and product terms.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Hb was available for 1263 participants in T2, 1707 in T3, and 427 neonates &lt;7 d old. Anemia prevalence was 27% in T2 and 51% in T3. Prenatal stressors were associated with higher rates of T3 but not T2 anemia: in models adjusted for the other stress exposures and covariates, T3 anemia was associated with perceived stress [prevalence ratio (PR): 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00,1.04] and 1–2 and ≥3 life stressors compared with none (PR:1.12; 95% CI 1.02, 1.26 and PR:1.2; 95% CI 1.02,1.41). Infants of mothers with T2 anemia had lower neonatal Hb (median: 16.6 g/dL, IQR: 15.3–18.5 compared with 17.2, 15.8–18.8; <em>P</em> = 0.077). Prenatal stressors were not associated with neonatal Hb, nor did they modify the relationship between maternal anemia and neonatal Hb.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In this sample, maternal T3 anemia was sensitive to maternal stressors, whereas T2 anemia and neonatal Hb were not. Highly stress-exposed pregnancies may require additional monitoring and intervention for anemia to protect maternal and infant health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10756,"journal":{"name":"Current Developments in Nutrition","volume":"10 2","pages":"Article 107639"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146184923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"With Appreciation","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107620","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10756,"journal":{"name":"Current Developments in Nutrition","volume":"10 2","pages":"Article 107620"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147398915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Foods Fortified with Soybean or Palm Oil Show No Effect on Inflammation or Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in Adults with Overweight or Obesity: a Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial","authors":"Cheng-Tse Yang ,&nbsp;Rachel M Cole ,&nbsp;Eric Colombo ,&nbsp;Austin Angelotti ,&nbsp;Andy Ni ,&nbsp;Martha A Belury","doi":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Popular and social media outlets have recent posts claiming that vegetable and seed oils high in linoleic acid (LA) cause inflammation and oxidative stress. However, substantial evidence in the scientific literature shows LA biomarkers are associated with lower risks for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and systemic inflammation.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of dietary fortification with soybean oil (high in LA) compared with palm oil on markers of systemic inflammation and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in healthy overweight adult participants.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This double-masked crossover clinical trial consisted of 2 diet periods where adults with overweight or obesity were randomly assigned to receive 3 study foods delivering 30 g oil/d of either soybean or palm oil for 4-wk periods. During a 2-wk wash-out period, participants refrained from consuming study foods. Erythrocyte and plasma fatty acid composition, blood biomarkers of systemic inflammation and oxLDL, desaturase indices, and body weights were measured at each study visit.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After 4 wk of consuming 30 g/d of soybean or palm oil snacks, most inflammatory markers and oxLDL remained unchanged. However, interleukin-6 showed a trend toward reduction in the soybean oil group (<em>P</em> = 0.09). Fatty acid analysis revealed that C20:4n–6 (arachidonic acid) significantly decreased in erythrocytes after soybean oil intake (<em>P</em> = 0.0234), suggesting altered n<strong>–</strong>6 fatty acid metabolism through δ-6 and δ-5 desaturases. There were no lingering treatment effects during the 2-week washout period between diet periods 1 and 2.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Incorporating study foods containing 30 g oil/d of soybean or palm oil had no significant impact on inflammatory markers, suggesting that higher LA intake is not proinflammatory as is stated in popular media outlets. In addition, a two week washout period may be sufficient for dietary oil interventions in crossover study designs.</div><div>This trial was registered at <span><span>clinicaltrials.gov</span><svg><path></path></svg></span> as NCT04975763.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10756,"journal":{"name":"Current Developments in Nutrition","volume":"10 2","pages":"Article 107635"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146184920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bioactive Metabolites from Lactobacillus acidophilus-Fermented Products Mitigate Carbon Tetrachloride–Induced Liver Injury: Biochemical and In Silico Insights","authors":"Md Shariful Islam ,&nbsp;Md Monirul Islam ,&nbsp;Abu Amer Hisham ,&nbsp;SM Tanjil Shah ,&nbsp;Md Arafat Al Mamun ,&nbsp;Mohammad Salim Hossain","doi":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107648","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2026.107648","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Fermented products derived from <em>Lactobacillus</em> have demonstrated therapeutic potential in the management of metabolic disorders, particularly liver diseases.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of <em>Lactobacillus</em>-fermented products in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced murine model of liver damage, with a focus on analyzing the influence of bioactive compounds on key liver function biomarkers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Two <em>Lactobacillus</em> strains (<em>Lactobacillus acidophilus</em> LB-CARS1 and <em>L. acidophilus</em> ST-CARS2) were isolated from commercial yogurts, and milk was fermented using each strain. A total of 40 male Swiss Albino mice were allocated into 5 experimental groups: control, CCl₄-only, CCl₄ + silymarin, and 2 treatment groups receiving CCl₄ plus 1 of the 2 lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-fermented products. After 6 wk, serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, and creatinine were measured. A protein-protein network was constructed using the proteins responsible for hepatoprotection. The cellular pathways of these proteins were also visualized by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. Molecular docking was performed to assess interactions between identified bioactive compounds and target proteins (superoxide dismutase, catalase, transforming growth factor-β 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-<em>α</em>).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Treatment with LAB-fermented products significantly reduced (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) serum AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, and creatinine concentrations in the CCl₄-treated mice. The 2 products reduced the liver enzymes, though their intensity was different. The interactive pathways of the protein network revealed the most common genes responsible for hepatoprotective activity. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between bioactive compounds and proteins related to inflammation and oxidation. Furthermore, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity analysis suggested the potential drug candidates among the docked compounds.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The results indicate that LAB-fermented products contain bioactive compounds capable of attenuating liver injury, likely through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms, highlighting their potential as functional food interventions in hepatoprotection.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10756,"journal":{"name":"Current Developments in Nutrition","volume":"10 2","pages":"Article 107648"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146184925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experience and Acceptability of a Reduced-Energy Whole-Diet Intervention in Women with Gestational Diabetes: a Qualitative Study of the Dietary Intervention in Gestational Diabetes Trial","authors":"Laura C Kusinski ,&nbsp;Sarah Dib ,&nbsp;Suzanne Smith ,&nbsp;Danielle L Jones ,&nbsp;Amy L Ahern ,&nbsp;Claire L Meek","doi":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.107633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is rising in prevalence in many countries worldwide. Although dietary modifications are the first-line treatment for GDM, it is unclear which specific dietary approaches are most effective to improve maternal and offspring outcomes while reducing further maternal weight gain. We recently demonstrated benefits of an energy-restricted diet with modest weight loss in women with GDM.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>We aimed to investigate the acceptability of an energy-restricted whole-diet intervention in women with GDM with a BMI ≥25 kg/m², in a free-living environment, and to examine potential barriers and enablers of implementation of such a diet into standard clinical care.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This qualitative research study used semistructured interviews with 20 participants in the Dietary Intervention in Gestational Diabetes trial, in which women with GDM were randomized to a whole-diet intervention containing 1200 or 2000 kcal/d. We used reflexive thematic analysis to explore participants’ experiences of the study diet and GDM.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We identified 6 key themes in participants’ experience: emotional and cognitive burden of managing GDM, convenience of meal delivery, support and reassurance, hunger and appetite differences, health impacts for intervention engagement, and research participation for awareness and impact. Facilitators of study participation included support, motivation, convenience, and not wanting to be medicated. Barriers to participation were the social aspects of eating food, inconvenience, and uncertainty about the validity of dietary interventions. It was identified that participants frequently overlooked their physical health and weight management during pregnancy, despite how crucial these factors are for both maternal and infant well-being.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Pregnant women with GDM found an energy-restricted diet to be acceptable and beneficial to emotional and physical health, especially when support is provided by healthcare professionals. The convenience of meal delivery and the motivations to avoid medication use in pregnancy facilitated engagement with the intervention.</div><div>This trial was registered at ISRCTN registry as ISRCTN 65152174 (<span><span>https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN65152174</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10756,"journal":{"name":"Current Developments in Nutrition","volume":"10 2","pages":"Article 107633"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146075382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}