Current Nutrition Reports最新文献

Purpose of review: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder with several causal pathways including impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance (IR), compensatory hyperinsulinemia and excess androgens (hyperandrogenism). This heterogeneous condition causes a range of reproductive, metabolic and psychological implications, the severity of which can differ between individuals depending on factors such as age, diet, ethnicity, genetics, medication, contraceptive use, adiposity, and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Recent findings: Dietary interventions that focus on a low glycaemic index and glucose control are an efficient first-line dietary solution for the management of impaired glucose tolerance and IR, which subsequently improves weight management, quality of life and PCOS-related symptoms in individuals with this condition. This review aims to explore the relevance of nutrition and more specifically, the association of glycaemic index and glycaemic load with PCOS, as well as to assess the potential benefits of manipulating those indexes in the dietary approach for this syndrome.

Purpose of review: This systematic review examines the effectiveness of breastfeeding interventions involving fathers, focusing on their impact on exclusive breastfeeding rates and paternal attitudes towards breastfeeding. The study aims to highlight the crucial role of fathers in antenatal breastfeeding promotion programs and their potential to enhance breastfeeding outcomes.

Recent findings: A systematic review was conducted following the 2020 PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, CINAHL, and Medline databases for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies published after December 2017. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Six out of seven studies measuring breastfeeding rates reported a positive association between paternal involvement in breastfeeding education programs and increased exclusive breastfeeding rates. Of the eight studies assessing paternal support and attitudes, six demonstrated that including fathers in interventions improved their support and attitudes towards breastfeeding. However, two studies found no significant effect on paternal support or attitudes. The findings underscore the importance of including fathers in breastfeeding interventions to promote higher rates of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. Paternal involvement generally leads to improved breastfeeding outcomes and fosters supportive family environments. However, some studies reveal nuances in paternal support and attitudes that warrant further investigation. This review highlights the potential of father-inclusive approaches in enhancing breastfeeding practices and suggests the need for continued research to optimize these interventions.

Purpose of the review: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) represent foods that have undergone substantial industrial processing, such as the addition of preservatives and various other ingredients, thereby making them more tasty, appealing and easy to consume. UPFs are often rich in sugars, saturated fats and salt, while they are low in essential nutrients.The aim of this review is to examine the relationship between the widespread consumption of UPFs and the development of obesity among children and adolescents. Our goal is to further elucidate the potentially devastating outcomes of increased consumption of UPFs in children in terms of adipose indices and metabolic features.

Recent findings: The widespread consumption of UPFs in children has been associated with abnormal metabolic parameters, such as increased body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride levels, along with increased fasting plasma glucose and insulin resistance. Factors such as lower family socioeconomic status, lower parental educational status, religious preferences, lower costs and widespread availability of UPFs, as well as extensive advertising, all seem to be involved in a vicious cycle promoting overconsumption of UPFs. As UPFs and childhood obesity are interconnected, it is of the utmost importance to implement potential preventive interventions in order to promote public health and decrease the incidence of the obesity tide among children and adolescents.

Purpose of review: The review aims to address the knowledge gap and promote the widespread adoption of quinoa as a functional food for improving metabolic health. By presenting a comprehensive overview of its nutritional profile and bioactive components, the review aims to increase consumers' awareness of the potential therapeutic benefits of incorporating quinoa into diets.

Recent findings: Recent studies have highlighted the diverse range of bioactive compounds in quinoa, such as phytosterols, saponins, phenolic acids, phytoecdysteroids, and betalains. These compounds exhibit various health-promoting properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and gut microbiota-modulating effects. Furthermore, research indicates that regular quinoa consumption can improve metabolic parameters, including reduced cholesterol levels, blood sugar, fat accumulation, and blood pressure. These findings highlight the potential of quinoa as a dietary tool for preventing and managing metabolic disorders, such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and gut dysbiosis. The article concludes that quinoa has emerged as a promising solution to food security challenges due to its adaptability to diverse environments and rich nutritional profile. However, some findings are not consistent in the mentioned studies, therefore, well-designed cohort randomized clinical trials with diverse populations are needed. While in vivo studies are necessary to elucidate the specific mechanisms behind the potential benefits of quinoa.

Purpose of review: Berries are a great source of fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and beneficial secondary metabolites (polyphenols). Various phytochemicals present in berries (glycosidic-linked flavonoids, anthocyanins, etc.) provide potential health benefits to consumers. Berries are known as high antioxidant food which provides certain cellular and molecular protection thereby lower rates of obesity and chronic disease risk. Molecular-level mechanisms protect a cell, while cellular mechanism considers all molecular units. For example, polyphenols found in blueberries have the potential to significantly reduce adipogenesis. Therefore, in continuation with part I, this review part II summarizes recent updates on the nutritional composition and biological activities of caperberry, chokeberry, cloudberry, cranberry, elderberry, gooseberry, goji berry, and lingonberry.

Recent findings: These berries contain higher amounts of dietary fiber, protein, polyphenols, vitamins, minerals, and lipids. Besides, their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, these berries are reported for eye health, brain health, cardiovascular health, anti-diabetic, etc. The consumption of a summarized group of berries could be more beneficial for eye health, mental health, and metabolic health thereby enhancing the well-being of the consumers.

Objective of the review: Edible mushrooms are found to be foods with high nutritional content, which have been shown to be more widely used ingredients in cooking in traditional dishes. This article explores the rising trend in the use of edible mushrooms in new formulations of functional foods, taking advantage of their properties and benefits in human health.

Recent findings: The use of mushrooms as an ingredient in new or modified food formulations is driven by solid evidence of their nutritional content and bioactivity. Mushrooms stand out for their high biological value and high bioavailability protein content, as well as dietary fiber that promotes improved digestive health. Other micronutrients present are B vitamins and minerals such as selenium, phosphorus and potassium. Mushroom flour has been the prevalent mode of addition to food formulations. This type of format aims to preserve and concentrate the nutritional content of mushrooms and has achieved nutritional enrichment of products. The use of this food has also been explored to improve technological qualities in food development, so it is intended to position itself as a natural additive. This review synthesizes data on the nutritional composition, bioactive properties, and physicochemical attributes of mushrooms, emphasizing their multifaceted contributions to modern food formulations. It advocates for further research to optimize mushroom application in diverse food products and to address practical challenges for seamless integration.

Purpose of review: This review evaluates the therapeutic potential of Ziziphus jujuba and its main components in managing complications of metabolic syndrome, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and hypertension.

Recent findings: The reviewed studies provide evidence supporting the use of Z. jujuba and its main components (lupeol and betulinic acid) as natural treatments for complications of metabolic syndrome. These substances enhance glucose uptake through the activation of signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), reduce hepatic glucose synthesis, and increase glucose uptake by adipocytes and skeletal muscle cells. They also improve insulin sensitivity by modulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and regulating insulin signaling proteins and glucose transporters. In the field of dyslipidemia, they inhibit triglyceride synthesis, lipid accumulation, and adipogenic enzymes, while influencing key signaling pathways involved in adipogenesis. Z. jujuba and its constituents demonstrate anti-adipogenic effects, inhibiting lipid accumulation and modulating adipogenic enzymes and transcription factors. They also exhibit positive effects on endothelial function and vascular health by enhancing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression, NO production, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Z. jujuba, lupeol, and betulinic acid hold promise as natural treatments for complications of metabolic syndrome. They improve glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles while exerting anti-adipogenic effects and enhancing endothelial function. However, further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and confirm their efficacy in clinical trials. These natural compounds offer potential as alternative therapies for metabolic disorders and contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of natural medicines in their management.

Purpose of review: As science and technology continue to evolve, the potential harm of radiation to the human body cannot be overlooked. Radiation has the capacity to inflict cellular and body-wide damage. Polyphenols are a group of naturally occurring compounds that are found in an array of plant foods. Scientific studies have demonstrated that these compounds possess noteworthy anti-radiation efficacy. Furthermore, they have been observed to be less toxic at higher doses. In the present review, we discussed the mechanisms of ionizing radiation damage and the progress in the research on the radiation resistance mechanism of polyphenol compounds, to provide guidance for the prevention and treatment of radiation related diseases.

Recent findings: Food polyphenols can reduce the oxidative damage caused by ionizing radiation, clear free radicals, reduce DNA damage, regulate NF-KB, MAPK, JAK/STAT, Wnt and other signaling pathways, improve immune function, and have significant protective effects on radiation-induced inflammation, fibrosis, cancer and other aspects. In addition, it also has significant dual effects on radiation sensitization and radiation protection. Food polyphenols come from a wide range of sources, are abundant in daily food, and have no toxic side effects, demonstrating that food polyphenols have great advantages in preventing and treating radiation-related diseases.

Purpose of review: This study aims to review the effects of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in regulating the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI).

Recent findings: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a well-known leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Cardiac substrate metabolism plays the determinant role in assessing the severity of heart injury due to the abruptly shifted energy production during the MIRI. Fatty acids are the main energy fuels for the heart, which are classified into long-, medium- and short chain fatty acids by the length of carbon chain. SCFAs are the main metabolites derived from the anaerobic bacterial fermentation of fiber-rich diets, which are shown to play a protective role in cerebrovascular disease previously. Meanwhile, accumulating evidences suggest that SCFAs can also play a crucial role in cardiac energy metabolism. Results of various studies revealed the cardioprotective effects of SCFAs by displaying anti-inflammatory and anti-ferroptotic function, connecting gut-brain neural circuit and regulating the intestinal flora.

Purpose of review: Global food production leads to substantial amounts of agricultural and food waste that contribute to climate change and hinder international efforts to end food insecurity and poverty. Food waste is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, fibers, phenolic compounds, lipids, and bioactive peptides. These compounds can be used to create food products that help reduce heart disease risk and promote sustainability. This review examines the potential cardiovascular benefits of nutrients found in different food waste categories (such as fruits and vegetables, cereal, dairy, meat and poultry, and seafood), focusing on animal and clinical evidence, and giving examples of functional food products in each category.

Recent findings: Current evidence suggests that consuming fruit and vegetable pomace, cereal bran, and whey protein may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in individuals who are at risk. This is due to improved lipid profile, reduced blood pressure and increased flow-mediated dilation, enhanced glucose and insulin regulation, decreased inflammation, as well as reduced platelet aggregation and improved endothelial function. However, the intervention studies are limited, including a low number of participants and of short duration. Food waste has great potential to be utilized as cardioprotective products. Longer-term intervention studies are necessary to substantiate the health claims of food by-products. Technological advances are needed to improve the stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds. Implementing safety assessments and regulatory frameworks for functional food derived from food waste is crucial. This is essential for maximizing the potential of food waste, reducing carbon footprint, and improving human health.