European Journal of Nutrition最新文献

Purpose: The aim of the MultiVeg study, a double-blind, randomised controlled trial (RCT), was to investigate the nutritional status of healthy vegans following 4 months of multinutrient supplementation.

Methods: A double-blind, RCT was conducted with 72 vegan adults (19-57 years) in Germany. Data on anthropometric parameters, dietary nutrient intake, and nutritional status were collected. The nutritional status of the participants was assessed at baseline and after 4 months. The results were compared between groups using ANCOVA. The results for vitamins and choline are presented here.

Results: After adjustment for baseline values, age, sex, and multiple testing, no significant between-group differences in biomarker concentration changes from baseline to 4 months were observed for vitamin A, retinol-binding protein, transthyretin, beta-carotene, methylmalonic acid, homocysteine, choline, total osteocalcin, carboxylated and undercarboxylated osteocalcin, and folate. In contrast, significant between-group differences in changes were observed for flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), serum vitamin B₁₂, holotranscobalamin, and the combined vitamin B₁₂ status indicator (cB₁₂) after adjustment.

Conclusion: A multinutrient supplement containing 82 µg of vitamin B₁₂ per day significantly positively affected vitamin B₁₂ blood biomarkers in healthy vegans.

Registration: This study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00028151).

Purpose: The associations between maternal folic acid (FA) supplementation across the perinatal period and childhood cognitive development and behavioral problems remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between maternal FA supplementation throughout the perinatal period and offspring's cognitive function and behavioral problems at age 4.

Methods: Based on the Ma'anshan Birth Cohort Study, pregnant women were recruited at their first antenatal visit from May 2013 to September 2014. Data on maternal FA supplementation before and during pregnancy were collected via questionnaires at up to four time points. At 4 years of age, children's behavioral problems were assessed using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist for ages 1.5-5 (CBCL/1.5-5), with two summary scales analyzed. Cognitive development was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition at 3.0-6.0 years old.

Results: Preconception FA intake was inversely associated with children's cognitive function [visual spatial index (VSI), adjusted regression coefficient (aB) = - 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI)  - 3.75, - 0.36]. Maternal FA supplementation during the second trimester was significantly associated with an increased risk of externalization problems [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.89, 95% CI 1.16, 7.19] and lower cognitive function [working memory index (WMI), aB = - 4.81, 95% CI - 8.66, - 0.96]. Furthermore, sex-specific associations were only observed among boys: preconception FA supplementation was negatively associated with cognitive indice (VSI, aB = - 3.71, 95% CI - 6.23, - 1.19); FA supplementation in the second trimester was significantly associated with an increased risk of externalization problems in boys (aOR = 3.39, 95% CI 1.07, 10.74) and lower cognitive function [fluid reasoning index (FRI), aB = - 6.64, 95% CI - 12.44, - 0.85; WMI, aB = - 6.66, 95% CI - 12.56, - 0.77]. No significant associations were observed in girls.

Conclusion: Among 4-year-old children, particularly boys, maternal FA supplementation during the second trimester was associated with a higher risk of externalizing behavioral problems, while supplementation in both preconception and second trimester were linked to poorer cognitive development. Well-designed, larger-scale studies are needed to validate these findings.

Background: Climate change has revived interest in ancient grains for their sustainability and nutritional value. Less processed and more resilient than modern cereals, they have a lower environmental impact. Grains like Triticum monococcum and Jermano wheat may benefit IBS patients due to their better digestibility. This study explores their use in functional pasta to manage IBS symptoms.

Methods: Forty-two IBS patients followed a 4-week low-FODMAP diet with either traditional gluten-free pasta or functional pasta (FP) made from emmer and rye flour. IBS symptoms were assessed using the IBS-SSS questionnaire at baseline and after intervention. In vitro, functional pasta extract (FPE) was tested on TNF-α-induced Caco-2 and T84 cells to evaluate its effects on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.

Results: Patients consuming FP showed a significant reduction in IBS-SSS scores compared to the control group (- 153 ± 124 vs. - 83 ± 85, p = 0.044). Additionally, 83% of those on FP reported a clinically significant reduction in symptom severity (IBS-SSS score ≥ 100) compared to 35% in the control group (p = 0.004). In Caco-2 and T84 cells, FPE has been shown to downregulate protein expression of the pErk1/2 and NF-κB signaling pathways, thereby reducing inflammatory oxidative stress markers.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that consuming functional pasta made with ancient grains could enhance gut health and alleviate symptoms of IBS by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. This innovative dietary approach offers a promising natural alternative for improving the quality of life in IBS patients.

Trial registration: Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN12170245 Registered 13 june 2025-Retrospectively Registered, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12170245 .

Purpose: Dietary fibers differ in their molecular structure, which influences their breakdown under digestive conditions. This study investigates how fiber molecular structure affects resistance to digestion using in vitro models.

Methods: High-, medium-, and low-molecular-weight (Mw) corn arabinoxylans, resistant maltodextrin, and inulin were characterized by carbohydrate composition following acid hydrolysis and analyzed for sugar release during simulated digestion using the standardized InfoGest protocol and rat small intestinal extract (RSIE).

Results: High-Mw corn arabinoxylan (208.8 kDa) remained largely stable, with minor, non-significant increases in glucose and galactose. Medium- (25.5 kDa) and low-Mw (2.5 kDa) arabinoxylans showed partial hydrolysis, with increases in trisaccharides and maltose and decreases in glucose and arabinose. Resistant maltodextrin (1.9 kDa) displayed significant increases in glucose, trisaccharides, and maltose. Inulin (0.75 kDa) remained mostly intact, with only partial decreases in fructose and sucrose. Sugar release during 4 h of simulated digestion followed these trends: high-Mw arabinoxylan released 11.1 mg/g, medium-Mw released 5.20 mg/g/h, low-Mw released 9.84 mg/g, resistant maltodextrin released 6.83 mg/g/h, and inulin released 59.9 mg/g.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that fiber structural variations critically influence the degree of hydrolysis during digestion and the resulting simple sugar release.