Food & Nutrition Research最新文献

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1080/16546628.2017.1325306.].

Administration of high-dose fermented ginseng powder (2.385 mg/g) resulted in a reduction in body weight and an improvement in blood biochemical parameters in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Significant reductions in lipid droplet size were observed in both liver and epididymal adipose tissues. Western blot analysis showed increased protein levels of PPAR-α, PPAR-γ, and PGC-1 in the HFD + low-dose lyophilized fermented ginseng powder (HDL), HFD + medium-dose lyophilized fermented ginseng powder (HDM), and HFD + high-dose lyophilized fermented ginseng powder (HDH) groups compared to the HD group. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of AMPK (P-AMPK) and ACC (P-ACC) was significantly elevated. Conversely, western blot analysis demonstrated a decrease in the expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in the CG, HDL, HDM, and HDH groups compared to the HD group. Gene expression analysis revealed a downregulation of lipid anabolism-related genes, including SREBP-1c and FAS, along with an upregulation of PPAR-γ and ACOX-1 mRNA levels. Additionally, the expression of inflammation-related genes such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α was reduced. High-dose freeze-dried fermented ginseng powder (2.385 mg/g) significantly influenced lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for the management of dyslipidemia.

Background: Dietary habits throughout life significantly influence health in old age; yet, little is known about the relationship between meal pattern and mortality among older adults.

Objective: This study aimed to prospectively investigate the association between meal pattern variables and 15-year all-cause mortality in a cohort of 70-year-olds from the Gothenburg H70 study, considering relevant covariates.

Design: A total of 551 individuals (321 women and 230 men) were included. Dietary intake was assessed using the diet history method, reflecting intake over the preceding 3 months. Meal patterns were described by the usual daily frequency of main meals, light meals, snacks, beverages, and total intake occasions (IO). Statistical analyses included Cox proportional hazards regression, Student's t-test, and Chi-square test.

Results: Subjects who were deceased at follow-up had a higher prevalence of undernutrition risk indicators (based on low body mass index [BMI], weight/appetite change, and eating difficulties) at baseline compared to those living 15 years later (P = 0.02). In the fully adjusted Cox model, individuals with high total intake frequencies (>5 per day) showed a significantly increased hazard ratio (1.51) for mortality compared to those with medium frequencies. Additionally, medium-high snack frequency (>2-3 snacks/day) was associated with an elevated mortality risk, independent of total energy intake and other covariates.

Discussion: These findings suggest a potential association between frequent daily IO, particularly snacks, and increased mortality risk, which is not fully explained by total energy consumption or other covariates.

Conclusions: The 15-year follow-up provides a long-term view of meal patterns' impact on longevity, indicating that higher daily consumption frequencies may be associated with increased mortality risk between ages 70 and 85. Further research should examine the nutritional composition of various meal patterns to clarify these associations.

Conflict-induced food insecurity has been currently emerging to be a widespread challenge to the decent livelihood of the human population. This study examined conflict-induced food insecurity in conflict-affected areas of the northeastern part of Ethiopia. This study assessed three time periods (pre-conflict, conflict, and post-conflict times) to analyze the impact of conflict on the studied households. Food consumption score and household food insecurity access scale tools were used to measure the food security status of households. Descriptive statistics and independent t-test were used to analyze the data. The major finding confirmed that the food security status of both urban and rural households in the study areas was negatively affected by the conflict. Compared to the pre-conflict period (22.2%), the number of food-insecure households at the time of the conflict was three times higher. Though the food security status of both rural and urban households was affected by the conflict in the area, the effect was much severe for the rural households. The number of food-insecure rural households during the conflict was three times higher than the pre-conflict period. During the conflict, female-headed households (78.3%) were more vulnerable to food insecurity than male-headed households. The independent t-test result confirmed the presence of a difference in food security status between rural and urban households (P > 0.01) and between female- and male-headed households (P > 0.021). Food security status variations were also seen among the study livelihood zones. Households from the north wello east plain livelihood zone suffered a lot (71.3%). The result suggested that any project aiming at improving households' food security in conflict-affected areas should give attention to the provision of food aid, agricultural inputs, credit services, and financial support to the affected community. Restoring peace would rather be the long-lasting solution to minimize the conflict-induced food insecurity in the area.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) involves lipid accumulation in liver without consumption of alcohol and affects many people worldwide. NAFLD is associated with metabolic syndrome disease such as obesity, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. However, there are no pharmacologic therapies for NAFLD. Recently, there are increasing reports that several natural plants can inhibit lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) leaves have been used in traditional medicine for rheumatism, stomach ache, emetic, skin rashes, and earaches. Our objective was to investigate the effect of bay laurel leaves water extract (BLW) on free fatty acid (FFA) treated hepatocyte and high fructose, high fat (HFHF) diet in a mouse model of NAFLD. In vitro, lipid accumulation increased only in the FFA treated group, while BLW reduced lipid accumulation to a level comparable to that only in the FFA treated group. Cellular antioxidants were increased in the BLW compared to the only FFA-treated group, but cellular MDA levels were decreased in the BLW compared to the only FFA treated group. Cellular lipid accumulation, inflammation, and apoptosis were reduced in the BLW compared to the only FFA treated group. In vivo, serum ALT, AST, and GGT levels in the BLW supplementation group were significantly decreased compared with the HFHF group. Hepatic TC, TG, and MDA levels were significantly decreased in the HFHF+100 and HFHF+200 groups compared to the HFHF group. The hepatic antioxidant activities in the BLW supplementation groups were significantly increased compared to the HFHF group. The expression of proteins related to hepatic inflammation and apoptosis was reduced in the BLW supplementation groups compared to the HFHF group. These results suggest that BLW could be potentially useful in the treatment of NAFLD due to its inhibitory effects on hepatic lipogenesis, hepatic inflammation, and hepatic apoptosis.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone erosion, and chronic inflammation. Current treatments primarily focus on symptom relief and have significant side effects, highlighting the need for safer, more effective alternatives. Cissus quadrangularis extract (CQE), containing bioactive flavonoids quercetin and isorhamnetin, has shown potential anti-inflammatory and cartilage-protective properties.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the anti-osteoarthritic effects and mechanisms of action of CQE in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA rat model.

Design: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were induced with OA through intra-articular injection of MIA and treated with CQE at doses of 30, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day. The effects of CQE on knee joint damage, subchondral bone erosion, cartilage structure, proteoglycan content, and the expression of inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were assessed using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), histological staining, immunofluorescence, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: CQE significantly mitigated knee joint damage, reduced subchondral bone erosion, and enhanced bone volume and trabecular structure in MIA-induced OA rats. It also preserved cartilage integrity by maintaining proteoglycan content and the expression of collagen type II alpha 1 (COL2A1) and aggrecan. Moreover, CQE suppressed the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators [inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX)], pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], and MMPs (MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13), indicating strong anti-inflammatory and cartilage-protective effects.

Conclusions: CQE exhibits significant therapeutic potential in managing OA by targeting multiple aspects of disease progression, including inflammation, cartilage degradation, and bone erosion. Further research is needed to explore long-term efficacy, safety, and the molecular mechanisms of CQE, as well as to validate these findings in human clinical trials.

Background: The Nutri-Score is a color-coded front-of-pack nutrition label that classifies foods and beverages from A (higher nutritional quality) to E (lower nutritional quality). The NewTools-score is an adaptation of the Nutri-Score 2023-version, modified to better align with the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations. Validating nutrient profiling models in different countries is crucial for their reliability and effectiveness in promoting healthier food choices and combating non-communicable diseases.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the convergent validity of the Nutri-Score and the NewTools-score by evaluating their agreement with a reference standard based on rankings of foods' healthiness by Norwegian nutrition experts. Additionally, we examined the consistency among these experts in rating foods' healthiness representative of the Norwegian diet.

Design: Between August and December 2023, 29 nutrition experts completed a web-based questionnaire, scoring 100 foods on a scale from 1 (less healthy) to 6 (very healthy) based on the Norwegian food-based dietary guidelines. Agreement among experts was evaluated using descriptive statistics and Cronbach's alpha. We calculated both Nutri-Score and NewTools-score for all 100 foods and assessed their agreement with the reference standard through cross-classification and score distribution analyses.

Results: The nutrition experts exhibited high agreement in their healthiness ratings of foods representative of the Norwegian diet. The Nutri-Score 2023-version showed good agreement with the experts for most foods, although discrepancies were observed for wholegrain and refined grains, fat content in dairy products, certain fish products, and plant-based dairy and meat substitutes. The NewTools-score displayed overall better agreement with the reference standard for several foods and with fewer discrepancies.

Conclusions: Norwegian nutrition experts showed high agreement in rating the healthiness of foods representative of the Norwegian diet. While the Nutri-Score 2023-version aligned well with experts' ratings, the NewTools-score demonstrated better agreement than Nutri-Score in this Norwegian context, despite some remaining discrepancies.

Background: Iodine is crucial for thyroid hormones, normal metabolism, growth and development in the foetal period. Low iodine status in women of childbearing age is particularly worrying since iodine deficiency continues into pregnancy.

Objective: This study aimed to measure iodine status in non-pregnant and pregnant women in Northern Norway and investigate group differences and determinants of urine iodine concentrations (UICs) based on dietary factors and participants' knowledge about iodine.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included pregnant (n = 131) and non-pregnant (n = 493) women from the Northern Norway Mother-and-Child Contaminant Cohort Study 2 study (2017-2021) and the Fit Futures 3 study (2020-2021). UIC was measured in spot urine, and dietary iodine intake was calculated from food frequency questionnaires. Group differences in median UIC were explored using non-parametric tests. Associations between independent variables and median UIC were estimated through quantile regression, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Results: Median UIC was 91 μg/L in non-pregnant and 134 μg/L in pregnant women, thus below the World Health Organization definition of insufficient iodine status of < 100 μg/L and 150 μg/L, respectively. Dairy products and lean fish were the most important dietary iodine sources, but the median estimated intake did not reach the recommended intake. Taking iodine supplements was the strongest determinant of UIC in both groups (P < 0.01), and users had adequate iodine status at a group level. A high proportion of the non-pregnant women (84%) were not taking iodine supplements. Poor knowledge about iodine in the participant groups was observed but was not associated with UIC.

Conclusion: Pregnant and non-pregnant women not using iodine supplements had inadequate iodine status and insufficient iodine intake. Supplement use or interventions at the societal level are essential to ensure adequate status in these vulnerable groups.

Background and aims: There is limited data regarding the vitamin D status of infants and young children in Norway. We aimed to assess vitamin D status among Norwegian children at approximately 6 and 12 months of age and explore associations between child vitamin D status, dietary factors, and maternal vitamin D status.

Methods: Mothers/parents completed a food frequency questionnaire for their 6/12-month-old child. Dried blood spot samples were collected from the mother and child.

Results: The mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) concentration was 81 nmol/L (standard deviation [SD] 22 nmol/L) for 6-month-old children (n = 84) and 72 nmol/L (SD 22 nmol/L) for 12-month-old children (n = 56) (P = 0.03 for difference between age groups). In the younger and older age groups, 94 and 88% of the children, respectively, had a S-25(OH)D concentration ≥ 50 nmol/L. The mean dietary vitamin D intake was 12 μg/day for the 6-month-olds and 14 μg/day for the 12-month-olds. Adjusted linear regression models showed that for every μg/day increase in dietary vitamin D intake, serum 25(OH)D (nmol/L) increased by around one nmol/L for both age groups (P = 0.002 for the younger age group and P = 0.04 for the older age group). Use of vitamin D supplements was associated with higher S-25(OH)D concentrations in both age groups, while a higher S-25(OH)D concentration among formula users was found only in the youngest age group. Breastfeeding was not associated with S-25(OH)D concentration in either age group. Small positive correlations between child and maternal vitamin D status were observed for both the younger (r = 0.22) and the older (r = 0.28) age groups (P = 0.04 for both groups).

Conclusion: While there was a wide range in S-25(OH)D concentrations among children, most were within the sufficient range. Adequate vitamin D intake should be encouraged both in the first and second year of life.

Background: Population adherence to nutrition recommendations measured by dietary surveys is well known, but people's perceptions in adherence to nutrition recommendations are less explored. For macronutrients, nutrition recommendations suggest broad intake ranges.

Objective: To study individuals' perceptions of their macronutrient intakes compared to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and discrepancies between perceived and actual macronutrient intakes.

Design: The ScenoProt trial investigated nutritional and health effects of replacing animal-source proteins with plant-source proteins in Finnish adults (n = 102, 78% women, mean age 47 years). This cross-sectional sub-study utilized data collected at the baseline of the trial. Participants' perceptions of intakes and sources of carbohydrates, fibers, fats, and proteins were collected by a questionnaire developed for the study. Actual macronutrient intakes and sources were assessed with 4-day food records. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between sociodemographic factors and the capacity to self-assess macronutrient intakes relative to the nutrition recommendations.

Results: Discrepancies were found in relative proportions of three categories, below/according to/above the recommendation, between perceived and actual macronutrient intakes regarding the nutrition recommendations. Participants rated themselves rather according to or above than below the recommendation. The most distinct gap was discovered between perceived and actual carbohydrate intakes, for example, proportions of participants being below the recommendation: 8% measured as perceived intake; 70% measured as actual mean intake. Gaps were also observed for fat and protein. Cereals were one of the most common protein sources but only 8% of the participants named them. No associations emerged between age, gender, or education (46% with a master's degree or higher) and the capacity to self-assess macronutrient intakes.

Discussion & conclusions: Our study suggests that self-assessment of macronutrient intakes is challenging. Misperceptions can be obstacles in shifting to healthier and more sustainable diets. Interpretation of nutrition recommendations to the public could still be improved.