International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition最新文献

Aging can reduce learning and memory abilities. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of Bifidobacterium breve 05 (B. breve 05), isolated from human breast milk, in a D-galactose-induced cognitive impairment model in C57BL/6 mice. B. breve 05 markedly improved spatial learning, memory, and behavioural performance. Mechanistically, it balanced gut immune responses by modulating pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, suppressing NF-κB activation and CD11c⁺ cells. The strain reshaped gut microbiota by inhibiting Allobaculum and enriching beneficial genera (Alistipes and Kineothrix), elevated serum serotonin, GABA, and dopamine, and restored acetylcholine homeostasis via reduced acetylcholinesterase activity. In the hippocampus, treatment with B. breve 05 enhanced NeuN⁺ neurons and BDNF expression, while reducing LPS, amyloid-β, and Iba-1⁺ microglia activation. Collectively, B. breve 05 confers neuroprotection by modulating the microbiota-gut-brain axis and represents a promising probiotic for mitigating stress-related cognitive and behavioural impairments.

Nutrition impacts the health and well-being of the population, while food insecurity (FI) is a critical driver of malnutrition. This nationwide survey (self-reported questionnaire) explores the understanding and perceptions of food security (FS) in Greece. Outcomes from 1109 individuals (women: 56.7%, age: 35 ± 16 years) demonstrated 54.6% awareness of the quantitative and qualitative aspects of FS. 1 in 4 respondents were uncertain if adequate food access, regardless of quality, is sufficient to establish household FS and 13% acknowledged hunger as a sign of FI. The primary barriers and facilitators to FS identified were food prices and inflation (≈60%), sustainable agricultural practices and fostering local food production and consumption. Participants (>50%) were unsure whether individual dietary changes, (reducing meat and increasing plant-based foods) were beneficial. The multidimensional crisis in Europe poses significant risks to Greece's FS, underscoring the need for tailored, multi-level policies and practices at individual and community levels.

Ulcerative colitis is an idiopathic, chronic inflammatory disease affecting the mucosa of the rectum and colon to a variable extent. Current therapeutic strategies demonstrate only moderate efficacy, highlighting the unmet need to develop new therapies that induce and maintain remission. Encouraging results have been obtained from pre-clinical studies and a few clinical trials using natural polyphenols for ulcerative colitis treatment. In this review, we mainly examine the available evidence from both in vivo and limited clinical studies supporting the therapeutic potential of natural polyphenols on ulcerative colitis and discuss their possible mechanisms of action. Notably, the gut microbiota emerges as a particularly attractive target of natural polyphenols in ulcerative colitis therapy. In conclusion, natural polyphenols show promise as therapeutic candidates for ulcerative colitis through multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress, modulation of intestinal microbiota, immune response, autophagy, and enhancement of intestinal barrier function.

Internationalising university students has become increasingly common due to globalisation. Dietary acculturation involves adapting to new ingredients, foods, and eating habits. This adaptation can have positive and negative effects on health, depending on the host and home countries dietary. This study aims to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD), nutritional status, and physical activity levels among international students before and after a nutritional intervention. 23 students will participate in a six-month food education program. During three in-person sessions, assessments will include body composition, dietary intake, physical activity, sleep habits, physical and mental well-being, adherence to the MD, and orthorexia or disordered eating symptoms. Differences at three follow-up points will be analysed using ANOVA for repeated measures or the Friedman test, with significance set at 0.05. Assessing dietary acculturation levels can help tailor nutritional education strategies to improve healthy habits and nutritional status, potentially reducing chronic diseases risk.

Trial registration: NCT06474936.

Global vitamin D deficiency drives the need for fortification. This study explored vitamin D-fortified products launched 2019-2023 using Mintel's Global New Product Database. From 18,923 products identified, data on vitamin D content (µg/100g/ml) and product details (e.g. category/year/region) were extracted. Product launches increased over time, with +178% reported in 2020 vs 2019. Most were introduced in Asia and Europe (∼60%), with a ∼3.5-fold higher vitamin D in those launched in Asia vs Europe (11.3 ± 161.0 vs 3.3 ± 5.3 µg/100g, p < 0.001). "Dairy/dairy alternatives" were the most common fortification vehicle, but with relatively low levels of vitamin D. "Foods high in sugar/fat" and "hot beverages" had the highest levels. Most did not specify the use of vitamin D2/D3, and few used health claims. Global inconsistencies observed in vitamin D fortification supports the need for regional-specific guidance that is cognisant of the population's vitamin D-need and dietary patterns, to help consumers meet vitamin D requirements.

Fructooligosaccharides, a prebiotic oligosaccharide, are gaining attention for their beneficial effects on immune health. These benefits are often linked to their ability to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which produce metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids with immunomodulatory properties. In addition, FOS may have direct immunomodulatory roles by interacting with carbohydrate-binding receptors on epithelial and immune cells, including monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. These interactions can initiate distinct downstream responses, such as suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production,and inducing immune tolerance. In this review, we will discuss recent findings on the mechanisms of immune modulation following FOS supplementation and their potential applications in various disease settings. Additionally, we aim to present current evidence supporting the direct immunomodulatory effects of FOS on immune and epithelial cells. Finally, we will identify existing knowledge gaps and propose future research directions to advance our understanding of FOS in immune health.

Nutrient profiling systems (NPSs) are widely used to guide public health policies. However, the urgent threat posed to human life by climate change highlights the need to expand the concept of healthy diets to include sustainability. Thus, this study aimed at developing an NPS that integrates nutritional quality, sustainability and food processing by creating a machine learning (ML)-based artificial neural network. ML-based NPSs showed strong Spearman's correlations with established healthy and sustainable diets (Mediterranean diet: rho = 0.891, p < 0.001; Eat-Lancet reference diet: rho = 0.783, p < 0.001), as well as a composite environmental sustainability index (rho = 0.710, p < 0.001). In contrast, ML-based NPSs showed weak correlations with NOVA classification, revealing an inverse relationship between the Sustainability Index and NOVA. These findings suggest that deep learning methods can effectively balance multiple dimensions in NPS design. In conclusion, the proposed method can classify any food product and offer guidance on appropriate consumption frequencies to consumers, promoting healthier and more sustainable diets.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and frailty share pathophysiological processes and are leading causes of disability in the geriatric population; however, effective interventions remain elusive. To investigate the effects of resveratrol, on knee OA and frailty, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial was conducted over 16 weeks in patients with knee OA. 123 patients aged 63-75 years were randomised into placebo (n = 64) and resveratrol (500 mg/d; n = 59) groups. Outcome variables assessed at baseline and 16 weeks included OA evaluation using the Oxford knee score (OKS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index, knee flexion range-of-motion (ROM), and gait speed; frailty using Fried's scale; handgrip strength (HGS); and plasma SIRT1. Resveratrol reduced frailty, pain during walking, and WOMAC scores, and improved OKS and HGS (all p < 0.05), without affecting ROM or gait speed. Patients receiving resveratrol had higher SIRT1 levels associated with frailty scores. Increased SIRT1 is linked to improved OA symptoms and reduced severity.

Front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) facilitates informed nutritional choices and helps reduce non-communicable disease risk. This study investigated FOPL awareness, comprehension and attitudes among Maltese adults. An anonymous online survey was distributed through social media to collect demographic data and assess familiarity with FOPL, Nutri-Score, and Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA). Statistical analyses examined associations between demographics and FOPL engagement. Results from 600 respondents revealed that 62.17% did not read FOPL during grocery shopping. Females and those with higher education were more likely to review nutrition information and be familiar with GDA. While 85.83% recognised the importance of FOPL, fewer than half found it easy to understand. Participants generally demonstrated good understanding of the Nutri-Score system and were primarily concerned with calorie and fat content when reading GDA labels. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health efforts to improve FOPL literacy, supporting more informed dietary decisions and better health outcomes.

Recent studies highlight an increasing deviation from the Mediterranean Diet and Italian Dietary Guidelines (IDGs) among Italians. This study assessed food consumption in 2,974 Italian adults from the ARIANNA cross-sectional survey, comparing it with Mediterranean Diet Serving Score and IDGs recommendations. Associations between sample characteristics and consumption frequencies, also considered as according/not according to IDGs, were assessed using chi-square test and univariable ordered logistic regression models. Over half of participants failed to meet IDGs for fruit (74.84%), vegetables (78.80%), and eggs (54.50%), while exceeding that for sweets (87.67%) and alcoholic beverages (54.10%). Male sex, older age, higher education, full-time employment, higher income, and lower physical activity were linked to lower compliance. Higher physical activity levels correlated positively with adherence to most IDGs. Findings emphasize the need for further studies to target appropriate intervention strategies at population level and for specific foods, support IDGs refinement, and facilitate participation in international comparisons.