Pulses are a rich dietary source of polyphenols, compounds increasingly known for their role in disease prevention and overall health. Recent advances show that fermentation can not only improve the bioavailability of pulse polyphenols but can also generate new metabolites. This review explores how these fermentation-driven molecular transformations enhance the anticancer effect of pulse polyphenol, highlighting newly identified microbial metabolite pathways. We also describe how fermented polyphenols interact with the gut microbiome, influencing pathways linked to cancer. Looking ahead, precision fermentation and multiomics profiling promise to accelerate the development of next-generation functional foods and support cancer therapeutics, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and clinical application.
{"title":"Fermentation Alters the Anticancer Properties of Dietary Polyphenols in Pulses","authors":"Amber Rizwan , Shazia Karim , Insha Lateif Andrabi , Moisza Mushtaq , Humaira Farooqi","doi":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pulses are a rich dietary source of polyphenols, compounds increasingly known for their role in disease prevention and overall health. Recent advances show that fermentation can not only improve the bioavailability of pulse polyphenols but can also generate new metabolites. This review explores how these fermentation-driven molecular transformations enhance the anticancer effect of pulse polyphenol, highlighting newly identified microbial metabolite pathways. We also describe how fermented polyphenols interact with the gut microbiome, influencing pathways linked to cancer. Looking ahead, precision fermentation and multiomics profiling promise to accelerate the development of next-generation functional foods and support cancer therapeutics, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and clinical application.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16620,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition","volume":"156 1","pages":"Article 101254"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145677720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.005
Jean M Kerver
{"title":"Keep the Focus on the Food","authors":"Jean M Kerver","doi":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.005","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16620,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition","volume":"156 1","pages":"Article 101235"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145505118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.017
Soichiro Sato , Tatsuya Hattori , Ryo Sakiyama , Mayu Nakatsuka , Manabu Nakano , Miyuki Tanaka , Naoki Sakane
Background
As health issues associated with obesity typically develop or worsen owing to increases in body weight and visceral fat, weight loss is important to prevent severe obesity.
Objectives
This clinical trial evaluated the effects of a whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) on obesity-related parameters, including body composition and waist circumference. The effects on mood state were also assessed exploratively.
Methods
The participants included 181 healthy adults with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 25 kg/m2 and < 30 kg/m2 who were assigned to the active or placebo groups. The active food was a powder that contained 1.0 g of WPH (MWPH; WPH containing 0.1% functional tetrapeptide Leu-Asp-Gln-Trp) and the placebo was a powder containing no MWPH. The participants consumed the active or placebo foods for 12 wk. Primary outcome was BMI. Secondary and exploratory outcomes were other obesity-related parameters, fatigue, and mood state.
Results
No statistically significant decrease in BMI, the primary outcome, was observed at the end of this period. Regarding secondary and exploratory outcomes, waist circumference significantly decreased in the active group compared with the placebo group at 8 and 12 wk. Furthermore, significant improvements in profile of mood states second edition scores including total mood disturbance and fatigue-inertia scores were observed in the active group compared with the placebo group between baseline and 12 wk. No significant differences between the groups were observed for the other outcomes.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that the continuous intake of MWPH may help reduce waist circumference and improve mood state.
This trial was registered at the UMIN-CTR as UMIN000047856.
{"title":"Leu-Asp-Gln-Trp-Rich Whey Protein Hydrolysate Shows the Reduction in Waist Circumference and Improvement of Mood in Healthy Overweight Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study","authors":"Soichiro Sato , Tatsuya Hattori , Ryo Sakiyama , Mayu Nakatsuka , Manabu Nakano , Miyuki Tanaka , Naoki Sakane","doi":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>As health issues associated with obesity typically develop or worsen owing to increases in body weight and visceral fat, weight loss is important to prevent severe obesity.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This clinical trial evaluated the effects of a whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) on obesity-related parameters, including body composition and waist circumference. The effects on mood state were also assessed exploratively.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The participants included 181 healthy adults with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 25 kg/m<sup>2</sup> and < 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup> who were assigned to the active or placebo groups. The active food was a powder that contained 1.0 g of WPH (MWPH; WPH containing 0.1% functional tetrapeptide Leu-Asp-Gln-Trp) and the placebo was a powder containing no MWPH. The participants consumed the active or placebo foods for 12 wk. Primary outcome was BMI. Secondary and exploratory outcomes were other obesity-related parameters, fatigue, and mood state.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>No statistically significant decrease in BMI, the primary outcome, was observed at the end of this period. Regarding secondary and exploratory outcomes, waist circumference significantly decreased in the active group compared with the placebo group at 8 and 12 wk. Furthermore, significant improvements in profile of mood states second edition scores including total mood disturbance and fatigue-inertia scores were observed in the active group compared with the placebo group between baseline and 12 wk. No significant differences between the groups were observed for the other outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings suggest that the continuous intake of MWPH may help reduce waist circumference and improve mood state.</div><div>This trial was registered at the UMIN-CTR as UMIN000047856.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16620,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition","volume":"156 1","pages":"Article 101248"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145634978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.025
Cui Ma , Fuxi Wang , Ruitong Li , Kang Huang , Qingyu Zhao , Yuchang Qin , Junmin Zhang , Wei Si
<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Weaning-induced oxidative stress impairs feed intake and compromises intestinal health in piglets. 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a bioactive triterpenoid from licorice, has multiple biological effects, but its protective role under oxidative stress in piglets remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aims to investigate the effects of GA on feed intake, intestinal health, and gut microbiota in weaned piglets exposed to D-galactose (Gal)-induced oxidative stress.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty-four healthy large white piglets (weaned at days 28) were divided into 3 group: <em>1</em>) Control group (<em>n</em> = 8), basal diet; <em>2</em>) Gal group (<em>n</em> = 8), basal diet supplemented with Gal (10 g/kg body weight); and <em>3</em>) GA + Gal group (<em>n</em> = 8), basal diet supplemented with GA (100 mg/kg diet) and Gal (10 g/kg body weight). The study lasted 28 d. At the end of the experiment, serum, hypothalamus tissue, jejunum tissue, ileum tissue, and ileum content were collected for biochemical, molecular, and microbial analyses. One-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s test was used for data analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared with the Gal group, GA supplementation improved the average daily feed intake (Gal: 0.65 ± 0.04 kg, GA + Gal: 0.79 ± 0.06 kg) by 21.54% and average daily gain (Gal: 0.25 ± 0.04 kg, GA + Gal: 0.41 ± 0.06 kg) by 64% from days 14 to 28 (<em>P</em> < 0.05) but had no such effect from d 0 to 14 (<em>P</em> > 0.05), reduced serum malondialdehyde levels (Gal: 2.39 ± 0.23 nmol/mL, GA + Gal: 1.52 ± 0.25 nmol/mL, <em>P</em> < 0.05) and increased glutathione peroxidase activity (Gal: 88.33 ± 6.06 nmol/min/mL, GA + Gal: 115.36 ± 8.15 nmol/min/mL, <em>P</em> < 0.05). GA supplementation enhanced jejunal fluorescence expression of taste receptor type 1 member 2 (Gal: 46.15% ± 2.07%, GA + Gal: 58.53% ± 4.22%) and member 3 (Gal: 22.76% ± 1.80%, GA + Gal: 35.81% ± 2.63%) than those of Gal group (<em>P</em> < 0.05), and dietary GA also markedly increased ileal <em>Romboutsia</em> relative abundance (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, compared with the Gal group, GA supplementation increased the positive cells of appetite-related genes (Gal: 54.68% ± 3.70%, GA + Gal:80.16% ± 6.56%, and neuropeptide Y (NPY), Gal: 41.06% ± 8.13%, GA + Gal: 75.38% ± 9.45%) in the hypothalamus (<em>P</em> < 0.05), along with elevated serum levels of ghrelin (Gal: 1674.10 ± 97.10 ng/mL, GA + Gal: 2260.41 ± 113.22 ng/mL, <em>P</em> < 0.05) and NPY (Gal: 179.89 ± 6.46 ng/mL, GA + Gal: 200.94 ± 7.88 ng/mL, <em>P</em> < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings demonstrate that GA supplementation alleviates oxidative stress, with associated improvements in feed intake and intestinal function, likely mediated through taste receptor signaling, gut microbiota modulation, and hypothalamic appetite regulation. These findings
背景：断奶诱导的氧化应激损害仔猪采食量，损害肠道健康。18β-甘草次酸（GA）是一种来自甘草的生物活性三萜，具有多种生物效应，但其在仔猪氧化应激中的保护作用尚不清楚。目的：本研究旨在探讨GA对d -半乳糖（Gal）诱导氧化应激的断奶仔猪采食量、肠道健康和肠道微生物群的影响。方法：24头28日龄断奶的健康大白仔猪分为3组：(1)对照组（n = 8），饲喂基础饲粮；(2) Gal组（n = 8），基础饲粮中添加Gal （10 g/kg体重）；(3) GA + Gal组（n = 8），在基础饲粮中添加GA （100 mg/kg日粮）和Gal （10 g/kg体重）。研究持续28天。实验结束时采集血清、下丘脑组织、空肠组织、回肠组织和回肠内容物进行生化、分子和微生物分析。数据分析采用单因素方差分析和邓肯检验。结果:补充与加组相比,遗传算法提高了平均日采食量(ADFI,加:0.65±0.04公斤,GA +加:0.79±0.06公斤)21.54%,平均每日获得(ADG,加:0.25±0.04公斤,GA +加:0.41±0.06公斤)64% d 14 - 28 (P < 0.05),但没有这样的效果从d 0到14 (P > 0.05),降低血清MDA水平(加:2.39±0.23 nmol / mL, GA +加:1.52±0.25 nmol /毫升,P < 0.05),增加GPX活动(加:88.33±6.06 nmol /分钟/毫升,GA +加:115.36±8.15 nmol/min/mL, P < 0.05)。添加GA显著提高了味觉受体1型成员2 （T1R2, Gal: 46.15±2.07%,GA + Gal: 58.53±4.22%）和成员3 （T1R3, Gal: 22.76±1.80%,GA + Gal: 35.81±2.63%）的空肠荧光表达（P < 0.05），并显著提高了回肠Romboutsia的相对丰度（P < 0.05）。此外,与加组相比,GA补充增加appetite-related基因的阳性细胞(AGRP加:54.68±3.70%,GA +加:80.16±6.56%,NPY,加:41.06±8.13%,GA +加:75.38±9.45%)在下丘脑(P < 0.05),血清激素水平升高(加:1674.10±97.10 ng / mL, GA +加:2260.41±113.22 ng / mL, P < 0.05)和NPY(加:179.89±6.46 ng / mL, GA +加:200.94±7.88 ng / mL, P < 0.05)。结论：我们的研究结果表明，添加GA可以缓解氧化应激，并改善采食量和肠道功能，这可能是通过味觉受体信号、肠道微生物群调节和下丘脑食欲调节介导的。这些发现支持GA作为在应激条件下维持肠道健康的潜在营养策略。
{"title":"Dietary 18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Supplementation Improves Intestinal Function and Gut Microbiota in D-Galactose–Challenged Weanling Pigs","authors":"Cui Ma , Fuxi Wang , Ruitong Li , Kang Huang , Qingyu Zhao , Yuchang Qin , Junmin Zhang , Wei Si","doi":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.025","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.025","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Weaning-induced oxidative stress impairs feed intake and compromises intestinal health in piglets. 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), a bioactive triterpenoid from licorice, has multiple biological effects, but its protective role under oxidative stress in piglets remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aims to investigate the effects of GA on feed intake, intestinal health, and gut microbiota in weaned piglets exposed to D-galactose (Gal)-induced oxidative stress.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twenty-four healthy large white piglets (weaned at days 28) were divided into 3 group: <em>1</em>) Control group (<em>n</em> = 8), basal diet; <em>2</em>) Gal group (<em>n</em> = 8), basal diet supplemented with Gal (10 g/kg body weight); and <em>3</em>) GA + Gal group (<em>n</em> = 8), basal diet supplemented with GA (100 mg/kg diet) and Gal (10 g/kg body weight). The study lasted 28 d. At the end of the experiment, serum, hypothalamus tissue, jejunum tissue, ileum tissue, and ileum content were collected for biochemical, molecular, and microbial analyses. One-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s test was used for data analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared with the Gal group, GA supplementation improved the average daily feed intake (Gal: 0.65 ± 0.04 kg, GA + Gal: 0.79 ± 0.06 kg) by 21.54% and average daily gain (Gal: 0.25 ± 0.04 kg, GA + Gal: 0.41 ± 0.06 kg) by 64% from days 14 to 28 (<em>P</em> < 0.05) but had no such effect from d 0 to 14 (<em>P</em> > 0.05), reduced serum malondialdehyde levels (Gal: 2.39 ± 0.23 nmol/mL, GA + Gal: 1.52 ± 0.25 nmol/mL, <em>P</em> < 0.05) and increased glutathione peroxidase activity (Gal: 88.33 ± 6.06 nmol/min/mL, GA + Gal: 115.36 ± 8.15 nmol/min/mL, <em>P</em> < 0.05). GA supplementation enhanced jejunal fluorescence expression of taste receptor type 1 member 2 (Gal: 46.15% ± 2.07%, GA + Gal: 58.53% ± 4.22%) and member 3 (Gal: 22.76% ± 1.80%, GA + Gal: 35.81% ± 2.63%) than those of Gal group (<em>P</em> < 0.05), and dietary GA also markedly increased ileal <em>Romboutsia</em> relative abundance (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, compared with the Gal group, GA supplementation increased the positive cells of appetite-related genes (Gal: 54.68% ± 3.70%, GA + Gal:80.16% ± 6.56%, and neuropeptide Y (NPY), Gal: 41.06% ± 8.13%, GA + Gal: 75.38% ± 9.45%) in the hypothalamus (<em>P</em> < 0.05), along with elevated serum levels of ghrelin (Gal: 1674.10 ± 97.10 ng/mL, GA + Gal: 2260.41 ± 113.22 ng/mL, <em>P</em> < 0.05) and NPY (Gal: 179.89 ± 6.46 ng/mL, GA + Gal: 200.94 ± 7.88 ng/mL, <em>P</em> < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings demonstrate that GA supplementation alleviates oxidative stress, with associated improvements in feed intake and intestinal function, likely mediated through taste receptor signaling, gut microbiota modulation, and hypothalamic appetite regulation. These findings","PeriodicalId":16620,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition","volume":"156 1","pages":"Article 101256"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145654652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.011
Xin Gen Lei
{"title":"A proud and profound role of The Journal of Nutrition in advancing research and career of nutritionists in China","authors":"Xin Gen Lei","doi":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.011","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16620,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition","volume":"156 1","pages":"Article 101242"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145573740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.10.032
William S Harris , Wen-Chun Liu , Jason Westra , Nathan L Tintle , Prasad P Devarshi , Ryan W Grant , Susan Hazels Mitmesser , Kuan-Pin Su
Background
The role that marine omega-3 (n–3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may play in reducing the risk for developing depression and/or anxiety is unclear.
Objectives
The present study examined the relationships between plasma levels of total omega-3 PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the non-DHA ω-3 PUFAs with medical record-documented depression and/or anxiety (both historical and recent, within the last 12 mo) in the United Kingdom Biobank. The associations of these outcomes with the reported use of fish oil supplements (FOS) were also examined.
Methods
Information from 258,354 participants who had data on plasma ω-3 PUFA levels and all covariates were used for the biomarker-based analyses, and data from 468,145 people who reported FOS use at baseline were used in the latter analysis.
Results
We found that all 3 ω-3 PUFA metrics were inversely associated with a history of both depression and anxiety. Specifically, risk for the former outcome was between 15% and 33% lower in Q5 compared with Q1, and for the latter outcome, between 19% and 22% lower comparing Q5 with Q1. Risk for recent depression was 29% and 32% lower (Q5 compared with Q1) for total ω-3 PUFAs and for non-DHA, respectively. FOS use was associated with a 9%–10% lower risk for a history of depression and anxiety, respectively, and a 20% lower risk for recent anxiety.
Conclusions
We found evidence that higher levels of ω-3 PUFAs may play a protective role in depression and anxiety.
{"title":"Associations of Plasma Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels and Reported Fish Oil Supplement Use with Depression and Anxiety: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the United Kingdom Biobank","authors":"William S Harris , Wen-Chun Liu , Jason Westra , Nathan L Tintle , Prasad P Devarshi , Ryan W Grant , Susan Hazels Mitmesser , Kuan-Pin Su","doi":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.10.032","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.10.032","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The role that marine omega-3 (n–3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may play in reducing the risk for developing depression and/or anxiety is unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The present study examined the relationships between plasma levels of total omega-3 PUFAs, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and the non-DHA ω-3 PUFAs with medical record-documented depression and/or anxiety (both historical and recent, within the last 12 mo) in the United Kingdom Biobank. The associations of these outcomes with the reported use of fish oil supplements (FOS) were also examined.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Information from 258,354 participants who had data on plasma ω-3 PUFA levels and all covariates were used for the biomarker-based analyses, and data from 468,145 people who reported FOS use at baseline were used in the latter analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We found that all 3 ω-3 PUFA metrics were inversely associated with a history of both depression and anxiety. Specifically, risk for the former outcome was between 15% and 33% lower in Q5 compared with Q1, and for the latter outcome, between 19% and 22% lower comparing Q5 with Q1. Risk for recent depression was 29% and 32% lower (Q5 compared with Q1) for total ω-3 PUFAs and for non-DHA, respectively. FOS use was associated with a 9%–10% lower risk for a history of depression and anxiety, respectively, and a 20% lower risk for recent anxiety.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>We found evidence that higher levels of ω-3 PUFAs may play a protective role in depression and anxiety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16620,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition","volume":"156 1","pages":"Article 101219"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145426874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.009
Elaine K McCarthy , David Schneck , Saonli Basu , Annette Xenopoulos-Oddsson , Fergus P McCarthy , Deirdre M Murray , Michael K Georgieff , Mairead E Kiely
Background
Iron deficiency during pregnancy has potentially serious health consequences for both the mother and her offspring. Few prospective studies have considered the impact of maternal nonanemic iron deficiency in early pregnancy on offspring health outcomes.
Objective
The objective of this study was to explore the impact of maternal iron deficiency in early pregnancy on neonatal iron status at birth and neurodevelopment at 2 y of age.
Methods
In a low-risk, primiparous nonanemic maternal-infant cohort, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors, and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and α-glycoprotein) were measured at 15- and 20-weeks of gestation and in umbilical cord blood. Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III) and the Child Behavior Checklist were assessed at 2 y.
Results
Participants with complete longitudinal data from 15 weeks of gestation to 2 y (n = 189) were Caucasian (96.8%), highly educated (78.8% university graduates), with singleton pregnancies. At 15-weeks of gestation, 3.2% had ferritin <15 μg/L and 18.5% had ferritin <30 μg/L, which increased to 8.5% and 42.3% <15 and <30 μg/L, respectively, at 20-weeks. Iron depletion (cord ferritin <76 μg/L) was observed in 7.4% of newborn infants. Cord ferritin concentrations were 42.3 μg/L lower in infants born to iron deficient mothers (using maternal ferritin <30 μg/L threshold) at 15-weeks, compared with those with iron sufficient mothers. Children born to mothers with ferritin <30 μg/L at 15- and 20-wk had lower BSID-III language [Estimated β (95% confidence interval), 15-wk: −7.3 (−14.0, −0.4), 20-wk: −6.3 (−11.0, −1.3)] and motor [15-wk: −5.8 (−11.0, −1.1), 20-wk: −4.0 (−7.8, −0.3)] composite scores at 2 y than those with iron sufficient mothers.
Conclusions
Maternal nonanemic iron deficiency in early pregnancy was associated with low iron status at birth and worse language and motor outcomes at 2 y of age. This new evidence highlights the need to consider screening for iron deficiency early in pregnancy, even in well-resourced settings.
This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01891240.
{"title":"Impact of Maternal Iron Deficiency in Early Pregnancy on Neonatal Iron Status and Neurodevelopment at Two Years of Age: a Prospective, Maternal-Infant Cohort Study","authors":"Elaine K McCarthy , David Schneck , Saonli Basu , Annette Xenopoulos-Oddsson , Fergus P McCarthy , Deirdre M Murray , Michael K Georgieff , Mairead E Kiely","doi":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Iron deficiency during pregnancy has potentially serious health consequences for both the mother and her offspring. Few prospective studies have considered the impact of maternal nonanemic iron deficiency in early pregnancy on offspring health outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The objective of this study was to explore the impact of maternal iron deficiency in early pregnancy on neonatal iron status at birth and neurodevelopment at 2 y of age.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In a low-risk, primiparous nonanemic maternal-infant cohort, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptors, and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein and α-glycoprotein) were measured at 15- and 20-weeks of gestation and in umbilical cord blood. Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID-III) and the Child Behavior Checklist were assessed at 2 y.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Participants with complete longitudinal data from 15 weeks of gestation to 2 y (<em>n</em> = 189) were Caucasian (96.8%), highly educated (78.8% university graduates), with singleton pregnancies. At 15-weeks of gestation, 3.2% had ferritin <15 μg/L and 18.5% had ferritin <30 μg/L, which increased to 8.5% and 42.3% <15 and <30 μg/L, respectively, at 20-weeks. Iron depletion (cord ferritin <76 μg/L) was observed in 7.4% of newborn infants. Cord ferritin concentrations were 42.3 μg/L lower in infants born to iron deficient mothers (using maternal ferritin <30 μg/L threshold) at 15-weeks, compared with those with iron sufficient mothers. Children born to mothers with ferritin <30 μg/L at 15- and 20-wk had lower BSID-III language [Estimated β (95% confidence interval), 15-wk: −7.3 (−14.0, −0.4), 20-wk: −6.3 (−11.0, −1.3)] and motor [15-wk: −5.8 (−11.0, −1.1), 20-wk: −4.0 (−7.8, −0.3)] composite scores at 2 y than those with iron sufficient mothers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Maternal nonanemic iron deficiency in early pregnancy was associated with low iron status at birth and worse language and motor outcomes at 2 y of age. This new evidence highlights the need to consider screening for iron deficiency early in pregnancy, even in well-resourced settings.</div><div>This trial was registered at <span><span>clinicaltrials.gov</span><svg><path></path></svg></span> as NCT01891240.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16620,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition","volume":"156 1","pages":"Article 101240"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145522807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.020
Riya Anand , Rishav Sahil , Mukesh Jain , Ganesh Kumar Maurya , Arun S. Kharat
The gut microbiome significantly influences human health with dietary patterns, a key factor that modulates the structure and function of microbiome consortia. Plant-based diets (PBDs), including vegan and vegetarian, are linked to positive alterations in gut microbiota by stimulating the bacterial growth necessary for producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These microbial alterations help reduce inflammation, enhance gut barrier integrity, and improve metabolic health. However, not all PBDs offer beneficial effects. Recent findings highlighted that raw or minimally processed foods may transmit plant and soil-derived microbes, such as Enterobacter hormaechei, Citrobacter freundii, Raoultella ornithinolytica, and Klebsiella pneumonia into the human gut, raising concern about opportunistic infections. Although PBDs benefit in lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease, proper dietary planning is necessary to prevent potential nutrient deficiencies. Upcoming research should explore personalized nutrition, long-term microbiome shifts, and microbial transplants to improve gut health through PBDs.
{"title":"Plant-Based Diet as a Precursor to Human Gut Diversity","authors":"Riya Anand , Rishav Sahil , Mukesh Jain , Ganesh Kumar Maurya , Arun S. Kharat","doi":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The gut microbiome significantly influences human health with dietary patterns, a key factor that modulates the structure and function of microbiome consortia. Plant-based diets (PBDs), including vegan and vegetarian, are linked to positive alterations in gut microbiota by stimulating the bacterial growth necessary for producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These microbial alterations help reduce inflammation, enhance gut barrier integrity, and improve metabolic health. However, not all PBDs offer beneficial effects. Recent findings highlighted that raw or minimally processed foods may transmit plant and soil-derived microbes, such as <em>Enterobacter hormaechei</em>, <em>Citrobacter freundii</em>, <em>Raoultella ornithinolytica</em>, and <em>Klebsiella pneumonia</em> into the human gut, raising concern about opportunistic infections. Although PBDs benefit in lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease, proper dietary planning is necessary to prevent potential nutrient deficiencies. Upcoming research should explore personalized nutrition, long-term microbiome shifts, and microbial transplants to improve gut health through PBDs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16620,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition","volume":"156 1","pages":"Article 101251"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145634912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.019
Haijun Sun , Fengyi Song , Xiaoyi Zhao , Jingdong Yin , Xin Zhang
Background
Skeletal muscle is essential for exercise and maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Myo-inositol (INS), the main isomer of inositol, has been shown to enhance glucose metabolism and skeletal muscle growth in fish. However, its effect on skeletal muscle development in mammals remains unclear.
Objectives
This research seeks to investigate the positive impacts of maternal INS intake during gestation on skeletal muscle development in the offspring using pig models.
Methods
Random allocation was performed to distribute 45 parity-matched Landrace × Yorkshire sows across 3 treatment arms: control, 0.15% INS, and 0.3% INS supplementation groups from D30 of pregnancy until farrowing. The levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in the serum (n = 8) and the composition of the gut microbiota (n = 6) of pregnant sows were evaluated. On postnatal day 1, 6 male piglets (n = 6) were selected from each of 6 litters in the control group and the 0.3% INS group. The mRNA and protein levels of key genes involved in skeletal muscle development and fiber-type composition were measured. RNA-seq analysis was then performed using the skeletal muscle of piglets. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test or an unpaired 2-tailed Student’s t-test.
Results
Dietary INS supplementation reduced inflammatory markers on D50 of pregnancy, alleviated oxidative stress in sows, and decreased the number of piglets with low birth weight by ∼60% (P = 0.01). On D50 of pregnancy, dietary supplementation with 0.3% INS reduced the relative abundance of Firmicutes from 72.92% to 60.17%, while increasing the abundance of beneficial fecal microbes in sows, such as Bacteroidetes, Fibrobacterota, Unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae, and Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group. Notably, maternal 0.3% INS intake increased paired box 7 protein level by 88.90% (P = 0.05) and induced muscle-fiber type transition from glycolytic to oxidative fibers in the skeletal muscle of piglets at postnatal day 1. This was evidenced by a 50.95% increase in the mRNA level of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) Ⅱa (P < 0.05) and a 55.50% decrease in the protein level of fast MyHC (P < 0.01). Transcriptomic analysis further revealed that maternal intake of 0.3% INS regulated signaling pathways associated with skeletal muscle development, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase, Notch, and Wnt.
Conclusions
INS intake was beneficial for the inflammatory and oxidative status of pregnant sows and further improved skeletal muscle development characteristics in the offspring.
{"title":"Myo-Inositol Intake during Pregnancy Alleviates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Sows and Improves Skeletal Muscle Development Characteristics in Offspring","authors":"Haijun Sun , Fengyi Song , Xiaoyi Zhao , Jingdong Yin , Xin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.11.019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Skeletal muscle is essential for exercise and maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Myo-inositol (INS), the main isomer of inositol, has been shown to enhance glucose metabolism and skeletal muscle growth in fish. However, its effect on skeletal muscle development in mammals remains unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This research seeks to investigate the positive impacts of maternal INS intake during gestation on skeletal muscle development in the offspring using pig models.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Random allocation was performed to distribute 45 parity-matched Landrace × Yorkshire sows across 3 treatment arms: control, 0.15% INS, and 0.3% INS supplementation groups from D30 of pregnancy until farrowing. The levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in the serum (<em>n</em> = 8) and the composition of the gut microbiota (<em>n</em> = 6) of pregnant sows were evaluated. On postnatal day 1, 6 male piglets (<em>n</em> = 6) were selected from each of 6 litters in the control group and the 0.3% INS group. The mRNA and protein levels of key genes involved in skeletal muscle development and fiber-type composition were measured. RNA-seq analysis was then performed using the skeletal muscle of piglets. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test or an unpaired 2-tailed Student’s <em>t</em>-test.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Dietary INS supplementation reduced inflammatory markers on D50 of pregnancy, alleviated oxidative stress in sows, and decreased the number of piglets with low birth weight by ∼60% (<em>P</em> = 0.01). On D50 of pregnancy, dietary supplementation with 0.3% INS reduced the relative abundance of Firmicutes from 72.92% to 60.17%, while increasing the abundance of beneficial fecal microbes in sows, such as Bacteroidetes, <em>Fibrobacterota</em>, <em>Unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae</em>, and <em>Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group.</em> Notably, maternal 0.3% INS intake increased paired box 7 protein level by 88.90% (<em>P</em> = 0.05) and induced muscle-fiber type transition from glycolytic to oxidative fibers in the skeletal muscle of piglets at postnatal day 1. This was evidenced by a 50.95% increase in the mRNA level of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) <em>Ⅱa</em> (<em>P</em> < 0.05) and a 55.50% decrease in the protein level of fast MyHC (<em>P</em> < 0.01). Transcriptomic analysis further revealed that maternal intake of 0.3% INS regulated signaling pathways associated with skeletal muscle development, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase, Notch, and Wnt.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>INS intake was beneficial for the inflammatory and oxidative status of pregnant sows and further improved skeletal muscle development characteristics in the offspring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16620,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition","volume":"156 1","pages":"Article 101250"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145634925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.06.035
Yueqin Qiu , Shilong Liu , Li Wang , Zongyong Jiang , Xuefen Yang
Background
Early weaning may induce significant oxidative stress in piglets, potentially leading to hepatic lipid deposition and adversely affecting both metabolic health and growth.
Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the effect of bile acids (BA) supplementation on hepatic lipid metabolism in weaned piglets.
Method
Sixty-four 21-d-old weaned piglets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire); 8.21 ± 0.20 kg body weight] were randomly divided into 2 groups (8 pens per group, 2 castrated males and 2 females per pen). Piglets received either a control diet (CON) or CON supplemented with 500 mg BA per kilogram of diet (BA) for 14 d. Growth performance, hepatic lipid metabolism–related gene and protein expression, BA profiles in the liver and ileum, and ileal microbiota (16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing) were determined. Data were analyzed using 2-tailed unpaired t-tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests.
Results
Compared to the CON group, the BA group showed significant reductions in serum triglycerides (TG), serum total cholesterol, and hepatic TG (49.2%, 45.7%, and 40.7%, respectively; P < 0.05), alongside a 69.9% increase in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05). BA supplementation significantly downregulated hepatic lipogenesis-related genes and proteins but upregulated lipolysis-related genes (P < 0.05). Hepatic lipidomics showed that BA supplementation increased phosphatidylcholine (83.0%), whereas reducing triacylglycerols (84.9%), sphingomyelins (54.7%), and diacylglycerols (73.2%) (P < 0.05). BA supplementation significantly increased hepatic conjugated BA (54.2%), cholic acid (162%), chenodeoxycholic acid (270%), and the hepatic expression of farnesoid X receptor (57.0%), small heterodimer partner (73.7%), and oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase (110%) (P < 0.05). Additionally, BA supplementation significantly decreased the ileal abundance of Lactobacillus (14.38%) but increased the abundance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 (447%) and Blautia (134%) (P < 0.05). Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated that hepatic BAs and ileal microbiota had strong correlations with serum total cholesterol and TG, hepatic TG, and lipogenesis-related genes.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that BA supplementation reduces hepatic lipid deposition in weaned piglets by modulating BA metabolism and gut microbiota composition.
{"title":"Bile Acid Supplementation Reduced Hepatic Lipid Deposition and Modulated Bile Acid Metabolism and the Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets","authors":"Yueqin Qiu , Shilong Liu , Li Wang , Zongyong Jiang , Xuefen Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.06.035","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.06.035","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Early weaning may induce significant oxidative stress in piglets, potentially leading to hepatic lipid deposition and adversely affecting both metabolic health and growth.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to investigate the effect of bile acids (BA) supplementation on hepatic lipid metabolism in weaned piglets.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>Sixty-four 21-d-old weaned piglets [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire); 8.21 ± 0.20 kg body weight] were randomly divided into 2 groups (8 pens per group, 2 castrated males and 2 females per pen). Piglets received either a control diet (CON) or CON supplemented with 500 mg BA per kilogram of diet (BA) for 14 d. Growth performance, hepatic lipid metabolism–related gene and protein expression, BA profiles in the liver and ileum, and ileal microbiota (16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing) were determined. Data were analyzed using 2-tailed unpaired t-tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared to the CON group, the BA group showed significant reductions in serum triglycerides (TG), serum total cholesterol, and hepatic TG (49.2%, 45.7%, and 40.7%, respectively; <em>P</em> < 0.05), alongside a 69.9% increase in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (<em>P</em> < 0.05). BA supplementation significantly downregulated hepatic lipogenesis-related genes and proteins but upregulated lipolysis-related genes (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Hepatic lipidomics showed that BA supplementation increased phosphatidylcholine (83.0%), whereas reducing triacylglycerols (84.9%), sphingomyelins (54.7%), and diacylglycerols (73.2%) (<em>P</em> < 0.05). BA supplementation significantly increased hepatic conjugated BA (54.2%), cholic acid (162%), chenodeoxycholic acid (270%), and the hepatic expression of farnesoid X receptor (57.0%), small heterodimer partner (73.7%), and oxysterol 7α-hydroxylase (110%) (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Additionally, BA supplementation significantly decreased the ileal abundance of <em>Lactobacillus</em> (14.38%) but increased the abundance of <em>Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1</em> (447%) and <em>Blautia</em> (134%) (<em>P</em> < 0.05). Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated that hepatic BAs and ileal microbiota had strong correlations with serum total cholesterol and TG, hepatic TG, and lipogenesis-related genes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our results suggest that BA supplementation reduces hepatic lipid deposition in weaned piglets by modulating BA metabolism and gut microbiota composition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16620,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition","volume":"156 1","pages":"Article 101239"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145534697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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