Nutrients最新文献

Background/Objective: Nutrition security, defined as consistent access to and consumption of nutritious foods that support health, remains a persistent challenge in rural populations. The HEALTHY (Helping Early Adolescents Live Their Healthiest Youth) program aimed to improve rural adolescents' nutrition security through school-based strategies. This study evaluated its effectiveness by examining changes in fruit consumption, fruit waste, and skin carotenoid levels. Methods: A quasi-experimental, pre-post program was assessed in five rural middle schools (two experimental sites, three comparison sites). The programming paired four biweekly smoothie taste tests with nutrition education grounded in Social Cognitive Theory and Choice Architecture. Students in grades 3-8 (N = 149) participated. Digital tray photographs quantified selection and waste. The Veggie Meter^® assessed skin carotenoids on a scale from 0 to 800. Surveys captured perceptions and self-reported intakes. Analyses included χ², McNemar's, GLMM, paired t-tests, and ANCOVA. Significance was set at p < 0.005. Results: At post-program, 98.3% of experimental trays contained the standard fruit option and/or a smoothie, compared with 41.0% of comparison trays (χ² = 41.66, p < 0.001). Fruit selection odds were 16.22 times higher in experimental schools (95% CI: 6.30-41.77, p < 0.001). Among trays with both (n = 39), smoothie waste was lower than the standard fruit option waste (t(38) = -7.10, p < 0.001, d = 1.14), resulting in greater estimated consumption (~0.43 vs. ~0.15 cups). Skin carotenoids increased in both groups, with greater improvement among experimental students in the lowest baseline quartile, F (1,19) = 9.20, p = 0.007, partial η² = 0.326. Conclusions: The HEALTHY program, which paired frozen-fruit smoothies with nutrition education, may offer a feasible and scalable approach to improving nutrition security among rural adolescents.

Background/objectives: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a gastrointestinal disorder typically treated by changes in diet and lifestyle. However, in the Colombian population, few studies have addressed its etiology and diagnosis. This exploratory study aimed to identify predictive variables associated with the presence of dyspeptic symptoms (DS).

Methods: To address this, a self-survey was conducted evaluating sociodemographic characteristics, clinical history, and dietary habits. A DS index was calculated using participant's clinical history to explore the characteristics of the groups with more and less DS (MDS and LDS groups). Additionally, a regression model was applied to identify the predictors of higher DS scores. Pooled data from the rolling, cross-sectional eating habits and DS survey between May and July of 2024. We enrolled 102 Colombian participants between 18 and 65 years old.

Results: Significant differences were identified between MDS and LDS groups in occupation and dietary habits, with students exhibiting a higher DS index. Moreover, MDS exhibited greater consumption of fatty and fried foods than LDS groups. Regression analysis revealed that high intake of fatty foods and sesame were the best predictors of higher DS index. In contrast, the consumption of Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic and white onion was associated with better gastrointestinal health.

Conclusions: Changes in dietary habits are associated with lower DS; the effect and its etiology might also depend on the participants' occupation and nutritional habits.

Background/objectives: Breastfeeding has accompanied women since the beginning of time and, according to anthropological research, naturally ends between the age of 2 and 6. WHO (World Health Organization) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months, with continued breastfeeding along with introducing appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or longer. Despite the increasing promotion of breastfeeding, women do not comply with the WHO guidelines and give up exclusive breastfeeding quickly, and long-term breastfeeding mothers still struggle with a lack of understanding in society.

Methods: This work aims to expand the knowledge on the composition and antioxidant status of the milk of mothers breastfeeding past 12 months.

Results: The basic composition of human milk changes depending on the stage of lactation. In women breastfeeding for more than a year, an increase in fat (p < 0.001) and magnesium (p < 0.001) was observed. A decreased concentration of leptin (p = 0.001), iron (p < 0.001), and iron-reducing capacity (p < 0.001) was also observed compared to milk from the initial stage of lactation.

Conclusions: The milk of women breastfeeding for more than 12 months is a valuable food for the baby, maintaining its protection against free radicals and providing adequate nutrients.

Background/objectives: Hippocampal neuroinflammation (HNF) is a key pathological feature in neurodegenerative disorders. Milk-derived exosomes, as bioactive extracellular vesicles, have underexplored potential in regulating brain neuroinflammatory responses. This study aimed to characterize desert milk exosomes (D-Exo) and investigate their neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects in LPS-induced HNF mice model and an LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia.

Methods: Exosomes were isolated from desert and non-desert milk (ND-Exo) for proteomic analysis. After pretreating BV2 cells with exosomes and stimulating with LPS, their inflammatory responses and polarization were assessed by RT-PCR. Balb/c mice were orally gavaged with D-Exo or 0.9% NaCl for 28 days before LPS injection. Cognitive function was assessed via behavioral tests, with microglial/astrocyte activation analyzed by immunofluorescence.

Results: D-Exo exhibited superior stability and a unique proteomic profile enriched with proteins linked to neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, notably within the AMPK signaling pathway. In vitro, D-Exo shifted LPS-stimulated microglia from the M1 to the M2 phenotype. In vivo, it alleviated HNF and cognitive decline, reduced Aβ_1-42 and Tau deposition, elevated BDNF and MAP2, and suppressed neuroinflammation and glial activation.

Conclusions: D-Exo is enriched with specific proteins, attenuates neuroinflammation and cognitive decline by regulating microglial M1/M2 polarization and AMPK pathway, highlighting its preventive potential.

Background and aims: Amid global aging, the role of diet in cognitive health is crucial. The healthful plant-based diet index (hPDI) is linked to cardiometabolic benefits, but its association with cognitive function in older adults, particularly through nutritional status and across different socio-geographic contexts, remains unclear. This study investigated the association between hPDI and multidimensional cognitive function, the mediating role of nutritional status, and potential associated modifications by urban-suburban location and gender.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Shanghai, China, involving 2079 older adults (aged ≥60). Dietary intake was assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to calculate hPDI. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B), and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Nutritional status was measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Hierarchical regression, interaction, and mediation analyses were performed, adjusting for comprehensive covariates based on social determinants of health (SDoH).

Results: Higher hPDI was significantly associated with better cognitive scores (MMSE: β = 0.083, p < 0.001; MoCA-B: β = 0.069, p < 0.001) and lower odds of worse CDR (OR = 0.944, p < 0.001) in fully adjusted models. In the cross-sectional mediation analysis, MNA statistically mediated a significant proportion of the observed associations (MMSE: 41.25%; MoCA-B: 53.68%; CDR: 38.98%). The protective association was consistent across urban and suburban areas. However, a significant three-way interaction (hPDI × Gender × Area, p < 0.01) was found, with no cognitive benefit observed for males in suburban areas.

Conclusions: Adherence to a healthful plant-based diet is associated with better cognitive function in older adults, partly statistically mediated by improved nutritional status. While this association is geographically equitable in Shanghai, suburban males do not appear to benefit, highlighting the need for gender- and context-sensitive dietary interventions.

Background/Objectives: Obesity has been linked to cardiometabolic alterations and deteriorated body composition. Gallic acid, a polyphenol with antioxidant properties, may influence these parameters; however, there is limited clinical data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of gallic acid supplementation combined with physical exercise in obese individuals. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 150 participants recruited and divided into eight groups according to nutritional status (eutrophic or obese), supplementation (gallic acid 200 mg/day vs. placebo), and physical exercise (trained vs. untrained) for 12 weeks. Body composition, anthropometry, and serum biomarkers were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: A total of 107 participants completed the final assessment. A reduction in waist-to-hip ratio was observed in the obese group trained and supplemented with gallic acid (supplement × time interaction: p = 0.031). There was a reduction in waist circumference (supplement × physical exercise × time interaction: p = 0.041) and a reduction in skinfold thickness at the pectoral (p = 0.044) and abdominal (p = 0.036) sites. Fat-free mass showed a tendency to increase in the supplemented trained obese group (p = 0.054). In biochemical markers, an increase in albumin was identified in the supplement × time interaction (p = 0.043), especially in the trained obese group. Conclusions: The combination of gallic acid and physical exercise promoted improvements in abdominal adiposity and body composition markers, with favorable biochemical effects.

Background: Acetic acid has been suggested to have health benefits. Our previous exploratory study linked acetic acid intake to higher protein and vitamin consumption, but relationships with age and sex remained unclear. Objective: This study examined associations between acetic acid intake, age, and sex, and explored nutrient correlates after adjusting for age, sex, and energy intake. Methods: Dietary data from 12,074 Japanese adults aged 20-69 years, collected via the Asken food-tracking app, were analyzed. Two-way ANOVA assessed effects of age, sex, and their interaction on acetic acid intake. Multiple linear regressions examined associations between acetic acid intake and nutrient intakes. Model 1 adjusted for age and sex; Model 2 additionally adjusted for total energy intake. Results: Participants included 3038 men (47.8 ± 11.9 y) and 9036 women (42.4 ± 11.8 y). Acetic acid intake was higher among men and older participants (sex: F = 11.0, p < 0.001; age: F = 9.1, p < 0.001). In Model 1, acetic acid intake correlated positively with most nutrients. After adjusting for energy (Model 2), negative associations were found with carbohydrates, sugars, starches, saturated fat, and butyric acid (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Individuals with higher acetic acid intake tended to consume fewer carbohydrates and saturated fats, even at equivalent energy intake. These findings suggest that acetic acid-containing diets may reduce the intake of starches and saturated fatty acids, potentially contributing to obesity prevention.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety. Women with PCOS also tend to experience poorer sleep quality and greater daytime sleepiness than healthy individuals. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic reviews have investigated the impact of probiotic supplementation on mental health and sleep patterns in women with PCOS. Emerging evidence indicates that probiotic therapy may be a promising adjunct for enhancing mental well-being and sleep quality within this population. Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in adult women with PCOS. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving women aged 18-45 years old, with diagnosed PCOS, who received probiotic/synbiotic supplements and enriched foods compared with placebo. Studies had to assess mental health, depressive symptoms, or sleep disorders using validated questionnaires. Five publications met the Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome inclusion criteria (PICO) and were included in the final analysis. Results: Probiotic supplementation was associated with significant improvements in sleep quality (assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), depressive symptoms (assessed by Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, DASS 21) and some domains of quality of life (measured by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, PCOSQ-26). Conclusions: Although probiotic supplementation may benefit mental health and sleep parameters in women with PCOS, this evidence is limited due to the small number of studies, modest sample sizes, and methodological variability. Further research with larger, more rigorous studies is needed to confirm these findings.

Background/Objectives: Child undernutrition remains a major public health in Djibouti, yet conventional anthropometric indicators may underestimate its true burden by failing to capture overlapping forms of malnutrition. The Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) provides a more comprehensive assessment by identifying children experiencing one or multiple anthropometric deficits. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among children under five years of age in Djibouti using the CIAF. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data from the nationally representative 2023 Multisectoral Survey conducted in Djibouti. A cross-sectional design with a two-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used to collect data on a national random sample (n = 2103) of children aged 6-59 months. Standardized anthropometric measurements were used to derive conventional indicators (stunting, wasting, and underweight) and the CIAF. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with anthropometric failures, adjusting for child, household, and contextual characteristics. Results: Based on conventional indicators, 23.4% of children were stunted, 20.0% were underweight, and 9.9% were wasted. Using the CIAF, 36.9% of children experienced at least one anthropometric failure, including 18.8% with multiple concurrent failures. Boys, children aged 6-47 months, those living in nomadic households, and those residing in specific regions had significantly higher risks of undernutrition. Socioeconomic indicators and household food security were not independently associated with undernutrition after adjustment. Conclusions: More than one-third of children under five in Djibouti experience undernutrition when assessed using the CIAF, revealing a substantial hidden burden not captured by conventional indicators alone. Incorporating the CIAF into routine nutrition surveillance could improve identification of vulnerable children and support more targeted, context-specific interventions.

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenolic compound in tea leaves, exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Despite its therapeutic potential, poor bioavailability limits clinical efficacy. This review comprehensively examines the sources, and multifunctional bioactivities of EGCG, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardiovascular protective, metabolic regulatory, neuroprotective, gut microbiota-modulating, and antimicrobial properties. Traditional and emerging applications of EGCG are summarized from different perspectives. Strategies to enhance bioavailability such as nanotechnology, chemical modification, and combination drug regimens are highlighted. Based on existing human clinical trials, recommendations for effective and safe dosage ranges of EGCG intake are provided. By analyzing the current situation, providing reasonable opinions and making outlooks, the clinical value of EGCG will be fully released, which will ultimately promote human health.