British Journal of Nutrition最新文献

Zn and Mn are essential nutrients for fetal growth and development. Since deficiency of maternal nutrition may lead to preventable adverse pregnancy outcomes, we aimed to examine the association of maternal dietary Zn and Mn levels with low birth weight (LBW). A nested case–control study was conducted in 605 cases and 7497 controls in Lanzhou, China. Eligible participants reported on their diet and characteristics during pregnancy. The relationship between dietary Zn and Mn intake and the risk of LBW was analysed by unconditioned logistic regression and multivariate adjusted restricted cubic spline model. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off values of Zn and Mn. The dietary intake below the cut-off value was defined as the low-level group, and greater than or equal to the cut-off value was defined as the high-level group. Low dietary Zn (<5·05 mg/d before pregnancy and <7·36 mg/d during pregnancy) and Mn (<2·66 mg/d before pregnancy and <3·41 mg/d during pregnancy) intake was associated with increased risk of LBW and some subtypes. Both Zn and Mn have a nonlinear relationship with the risk of LBW (P < 0·001). In addition, there was a synergistic effect of low Zn and low Mn intake on LBW risk. There were separate and interaction effects of Zn and Mn on the occurrence of LBW. An appropriate range of Zn and Mn intake may be beneficial to reduce the risk of LBW.

Muscular dystrophy (MD) encompasses inherited myopathies characterised by progressive skeletal and cardiac muscle degeneration, chronic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. While emerging therapies show pre-clinical promise, few reach clinical translation, highlighting the need for supportive interventions to improve function and quality of life (QoL). Nutritional strategies may offer such benefits; however, limited data exist characterising diet in MD or associations with functional outcomes. This study assessed diet, nutritional status and associations with muscle strength, function and QoL in MD adults. Adults with MD (n 39; FSHD = 8, LGMD = 9 and Other = 22) and matched Controls (n 17) completed two 3-d food records, strength/function assessments and QoL questionnaires. Between-group differences were analysed using t tests or Mann-Whitney U and associations using Pearson's r or Spearman's Rho (P < 0·05). Compared with controls, individuals with MD consumed more energy (89 % v. 35 % exceeded RDI, P = 0·023), but less carbohydrate (-21 %, P = 0·013), sugar (-31 %, P = 0·004), protein (-15 %), BCAA (-31 %, P = 0·049) and vitamin C (-43 %, P = 0·009). MD participants demonstrated reduced muscle thickness, strength, function and reported lower QoL and physical capacity (all P < 0·05). Protein intake positively correlated with strength and function (P < 0·05); branched-chain amino acids intake was associated with lean mass (r = 0·442, P = 0·02) and strength (r = 0·372, P = 0·036). Findings indicate adults with MD consume excess energy but insufficient protein and micronutrients, supporting the need for adult MD-specific dietary guidance to optimise musculoskeletal health and QoL.

Telomere length is a biomarker of ageing, with shorter lengths associated with a higher risk of age-related diseases and mortality. Oxidative stress and inflammation predominantly contribute to telomere shortening. Diets rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help preserve telomere length. Nuts and seeds contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients and bioactive compounds. Their consumption is recognised as protective against age-related conditions. The objective of this review is to evaluate the role of nut and seed intake on telomere length in humans. A systematic search was conducted in four databases from inception to 12 March 2024 to identify observational and interventional studies assessing nut and seed intake and measuring telomere length as an outcome in adults (aged ≥ 18 years). Data from the included articles were extracted by one reviewer and verified by another reviewer. Out of the nine observational studies included, three reported positive associations between nut and seed intake and telomere length. None of the four interventional studies included reported a significant positive effect. Meta-analysis was not performed due to high variability in reporting telomere length measurements. The evidence is insufficient to confirm a beneficial role of nut and seed intake on telomere length. Adequately powered long-term intervention studies are needed.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is biologically plausible as an ergogenic aid through roles in mitochondrial energy production and antioxidant defence, yet findings from randomised trials are inconsistent. This review included twenty-four studies from six databases published up to November 2025, assessing effects of CoQ10 on exercise performance, subjective fatigue and circulating CoQ10 levels in healthy adults. Randomised trials comparing CoQ10 with placebo were synthesised using a three-level model. Risk of bias was assessed with RoB2 and certainty judged with Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation. Supplementation consistently increased blood CoQ10, indicating robust biochemical responsiveness. In contrast, performance effects were small and inconsistent. In primary analyses, chronic supplementation showed a small benefit, whereas acute supplementation showed no benefit. After excluding outliers, the chronic effect was no longer stable and the acute effect remained trivial. All subgroup analyses were restricted to chronic supplementation. Within this context, aerobic endurance was significant in primary analyses but became borderline after outlier exclusion, while anaerobic and strength outcomes showed little change. Evidence for reduced subjective fatigue was suggestive and became more consistent after outlier exclusion. Benefits in trained individuals were unstable and became consistent only after outlier exclusion. No stable dose–response pattern emerged for supplementation dosage or duration. Heterogeneity and moderate-to-high risk of bias reduced certainty. Collectively, CoQ10 reliably elevates circulating levels but provides at most modest and context-dependent benefits for exercise performance, largely under chronic use. Overall, certainty is very low to low. Well-controlled randomised trials that standardise formulation, dose and duration and examine sex-specific and endurance-related responses are needed.

This study aimed to identify linear growth trajectories from 0 to 5 years and assess their associations with cognitive function and school achievement in Ethiopian children aged 10 years. Latent class trajectory modelling was used to identify distinct height-for-age (HAZ) trajectories. Cognitive function was assessed using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, while school achievement was measured by math, English and science (MES) combined scores and grade-for-age. Associations were assessed using multiple linear or logistic regressions. We identified four distinct HAZ trajectories. Decreasing trajectory (n 145, 31·9 %) started high at birth but dropped sharply. The increasing-decreasing trajectory (n 196, 43·2 %) increased up to 3 months, followed by a decrease. The stable low (n 74, 16·3 %) had low HAZ at birth, followed by a slight decrease. The rising trajectory (n 39, 8·6 %) started low but then increased to HAZ above, yet close to zero. At 10 years, children in the rising trajectory had 4·54 (95 % CI: -0·45, 9·55, P = 0·075) higher MES combined score and 2·4 times (95 % CI: 1·12, 5·15, P = 0·025) higher odds of being in the appropriate grade-for-age compared to those in the increasing-decreasing trajectory. The association between stable low and decreasing trajectory with appropriate grade-for-age had odds ratio close to null. In conclusion, we found that three of the four linear growth trajectory classes showed a declining pattern. Data suggest that greater linear growth in early childhood may be associated with higher school achievement and better cognitive function.

Food literacy and mindful eating are increasingly recognised as key factors in the prevention and management of chronic diseases, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to assess the association between food literacy and mindful eating and the risk of developing T2DM and MetS. This cross-sectional study included 1091 adults (777 females, 314 males) aged 18-65 years. General characteristics, anthropometric measurements, risk of T2DM (Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC)) and MetS (Metabolic Syndrome Index), food literacy (Food Literacy Tool) and mindful eating (Mindful Eating Inventory) were assessed using a questionnaire. Food literacy and mindful eating scores were significantly and negatively correlated with both the FINDRISC score (r = -0·153 and r = -0·168, respectively; P < 0·001) and the Metabolic Syndrome Index score (r = -0·181 and r = -0·171, respectively; P < 0·001). Linear regression analyses indicated that age, marital status, education level, BMI, waist circumference and total scores from the Food Literacy Tool and the Mindful Eating Inventory were significant predictors of the risk of T2DM (R² = 0·580; P < 0·001) and MetS (R² = 0·440; P < 0·001). Given the association between food literacy, mindful eating and the risk of T2DM and MetS, public health interventions should incorporate these factors. The long-term effects of such interventions should be evaluated, and their adaptability to different sociocultural contexts should be explored to support effective global prevention and management.

Sustainable diets can improve environmental health by supporting food security and promoting healthy living for future generations. This study aimed to assess changes over time in the consumption of foods within the national diet and diet-related environmental indicators, specifically greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and water footprint (WF). Individual food consumption was assessed using 24-hour dietary recalls from the Türkiye Nutrition and Health Surveys (TNHS) conducted in 2010 and 2017. GHGE and WF were calculated based on these dietary data. According to the TNHS 2010 and 2017, GHGE increased by 16·1 %, total WF by 17 %, green WF by 19·3 %, blue WF by 9·4 % and grey WF by 10·9 % (p < 0·001). During the same period, the consumption of red meats (by 72 %), eggs (by 42·5 %) and fats (by 53·6 %) increased significantly (p < 0·001). Conversely, the most notable decrease in consumption was observed for fresh vegetables and fruits, which declined by 17·5 % and 6·9 %, respectively (p < 0·001). In 2010 and 2017, red meats (GHGE: +29·8 %; total WF: +23·6 %) and fats (GHGE: +14·3 %; total WF: +13·6 %) were the foods that increased their contribution to GHGE and total WF the most. Although the GHGE and total WF values of Türkiye's national diet remain below the global average, both indicators increased in 2017 compared to 2010. Despite the rising consumption of animal-based foods in recent years, the predominance of cereals in the national diet has played a key role in keeping GHGE and total WF below the global average.

Coconut oil, extracted from coconut kernels, is a rich source of medium-chain fatty acids, including lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid. This experiment aimed to investigate the protective effect of coconut oil against intestinal injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in piglets. A total of twenty-four piglets were used in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with dietary treatment (3 % soybean oil v. 3 % coconut oil) and LPS challenge (saline v. LPS). After 28 d of the experiment, piglets were injected intraperitoneally with LPS (100 μg/kg body weight (BW)) or saline. Piglets were slaughtered and sampled for testing. Pigs fed coconut oil had higher average daily gain and BW during the entire study. Supplementation with coconut oil improved intestinal morphology and barrier function, indicated by increased jejunal villus height, as well as enhanced protein expression of ZO-1 and Occludin. Furthermore, coconut oil supplementation improved plasma antioxidant capacity, indicated by enhanced GSH peroxidase activity and decreased malondialdehyde concentration. Moreover, coconut oil ameliorated the LPS-induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as indicated by decreased IL-1β expression in the jejunum. Coconut oil also alleviated the up-regulation of the expression of necroptosis protein receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 and mixed lineage kinase-like protein in the jejunum of piglets stimulated by LPS. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of coconut oil can improve the growth performance of piglets and alleviate LPS-induced intestinal injury and inflammation by inhibiting necroptosis signalling pathway.

White potatoes are a major contributor to energy and nutrient intake in the US, which supports investigating their relationship with cardiometabolic health. This cross-sectional analysis assessed relationships of total white potato intake and dietary patterns containing white potatoes prepared by various methods with diet quality and markers of cardiometabolic health in adults categorized by diabetes status. The dietary intake assessment component of NHANES (2001-2018), What We Eat in America (WWEIA), was linked with the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies and Food Patterns Equivalents Database to rank consumption of white potato-containing foods. Dietary patterns were determined by percent calories from white potatoes and main food groups in WWEIA using cluster analysis. Regression analysis assessed trends in individuals with (n=5,467) and without (n=38,159) diagnosed diabetes. P < 0.01 was significant. The most consumed white potato-containing foods were French fries, potato chips, and home fries. In adults without diagnosed diabetes, total white potato intake was positively associated with glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and waist circumference. Glycated hemoglobin was lower in those who primarily consumed dietary patterns with baked/boiled potatoes and waist circumference was higher in those who primarily consumed dietary patterns with chips, fried potatoes, or mashed potatoes compared to adults with no white potato intake. In adults without diagnosed diabetes, total white potato intake was associated with greater cardiometabolic risk, which may be due, in part, to frying as the predominate preparation method of white potatoes in the US.

This prospective study investigated the associations of various diet quality indices with mortality in Japan. Participants were 13 355 men and 15 724 women from the Takayama study. Eight diet quality indices were assessed using an FFQ: the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, alternative Mediterranean diet scores, Healthy Eating Index-2015, Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010, Nutrient Rich Food Index 9.3, Diet Quality Score for Japanese, Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top and twelve-item Japanese Diet Index. Cox proportional models estimated hazard ratios and 95 % CI for all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a 1 sd difference for each index, with adjustment for confounders. During a mean follow-up of 14·1 years, 5339 deaths were recorded. Hazard ratios (95 % CI) per 1 sd higher index were 0·90 (0·87, 0·93) for Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010, 0·92 (0·89, 0·95) for Diet Quality Score for Japanese, 0·93 (0·91, 0·96) for Nutrient Rich Food Index 9.3, 0·94 (0·92, 0·97) for alternative Mediterranean diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, 0·94 (0·91, 0·97) for Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top, 0·94 (0·91, 0·98) for twelve-item Japanese Diet Index and 0·97 (0·94, 0·996) for Healthy Eating Index-2015. Similar protective associations were observed for CVD mortality, but not for cancer mortality. These findings suggest that all eight indices are associated with lower mortality and that the strength of associations varies across indices; the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 showed relatively strong associations, followed by the Diet Quality Score for Japanese, whereas the associations of the Healthy Eating Index-2015 appeared relatively weaker in this Japanese population.