Food Groups Research Articles

Food inflammation index reveals the key inflammatory components in foods and heterogeneity within food groups: How do we choose food?

IntroductionFood is a critical factor of chronic inflammation. Few studies tried to quantize inflammatory effects of food. Moreover, the discrepancies in inflammatory effects among foods within the same food group are frequently ignored. ObjectivesThis study aimed to compare inflammatory effects of food based on Food Composition Tables via a Food Inflammation Index (FII). We aimed to reveal heterogeneity within food groups in dietary guidelines and identify the key components. MethodsThe FII was adapted from Dietary Inflammation Index (DII) with a weighted algorithm, validated by NHANES.The Food Inflammation Scores of Individuals (FISI) of various dietary patterns were analyzed and compared. FII scores were converted to percentages for intuitive grading using the United States Department of Agriculture Food Composition Table (USDA-FCT), and China-FCT was also used for validation.The FII scores of various food groups based on USDA-FCT and dietary guidelines were counted and compared to reveal the heterogeneity within food groups. ResultsFII proves effective in delineating food inflammatory effects. It reveals substantial inflammatory risk even with adherence to the Mediterranean diet, highlighting the need to address intra-group heterogeneity. Within USDA-FCT, nuts and select vegetable oils (rich in flavonoids and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) are notable anti-inflammatory foods, contrasting with pro-inflammatory meats high in saturated fats. According to the current dietary nutrition guidelines, the inflammatory effects of food groups vary greatly. Further subdivision of food groups can weaken the problem of heterogeneity within food groups, thereby providing more accurate dietary recommendations. ConclusionQuantifying the inflammatory effects of whole foods is important for general consumers to realize their own dietary inflammatory exposure risk. The FII reveals the heterogeneity within food groups and can be a reference for dietary recommendations. This public tool could be beneficial for consumer choice, dietary guideline revision, science research for healthier eating.

Secondary Analysis Assesses Dietary Diversity Changes among Maya Guatemalan Women Post-Nutrition Interventions.

This study aimed to evaluate the change in the Dietary Diversity (DD) Index of Maya women of reproductive age living in rural areas of the Western Highlands of Guatemala after nutrition, health, and agroecology interventions. This is a secondary analysis study on DD from two matched groups from three villages in the Lake Atitlan area in the department of Sololá. The first cohort was recruited in 2017 (sample of n = 77). The second cohort was recruited in 2020 (sample of n = 61). Both were followed until 2021. The program provided various resources for assistance for food production and home improvements (sessions from 2018 to 2022). Agroecology sessions were conducted in the test farm. Due to the COVID-19, adjustments were made to continue the education and training sessions. Both cohort samples had a statistically significant increase in participants who consumed at least 15g from five groups of foods (2017: p = .00002; 2020: p = .045). There was a statistically significant increase in mean food groups consumed daily (2017: p < .00001; 2020: p = .005). Implementing interventions that include nutrition, health, and agroecology practices in the long term has demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the Dietary Diversity Index of Maya women in their reproductive years living in rural villages in the Western Highlands.

Korean Food Exchange Lists for Diabetes Meal Planning: Revised 2023.

A food exchange list is a tool developed to help diabetic patients control their energy intake and plan balanced meals. Korean food exchange lists were first developed in 1988, revised in 1995, and updated again in 2010. With rapidly changing dietary habits and increasing demand for diverse food cultures, the Korean Diabetes Association in cooperation with 4 related organizations established a Task Force Team (TFT) to revise food exchange lists in March 2022. Starting with a workshop, TFT held 11 official revision meetings, culminating in a public hearing in May 2023. The final revised version of Korean food exchange lists was published in December 2023. Key outcomes of the revision are summarized as follows: 1. Based on the National Standard Food Composition Table 10.0 database, the existing classification system and nutrient standards for each food group remain unchanged this time. 2. Based on a survey conducted among diabetes educators, the number of items on the food exchange lists has increased from 339 in 2010 to 435 this time. 3. Considering patients' usual eating habits, meal planning examples were developed distributing food group exchange units by energy level based on 3 types of proportions of carbohydrate energy (40%-45%, 50%-55%, 60%-65%). 4. Due to limitations in real-time updates for rapidly changing information, detailed guidance on how to access and interpret the data is provided. These revisions will help people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and facilitate the implementation of healthy meal planning in various other conditions, including obesity.

Moderators of the Effect of Household Food Insecurity on Food Consumption Among Uruguayan Children and Adolescents

The aims of the present work were to examine the effect of food insecurity on food consumption among children/adolescents in Uruguay and to explore the moderating effect of socio-economic and demographic characteristics. The design consisted of an analysis of secondary data from a telephone survey ( n = 1,504), applied to parents or tutors of children and adolescents living in Uruguay (September–October, 2020). Data were analyzed using logistic regression models and moderation analyses were run considering household socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Food insecurity reduced the likelihood of having consumed all food groups except for carbohydrate-based foods, whereas it increased the likelihood of consuming pulses. Age of the child/adolescent, being beneficiary of income transfers and state-provided food baskets significantly moderated the effect of food insecurity on the consumption of several food groups. Results suggest that a combination of cash transfers, subsidies and marketing restrictions hold potential to reduce food insecurity and its negative effects on diet.

Association and relevant factors between objective masticatory performance and subjective masticatory ability among community-dwelling older adults

Background/purposeDentists often focus on masticatory performance (MP) rather than masticatory ability (MA) and treatment expectations when evaluating older adults. This study aimed to determine if MA aligns with MP and to explore influencing factors. Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study utilized a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling, including one thousand community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older. Participants underwent oral exams and questionnaire interviews, assessing tooth count and Eichner index (EI) levels. MP and MA were quantified using a standard gummy jelly test and a 14-food group questionnaire, respectively. Multivariable linear regressions analyzed correlations between MP, MA, and related factors. ResultsApproximately 25 % of participants exhibited poor MP. Factors contributing to poor MP included increased age rise, low education, number of chronic diseases, tooth loss, without the assistance of removable dentures, and being in EI group C (all P < 0.05). Tooth count showed a significant negative correlation with MP (P < 0.001). Participants' MP declined significantly from good to poor, with MA scores decreasing from 11.96 to 7.52 (P < 0.001). The tooth number was a common factor influencing MA across food groups (all P < 0.05). The decline in MA among older adults was linked to age rise, tooth loss, lack of assistance of removable dentures, and being in EI group C. ConclusionSelf-rated MA in older adults effectively reflects their MP. Maintaining a high tooth count to meet occlusal support and the use of dentures to assist with tooth loss in older adults help to improve their MA.

No evidence for goal priming or sensory specific satiety effects following exposure to ambient food odours

Sensory-specific satiety describes a decline in hedonic value of the taste of a food as it is consumed, relative to a non-consumed food – the pudding tummy phenomenon. Incentive motivation towards consumed foods has also been shown to decline. Interestingly, several studies report that brief exposure to food odours can also produce a sensory-specific satiety effect, in the absence of consumption, selectively reducing hedonic ratings and subsequent high calorie food choices. Yet, other studies report goal-priming effects of ambient odours, in which brief implicit exposure increases the hedonic value of odour congruent food options. The present study aimed to determine whether exposure to ambient food odours would enhance or reduce incentive motivation for associated foods. Participants completed either an ambient odour (N = 38) or food consumption (N = 40) task. In both, participants were randomly assigned to an indulgent (chocolate) or non-indulgent (orange) food group and completed two blocks of a cross-modality matching grip-force task. One block was completed immediately before, the other immediately after, odour exposure/food consumption. A grip-force transducer measured effort exerted “to win” briefly presented (33 or 200ms) visual images of these foods, relative to control stimuli. In both studies, participants exerted greater effort to win the food items than control images. While neither satiety nor priming effects were found following ambient odour exposure, a classic sensory-specific satiety effect was found in the food consumption study. That is, force exerted for chocolate images declined significantly following chocolate consumption, in the absence of any decline in motivation for orange stimuli. While differences in odour exposure findings could be explained by factors such as concentration, timing, and nature of exposure, questions remain about the robustness of previously reported odour induced satiety and priming effects.

Risk assessment of dietary perchlorate exposure in typical areas of fireworks manufacturing in China using a perchlorate intake model

Perchlorate can disrupt the production of thyroid hormones, impact metabolism, and even affect the cognitive development of infants and toddlers. Typical areas of fireworks manufacturing might face severe perchlorate pollution due to perchlorate is an important raw material. But related study has not been reported. We assess the risk caused by perchlorate and identify the critical exposure pathways for different age/gender groups in typical area of fireworks manufacturing. Liuyang city, a major fireworks manufacturing center in China, was selected as study region. Perchlorate concentrations were measured in 230 local food samples from Liuyang using LC/MS/MS. Risks for different age/gender groups were estimated using a perchlorate intake model. The detection rate of perchlorate in samples from all eight food groups, including vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, egg, cereal, beans, and drinking water was 100%, and the perchlorate concentrations were higher than those reported in the United States, Canada, South Korea, Kuwait, and other regions of China. Liuyang residents are currently facing an extremely high perchlorate dietary exposure risk, with the mean Estimated Daily Intakes (EDIs) approximately 6–49 times higher than US EPA's recommended reference dose (RfD, 0.7 μg/kg bw/day), and 14–115 times higher than the tolerable daily intake (TDI, 0.3 μg/kg bw/day) established by EFSA. Breast milk and drinking water are identified as the primary exposure pathways for infants and toddlers under the age of two, contributing 44–86% and 13–41% to their total exposure, respectively. For individuals > two years, vegetable consumption (constituting 54–66% of exposures) and ingestion of drinking water (constituting 23–32% of exposures) represent the chief exposure routes. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for Liuyang City residents all exceed 2, indicating an extremely high non-carcinogenic risk associated with perchlorate. Scientific and systematic perchlorate pollution control measures should be taken by local government.

Maternal diet in pregnancy and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease in the offspring: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundDiet has been hypothesized as a risk factor for development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ObjectiveTo explore associations between maternal diet diversity and quality in pregnancy and the offspring’s risk of IBD. MethodsWe used data from a nationwide cohort study on 85,129 Norwegian children followed from birth (1999–2009) with information on maternal diet in pregnancy from validated food frequency questionnaires. Hazard ratios (aHRs) for IBD, Crohn’s disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC) by maternal diet diversity, quality and intake amounts of individual food groups were adjusted for maternal body mass index, parental IBD, and socio-demographic factors. Sensitivity analyses adjusted for the child's early-life diet quality and antibiotic treatment. Dietary exposures were classified into tertiles, comparing low (reference) to medium, and high levels. ResultsDuring a mean follow-up time of 16.1 years (1,367,837 person-years of follow-up), 268 children developed IBD (CD, n=119; UC, n=76; IBD-unclassified, n=73). High compared with low diet diversity in pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of UC in the offspring (aHR 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.25-0.87), with consistent findings after further adjustment for the child's early-life diet quality and antibiotic treatment. High compared with low diet diversity in pregnancy yielded aHRs of 0.81 for CD (0.51-1.28) and 0.75 for any IBD (0.55-1.02) in the offspring. A high compared with low diet quality in pregnancy or intakes of specific food groups were not associated with the offspring’s risk of IBD or its subtypes. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that a higher maternal diet diversity in pregnancy may be associated with a lower risk of UC in the offspring.

Food Consumption and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review Protocol

Mental illnesses are prevalent among children and adolescents worldwide and may be associated with food consumption and unhealthy lifestyles. This study aims to evaluate the association between food consumption and mental health in children and adolescents through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The electronic search will include keywords related to childhood, adolescence, mental health issues (e.g., anxiety, stress, depression), and eating behaviors (e.g., eating patterns, ultra-processed foods), verified using MeSH terms. The systematic review will follow the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, employing the PECOS strategy, and will include quantitative observational and mixed-methods studies. A search will be conducted in the following databases: Scopus, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, LILACS, Web of Science, APA-PhysioNET, PubMed (Medline) and EMBASE. Identifying the association between mental health and food consumption will contribute to the development of preventive and intervention strategies aimed at improving the health and well-being of children and adolescents. The analysis of the data will provide results on how psychological factors are linked to the consumption of various food groups, implying the formulation and updating of public policies. These guidelines can assist managers and researchers in creating effective interventions to promote mental health and healthy eating behaviors, ultimately leading to long-term positive impacts on public health..

Dietary supplement use in dietary patterns excluding whole food groups

Dietary supplement use in dietary patterns excluding whole food groups

Pro-Health Potential of Selected Uncommon Oilseed Plants

Oilseed plants are a valuable group of foods in human nutrition. Uncommon oilseed plants, such as safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), camelina (Camelina sativa L.), and black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), have been gaining increasing attention. The unique chemical compositions of these plants, which contribute to potential health benefits, underscore the importance of further exploration and study. The continuation of development of research in this field, resulting in the well-documented positive impact of these plants on human health, may lead to the possibility of them becoming new functional foods in the future. This review aims to present the potential health-promoting properties of the aforementioned uncommon oilseed plants based on recent literature reports and intends to inspire further exploration of their unique features. Among others, recent reports on the anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial potential, as well as the preventive potential in the case of metabolic diseases of these plants, were discussed. The importance of further development of these problems was also emphasized.

Association of Soy Foods With Gastric Cancer Considering Helicobacter pylori: A Multi-Center Case-Control Study.

This study aims to explore the relationship between soy food consumption and gastric cancer (GC) risk, accounting for Helicobacter pylori infection status. We analyzed data from patients with GC and healthy individuals prospectively enrolled by 6 hospitals between 2016 and 2018. Dietary intake was evaluated using questionnaires that categorized seven dietary habits and 19 food groups. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to examine associations. Model I adjusted for various epidemiological factors, while Model II included further adjustments for H. pylori infection. Primary exposures examined were consumption frequencies of nonfermented, unsalted soy foods (soybean/tofu) and fermented, salty soy foods (soybean paste stew). A total of 5,535 participants were included, with 1,629 diagnosed with GC. In Model I, the frequency of soybean/tofu consumption was inversely related to GC risk; adjusted odd ratios (aORs) were 0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-0.8), 0.38 (95% CI, 0.3-0.49), 0.42 (95% CI, 0.33-0.53), and 0.33 (95% CI, 0.27-0.42) for 1 time/week, 2 times/week, 3 times/week, and ≥4 times/week. Consumption of 2 servings/week of soybean paste stew showed the lowest GC association, forming a V-shaped curve. Both low (aOR, 4.03; 95% CI, 3.09-5.26) and high serving frequencies of soybean paste stew (aOR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.76-2.82) were associated with GC. The association between soy foods and GC in Model II was similar to that in Model I. The soy food-GC associations were consistent across sexes in Model I. Nonetheless, the positive correlation between frequent consumption of soybean paste stew (≥5 times/week) and GC was more pronounced in women (aOR, 7.58; 95% CI, 3.20-17.99) compared to men (aOR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.61-5.88) in Model II. Subgroup analyses by H. pylori status and salty diet revealed a consistent inverse relationship between soybean/tofu and GC risk. In contrast, soybean paste stew showed a V-shaped relationship in H. pylori-positive or salty diet groups and no significant association in the H. pylori-negative group. Soybean/tofu intake is consistently associated with a decreased risk of GC. However, the relationship between soybean paste stew consumption and GC risk varies, depending on H. pylori infection status and dietary salt intake. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03046745.

Impact DASH System on Patients' Dietary Pattern after Recovery from Myocardial Infarction

Background: One of the top three causes of death and morbidity is cardiovascular disease Myocardial infarction is a clinical illness defined by quickly growing severe myocardial ischemia. It is the most frequent health problem in the world and the main cause of mortality. Objectives: The study aims to assess the dietary pattern of food intake frequency for patients with post- myocardial infarction. Patients &amp; Methods: The quasi-experimental design has been carried out to determine the impact of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension system on patients with post-myocardial infarction, in the Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital's cardiac outpatient clinic for the period from 17th April 2023 to 3rd May, 2024. Nonprobability (purposive) sample of (60) patients were selected who recovering from myocardial infarction at AL Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital. The study instrument comprised of (3) parts: part I: demographic details of the patient, which included seven items. Part II: Data on clinical characteristics, consisting of (3) items and Part III: Evaluation of diet frequency consisting of (8) items. Results: The study results showed that most of the food groups were (less than the Recommended Daily Servings) in pre-test, then became (Equal to the Recommended Daily Servings) in post-test in the study group. While most of the food groups were (Less than the Recommended Daily Servings) in pre-test and post-test in the control group. Also, there were statistically significant differences between the study and control groups in the post-test measurements regarding the evaluation of the dietary pattern of food intake frequency at (p. value &lt;0.05). Conclusions: The DASH system was effective in improving the dietary pattern of patients after recovery from myocardial infarction. And in assessing food intake frequency and the dietary pattern at p. value &lt;0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the study and the control group on the post-test measures.

Impact of dietary Diversification on the nutritional status of children aged 0 to 59 months in the municipality of Tori-Bossito

In order to capitalize on the achievements for the sustainability of the NECDP (Nutrition and Early Childhood Development Project) in the municipality of Tori-Bossito, the impact of the Promotion of Food Diversification (PFD) on the nutritional status of children aged 0 to 59 months was evaluated. Anthropometric data (weight, height, age) in children aged 0 to 59 months and dietary data (consumption of salt with iodine, source of drinking water, the practice of hand washing, frequency and quality of meals served to children aged 6 to 59 months) was collected in the households of beneficiary women. This data was collected from 2019 to 2020 (considered as the period before PFD) and from 2021 to 2023 (considered as the period after PFD) through home visits, quarterly screening sessions, and monitoring and promotion of growth and stimulation and awakening of children from 0 to 23 months on a monthly basis. Significant differences through the analysis of variance were carried out at the 5% threshold according to the Student Newman-Keuls test. It showed from this study that after the PFD, a majority of households practice hand washing (85.12%), use a source of drinking water (80.39%), serve children more than three meals (58.3%) containing the three food groups (97.52%) per day but consumed poor salt in iodine in a proportion of 70.4%. The study also revealed that PFD significantly contributes to reducing the prevalence of all forms of malnutrition among children aged 6 to 59 months (from 3.52% to 1.59% for severely underweight, from 3.34% to 1.97% for severe wasting, and from 7.18% to 3.93% for severe stunting). On the other hand, PFD does not contribute to reducing the prevalence of severe underweight in children aged to 0 to 5 months (from 4.85% to 11.97%). The promotion of Food Diversification stands out as an important activity recommended for food and nutrition projects/programs in the fight against malnutrition in all its forms.

Role of ultra-processed foods in modulating the effect of Mediterranean diet on human and planet health—study protocol of the PROMENADE randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe Mediterranean diet (MD), globally recognized for its sustainability and health benefits, traditionally emphasizes the consumption of plant-based foods in raw or minimally processed forms. However, shifting lifestyles, even in Mediterranean regions, have led to an increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF). Epidemiological evidence suggests that UPF consumption may be detrimental to human health, but there is only one clinical trial on this topic which is largely debated in the scientific community. This study aims to investigate the impact of the inclusion of UPF within a Mediterranean-based dietary pattern on cardiometabolic markers, gut microbiota, and other markers of human and planet health.MethodsFifty clinically healthy individuals showing overweight and presenting a low-to-moderate cardiovascular risk profile will be recruited for a 7-month randomized, open, cross-over dietary trial. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to a 3-month high-UPF MD (intervention group) or a low-UPF MD (control group), with a 1-month wash-out period. Both intervention diets will have identical food group compositions, with the intervention group consuming 5 servings/day of selected UPF items, and the control group consuming raw/minimally processed items from the same food group. Blood, urine, and fecal samples, alongside food/lifestyle diaries, will be collected from each participant before and after the dietary interventions. The primary endpoint will be the change in plasma LDL-cholesterol levels from baseline. Additional markers include blood pressure, anthropometric parameters, chemical parameters, glucose and lipid-related metabolic markers, incretins, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, fecal microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acids. Finally, food waste production will be evaluated through specific validated food diaries. The study has been approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Milan and the Tuscany Regional Ethics Committee of the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) - Careggi, Florence.DiscussionResults from the PROMENADE study will improve knowledge about the impact of UPF consumption on human and planet health and will contribute to the scientific debate on this topic.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT06314932. Registered on March 13, 2024.

Geometry Optimization, Molecular Docking and ADMET Studies of Echimidine Molecule

Plants are an important food group that has been used as a source of nutrition and healing from past to present. Plants contain secondary metabolites that are still under investigation in drug development studies. Alkaloids, which are secondary metabolites, have antioxidant and antibacterial properties as well as therapeutic potential in various diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors come to the fore in the treatment strategy of Alzheimer's disease. Echimidine, a pyrrolizidine alkaloid, is an important compound known to be active in AChE inhibition. Molecular docking method has an important place in elucidating biochemical processes by examining the interactions of drugs or drug candidates with the receptors targeted for the disease. Additionally, information on the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) of drug candidate molecules is important in drug development studies. In this study, echimidine molecule was optimized, the molecular docking study was carried out with AChE and the interaction types, binding profile, and binding affinity of echimidine was determined. ADMET analysis of echimidine was also realized to estimate its drug potential. With this study, geometry optimization of the molecule, elucidation of its interactions with AChE, and prediction of its pharmacokinetic properties were achieved for the first time.

Food consumption and adherence to dietary guidelines among Jordanian children and adolescents

Background Early-life food consumption patterns may affect children’s health by increasing susceptibility to developing non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) in adulthood. Aims To evaluate Jordanian children and adolescents’ energy and macronutrient intake and how closely they adhere to dietary recommendations. Methods This cross-sectional study used data from Jordan’s Population-based Food Consumption Survey, a household population-based study conducted in Jordan between 2021 and 2022 (561 children and adolescents 8-19 years). Dietary intake was assessed using the two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recall methods (24-h DR). The estimated food group and nutrient intakes were compared to nutritional recommendations, including MyPlate dietary guidelines. Results The prevalence of overweight/obese individuals based on body mass index (BMI) was 44%, and the average waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was 24.7%. Compared to MyPlate dietary guidelines, children and adolescents had a higher added sugar intake (57g/day). Also, consuming vegetables, fruits, and dairy fell short of MyPlate dietary guidelines. The total discretionary calorie intake in children and adolescents was approximately one-third of the total energy intake. Conclusion The food consumption of Jordanian children and adolescents includes high intakes of discretionary calories, with a low intake of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was elevated compared to international norms.

Validity and reliability of the Sustainable HEalthy Diet (SHED) index by comparison with EAT-Lancet diet, Mediterranean diet in Turkish adults.

Food consumption and diet are strongly associated with sustainability. The Sustainable HEalthy Diet index was developed to measure the nutritional, environmental, and sociocultural components of sustainable diets and healthy eating patterns. However, a methodological approach has yet to be proposed for Turkish adults. This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the SHED index in Turkish adults. Data were collected from 558 healthy adults using a web-based questionnaire. Internal consistency reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and repeatability was evaluated using the test-retest method. Construct validity was investigated using the EAT-Lancet diet and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), and the adapted SHED index structures' accordance was evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis. Good reliability and repeatability were found (r = 0.758 and 0.795, respectively). A higher SHED index score was related to a greater intake of grains, fruits, and vegetables and a lower intake of meat, eggs, and dairy compared to EAT-Lancet diet food groups. A higher SHED index score was associated with a lower saturated fat and added sugar intake. While the SHED index was associated with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet (r = 0.334, p < 0.001), it was negatively associated with non-alcoholic and diet non-alcoholic beverage consumption (r = -0.257 and -0.264, respectively; p < 0.001). The SHED index showed good validity and reliability in Turkish adults. Our results suggest that the SHED index can be used in epidemiological and intervention studies because it allows the measurement of diets in terms of health and sustainability to propose adaptations accordingly.

Existence of Synthetic Dyes in Foodstuffs: A Retrospective Study of Food Safety Concerns

Background: The use of additives, especially food colors, has attracted the attention of food industries. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively investigate the use of food colors in food products offered in Urmia, Iran. Methods: In this study, 451 samples of different types of food were collected from Urmia (April 2019-February 2022). To identify the color type, the Thin Layer Chromatography method was used. The samples included a confections (dry sweets), saffron noghl, saffron halva (a type of confectionery originating from Persia and widely spread throughout the Middle East), saffron-flavored rice and chicken, fruit ice cream, traditional saffron-flavored ice cream, fruit drinks, and saffron solutions. These products were produced from establishments engaged in the production and distribution of food and confections, restaurants, halva manufacturing workshops, traditional ice cream production workshops, and coffeehouses. Statistical analysis of data was done using SPSS software (IBM SPSS statistic 16, USA). Results: Within the group of synthetic dyes analyzed, quinoline yellow, sunset yellow, carmoisine, and tartarazine were identified as the most commonly used synthetic colorants in the examined food products. Findings also showed that rice and saffron chicken samples had the highest average frequency of tartarazine used among the studied food groups (41.66±1.88%). The highest mean frequency of yellow quinoline consumption was also observed in samples of saffron halva (57.27±3.86%), various types of dry sweets (55.50±0.7%), and saffron noghl (52.50±3.53%). Sunset yellow had a low frequency in all groups except saffron ice cream and fruit drinks (p=0.086). The findings showed that the highest average frequency of carmoisine synthetic color consumption was related to saffron ice cream (25±1.41%) and fruit drinks (23.80±2.54%) among the studied food groups. Conclusion: The findings indicated that approximately 30% of the tested samples, except fruit drinks, contained synthetic colorants.

Assessment of energy and nutrient intake adequacy and dietary diversity of pregnant women in Abidjan

Background: Dietary diversity is a potential indicator of adequate nutrient intake. Aims: The study assessed dietary diversity and adequacy of nutrient intake among pregnant women in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire). Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 389 healthy pregnant adult women aged 20 to 43. Participants completed a three-day, 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire and dietary data were converted into nutrient amounts using Nutrisurvey software. Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) was based on nine food groups aggregated from a 15-item questionnaire. Nutrient intake was assessed using the Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) with the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) serving as an overall indicator of diet quality. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: The mean DDS among pregnant women was low at 4.30 ± 1.04, with diet primarily consisting of cereals, white tubers, roots, vegetables and fish. The average energy intake of pregnant women was 2429 kcal/day for over 60 % of participants. While the majority met the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamin B12. However, intakes of calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, folates and vitamin C were below the RDAs for most pregnant women. The average MAR for pregnant women was 70.86% and exhibited a positive correlation with DDS (r = 0.37; p &lt; 0.001). NAR for energy and other nutrients was positively correlated with DDS, except for vitamins B12 and C. Conclusions: Pregnant women with adequate nutrient intakes consumed a diverse range of foods. Dietary diversity can therefore provide be a reliable indicator of nutrient adequacy in the diets of pregnant women in Abidjan’s hospital. Keywords: Dietary diversity, nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy ratio, pregnant women, Côte d'Ivoire.