Healthy Diet Research Articles

Review on Nutritional Potential of Underutilized Millets as a Miracle Grain.

The current situation, which includes changes in eating habits, an increasing population, and the unrestricted use of natural resources, has resulted in a lack of resources that could be used to provide nourishing food to everyone. Natural plant resources are quickly being depleted, so it is necessary to consider new alternatives. In addition to the staple grains of rice and wheat, many other crops are being consumed that need to be utilized to their full potential and have the potential to replace the staple crops. Millets are one of the most important underutilized crops that have the potential to be used as a nutricereal. Millets have a high nutritional value, do not produce acids, do not contain gluten, and can contribute to a healthy diet. Due to a lack of awareness regarding the nutritional value of millets, their consumption is still restricted to the population that adheres to conventional diets and is economically disadvantaged even though millets contain a significant amount of nutrients. Millets are becoming increasingly unpopular due to a lack of processing technologies, food subsidies, and the inconvenience of preparing food with millets. Millets are a Nutricereal rich in carbohydrates, dietary fibers, energy, essential fatty acids, proteins, vitamin B, and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. These nutrients help to protect against post-translational diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and celiac disease, among others. Millets are beneficial for controlling blood pressure, blood sugar level, and thyroid function; however, despite these functional properties, millets consumption has declined. Utilizing millets and other staple food crops to develop alternative food sources has become a new area of focus for businesses in the food industry. In addition, millet consumption can help foster immunity and health, which is essential in strengthening our fight against malnutrition in children and adolescents. In this article, the authors examine the potential of millets in terms of their nutricereal qualities.

EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON EXERCISE, NUTRITIONAL BEHAVIORS AND PERCEIVED STRESS STATUS OF ADULTS

The aim of this descriptive study is to evaluate how the Covİd-19 pandemic has affected exercise, nutritional behaviors, and level of perceived stress in adults. 1037 people, 354 men and 683 women living in different regions in Turkey were reached. Quota sampling method was used. A questionnaire covering changes in socio-demographic information, dietary behaviors, and exercise status was used. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used. Data were collected by using the online survey method. The proportion of those who didn’t exercise regularly during the quarantine period increased at a statistically significant level. The majority of the participants expressed that they made changes in their nutritional behaviors to protect themselves against the coronavirus. 48.7% of them stated that their desire to eat intensified during the quarantine period due to boredom and stress. Perceived Stress Scale mean score was higher in female participants compared to their male counterparts and this difference was statistically significant. If we as a society learn ways to cope with stress, we can prevent malnutrition behaviors that may occur due to changing emotional states. By providing information on special nutrition recommendations and home exercise practices in pandemics such as Covid-19; Energy intake can be balanced and people can be healthier.

Red Blood Cell Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Mortality Following Breast Cancer.

Intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may impact mortality following breast cancer (BC); however, epidemiological studies have relied on self-reported assessment of PUFA intake. Herein, we examined the associations between red blood cell (RBC) PUFAs and mortality. This nested case-control study included 1,104 women from, the Women's Healthy Eating and Living Study, a multi-site randomized controlled trial. Cases (n=290) were women who died from 1995-2006. Matched controls (n=814) were women who were alive at the end of follow-up. PUFAs were measured in baseline RBC samples and included four ω-3 and seven ω-6 PUFAs. We examined each PUFA individually and Principal Components Factor Analysis (PCFA)-derived scores in association with all-cause mortality (ACM) and BC-specific mortality (BCM) using conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In fully-adjusted models, ACM ORs were elevated among women with PUFAs >median (versus ≤median) for α-linolenic acid (ALA, OR=1.63, 95%CI=1.18-2.24) and for linolenic acid (LA, OR=1.56, 95%CI=1.16-2.09), and BCM ORs were elevated for ALA (OR=1.83, 95%CI=1.27-2.63), LA (OR=1.70, 95%CI=1.23-2.37), and γ-linolenic acid (GLA, OR=1.50; 95%CI=1.04-2.16). PCFA-Factor 1 [arachidonic acid/adrenic acid/docosapentaenoic acid] scores >median (versus ≤median) were associated with lower odds of ACM (OR=0.71; 95%CI=0.52-0.97) and BCM (OR=0.69; 95%CI=0.49-0.97), and PCFA-Factor 4 [ALA/GLA] scores >median (versus ≤median) were associated with increased odds of BCM (OR=1.47; 95%CI=1.04-2.09). RBC ALA, LA, and GLA may be prognostic indicators among BC survivors. These results are important for understanding the associations between a biomarker of PUFA intake and mortality among BC survivors.

Adolescents’ Perceptions About Healthy and Sustainable Diets: A Qualitative School-Based Study in Portugal

ABSTRACT In this qualitative study, we explored Portuguese adolescents’ perceptions of diet, sustainability, and health through six focus group discussions (FGDs). Fifty-five adolescents (10–18 years) participated. FGDs focused on sustainability in food choices and its health impact, with our primary interest in their perceptions. Results showed a limited comprehension of “sustainable/sustainability,” especially among younger participants. Those aware of sustainability recognized its diverse aspects, including health, economic, and ecological domains. Some adolescents recognized the link between health and sustainability in their diets, emphasizing the need for food literacy. These findings emphasize the importance of public health and sustainable policies among Portuguese adolescents.

Alcohol: a cardiovascular friend or foe?

This review comprehensively explores the multifaceted implications of alcohol consumption on health. While acknowledging the potential cardiovascular benefits of moderate alcohol intake, concerns arise with excessive use, especially related to some specific cancer types. The detailed evidence emphasizes the importance for healthcare professionals to convey a balanced message, advocating moderation for cardiovascular benefits while acknowledging potential cancer risks linked to excessive consumption. Regarding moderate consumption, the overall balance favors intake, supported by studies like the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020. The intricate risk-benefit ratio of alcohol use demands tailored explanations based on individual characteristics and habits, considering overall risk profiles for cardiovascular diseases, alcohol-related cancers (for example, breast cancer has been associated with moderate alcohol consumption, although the evidence is not conclusive), and other health issues. Factors such as age, pregnancy, cognitive tasks, and personal history influencing the likelihood of alcohol abuse should inform personalized advice on moderate alcohol consumption. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders, including government agencies and healthcare organizations are crucial for providing up-to-date, comprehensive information. Clinical guidelines stress the complexities of the alcohol-heart healthy relationship, advocating moderation and individualized advice. Within personalized advice, the significance of moderate alcohol consumption, particularly in the form of wine within a Mediterranean diet, is highlighted. Wine is seen as a fundamental component of a wholesome diet, aligning with healthy dietary patterns, rather than a medicinal remedy. Acknowledging wine's integration into sound nutrition contributes to heart-healthy lifestyles, in line with Mediterranean dietary traditions. Healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in guiding patients on alcohol intake, considering specific health status and risk factors. Public health campaigns focus on educating individuals to make informed choices about alcohol consumption in the broader context of cardiovascular health. In conclusion, achieving cardiovascular health without undue risks necessitates a balanced and personalized approach to alcohol consumption, guided by healthcare professionals and public health recommendations.

Wet markets in Southeast Asia and access to healthy diets

Hunger and malnutrition in all forms continues to rise in Africa and Asia. Urban and rural communities’ diets in Southeast Asia (SEA) are increasingly unhealthy, with consumption influenced by affordability and convenience. The cost of a healthy diet is a major barrier to accessing healthy foods in SEA. Wet markets are key places in food environments where people buy and sell a variety of foods. They are especially important for food and nutrition insecure communities. This mini narrative review explores the role that wet markets, in SEA food environments, play in providing local communities with access to healthy foods. Fourteen peer-review papers, published in English between 2017 and 2022, were identified during screening and analysed according to six food environment domains. Findings highlight that convenient access to wet markets facilitates access to fruits and vegetables in peri urban and urban areas. Fresh foods, most notably fruits, were viewed as being more expensive than processed foods which in turn influenced purchasing behavior. Divergent findings were presented in the identified papers regarding affordability of food in wet markets. Concerns about food quality and the use of chemicals and pesticides were raised. This review was constrained by several factors including the lack of consistent and meaningful definitions and typologies of the varied forms of wet markets. Looking ahead, better defined interpretations of wet markets can enhance the development and refinement of appropriate policies and actions and comparison of wet markets, in respect of access to diverse, healthy foods, vendor practices and consumer food choices.

A policy package for socio-cultural factors of promoting healthy diet in Iran

A policy package for socio-cultural factors of promoting healthy diet in Iran

Exploration of the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion and Mindfulness on Orthorexia Nervosa and Perfectionism.

Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with healthy eating, accompanied by increasingly restrictive dietary practices over time. In light of the increased attention to ON, it is noteworthy that the existing body of research, specifically with regard to mindfulness and self-compassion remains constrained in scope and depth. A total of 151 participants over the age of 18 completed scales measuring Orthorexia, Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, and Perfectionism. The findings revealed that individuals exhibiting high levels of ON tended to have low levels of self-compassion and mindfulness, along with high levels of perfectionism. Furthermore, the results indicated that self-compassion and mindfulness acted as mediators in the relationship between perfectionism and orthorexia nervosa. These findings deepen our comprehension of orthorexia and underscore the role of self-compassion and mindfulness, or their absence, as mediating factors in this context. The implications of these results and potential future directions are discussed.

Adherence to medication, dietary and physical activity recommendations: Findings from a multicenter cross-sectional study among adults with diabetes in rural South Africa.

Diabetes is a complex health condition requiring medical therapy and lifestyle modifications to attain treatment targets. Previous studies have not fully explored factors associated with adherence to medication, diets and physical activity recommendations among individuals living with diabetes in rural South Africa. We examined the association between knowledge, health belief and adherence to medication, dietary, and physical activity recommendations and explored self-reported reasons for non-adherence. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 399 individuals living with diabetes recruited over 12 weeks from six randomly selected primary healthcare centres in rural South Africa. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained by self-report. Health beliefs, knowledge, and adherence were assessed using validated measures. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out. The majority (81.7%) of the participants were females, with a mean age of 62 ± 11 years. Only 39% reported adhering to their prescribed medication regimen, 25% reported adhering to dietary recommendations, and 32% reported adhering to physical activity recommendations. The most cited reasons for non-adherence were lack of access to (n = 64) and cost of drugs (n = 50), perceived high costs of healthy diets (n = 243), and lack of time (n = 181) for physical activity. Level of education was an independent predictor of medication adherence [odds ratio, OR = 2.02 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.20-3.40)] while diabetes knowledge was independently associated with both medications [OR = 3.04 (95% CI: 1.78-45.12)]; and physical activity adherence [OR = 2.92 (95% CI: 1.04-2.96). Positive health belief was independently associated with adherence to medications [OR = 1.72 (95% CI: 1.15-2.57) and dietary recommendations [OR = 1.75 (95% CI: 1.04-2.96)]. Adherence to three important self-care practices, medication, diet, and physical activity, was suboptimal in this study setting. Socioeconomic reasons and access barriers were significant drivers of non-adherence, while increased knowledge and positive health beliefs were potential facilitators. Efforts to improve medication adherence and foster engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviours must consider patients' knowledge and health beliefs. Primary healthcare providers should create awareness on the importance of adherence on health outcomes for people with diabetes. Likewise, efforts to increase the availability and affordability of medications for socioeconomically disadvantaged populations should be prioritised by the key health stakeholders.

Orthorectic behavior among students and motivation for physical activity, dietary habits, and restrictive eating.

Orthorexia lacks official recognition as an eating disorder; however, orthorexic behaviors, associated with a stringent selection of food, may serve as a predisposing factor to the development of eating disorders. It is characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with healthy eating and strict dietary standards, often prevalent in high-risk groups such as athletes and individuals concerned with their physical appearance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of orthorexia among students exhibiting varying lifestyles (including dietary habits and levels of physical activity, along with their respective motivational factors). The research involved 600 participants equally distributed between health-related (HRF) and non-health-related (NRF) academic categories, with the majority of participants in the HRF category being women. Assessments included BMI calculations, dietary evaluation based on Polish standards, categorization of physical activity levels, the EMI-2 questionnaire on motivation to exercise, the DOS test for orthorexia propensity, and the TFEQ-13 questionnaire for eating behavior. Results showed that primary motivators for physical activity included disease prevention, health maintenance, strength/endurance, and physical appearance. Orthorexia tendencies were prevalent, particularly in the HRF group, linked to lower BMI, better diet quality, higher physical activity levels, and a higher prevalence of restrictive eating. In conclusion, students in health-related fields, driven by a strong health consciousness, are at risk of orthorexia. This emphasizes the need for balanced health education and support. Orthorexic tendencies are associated with distorted perceptions of food portions and calories, underscoring the importance of awareness and intervention.

Effects of the composition of food and medicine homologous ingredients complex supplementation on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota diversity in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice

SummaryDietary patterns are closely related to obesity, and a balanced diet can prevent obesity more than a single food or nutrient. In this study, we investigated the anti‐obesity effects of food and medicine homologous ingredient complex (FMHIC). The serum biochemical indices related to lipid metabolism were significantly improved in the FMHIC group. Meanwhile, it significantly inhibited the accumulation of lipid droplets, improved adipocyte hypertrophy and downregulated gene expression related to lipid production. FMHIC can effectively regulate intestinal flora richness and structural disorder in obese mice and result in a higher abundance of NK4A214_group and Prevotellaceae _UCG_001, and a lower abundance of Negativibacillus, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Lachnoclostridium and GCA_900066575. Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a strong correlation between species richness and lipid metabolism and that FMHIC might adjust lipid metabolism by regulating the abundance of intestinal flora. In conclusion, FMHIC regulates lipid metabolism and modulates gut microbiota to regulate high‐fat diet‐induced dysbiosis.

Mother-Child Conversations about the Impact of Nutrition and Activities on a Short and Long-Term Basis

The following two studies examined mother-child conversations about the outcomes of engaging in healthy and unhealthy eating and physically active and sedentary activities. Study 1 (n= 29 mother-child dyads, M age = 4.6 years) examined the impact of healthy and unhealthy eating on a short and on a long term basis. Study 2 (n = 34 mother-child dyads, M age = 4 years 8 months) examined the impact of physically active and sedentary activities on a short and on a long term basis. Overall for Study 1, preschoolers elicited significantly more physiological and physical responses. For Study 2, preschoolers gave significantly more physiological and physical utterances than their mothers did. The results of these two studies demonstrate that preschoolers draw predominantly on the biological domain when reasoning about the impact of engaging in healthy/unhealthy nutrition and physically active and sedentary activities on a short and on a long-term basis.

Chilean children's adherence to sustainable healthy diets and its associations with sociodemographic and anthropometric factors: a cross-sectional study.

To describe adherence to sustainable healthy diets among a sample of 958 Chilean pre-schoolers (3-6years) and explore associations between adherence and child and maternal sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics. Children's adherence to sustainable healthy diets was calculated from single multiple-pass 24-h dietary recalls using the Planetary Health Diet Index for children and adolescents (PHDI-C). Higher PHDI-C scores (max score = 150 points) represent greater adherence. Adjusted linear regression models were fitted to explore associations between PHDI-C scores and child and maternal characteristics. Children obtained low total PHDI-C scores (median 50.0 [IQR 39.5-59.8] points). This resulted from low consumption of nuts & peanuts, legumes, vegetables, whole cereals, and vegetable oils; a lack of balance between dark green and red & orange vegetables, inadequate consumption of tubers & potatoes and eggs & white meats, and excess consumption of dairy products, palm oil, red meats, and added sugars. Mean PHDI-C total score was significantly higher (50.6 [95%CI 49.6, 51.7] vs 47.3 [95%CI 45.0, 49.5]) among children whose mothers were ≥ 25years compared to those with younger mothers. Positive associations were observed between scores for fruits and maternal education, vegetables and maternal age, added sugars and child weight status, while negative associations were observed between fruits and child age, and vegetable oils and maternal education. Scores for dairy products PHDI-C component were lower among girls. Adherence to sustainable healthy diets was low among this sample of Chilean children and was significantly associated with maternal age, being lower among children whose mothers were younger.

Achievement of Guideline-Recommended Targets for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in 38 Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of achieving the secondary prevention targets recommended in the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 38 low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We pooled nationally representative cross-sectional surveys from 38 LMICs between 2013 and 2020. Treatment, metabolic and lifestyle targets were assessed for individuals with a self-reported history of CVD according to WHO's recommendations. Associations between the prevalence of guideline adherence and sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using multivariate Poisson regression models. The pooled sample included 126 106 participants, of whom 9821 (6.8% [95% CI 6.4-7.2]) reported a history of CVD. Overall, the prevalence of achieving treatment targets in patients with CVD was 22.7% (95% CI, 21.0-24.5%) for antihypertensive drugs, 19.6% (17.9-21.4%) for aspirin, and 13.6% (12.0-15.44%) for statins. The prevalence of achieving metabolic targets was 54.9% (52.5-57.3%) for BMI, 39.9% (37.7-42.2%) for blood pressure, 46.1% (43.6-48.6%) for total cholesterol, and 84.9% (83.1-86.5%) for fasting blood glucose. The prevalence of achieving lifestyle targets was 83.2% (81.5-84.7%) for not smoking, 83.1% (81.2-84.9%) for not drinking, 65.5% (63.1-67.7%) for sufficient physical activity and 16.2% (14.5-18.0%) for healthy diet. Only 6.1% (5.1-7.4%) achieved three treatment targets, 16.0% (14.3-17.9%) achieved four metabolic targets, and 6.9% (5.8-8.0%) achieved four lifestyle targets. Upper-middle income countries were better than low-income countries at achieving the treatment, non-drinking and dietary targets. Being younger and female were associated with poorer achievement of metabolic targets. In LMICs, achieving the targets recommended in the guideline for treatment, metabolism and healthy lifestyles for patients with CVD is notably low. This highlights an urgent need for effective, systematic secondary prevention strategies to improve CVD management.

Recent Advances in the Understanding of Stress Resistance Mechanisms in Probiotics: Relevance for the Design of Functional Food Systems.

In recent years, more and more scientific community, food producers, and food industry show increased interest in functional foods containing probiotics, which is a big challenge. The consumption of probiotics in the context of a balanced diet through the consumption of functional foods or through the intake of pharmaceutical preparations has proven to contribute to the improvement of human health, even contributing to the prevention of diseases. In order for probiotics to be considered suitable for consumption, they must contain a minimum concentration of viable cells, namely, at least 107 colony forming units of beneficial microbes per gram. Ensuring the viability of bacterial cells until the moment of consumption is the overriding priority of functional probiotic food manufacturers. Probiotic bacteria are subject to stress conditions not only during food manufacturing but also during gastrointestinal passage, which limit or even compromise their functionality. This paper first examines all the stressful conditions faced by probiotic cells in their production stages and related to the conditions present in the bioreactor fermentation and drying processes as well as factors related to the food matrix and storage. The stress situations faced by probiotic microorganisms during the gastrointestinal transit especially during stomach and intestinal residence are also analyzed. In order to understand the adaptation mechanisms of probiotic bacteria to gastrointestinal stress, intrinsic and adaptive mechanisms identified in probiotic strains in response to acid stress and to bile and bile acid stress are analyzed. In addition, improvement strategies for multiple stress tolerance of lactic acid bacteria through directions dealing with stress, accumulation of metabolites, use of protectants, and regulation of technological parameters are examined. Finally, the definition of postbiotics, inanimate microorganisms and/or their components conferring health benefits, is also introduced. Postbiotics include cell lysates, enzymes, and cell wall fragments derived from probiotic bacteria and may represent an alternative to the use of probiotics, when they do not tolerate stressful conditions.

Diet quality and cardiometabolic risk factors among breast cancer survivors in the Pathways Study.

11039 Background: Women with breast cancer (BC) have higher risk of developing cardiometabolic conditions compared to women without BC. However, the relationship between healthy eating and onset of cardiometabolic conditions in BC survivors remains unknown. We set out to determine if diet quality at BC diagnosis was related to subsequent development of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Methods: This analysis included 3,415 participants from the Pathways Study, a prospective cohort of women diagnosed with invasive BC (stages I-IV) at Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) between 2005 and 2013. Food frequency questionnaires were administered at or around the time of BC diagnosis and five diet quality indices (DQI) aligned with healthy eating were evaluated: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), a healthy plant-based dietary index (hPDI), 2020 Healthy Eating Index (HEI), American Cancer Society nutrition guidelines (ACS), and the alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED). Incident hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were ascertained through electronic health records and participants were followed through first indication of these conditions, disenrollment from KPNC, death, or December 31, 2021. Scores were categorized into ascending quartiles of concordance for each DQI, and multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Results: There were 554 (16.2%) incident cases of hypertension, 362 (10.6%) of diabetes, and 652 (19.1%) of dyslipidemia over 39,263 person-years of follow-up. Participants in the highest compared to lowest HEI quartile had lower risks of hypertension (HR=0.70, 95% CI 0.53-0.92, Ptrend<0.01), diabetes (HR=0.56, 95% CI 0.40-0.77, Ptrend<0.001), and dyslipidemia (HR=0.76, 95% CI 0.59-0.99, Ptrend=0.03). Participants in the highest vs lowest hPDI quartile had lower risks of hypertension (HR=0.74, 95% CI 0.55-0.98, Ptrend<0.05) and diabetes (HR=0.65, 95% CI 0.46-0.93, Ptrend=0.02), but not dyslipidemia. Women in the highest vs lowest DASH and ACS quartiles had lower risks of diabetes (DASH:HR=0.56, 95% CI 0.39-0.79, Ptrend<0.001; ACS:HR=0.57, 95% CI 0.40-0.79, Ptrend<0.001), but not hypertension or dyslipidemia. No statistically significant differences for aMED were observed between those in the highest vs lowest quartiles. Overall, HRs were similar across DQIs for hypertension and diabetes, except for aMED, which slightly attenuated for diabetes. Conclusions: Diets concordant with HEI may provide the most overall benefit for preventing cardiometabolic conditions after a BC diagnosis. The benefit of diets aligned with hPDI, DASH, ACS, and aMED appear to vary by cardiometabolic condition. Future analyses will examine how these benefits may be modified by BC treatments. Consuming a healthful diet should be recommended to BC survivors for long-term cardiovascular health.

Assessment of Nutritional status, Anthropometry and Sleep patterns of the Obese patients during pre and post COVID-19 Illness

Background and aimsUntil COVID-19, obesity was the main pandemic of 21 century. To date, there have been 767984989 confirmed cases, and 6943390 include death cases of COVID-19 (WHO). To find the prevalence of Obesity among adults, to adjudge the attitude and behavior of selected subjects towards eating healthy and weight loss during pre- and post-COVID-19. MethodologySubject selection was done through non-probability judgemental sampling. Initially, 70 young adults between 18 - 39 years of age were selected from different localities of Delhi (NCR). The study was conducted based on a questionnaire developed for the survey. Based on the inclusion criteria only 50 subjects were selected for further study. The study was constructed into three phases and the arrangement of subjects was elaborated as under. Phase 1 includes field study, clinical examination, and biochemical analysis, phase II includes the division of experimental and control groups, whereas Phase III includes the pre& post-COVID nutritional status, anthropometric assessment, beverage consumption, and sleep patterns were also assessed. ResultThe nutrition intervention in E3 (balanced diet + nutrient supplement) showed a significant difference with the control group followed by E2 (nutrient supplement) and E1 (balanced diet). Our findings showed that the subjects have Calorie, protein, fat, carbohydrates, sodium, and potassium intake significantly decreased (P= <0.001) during post-intervention, whereas, the fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron (P= <0.001), and calcium (p=0.006), intake significantly increased during post-intervention. The changes in anthropometric parameters such as waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), and fat% for pre-COVID-19 were higher for both men and women, but after following the dietary recommendation and physical activity found a significant reduction in WHR, BMI, and fat% (P= <0.001) for both men and women. The p-value for subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction appears to be less than 0.05 which shows that it is significant. The daily consumption of various beverages listed above with a comparison of pre-post intervention, which shows that only for kada the p-value is 0.001 which is less than 0.05 hence it seems significant. The p-value for people with no comorbidity appears less than 0.05, indicating it is significant. majority of participants (12%) with diabetes took comparatively longer than the participants suffering from other comorbidities followed by Hypertension (7%), Hyperthyroidism (4%), Hypothyroidism, and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) (3% each) respectively. ConclusionIn the present study, we provided survey data about the key aspects of the nutritional management of COVID-19 (pre-and-post), based on the current knowledge.

Effects of glyphosate herbicide ingestion on kidney function in rats on a balanced diet.

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide worldwide and in Brazil. There is currently increasing concern about the effects of glyphosate on human health. The Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection showed data on the presence of glyphosate in some of Brazil's most consumed ultra-processed products. Currently, regulations on the upper limit for these residues in ultra-processed foods have yet to be established by the National Health Surveillance, and ultra-processed food consumption is independently associated with an increased risk of incident chronic kidney disease. Since an unbalanced diet can interfere with kidney function, this study aims to investigate the effect of daily intake of 5 mg/kg bw glyphosate in conjunction with a balanced diet and the possible impact on renal function in rats. Kidney function, kidney weight, markers of renal injury, and oxidative stress were evaluated. There was a decrease in kidney weight. The main histopathological alterations in renal tissues were vacuolation in the initial stage and upregulation of the kidney injury marker KIM-1. Renal injury is associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria. This study showed changes in the kidney of rats exposed to a balanced diet with glyphosate, suggesting a potential risk to human kidney. Presumably, ultra-processed food that contain glyphosate can potentiate this risk. The relevance of these results lies in drawing attention to the need to regulate glyphosate concentration in ultra-processed foods in the future.

Dietary Patterns of Pregnant Women and Their Association with Diet Quality Measures: A Comparative Analysis.

Healthy dietary patterns during pregnancy are crucial for ensuring maternal and foetal health outcomes. Numerous methodologies exist for assessing the diet of pregnant women, including dietary patterns and various appraisal tools of diet quality. This study aimed to assess the dietary patterns and diet quality of pregnant women and to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns, diet quality estimators, and the adequacy of nutrient intake. EPIC FFQ was applied to a sample of 251 pregnant women, and questionnaires were interpreted with the FETA program. Dietary patterns were then determined by means of principal component analysis. Our results showed a substantial association between dietary patterns and total diet quality, as measured by the Diet Quality Index for Pregnancy (DQI-Pc), PURE Healthy Diet Score, and FIGO Diet Quality Score. We also found correlations between certain dietary patterns and particular nutrient intakes recommended by the European Food Safety Authority during pregnancy. The most deficient intake was registered for iron (86.1%), zinc (87.3%) and magnesium (79.3%), posing a threat to normal bone development, anaemia prophylaxis, and immune status. These results highlight the importance of assessing and understanding eating habits during pregnancy in order to achieve optimal outcomes for both the mother and the foetus.

The Impact of an AI-Driven Personal Health Platform on Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global health concern, particularly among older adults, linked to fat and sugar-rich diet, inactivity, tobacco smoking, as well as genetic factors. Regular exercise and a balanced diet are recommended to reduce CVD risk. Recently, the use of computer of mobile phone application platforms have become promenent tools for personal health interventions and guidance. Although research findings of the efficacy of mobile health apps has had mixed results, improved user health and lowered risk of CVD has been seen with regular engagement. Shae, an AI-driven mobile health platform, offers personalized lifestyle guidance based on an individual's phenotype. The aim of this study is to assess whether engagement with the online platform, Shae, decreases Framingham non-laboratory CVD risk score over time.The study collected data from 1684 participants who engaged with the Shae online platform for at least 3-months between May 2014 and March 2018. After applying exclusion criteria, 5225 complete assessment entries remained for analysis. The Shae platform assessed health, predicted future risks, and recommended personalized interventions. Data included anthropometric measurements and survey responses, converted for standardized analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated for participants' characteristics and compared across gender and age groups, in alignment with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. A linear mixed-effect regression model was employed to assess changes in CVD risk over time. This research aimed to evaluate the impact of personalized health interventions on CVD risk in diverse demographic groups.CVD risk score, when adjusted for age, decreased by 11.2% following 24 months of engagement with the Shae app, with men 45 years and older seeing the largest decrease (16.1%), and the lowest decrease seen in women under 55 years (10%). Use of the Shae app was primarily by women (85%).This study assessed the impact of engagement with the mHealth app, Shae, on reducing CVD risk. Results revealed a significant CVD risk reduction, notably in men over 45. mHealth apps like Shae provide personalized health assessments, activity tracking, nutrition advice, and medication reminders, enabling proactive cardiovascular health management. Increased physical activity and better blood pressure control were key factors in risk reduction. Tailored interventions for high-risk groups align with previous research. Given the importance of preventing CVD, mHealth apps hold promise. This 24-month study offers robust insights, and the focus on individual phenotypes enhances engagement and health outcomes.