Human Nutrition Research Articles

Mediterranean Diet, ultra-processed food consumption and semen quality in healthy young men

Abstract Background Diet quality can have beneficial effects on male reproductive health, although studies are still limited, and little is known on the potential impact of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) on semen quality parameters. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was run on 126 participants (mean age 20.0 ± 1.2 y) from the FAST randomized controlled trial in 2018-2019. Food intake was assessed through a FFQ. UPF was defined following the Nova classification and calculated as the ratio (weight ratio) between UPF (g/d) and total food (g/d). Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) was ascertained by the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). The semen analyses were performed using a microscope for optical evaluation with a Makler counting chamber and two automated semen analysers. The primary outcomes were sperm volume, concentration, motility and morphology. A hierarchical mixed model approach was utilized to accommodate the within-subject correlation arising from the triple temporal repetition of measurements. Results Highest UPF consumption (Q4), compared to lowest (Q1), was associated with lower sperm concentration (β=-54.1×106 spz./ml; 95%CI: -92.9 to -15.4; p-trend=0.002 across quarters), and progressive motility (β=-14.2%; 95%CI: -28.2 to -0.09; p-trend=0.036). The percentage of cells with normal morphology tended to be reduced in young men consuming more UPF compared to lowest intake (β=-2.93%; 95%CI: -6.22 to 0.37; p-trend=0.071). The MDS was not associated with any of the parameters under study. Conclusions A larger dietary share of UPF was inversely associated with sperm concentration and progressive motility in young men of reproductive age. MD adherence was not associated with semen quality parameters, and this is possibly due to the low variability of MD adherence in this sample. Dietary recommendations for improving sperm health should prioritize limiting UPF in the diet. Key messages • Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake was unfavourably associated with semen quality parameters amongst young men. • Dietary recommendations for improving sperm health should recommend limiting UPF.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food choices among the working-age adult residents of Lithuania

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic affected the nutrition of various populations. Assuming that the majority of the population of working-age residents of Lithuania know healthy nutrition recommendations and that food selection criteria might serve as an indicator of the following them, we aimed to assess the food selection criteria during and after the COVID-19 pandemic among working-age adult residents of Lithuania. Materials and methods Three cross-sectional surveys among working-age adult residents of Lithuania were carried out: in 2019 (before the pandemic), in 2021 (during the pandemic), and in 2022 (after the pandemic). In 2019, this study included 1007 residents, 1600 residents were surveyed in 2021, also, 1600 residents were surveyed in 2022. Distribution of the respondents by food selection criteria was compared between the samples according to gender, age, marital status, education level, place of residence, employment, income. Results The COVID-19 pandemic affected the food choices of Lithuanian residents (p < 0.05). In 2019, products’ benefits for health criterion was in the third place when choosing foods. It was indicated by 22% of the respondents. In 2019, the most prevalent criterion for selecting foods was taste. It was indicated by 37% of the respondents. The second most prevalent food selection criterion was the price. It was indicated by 24% of the sample. In 2021 selection of foods because of products’ health benefits became the most prevalent and accounted for 31% of the sample. In 2022, it returned back to the prepandemic level and accounted for 19% of the sample. In all social and demographic groups changes in food selection criteria remained as well (p < 0.05). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the food choices of working-age adult residents of Lithuanian. Changes of food selection criteria were observed within the different groups of gender, age, marital status, education level, place of residence, employment, income. Key messages • The COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the food choices of working-age adult residents of Lithuanian. • Less than a year after the pandemic food selection according to its health benefits rapidly decreased and returned back to the prepandemic level.

Leveraging epidemiological data for the development of interventions to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity among adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds

Abstract ePro-Schools is a public health initiative designed to promote healthy nutrition and physical activity among adolescents from socially disadvantaged backgrounds using a targeted e-health intervention to be deployed in the school context. A central theme of ePro-Schools is its robust cross-sectoral collaboration, involving stakeholders from academia, healthcare, education, and local communities. This cooperative approach not only enhances the intervention’s relevance and efficacy but also ensures its cultural, social, and economic adaptability to the needs of the target population. The project embodies a truly interdisciplinary effort, integrating insights from epidemiology, behavioural science, public health, and digital technology to innovate and improve health promotion strategies. This presentation will explore how data from epidemiological studies, such as the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, are used to support the development of the ePro-Schools intervention. Utilizing high-quality epidemiological data, the project identifies key determinants of physical activity, dietary habits, and sedentary behaviour amongst adolescents growing up in low-SES contexts, allowing to craft tailored strategies to promote healthier lifestyles within this vulnerable population.

Association of healthy lifestyle on overweight and obesity among adolescents in Luxembourg

Abstract Background Adolescent overweight and obesity are significant public health challenges. Understanding the impact of healthy lifestyle behaviours is crucial for effective intervention strategies. The aim of this study is to analyse the association between healthy lifestyle behaviours with overweight and obesity among adolescents in Luxembourg. Methods The study was based on the HBSC Luxembourg 2022 survey and includes 8415 adolescents aged 11 to 18 years. Adolescents self-reported the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, height, and body mass. Eating and physical activity behaviours were categorized based on WHO recommendations. Body Mass Index categorization followed International Obesity Task Force criteria. Binomial logistic regression of obesity and overweight with the interaction between healthy diet and physical activity was performed, controlling for age, gender, family affluence, migration background, and family structure. Results The results indicated a significant protective effect of healthy lifestyle behaviours against overweight and obesity. For overweight, adolescents engaging in either fruit and vegetable consumption (OR = 0.829, 95% CI [0.697-0.986]) or physical activity (OR = 0.719, 95% CI [0.566-0.913]) showed reduced odds compared to those with unhealthy behaviours. For obesity, similar associations were observed. Adolescents engaging in physical activity (OR = 0.407, 95% CI [0.235-0.705]) showed reduced odds compared to those with unhealthy behaviours. Combining both behaviours resulted in the lowest risk of obesity (OR = 0.366, 95% CI [0.177-0.760]) and overweight (OR = 0.473, 95% CI [0.340-0.658]). Conclusions Promoting health eating and physical activity behaviours are important strategies for preventing overweight and obesity in youth in Luxembourg. Implementing targeted interventions aimed to promote these behaviours could mitigate the burden of overweight and obesity in this population. Key messages • Healthy lifestyle matters: Fruit and vegetables consumption or regular physical activity significantly reduce the risk of overweight and obesity among adolescents. • Combining behaviours counts: Concurrent engagement in both fruit and vegetables consumption and physical activity offers the greatest protection against overweight and obesity.

A chloroplast localized heavy metal-associated domain containing protein regulates grain calcium accumulation in rice

Calcium (Ca) is an essential mineral nutrient and plays a crucial signaling role in all living organisms. Increasing Ca content in staple foods such as rice is vital for improving Ca nutrition of humans. Here we map a quantitative trait locus that controls Ca concentration in rice grains and identify the causal gene as GCSC1 (Grain Ca and Sr Concentrations 1), which encodes a chloroplast vesicle localized homo-oligomeric protein. GCSC1 exhibits Ca2+ transport activity in heterologous assays in yeast and Xenopus laevis oocytes and is involved in the efflux of Ca2+ from the chloroplast to the cytosol. Knockout of GCSC1 results in increased chloroplast Ca concentration, lower stomatal conductance in leaves and enhanced Ca allocation to grains. Natural variation in grain Ca concentration is attributed to the variable expression of GCSC1 resulting from its promoter sequence variation. Our study identifies a chloroplast localized heavy metal-associated domain containing protein that regulates chloroplast Ca2+ efflux and provides a way to biofortify Ca in rice to benefit human nutrition.

Dietary patterns among European children and their association with adiposity-related outcomes: a multi-country study.

Children's diets in school-age are inherently unhealthy, with few meeting dietary recommendations. Yet, little is known about similarities and differences on dietary patterns across countries and their association with obesity. We aimed to derive dietary patterns in childhood and explore their association with adiposity-related outcomes in childhood and adolescence. This study included data from six European countries (Spain, France, UK, Greece, Lithuania and Norway) during childhood (n = 1597) and adolescence (n = 803). Using a food frequency questionnaire, we derived data-driven dietary patterns through exploratory factor analyses and calculated the Mediterranean KIDMED index. We assessed body mass index z-score (zBMI), fat mass proportion and waist-to-height ratio at both visits. Associations were estimated using generalized linear regressions, adjusted for key-confounders. "Meat", "Dairy", "Western", "Healthy" and "Sweets and fats" dietary patterns were derived. Norwegian children showed better diet quality, with higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, and highest "Healthy pattern" adherence, and Lithuanian children, the worst, with higher sweets consumption, and highest "Western pattern" adherence. Children with lower intake of healthy foods (vegetables, fruits, fish) tended to have higher adiposity, e.g., children with average or low "Healthy pattern" adherence (vs. high) had higher fat mass proportion in childhood (average: β (95% CI) 1.44 (0.48; 2.39), low: 1.10 (0.09; 2.12)). Low adherence to a "Healthy pattern" (vs. high) was associated with increased adolescent zBMI, and child and adolescent waist-to-height ratio. Low "Dairy pattern" adherence (vs. high), was associated with lower zBMI and fat mass in childhood, but not in adolescence. No significant associations were seen with the KIDMED index. Many European children have poor diets and a low adherence to a healthy diet pattern may be of concern for adiposity-related outcomes. Assessment of children's dietary patterns can help tailor dietary advice and provide support for families aiming to prevent future excess weight gain.

Beneficial Effects of a Freeze-Dried Kale Bar on Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the most common global diseases, with an ever-growing need for prevention and treatment solutions. Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala) offers a good source of fiber, minerals, bioavailable calcium, unsaturated fatty acids, prebiotic carbohydrates, vitamins, health-promoting secondary plant metabolites, as well as higher amounts of proteins and essential amino acids compared to other vegetables. The objective of this study was to investigate whether daily intake of freeze-dried kale powder can provide health benefits for T2D patients vs. placebo. This study was designed as a 12-week, blinded, randomized, controlled trial. Thirty T2D patients were randomly assigned to either a placebo bar (control) or a kale bar (intervention). Participants in the intervention group were instructed to consume three bars/day, each containing 26.25 g of freeze-dried kale (corresponding to approx. 341 g fresh kale/day). At baseline and 12 weeks, all participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 24 h blood pressure measurements, DEXA scans, and fasted blood samples were taken. A significant reduction in HbA1c, insulin resistance, body weight, and calorie intake was observed in the intervention group compared to control. Positive trends were detected in fasted blood glucose and LDL-cholesterol for those in the kale intervention group. No significant differences were found in total body fat mass and area under the curve glucose 240 min OGTT. Given the positive effects of high daily kale intake observed in this study, further research with a larger sample size is needed to better understand the health benefits of kale bars. This could potentially lead to new dietary recommendations for patients with T2D.

In vitro toxicity of microalgae species of the phyla chlorophyta and ochrophyta in CHO-k1 and HEP G2 cells for potential use in human nutrition

Microalgae are a promising component to enhance human nutrition, but to date only a few species have been authorized to be used in human nutrition. In this study, the in vitro toxicity of eight novel microalgae strains (Botryococcus braunii, Chlorococcum novae-angliae, Microchloropsis salina, Myrmecia bisecta, Stichococcus sp. Tetraselmis suecica, Tetradesmus obliquus and Spongiochloris minor) selected for their potential for human nutrition was investigated. N-hexane, acetone, ethanol and aqueous extracts of the lyophilized biomass were tested in the CHO-k1 and HEP G2 cell lines at concentrations of up to 1.81 mg ml-1 extracted biomass per well. None of the tested microalgae extracts reached values defined as a significant cytotoxic effect (IC50 < 0.02 mg ml-1). The highest cytotoxic effects were measured for Stichococcus sp. in both cell lines with IC50 values of 0.17 mg ml-1 for the acetone extract in CHO-k1 cell culture and 0.18 mg ml-1 for the acetone extract in HEP G2 cell culture. Most cytotoxic effects occurred with the acetone and ethanol extracts, while the water and n-hexane extracts showed almost no measurable cytotoxic effects. Only Tetraselmis suecica showed no cytotoxic effect under the chosen conditions in both tested cell lines, marking this microalgae as particularly interesting for further investigations into its use in human nutrition.

A budget impact analysis of exclusive human milk diet in very low birth weight infants in United Arab Emirates

Introduction Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants have the highest rate of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions owing to the higher comorbidities associated with premature birth and long hospital stays. VLBW infants fed a bovine (BOV)-based diet have higher mortality rates, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), late-onset sepsis (LOS), and other comorbidities than those fed 100% human milk-based products. This study aims to evaluate the budgetary impact of adopting an exclusive human milk diet (EHMD) instead of a BOV-based diet in VLBW infants from Al-Ain Hospital, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, and Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods We use a decision tree model to estimate the budget impact of adopting EHMD versus the current local practice (BOV) over five years. Patients enter the tree model and have a probability of transitioning to one of the following mutually exclusive health states: NEC, which may be treated medically or surgically; LOS, NEC, and LOS; or neither NEC nor LOS. Depending on the feeding strategy, infants in the aforementioned health states are likely to develop any of the following complications: retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or short bowel syndrome. The model accounts for the costs associated with diet, management of health states and complications, and the follow-up period. Results Al-Ain Hospital saved United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 3.3 million ($1.4million) in the first year of the EHMD feeding arm and AED 16.6 million ($7.1million) over the course of five years. In comparison to Sheikh Shabout Medical City and DHA, AED 36.7 million ($15.8million) and AED 24 million ($10.3million) were saved over five years, respectively, with AED 7.3 million ($3.1million) and 4.8 million ($2million) saved in the first year. The estimated pooled results across the three institutions were AED 5.1 million ($2.2million) and AED 25.7 million ($11million) savings in the first year and over five years, respectively. Conclusion Implementing the EHMD feeding scheme in VLBWs that has significant clinical benefits has resulted in substantial budget savings from the payer’s perspective in the UAE owing to fewer comorbidities associated with premature birth and shorter hospital stays. It is highly recommended for the Emirati health care settings to evaluate the real-world neonatal complication rates.

Dietary stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) improves carotenoids content in laying hen egg yolk

ABSTRACT 1. This study assessed the addition of dried stinging nettle (SN) leaves at 0%, 2.5% and 5.0% in feed on egg production, egg quality, chemical composition and antioxidant content in eggs from laying hens. 2. Seventy-two Hy-Line Brown laying hens, housed in 36 enriched layer cages, were used in the study from 43 to 47 weeks of age. Feeding dry SN leaves did not affect (p > 0.05) egg production variables. 3. Dietary SN inclusion linearly increased (p < 0.001) carotenoid content more than six-fold, in addition to yellowness and redness of the yolks at the maximum inclusion. Providing eggs from hens fed carotenoid enriched diets, e.g. SN, may be used to increase carotenoids in human diets.

Productive, Physiological, and Environmental Implications of Reducing Crude Protein Content in Swine Diets: A Review.

Pig production is one of the most important providers of high-quality proteins and amino acids (AAs) to human nutrition. In this sector, feeding has an important economic and environmental impact. A strategy to reduce production costs and negative sustainability effects is reducing dietary crude protein (CP) contents with or without AA supplementation. This review addresses the different aspects related to this strategy, particularly the effects on growth performance and pork traits in piglets and growing and finishing pigs, as well as the physiological molecular mechanisms' underlying effects. Insight is also provided into the effects of dietary CP reduction on the productive performances of alternative pig production systems and breeding boars and sows. Finally, an overview is conducted on the effects of dietary CP reduction on ammonia, odor, and greenhouse gas emissions arising from pig production systems. Overall, CP reduction may lead to production losses, albeit they can be, to some extent, hindered by adequate AA supplementation. Losses are particularly relevant during the post-weaning phase, whereas in finishing pigs, it may bring additional benefits, such as high intramuscular fat contents in some markets or improved gut barrier function with benefits to the animals' health and welfare, as well as decreased ammonia emissions to the environment.

Cancers attributable to diet in Italy.

Cancer burden can be reduced by controlling modifiable risk factors, including diet. We provided an evidence-based assessment of cancer cases and deaths attributable to diet in Italy in 2020. We considered dietary factor-cancer type pairs for which the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research - Continuous Update Project reported either 'convincing' or 'probable' evidence of causal association. Relative risks were retrieved from recent meta-analyses and dietary intakes (around 2005) from a national food consumption survey. Sex-specific population attributable fractions (PAFs) were computed by comparing the distribution of dietary intakes in the Italian population against counterfactual scenarios based on dietary recommendations. Using data from national cancer and mortality registries in 2020, we estimated the number of attributable cancer cases and deaths, assuming ~15-year lag period. Unhealthy diet accounted for 6.3% (95% CI: 2.5%-9.9%) of all cancer cases in men and 4.5% (95% CI: 1.7%-7.4%) in women. PAFs of colorectal cancer were 10.5% and 7.0% for any intake of processed meat, 3.3% and 2.0% for high red meat, 4.8% and 4.3% for low dairy products, and 7.9% and 9.0% for low fiber intakes in men and women, respectively. PAFs for low intake of non-starchy vegetables and fruit ranged from 0.8% to 16.5% in men and 0.6%-17.8% in women for cancers of the aerodigestive tract. The estimated cancer burden associated with unfavorable dietary habits in Italy is considerable, but appears lower than for other high-income countries, reflecting the typically Mediterranean diet.

Food purchase diversity is associated with market food diversity and diets of children and their mothers but not fathers in rural Tanzania: Results from the EFFECTS baseline survey.

Rural households in East Africa rely on local markets, but the influence of market food diversity and household food purchase diversity on diets has not been well-characterized. We quantify the associations among market food diversity, household food purchase diversity and dietary diversity of mothers, fathers and children in rural Tanzania. This study uses baseline data from a randomized controlled trial, Engaging Fathers for Effective Child Nutrition and Development in Tanzania. We used the 10 food groups for women's dietary diversity to assess the seasonal availability of nutritious foods in 79 markets. Using data from 957 rural households in two districts in Mara, Tanzania, we measured household food purchase diversity over the previous month and dietary diversity among children (6-23 months), mothers and fathers. Overall, 63% of markets sold all 10 food groups throughout the year, indicating high-market food diversity and minimal seasonality. However, only 33% of women and 35% of children met dietary diversity recommendations. Households that reported higher purchasing power (0.14, p < 0.001), lived within 30 min of a market (0.36, p = 0.001) and had access to a highly diverse market (0.37, p = 0.01) purchased a higher diversity of foods. In turn, food purchase diversity was positively associated with the dietary diversity of mothers (p < 0.001) and children 9-23 months (p < 0.001) but not fathers (p = 0.56). Interventions must account for food availability and access in local markets, and promoting diverse food purchases may be an effective strategy to improve women's and children's diets in rural areas.

Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Students in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, VNU University of Science

Healthy nutrition plays a crucial role in improving health and preventing disease within communities. This study aims to evaluate the current state of nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices, as well as the factors influencing nutritional choices among students in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences. A questionnaire survey method was used for data collection. The research findings indicate that 80% of students possess good general knowledge about nutrition, with female students representing 85,2% and male students 73,2%. Regarding attitudes, 74,7% of students display a positive general attitude toward nutrition. Students majoring in Food Science and Technology exhibit a higher rate of positive attitudes (87,0%) compared to those in Environmental Engineering Technology (73,7%) and Environmental Sciences (86,4%). Furthermore, 74,7 % of students demonstrate good general practices in nutrition. Notably, students living with their families tend to have worse nutritional practices than those residing in boarding houses or dormitories. The study also reveals that students with good nutritional knowledge and positive attitudes are more likely to have better nutritional practices. Factors influencing students' nutritional choices, in descending order of importance, include: i) Hygiene and safety; ii) Nutritional and health benefits; iii) Costs and prices; iv) Environmental protection; v) Personal interests and habits; and vi) Convenience.

Functional yogurt: a comprehensive review of its nutritional composition and health benefits.

Functional yogurt, renowned for its enhanced nutritional profile and potential health benefits, has emerged as a promising functional food. This review meticulously examines the nutritional composition of functional yogurt, highlighting its enriched content of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and other bioactive compounds, which contribute to its health-promoting properties. Functional yogurt has positively affected digestive health, immune function, metabolic health, and mental well-being. It benefits digestive health by alleviating diarrhoeal symptoms, constipation, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Helicobacter pylori infection, and digestive-related allergies. Moreover, the immune-boosting properties of functional yogurt play a pivotal role in reducing the risk of infections and inflammation. In addition, functional yogurt has the potential to improve metabolic health, leading to decreased cholesterol levels and enhanced blood sugar regulation. Emerging research also suggests functional yogurt may positively influence mood, behavior, and cognitive function. Functional yogurt is a valuable addition to the human diet, holding significant implications for public health. In addition to its numerous health benefits, functional yogurt also faces limitations, such as the stability of functional compounds, sensory alterations, potential digestive discomfort, and inconsistent efficacy across populations, highlighting the need for further research and optimization.

Physician’s perceived barriers to millet-based diet in clinical practice: A cross-sectional survey

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the perceived barriers faced by physicians in Maharashtra when recommending a millet-based diet for diabetic patients. The objectives were to identify the challenges physicians encounter in promoting millet consumption, assess their knowledge and beliefs about millet-based diets, and evaluate the current resources and practices used in dietary counseling for diabetes management. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 68 physicians specializing in diabetes care in Maharashtra. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling and met the inclusion criteria of having over 10 years of clinical practice and significant experience in diabetes management. Data collection was performed through a pre-tested survey tool distributed through email and Google Forms. The survey included questions on the effectiveness of millet-based diets, patient characteristics influencing dietary recommendations, barriers to providing millet-based food education, and current and desired resources for promoting such diets. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Results: The survey revealed that 70.59% of physicians considered a millet-based diet significantly effective for lowering blood sugar levels. However, several barriers were identified, including high comorbidities (82.35%) and low income (54.41%) among patients, which hindered dietary recommendations. In addition, physicians reported a lack of formal training in millet-based nutrition (73.53%), personal skepticism toward millet-based diets (63.23%), and insufficient patient educational resources (55.89%). Current resources used for dietary counseling were primarily verbal education (100%) and electronic resources (97.06%). Conclusion: Despite recognizing the potential benefits of millet-based diets, physicians face substantial barriers in recommending them to diabetic patients. These barriers include factors such as lack of training, time, and educational resources. To overcome these challenges, there is a need for enhanced educational programs for physicians, increased availability of patient-friendly educational materials, and access to trained dietitians. Implementing these measures could improve dietary management strategies and health outcomes for diabetic patients.

A meta-analysis of the impact of water-solved pollutants on the protein content of Pistia stratiotes L.

Due to the high cost of conventional water cleaning procedures, an affordable alternative for developing countries is the use of Pistia stratiotes L. Although these plants adsorb toxic chemicals in their tissues, other studies report a high protein content in its biomass and propose to use it as a fodder or even for human consumption. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the impact of water-solved pollutants on the content of protein in the tissues of P. stratiotes through a meta-analysis of currently available literature. Scientific reports, which included the biochemical analysis of the species when exposed to pollutants in the growing media were retrieved. The statistical analysis identified that chromium, wastewater sludge from a sugar factory, fluoride and linear alkyl benzene sulphonate reduce the content of protein. On the contrary, metals such as copper and zinc showed a slight tendency to promote the accumulation of protein in the biomass. Only the use of municipal wastewater sludge consistently promoted the increase of protein. Since most pollutants reduced the protein content and others also pose a bioaccumulation risk, P. stratiotes is not recommended to be considered as a fodder or to be included in human diet without previously ensuring its chemical innocuity.

Assessing the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal

Pollination is a key ecosystem service crucial for supporting agricultural production, economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. Understanding the economic value of pollination and its impact on human health and nutrition is essential for effective pollinator conservation and management. This study evaluates the economic and nutritional value of pollination services in Nepal and quantifies historic changes in pollinator reliance. Using public data on agricultural production and commodity prices, in combination with published nutritional composition values, we employ the dependency-ratio method to quantify economic and nutritional value across different regions of the country and through time. We conservatively estimate the annual economic value of pollination services in Nepal at US $477 million, representing 9% of total agricultural revenue. Pollinator-dependent crops, particularly fruits and vegetables are the source of essential nutrients; 40% of plant-based vitamin A and 14% of vitamin C are directly attributable to insect pollination. The cultivated area of these pollinator-dependent crops has increased by 91% in Nepal over 20 years – 3.7 times faster than equivalent increases in non-pollinator-dependent crops. The decline in wild pollinators during the same time period poses a threat, leading to potential pollination deficits and crop losses. Our study underscores the importance of conserving and managing pollinators to ensure sustainable agriculture, food security, and nutrition. Targeted efforts, including policy interventions and conservation strategies, are needed to safeguard pollinator populations and enhance pollination services.

Nutrition Interventions for Youth with Dyslipidemia: Who, What, When, and Where?

A heart-healthy lifestyle adopted during childhood and sustained throughout life can reduce cardiovascular disease risk in youth with dyslipidemia. In this review, we discuss nutrition recommendations for youth (< 18years-of-age) with dyslipidemia, compare recommendations for youth versus those for adults, review published data regarding nutrition management in the pediatric population, and discuss strategies for successful implementation in a clinical setting. Recent publications highlight the characteristics of genetic and acquired hypertriglyceridemia disorders, dietary adjuncts used for lipid-lowering, and the effectiveness of a multi-disciplinary team approach. Nutrition interventions remain a cornerstone of lipid management and cardiovascular disease risk reduction in youth with dyslipidemia. Nutrition counseling should include age and developmentally appropriate education while also addressing barriers to implementing a heart-healthy lifestyle. A registered dietitian nutritionist plays an important role within a multidisciplinary clinic setting by providing dietary recommendations to address the needs of youth with dyslipidemia.

Longitudinal Analysis of Sweet Taste Preference Through Genetic and Phenotypic Data Integration.

Understanding the genetic basis of sweet taste preference is crucial for potential implications in diet-related health outcomes, such as obesity. This study identified genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with sweet taste preferences over time. Data from the American Nurses' Health Study (NHS1) and Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) cohorts were analyzed. Using tools like PLINK and METAL for genetic associations and FUMA for functional annotation, the study identified eight SNPs associated with sweet taste preferences. Notably, rs80115239 and rs12878143 were identified as key determinants of the highest and lowest associations with sweet taste preferences, respectively. Individuals with the rs80115239 (AA) genotype displayed a higher preference for sweet tastes, including chocolate and cake, but a lower preference for physical activity, fruits, and vegetables, particularly in females from the NHS1 cohort, linking this genotype to a higher obesity risk. Conversely, those with the rs12878143 (CC) genotype preferred fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tea, with a lower preference for sweetened beverages, but the correlation with obesity risk was less clear due to inconsistent data. In conclusion, these findings highlight the genetic influences on sweet taste preference and their potential role in personalized dietary recommendations and obesity management strategies.