High Vegetable Diet Research Articles

Dietary Patterns and Lifestyle Factors Associated with the Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study among Malaysians.

This study aimed to examine the association between dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk among the Malaysian population. We recruited 100 patients and 100 controls from two selected government hospitals. Principal component analysis was used to identify dietary patterns using a 123-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption questionnaires were modified from the WHO STEPS Survey questionnaire. Physical activity levels were assessed using the revised Global Physical Activity questionnaire. Associations between dietary patterns, lifestyle factors and CRC risk were assessed using logistic regression with SPSS version 24.0. Three dietary patterns were derived from factor analysis: i) vegetables; ii) meat, seafood and processed food; and iii) grains and legumes. High vegetable diet intake was independently and significantly associated with an 81% decreased risk of CRC (odds ratio [OR]: 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08, 0.46). Both recreational-related physical activity (OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.64) and vigorous physical activity (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.13, 3.74) are significantly associated with decreased risk of CRC. Increasing the number of cigarettes smoked (≥ 16 cigarettes) per day significantly increased the odds of developing CRC (OR: 2.58; 95% CI: 1.95, 6.75). The duration of alcohol consumption cessation was inversely associated with CRC risk (OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 2.30, 10.57). The protective effects of a fruit and vegetable diet, and a healthy lifestyle can be used to develop interventions that help reduce the risk of CRC in the Malaysian population.

VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION AND COOKING SKILLS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

A high vegetable diet has proved to offer health benefits that can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower the risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect on blood sugar, which can help control appetite. However, the prevalence of vegetable consumption below the recommended daily intake is worrying. Nearly 95% of Malaysian adults, including university students, have not met the recommended daily amount of vegetables. Sociodemographic factors and a lack of cooking skills may contribute to inadequate vegetable consumption. A study was carried out to determine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and cooking skills with vegetable consumption among Malaysian university students. By utilizing a random sample, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of vegetable consumption and cooking skill among university students aged 18 and older. The data was obtained via online survey using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and the Cooking Skills Questionnaire validated and tested by previous researchers. Vegetable consumption was divided into daily and non-daily consumption and a chi-square test was performed to analyze the association followed by the Bonferroni posthoc test. The association between sociodemographic and five dimensions of cooking skills with daily vegetable consumption was subject to logistic regression and an adjusted odds ratio was applied. Results demonstrated that only 24% of students (20% of males and 52% of females) consumed vegetables regularly, while the rest did not. There is a positive association between cooking skills dimensions (availability and accessibility of fruits and vegetables; produce consumption self-efficacy and knowledge of cooking terms and techniques) with daily vegetable consumption. Students who were 25 years old and older, male, lived alone, with friends, or with children, understand how to cook, ordered outside during lunchtime, and dined at the cafeteria for lunch were significantly associated with daily vegetable consumption.

The Effects of High Fat Diets on Body Weight and Lipid Profile Changes of Sprague-Dawley Rats

Background: Lipids come in from many different sources in one’s diet. In this experiment, we intend to find out the kind of lipids that causes the highest increase in rat body weight and the most influence in the lipid profiles. Method: We compared three kinds of lipid: beef fats, egg yolk and palm oil which were added to the rats’ standard diet. Twenty-eight 20-24 week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250–300 g were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups given a high beef fat diet (BF), a high egg yolk (EY), a high vegetable fat (VF), and a standard chow diet (SD) as control for 30 days. The body weight of each rat was monitored weekly and the lipid profiles were measured enzymatically at the end of the experiment. Result: The EY and VF body weights increased significantly compared to the SD ( p <0.05). The total cholesterol level of BF, EY and VF increased significantly compared to the SD groups ( p <0.001). The triglycerides level of BF, EY, and VF increased significantly compared to SD ( p <0.001). The HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly lower in BF, EY and VF compared to SD ( p <0.05). The LDL-cholesterol in BF, EY and VF were significantly increased compared to SD ( p <0.05). Conclusion: High egg yolk diet causes a bigger increase in rat body weight, LDL levels, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides than the high beef fat diet and high vegetable fat diet compared to control. It also causes lower HDL levels than the other diet groups compared to control.

Commentary on the 2020 update of the KDOQI clinical practice guideline for nutrition in chronic kidney disease.

Commentary on the 2020 update of the KDOQI clinical practice guideline for nutrition in chronic kidney disease.

Two Dietary Patterns From China Might Benefit Kidney Function, as Indicated by Latent Profile Analysis

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly influenced by diet. However, there is a lack of a special dietary pattern to promote kidney health; there might have been some dietary patterns that could be beneficial in preventing the decline of renal function. The aim of this study is to assess the latent friendly dietary patterns for the kidneys in the year with low incidence of CKD in China. In this cross-sectional survey (2009), 4,267 adults no less than 18years old without CKD, hypertension, diabetes, and so on were analyzed in the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Kidney function was reflected by 3 common indicators: uric acid, urea, and creatinine. Food intake was determined based on 3 consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls from the first day of midnight to the fourth day of midnight. Latent profile analysis was used to identify dietary patterns among participants. After adjusting for demographic and lifestyle characteristics, 2 dietary patterns (low animal and high plant diet and high cereal and vegetable diet) which were characterized as higher intake of plant derived food (cereals, tubers, legumes, fruits, and vegetables) from China might benefit kidney function. The median intake of foods in the first dietary pattern was cereals and cereal products 433.33g/day, tubers and starch products 150.00g/day, dried legumes and legume products 46.67g/day, vegetables and vegetable products 303.33g/day, meat and meat products 40.00g/day, and egg and egg products 20.00g/day. The median intake of foods in the second dietary pattern was cereals and cereal products 616.67g/day, dried legumes and legume products 38.33g/day, vegetables and vegetable products 700.00g/day, meat and meat products 66.67g/day, and egg and egg products 20.00g/day. It was shown that there were two dietary patterns in China might benefit kidney function. Future studies are needed to confirm these associations and design dietary patterns specifically to promote kidney health based on these characteristics.

The effects of increasing fruit and vegetable intake in children with asthma: A randomized controlled trial.

A high fruit and vegetable (F&V) diet reduces asthma exacerbations in adults; this has not been examined in children to date. To investigate the effect of a 6-month, high F&V diet on the time to first asthma exacerbation in children with asthma, in a parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial. Children (aged 3-11years) with asthma, history of exacerbations and usual low F&V intake (≤3 serves/day) were randomized to the intervention (high F&V diet) or control group (usual diet) for 6months. The primary outcome was time to first exacerbation requiring medical intervention. Secondary outcomes included exacerbation rate, lung function, plasma TNF-α, CRP, and IL-6, faecal microbiota and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and G-protein coupled receptor (GPR) 41/43 and HDAC (1-11) expression. 67 children were randomized between September 2015 and July 2018. F&V intake (difference in change (∆): 3.5serves/day, 95% CI: [2.6, 4.4] p<0.001) and plasma total carotenoids (∆: 0.44µg/ml [0.19, 0.70] p=0.001) increased after 6months (intervention vs control). Time to first exacerbation (HR: 0.81, 95% CI: [0.38, 1.69], p=0.569; control vs. intervention) and exacerbation rate (IRR: 0.84, [0.47, 1.49], p=0.553; control vs. intervention) were similar between groups. In per-protocol analysis, airway reactance z-scores increased in the intervention versus control group (X5 ∆: 0.76 [0.04, 1.48] p=0.038, X20 ∆: 0.93 [0.23, 1.64] p=0.009) and changes in faecal microbiota were observed though there was no difference between groups in systemic inflammation or molecular mechanisms. In the control group, CRP and HDAC enzyme activity increased, while GPR41 expression decreased. No adverse events attributable to the interventions were observed. A high F&V diet did not affect asthma exacerbations over the 6-month intervention, though warrants further investigation as a strategy for improving lung function and protecting against systemic inflammation in children with asthma.

Revisiting Sulphur—The Once Neglected Nutrient: It’s Roles in Plant Growth, Metabolism, Stress Tolerance and Crop Production

Sulphur plays crucial roles in plant growth and development, with its functions ranging from being a structural constituent of macro-biomolecules to modulating several physiological processes and tolerance to abiotic stresses. In spite of these numerous sulphur roles being well acknowledged, agriculture has paid scant regard for sulphur nutrition, until only recently. Serious problems related to soil sulphur deficiencies have emerged and the intensification of food, fiber, and animal production is escalating to feed the ever-increasing human population. In the wake of huge demand for high quality cereal and vegetable diets, sulphur can play a key role in augmenting the production, productivity, and quality of crops. Additionally, in light of the emerging problems of soil fertility exhaustion and climate change-exacerbated environmental stresses, sulphur assumes special importance in crop production, particularly under intensively cropped areas. Here, citing several relevant examples, we highlight, in addition to its plant biological and metabolism functions, how sulphur can significantly enhance crop productivity and quality, as well as acclimation to abiotic stresses. By this appraisal, we also aim to stimulate readers interests in crop sulphur research by providing priorities for future pursuance, including bettering our understanding of the molecular processes and dynamics of sulphur availability and utilization in plants, dissecting the role of soil rhizospherical microbes in plant sulphur transformations, enhancing plant phenotyping and diagnosis for nutrient deficiencies, and matching site-specific crop sulphur demands with fertilizer amendments in order to reduce nutrient use inefficiencies in both crop and livestock production systems. This will facilitate the proper utilization of sulphur in crop production and eventually enhance sustainable and environmentally friend food production.

Diet and lung disease-Are fruits and vegetables the ideal whole-food intervention?

Diet and lung disease-Are fruits and vegetables the ideal whole-food intervention?

The Relationship between Dietary Polyphenol Intakes and Urinary Polyphenol Concentrations in Adults Prescribed a High Vegetable and Fruit Diet.

Urinary polyphenol metabolites are potential biomarkers of dietary polyphenol intake. The current study aims to evaluate associations between total diet, vegetable and fruit polyphenol intakes with urinary polyphenol metabolite concentrations in a sample of adults prescribed a diet rich in vegetables and fruit. Thirty-four participants completed a 10-week pre-post study. Participants were asked to consume Australian recommended daily vegetable and fruit serves and attend measurement sessions at baseline and at weeks 2 and 10. Two 24-h diet recalls were collected at each time-point and polyphenol intakes were calculated using the Phenol-Explorer database. Spot urine samples, collected at each time-point, were analyzed for 15 polyphenol metabolites using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Spearman’s correlation analyzes assessed the strength of relationships between urinary and dietary polyphenols. Linear mixed models were used to investigate relationships between polyphenol excretion and intake. Total urinary polyphenols were significantly correlated with total polyphenol intakes at week 10 (rs = 0.47) and fruit polyphenols at week 2 (rs = 0.38). Hippuric acid was significantly correlated with vegetable polyphenols at baseline (rs = 0.39). Relationships were identified between individual polyphenol metabolites and vegetable and fruit polyphenols. Linear mixed model analyzes identified that for every 1 mg increase in polyphenol intakes, urinary polyphenol excretion increased by 16.3 nmol/g creatinine. Although the majority of relationships were not sufficiently strong or consistent at different time-points, promising relationships were observed between total urinary polyphenols and total polyphenol intakes, and hippuric acid and vegetable polyphenols.

Reactions to an Online Demonstration of the Effect of Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption on Appearance: Survey Study.

BackgroundInadequate fruit and vegetable consumption causes a considerable disease burden and premature mortality. Despite public health promotion of a healthy diet, the average consumption is still below recommended levels. Fruit and vegetable consumption influences human skin color, increasing red/yellow/orange pigment in the skin. Given that this color is deemed attractive and healthy-looking, the appearance benefit may motivate to eat more fruit and vegetables. Such appearance motivation could be particularly useful in young individuals who currently eat the least fruit and vegetables.ObjectiveOur objectives were to assess how widely the impact of diet on skin color is known within the UK and to compare the strength of motivation to eat fruit and vegetables based on health and appearance benefits among different demographic groups.MethodsFour groups of UK residents (N=200 per group) were recruited through the Prolific online platform. Groups comprised younger (aged 18-24) and older adults (aged 40-60) of low and high self-reported socioeconomic status (1-5 and 6-10 on a 10-point rating scale). Facial images simulating the skin color associated with low and high fruit and vegetable diets were shown to participants. Questionnaires were used to assess (1) background knowledge of the health and skin color effects of dietary fruit and vegetables, (2) the specific motivational impact of the skin color illustration, and (3) the relative importance of motivation to consume fruit and vegetables arising from health and skin color appearance benefits.ResultsWe found that 61% (n=487) of all participants were unaware of the dietary–skin color association. We also found that 57% (n=457) of participants found the simple demonstration of the dietary impact on skin color positively motivating to eat more fruit and vegetables. The visual demonstration was equally motivating for participants of high and low self-reported socioeconomic status (P=.63) and different ethnic backgrounds (White N=453, Black N=182, Asian N=87, P=.22). Health benefits from a diet high in fruit and vegetables were regarded as more motivating than skin color appearance benefits. The appearance-changing benefits of a high fruit and vegetable diet (compared to the health benefits) were relatively more important for the younger participants (Mann-Whitney U=96,263, P<.001) and for women (N=489) than for men (N=310, U=83,763, P=.01).ConclusionsThese findings indicate that the promotion of the skin color effects of diets high in fruit and vegetables could provide additional motivation for a healthier diet. Our study indicates the broad appeal of appearance benefits from dietary fruit and vegetable (across ethnicity and socioeconomic status) and particularly amongst young adults where an inadequate diet is most prevalent.

Vegetable dietary pattern may protect mild and persistent allergic rhinitis phenotype depending on genetic risk in school children.

The effect of diet on allergic rhinitis (AR), its severity in children, and whether it modifies AR depending on genetic susceptibility are unknown. We investigated the association between dietary patterns and AR in school children and the influence of diet on AR according to a genetic risk score (GRS). Totally, 435 7-year-old school children were recruited from the Panel Study on Korean Children. We used dietary patterns (vegetable, sugar, and meat) and dietary inflammatory index (DII) as dietary parameters. AR and its severity were defined by questionnaires about treatment in the previous 12months and the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guideline, respectively. A GRS was calculated using 6 single nucleotide polymorphisms for allergic diseases. A vegetable diet containing a lot of anti-inflammatory nutrients and higher vitamin D level in blood were negatively correlated, while DII was positively correlated with triglyceride level and triglyceride/HDL cholesterol. Vegetable diet (aOR, 95% CI=0.73, 0.58-0.94) and DII (1.13, 1.01-1.28) were associated with AR risk. In particular, a high-vegetable diet resulted in a lower risk of mild and persistent AR (aOR, 95% CI=0.24, 0.10-0.56) while a high DII represented a higher risk (2.33, 1.06-5.10). The protective effect of vegetable diet on AR appeared only among children with a lower GRS (adjusted P=.018). A vegetable dietary pattern characterized by high intake of anti-inflammatory nutrients and higher vitamin D level in blood might be associated with a lower risk of mild and persistent AR. This beneficial effect is modified by a genetic factor.

Nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle factors in prostate cancer prevention

To review current evidence for prostate cancer prevention with nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle interventions and identify future research directions. Multiple preclinical and observational studies have observed that diet, exercise, and lifestyle interventions may play a role in mitigating disease progression, mortality, and overall disease burden for high-grade and fatal prostate cancer. Increased vegetable and fruit intakes, decreased red meat and saturated fat intakes, and increased exercise are potentially associated with decreased risk of incident disease and increased progression-free, prostate cancer-specific, and overall survival. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that selenium and vitamin C supplements are ineffective in preventing incident prostate cancer and that vitamin E supplements potentially increase incident prostate cancer risk. A large RCT of a high vegetable diet intervention among prostate cancer patients on active surveillance, the Men's Eating and Living study, will soon complete analysis. An RCT for an exercise intervention among men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer is currently accruing. Although preclinical and observational studies have identified potential benefits for high vegetable, low fat, low meat diets, and increased exercise, Level I evidence is limited. To inform clinical care, future research should focus on RCTs evaluating clinical effectiveness.

Dietary nitrite supplementation attenuates cardiac remodeling in l-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

Loss of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability underlies the development of hypertensive heart disease. We investigated the effects of dietary nitrite on NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME)-induced hypertension. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: an untreated control group, an l-NAME-treated group, and three other l-NAME-treated groups supplemented with 10 mg/L or 100 mg/L of nitrite or 100 mg/L of captopril in drinking water. After the 8-week experimental period, mean arterial blood pressure was measured, followed by sampling of blood and heart tissue for assessment of nitrite/nitrate levels in the plasma and heart, the plasma level of angiotensin II (AT II), and the heart transcriptional levels of AT II type 1 receptor (AT1R), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and connective tissue proteins such as type 1 collagen and fibronectin. Heart tissue was analyzed by histopathological morphometry, including assessments of ventricular and coronary vascular hypertrophy and fibrosis, as well as immunohistochemistry analyses of myocardial expression of AT1R. l-NAME treatment reduced the plasma nitrate level and led to the development of hypertension, with increased plasma levels of AT II and increased heart transcriptional levels of AT1R and TGF-β1-mediated connective tissue proteins, showing myocardial and coronary arteriolar hypertrophy and fibrosis. However, dietary nitrite supplementation inhibited TGF-β1-mediated cardiac remodeling by suppressing AT II and AT1R. These results suggest that dietary nitrite levels achievable via a daily high-vegetable diet could improve hypertensive heart disease by inhibiting AT II-AT1R-mediated cardiac remodeling.

Abstract P314: Sleep Quality and High-fat vs High-vegetable Diet: Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Relationships

Introduction: Sleep and diet are closely-related aspects of lifestyle health. Several studies have examined relationships between sleep and diet. However, longitudinal relationships are largely unknown. The present study examined whether sleep predicted changes in diet. Methods: Data from the Kansas State Employee Wellness Program from 2008 (N=5,634) and 2009 (N=3,286) were used. Sleep quality was assessed categorized as “Never,” “Seldom,” “Sometimes,” “Often,” or “Always.” Change scores were computed and classified as “Same,” “Better” or “Worse.” Habitual diet was classified as high fat and high vegetable. For both dietary variables, change scores were computed and categorized as no change, no to yes, or yes to no. Binary logistic regressions examined whether sleep quality (reference=”Never”) was associated with high fat or vegetable diets. Multinomial logistic regressions examined whether sleep quality at baseline and change in sleep quality (Better or Worse vs Same) was associated with change in diet. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). Results: At baseline, 50.01% of the sample had a high-fat diet, and 48.79% had a high-vegetable diet; notably, 39.98% of those with high fat diets also had high vegetable diets. Overall, poor sleep quality at baseline was associated with an increased likelihood of high-fat diet and decreased likelihood of high-vegetable diet (see Table). Sleep disturbance at baseline was not associated with change in diet, except that sleep disturbance “Always” was associated with an increased likelihood of losing a high-vegetable diet (OR=1.85, 95%CI [1.12,3.05], p=0.016). If sleep quality improved, gaining a high vegetable diet was more likely (OR=1.49, 95%CI [1.07,2.05], p=0.017). Conclusions: Poor sleep was associated with poor dietary behaviors. Further, both poor baseline sleep and worsening sleep over time predicted worsening of dietary behaviors. Sleep may therefore play a causal role in dietary change.

High Vegetable Protein Diet is Associated with Low Lumbar Spine Bone Mineral Density in Amenorrheic Athletes

PURPOSE: We have reported that amenorrheic athletes (AA) have a higher intake of dietary fiber compared to eumenorrheic athletes (EA) and non-athletes (NA), which is negatively associated with lumbar BMD. High fiber diets are rich in vegetable proteins, and food rich in vegetable protein has high concentrations of phytic acid and isoflavones, and low concentrations of saturated fatty acids (SFA). Fiber and isoflavones are reported to have negative associations with serum estrogen. We hypothesized that a diet high in vegetable protein may contribute to low BMD in AA. METHODS: 4-day food records and serum samples were collected from 68 AA, 24 EA, and 26 NA 14–23 yo. Energy availability was calculated as (energy intake- energy expenditure)/ fat free mass. DXA was used to assess lumbar spine BMD. RESULTS: EA were younger than AA and NA (p=.04), and AA had lower BMI (p=.04). Exercise activity did not differ in AA and EA. There was no difference in energy availability among groups. Compared with EA and NA, AA had higher intake of fiber (AA=34.8±15.3; EA=22.5±11.7; NA=17.2±6.6g; p<.0001), phytic acid (AA=1276±621; EA=621±384; NA=700±370mg; p<.0001), and vegetable protein (AA=45.6±19.2; EA=31.9±12.9; NA=26.8±8.8g; p<.0001). Intake of isoflavones was higher in AA than NA (genistein: AA=7.4±10.1; EA=2.7±6.7; NA=1.4±4.2g; p=.003; daidzein: AA=5.9±8.0; EA=2.0±4.8; NA=1.0±2.9g; p=.0002). AA had a lower intake of % calories from SFA than NA (AA=8.6±2.6; EA=9.8±2.2; NA=10.6±2.6; p=.002). After controlling for menstrual status, calcium intake and serum vitamin D, spine Z-scores were associated inversely with vegetable protein (SE=−.34, p=.006), phytic acid (SE=−.32, p=.005), genistein (SE=−.29, p=.003), and daidzein (SE=−.28, p=.005) ; and positively with %SFA after also controlling for fiber (SE=.26,p=.02). CONCLUSIONS: We found a higher vegetable protein diet in AA than EA and C, associated inversely with spine Z-scores. Because phytic acid and dietary fiber decrease energy and mineral absorption, some AA may have adequate energy intake but be nutrient deficient. Furthermore, the ability of dietary fiber and isoflavones to decrease estrogen may affect BMD. Studies examining nutrients affecting bone metabolism and estrogen levels in female athletes are needed to develop optimal dietary recommendations.

A randomized trial of diet in men with early stage prostate cancer on active surveillance: Rationale and design of the Men's Eating and Living (MEAL) Study (CALGB 70807 [Alliance

BackgroundDiet may substantially alter prostate cancer initiation and progression. However, large-scale clinical trials of diet modification have yet to be performed for prostate cancer. The Men's Eating and Living (MEAL) Study (CALGB 70807 [Alliance]) is investigating the effect of increased vegetable consumption on clinical progression in men with localized prostate cancer. Study designMEAL is a randomized, phase III clinical trial designed to test whether an intervention that increases vegetable intake will decrease the incidence of clinical progression in men with clinically localized prostate cancer on active surveillance. We are randomizing 464 patients to either a validated telephone-based diet counseling intervention or a control condition in which patients receive a published diet guideline. The intervention will continue for two years. The primary outcome variable is clinical progression defined by serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and pathological findings on follow-up prostate biopsy. Secondary outcome variables include incidence of surgical and non-surgical treatments for prostate cancer, prostate-cancer related patient anxiety and health-related quality of life. ConclusionThe MEAL Study is assessing the effectiveness of a high-vegetable diet intervention for preventing clinical progression in men with localized prostate cancer on active surveillance.

Effects of Vegetable Consumption on Weight Loss: A Review of the Evidence with Implications for Design of Randomized Controlled Trials

Vegetable consumption is a key strategy in many weight loss programs but establishing the evidence that vegetable consumption per se assists with weight loss may be difficult. Creating a dietary energy deficit involves the whole diet, so research on the effects of vegetables may need to consider the whole-dietary model. The aims of this review were to examine the evidence on whether a higher vegetable consumption resulted in greater weight loss in overweight adults (compared to lower intakes) in view of a critique study designs with respect to their potential impact on outcomes. Using the PubMed search engine, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the period 1988 to 2011 was conducted. Of the 16 RCTs scrutinized, five reported greater weight loss, nine no difference, one showed weight gain, and one reported a positive association between weight loss and high vegetable consumption. Trials which showed beneficial effects compared a healthy high vegetable diet with a control diet based on usual consumption patterns, and/or included behavioral support and counseling. On face value, the evidence reviewed appeared inconclusive but closer examination of study designs exposed important implications for RCTs that examine effects of foods on weight loss.

Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 gene polymorphisms with consumption of high fruit-juice and vegetable diet affect antioxidant capacity in healthy adults

ObjectiveTo our knowledge, no data have yet shown the combined effects of GSTM1/GSTT1 gene polymorphisms with high consumption of a fruit and vegetable diet on the body's antioxidant capacity. A 2-wk dietary intervention in healthy participants was conducted to test the hypothesis that the antioxidant biomarkers in individuals with different glutathione-S-transferases (GST) genotypes will be different in response to a high fruit-juice and vegetable diet. MethodsIn our study, 24 healthy volunteers with different GST genotypes (12 GSTM1+/GSTT1+ and 12 GSTM1–/GSTT1– participants) consumed a controlled diet high in fruit-juice and vegetables for 2 wk. Blood and first-void urine specimens were obtained at baseline, 1-wk, and 2-wk intervals. The antioxidant capacity–related biomarkers in blood and urine were observed and recorded at the scheduled times. ResultsErythrocyte GST and glutathione reductase (GR) activities response to a high fruit-juice and vegetable diet are GST genotype-dependent. Two weeks on the high fruit-juice and vegetable diet increased GST and GR activities in the GSTM1+/GSTT1+ group (P < 0.05 compared with baseline or GSTM1–/GSTT1– group), although no effects were observed on GST and GR activities in GSTM1–/GSTT1– participants. Dietary intervention increased total antioxidant capacity and decreased plasma malondialdehyde content in all participants (P < 0.05 compared with baseline), whereas GSTM1+/GSTT1+ participants respond more quickly to a high fruit-juice and vegetable diet than GSTM1–/GSTT1– participants. The diet intervention was effective in enhancing glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in all participants (P < 0.05 compared with baseline), although there was no influence on erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity (P > 0.05). ConclusionThe effects of a diet rich in fruit-juice and vegetables on antioxidant capacity were dependent on GSTM1/GSTT1 genotypes.

Up-regulating the Human Intestinal Microbiome Using Whole Plant Foods, Polyphenols, and/or Fiber

Whole plant foods, including fruit, vegetables, and whole grain cereals, protect against chronic human diseases such as heart disease and cancer, with fiber and polyphenols thought to contribute significantly. These bioactive food components interact with the gut microbiota, with gut bacteria modifying polyphenol bioavailability and activity, and with fiber, constituting the main energy source for colonic fermentation. This paper discusses the consequences of increasing the consumption of whole plant foods on the gut microbiota and subsequent implications for human health. In humans, whole grain cereals can modify fecal bacterial profiles, increasing relative numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Polyphenol-rich chocolate and certain fruits have also been shown to increase fecal bifidobacteria. The recent FLAVURS study provides novel information on the impact of high fruit and vegetable diets on the gut microbiota. Increasing whole plant food consumption appears to up-regulate beneficial commensal bacteria and may contribute toward the health effects of these foods.

High-fat diets affect energy and bone metabolism in growing rats

High-fat diets are usually associated with greater weight (W) gain and body fat (BF). However, it is still unclear whether the type and amount of fat consumed influence BF. Additionally, dietary fat intake may also have consequences on skeletal health. To evaluate in healthy growing rats the effects of high-fat diets and type of dietary fat intake (saturated or vegetable oils) on energy and bone metabolism. At weaning, male Wistar rats (n = 50) were fed either a control diet (C; fat = 7% w/w) or a high-fat diet (20% w/w) containing either: soybean oil, corn oil (CO), linseed oil (LO), or beef tallow (BT) for 8 weeks. Zoometric parameters, BF, food intake and digestibility, and total and bone alkaline phosphatase (b-AP) were assessed. Total skeleton bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC), BMC/W, spine BMD, and bone volume (static-histomorphometry) were measured. Animals fed BT diet achieved lower W versus C. Rats fed high-fat vegetable oil diets showed similar effects on the zoometric parameters but differed in BF. BT showed the lowest lipid digestibility and BMC. In contrast, high vegetable oil diets produced no significant differences in BMC, BMC/W, BMD, spine BMD, and bone volume. Marked differences were observed for LO and BT groups in b-AP and CO and BT groups in bone volume. BT diet rich in saturated fatty acids had decreased digestibility and adversely affected energy and bone metabolisms, in growing healthy male rats. There were no changes in zoometric and bone parameters among rats fed high vegetable oil diets.