High Consumption Of Fruits Research Articles

Higher Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables Is Associated With Lower Worries, Tension and Lack of Joy Across the Lifespan.

Background and AimsHigher total fruit and vegetable (FV) intakes have been associated with lower perceived stress. However, the relationship of FV intake with domains of perceived stress is unclear. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the relationship between consumption of FV and four perceived stress domains (worries, tension, lack of joy and demands) in a population-based cohort of Australian adults.MethodsParticipants (n = 8,640) were men and women aged ≥25 years from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a 74-item validated Food Frequency Questionnaire. Perceived stress domains were determined using a validated 20-item version of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire, with higher scores representing higher perceived stress. Cut-offs for high perceived stress domains were obtained from the highest quartiles of each domain for each sex. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was performed to investigate cross-sectional associations.ResultsThe mean age of participants (50.1% females) was 47.8 (SD 15) years. Those with higher intakes of FV, combined and separately, had a significantly lower odds (16–36%) for higher worries, tension and lack of joy, independent of other lifestyle factors.ConclusionIn Australian adults, higher consumption of FV was associated with lower odds of worries, tension and lack of joy. Following the dietary guidelines for the recommended intake of FV may help improve feelings of worries, tension and lack of joy, which are linked to mental health problems.

Links Between Eating Habits, Cognitive Skills Associated with Learning to Read, and Academic Achievement in Moroccan School-Age Children

The links between learning disabilities and food consumption modes are not yet sufficiently explained. The objectives of this study were to describe the dietary behavior of school children, to examine the association between certain dietary patterns and cognitive skills related to learning to read, and to identify, afterward, dietary profiles that are beneficial or harmful to reading acquisition and academic performance. 611 children, aged 10 years, who participated in this study, were assessed for cognitive functions that predominate in learning to read. The children were selected from schools belonging to areas with the same socioeconomic level. Absenteeism and neurodevelopmental disorders were two exclusion criteria. The study was conducted from December 2019 to the end of February 2020. A food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary information from the respondents. Descriptive and explanatory analyses were applied to the collected data. The study population's diet was varied, with a low consumption of fruits and vegetables. The number of meals/snacks eaten per day and the regularity of main meals was significantly and positively associated with the underlying reading skills. High consumption of fruits, vegetables, bread/starches, olive oil, vegetables, poultry, and water with low consumption of meats are behaviors consistently associated with better reading performance and academic achievement. Educating children to practice healthy eating habits can help them minimize academic difficulties and improve their learning abilities.

A Screening of Native (Poly)phenols and Gut-Related Metabolites on 3D HCT116 Spheroids Reveals Gut Health Benefits of a Flavan-3-ol Metabolite.

Epidemiological evidence suggests that a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) is correlated with high consumption of fruits and vegetables, which are major sources of fiber and phytochemicals, such as flavan-3-ols. However, it remains unknown how these phytochemicals and their specific gut-related metabolites may alter cancer cell behavior. A focused screening using native (poly)phenols and gut microbial metabolites (GMMs) on 3D HCT116 spheroids is carried out using a high-throughput imaging approach. Dose-responses, IC50 , and long-term exposure are calculated for the most promising native (poly)phenols and GMMs. As a result, this research shows that (poly)phenol catabolites may play a key role in preventing cancer propagation. Indeed, µM concentration levels of (4R)-5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone significantly decrease spheroid size at early stages of spheroid aggregation and gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases. A chronic exposure to (4R)-5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone may lead to a reduced CRC risk. Daily intake of monomeric, oligomeric, and polymeric flavan-3-ols may increase the colonic concentrations of this metabolite, and, in turn, this compound may act locally interacting with intestinal epithelial cells, precancerous and cancer cells.

The Impact of Health Literacy-Sensitive Design and Heart Age in a Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Decision Aid: Randomized Controlled Trial and End-User Testing.

BackgroundShared decision-making is an essential principle for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), where asymptomatic people consider lifelong medication and lifestyle changes.ObjectiveThis study aims to develop and evaluate the first literacy-sensitive CVD prevention decision aid (DA) developed for people with low health literacy, and investigate the impact of literacy-sensitive design and heart age.MethodsWe developed a standard DA based on international standards. The standard DA was based on our existing general practitioner DA. The literacy-sensitive DA included simple language, supporting images, white space, and a lifestyle action plan. The control DA used Heart Foundation materials. A randomized trial included 859 people aged 45-74 years using a 3 (DA: standard, literacy-sensitive, control) ×2 (heart age: heart age + percentage risk, percentage risk only) factorial design, with outcomes including prevention intentions and behaviors, gist and verbatim knowledge of risk, credibility, emotional response, and decisional conflict. We iteratively improved the literacy-sensitive version based on end-user testing interviews with 20 people with varying health literacy levels.ResultsImmediately after the intervention (n=859), there were no differences in any outcome among the DA groups. The heart age group was less likely to have a positive emotional response, perceived the message as less credible, and had higher gist and verbatim knowledge of heart age risk but not percentage risk. After 4 weeks (n=596), the DA group had better gist knowledge of percentage risk than the control group. The literacy-sensitive DA group had higher fruit consumption, and the standard DA group had better verbatim knowledge of percentage risk. Verbatim knowledge was higher for heart age than for percentage risk among those who received both.ConclusionsThe literacy-sensitive DA resulted in increased knowledge of CVD risk and increased fruit consumption in participants with varying health literacy levels and CVD risk results. Adding heart age did not increase lifestyle change intentions or behavior but did affect psychological outcomes, consistent with previous findings. This tool will be integrated with additional resources to improve other lifestyle outcomes.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000806965; https://tinyurl.com/226yhk8a

Individual Barriers to an Active Lifestyle at Older Ages Among Whitehall II Study Participants After 20 Years of Follow-up

Identification of individual-level barriers associated with decreased activity in older age is essential to inform effective strategies for preventing the health outcomes associated with high sedentary behavior and lack of physical activity during aging. To assess cross-sectional and prospective associations of a large set of factors with objectively assessed sedentary time and physical activity at older age. This population-based cohort study was conducted among participants in the Whitehall II accelerometer substudy with accelerometer data assessed in 2012 to 2013. Among 4880 participants invited to the accelerometer substudy, 4006 individuals had valid accelerometer data. Among them, 3808 participants also had factors assessed in 1991 to 1993 (mean [SD] follow-up time, 20.3 [0.5] years), 3782 participants had factors assessed in 2002 to 2004 (mean [SD] follow-up time, 9.1 [0.3] years), and 3896 participants had factors assessed in 2012 to 2013 (mean follow up time, 0 years). Data were analyzed from May 2020 through July 2021. Sociodemographic factors (ie, age, sex, race and ethnicity, occupational position, and marital status), behavioral factors (ie, smoking, alcohol intake, and fruit and vegetable intake), and health-related factors (ie, body mass index, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical and mental component summary scores [PCS and MCS], and number of chronic conditions) were assessed among 3808 individuals in 1991 to 1993; 3782 individuals in 2002 to 2004; and 3896 individuals in 2012 to 2013. High alcohol intake was defined as more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and high fruit and vegetable intake was defined as twice daily or more. Accelerometer-assessed time spent in sedentary behavior, light-intensity physical activity (LIPA), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in 2012 to 2013 were analyzed in 2021 using multivariate linear regressions. A total of 3896 participants (986 [25.3%] women; age range, 60-83 years; mean [SD] age, 69.4 [5.7] years) had accelerometer data and exposure factors available in 2012 to 2013. Older age, not being married or cohabiting, having overweight, having obesity, more chronic conditions, and poorer SF-36 PCS, assessed in midlife or later life, were associated with increased sedentary time at the expense of time in physical activity. Mean time differences ranged from 9.8 min/d (95% CI, 4.1 to 15.6 min/d) of sedentary behavior per 10-point decrease in SF-36 PCS to 51.4 min/d (95% CI, 37.2 to65.7 min/d) of sedentary behavior for obesity vs reference range weight, from -6.2 min/d (95% CI, -8.4 to -4.1 min/d) of LIPA per 5 years of age to -28.0 min/d (95% CI, -38.6 to -17.4 min/d) of LIPA for obesity vs reference range weight, and from -5.3 min/d (95% CI, -8.2 to -2.4 min/d) of MVPA per new chronic condition to -23.4 min/d (95% CI, -29.2 to -17.6 min/d) of MVPA for obesity vs reference range weight in 20-year prospective analyses for men. There was also evidence of clustering of behavioral factors: high alcohol intake, high fruit and vegetable consumption, and no current smoking were associated with decreased sedentary time (mean time difference in cross-sectional analysis in men: -12.7 min/d [95% CI, -19.8 to -5.5 min/d]; -6.0 min/d [95% CI, -12.3 to -0.2]; and -37.4 min/d [95% CI, - 56.0 to -18.8 min/d], respectively) and more physical activity. This study found a large range of individual-level barriers associated with a less active lifestyle in older age, including sociodemographic, behavioral, and health-related factors. These barriers were already evident in midlife, suggesting the importance of early implementation of targeted interventions to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary time.

Healthy lifestyle factors, cardiovascular comorbidities, and the risk of sudden cardiac arrest: A case-control study in Korea

AimsWe investigated the impact of healthy lifestyle factors and cardiovascular comorbidities for sudden cardiac arrest. MethodsA case-control study, including patients with sudden cardiac arrest aged 20–79 years and community-based 1:2 matched controls, was conducted from September 2017 to December 2020. All participants completed a structured questionnaire. Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed cardiovascular comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, and stroke) and healthy lifestyle factors (low red meat consumption, low fish consumption, high fruit consumption, high vegetable consumption, current non-smoking, regular exercise, and adequate sleep duration) as sudden cardiac arrest risk factors. ResultsAmong 3027 eligible cases, informed consent was obtained from 949 (31.3%) cases. A total of 1731 controls were enrolled. Cardiovascular comorbidities, except dyslipidaemia, were associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest, whereas all healthy lifestyle factors were associated with a decreased risk. Relative to patients in the 0–2 healthy lifestyle factors group, the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for sudden cardiac arrest was 0.25 (0.16–0.40) in patients with 3 healthy lifestyle factors, 0.08 (0.05–0.13) in patients with 4 healthy lifestyle factors, and 0.04 (0.03–0.06) in patients with over 5 healthy lifestyle factors. When the number of healthy lifestyle factors was analysed as a continuous variable, each additional factor was associated with a significant decrease in the likelihood of sudden cardiac arrest (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.41 [0.36–0.46]). ConclusionThe increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest by cardiovascular comorbidities could be significantly reduced with healthy lifestyle factors.

RETRACTED: Associations between Christian Orthodox Church Fasting and Adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund's Cancer Prevention Recommendations.

Objective: Studies regarding the health effects of religious fasting have increased in the last decade. The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasting recommendations and cancer risk, with a specific focus on fibre, fruit, vegetables, and red and processed meat consumption. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants included 361 individuals from Northern Greece. One hundred and seventy-six participants followed the COC fasting regime for more than 10 years, and 185 participants did not follow any restrictive dietary patterns. Diet was assessed using a 114-item food frequency questionnaire. Results: Fasters had a more favourable dietary intake compared to non-fasters, with fasters having a higher consumption of fruit and vegetables (p = 0.009) and a significantly lower consumption of total processed meat (p < 0.001) compared to non-fasters. No significant differences were observed in the consumption of fibre and red meat consumption between the two groups. Conclusions: Following the World Cancer Research Fund Cancer Recommendations, fasters are at a potentially lowering risk of developing colorectal cancer than non-fasters due to their more favourable dietary intake. Furthermore, higher consumption of fruit and vegetables with a lower consumption of total processed meat contributes to lower the risk of metabolic syndrome. Public health strategies based on following the structured COC fasting recommendations might hopefully contribute to the prevention of metabolic syndrome and colorectal cancer.

Active Commuting and Healthy Behavior among Adolescents in Neighborhoods with Varying Socioeconomic Status: The NESLA Study

(1) Background: The World Health Organization recommends active commuting as a source of physical activity. Active commuting is determined by various factors, including the socioeconomic status (SES) of families and neighborhoods, distance to schools, perceived neighborhood safety, lifestyles and availability of walkways and biking paths. This study aimed to assess factors associated with modes of transportation to and from school among adolescents aged 16–19 living in a middle-sized city in Sweden. (2) Method: Three hundred and fourteen students, of whom 55% were females, from schools in the city of Västerås participated in the study. Printed as well as web-based self-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data. (3) Results: Adolescents living in high SES neighborhoods were 80% more likely to bike or walk to school (OR = 1.80; CI: 1.01, 3.20) than adolescents living in low SES neighborhoods. Furthermore, active commuting was associated with higher consumption of fruits and vegetables (OR = 1.77; CI: 1.05, 2.97) and less consumption of junk foods (OR = 0.43; CI: 0.26, 0.71), as compared to passive commuting. (4) Conclusions: Active commuting is a cost-effective and sustainable source of regular physical activity and should be encouraged at a societal level.

Behavioural risk patterns in adolescents with excess weight participating in the PRALIMAP-INÈS trial.

To investigate clustering of risk behaviours in adolescents with excess weight. Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the PRALIMAP-INÈS trial. Information on food frequency consumption (fruit, vegetables, sugary products and beverages), physical activity, sedentary behaviour (week and weekend days), smoking and alcohol consumption (current frequency and intoxication episodes) and socio-demographic data was collected using self-reported questionnaires. Behavioural risk factors were entered as categorical variables in a two-step clustering procedure: multiple correspondence analysis followed by hierarchical clustering. Associations between cluster membership and socio-demographic variables were investigated using multivariable multinomial logistic regression. French PRALIMAP-INÈS trial. Adolescents with excess weight. A total of 1391 participants (13-18 years old, 58·2 % female) were included in the analysis, which resulted in the identification of four groups of participants, including, respectively, 543 (39·0 %), 373 (26·8 %), 246 (17·7 %) and 229 (16·5 %) participants. Clusters 1 and 4 showed associations of rather healthy behaviours (high physical activity and low consumption of sugary products; high consumption of fruit and vegetables, respectively), while clusters 2 and 3 showed associations of rather unhealthy behaviours (high sedentary behaviour and low consumption of fruit and vegetables; smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively). Both social status and family structure were associated with cluster membership. Risk behaviour patterns in adolescents with excess weight were clustered in both healthier and less healthy ways, with a complex interplay with socio-demographic factors.

Can Anganwadi services strengthening improve the association between maternal and child dietary diversity? Evidence from Project Spotlight implemented in tribal dominated Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts of Maharashtra, India.

Dietary intake is a fundamental determinant of maternal and child nutrition. This paper presents evidence on whether maternal and child dietary diversity can be improved with systemic improvements focused on strengthening training, capacity building, and behavior change communication among frontline workers to encourage improved nutritional practices among mothers and children in the intervention area. The evidence is derived from Project Spotlight intervention that was jointly implemented by Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra and Tata Trusts in tribal dominated Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts in Maharashtra. Based on a pre-post comparison of baseline (2019) and endline (2021) household survey data it is confirmed that there is a significant association between maternal and child dietary diversity in the study area. Notably, dietary diversity in mother-child dyads is marked with a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as eggs and flesh foods. Econometric analysis further reveals that the association between maternal and child dietary diversity has improved after the systems strengthening interventions. The paper concludes that local interventions such as Project Spotlight for strengthening counselling services and coverage by frontline workers and enhancing knowledge and awareness on maternal and child dietary diversity among communities are important for improving maternal and child nutrition.

Are patterns of family evening meal practices associated with child and parent diet quality and weight-related outcomes?

Family meal practices such as family member presence, fast food consumption and media usage have been associated with health outcomes. However, little is known about combinations of family meal practices and their effects on diet and health. This secondary data analysis aimed to identify patterns of family evening meal practices and examine their associations with family characteristics (e.g., demographics and chaos) and child and parent diet quality and weight-related outcomes. We used baseline data from a community-based randomized controlled trial with 7- to 10-year-old children and their parents in rural Minnesota (n = 114). Parent-reported structural (e.g. media usage) and interpersonal (e.g. mealtime routines) aspects of family evening meal practices were included in latent profile analyses to identify patterns. Diet quality was assessed by child Healthy Eating Index-2015 and parent fruit and vegetable intake. Weight-related outcomes were determined using measured body mass index (z-scores) and percent body fat. A 3-class model was the model of best-fit. The Unplanned Infrequent Family Evening Meals with Mixed Healthfulness class (C1) featured the least frequent family evening meals and the lowest scores for mealtime routines and planning skills. The Family Evening Meals with Fast Food class (C2) characterized having family evening meals four times a week, but fast food was often served. The Planful, Healthful and Frequent Family Evening Meals class (C3) reported the highest meal routine and planning scores as well as frequent family evening meals. Parents in C3 had higher consumption of fruits and vegetables and children in C3 had lower percent body fat, compared to those in other classes. Distinctly different patterns of family evening meal practices suggest a need for considering heterogeneity of family evening meal practices in developing tailored family-meal interventions.

Hydroethanolic Extract of Prunus domestica L.: Metabolite Profiling and In Vitro Modulation of Molecular Mechanisms Associated to Cardiometabolic Diseases.

High consumption of fruit and vegetables has an inverse association with cardiometabolic risk factors. This study aimed to chemically characterize the hydroethanolic extract of P. domestica subsp. syriaca fruit pulp and evaluate its inhibitory activity against metabolic enzymes and production of proinflammatory mediators. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-HRMS) analysis showed the presence of hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols, and glycoside flavonols, while nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) analysis showed, among saccharides, an abundant presence of glucose. P. domestica fruit extract inhibited α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pancreatic lipase, and HMG CoA reductase enzyme activities, with IC50 values of 7.01 mg/mL, 6.4 mg/mL, 6.0 mg/mL, and 2.5 mg/mL, respectively. P. domestica fruit extract inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitrite, interleukin-1 β and PGE2 in activated J774 macrophages. The findings of the present study indicate that P. domestica fruit extracts positively modulate in vitro a series of molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases. Further research is necessary to better characterize these properties and their potential application for human health.

The longitudinal association between coffee and tea consumption and the risk of metabolic syndrome and its component conditions in an older adult population.

The present study aimed to assess the longitudinal associations of coffee and tea consumption with metabolic syndrome and its component conditions in a group of Australian older adults who participated in the Blue Mountains Eye Study (n 2554, mean age: 64 years, 43% female). Participants' coffee and tea intake were measured using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Hazard ratios (HRs) over a 10-year period were estimated using Cox hazard regression models adjusting for lifestyle factors. Results showed that coffee consumption was not associated with the incidence of metabolic syndrome, high fasting glucose, high triglycerides, central obesity, high blood pressure and low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C). Tea consumption was not associated with incidence of metabolic syndrome and the component conditions except for the risk of having low HDL-C, in which a nominally inverse association was observed (multivariate-adjusted HR at 2-3 cups/d: 0⋅48, 95% CI 0⋅26, 0⋅87, P = 0⋅016; 4 cups/d or more: 0⋅50, 95% CI 0⋅27, 0⋅93, P = 0⋅029). After stratifying for fruit consumption (P interaction between tea and fruit = 0⋅007), consuming four cups of tea per day was nominally associated with lower incidence of metabolic syndrome among those with high fruit consumption (multivariable-adjusted HR: 0⋅44, 95% CI 0⋅20, 0⋅93, P = 0⋅033). Our results did not support a significant association between tea and coffee consumption and metabolic syndrome. Tea consumption may be associated with a lower risk of having low HDL-C, while high tea and fruit consumption together may be associated with a lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Healthy Dietary Pattern Reduces Risk of Gallstones: Results of a Case-Control Study in Iran

Background:Nutrition-related factors have been of great interest as one of risk factors of biliary stones. This study evaluated the association of dietary patterns with biliary stone among Iranians.Methods:This is a hospital-based case-control study, which was conducted in a general hospital in Tehran, Iran. A total of 110 patients with gallstone or common bile duct (CBD) stone confirmed by Ultrasonography within the last 6 months before collecting data were recruited. Controls were age-matched patients admitted to the other wards of the same hospital for a broad spectrum of disorders including traumas and orthopedic conditions, or elective surgeries, or throat/ear/nose disease and had no gallbladder disorders, participated in this study. We used a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire to assess dietary intakes of participants. Dietary patterns were determined by factor analysis.Results:By design, age was similar in both groups (57.66 ± 16.39 years vs. 56.00 ± 10.64 years in cases and controls, respectively). Two dietary patterns were extracted; “Unhealthy” (high consumption of artificial juice, processed meats, refined grains, sweets and desserts, pickles, snacks, and red meats), and “Healthy” (high consumption of vegetable oils, vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, and nuts, as well as low consumption of hydrogenated fats and salt). Participants in the highest tertile of “Healthy” dietary pattern were significantly less likely to have the gallstones disease (OR: 0.33, 95% CI = 0.120.89) compared to the reference group (low tertile of “Healthy” dietary pattern) (P = 0.02).Conclusions:High consumption of vegetable oils, vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, and nuts, as well as low consumption of hydrogenated fats and salt in context of healthy dietary pattern are inversely associated with risk of gallstones.

The assessment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and its relation to the Mediterranean diet in Moroccan adults - BOLD study

Objective: The protective effect of the Mediterranean diet (MD) is known for several diseases, but the evidence in low- and middle-income countries was still missing. This article assesses the impact of MD and its components on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among Moroccan adults. Methods: in population-based cross-sectional study, A total of 744 adults with acceptable spirometry according to the GOLD guidelines were randomly selected from a sample frame, of Moroccan adults lived in the areas of the Saïs district-Fez city. Dietary data were collected through a validated food frequency questionnaire. Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) was used to assess Adherence to the Mediterranean food model, A value of 0 or 1 has been assigned to each of the eight indicated food components according to their beneficial or deleterious effect on health. Results: Although no significant associations were found between COPD and the overall MD. score, associations were found between some of the MD components and COPD when stratifying for overall MDS adherence level (low, middle, high adherence). For the high adherence group, the high consumption of cereals, fruits and nuts were inversely associated with COPD risk with OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.26-0.89, and OR= 0.67; 95% CI = 0.44-0.96, respectively. The high consumption of meats and dairy products was positively associated with the risk of COPD, with OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.22-2.87, and OR= 1.83; 95% CI = 1.21-2.76, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed previous results showing significant associations of COPD risk with some components of MDS. Extensive studies are needed to explore MDS components better and suggest more effective interventions to maintain healthy eating habits and reduce COPD risk.

An increased intake of nutrients, fruits, and green vegetables was negatively related to the risk of arthritis and osteoarthritis development in the aging population

Daily food intake plays an important role in the pathogenesis of arthritis. However, an association between arthritis, food intake, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk remains unclear. We hypothesized that higher intakes of nutrients, fruits, and vegetables are associated with a lower risk of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Korean population with various comorbidities. This study aims to identify the association between arthritis, OA, RA, food intake, and CVD risk among the elderly population. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 33,966 eligible subjects aged >50 years who completed the 2009–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Logistic regression was used to identify associations between the presence of arthritis, OA, and RA and risk factors and to predict risks of arthritis, OA, and RA based on marginal effects. The prevalence of arthritis (odds ratio [OR] 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.37) and OA (OR 1.24; 95% CI, 1.14-1.36) were significantly higher among individuals with a high risk of CVDs compared with those with low risk. A 2-fold increase in daily vitamin B1, B2, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and n-3 fatty acid consumption is associated with a significantly lower risk of arthritis and OA development. The ORs for high consumption of fruit were 0.72 (0.54–0.95) in arthritis, and 0.70 (0.52–0.94) in OA, in comparison with the low-consumption group. Furthermore, the OR for high consumption of green vegetables was 0.74 (0.55–0.98) in arthritis. Of note, people who have arthritis, or OA, have a significantly increased CVD risk. In conclusion, high consumption of nutrients, fruits, and vegetables was found to be associated with the presence of arthritis and OA. More research is needed to explore whether interactions between intake of nutrients, fruits, and vegetables affect the presence of arthritis, OA, and CVDs.

Virgin Olive Oil, A Rich Source of Functional Bioactive Compounds in the Promotion of Human Health: An Overview

The prevention of pathologies by diet management is an important public health challenge. The Mediterranean diet (Med diet) is considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns. According to current scientific research, this dietary pattern is linked to a decreased prevalence and incidence of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and age-related cognitive decline, as well as a lower overall mortality rate. In the Mediterranean diet, a high consumption of Virgin Olive Oil (VOO), fruit, nuts, vegetables, and grains is linked to a decreased incidence of many diseases and a longer life expectancy. According to numerous studies, VOO is the major food responsible for the health and nutritional benefits of the Mediterranean diet. VOO chemical compounds have been shown in vitro and in vivo investigations to have potentially favorable health benefits as a result of their biological activities. VOO composition has been linked to a variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and antiviral characteristics. As a result, increasing attention is being paid to the composition of VOO and the identification of its biologically active components. Because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-thrombotic properties, phytochemicals, particularly phenolic compounds, have health-promoting effects, especially on cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses. These characteristics are even more important in light of the COVID-19 severe illness's heightened inflammatory and pro-thrombotic consequences. This overview collects and discusses the scattered data available in the literature concerning VOO compounds of biological interest and highlights their possible mechanisms of action and effects on human health. In vitro studies and in vivo intervention trials were selected and included in the study after conducting literature searches through "PubMed" and "Web of Science." In the majority of investigations, the ability of VOO phytochemicals to prevent the oxidation process at both the initiation and promotion/progression phases of several pathologies has been verified. The health benefits discussed in this article support the prospective health benefits acquired from VOO as a possible candidate in developing pharmaceutical preparations and nutraceutical or functional foods for a variety of pathological disorders. This idea could pave the way for future in vivo research and, eventually, clinical trials. In addition, greater research into the mechanisms of action and efficacy is needed to clarify the real biological potential of VOO phytochemicals on humans by performing intervention studies on populations at high disorder risk.

Higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, and multiple individual nutrients is associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome among adults with comorbidities

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has attracted increasing attention because its prevalence and socioeconomic burden have increased globally. We hypothesized that higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, and multiple individual nutrients are associated with a lower risk of MetS among adults with comorbidities. Therefore, we aim to explore the association between intake of multiple individual nutrients, vegetables and fruits, and MetS among Korean adults. A data set of 67,302 adults aged ≥ 18 years was collected between 2009 and 2019. Odds ratios for MetS were calculated for log2-transformed multiple individual nutrient intake values and for the interaction of sex and comorbidities with multiple individual nutrient intake. Subsequently, we also predict the risks of MetS based on marginal effects. A 2-fold increase in daily vitamin B2, B3, total vitamin A, retinol, monounsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, protein, n-3, and n-6 fatty acid intakes was negatively related to the prevalence of MetS in women. High white and red vegetable consumption was associated with a lower risk of MetS in both women and men, whereas high fruit consumption was associated with a lower risk of MetS in men. Furthermore, increased daily vitamin B2, retinol intake, high fruit, and white and red vegetable consumption reduce the risk of MetS among adults with comorbidities. These findings reveal a link between nutrients, fruits, vegetables, and the presence of MetS. More research is needed to identify whether interactions between consumption of nutrients, vegetables, and fruits affect the existence of MetS.

Higher intakes of nutrients are linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and depression among Korean adults

Persons with underlying noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are more likely to acquire severe coronavirus disease 2019 disease and to die from coronavirus disease 2019. An urgent need for potential therapy to prevent and control NCDs is critical. We hypothesized that higher intakes of multiple individual nutrients, fruits, or vegetables would be linked with a low risk of NCDs in the Korean population. Thus, we aim to explore the association between NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), arthritis, depression, and dietary factors. A total of 56,462 adults aged 18 years (2009-2019) were included. Dietary factors, including intakes of multiple individual nutrients, fruits, and vegetables, were assessed. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to explore the associations between dietary factors and NCDs. Interactions were found between intakes of multiple individual nutrients and sex for T2DM, hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Only in women was a 2-fold increase in daily multiple individual nutrient intake (vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C; potassium, protein; phosphorus; calcium; iron; monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid; n-3 fatty acid and n-6 fatty acid; and water) associated with a lower prevalence of T2DM, hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction, arthritis, and osteoarthritis. In both women and men, high fruit or vegetable consumption was linked with a lower risk of T2DM, hypertension, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, and depression than low consumption. Our findings found higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, and multiple individual nutrients are linked with a lower risk of NCDs in the Korean adult population. Further work is needed to identify whether interactions between intake of multiple individual nutrients, vegetables, and fruits affect the presence of NCDs.

Seed predation by macaws favors fruits with less seeds and thicker endocarps in the palm Attalea phalerata

When foraging on a specific range of fruits or seeds, animals can represent a natural selection force, affecting plant population realized fecundity. Most studies have focused on characteristics of dispersed seeds, but the higher predation of seeds of specific size or shape is also an important force that influences the populations’ realized fecundity and can help to understand patterns of plants genetic variability. In the Brazilian Pantanal, we investigated the predation of Acuri (Attalea phalerata) palm fruits by macaws, whose seeds go intact through tapirs digestive tract and then are deposited on latrines, where they are often consumed by seed predators. We found 251 fruits, containing between 1 and 5 seeds per fruit; 170 were intact and 81 had been partially damaged by macaws, mostly those containing 3 or 4 seeds per fruit and with thin endocarps. We argue that the higher consumption of fruits with these traits reflects a trade-off in the energy spent by macaws to open the fruits and the energy provided by them. Higher predation on 3-4 seeded fruits favors the selection of 1-2 seeded fruits, revealing a selection force opposed to the one exerted by bruchids and small rodents, which favors multi-seeded palm fruits.