Individual Dietary Components Research Articles

Vegetarianism and Cardiovascular Health

The impact of dietary choices on cardiovascular health has garnered significant attention, and vegetarianism has emerged as a dietary pattern of particular interest in this research field. A recent body of research suggests that adopting a vegetarian diet may potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, however, this relationship still needs to be clarified. The present study aimed to identify the differences in 10-year cardiovascular risk (CVR) and its associated factors between Vegetarians (VG) and Omnivores (OM). This cross-sectional design analysis involved 110 participants (both sexes, mean age of 49 yo) including 55 OM and 55 VG. Metabolic markers were measured from capillary blood sampling (LINX DUO, Menarini), and 10-year CVR was calculated through SCORE2. No statistically significant differences between the two dietary patterns analyzed were found for 10-year CVR. However, a slight tendency towards a higher CVR in OM was observed (OM: 3.16% versus VG: 2.60%; t = 0.970; p = 0.334). The OM population also showed statistically higher values of total cholesterol (OM: 199.00 mg/dL versus VG: 172.00 mg/dL), c-LDL (OM: 117.87 mg/dL versus VG: 99.85 mg/dL), and non-HDL cholesterol (OM: 138.00 mg/dL versus VG: 116.00 mg/dL), compared to VG. These factors are all related to the increased risk of developing cardiovascular events (both fatal and non-fatal) at 10 years. The consumption of sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), and fast food proved to be a risk factor for a high-risk SCORE2 for cardiovascular events at 10 years in 1.6%, 2.6%, and 2.1%, respectively. On the other hand, the consumption of vegetables (1%) and fruit (0.3%), as well as high adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in OM (41%) and a high quality diet in VG (13.9%) proved to be protective factors against a high-risk SCORE2 for cardiovascular events at 10 years. In conclusion, this study revealed intriguing insights into the complex relationship between dietary patterns, metabolic markers, and 10-year CVR. These results suggest that 10-year CVR is influenced by the quality of the diet (as no differences were observed for lifestyle variables such as smoking status and physical activity), and not by the dietary pattern alone. It is important to note that the intake of sweets, SSB, fast food, and an unhealthy diet appear to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases rather than the dietary pattern followed (Mediterranean or Vegetarian). These findings underscore the significance of individual dietary components in shaping long-term cardiovascular health and emphasize the need for further research to refine dietary recommendations and enhance cardiovascular outcomes. This research was funded by national funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Portugal), under the [UIDB/04567/2020] and [UIDP/ 04567/2020] projects, and by COFAC/ILIND—Cooperativa De Formação e Animação Cultural CRL/Instituto Lusófono de Investigação e Desenvolvimento (grant COFAC/ILIND/CBIOS/2/2021). R.M. is funded by the FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Portugal) Scientific Employment Stimulus contract [reference number CEEC/04567/CBIOS/2020]. C.F-P. is funded by the FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Portugal) Scientific Employment Stimulus contract [reference number CEEC/CBIOS/NUT/2018]. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

The athlete gut microbiota: state of the art and practical guidance.

The gut microbiota has been proposed to grant the athlete a metabolic advantage that might be key when optimising performance. While a taxonomic core set of microorganisms characterising the athlete's gut microbiota has not been delineated, some compositional features might be associated with improved metabolic efficiency, which appears to be driven by the production of bacterial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids. Not only long-term exercise but also dietary patterns associated with high-level sports practice contribute to this microbial environment, yet isolating the impact of individual dietary components is challenging. The present review synthetises the available evidence on the compositional aspects of the athlete's gut microbiota, discusses mechanisms involved in the bidirectional association between exercise and the gut environment, and evaluates the role of athletes' diet in this interplay. Additionally, a practical approach to indicators commonly reported in metagenomic and metabolomic analyses is provided to explore how these insights can translate to support dietary protocols.

Omics approaches for assessing nutrition and ocular health in the modern era

The relation of nutrition, omics sciences and ocular health has become increasingly prominent. The advent of genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics offers profound insights into how individual dietary components impact our genetic expression and overall health. Personalized nutrition, informed by omics data, enables dietary recommendations to optimize vision and prevent ocular diseases. Modern diets, often rich in processed foods, have shown correlations with increasing incidences of vision problems. In contrast, diets emphasizing antioxidants and specific micronutrients have demonstrated potential protective effects on the eyes. By understanding individual genetic predispositions, omics sciences pave the way for preventive measures, ensuring better ocular health and reducing the prevalence of conditions like macular degeneration. The future promises even more precise dietary interventions to improve eye health based on individual genetic profiles.

Polyphenols and Their Impact on the Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Development.

It is well known that neurodegenerative diseases' development and progression are accelerated due to oxidative stress and inflammation, which result in impairment of mitochondrial function, cellular damage, and dysfunction of DNA repair systems. The increased consumption of antioxidants can postpone the development of these disorders and improve the quality of patients' lives who have already been diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases. Prolonging life span in developed countries contributes to an increase in the incidence ratio of chronic age-related neurodegenerative disorders, such as PD (Parkinson's disease), AD (Alzheimer's disease), or numerous forms of age-related dementias. Dietary supplementation with neuroprotective plant-derived polyphenols might be considered an important element of healthy aging. Some polyphenols improve cognition, mood, visual functions, language, and verbal memory functions. Polyphenols bioavailability differs greatly from one compound to another and is determined by solubility, degree of polymerization, conjugation, or glycosylation resulting from chemical structure. It is still unclear which polyphenols are beneficial because their potential depends on efficient transport across the BBB (blood-brain barrier), bioavailability, and stability in the CNS (central nervous system). Polyphenols improve brain functions by having a direct impact on cells and processes in the CNS. For a direct effect, polyphenolic compounds must be able to overcome the BBB and accumulate in brain tissue. In this review, the latest achievements in studies (animal models and clinical trials) on the effect of polyphenols on brain activity and function are described. The beneficial impact of plant polyphenols on the brain may be summarized by their role in increasing brain plasticity and related cognition improvement. As reversible MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors, polyphenols are mood modulators and improve neuronal self-being through an increase in dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline amounts in the brain tissue. After analyzing the prohealth effects of various eating patterns, it was postulated that their beneficial effects result from synergistic interactions between individual dietary components. Polyphenols act on the brain endothelial cells and improve the BBB's integrity and reduce inflammation, thus protecting the brain from additional injury during stroke or autoimmune diseases. Polyphenolic compounds are capable of lowering blood pressure and improving cerebral blood flow. Many studies have revealed that a nutritional model based on increased consumption of antioxidants has the potential to ameliorate the cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Randomized clinical trials have also shown that the improvement of cognitive functions resulting from the consumption of foods rich in flavonoids is independent of age and health conditions. For therapeutic use, sufficient quantities of polyphenols must cross the BBB and reach the brain tissue in active form. An important issue in the direct action of polyphenols on the CNS is not only their penetration through the BBB, but also their brain metabolism and localization. The bioavailability of polyphenols is low. The most usual oral administration also conflicts with bioavailability. The main factors that limit this process and have an effect on therapeutic efficacy are: selective permeability across BBB, gastrointestinal transformations, poor absorption, rapid hepatic and colonic metabolism, and systemic elimination. Thus, phenolic compounds have inadequate bioavailability for human applications to have any beneficial effects. In recent years, new strategies have been attempted in order to exert cognitive benefits and neuroprotective effects. Converting polyphenols into nanostructures is one of the theories proposed to enhance their bioavailability. The following nanoscale delivery systems can be used to encapsulate polyphenols: nanocapsules, nanospheres, micelles, cyclodextrins, solid lipid nanoparticles, and liposomes. It results in great expectations for the wide-scale and effective use of polyphenols in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus far, only natural polyphenols have been studied as neuroprotectors. Perhaps some modification of the chemical structure of a given polyphenol may increase its neuroprotective activity and transportation through the BBB. However, numerous questions should be answered before developing neuroprotective medications based on plant polyphenols.

The role of diet in multiple sclerosis onset and course: results from a nationwide retrospective birth-year cohort.

To examine (1) the association between childhood diet and developing MS, age of onset and onset type and (2) the association between diet at age 50 and disability and MRI volumes in people with MS (PwMS). The study enrolled 361 PwMS born in 1966 and 125 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Information on individual dietary components (fruit, vegetables, red meat, oily fish, whole-grain bread and candy, snacks and fast food) and MS risk factors at the age of 10 and 50 years were collected using questionnaires. Overall diet quality score was calculated for each participant. Multivariable regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between diet at childhood and developing MS, age of onset and onset type and to evaluate diet at age 50, disability and MRI outcomes. Poorer overall diet quality and individual dietary components during childhood (less whole-grain bread, more candy, snacks and fast food and oily fish) were associated with developing MS and onset type (all p < 0.05), but not with the age of onset. Fruit consumption at age 50 was associated with lower disability (Q3 vs. Q1: -0.51; 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.13). Furthermore, several individual dietary components at age 50 were associated with MRI volumetric measures. Higher-diet quality at age 50 was only associated with lower lesion volumes in PwMS (Q2 vs. Q1: -0.3 mL; 95% CI: -0.5 to -0.02). We demonstrate significant associations between dietary factors in childhood and developing MS, age of onset and onset type and between dietary factors at age 50 and disability and MRI-derived volumes.

Dietary Patterns and Cancer Risk: An Overview with Focus on Methods

Traditionally, research in nutritional epidemiology has focused on specific foods/food groups or single nutrients in their relation with disease outcomes, including cancer. Dietary pattern analysis have been introduced to examine potential cumulative and interactive effects of individual dietary components of the overall diet, in which foods are consumed in combination. Dietary patterns can be identified by using evidence-based investigator-defined approaches or by using data-driven approaches, which rely on either response independent (also named “a posteriori” dietary patterns) or response dependent (also named “mixed-type” dietary patterns) multivariate statistical methods. Within the open methodological challenges related to study design, dietary assessment, identification of dietary patterns, confounding phenomena, and cancer risk assessment, the current paper provides an updated landscape review of novel methodological developments in the statistical analysis of a posteriori/mixed-type dietary patterns and cancer risk. The review starts from standard a posteriori dietary patterns from principal component, factor, and cluster analyses, including mixture models, and examines mixed-type dietary patterns from reduced rank regression, partial least squares, classification and regression tree analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Novel statistical approaches reviewed include Bayesian factor analysis with modeling of sparsity through shrinkage and sparse priors and frequentist focused principal component analysis. Most novelties relate to the reproducibility of dietary patterns across studies where potentialities of the Bayesian approach to factor and cluster analysis work at best.

Association between nutrition and cognition in a multi-ethnic cohort from Singapore.

Nutrition, a modifiable risk factor, presents a low-cost prevention strategy to reduce the burden of cognitive impairment and dementia. However, studies examining the effects of dietary patterns on cognition are lacking in multi-ethnic Asian populations. We investigate the association between diet quality, measured with the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI)-2010, and cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults of different ethnicities (Chinese, Malay, Indian) in Singapore. This cross-sectional study (n = 3138; mean age: 50.4 ± 9.8, 58.4% women) was based on data from the Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort. Dietary intake collected with a validated semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire was converted into AHEI-2010 scores. Cognition, assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), was analysed as a continuous or binary outcome (cognitively impaired or not, using cut-offs of ≥ 24, 26 or 28 for no education, primary school education and secondary school education and above). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to examine associations between AHEI-2010 and cognition, adjusting for covariates. A total of 988 (31.5%) participants had cognitive impairment. Higher AHEI-2010 scores were significantly associated with higher MMSE scores [β = 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22-0.67 highest vs. lowest quartile; p-trend < 0.001] and lower odds of cognitive impairment [OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.54-0.88; p-trend = 0.01] after adjusting for all the covariates. No significant associations were observed for individual dietary components of the AHEI-2010 with MMSE or cognitive impairment. Healthier dietary patterns were associated with better cognitive function in middle-aged and older Singaporeans. These findings could inform better support to promote healthier dietary patterns in Asian populations.

Rye Dietary Fiber Components upon the Influence of Fermentation Inoculated with Probiotic Microorganisms.

Rye flour is used as the main ingredient of sourdough bread, which has technological and gastronomic benefits and increased nutritional value. The transformations observed during fermentation and baking may enable the conversion or degradation of rye dietary fiber carbohydrates built mainly of arabinoxylans, fructans, and β-glucans. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of the changes in the contents of complex carbohydrates in sourdoughs inoculated with potential probiotic microorganisms as well as the polysaccharide composition of the resulting bread. Sourdoughs were inoculated with the potential probiotic microorganisms Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Bacillus coagulans, and spontaneous fermentation was performed as a control. Samples of the sourdoughs after 24 and 48 h of fermentation and of bread obtained with these sourdoughs were analyzed for the content of individual dietary fiber components. The present study demonstrated that the treatments applied contributed to an increased total content of arabinoxylans in the breads, and the inoculation of the sourdoughs with the potential probiotic strains improved their solubility in water. The use of the S.boulardii strain may seem prospective as it allowed for the greatest reduction in fructans in the rye bread. Rye sourdough bread is an attractive source of dietary fiber and can be modified for different nutritional needs.

Longitudinal Analyses of Diet Quality and Maternal Depressive Symptoms During Pregnancy: The Kuopio Birth Cohort Study.

Depression and diet quality appear to be associated in the general population. Nevertheless, little is known about their relationship among pregnant females. The aims of this study were first, to investigate longitudinally whether or not diet quality is associated with depressive symptoms during pregnancy; second, to examine whether or not variation in diet quality during pregnancy predicts variation in depressive symptoms; and third, to explore how individual dietary components are associated with depressive symptoms. A longitudinal secondary analysis of the Kuopio Birth Cohort Study in eastern Finland was conducted. Data were collected from pregnant females during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. The participants were 1,362 pregnant females who entered the study between 2012 and2017. Depressive symptoms, as measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depressive Scale during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy were used as continuous variables. The main analyses consisted of linear mixed model analyses adjusted for potential confounders to longitudinally assess the association between diet quality as measured by the Healthy Eating Index-2015, calculated using data from a food frequency questionnaire completed during the first trimester and third trimester, and depressive symptoms during the study period. An exploratory set of linear mixed models was also used to longitudinally assess the associations between selected individual food frequency questionnaire food groups and depressive symptoms. Descriptive analyses revealed that 12.3% of the participants had clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms (ie, Edinburgh Postnatal Depressive Scale score ≥10) during either the first or third trimester. Longitudinal modeling suggested that depressive symptoms in pregnant females tend to remain stable throughout pregnancy. Females with a poorer quality dietalready displayed higher levels of depressive symptoms during the first trimester of pregnancy (β= -.038 ± .016; P= 0.022). Variation in diet quality did not predict variation in depressive symptoms over the course of pregnancy (β= -9.741× 10-5 ± .001; P= 0.869). Females entering pregnancy with a poorer quality dietalso displayed higher levels of depressive symptoms compared with females with a higher quality diet at the beginning of pregnancy, and this association remained constant throughout pregnancy. Further research is needed to assess the direction and the potential causality of the observed associations between diet quality and depressive symptoms.

Comprehensive Nutrition Assessment in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease Using the Dietary Inflammatory Index and Healthy Eating Index

Increasing evidence shows that nutrition plays a role in the pathogenesis and progression of many diseases. Certain diets are shown to play a role in driving systemic inflammation and consequently contribute to exacerbation of disease processes. Systematic nutrition assessment in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) is largely unexplored and thus it is not well understood how diet impacts SCD complications and health outcomes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess both the inflammatory nature and quality of diet in adults with SCD. Individuals with SCD age ≥18 years were eligible for enrollment. Consented participants completed the validated diet assessment, the Block 2014 Food Frequency Questionnaire. This questionnaire has a recall period of one year and includes questions on the intake of 127 food and beverage items. Data collected from this questionnaire are sent to the developer for secondary and tertiary analyses for quantification of nutrients and food groups and the returned quantifications were used to calculate the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). The DII is a validated measure that quantifies the inflammatory nature of individuals' diet based on the potential of nutrients to trigger inflammation, whereas the HEI is a metric that assesses overall diet quality and several individual dietary components. DII is calculated based on the global mean intake and standard deviation (SD), and overall inflammatory effect score for specific food parameters. A total of 30 food parameters (Figure 1) were used for DII calculation in this study. Global mean intake and SD are used to calculate a Z-score for each nutrient which is then converted to the centered percentile. It is then multiplied with the overall food parameter-specific inflammatory effect score from the DII database to get a DII for each nutrient. These individual nutrient scores are summed to create the 'overall DII score' for an individual. Possible overall DII scores range from -8.87 to +7.98, with negative scores indicating an anti-inflammatory diet and positive scores indicating a pro-inflammatory diet. The HEI reflects adherence to Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and considers density-based (amounts per 1,000 kcal) intake of the following 13 components: total fruits, whole fruits, total vegetables, greens and beans, whole grains, dairy, total protein foods, seafood and plant proteins, fatty acids, refined grains, sodium, added sugars, saturated fats. Fruits, vegetables, and proteins are assigned a maximum of 5 points each because they are represented by two components (i.e., total fruits and whole fruits) while other food groups receive a maximum of 10 points because they are represented by one component. Maximum points are assigned if the a priori set thresholds for the specific components are met (detailed in Figure 2 legend). Final HEI is a sum of scores for each component. The HEI has a range of 0 (reflecting no adherence to DGA) to 100 (reflecting complete adherence to DGA). The mean HEI for Americans aged 19-59 years old is 57. We report the range and mean for both the DII and HEI indices. A total of 28 adults with SCD completed the Block Food Frequency questionnaire. Mean age of participants was 33.7 (SD 10.5) years with range of 19-58 years and 46.4% (n=13) were female. Figure 1 represents the DII scores for our study cohort. We found 25% (n=7) of individuals had a negative DII indicating consumption of an anti-inflammatory diet, and 75% (n=21) of individuals had a positive DII indicating consumption of a pro-inflammatory diet. The DII ranged from -5.25 to 6.55, with a median DII of 2.62 (IQR -0.49, 4.45). The mean HEI score for the study cohort was 60. Individual components of the mean HEI for SCD individuals and for average adult Americans are shown in Figure 2. Numbers in the radar graph represent the percentage of maximum possible score for each component. The majority of adults with SCD in our cohort have evidence of a pro-inflammatory diet. Our cohort had a similar HEI to average Americans, but its components vary between the food groups and require further assessment. These data are the first step to systematically assessing nutrition in individuals with SCD. Further research is necessary to investigate if nutrition impacts disease expression and health outcomes in SCD and determine whether diet is a modifiable target for interventions. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Dietary factors and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Moli-sani Study Cohort

Abstract Background A healthy diet plays a major role in supporting the immune system which is critical to protect the host from pathogenic organisms. To date, evidence on the relationship between dietary habits and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is still scarce. Methods Analyses on 1,096 participants from the Moli-sani Study (2005-2010) who were re-examined in 2017-2020, and in January-September 2021. Food intake was assessed in 2017-2020 using a 188-item FFQ. Adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) was evaluated using the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) ranging from 0 to 9. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for incident SARS-CoV-2 infection in association with dietary factors. Results Out of 1,096 participants, 90 either reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 or were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies before receiving any COVID-19 vaccine. In a multivariable-adjusted model controlled for known risk factors, a 1-point increase in MDS was associated, though not significantly, with lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.90; 95%CI 0.78-1.04). Among individual dietary components, a high consumption of vegetables or fruits and nuts was associated with lower odds of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 0.57; 0.34-0.96 and OR = 0.61; 0.37-1.00, respectively). High fish intake was otherwise linked to increased risk of infection (OR = 2.05; 1.25-3.36). Nutritional factors associated with reduced risk of infection were dietary fibre (OR = 0.50; 0.27-0.93 for 10 g/d increase), vegetable proteins (OR = 0.56; 0.33-0.94 for 10 g/d increase) and vitamin C (OR = 0.94; 0.89-0.99 for 10 g/d increase). Conclusions Adherence to MD was suggestive of a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In particular, large amounts of fruit and vegetables were associated with reduced odds of being infected, as well as diets rich in fibre, vegetable proteins and Vitamin C. Key messages

The associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical fitness in young, middle-aged, and older adults: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

A healthy diet and high health-related physical fitness levels may be part of an overall healthy lifestyle. The relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical fitness levels has been analyzed in several studies. However, no studies have synthesized evidence on this relationship throughout adulthood. Moreover, in addition to the overall Mediterranean dietary pattern, the associations of individual components of the Mediterranean diet with physical fitness indicators are also unclear. This protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Protocols statement and the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook. Systematic literature searches will be performed in the MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and Cochrane CENTRAL databases to identify studies published up to 31 January 2022. The inclusion criteria will comprise observational studies and randomized controlled trials reporting the associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and physical fitness levels on general healthy or unhealthy adults (≥18 years). When at least five studies addressing the same outcome are available, meta-analysis will be carried out to estimate the standardized mean difference of physical fitness according to the adherence to Mediterranean diet. Subgroup analyses will be performed according to the characteristics of the population, the individual dietary components of the Mediterranean diet and physical fitness parameters as long as there are sufficient studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol is designed for updating evidence on the associations between adherence to overall Mediterranean diet (and specific Mediterranean foods) and physical fitness levels in young, middle-aged, and older adults. Findings from this review may have implications for public health. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication, conference presentation, and infographics. No ethical approval will be required since only published data will be used. CRD42022308259.

Diet Quality and the Gut Microbiota in Women Living in Alabama

The gut microbiota is associated with obesity and modulated by individual dietary components. However, the relationships between diet quality and the gut microbiota and their potential interactions with weight status in diverse populations are not well understood. This study examined the associations between overall diet quality, weight status, and the gut microbiota in a racially balanced sample of adult females. Female participants (N=71) residing in Birmingham, Alabama provided demographics, anthropometrics, biospecimens, and dietary data in this observational study from March 2014 to August 2014, and data analysis was conducted from August 2017 to March 2019. Weight status was defined as a BMI (weight [kg]/height [m2]) <30 kg/m2 for non-obese participants and ≥30 kg/m2 for participants who were obese. Dietary data collected included an Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour recall and Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) score. Diet quality was defined as having a high HEI score (≥median) or a low HEI score (<median). The fecal microbiota was collected, and the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified to profile the microbiota composition. Differences in diet quality based on weight status were assessed using 2-sample t-tests. The associations between diet quality, gut microbiota, and weight status were analyzed using negative binomial models. Participants (43 Black, 28 White) aged 40.39±13.86 years who were non-obese (56%) and obese (44%) were studied. Greater alpha diversity was observed among those with higher Healthy Eating Index scores (p=0.037) but did not differ by weight status. Higher abundances of Bacteroidetes (p=0.006) and Firmicutes (p=0.042) were associated with a higher HEI score. Higher Bacteriodetes levels were observed among non-obese (p=0.006). Diet quality measured by the HEI was associated with alpha diversity of the gut microbiota among adult females. Abundances of phyla that have been linked with weight status (Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes) were positively associated with diet quality.

Are pre- and early pregnancy lifestyle factors associated with the risk of preterm birth? A secondary cohort analysis of the cluster-randomised GeliS trial

BackgroundMaternal lifestyle is discussed as a modifiable determinant in the prevention of preterm birth. However, previous research on associations between individual lifestyle factors and preterm birth risk is inconclusive. In this secondary analysis, we investigated the associations between several modifiable antenatal lifestyle factors and the odds of preterm birth.MethodsThis secondary cohort analysis used data from the cluster-randomised controlled “healthy living in pregnancy” (GeliS) trial. Data were collected from early pregnancy to birth with maternity records, validated questionnaires and birth protocols. Women with complete datasets for all covariates were eligible for analysis. Multivariate logistic regression models, adjusted for recognised risk factors, were fitted to determine whether dietary quality, assessed with a healthy eating index (HEI), physical activity (PA) levels and antenatal anxiety/distress influenced the odds of preterm birth. Moreover, the combined association between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and HEI on the odds of preterm birth was explored. The independent associations of individual dietary components and types of PA on prematurity were assessed by adjusted logistic regression models.ResultsOverall, 1738 women were included in the analysis. A low HEI significantly increased the odds of preterm birth (OR 1.54 (CI 1.04 – 2.30), p = 0.033), while no associations with either low PA levels or antenatal anxiety/distress were observed. BMI significantly interacted with HEI on the association with prematurity (p = 0.036). Energy % from protein and the intake of average portions of vegetables and cereals were significantly negatively associated with the odds of preterm birth. There was no significant evidence of an association between different types of PA and prematurity.ConclusionsThis cohort analysis revealed that low dietary quality in early pregnancy may increase the chance of giving birth prematurely, while healthier dietary choices may help to prevent preterm birth. More research on pre- and early pregnancy modifiable lifestyle factors is warranted.Trial registrationThis trial is registered with the Clinical Trial Registry ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01958307). Registration date 09 October 2013, retrospectively registered.

Ambient air pollution, healthy diet and vegetable intakes, and mortality: a prospective UK Biobank study.

Recent studies suggest potential interactions of air pollutants with dietary factors and genetic susceptibility on mortality risk; however, evidence from prospective studies is still lacking. We aimed to assess the association between air pollution and mortality, and investigate the modification effects of a healthy diet and genetic susceptibility. A total of 386 937 participants were enrolled from 2006 to 2010 and followed up to 2018 in the UK Biobank study. The annual average air pollutant concentrations of particulate matter (PM) with diameters ≤2.5 (PM2.5), ≤10 (PM10) and between 2.5 and 10 µm (PM2.5-10) and nitrogen oxides (NO2 and NOx) were calculated and linked to participants' residential addresses. Healthy dietary patterns were evaluated by a healthy diet score (HDS) based on intakes of vegetables, fruit, fish, unprocessed red meat and processed meat. We also calculated genetic risk score (GRS) of the lifespan. We examined potential interactions by setting variable cross-product terms of air pollutants with diets or GRS in the models. We identified 11 881 deaths [2426 from cardiovascular diseases (CVD), 1211 from coronary heart disease (CHD) and 466 from stroke] during a median follow-up of 8.9 years. We found that PM2.5 [hazard ratio (HR), 1.27; 95% CI, 1.05-1.55], PM10 (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04-1.34), NO2 (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08), and NOx (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03) were associated with all-cause mortality. PM2.5 was also associated with increased risks of CVD mortality (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.10-2.56) and CHD mortality (HR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.16-3.75). In addition, we found that adherence to healthy dietary patterns modified associations of PM2.5, NO2 and NOx with all-cause mortality (P-interaction = 0.006, 0.006 and 0.02, respectively). Among the individual dietary components, vegetable intakes showed interactions with PM2.5, NO2 and NOx (P-interaction = 0.007, 0.004 and 0.02, respectively). The associations between air pollutants and increased risks of all-cause mortality were attenuated among participants with higher vegetable intakes. We did not observe interactions between air pollutants and HDS on CVD, CHD or stroke mortality (P-interaction > 0.05). Besides, we did not find interactions between air pollutants and genetic risk for lifespan on mortality risk. This study provides evidence linking long-term exposure to various air pollutants to the risk of all-cause, CVD and CHD mortality, and the potential attenuation of a healthy diet, especially high vegetable intakes, on such relations. Our findings highlight the importance of adherence to a healthy diet in lowering ambient air-pollution-related mortality risk.

Arterial Hypertension-Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

Arterial hypertension (AH) is a major cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), leading to dysfunction of many organs, including the heart, blood vessels and kidneys. AH is a multifactorial disease. It has been suggested that the development of each factor is influenced by oxidative stress, which is characterized by a disturbed oxidant-antioxidant balance. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an impaired antioxidant system promote the development of endothelial dysfunction (ED), inflammation and increased vascular contractility, resulting in remodeling of cardiovascular (CV) tissue. The hope for restoring the proper functioning of the vessels is placed on antioxidants, and pharmacological strategies are still being sought to reverse the harmful effects of free radicals. In our review, we focused on the correlation of AH with oxidative stress and inflammation, which are influenced by many factors, such as diet, supplementation and pharmacotherapy. Studies show that the addition of a single dietary component may have a beneficial effect on blood pressure (BP) values; however, the relationship between the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties of individual dietary components and the hypotensive effect is not clear. Moreover, AH pharmacotherapy alleviates the increased oxidative stress, which may help prevent organ damage.

The Role of Diet in Prognosis among Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Dietary Patterns and Diet Interventions.

Cancer survival continues to improve in high-income countries, partly explained by advances in screening and treatment. Previous studies have mainly examined the relationship between individual dietary components and cancer prognosis in tumours with good therapeutic response (breast, colon and prostate cancers). The aim of this review is to assess qualitatively (and quantitatively where appropriate) the associations of dietary patterns and cancer prognosis from published prospective cohort studies, as well as the effect of diet interventions by means of randomised controlled trials (RCT). A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, and a total of 35 prospective cohort studies and 14 RCT published between 2011 and 2021 were selected. Better overall diet quality was associated with improved survival among breast and colorectal cancer survivors; adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated to lower risk of mortality in colorectal and prostate cancer survivors. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model showed that higher versus lower diet quality was associated with a 23% reduction in overall mortality in breast cancer survivors. There was evidence that dietary interventions, generally combined with physical activity, improved overall quality of life, though most studies were in breast cancer survivors. Further cohort and intervention studies in other cancers are needed to make more specific recommendations.

Basic principles of dietary therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus: focus on antioxidant protection and endothelial dysfunction

Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction have been identified as the most important pathogenetic pathways for the development and progression of vascular complications in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Objective. To evaluate the effect of individual dietary components on oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in patients with T2DM. Material and methods. The search and analysis of publications was carried out using the PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science databases, mainly for the last 10 years, using the keywords "type 2 diabetes mellitus", "endothelial dysfunction", "polyphenols", "antioxidants", "diet". Results. It has been shown that despite the progress in the development of drugs for the correction of clinical and metabolic disorders in T2DM, diet therapy is an important therapeutic factor influencing the main mechanisms of development and progression of cardiovascular complications in T2DM, including hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, subclinical inflammation, endothelial dysfunction. Properly organized and built on modern scientific principles, clinical nutrition improves glycemic control, correction of arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia and overweight/obesity. Influencing the mechanisms of development of oxidative stress, therapeutic nutrition can serve as a preventive approach to protect against the occurrence of endothelial dysfunction and subsequent complications, primarily atherosclerotic origin. Conclusion. The review presents current data on the effect of diet therapy on the main clinical and metabolic parameters in T2DM, endothelial function and oxidative stress, as the most significant factors in the development of systemic vascular complications.

Diet Quality and Biological Risk in a National Sample of Older Americans.

Objectives: Using comprehensive measures of biological risk, this study aims to investigate the relationship between intake of individual dietary components, overall diet quality, and biological dysregulation. Methods: We analyzed nationally representative data from 3734 older adults who participated in the Health and Retirement Study Venous Blood Study in 2016 and Health Care and Nutrition Survey in 2013. Results: Eleven out of 13 individual dietary components were associated with lower biological risk. Respondents with poor/suboptimal quality diet had higher biological risk than those with good quality diet. Discussion: Findings from this study emphasize the importance of healthy eating in improving health of older adults. Encouraging intake of fruits, greens and beans, whole grains, and fatty acids, while limiting consumption of sodium, added sugar, and saturated fat would improve overall diet quality and contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases and morbidity.

Comparative Evaluation of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability among Non-vegetarians and Vegetarians

Background: Dietary approaches to regulate blood pressure should be an important strategy of cardiovascular health. There is extensive study demonstrating multiple individual dietary components and several dietary patterns that affect blood pressure.&#x0D; Aim: The present study planned to investigate the influence of dietary patterns on cardiac functions.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: 20 healthy subjects belonging to regular consumption of vegetarian and heavy non vegetarian diet among the student population were analysed for changes in blood pressure (SBP, DBP, PP, MAP), Pulse rate and heart rate variability (HRV).&#x0D; Results: The results of the study revealed that non vegetarians showed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (p=0.030) (p&gt;0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.033) (p&gt;0.05) and insignificant decrease in heart rate variability in comparison with the vegetarians. &#x0D; Conclusion: Thus the study concluded that there is a positive interaction of diet preference and changes in blood pressure among vegetarians and non vegetarians.