Low Intake Of Red Meat Research Articles

Consumption of red and processed meat during early pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes: a prospective birth cohort study

To investigate the association of red and processed meat intake with the risk of gestational diabetes (GDM) in Iranian mothers. A total of 635 pregnant mothers were included. Dietary intake was assessed by a 90-item food frequency questionnaire during the first trimester of pregnancy. Intakes of total red meat, unprocessed red meat, and processed meat were calculated and then, Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95%CIs of GDM across tertiles of red meat intake while controlling for age, occupation, pre-pregnancy body mass index, physical activities, history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and pregnancy hypertension, order of pregnancy, nausea during current pregnancy, multivitamin use during current pregnancy, weight gain during current pregnancy and total energy intake. The average age of the mothers was 28.80 ± 5.09 years, the average pre-pregnancy body mass index was 25.13 ± 4.43 kg/m2, and the average weight gain during pregnancy was 13.50 ± 5.03 kg. The multivariable-adjusted HRs of GDM for the third tertiles of red and processed meat, red meat, and processed meat intake were, respectively, 1.92 (95% CI 1.06, 3.49), 1.52 (95% CI 0.85, 2.72) and 1.31 (95% CI 0.73, 2.34) when compared to the first tertiles. Our prospective cohort study suggested that there was a positive association between the consumption of red and processed meat and with risk of GDM in a small sample of Iranian mothers with low red meat intake. More large-scale cohort studies in the Iranian population are needed to present more robust evidence in this regard.

P1102 Adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern in patients with Crohn's disease in remission is associated with lower fecal calprotectin levels

Abstract Background The Mediterranean Diet (MD) was recently found to be beneficial for Crohn’s Disease CD patients in various stages of the disease. The MD emphasizes the intake of foods that are fiber-rich and high in polyphenols, along with avoidance of ultra-processed foods (UPF) and a low intake of red meat. Previous data show that these dietary patterns could promote gut health and mucosal healing. However, little is known about the overall adherence to the MD and its association with biochemical activity in CD patients in remission. Therefore, we aimed to assess overall adherence to the MD and to investigate the association between adherence to the MD and fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in patients with CD in clinical remission and fecal biochemical inactivity. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients with CD in clinical remission [Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI)<5] and fecal biochemical inactivity (FC <250µg/g). FC levels of ≤150µg/g was further categorized as significant biochemical inactivity. Patients were assessed for their medical status, clinical and biochemical disease activity, and nutritional intake by using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The Israeli Mediterranean dietary screener (I-MEDAS) was used to assess adherence to the MD. A positive score for each food component was assigned when a specific cut-off criterion was met. For overall adherence to the MD, the median score of the study sample was used as a cut-off for the classification of “adherence” or “non-adherence”. Results A total of 88 patients were included in this analysis. A high proportion of patients qualified for a positive score for low consumption of butter and margarine (96.6%), salty snacks (94.3%), and savory pastries (83.0%), while a low proportion of patients qualified for a positive score for high intake of whole grains (8.0%), fish (20.9%), fruit (9.1%), and legumes (28.4%) (Figure 1). Twenty-nine patients (32.9%) were adherent to the MD. This group of patients had higher rates of significant biochemical inactivity (i.e., FC≤150µg/g), compared to non-adherent patients (96.6% vs. 79.7% respectively, p=0.036) and lower occurrence of soft/liquid stool (p=0.044). Furthermore, low intake of savory pastries and red/processed meat was associated with significant biochemical inactivity [p=0.026 and p=0.020, respectively. Conclusion Overall adherence to the MD among patients with CD in clinical remission and biochemical inactivity is relatively low, with a low intake of beneficial food groups on one hand, and a low intake of UPF on the other hand. Adherence to the MD was associated with lower FC levels. Future studies should examine the long-term effects of the MD on the maintenance of clinical and biochemical remission.

The Maternal Diet Index and Offspring Microbiota at 1 Month of Life: Insights from the Mediterranean Birth Cohort MAMI.

Background: Maternal diet during pregnancy may play a role in infant health outcomes via the maternal microbiota. We assessed the association of the maternal diet index for the Mediterranean area (MDI-med) with infant gut microbiota at 1 month of life. Methods: The MAMI study is a longitudinal birth cohort in the Mediterranean area. In this work, a cross-sectional study, including 120 mother-infant dyads with available maternal diet and infant microbiota at 1-month-old data, was undertaken. The MDI developed in the US (MDI-US) was adapted for the MAMI cohort (MDI-med). Stratification based on extreme values resulted (22 in the "lower" MDI-med group and 23 in the "upper" group from the mean). Relative microbial abundances and alpha (microbial richness and diversity indexes) and beta diversity (Bray-Curtis distance matrix) were compared between the groups. Results: Higher maternal daily vegetable intake and lower red meat intake were the characteristics of the "upper" MDI-med group. Significantly lower microbial diversity (Shannon and InvSimpson index (p = 0.01)), but no changes in richness (Chao1 index) nor in beta-diversity, using Bray-Curtis distance, were observed in the "upper" group, compared to the "lower" MDI-med group. A higher relative abundance of the Bifidobacterium genus (Actinomycetota phylum) was associated with maternal daily vegetable and yogurt intake. Conclusion: Reduced infant microbial diversity at 1 month of age was associated with "upper" MDI-med scores. Higher maternal intakes of vegetables and yogurt were associated with higher relative abundances of the Bifidobacterium genus in the infant gut. Further studies are needed to understand the link between pregnancy diet, infant microbiota, and health outcomes.

Environmental and Climate Impact Perceptions in University Students: Sustainability Motivations and Perceptions Correspond With Lower Red Meat Intake.

Red meat production is a leading contributor to food-related greenhouse gas emissions. Decreasing red meat intake can mitigate climate change and lower risk of diet-related diseases. The goal of this study is to evaluate university students' perceptions of climate-friendly behaviors and to assess how these perceptions are associated with the frequency of red meat intake. Cross-sectional survey SETTING: A large, public California university and a large, public Michigan university PARTICIPANTS: Undergraduate students from a California university (n= 721) and a Michigan university (n= 568) MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceptions of climate-friendly behaviors and frequency of red meat intake STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Differences in perceptions by student characteristics were compared using t-tests and one-way analysis of variance. Associations between perceptions of climate-friendly behaviors and red meat intake frequency were examined using generalized linear models, adjusted for sociodemographic covariates. Across both universities, students rated reducing meat intake as less effective than other climate change mitigation behaviors such as recycling and using less plastic. However, students who reported (1) making food and beverage choices that "are good for the environment," (2) making food and beverage choices that "reduce climate change impact," or (3) agreeing that "eating less meat is an effective way to combat climate change" reported 10% to 25% lower frequency of red meat intake for each point higher on the agreement scale. In contrast, making food and beverage choices motivated by health was not associated with frequency of red meat intake. Sustainability motivations and perceptions of meat's climate impact were associated with lower frequency of red meat intake, despite the overall moderate rating of eating less meat as an effective climate change mitigator. This research lends support to behavioral interventions, public education campaigns, and policies aiming to reinforce sustainable dietary patterns in young adults.

Recurrent Lower Abdominal Pain, Altered Bowel Habits, and Malaise: Conservative or Surgical Approach to a Common Disorder

Recurrent Lower Abdominal Pain, Altered Bowel Habits, and Malaise: Conservative or Surgical Approach to a Common Disorder

The effect of high-polyphenol Mediterranean diet on visceral adiposity: the DIRECT PLUS randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMediterranean (MED) diet is a rich source of polyphenols, which benefit adiposity by several mechanisms. We explored the effect of the green-MED diet, twice fortified in dietary polyphenols and lower in red/processed meat, on visceral adipose tissue (VAT).MethodsIn the 18-month Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial PoLyphenols UnproceSsed (DIRECT-PLUS) weight-loss trial, 294 participants were randomized to (A) healthy dietary guidelines (HDG), (B) MED, or (C) green-MED diets, all combined with physical activity. Both isocaloric MED groups consumed 28 g/day of walnuts (+ 440 mg/day polyphenols). The green-MED group further consumed green tea (3–4 cups/day) and Wolffia globosa (duckweed strain) plant green shake (100 g frozen cubes/day) (+ 800mg/day polyphenols) and reduced red meat intake. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify the abdominal adipose tissues.ResultsParticipants (age = 51 years; 88% men; body mass index = 31.2 kg/m2; 29% VAT) had an 89.8% retention rate and 79.3% completed eligible MRIs. While both MED diets reached similar moderate weight (MED: − 2.7%, green-MED: − 3.9%) and waist circumference (MED: − 4.7%, green-MED: − 5.7%) loss, the green-MED dieters doubled the VAT loss (HDG: − 4.2%, MED: − 6.0%, green-MED: − 14.1%; p < 0.05, independent of age, sex, waist circumference, or weight loss). Higher dietary consumption of green tea, walnuts, and Wolffia globosa; lower red meat intake; higher total plasma polyphenols (mainly hippuric acid), and elevated urine urolithin A polyphenol were significantly related to greater VAT loss (p < 0.05, multivariate models).ConclusionsA green-MED diet, enriched with plant-based polyphenols and lower in red/processed meat, may be a potent intervention to promote visceral adiposity regression.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03020186

Editors' Note: Fish Intake and MRI Burden of Cerebrovascular Disease in Older Adults

In “Fish intake and MRI burden of cerebrovascular disease in older adults,” Thomas et al. reported that higher fish intake was associated with lower burden of cerebrovascular disease, particularly in subjects aged <75 years. Brenner commented that these findings might be attributed to lower consumption of red meat and dairy products, which contain glycolyneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), a sialic acid that can cause chronic inflammation leading to atherosclerosis. Thomas and Samieri agreed that red meat and dairy products can lead to cerebrovascular disease, but noted that they adjusted for these and other confounders such as intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and olive oil. As such, they believe that their findings are directly attributed to higher fish intake, rather than lower intake of red meat and dairy. They reported that this may be due to the main beneficial effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. In “Fish intake and MRI burden of cerebrovascular disease in older adults,” Thomas et al. reported that higher fish intake was associated with lower burden of cerebrovascular disease, particularly in subjects aged <75 years. Brenner commented that these findings might be attributed to lower consumption of red meat and dairy products, which contain glycolyneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), a sialic acid that can cause chronic inflammation leading to atherosclerosis. Thomas and Samieri agreed that red meat and dairy products can lead to cerebrovascular disease, but noted that they adjusted for these and other confounders such as intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, and olive oil. As such, they believe that their findings are directly attributed to higher fish intake, rather than lower intake of red meat and dairy. They reported that this may be due to the main beneficial effects of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Associations of Mediterranean diet with psychological ill-being and well-being throughout the pregnancy course: The GESTAFIT project

PurposeThe relation between diet and maternal mental health during pregnancy might be relevant to prevent adverse materno-foetal outcomes. This study examined the association of Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and MD components with mental health during pregnancy.MethodsThis secondary analysis of the GESTAFIT trial included longitudinal data from 152 pregnant women. Dietary habits were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire, and MD adherence was derived from it using the Mediterranean Food pattern. Psychological ill-being (i.e., negative affect, anxiety, and depression) and well-being (i.e., emotional intelligence, resilience, positive affect) were assessed with the Spanish version of well-established self-reported questionnaires. Cross-sectional (16th gestational week [g.w.]) and longitudinal associations (34th g.w.) between MD and mental health were studied using linear regression models.ResultsA greater MD adherence was inversely associated with negative affect and anxiety; and positively associated with emotional regulation, resilience and positive affect at the 16th and 34th g.w. (|β| ranging from 0.179 to 0.325, all p < 0.05). Additionally, a higher intake of whole grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil and nuts, and a lower intake of red meat and subproducts and sweets were associated with lower negative affect, anxiety, depression and higher emotional regulation, resilience and positive affect throughout gestation (|β| ranging from 0.168 to 0.415, all p < 0.05).ConclusionA higher intake of whole grain cereals, fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil and nuts, together with a lower intake of red meat and sweets, resulted in a higher MD adherence, which was associated with a better mental health during pregnancy.

Distribution and risk factors of self-reported cancer cases in adults in China, 2015

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and risk factors of self-reported cancer in adults in China in 2015. Methods: The data used in this study were from China Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance in 2015. The frequency and proportion of the classified variables were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the disordered classified variables were compared by χ2 test, and the possible risk factors of cancer patients were screened by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: In 2015, there were 1 809 self-reported tumors patients in China, including 689 males (0.63%), 1 120 females (1.03%), 769 (0.71%) in the eastern region, 465 (0.43%) in the central region and 575 (0.53%) in the western region. The patients were mainly distributed in people aged 45- and 55- years old, being overweight or obese, living in eastern urban area, having low education level, being married, having low annual household income and being occupational population. The results of multivariate logistic regression showed that compared with the western region, the prevalence rate of cancer was higher in the eastern region (OR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.04-1.06), while lower in the central region (OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.93-0.95); the risk for cancer in people with family history of malignancy was higher than that in people without family history of malignancy (OR=1.95, 95%CI:1.94-1.96) the risk for cancer in people with an annual household income of less than 10 000 yuan or between 10 000 and 50 000 yuan was higher than that in people with an annual household income of more than 50 000 yuan (<10 000 yuan: OR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.58-1.60; between 10 000 and 50 000 yuan: OR=1.27, 95%CI: 1.26-1.28); and the risk for cancer in people living urban areas was lower than that in people living in rural areas (OR=0.98, 95%CI: 0.97-0.99). In terms of personal behavior and diet, the risk for cancer in smokers was 1.25 times higher than that in non-smokers (OR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.24-1.26), and the risk for cancer in alcoholics was 1.16 times higher than that in non-alcoholics (OR=1.16, 95%CI: 1.15-1.17), the risk for cancer in people with insufficient vegetable and fruit intakes was 1.29 times and 1.03 times higher than those in people with sufficient intakes of vegetables and fruits, respectively (OR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.28-1.30;OR=1.03,95%CI: 1.02-1.04). People with low frequency of high-intensity exercise had a higher risk for cancer compared with those with high frequency of high-intensity exercise (OR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.31-1.33), the risk for cancer was higher in people with low frequency of moderate exercise than in people with high frequency of moderate exercise (OR=1.08, 95%CI: 1.07-1.09). The risk for cancer in people with sedentary time less than 2 hours was higher than that in those with sedentary time more than 2 hours (OR=1.69, 95%CI: 1.68-1.70), and the risk for cancer in people who ate moderate amount of red meat was lower than that in people who ate excessive amount of red meat (OR=0.86, 95%CI: 0.85-0.87). Conclusions: The number of female self-reported cancer was more than that in males, and the number of self-reported cancer in the eastern region was higher than that in the central and western regions. Living in eastern region, with family history of malignancy, having low annual household income, smoking, drinking, insufficient vegetable intake, insufficient fruit intake and low frequency of high-intensity exercise and low frequency of moderate intensity exercise were the main risk factors for cancer, while living in central region, living in urban area and low red meat intake were protective factors.

Diet and Risk of Incident Lung Cancer: A Large Prospective Cohort Study in UK Biobank

Epidemiological evidence remains conflicting regarding diet and risk of lung cancer. We sought to systematically investigate whether dietary factors are associated with the risk of incident lung cancer in the UK Biobank. A total of 416,588 participants (54% women) from the UK Biobank were included in the present study. Based on baseline data from FFQs, 3 main dietary patterns were identified by using principal component analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the association of individual food groups and dietary patterns with lung cancer risk. During a median follow-up of 7.13 y, 1782 incident lung cancer cases were documented. The association analysis showed high intake of red meat and processed meat was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (HRper 50g/d: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.65 for red meat; HRper 25g/d: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.53 for processed meat). However, the consumption of fruits (HRper 100g/d: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.84, 0.95), vegetables (HRper 100g/d: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.81, 0.99), breakfast cereals (HRper 50g/d: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.74, 0.89), and dietary fiber (HRper 5g/d: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.84) was inversely associated with the risk of lung cancer. For the dietary pattern analysis [quartile (Q) comparison], high adherence to the Prudent pattern (HRQ4 compared with Q1: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.73, 0.96) was associated with a lower risk of lung cancer, whereas the Western pattern (HRQ4 compared with Q1: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.46) was associated with a higher risk of lung cancer. Our study indicated that a diet characterized by high intake of fruits, vegetables, breakfast cereals, and dietary fiber, as well as low intake of red meat and processed meat, was associated with a lower risk of lung cancer.

Ten-year changes in plasma L-carnitine levels and risk of coronary heart disease.

L-Carnitine is abundant in animal source foods, particularly red meat, and circulating L-carnitine may be related to the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). We investigated whether long-term changes in plasma L-carnitine over 10years were associated with the CHD incidence and also examined joint associations of carnitine-rich red meat consumption and L-carnitine changes on the subsequent risk of CHD. This prospective nested case-control study included 772 healthy women at baseline (386 incident CHD cases and 386 healthy controls). Plasma L-carnitine levels were measured both at the first (1989-90) and second blood collections (2000-02). Incident cases of CHD were prospectively followed from the date of the second blood collection through 2016. Overall, a greater increase in L-carnitine from the first to the second time point was related to a higher risk of CHD, regardless of the initial L-carnitine levels (relative risk: 1.36 (95% CI 0.999, 1.84) per 1-SD increase). The 10-year changes in L-carnitine were positively associated with red meat consumption over time, and women with higher red meat intake (≥ 36g/day) and with greater increases in L-carnitine had a 1.86 (95% CI 1.13, 3.09) times increased risk of CHD, as compared to those with lower red meat intake and lesser increases in L-carnitine. Long-term increases in L-carnitine levels were associated with the subsequent incidence of CHD, especially among women with higher intake of red meat. Our results suggest the importance of atherogenic L-carnitine changes and dietary intakes over time in the prevention of CHD.

Dietary Intervention to Improve Blood Pressure Control: Beyond Salt Restriction.

Lifestyle improvement is a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention and has a relevant effect on blood pressure control. During the last decades the attention of the researcher has focused on low-salt diets as the lifestyle modification most effective in blood pressure reduction. Current international guidelines thus suggest to stress the importance of the implementation of the dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) diet and of a low-salt Mediterranean diet to achieve the best results in term of blood pressure decrease. However, salt reduction in diet could be not the only nor the main determinant of blood pressure reduction under dietary treatment. DASH and low-salt Mediterranean diet are also characterized by a high intake of vegetables (NO and polyphenol sources), whole grains, some low-fat dairy products, and low intake of red meat, sugar, and trans-hydrogenated fats. Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet are also per se associated to a significant improvement in blood pressure levels. Moreover, these diets are particularly effective when associated with a significant weight loss. Furthermore, blood pressure can also be lowered by some nutraceuticals (beetroot, magnesium, vitamin C, catechin-rich beverages, lycopene, etc). The aim of this narrative review is to critically resume the most recent evidence supporting a complete approach to dietary counseling for hypertension prevention and management.

The Influence of Diet and Probiotics on the Response of Solid Tumours to Immunotherapy: Present and Future Perspectives

Currently, various immunotherapeutic treatments are revolutionizing therapies that treat solid neoplasms. For these treatments, within immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the most widely used drugs. Diverse studies have shown the influence of diet and probiotics on the response to ICIs and consequently on the survival rates associated with different neoplasms. The use of various antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics has been associated with changes in the gut microbiota, and this, in turn, with resistance to immunotherapy. Together with the above, a lower intake of red meat and greater consumption of a Mediterranean, vegetarian, or vegan diet have led to a new way of understanding the mechanisms of resistance to ICIs. Omega-3 and polyphenol supplements are also powerful regulators of the microbiome whose influence on the immune system. Therefore, this review covers the influence of diet and probiotics on the response to immunotherapy in patients who have solid tumours.

Colon Cancer: What's New?

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer. Standard colonoscopy is the first-tier screening method. However, other non-invasive tests have shown high cancer detection rates. The age when screening is started is controversial: the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) and the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommend the starting age of 50 while the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends 45. In 2021, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) revised the guideline of the first screening age from 45–years old to 50-years-old. A recent study confirmed that the risk of colorectal cancer is lowered by a high fiber diet, low red meat intake, and consumption of yogurt. The detection of specific molecular and genetic characteristics of each patient’s cancer cells is the utmost important component of precision medicine. Many biomarkers of cancer cells are discussed along with their inhibitors. A recent study showed that three-month adjuvant chemotherapy is not inferior to six-month chemotherapy

Erratum: Mediterranean Diet and its Benefits on Health and Mental Health: A Literature Review.

Mediterranean Diet (MD) is currently considered one of the most healthy dietary models worldwide. It is generally based on the daily intake of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, white meats, and olive oil. It may also include moderate consumption of fermented dairy products, a low intake of red meat, and red/white wine during the main course. Even if the effect of MD on cancer prevention as well as on human metabolic and cardiovascular balance has been discussed, including the quality of life of the exposed population, the putative effects on mental health are still not properly investigated. This narrative review reports on some emerging pieces of evidence on the possible impact of MD on general health and the outcome of psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depression, anxiety) and encourages further studies to test the benefits of healthy food selection on the health of the general population.

Influence of Dietary Habits and Mediterranean Diet Adherence on Sleep Quality during Pregnancy. The GESTAFIT Project.

We examined the association of the dietary habits and the Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence with sleep quality during pregnancy. A food frequency questionnaire and the Mediterranean Food Pattern were employed to assess dietary habits and MD adherence, respectively. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score (n = 150; mean age 32.9 ± 4.6 years). A higher consumption of fruits was associated with better sleep quality at the 16th gestational week (g.w.; p < 0.05). A greater olive oil consumption and a higher MD adherence were associated with better sleep quality at the 16th and 34th g.w. (all, p < 0.05). Contrarily, a higher red meat and subproducts consumption was associated with worse sleep quality at the 34th g.w. (p < 0.05). The group with the highest adherence to the MD (Tertile 3) showed better sleep quality than the group with the lowest adherence (Tertile 1) at the 16th and 34th g.w. (both, p < 0.05). A higher adherence to the MD, a greater intake of fruits and olive oil and a lower intake of red meat and subproducts were associated with better sleep quality along the pregnancy course, especially among sedentary women.

Dietary patterns, cognitive function, and structural neuroimaging measures of brain aging.

To examine the cross-sectional associations between dietary patterns and cognitive and neuroimaging indices of brain health concurrently in the same sample of healthy older adults. Dietary patterns were derived from a 130-item food frequency questionnaire for 511 individuals in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (mean age 79.3±0.6years). Composite scores for global cognitive function, visuospatial ability, processing speed, memory, and verbal ability were assessed. Brain volumes and white matter microstructure were assessed in participants (n=358) who also underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. A Mediterranean-style dietary pattern and a processed dietary pattern were identified using principal component analysis of food frequency questionnaire items. In fully-adjusted linear regression models, adherence to the Mediterranean-style pattern was associated with better verbal ability (β=0.121, P=0.002). Associations with global cognitive function (β=0.094, P=0.043), visuospatial ability (β=0.113, P=0.019), and memory (β=0.105, P=0.029) did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. Associations between the processed pattern and lower cognitive scores were attenuated by around 50% following adjustment for prior (childhood) cognitive ability; only an association with verbal ability remained (β=-0.130, P=0.001). Neither dietary pattern was associated with brain volumes or white matter microstructure. Specific Mediterranean diet features-green leafy vegetables and a low intake of red meat-were associated with better cognitive functioning. These observational findings suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet is associated with better cognitive functioning, but not better brain structural integrity, in older adults.

Dietary Patterns and Gut Microbiome Composition in a Large Population-Based Cohort

Abstract Objectives Effects of diet on health and disease risk may be mediated by changes in gut microbiome composition. Our aim was to examine associations between intake of food groups and overall diet quality with gut microbiome composition in a large population-based cohort. Methods We analyzed data of 1130 participants (median age 57 years) from the Rotterdam Study, a population-based cohort study in the Netherlands. We measured dietary intake using a 389-item FFQ, and assessed adherence to dietary guidelines for 14 food groups and combined into a diet quality score. We assessed gut microbiome composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Data were available for 11 phyla, 19 classes, 25 orders, 44 families, and 184 genera. Alpha diversity was quantified by Shannon index and Richness, and beta diversity was qualified by Bray-Curtis distance. We used linear models to examine associations with Shannon index and Richness, Adonis function to examine variations of Bray-Curtis distance, and Multivariate Association with Linear Models to examine associations with gut microbial communities. Models were adjusted for technical covariates, energy intake, age, sex, physical activity, education, smoking and BMI. Results After adjustment, higher diet quality was associated with more alpha diversity and explained part of the variation in beta diversity (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Overall diet quality was associated with relative abundance of four families (Erysipelotrichaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Christensenellaceae), and 15 genera (Torques group, RuminococcaceaeUCG002, RuminococcaceaeUCG003, RuminococcaceaeUCG005, RuminococcaceaeUCG010, Xylanophilum group, Blautia, RuminococcaceaeNK4A214 group, Eligens group, Coprococcus3, Senegalimassilia, Lachnospira, Halliigroup, ChristensenellaceaeR7 group, Ventriosum group) (adjusted p: q &amp;lt; 0.05). Results were not explained by any single food group. Higher intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and tea, and lower intake of red meat and alcohol were all related to microbiome composition. Replication analyses are ongoing. Conclusions Better overall diet quality may improve overall gut microbial diversity. Furthermore, diet quality may influence abundance of certain gut microbial communities, several of which have previously been linked to lower risk of metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Funding Sources N/A.

The Consumption of Nuts is Associated with Better Dietary and Lifestyle Patterns in Polish Adults: Results of WOBASZ and WOBASZ II Surveys.

In recent years, the concept of the health benefits of synergistic dietary patterns as opposed to individual foods or food constituents has been developed. The aim of this study was to determine whether nut consumption is associated with healthier nutrition and lifestyle. The research was based on complete data obtained during two Polish National Multi-Centre Health Examination Surveys—WOBASZ (2003–2005) and WOBASZ II (2013–2014). Of the 12,946 participants who completed dietary assessments, 299 subjects reported consuming any quantity of whole nuts. A control group of 1184 non-nut consumers from both surveys was randomly selected for the study, with age, gender, study (WOBASZ, WOBASZ II), educational level, and season-related interactions taken into account. In this study, nut consumption was associated with favorable food and lifestyle choices, excluding smoking. Better dietary quality consisted of having a higher Healthy Diet Indicator score, an increased intake of polyphenols and antioxidants, lower intake of red meat, but higher of poultry and fruit, more frequent consumption of antiatherogenic food products, and less frequent consumption of processed meats. There was also greater interest in special diets, such as weight-loss diet. In addition, nut eaters were more physically active in their leisure time. While limited by 24-h recall of nut intake and possible misclassification of nut/non-nut consumer status, this research supports the synergistic health-promoting attitudes of those who were classified as nut consumers.

Educational level and living arrangements are associated with dietary intake of red meat and fruit/vegetables: A Danish cross-sectional study.

Aims: To evaluate the association between education and living arrangements and the intake of fish, red meat and fruit and vegetables.Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and conducted in Denmark in 2013. Participants filled in questionnaires about their educational level and living arrangements (living alone or with others) and dietary intake including fish, red meat, fruit and vegetables. Regression analyses were performed to assess the associations within 85,456 randomly sampled healthy men and women who were at least 25 years old.Results: Length of education was statistically significant and positively associated with the intake of fruit and vegetables and negatively associated with the intake of red meat for both men and women. Men with a high level of education had a 187g/week (95% confidence interval: 199-175g/week) lower intake of red meat and a 109g/day (95% confidence interval: 102-117g/day) higher intake of fruit and vegetables than men with a low level of education. Women with a high level of education had a 175g/week (95% confidence interval: 186-164g/week) lower intake of red meat and a 106g/day (95% confidence interval: 97-114g/day) higher intake of fruit and vegetables than women with a low level of education. Living with others was statistically significant and positively associated with the intake of red meat, and fruit and vegetables. There were no clear associations between education, living arrangements and intake of fish.Conclusions: Men and women with a high educational level ate more fruit and vegetables but less red meat than men and women with a low educational level. Men and women living with others ate more red meat, fruit and vegetables than men and women living alone.