Major Dietary Changes Research Articles

Mandibular morphology and the Mesolithic–Neolithic transition in Westernmost Iberia

Neolithic farming and animal husbandry were first developed in the Near East ~ 10,000 BCE and expanded westwards, reaching westernmost Iberia no later than 5500 BCE. It resulted in major social, cultural, economic and dietary changes. Yet, the impact of this change on human mandibular morphology in Iberia is yet to be assessed, which is regrettable because mandible form is impacted by population history and diet. In this study we used Mesolithic to Chalcolithic Iberian samples to examine the impact of this transition on mandibular morphology. We also compared these samples with a Southern Levantine Chalcolithic population to assess their relationship. Lastly, we assessed dental wear to determine if the morphological differences identified were related to the material properties of the diet. We found differences between samples in mandibular shape but not size, which we attribute to contrasting population histories between Mesolithic and later populations. Some differences in the severity of dental wear were also found between Mesolithic and later Iberian samples, and smaller between the Mesolithic Iberians and southern Levantines. Little relationship was found between wear magnitude and mandibular shape. Altogether, our results show that the Mesolithic–Neolithic Iberian transition resulted in a meaningful change in mandibular morphology, which was likely driven more by population history than by dietary change.

Potential Use of Underutilised Mushroom Stems in Meat Products and Meat Analogues: A Mini Review

The demand for meat has gradually increased throughout the years, and it is more widely ingested than plant products due to its sensory qualities as well as its high nutritional content, mainly protein. However, meat is low in calcium, dietary fibre, and vitamin C. Consumers' increased awareness of the possible links between nutrition and health has recently led to major dietary changes toward healthier food options. Furthermore, rising meat prices, vegetarianism, concerns about animal suffering, and sustainability issues have driven market trends toward meat alternatives from plant sources. As such, mushrooms are regarded as one of the healthier ingredients due to their nutritive, bioactive, and therapeutic values. The fibrous structure mimics the texture of meat and possesses an umami flavour, which imparts a meaty taste to the food products. Globally, Asian countries generate the highest percentage of overall mushroom production. The application of mushrooms, however, is limited to the fruiting bodies rather than the stems, which also contain high dietary fibre content. The stems are often discarded as food waste due to their tough texture. Researchers have begun to use edible mushroom waste and their by-products, especially stems, to create value-added products in a variety of sectors, such as the food industry, owing to their nutritional values and contributions to the circular economy and environmental protection. Thus, the primary intent of this review is to discuss the potential of underutilised mushroom stems in meat products.

1288-P: Predictive Modeling of Type 2 Diabetes and Complications Using Machine Learning

Background: Given the prevalence of T2D worldwide, early detection and prevention of both T2D and its complications are of utmost importance. We propose comprehensive person-centered machine learning (ML) risk prediction models for T2D and complications. Methods: From the UK biobank (UKBB), we identified a prevalent T2D group at baseline (9,136 cases and 108,615 controls), an incident T2D group over 10 years of follow-up (29,845 cases and 354,818 controls), and an incident diabetic kidney disease (DKD) group (4435 cases and 33083 controls). We included 3 types of risk factors: clinical (biomarkers and diseases with known diabetes risk like CVD), genetic in the form of polygenic risk scores (PRS) for the pathogenesis of T2D and other clinical risks, and lifestyle. For each group, we trained a model using decision-tree-based ensemble ML algorithm. We then used SHAP values to determine feature importance and chose the top 10 predictors to build a final model. Results: The T2D prevalence model included 74 features and had an AUC of 0.97, and area under the precision-recall curve (PR AUC) of 0.83. The final model with the top features (HbA1c, T2D PRS, primary HTN, LDL, major dietary changes in the last 5 years, age, plasma glucose, waist circumference, and total cholesterol) had an AUC of 0.98, and PR AUC of 0.88. The T2D incidence model included the same 74 features and had an AUC of 0.92, and PR AUC of 0.57. The final model with the top features had an AUC of 0.93, and PR AUC of 0.65. The DKD risk prediction model comprised 85 features, and it had an AUC of 0.81, and PR AUC of 0.37. The final model with the top features (Cystatin C, primary HTN, eGFR, age, HbA1c, T2D PRS, urea, BMI, BMI PRS, NAFLD PRS) had an AUC of 0.80, and PR AUC of 0.39. Conclusions: This study is an ongoing work; our interim results show the capability of ML to identify relevant risk factors and that comprehensive ML models could help clinicians decide on more precise and individualized T2D screening and treatment approaches to prevent T2D and complications. Disclosure A.Khattab: None. S.Chen: None. H.J.Sadaei: None. A.Torkamani: None.

Assessment of the diet-environment-health-cost quadrilemma in public school canteens. an LCA case study in Galicia (Spain)

The role of policies and public school canteens as drivers of sustainable and healthy diets is increasingly becoming the center of attention of academics and policy-makers alike. This work therefore aims to assess the environmental, economic and nutritional quality dimensions of the menus consumed across the Local Network of School Canteens in the municipality of Ames (Galicia, Spain). It additionally performs different scenarios to evaluate the effects on the environment-cost-nutritional quality trilemma of implementing two major dietary changes in these menus: introducing more organic products, and shifting toward a more plant-based consumption pattern. To this end, this study considers the following indicators: a) those obtained from an energy and carbon life cycle assessment of the school menus (cradle-to-grave approach), mainly the cumulative energy demand (CED) and the carbon footprint (CF), complemented by some energy efficiency indicators; b) the total cost (TC) of the menus, obtained from their life cycle cost assessment (cradle-to-fork approach); and c) the nutritional quality of the menus, calculated and assessed based on the nutrient rich diet index (NRD 9.3). The CED, CF, TC, and NRD 9.3 index of a daily meal at school canteens are, respectively, estimated at 18.87 MJ, 1.30 kg CO2-eq, EUR 4.65, and 278 per meal. The consumption of animal products and labor (for food preparation) are identified, respectively, as the main environmental impact and economic cost of the menus. The results of our research show how implementing changes in consumption habits toward a more vegetarian diet in school menus makes it possible to include organic products to generate the most positive effects in terms of the environment and nutrition without incurring in cost overruns. Our work discusses the main barriers to be overcome and the political actions that must be enforced to advance the procurement of more sustainable and healthy public food.Graphical abstract

Habitual Sleep Duration, Daytime Napping, and Dietary Intake: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

ABSTRACTBackgroundChronic inadequate sleep and frequent daytime napping may inflict deleterious health effects including weight gain, cardiometabolic and psychiatric diseases, and cancer. It is plausible that these relations may be partly influenced by the consumption of suboptimal diets.ObjectivesThe study aimed to identify potential causal links of genetically proxied longer habitual sleep duration and more frequent daytime napping on 61 dietary variables derived from an FFQ. In addition, the study aimed to assess potential bidirectional causal links between habitual sleep duration or daytime napping and macronutrient composition.MethodsGenetic variants robustly associated with habitual sleep duration and daytime napping from published genome-wide association analyses were used. Outcomes included 61 dietary variables estimated from FFQs in the UK Biobank (n = 361,194). For bidirectional associations with macronutrient composition, genetic variants associated with percentage of energy from carbohydrate, fat, and protein were used. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) effects were estimated with inverse-variance weighted (IVW) analysis.ResultsIn 2-sample MR, genetically proxied longer sleep duration was associated with a 0.068 (95% CI: 0.034, 0.103) category increase in salad/raw vegetable intake [Pfalse discovery rate (FDR) = 0.006] per hour of sleep and with “no major dietary changes in the past 5 years” (PFDR = 0.043). No associations were evident for daytime napping on dietary variables (all PFDR > 0.05). In addition, there were no bidirectional associations between habitual sleep duration or daytime napping with the relative intake of carbohydrate, fat, and protein (all PIVW > 0.05).ConclusionsIn this MR study, there was modest evidence for associations between habitual sleep duration with dietary intake and no evidence for associations between daytime napping frequency with dietary intake. These preliminary findings suggest that changes to habitual sleep duration or daytime napping frequency may have limited impact on long-term changes in dietary intake.

Docosahexaenoic acid enrichment of layer hen tissues and eggs through dietary supplementation with heterotrophically grown Aurantiochytrium limacinum

Summary Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in various aspects of human health, but many people do not consume them in sufficient quantities, resulting in deficiencies in some populations. The enrichment of commonly consumed foods with omega-3 fatty acids has been proposed to address this deficit. Feeding omega-3–rich ingredients to animals can enrich their products, increasing the consumption by the population without requiring any major dietary changes. Eggs can be enriched to a high degree, and currently, omega-3–enriched eggs are widely available. Oftentimes, a missed opportunity for the poultry industry is in valorizing the spent hen. In this short-term study, a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)–rich protist was fed to layer hens at three different inclusion levels to determine the degree of enrichment observed in the eggs and concomitantly in the breast, thigh, liver, and kidney. The addition of the protist ingredient had no negative impact on the bird health or performance. Significant increases in egg DHA concentration were observed, with 60, 164, 259, and 410 mg DHA/100g of egg collected from birds supplemented with the DHA-rich protist at a rate of 0, 0.5, 1, and 2.5% of the diet, respectively. This enrichment could increase the value of spent hen meat when used in the production of human and companion animal food as DHA-enriched products can be sold for a premium. Moreover, this enriched spent hen meat could potentially be used as a partial substitute for less-sustainable sources of dietary omega-3 including fish meal and fish oil.

FASTING-MIMICKING DIET REDUCES RISK FACTORS FOR AGING-RELATED DISEASES IN PRECLINICAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES

Prolonged fasting promotes stress resistance, but its effects on longevity are poorly understood. Calorie restriction or major dietary composition changes can have profound effects on healthy aging but the inability of many subjects to adhere to chronic and extreme diets together with the potential of adverse effects limit their application. Fasting-mimicking diets (FMDs) are effective in increasing health and lifespan, possibly by inducing stem cell-based regeneration, or as therapies in mouse models of a variety of diseases. FMDs reduce cancer incidence/progression, modulate the immune response, reduce immuno-senescence, ameliorate or reverse disease progression of multiple sclerosis, Type I and Type II diabetes, and reverse inflammatory bowel disease pathology. In a randomized clinical trial, markers/risk factors for metabolic syndrome and other age-related diseases were favorably impacted after completion of 3 FMD cycles. These effects were larger in participants at risk for age-related diseases. Conclusions: We conclude that the FMD was safe and feasible in rodent and human studies. Larger studies on patients with diagnosed diseases are necessary to determine its impact on diabetes and cardiovascular disease treatment.

Nutrition, Cancer Genetics and Epigenetics

A strong association has been established between nutrition and disease risk confirmed by epidemiological data and meta-analysis. In the context of cancer, unhealthy diets have been demonstrated to increase the risk of disease. On the other hand, major dietary interventions and lifestyle changes have provided therapeutic efficacy in cancer patients. Genetic mechanisms have been associated with cancer development triggered by environmental and nutritional factors. Genetics plays an important role in the design of personalized drugs and diets. Epigenetics has also been shown to be affected by nutrition, leading to increased disease risk when unhealthy diets are consumed, while healthy nutrition can provide both prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy.

Food choices to meet nutrient recommendations for the adult Brazilian population based on the linear programming approach.

To identify optimal food choices that meet nutritional recommendations to reduce prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes. Linear programming was used to obtain an optimized diet with sixty-eight foods with the least difference from the observed population mean dietary intake while meeting a set of nutritional goals that included reduction in the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes to ≤20 %. Brazil. Participants (men and women, n 25 324) aged 20 years or more from the first National Dietary Survey (NDS) 2008-2009. Feasible solution to the model was not found when all constraints were imposed; infeasible nutrients were Ca, vitamins D and E, Mg, Zn, fibre, linolenic acid, monounsaturated fat and Na. Feasible solution was obtained after relaxing the nutritional constraints for these limiting nutrients by including a deviation variable in the model. Estimated prevalence of nutrient inadequacy was reduced by 60-70 % for most nutrients, and mean saturated and trans-fat decreased in the optimized diet meeting the model constraints. Optimized diet was characterized by increases especially in fruits (+92 g), beans (+64 g), vegetables (+43 g), milk (+12 g), fish and seafood (+15 g) and whole cereals (+14 g), and reductions of sugar-sweetened beverages (-90 g), rice (-63 g), snacks (-14 g), red meat (-13 g) and processed meat (-9·7 g). Linear programming is a unique tool to identify which changes in the current diet can increase nutrient intake and place the population at lower risk of nutrient inadequacy. Reaching nutritional adequacy for all nutrients would require major dietary changes in the Brazilian diet.

Edible Plants and Their Influence on the Gut Microbiome and Acne.

Acne vulgaris affects most people at some point in their lives. Due to unclear etiology, likely with multiple factors, targeted and low-risk treatments have yet to be developed. In this review, we explore the multiple causes of acne and how plant-based foods and supplements can control these. The proposed causative factors include insulin resistance, sex hormone imbalances, inflammation and microbial dysbiosis. There is an emerging body of work on the human gut microbiome and how it mediates feedback between the foods we eat and our bodies. The gut microbiome is also an important mediator of inflammation in the gut and systemically. A low-glycemic load diet, one rich in plant fibers and low in processed foods, has been linked to an improvement in acne, possibly through gut changes or attenuation of insulin levels. Though there is much interest in the human microbiome, there is much more unknown, especially along the gut-skin axis. Collectively, the evidence suggests that approaches such as plant-based foods and supplements may be a viable alternative to the current first line standard of care for moderate acne, which typically includes antibiotics. Though patient compliance with major dietary changes is likely much lower than with medications, it is a treatment avenue that warrants further study and development.

Challenges and opportunities in the use of low‐energy sugar replacers

Challenges and opportunities in the use of low‐energy sugar replacers

Dietary intake and biomarker status of folate in Swedish adults

PurposeNational data on folate status are missing in Sweden, and regional data indicate folate insufficiency in up to more than 25% of the study populations. The objectives were to determine folate intake and status in the adult Swedish population as well as identifying dietary patterns associated with beneficial folate status.MethodsFolate intake was estimated using a web-based 4-d food record in adults aged 18–80 years (n = 1797). Folate status was measured as erythrocyte (n = 282) and plasma folate concentrations (n = 294). Factor analysis was used to derive a dietary pattern associated with a higher folate status.ResultsMedian folate intake was 246 µg/day (Q1 = 196, Q3 = 304, n = 1797) and for women of reproductive age 227 µg/day (Q1 = 181, Q3 = 282, n = 450). As dietary folate equivalents (DFE), median intake was 257 µg/day (Q1 = 201, Q3 = 323) and for women of reproductive age 239 µg/day (Q1 = 185, Q3 = 300). Low blood folate concentrations were found in 2% (erythrocyte concentrations <317 nmol/L) and 4% (plasma concentrations <6.8 nmol/L) of the participants, respectively. None of the women of reproductive age had erythrocyte folate concentrations associated with the lowest risk of neural tube defects. Dietary patterns associated with higher folate status were rich in vegetables, pulses and roots as well as cheese and alcoholic beverages, and low in meat.ConclusionsPrevalence of low erythrocyte folate concentrations was low in this population, and estimated dietary intakes are well above average requirement. However, to obtain a folate status optimal for prevention of neural tube defects major dietary changes are required and folic acid supplements recommended prior to conception.

Phylogenetic test of speciation by host shift in leaf cone moths (Caloptilia) feeding on maples (Acer).

The traditional explanation for the exceptional diversity of herbivorous insects emphasizes host shift as the major driver of speciation. However, phylogenetic studies have often demonstrated widespread host plant conservatism by insect herbivores, calling into question the prevalence of speciation by host shift to distantly related plants. A limitation of previous phylogenetic studies is that host plants were defined at the family or genus level; thus, it was unclear whether host shifts predominate at a finer taxonomic scale. The lack of a statistical approach to test the hypothesis of host‐shift‐driven speciation also hindered studies at the species level. Here, we analyze the radiation of leaf cone moths (Caloptilia) associated with maples (Acer) using a newly developed, phylogeny‐based method that tests the role of host shift in speciation. This method has the advantage of not requiring complete taxon sampling from an entire radiation. Based on 254 host plant records for 14 Caloptilia species collected at 73 sites in Japan, we show that major dietary changes are more concentrated toward the root of the phylogeny, with host shift playing a minor role in recent speciation. We suggest that there may be other roles for host shift in promoting herbivorous insect diversification rather than facilitating speciation per se.

Microbiome: Fibre for the future.

A chronic lack of dietary fibre has been found to reduce the diversity of bacteria in the guts of mice. This effect is not fully reversed when fibre is reintroduced, and increases in severity over multiple generations. See Letter p.212 Over our history, humans have experienced major dietary changes, including a shift to low-fibre intake in Westernized populations, which is paralleled by a general loss in the diversity of the gut microbiota. Microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs), which are abundant in dietary fibre, are the primary source of carbon and energy for the distal gut microbiota. This study shows that in mice on a low-MAC diet, the diversity of the microbiota is depleted and that this effect is transferred and compounded over generations, such that the low abundant taxa are progressively lost from one generation to the next, particularly those of the order Bacteroidales, which are proficient in the consumption of dietary fibre. This phenotype is not reversible simply by reintroducing dietary MACs, but requires supplementation of the missing taxa via faecal microbiota transplantation. These findings suggest that a change in diet alone may be insufficient to restore a healthy microbiota in individuals with dysbiosis.

The effect of extracts of Irvingia gabonensis (IGOB131) and Dichrostachys glomerata (Dyglomera™) on body weight and lipid parameters of healthy overweight participants

Background: Previous work reported the benefits of extracts of 2 Cameroonian spices – Irvingia gabonensis and Dichrostachys glomerata— on obese people with metabolic syndrome. Considering the physio-metabolic changes that accompany obesity, the present study investigates the effects of these extracts on healthy overweight participants over an 8-week test period.Methods: The study was an 8 week randomized double-blind, placebo controlled design involving 48 overweight (BMI 26 – 30) participants (27 females and 19 males), divided into 3 groups – placebo, 300 mg I. gabonensis extract (IGOB131), or 300 mg D. glomerata extract (DyglomeraTM). Capsules containing the placebo or the test formulations were administered once daily before the main meal of the day. No major dietary changes or changes in physical activity were demonstrated during the study. Weight and blood lipid parameters were measured at baseline, and at the 4 and 8 weeks interval.Results: Compared to the placebo group, there were significant (p&lt;0.05) reductions in weight of participants in both test groups over the 8 week period. However, these significant changes were not observed in the initial 4 weeks, even though the lipid parameters in the test groups changed significantly (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion: The extracts of Irvingia gabonensis and Dichrostachys glomerata, at a dose of 300 mg per day, were effective in reducing weight and positively modifying lipid parameters in healthy overweight participants.Keywords: Overweight, Dichrostachys, Irvingia, waist-hip circumference, blood lipids.

Health effects of adopting low greenhouse gas emission diets in the UK

ObjectiveDietary changes which improve health are also likely to be beneficial for the environment by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). However, previous analyses have not accounted for the potential...

The relevance of ancient dna to contemporary disease

Disease prevalence and human health has been significantly impacted through time by cultural, environmental, and dietary changes. While we now know that the human microbiome significantly contributes to modern ‘Western’ diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and arthritis, we have yet to understand how historic events and factors influenced the formation of the modern human microbiome. Calcified dental plaque (calculus) provides a unique and powerful opportunity to examine ancient human oral microbiomes and investigate how these bacterial communities, and their associations to disease, have changed through time. We have used ancient DNA sequencing of ancient dental calculus to identify significant changes in the oral microbiome associated with major cultural and dietary revolutions, such as the onset of farming (Neolithic Revolution) and the Industrial Revolution, identifying how large shifts in the oral microbiome have impacted modern disease prevalence and severity. The modern human mouth appears to be in a chronic ‘diseased state’, not previously observed in human history. The incidence of several oral pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans , the causative agent of dental carries, has significantly increased through time. Together, ancient DNA studies from a variety of time periods and geographic locations around the world indicate that major dietary and cultural changes, such as the addition of carbohydrates or processed foods to our diets, have drastically altered our microbiomes and therefore directly impacted our health.

Human gut microbiota: does diet matter?

The human oro-gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a complex system, consisting of oral cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus, which all together with the accessory digestive organs constitute the digestive system. The function of the digestive system is to break down dietary constituents into small molecules and then absorb these for subsequent distribution throughout the body. Besides digestion and carbohydrate metabolism, the indigenous microbiota has an important influence on host physiological, nutritional and immunological processes, and commensal bacteria are able to modulate the expression of host genes that regulate diverse and fundamental physiological functions. The main external factors that can affect the composition of the microbial community in generally healthy adults include major dietary changes and antibiotic therapy. Changes in some selected bacterial groups have been observed due to controlled changes to the normal diet e.g. high-protein diet, high-fat diet, prebiotics, probiotics and polyphenols. More specifically, changes in the type and quantity of non-digestible carbohydrates in the human diet influence both the metabolic products formed in the lower regions of the GI tract and the bacterial populations detected in faeces. The interactions between dietary factors, gut microbiota and host metabolism are increasingly demonstrated to be important for maintaining homeostasis and health. Therefore the aim of this review is to summarise the effect of diet, and especially dietary interventions, on the human gut microbiota. Furthermore, the most important confounding factors (methodologies used and intrinsic human factors) in relation to gut microbiota analyses are elucidated.

Changes in protein level for bobwhite quail

SUMMARY Limited information exists concerning the dietary requirements of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), and producers who rear this species for sport shooting and stocking could benefit from such information. In this experiment, 576 two-week-old bobwhite quail were divided among 6 treatment groups and randomized into 8 replications with 12 birds/replicate. A 26, 24, or 22% CP diet (2,810 kcal of ME/kg) was fed to 4 or 6 wk of age, followed by the introduction of a 20% CP diet (2,810 kcal of ME/kg) fed through 8 wk of age. Birds and feed were weighed on a biweekly basis. No differences were observed in BW or gain of birds fed the 3 CP regimens from 2 wk until introduced to a 20% CP diet. Feed consumption was significantly decreased in the 22% CP group that was introduced to the lower CP diet (20%) after 2 wk. Although this treatment exhibited a marginally low protein intake as compared with the other treatments, growth performance remained uncompromised. Period FCR appeared to be unaffected by dietary CP regimen, but overall FCR for the 8-wk period was highest for birds on the 26% CP regimen (3.824), whereas the 22% CP regimen was intermediate (3.768), and the 24% CP regimen provided the best FCR (3.639). Therefore, bobwhite quail appear to be unaffected by major dietary changes in protein level and a 26% CP diet may provide adequate nutrition for the 0- to 2-wk starting period, followed by a 24% CP diet for a 2- to 4-wk period, and a 20% CP diet thereafter.

Major historical dietary changes are reflected in the dental microbiome of ancient skeletons

The post-industrial lifestyle has many disadvantageous effects on our health. One of the factors is modern nutrition, which has been associated with epidemic burdens, such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases. At least two major shifts have occurred in the nutritional history of humans: the use of carbohydrate-rich diets which were adopted around 10,000 years BP due to Neolithic farming, and later the influence of industrially processed flour and white sugar after the industrial revolution in the 1850s. In a recent paper in Nature Genetics Adler et al. used a novel approach to see how these dietary changes affected the oral microbiome by analyzing the ancient microbial DNA in the calcified dental plaque from 34 early European skeletons.