Specific Dietary Habits Research Articles

Changes in dietary habits and eating behaviors during COVID-19 induced confinement: A study from Jordan.

This study aimed to evaluate dietary habits (DH) and eating behaviors (EB) among adults during confinement induced by COVID-19 in Jordan. In this cross-sectional study, an online survey designed to assess the change in DH and EB during April and May 2020 was distributed using various social media platforms. The survey was completed by a total of 1844 adult (18-72 years) participants from the public in Jordan. The results indicated an increase (42.5-61.8%) in most of the DH and EB examined in the current study in the majority of participants. Among these changes, they have increased (p<0.05) the prevalence of fruit and vegetable, immune boosters, water, and hot beverage consumption, as well as decreased (p<0.05) eating in restaurants and fatty food consumption, indicating a positive change. Conversely, a larger (p<0.05) proportion of participants reported increased consumption of high-calorie food and late-night eating, indicating a risky behavior for obesity and subsequent chronic complications. Additionally, age, sex, obesity, education, income, and type of job appeared to contribute (p<0.05) to changes in DH and EB. Overall, confinement caused by COVID-19 appears to compel adults to adopt a specific DH and EB. Although most of these changes were positive, some were negative. This study provides essential information for designing subpopulation recommendations and developmental programs for adults under such conditions.

The Portuguese economic crisis is associated with socioeconomic and sex disparities on children's health-related behaviors and obesity: A cross-sectional study.

Our objective was to examine the relationship between the 2008 and 2015 economic crisis and children's physical activity (PA) outcomes, eating behaviors and obesity prevalence, while considering sex inequalities and familial socioeconomic status. This is a cross-sectional study, including data collected in 2016/2017 among 5134 children aged 6-11 years (mean age: 8.11 ± 1.24; 50.0% boys). Children's height, weight, and waist circumference were objectively measured. Children's sleep- and screen-time, participation in organized sports, and specific dietary habits were reported parental-reported using a standardized questionnaire. An economic crisis impact score, with data from 10 indicators of economic needs in the family, was used to characterize the crisis' impact. First, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in children whose families had a higher impact of the crisis. Second, children's intake of fruit and high-fat food, screen-time, sleep-time, and participation in organized sports differed according to the level of impact of the economic crisis. Third, the association between health-related behaviors and the impact of the economic crisis was stronger for girls compared to boys. Our findings give us an indication of how economic crises may drive changes in health outcomes.

Dietary Habits Modify the Association of Physical Exercise with Cognitive Impairment in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background: Previous studies have confirmed that both healthy diets and physical exercise have preventive effects with respect to cognitive decline with aging. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the associations of physical exercise with cognitive impairment differ in community-dwelling older adults with different dietary habits. Methods: In the 2008/2009 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, 14,966 community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) were included for analyses. Dietary habits (including daily intake of fruits, vegetables, tea, meat, fish, eggs, food made from beans, salt-preserved vegetables, sugar, garlic, milk products, nut products, mushroom or algae, vitamins and medicinal plants) and physical exercise were assessed. Cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Chinese version of the MMSE in the 2008/2009 and 2011/2012 waves. The effect modifications of physical exercise on cognitive impairment by dietary habits were estimated using logistic regression models. Results: Older adults who practiced physical exercise exhibited a trend of decreased probability of cognitive impairment at baseline and follow-up (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.80–1.06, p = 0.273; OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.65–1.05, p = 0.123, respectively) compared with those who did not practice physical exercise. When stratified by dietary habits, physical exercise had a protective effect with respect to prevalent cognitive impairment in older adults who ate fruits (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58–0.94, p = 0.016), ate food made from beans (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.62–0.93, p = 0.007), did not eat sugar (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.68–0.98, p = 0.028) and ate milk products (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.57–0.97, p = 0.030); in the longitudinal analyses, physical exercise had a protective effect with respect to incident cognitive impairment in older adults who ate fruits (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.41–0.98, p = 0.040) and milk products (OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.35–0.94, p = 0.027). Fruits, food made from beans and milk products modified the associations of physical exercise with prevalent cognitive impairment (p values for interaction = 0.008, 0.005 and 0.082, respectively). Conclusions: The associations of physical exercise with cognitive impairment could be modified by certain dietary habits. Physical exercise was not found to be significantly protective with respect to cognitive impairment in older adults unless they had specific dietary habits. Thus, dietary habits should be emphasized when investigating the beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.

Hepatic Steatosis in Patients with Celiac Disease: The Role of Packaged Gluten-Free Foods.

Background: An increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with celiac disease (CD) adhering to a gluten-free diet (GFD) was recently reported. The nutritional composition of packaged gluten-free foods (PGFF) has been proposed as a possible cause. This hypothesis has not been investigated further, since a systematic structural nutritional interview for all patients would be problematic in clinical practice. Methods: We administered a simple questionnaire based on a Recency, Frequency, and Monetary value (RFM) analysis (a cornerstone of direct marketing segmentation) to consecutive CD patients on a GFD for >6 months and verified its association with NAFLD. Subgroup analyses were performed to understand whether specific patterns of PGFF consumption were significantly associated with NAFLD. Results: Amongst 147 patients (female 82%, median age 42 years), 45 (30.6%) had NAFLD. Total RFM score (adjusted odds ratio = 1.223, 95% CI: 1.059–1.413, p = 0.006), body mass index, and total cholesterol and triglycerides were independently related to NAFLD, and “Bread and bakery” (p = 0.002), “salty convenience” (p = 0.005), and “sweet convenience” (p = 0.049) products were significantly related with NAFLD. Also, questions about the number of purchased PGFF in the last month (monetary value) and different categories of PGFF consumed in the last week (recency) were particularly able to identify NAFLD patients. Conclusions: The specific GFD dietary habits of CD patients were correlated with the degree of risk of NAFLD. Information was obtained through a questionnaire which could be used in clinical practice to favor a patient-tailored approach and in future studies to verify the reproducibility of our results in different geographical areas.

Perception of cultured “meat” by French consumers according to their diet

The culture of muscle cells for food purposes, so-called cultured "meat", is advertised by its proponents as likely to meet the growing demand for animal protein without the disadvantages of animal farming. However, while this product is still in development and not yet widely commercialised, it is already attracting various forms of criticism from consumers. The present study follows a large international online survey of 5418 consumers in France which was aimed at understanding consumer perceptions of muscle cell culture for food purposes. Based on 118 interviews conducted on volunteers with specific dietary habits (vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, regular meat consumers), the aim of this study was to target an audience with a variety of diets and thus to analyse more closely consumers' feelings towards this product. Regular meat consumers are more favourable to this product than vegetarians and vegans whose convictions prevent them from tasting artificial "meat". The consumption of this new product would be perceived by the latter as a step backwards. Of the 118 people questioned, half of them think that this product could have a negative impact on the animal industry, 41% fear undesirable health effects and 29% do not believe in the quality of this product. However, this new product arouses curiosity amongst the respondents, the majority of whom (80%) would like to try it. While the selling price of this product is questionable, 22% of respondents indicated that they had no intention of buying it. For those who were likely to buy this product, prices were expected to be lower or equal to those of conventional meat for 72% of them. Despite the uncertainties regarding its future development, the majority of respondents were optimistic about the future of this product. 80% of them believe it will become widespread more or less quickly, whether they like it or not, mainly because French people's mentalities are changing, despite that fact that the implementation of this product would appear difficult on certain points. The vegans are more likely to be neutral than the other consumers. There is no consensus on the term "meat" for this new foodstuff, with 25% of those questioned agreeing with the term "cultured meat" (14%) in particular. The majority of flexitarians (55%) are opposed to the use of the term "meat" for this new product, whereas this term seems to be suitable for 91% of the vegans and 82% of the vegetarians. The semantic issue is important and the name of this new product must not mislead the consumer.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) and Its Bioactive Phytocompounds: A Tribute to Cancer Prevention and Intervention.

Simple SummaryThe plant Nelumbo nucifera (Gaertn.), commonly known as lotus, sacred lotus, Indian lotus, water lily, or Chinese water lily, is an aquatic perennial crop belonging to the family of Nelumbonaceae. N. nucifera has traditionally been used as an herbal medicine and functional food in many parts of Asia. It has been found that different parts of this plant consist of various bioactive phytocompounds. Within the past few decades, N. nucifera and its phytochemicals have been subjected to intense cancer research. In this review, we critically evaluate the potential of N. nucifera phytoconstituents in cancer prevention and therapy with related mechanisms of action. Cancer is one of the major leading causes of death worldwide. Accumulating evidence suggests a strong relationship between specific dietary habits and cancer development. In recent years, a food-based approach for cancer prevention and intervention has been gaining tremendous attention. Among diverse dietary and medicinal plants, lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., family Nymphaeaceae), also known as Indian lotus, sacred lotus or Chinese water lily, has the ability to effectively combat this disease. Various parts of N. nucifera have been utilized as a vegetable as well as an herbal medicine for more than 2000 years in the Asian continent. The rhizome and seeds of N. nucifera represent the main edible parts. Different parts of N. nucifera have been traditionally used to manage different disorders, such as fever, inflammation, insomnia, nervous disorders, epilepsy, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and hyperlipidemia. It is believed that numerous bioactive components, including alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenoids, steroids, and glycosides, are responsible for its various biological and pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, antiviral, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and hypoglycemic activities. Nevertheless, there is no comprehensive review with an exclusive focus on the anticancer attributes of diverse phytochemicals from different parts of N. nucifera. In this review, we have analyzed the effects of N. nucifera extracts, fractions and pure compounds on various organ-specific cancer cells and tumor models to understand the cancer-preventive and therapeutic potential and underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of this interesting medicinal and dietary plant. In addition, the bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and possible toxicity of N. nucifera-derived phytochemicals, as well as current limitations, challenges and future research directions, are also presented.

Dyspepsia and Gut Microbiota in Female Patients with Postcholecystectomy Syndrome.

BackgroundGallstone disease (GSD) represents one of the most frequent digestive disorders, highly reported in female gender. The purpose of the study was to explore the clinical and gut microbiota particularities of female patients with postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) and the possible relationship between gut dysbiosis (DB) and abdominal complaints.Patients and MethodsIn total, 129 female participants: 104 outpatients divided into two equal groups, 52 PCS (+), 52 PCS (−) and 25 healthy controls were consecutively enrolled in this observational study. Patients underwent clinical examination with assessment of pain, bloating, transit disturbances, abdominal ultrasound/computer tomography/magnetic resonance imaging/endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, upper and lower digestive endoscopies. Laboratory work-ups and stool microbiology assessments were performed for all study participants (patients and controls). Stool microorganisms were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization – time-of-flight– mass spectrometry and in patients with DB also by next-generation sequencing.ResultsOlder age, complicated gallstones disease, associated conditions like diabetes mellitus/impaired glucose tolerance and irritable bowel syndrome were significantly present in PCS (+) group, as well as sedentary lifestyle and diets characterized by a low fiber intake (p<0.0001). PCS (+) patients displayed significant differences related to the incidence and severity of overall gut microbiota DB, decreased H index of biodiversity and the unbalanced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratios by comparison to the PCS (−) group (p<0.0001). Strong positive correlations of the severity of overall DB with bloating and the intestinal habit disorders, as well as of F/B ratios to all abdominal symptoms were noted.ConclusionPCS in female patients was associated with older age, sedentary lifestyle, specific dietary habits, history of complicated gallstone disease, diabetes mellitus/impaired glucose tolerance and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as gut microbiota particularities. Overall DB and unbalanced F/B ratios were strongly correlated to abdominal complaints.

Guidelines for medical nutrition treatment of overweight/obesity in China (2021).

Obesity has become a global "epidemic". At this stage, overweight / obesity has become a major public health problem that seriously affects not only adults but also children and adolescents worldwide. Medical nutritional therapy is the basic treatment for obesity and an indispensable measure for prevention and control at any stage in the course of obesity. Management of comorbidities and improving the quality of life of obese patients are also included in treatment aims. In recent years, there have been some guidelines on the nutrition management of overweight/obesity. However, the management of nutrition and lifestyle interventions must be compatible with specific regional dietary habits and social culture. To provide a clinical reference for the standardized treatment and management of overweight / obesity, guidelines for medical nutrition treatment of overweight/obesity in China (2021) were published, which cover the relationship of weight loss with different dietary patterns, meal replacement foods, biorhythms, intestinal microecology, metabolic surgery, and medical nutritional intervention, as well as weight loss in special populations. We hope the guidelines will improve the awareness of the importance of nutrition intervention in the treatment of metabolic disease, further regulate the principle and approach of medical nutrition therapy, and establish a workflow of standardized medical nutrition therapy for weight loss management so that more clinical nutrition professionals and medical staff can use it to provide better services for obese people.

The Panda-Derived Lactobacillus plantarum G201683 Alleviates the Inflammatory Response in DSS-Induced Panda Microbiota-Associated Mice.

Intestinal diseases are one of the main causes of captive giant panda death. Their special dietary habits and gastrointestinal tract structure often lead to intestinal epithelium damage and secondary intestinal infection. The captive giant panda is predisposed to suffer from microbiota dysbiosis due to long-term artificial feeding and antibiotic misuse. However, there are few reported probiotics to treat giant panda enteritis and the associated dysbiosis. This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which Lactobacillus plantarum G201683 (L. plantarum G83), a promising panda-derived probiotic, exerts a protective effect on intestinal inflammation in the dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS) induced panda microbiota-associated (DPMA) mouse model. The DPMA mouse was generated by antibiotic treatment and 5% DSS drinking water administration to assess the effect of L. plantarum G83 on intestinal inflammation and microbiota in vivo. Our results demonstrated the successful generation of a DPMA mouse model with Enterobacteriaceae enrichment, consistent with the giant panda intestinal microbiota. L. plantarum G83 decreased clinical and histological severity of intestinal inflammation, enhanced intestinal tight junction protein expression (ZO-1, Occludin) and alleviated inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-) in the colon of DPMA mice. The administration of L. plantarum G83 altered the microbiota composition by decreasing pathogen associated taxa such as E. coli and increasing abundance of beneficial bacteria including Bifidobacterium spp. These changes in microbiota composition were associated with an increased concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), reduced NF-κB signaling, and an altered balance of T helper cell subsets. Our findings support L. plantarum G83 as a promising probiotic to treat intestinal inflammation in the giant panda.

Gaps and novel approaches in nutrition epidemiology for dementia prevention

AbstractBackgroundThere is general appreciation that diet is important in the maintenance of health and prevention of chronic diseases. However, traditional epidemiologic and statistical approaches to understand specific dietary habits in the etiology and prevention of dementia may benefit from further consideration in the context of modern methods of mining data. Additionally, better investigation of culturally‐specific approaches to understand diet patterns and apply dietary research is critical.MethodWe will review several novel methods for population research in diet, including how to better incorporate under‐represented minorities in nutritional epidemiology.ResultNetwork science methods of understanding biologic patterns which may underlie health have become increasingly common in basic and population research. These methods can also provide novel means of identifying diet patterns that may play key roles in dementia. In addition, especially since dementia develops over decades, better investigating the relation of diet to dementia risk through the adult lifecourse may offer new information on timepoints during life which may be especially important for halting or delaying disease processes. New statistical methods can estimate lifestyle trajectories over many repeated measures of diet in population cohorts. Finally, successful identification of diet patterns depends on broader research in more diverse populations, and new ways to conduct research and apply findings in underrepresented minorities are critical.ConclusionNew methods to fully understand diet patterns across populations, and over time, may offer novel insights for effective interventions to test in randomized trials.

Listeria monocytogenes infection during pregnancy

Listeria monocytogenes is an important pathogenic bacteria found in soil or water being the causative agent of listeriosis, a severe foodborne disease during pregnancy. The outcome can lead up to miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth and congenital neonatal infections, under occult or overt illness of the mother. We performed a literature review in the medical database PubMed, searching relevant information regarding listeriosis during pregnancy and neonatal outcome. Higher incidences were observed in ethnic minorities, as a reflection of specific dietary habits and where surveillance is not thoroughly implemented. Also, the infection was most commonly seen during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, with maternal presentation under the form of flu-like or pyelonephritis symptoms, or even asymptomatic. Regarding the neonatal infection, there are two types described according to the way of acquiring the bacteria. The obstetric outcome ranges from premature delivery to miscarriage and stillbirth. Treatment of choice is a combination of ampicillin and aminoglycoside. Despite the advances in the field of infectious diseases, challenges remain to completely understand the mechanism of placental invasion of Listeria monocytogenes and the severe consequences on fetal development.

Diversity of Oral Microbiome of Women From Urban and Rural Areas of Indonesia: A Pilot Study.

Objective: The studies on the influence of geographical and socio-economic factors on the oral microbiome remain underrepresented. The Indonesia basic health research (RISKESDAS) 2018, showed an increasing trend in non-communicable diseases compared with the previous report in 2013. The prevalence of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and obesity are reported to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Interestingly, non-communicable diseases were found to be more prevalent in women than men. This pilot study aimed to examine the oral health and oral microbiome derived from tongue samples of healthy Indonesian women from urban and rural areas.Methods: Twenty women aged 21–47 years old from West Jakarta, residents of DKI Jakarta (n = 10) as representative of the urban area, and residents of Ende, Nangapanda, East Nusa Tenggara (n = 10) as representative of the rural area were recruited for this pilot study. The participants were evaluated by the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) according to the criteria of Greene and Vermillion and divided into three groups. High-throughput DNA sequencing was performed on an Illumina iSeq 100 platform.Results: The principal component analysis displayed a marked difference in the bacterial community profiles between the urban and rural localities. The presence of manifest was associated with increased diversity and an altered oral bacterial community profile in the urban women. Two bacterial taxa were present at significantly higher levels (adjusted p < 0.01) in the urban oral microflora (Genus Prevotella and Leptotricia) could account for this difference irrespective of the individual oral hygiene status. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis revealed several distinct urban biomarkers. At the species level, Leptotrichia wadei, Prevotella melaninogenica, Prevotella jejuni, and P. histicola, show an excellent discriminatory potential for distinguishing the oral microflora in women between urban and rural areas. Further, using SparCC co-occurrence network analysis, the co-occurrence pattern in the dominant core oral microbiome assembly was observed to be specific to its ecological niche between two populations.Conclusions: This is the first pilot study demonstrating the characterization of the oral microbiome in Indonesian women in urban and rural areas. We found that the oral microbiome in women displays distinct patterns consistent with geographic locality. The specific characterization of the microbiota of Indonesian women is likely linked to geographical specific dietary habits, cultural habits, and socio-economic status or the population studied.

The economic crisis impact on the body mass index of children living in distinct urban environments

ObjectivesLittle is known about the impact of the 2008 global economic recession on childhood obesity in Portugal. Thus, this study's goals were to compare weight status of children during and after the economic crisis according to their neighbourhood environment features and to assess changes in specific dietary habits during the economic crisis. Study designCross-sectional study. MethodsData including weight, height, residence address to allow its geocoding and dietary habits changes during the crisis from children living in Lisbon municipality were collected in 2009 (N = 929) and in 2016 (N = 1751). A multidimensional environment index, with data of both built and socioeconomic nature collected at the statistical section level (areas comprised 300 dwellers) in the 2011 census, was used to characterize neighbourhoods. ResultsOverall, the proportion of children who are overweight or obese living in the socioeconomically vulnerable areas decreased in 2016. Families living in the latter areas stopped buying some food items, started to buy cheaper food items, cooked more meals at home and ate less in restaurants. In 2016, the risk for overweight and obesity increased in children who lived in the least advantageous areas. Living in areas with high socioeconomic status or most advantageous areas no longer represented a decreased risk of being overweight or obese in children in 2016 as it did in 2009. ConclusionsThis study suggests that the economic crisis enhanced the social inequalities regarding childhood obesity. These results aid the development of evidence-based strategies to lessen the social inequities in health outcomes created by the crisis.

Prevalence and associated factors of iron deficiency in Spanish children aged 1 to 11 years.

Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency affecting children worldwide. Most traditional laboratory parameters to assess ID can be altered by infections or other inflammatory states, including obesity. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of ID in healthy children and to analyse associated factors, avoiding potential confounding factors through the use of serum transferrin receptor (sTfR), reticulocyte haemoglobin content and sTfR/log ferritin index. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted on 951 children aged 1 to 11 years in Almería (Spain). ID was detected in 7.7% of children and iron deficiency anaemia in 0.9%. Multivariate analysis identified the following as independent risk factors: age under 5 years (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.35-3.6); excessive consumption of cow's milk and dairy products (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.13-3.1); and insufficient consumption of vegetables (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2-6.1).Conclusions: Using a combination of iron status parameters with greater discriminatory power than classical measures, this study detected a considerable iron deficiency prevalence in Spanish children. Younger children and specific dietary habits exhibit a particular risk for ID, so special attention should be paid to this population. What is Known: • Iron deficiency remains the most prevalent nutritional deficit worldwide, and children aged under 3 years are the most vulnerable to this condition. • Accurate assessment of iron status, based on a combination of biochemical indicators, can often be complicated. What is New: • Iron deficiency continues to present a health problem in Spanish children aged 1 to 11 years, considering the serum transferrin receptor and reticulocyte haemoglobin content for diagnosis. • Excessive consumption of dairy products and low consumption of vegetables are independent risk factors for iron deficiency.

Parental consumption of ultra-processed, high-fat products has no association with childhood overweight/obesity: an epidemiological study among 10–12-years-old children in Greece

Overweight and obesity during childhood consist two of the most important public health issues in the 21st century. Consumption of high-fat processed food has been increased alarmingly. To examine the association between parental ultra-processed, high-fat products' consumption and childhood overweight/obesity. A cross-sectional survey, conducted among 422 children, aged 10-12 years, and their parents, during school years 2014-16. Parental and child data were collected through self-administered, anonymous and validated questionnaires. Among others, high-fat ultra-processed food consumption was also recorded. Children's weight status was based on gender- and age-specific tables derived from the International Obesity Task Force body mass index (BMI) cut-offs. The prevalence of obesity in the reference population was 2.9%, whereas the prevalence of overweight was 19.3%. A strong correlation was observed between children's and their parents' BMI status (P < 0.001). Multi-adjusted data analysis revealed no association between parental intake of ultra-processed, high-fat products and children overweight/obesity. Similarly, when the data analysis accounted for family income and physical activity status of the children, the aforementioned results remained insignificant. Despite the fact that parents' specific dietary habits seem not to affect their children's weight status, public health programs should consider parental nutrition education and mobilization as a preventive measure for childhood overweight/obesity.

Coffee and Green Tea Decoction Intake in the Tunisian Population According to Genetic Polymorphisms of Genes Involved in Habitual Caffeine Intake

ABSTRACT The relationship between genetic variation and caffeinated beverages intake has been investigated in various human populations, but not among North Africans who have distinct caffeinated beverage dietary habits. Therefore, this study analysed the association between rs6968865 (AHR), rs382140 (NRCAM), rs9526558 (CAB39L), rs7754744 (PDSS2) and rs68157013 (TAS2R43) SNPs from previous GWASs on habitual caffeine consumption and caffeinated beverage intake in 568 healthy blood donors from the Tunisian population. The AHR caffeine metabolism gene SNP was associated with coffee intake but not with green tea decoction. However, the association of SNPs with caffeine metabolism (CAB39L and PDSS2), addiction to caffeine (NRCAM) and perceived caffeine bitterness (TAS2R43) genes was only observed or was stronger with the highest caffeine-containing beverage green tea decoction. The researchers further detected an opposite association of PDSS2 gene SNP with coffee and tea intake. The study provides additional data on caffeinated beverage intake genetics in a population with specific dietary habits

Dietary Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Omega-3- Essential Fatty Acid Intake and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Selected Australian Population

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intakes of lutein, zeaxanthin (L + Z) and omega-3-essential fatty acid(EFA) among a selected population of Australian based adults and to examine the effect of specified risk factors for age-related macular degeneration(AMD) on those levels. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 70 adults aged 19–52 years was carried out. Demographic data were obtained using an online self-administered questionnaire while dietary intakes were estimated using USDA's 24 hours recall questionnaire, the Victorian Cancer Council(Australia) food frequency questionnaire and anthropometric characteristics were obtained using a body composition analyzer. Dietary intakes of lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3-EFA and anthropometric indices against the risk of AMD were established using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation. Results The mean age of the population was 29.9 ± 8.1years with 51% men and 49% women. Women had a higher intake of L + Z (1908.6 μg/day versus 1032.8 μg/day) and alpha-linolenic acid(ALA) compared to men(1.7 ± 1.1 g/day versus 1.6 ± 1.2 g/day). Men consumed more omega-3-EFA than women (433 ± 397.1 mg/day versus 365 ± 210.7 mg/day). L + Z levels were higher among people of Middle Eastern and South Asian origin (&amp;gt;4000 μg/day) in the 19–25years age group. People of Middle Eastern, South East Asian and South Asian had the highest intake of omega-3-EFA(&amp;gt;500 mg/day) at ages 19–25, 26–32 and 34–52years respectively. Women aged 34–52years with a family history of AMD had higher levels of L + Z(&amp;gt;2500 μg/day) while women aged 26–32years with a family history of AMD had higher levels of ALA(&amp;gt;3 g/day). Ethnicity and L + Z were correlated (P = −0.456, P &amp;lt; 0.02). Higher levels of intake of L + Z (&amp;gt;4000 μg/day) were seen in participants aged 34–52years with a 5–10years residence in Australia. Participants who had less than 5–10years of residency had higher levels of omega-3-EFA(&amp;gt;500 mg/day) for ages 26–32years while those aged 34–52years who had less than 5years of residency had higher ALA(&amp;gt;4 g/day). Conclusions Intake levels for L + Z vary significantly among participants. Culturally specific dietary habits could feasibly influence the levels of intake of L + Z. Intake levels of omega-3-EFA were met. This study provides detailed intake levels of L + Z and omega-3-EFA for the ‘at-risk’ AMD group. Funding Sources No funding source.

Hazır yemek hizmeti alan farkli sosyo-ekonomik düzeye sahip bireylerin yeme davranışlarının ve menü tercihlerinin belirlenmesi

This study performed to investigate the eating habits, food or menu preferences of people whose received ready-to-eat service at different age, gender, and socio-economic status, to carried out consumer’s food safety and food hygiene knowledge and also to indicate what can be done to reduce the ready-to-eat service problems. As a result of this study, valuable scientific findings were obtained as daily meal scheme and contents, menu preferences and special dietary habits of people whose received ready-to-eat service and multiple correspondence analysis were applied to find out the relations between categorical variables. The presence of people whose have required sensibility about on hygiene status of food cooking, food transfer and also food service areas evaluated as a promising approach in terms of consumer awareness and food safety dissemination.

ACTIVITY OF 137CS IN HUMAN BODY OF INHABITANTS OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

The time course of 137Cs activity in general population of the Czech Republic has been systematically followed since the Chernobyl accident in 1986. Either whole body counting or the determination of 137Cs content in 24-hour urine samples were used as a method of determination of body activity. Environmental and effective half-lives were calculated from the data. In the time period from 1986 to 1990 the effective half-life was 1.3years; since 1990 up to present the half-life is 15years. The older data on whole body activity of 137Cs from 1965 to 1985 were compiled and are presented as well. Apart from the general population, a group of people who have special dietary habits in terms of increased game meat consumption, namely wild boar meat, has been monitored since 2000. In this group, the body content of 137Cs is about two orders of magnitude higher than in the general population.

Late-Night Eating-Induced Physiological Dysregulation and Circadian Misalignment Are Accompanied by Microbial Dysbiosis.

Irregular eating habits, such as late-night eating, will cause increased risk of obesity and other metabolic diseases. The aim of this study is to elucidate the impacts of late-night eating on physiological function and gut microbiota. Male Wistar rats under 16 h/8 h-light/dark cycle are divided into four groups with specific dietary habits, which mimicked breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night eating. Late-night eating, including skipping dinner for a night eating (BLN) and skipping breakfast and having a night eating (LDN), causes an increase of body weight, which is associated with decreased physical activity. Additionally, late-night eating results in hepatic lipid accumulation and systemic inflammation in peripheral tissues, compared to those of free feeding (FF) or breakfast, lunch, and dinner (BLD) groups. The phases of key clock genes are similar in FF, BLD, and BLN groups, while LDN feeding causes an overall 4 h phase delay in peripheral tissues. Moreover, late-night eating, especially LDN feeding, results in a significant alternation in the compositions and functions of gut microbiota, which further contributes to the development of metabolic disorder. Late-night eating causes physiological dysregulation and misalignment of circadian rhythm, together with microbial dysbiosis.