Current Developments in Nutrition

Ultra-processed food (UPF) may contribute to increased energy intake and weight gain, but evidence synthesis from randomised controlled trials (RCT) is lacking. A pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs was conducted comparing UPF with less processed food (LPF) on energy intake and/or body weight in humans. Secondary analyses (meta-regression and sub-group) examined effects of UPF on appetite sensations, eating rate, palatability and considered the role of nutrient profile in explaining results. Ten eligible studies were included. UPF trial arms tended to have higher energy intake (standardised mean differences [SMDs]=0.18-0.44), but statistical significance varied between analytic models. Weight gain (SMD=0.65) and eating rate (SMD=0.96) were significantly greater in UPF trial arms. No significant differences in palatability, appetite sensations or energy intake later in the day were observed. Diets (UPF vs. LPF) used in trials were not matched for nutrient profile. Effects on energy intake varied if UPFs were higher (SMD=0.71) or similar (SMD=0.02) in energy density. Current RCTs are suggestive that UPFs may increase energy intake and body weight; however, results may be explained by energy density of foods used. Further research is needed to understand whether the level of processing impacts health outcomes independent to nutrient profile.

BackgroundNo official correspondence table exists between the Japanese Standard Tables of Food Composition 2020 (8th edition; MEXT) and the USDA FoodData Central (FDC), despite their widespread use in nutritional research. This absence has hindered international comparison of food composition data for over six decades. MethodsWe developed a bidirectional matching pipeline using Claude Haiku (Anthropic), a large language model (LLM), combining food category mapping, 17-nutrient Euclidean distance ranking, and LLM-based conceptual judgment. Survey (FNDDS) data were excluded from FDC, yielding 8,158 items (Foundation Foods and SR Legacy). Matching was performed in both directions: MEXT[->]FDC and FDC[->]MEXT. ResultsOf 2,478 MEXT items, 1,927 (77.8%) were matched to FDC items, while 549 (22.2%) had no FDC equivalent (JP-only foods). Of 8,158 FDC items, 5,445 (66.7%) were matched to MEXT items, while 2,698 (33.1%) had no MEXT equivalent (US-only foods). Bidirectional consensus yielded 435 confirmed food pairs across 13 food categories. Notably, FDC items showed systematically higher calcium (+6.0 mg/100g) across 12 of 13 categories, while MEXT items showed systematically higher potassium (-3.7 mg/100g) across 9 of 13 categories and higher vitamin A as RAE (-3.7 g/100g) across 8 of 13 categories. ConclusionsThis study presents the first systematic bidirectional food correspondence table between MEXT and USDA FDC. The 435 confirmed pairs constitute a validated common vocabulary for international food composition research. The systematic cross-national differences in calcium, potassium, and vitamin A represent novel findings with direct implications for international dietary comparison studies. The complete correspondence table (Version 0.1) is openly available at https://github.com/shnkgw-rincom/jbfd-correspondence-table (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20103327).

Background: Recent food-based recommendations for flavan-3-ols highlight a growing need to understand the breadth of our dietary polyphenol exposure. However, estimation of dietary polyphenol intake remains challenging, requiring custom computational tools that are often difficult to implement or not fully reproducible. Objective: We aimed to an automated, user-friendly tool to estimate polyphenol intake from diet recalls and records. Methods: We developed Polyphenol Estimator, a tool that processes dietary data from the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour (ASA24) Dietary Assessment Tool or the Automated Multiple-Pass Method from the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES). Polyphenol Estimator disaggregates foods using the FDA Food Disaggregation Database into ingredients, matches these ingredients to FooDB, and estimates polyphenol intake at the total, class, and compound level. Optionally, these polyphenol estimates can be used to calculate the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). Polyphenol Estimator is freely available online (https://swi1.github.io/polyphenol_estimator) with a tutorial for users with limited programming experience. Results: To illustrate Polyphenol Estimator, we applied it to two days of diet recalls from adults ([≥] 20 years) in NHANES 2021-2023 (n = 2778). For 97.7% of participants, less than 2.5% of reported foods went unmapped, with 75.7% of participants having complete mappings. Total polyphenol intake was 517 +/- 439 (mean +/- SD) mg/1000 kcal, largely from green tea, coffee, black tea, apples, wine, oranges, and blueberries. At the class level, polyphenols classified as organooxygen compounds, flavonoids, and cinnamic acids and derivatives were top intake contributors. At the compound level, cyptochlorogenic acid, neocholorogenic acid, and caffeic acid were top contributors. Lastly, the DII was 1.4 +/- 1.9, indicating the average diet had proinflammatory potential. Conclusions: Polyphenol Estimator offers an automated method to obtain total, class, and compound-level polyphenol estimates from dietary data to aid future efforts to understand polyphenol intake exposures and their biological impact on health.

This work explores the dietary intake of plant bioactives in the European adult population. The information available in the scientific literature is quite fragmented, with only partial knowledge of dietary bioactive intake and their health effects, and without harmonised figures across populations and phytochemical families. In this context, we comprehensively evaluated the intake of (poly)phenols, terpenoids, N-containing compounds, and miscellaneous phytochemicals in the European adult population, using public data from 26 countries reporting on 38,944 individuals. Further research was conducted to investigate the contributions of classes, subclasses, and individual compounds, as well as their relationships. Main food sources of each class and subclass of phytochemicals were also identified. Finally, variability in phytochemical intake across European countries was evaluated. This work significantly advances the current knowledge of plant bioactive intake and sets the stage for future research in nutrition and health fields.

BackgroundDiets rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and fiber support gastrointestinal health and the microbiome; however, the effect of whole foods relative to their isolated nutrients remains under-investigated. ObjectiveDetermine the impact of avocado consumption on gastrointestinal health and microbiome beyond the individual effects of MUFAs and fiber. MethodsAdults with overweight and obesity (n=43, mean age=41y, BMI=31.6kg/m2) completed a randomized, crossover, controlled feeding study with three 4-wk dietary interventions separated by 2-wk washouts: average American (AA), oleic acid + fiber (OF) nutrients, and avocado (AV). The base diet was supplemented with 209g avocado (AV), or isocaloric snacks high in MUFA/fiber (OF) or low in MUFA/fiber (AA). Outcomes included fecal microbiome (shotgun metagenomics), fecal microbial metabolites (short-chain [SCFA] and branched-chain [BCFA] fatty acids, phenols, indoles, and bile acids), intestinal permeability (24h urinary sweetener excretion), systemic (CRP, IL-6, LBP) and gut (fecal calprotectin and sIgA) inflammatory markers, and gastrointestinal tolerance symptoms. Statistical analysis included linear mixed models, Friedman tests, and multivariable association analysis. ResultsFecal acetate and total SCFAs were 28% and 18% higher in AV and OF conditions, compared to AA (p<0.001 & p=0.019, respectively). Total secondary bile acids in the AV condition were 34% and 24% lower compared to OF (p<0.001) and AA (p=0.011), respectively. Alistipes communis ({beta}=0.85, q=0.03) and Bacteroides uniformis ({beta}=0.50, q=0.14) were higher following AV, whereas Lachnospira eligens ({beta}=1.79, q <0.001) was higher following OF, compared to AA. Microbial genes involved in pectin, cellulose, and hemicellulose degradation were enriched in AV and OF. Fecal calprotectin was lower in AV (30%; p=0.03) and OF (26%; p=0.04) compared to AA, while sIgA was 34% lower following AV, compared to AA (p=0.01). ConclusionsAvocado and MUFA/fiber-matched control had similar fermentation, but distinct secondary bile acid and microbial profiles, emphasizing the food matrix and gut microbiome as key determinants of diet-health relations. Clinical Trial Registry number and website where it was obtainedhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05941728?intr=NCT05941728&rank=1

This study investigated the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum VB165, a probiotic strain with intrinsic -glucosidase inhibitor (AGI) activity, on metabolic disorders in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin-resistant (IR) mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: normal control diet (NCD), NCD supplemented with VB165, HFD, and HFD supplemented with VB165. After 16 weeks, VB165 supplementation significantly attenuated HFD-induced weight gain and reduced epididymal and inguinal white adipose tissue indices. VB165 also improved glucose intolerance and insulin resistance (IR), as demonstrated by oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT), and lowered fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) levels. Additionally, it ameliorated dyslipidemia by reducing serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), while alleviating hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy. Mechanistically, VB165 enhanced intestinal barrier function by upregulating tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and Occludin), reduced systemic inflammation by lowering LPS, IL-6, and IL-1{beta}. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that VB165 modulated community composition, suppressing HFD-enriched genera (e.g., Ileibacterium and Coriobacteriaceae_UCG_002) and promoting beneficial taxa (e.g., Faecalibaculum and Oscillibacter). These findings demonstrate that L. plantarum VB165 improves HFD-induced metabolic disorders via multi-target mechanisms, highlighting its potential as a probiotic intervention for IR and related metabolic diseases.

Background: Hospital canteens provide an effective setting for improving the dietary habits of users. The study evaluates the food choices of users after an educational and environmental intervention, considering nutritional composition and environmental impact, and to compare the results with pre-intervention choices. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three hospital canteens (C1, C2, C3) in northeastern Italy, during two index weeks in September 2022 (T0) and 2023 (T1). An intervention was introduced between T0 and T1, consisting of posters on healthy eating, descriptive norm messages, and environmental changes regarding fruit and vegetables. Photos of lunch trays were collected, and choices were analyzed for nutritional composition and sustainability. Results: 2,851 trays were analyzed: 1,227 at T0 (798 in C1, 228 in C2 and 201 in C3) and 1,624 at T1 (1,005 in C1, 348 in C2, 271 in C3). In C1 and C3, there was an increase in median energy (+30 kcal; +135 kcal) compared to pre-intervention meals, while in C2 there was a decrease (-118 kcal). Despite a slight improvement in macronutrient composition, at T1 meals in all canteens were still high in lipids (30%E; 39%E; 35%E) and low in carbohydrates (44%E; 39%E; 41%E). The fibre value fell within the recommended range only in C1 and C3. The median carbon (CF) and water (WF) footprints of meals in all canteens remained high: at T1 CF ranged from 966 gCO2eq. to 1,227 gCO2eq. and WF from 1,025 L H2O to 1,207 L H2O. Conclusion: The intervention has led to partial improvements in food choices. To achieve more significant results, it may be necessary to implement a parallel intervention on food offer.

BackgroundHigher-quality diets have been associated with lower levels of ectopic fat deposited in the viscera and liver, which is hypothesized to be mediated in part by the gut microbiota. ObjectivesWe tested this hypothesis in a multi-ethnic imaging study using global (microbiome-wide) testing as well as a high-dimensional multiple-mediators regression framework to identify bacterial genera in the human gut that mediate the association between diet quality and ectopic adiposity. MethodsWe analyzed the cross-sectional data of 1,400 older adults (age 60-77) from five racial/ethnic groups in the Multiethnic Cohort Adiposity Phenotype Study (2013-2016). Overall diet quality was defined by adherence to the MIND diet. The relative abundance of 151 bacterial genera was quantified from 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the stool samples. Visceral fat, liver fat, and the presence of MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) were determined based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We used high-dimensional mediation analysis (HDMA) to estimate gut microbial mediation in the linear regression of visceral fat or liver fat, or in logistic regression of MASLD, on the MIND adherence score, adjusted for potential confounders. ResultsHigher diet quality was associated with lower ectopic adiposity: 12% less visceral fat area, 23% less liver fat, and a 49% less likelihood of having MASLD, comparing the highest to the lowest quartile of the MIND score. Using a distance-based global test, we confirmed overall significant microbial mediation of the inverse diet-ectopic fat association. From HDMA, four bacterial genera were identified as mediating the protective association with visceral fat, with the largest mediation conferred by Lachnospiraceae UCG.001 (12.2%). Two genera (Lachnoclostridium, Weissella) were shown to mediate the MIND association with both liver fat and MASLD. In particular, Lachnoclostridium mediated 13.6% of the liver fat association and 10.8% of the MASLD association, and Lachnospiraceae UCG.001 additionally mediated 12.1% of the liver fat association. ConclusionsOur results support the hypothesis that the gut microbiota contributes to conveying the effect of diet quality on preferred body fat distribution, e.g., involving bacteria that are known to produce short-chain fatty acids (Lachnospiraceae) or secondary bile acids (Lachnoclostridium).

BackgroundAccurate dietary assessment is essential for precision nutrition and effective nutrition surveillance. However, portion size estimation remains a persistent challenge, particularly in culturally diverse regions such as Central Asia. Traditional self-reporting tools often yield inconsistent results due to communal eating practices and unfamiliarity with standard measures. ObjectiveTo address these limitations, this study aimed to compare three methods: unassisted human judgment, visual food atlas assistance, and an artificial intelligence (AI) model, using Central Asian food items. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 128 participants from Astana, Kazakhstan, visually estimated portion sizes of 51 foods and 8 beverages from standardized photographs. Participants were randomized into two groups: one using unassisted visual estimation and the other aided by a regionally tailored digital food atlas. Additionally, an AI model trained on Central Asian food images was evaluated. Actual food weights served as the reference standard. Accuracy was assessed using Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) across food types and portion sizes. ResultsThe atlas-assisted group demonstrated the highest accuracy, with the lowest MAE (80.81g) and MAPE (44.76%) across all portions. The AI model showed promising results for average portions (MAE: 79.07g, MAPE: 67.91%) but underperformed on small portions, particularly for meat-based items. Unassisted estimates were the least accurate (MAE: 133.86g, MAPE: 79.40%). Across food categories, visual aids consistently improved accuracy, while AI demonstrated variability by texture and portion size. ConclusionsCulturally adapted visual atlases significantly enhance portion size estimation accuracy in non-Western, communal-eating contexts. While AI models hold promise for dietary assessments, particularly with standard portions and beverages, further refinement is needed for complex food items and small portion types. These findings support the integration of visual and AI-based tools into region-specific dietary monitoring strategies.

The modern Western diet (MWD) provides high linoleic acid (LA) exposure, typically contributing 6-9% of total caloric intake. These high LA levels have fueled a longstanding debate regarding whether this dietary pattern confers benefit or risk. Importantly, LA intake is disproportionately elevated among lower socioeconomic populations due to greater reliance on industrial seed oils and ultra-processed foods. Despite decades of research, controlled dietary intervention studies directly evaluating the biological consequences of varying LA exposure remain limited. The current randomized, double-blind intervention compared the effects of a 12-week Low LA diet (2.5% energy) versus a High LA diet (10.0% energy) in healthy adults. Primary outcomes included plasma highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) concentrations and ex vivo zymosan-stimulated whole-blood oxylipin generation. Fifty- two participants completed the intervention. High LA exposure resulted in a marked reduction in plasma n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) concentrations compared with the LowLA arm. In contrast, levels of arachidonic acid (ARA), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) did not differ by dietary LA exposure. Analysis of oxylipin species revealed that levels of EPA-derived relative to ARA-derived mediators were significantly reduced in the High LA arm. These findings reveal that higher dietary LA selectively suppresses EPA pools and EPA-derived oxylipins without altering ARA, shifting the lipid mediator balance toward a more n-6-dominant profile.

Obesity and related cardiometabolic diseases pose significant global health challenges. Konjac glucomannan, a soluble dietary fiber, has shown promise in managing these conditions. However, rigorous studies are necessary to establish its benefits on human health. We designed a parallel-arm, triple-blind, placebo-controlled RCT to test the effects of glucomannan (3 g/day, 12 weeks) on body weight and composition, lipid profile, glucose metabolism, inflammation, adipokines, intestinal permeability, gut microbiota, and fecal metabolites in 40 adults. Participants were randomly assigned to either the glucomannan or placebo group, with both groups adhering to personalized hypocaloric diets and moderate physical activity. Outcomes were analyzed as intention-to-treat using linear mixed-effect models. Irrespective of the treatment, our intervention reduced body weight (mean: -2.39 kg; 95% CI: -3.38, -1.40), BMI (-0.83 kg/m2; -1.15, -0.52), and waist (-2.70 cm; -3.87, -1.53). Glucomannan promoted additional benefits not obtained with the placebo, reducing body fat measured by DEXA (body fat%: -2.16%; -3.04, -1.28; VAT: -20.0 cm2; - 29.2, -10.8; FMI: -0.98 kg/m2; -1.34, -0.62), LDL (-14.1 mg/dL; -23.4, -4.9), and the atherogenic index (-0.50; -0.80, -0.21). It also diminished the Framingham score of 10-year risk of coronary heart disease (-0.370; -0.625, -0.115), C reactive protein (-1.01 mg/L; -2.18, 0.15), leptin (-2.06 ng/mL; -4.48, 0.365), and leptin/adiponectin (-0.282; -0.603, 0.040). The two treatments had similar intakes, physical activity, and adherence to the intervention. There were no adverse effects. This intervention fostered health benefits in a population at high risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Konjac glucomannan was an effective co-adjuvant for further reducing risk factors.

BackgroundSeveral genetic variants have been identified to modify the effects of fish oil supplementation (FOS) on increasing circulating omega-3 fatty acids, but it remains unexplored whether polygenic predisposition to low circulating omega-3 fatty acids modifies these effects. ObjectiveTo test if polygenic scores (PGS) for circulating omega-3 fatty acids modify the associations of FOS with corresponding circulating concentrations. MethodsWe developed PGS models for absolute circulating concentrations of total omega-3 fatty acids (Omega-3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and their relative percentages in total fatty acids (Omega-3% and DHA%), using a multi-ethnic genome-wide association study (N=136,016). PGS models were validated in 437,803 UK Biobank participants of European (EUR), Central/South Asian (CSA), African, and East Asian genetic ancestries. Linear models tested PGS-by-FOS interactions on corresponding observed circulating concentrations. Discovery analysis was performed separately in 237,380 EUR participants and each non-EUR group. Replication analyses were performed using oily fish intake and in another 178,935 EUR participants. ResultsIn EUR participants, PGS explained 5.3-11.1% of the phenotypic variance, and significant PGS-by-FOS interactions were detected across all four circulating omega-3 traits. Among participants in the bottom 5% of the PGS distribution, FOS was significantly associated with a 0.40 SD (95% CI: 0.39-0.44) increase in Omega-3. This association effect was 11.1% larger than the population average ({beta} = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.35-0.37; PInt = 0.016) and 42.8% larger than that in participants in the top 5% of the PGS distribution ({beta} = 0.28 SD; 95% CI: 0.25-0.32; PInt = 4.03X10-10). These interaction patterns were consistently observed in CSA ancestry and confirmed in replication and sensitivity analyses. ConclusionsPGS modify the associations of FOS with circulating omega-3 fatty acids in EUR and CSA populations, with larger FOS effects in participants with lower PGS. These findings support the development of genome-informed precision nutrition.

To evaluate the international interoperability of food composition databases, we assessed the compatibility of seven national food composition tables with USDA FoodData Central (FDC) using the LLM-based matching method reported previously (Nakagawa and Yamamoto, 2026). Databases from four English-speaking countries (Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand), South Korea, and Japan were compared with 8,158 USDA FDC entries (SR Legacy and Foundation Foods, excluding Survey/FNDDS). Match rates varied by country (62.0-89.7%) and food category. After excluding six USDA categories unsuitable for cross-national comparison, 45.2% of the remaining 6,290 entries were not matched by any country. Canada showed the highest concordance, reflecting shared North American food supply. Japan and South Korea showed similar low coverage for vegetables and spices. These findings suggest that while USDA FDC represents a practical foundation for a globally comprehensive food composition database given its breadth, systematic incorporation of country-specific foods and classification schemes will be necessary to achieve true international interoperability.

ContextVitamin B12 deficiency is common among vegans and vegetarians due to limited intake of animal-derived foods. Identifying safe, plant-based sources of vitamin B12 is essential to address this nutritional gap. AimsThis study evaluated the efficacy and safety of Chlorella vulgaris tablets in improving vitamin B12 deficiency. Settings and DesignA double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 46 healthy adults with vitamin B12 deficiency (serum levels 107-210 pmol/L). Methods and MaterialParticipants were randomized (1:1) to receive C. vulgaris (1 g twice daily) or identical placebo for 12 weeks. Primary outcome was change in serum vitamin B12; secondary outcomes included folic acid, homocysteine, methylmalonic acid (MMA), and quality of life (WHO-QoL). Assessments were conducted at baseline and week 12, with safety monitored through liver and kidney function tests and adverse event reporting. Statistical Analysis UsedSample size (n=46) was calculated with 90% power and 10% dropout allowance. Data were analyzed using SPSS v22. Non-parametric tests were applied after normality assessment, with p<0.05 considered significant. ResultsOf 46 participants (mean age 35.5 {+/-} 11.2 years; 69.6% female), mean serum vitamin B12 levels were significantly higher in the C. vulgaris group than in the placebo group at 12 weeks (214.4 {+/-} 160.8 vs 55.9 {+/-} 15.0 ng/mL; P < .001). No significant differences were observed in folic acid, homocysteine, MMA, or QoL scores between groups. No adverse events were reported. ConclusionsSupplementation with Chlorella vulgaris significantly improved serum vitamin B12 levels, suggesting its potential as a safe, plant-based alternative for managing vitamin B12 deficiency. Key MessagesO_LIPlant-based Chlorella vulgaris improved vitamin B12 levels significantly C_LIO_LIRandomized trial in B12-deficient healthy adults over 12 weeks C_LIO_LINo adverse effects observed on liver or kidney function tests C_LIO_LIQuality of life improved across all domains in the intervention group C_LI

Background: Intracranial atherosclerosis is a major cause of ischemic stroke. Asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) represents a subclinical and potentially modifiable stage preceding ischemic stroke, yet the nutritional factors associated with asymptomatic ICAS remain poorly defined. This study aimed to identify dietary factors associated with asymptomatic ICAS in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study included 962 Japanese adults aged {greater than or equal to}65 years from the Yahaba Active Aging and Healthy Brain study, conducted in Yahaba town, Japan, between July 2016 and July 2017. Asymptomatic ICAS was defined as {greater than or equal to}50% intracranial arterial stenosis evaluated by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack. All participants underwent dietary assessment using a food frequency questionnaire. We examined the association between nutritional factors and ICAS using multivariable logistic regression models with adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol use. Results: After exclusions, 850 participants were analyzed. The mean age was 73.4 {plus minus} 6.5 years, and 52% were female. ICAS was identified in 135 participants (15.9%). Participants in the highest quartile of dietary fiber intake had lower odds of ICAS than those in the lowest quartile (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26-0.80). Potassium intake showed a similar inverse association (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.27-0.89). When both nutrients were included in the multivariable model as continuous variables, neither remained significant, with moderate collinearity (variance inflation factor, 4.16). Conclusions: Higher dietary fiber intake was inversely associated with asymptomatic ICAS among community-dwelling older Japanese adults. Potassium intake also showed an inverse association, although this relationship was less consistent after accounting for collinearity with dietary fiber.

BackgroundBoth dietary factors and biological sex are recognized as key modulators of immune responses. Nutritional components, particularly lipids, can influence immune cell metabolism, signaling pathways, and the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory processes. ObjectiveThe present study aimed to examine whether commonly consumed dietary oils exert sex-specific effects on immune cell function and cellular oxidative balance. MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 16 healthy adults (10 men and 6 women; mean age 48 years, BMI 23 kg/m2) using Histopaque density gradient centrifugation. Cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium and stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) in the presence of olive, Nigella sativa, or walnut oils (23 g/mL) for 48 h. Cell proliferation was assessed using the MTT assay. Intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (PCAR), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined by spectrophotometric methods. All statistical analyses were performed by Minitab 16 statistical software and Microsoft Excel 2007. Differences between groups were performed by Wilcoxon ranked test ResultsBaseline proliferation, MDA, and PCAR levels were comparable between sexes, whereas GSH levels were higher in male PBMCs. Oil supplementation significantly reduced proliferation in male cells compared to female cells (p = 0.008). In female PBMCs, olive oil significantly increased MDA levels, while all tested oils increased protein carbonyl levels. Walnut and olive oils selectively enhanced GSH levels in female cells. ConclusionDietary oils modulate immune cell proliferation and oxidative balance in a sex-dependent manner. Female PBMCs appear more susceptible to lipid-induced oxidative stress, highlighting the importance of considering sex in nutritional immunology.

Background: Diet is a modifiable risk factor for cardiometabolic disease, yet establishing causality remains challenging. Mendelian randomisation (MR) leverages genetic variants as instrumental variables (IVs) to enable causal inference. Method: Using two-sample MR, we assessed the causal effects of four principal component-derived dietary patterns (DPs) - Unhealthy, Healthy, Meat-based, Pescatarian - on twelve cardiometabolic outcomes: body mass index, coronary artery disease, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, fasting glucose and insulin, and glycated haemoglobin. Two sets of IVs were employed: conventional genome-wide significant variants associated with each DP, rigorously filtered for pleiotropy and directionality; and biologically informed variants in chemosensory receptor genes, given the role of taste and smell perception in shaping food choices. Results: Using conventional IVs, the Pescatarian DP reduced fasting insulin ({beta}IVW = -0.10 pmolL-1 per SD increase in Pescatarian DP score, 95% Confidence interval [CI] [-0.15, -0.04]; P = 1.19x10-3), which survived multiple sensitivity analyses. Associations between the Unhealthy DP and elevated blood pressure and glycated haemoglobin were likely undermined by heterogeneity and pleiotropy, with insufficient IVs for robust sensitivity testing. Chemosensory receptors yielded null findings, reflecting insufficient power. Conclusion: Rigorously filtered conventional IVs supported the causal nature of well-established diet-disease relationships, demonstrating MR's utility in strengthening causal inference in nutritional epidemiology. Chemosensory IVs demonstrated limited utility for DPs, likely reflecting the heterogeneous and complex sensory profiles of overall diets. Future efforts should consider using guideline-based dietary scores to facilitate translation of findings.

1.Traditional nutrition science often proceeds under the assumption of a universal metabolic return to healthy eating, yet social environments may fundamentally modify these biological associations. This investigation utilized survey-weighted data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2017-2023) representing a weighted population of 286 million adults aged 20 years and older to test for association heterogeneity in the dietglycemia relationship. Dietary exposure was operationalized as energy-adjusted nutrient density scores derived via the residual method to measure the healthfulness of intake independent of total caloric volume. The primary outcome was HPLC-measured glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) modeled as a continuous variable. Multivariable interaction models evaluated the Income-to-Poverty Ratio (PIR) as a formal effect modifier, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and smoking status. Analysis demonstrated that while quality-weighted nutrient intake levels remained statistically uniform across income tiers (p=0.207), multivariable interaction models identified significant modification of the diet-HbA1c association by socioeconomic position (p=0.028 for interaction). In the low-income reference group, higher quality nutrient intake was associated with a significant protective decline in HbA1c ({beta}=-6.11x10-5 percentage points per kilocalorie, p=0.017). Conversely, this protective association was attenuated to non-significance for the middle-income stratum ({beta}=3.31x10-6, p=0.849). Sensitivity analysis restricted to participants without clinical diabetes showed the interaction was non-significant (p=0.859), identifying an observed boundary condition where differential associations are most evident in pathological states. These findings suggest association heterogeneity where identical dietary behaviors relate to divergent glycemic patterning across socioeconomic groups. Socioeconomic position appears to function as an effect modifier of the diet-HbA1c relationship rather than a mere confounder. Such patterns suggest that the metabolic correlates of healthy eating are socially patterned, potentially due to structural factors that constrain the associations expected from improved nutrition.

Background: An increasing demand for organic food has risen due to perceived health benefits. Current evidence for the health effects of organic food is limited. Objective: To evaluate the association between organic food purchase as a proxy for organic food consumption and hypertension in a nationally representative population of the US. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included 9173 participants aged >= 18 and had available data of both organic food purchase and hypertension from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010. Organic food purchase and frequency were obtained from survey questionnaires. Hypertension was defined as having either a systolic BP >= 130 mm Hg/ diastolic BP >= 80 mm Hg, currently taking antihypertensive medication, or self-reported diagnosis of hypertension. We used multivariable logistic regression with sample weights and adjustment of potential confounders to assess associations (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] and 95% confidence intervals [CI]) between organic food purchase and hypertension status. Results: Findings suggest an 11% decrease in odds of hypertension (aOR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.75-1.06) among organic food purchasers compared to non-purchasers. Lower odds of hypertension were observed across all categories of organic food purchasing frequency, with 13% lower among rarely purchasing organic food (aOR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.67-1.14), 9% lower (aOR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.71-1.16) among sometimes purchasing organic food, and 17% lower (aOR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.55-1.27) among always or mostly purchasing organic food, as compared to those who never purchased organic food. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that organic food purchase, a proxy for organic food consumption, may be associated with lower odds of hypertension. These findings may reflect either the true benefits of organic food consumption, including lower pesticide amounts and higher nutrient content, or the health-seeking behaviors among health-conscious, healthy, and highly educated individuals.

ObjectivesCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a global health priority, with oral health linked to cardiovascular risk. However, existing studies have mainly focused on limited periodontal measures and lack analyses of multidimensional oral health. MethodsUsing data from 4,564 participants in the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort, this study employed an exposure-wide analysis to systematically examine associations between multidimensional oral health indicators and multiple CVD-related outcomes, and to evaluate the role of blood and urine-based biomarkers as potential mediators. ResultsWe found that indicators regarding caries, periodontal status, and occlusal function were significantly associated with carotid plaque prevalence. Sex-stratified analyses confirmed that all significant associations were concentrated in females, instead of males. Age-stratified analyses showed distinct patterns, with meaningful associations concentrated among participants under 65, where indicators regarding caries, periodontal status, and occlusal function were related to the FRS. In adults aged 65 and older, only the number of functional tooth units was associated with carotid plaque. Mediation analyses identified multiple blood biomarkers, including hemoglobin A1c and Platelet Large Cell Ratio, as partial mediators. ConclusionsThese findings indicate that multidimensional oral health correlates with cardiovascular outcomes, with obvious sex and age differences, and that blood biomarkers play an important mediating role. Our findings provide new insights that extend beyond traditional periodontal associations by highlighting the relevance of multidimensional oral health to cardiovascular risk, supporting its consideration in cardiovascular prevention.