Editor’s Choice Articles

This pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effects of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)—provided in a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine:isoleucine:valine—combined with exercise on fatigue, physical performance, and quality of life in older adults. Twenty participants (63% female; BMI: 35 ± 2 kg/m²; age: 70.5 ± 1.2 years) were randomized to 8 weeks of either exercise + BCAAs (100 mg/kg body weight/d) or exercise + placebo. The program included moderate aerobic and resistance training three times weekly. Physical function was assessed using handgrip strength, chair stands, gait speed, VO₂ max, and a 400 m walk. Psychological health was evaluated using the CES-D, Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and global pain, fatigue, and quality of life using a visual analog scale (VAS). Significant group x time interactions were found for handgrip strength (p = 0.03), chair stands (p < 0.01), and 400 m walk time (p < 0.01). Compared to exercise + placebo, exercise + BCAAs showed greater improvements in strength, mobility, and endurance, along with reductions in fatigue (−45% vs. +92%) and depressive symptoms (−29% vs. +5%). Time effects were also observed for ISI (−30%), FAS (−21%), and VAS quality of life (16%) following exercise + BCAA supplementation. These preliminary results suggest that BCAAs combined with exercise may be an effective way to improve physical performance and reduce fatigue and depressive symptoms in older adults. Full article

Methylation is a biochemical process involving the addition of methyl groups to proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (both DNA and RNA). DNA methylation predominantly occurs on cytosine and adenine nucleobases, and the resulting products—most frequently 5-methylcytosine and N⁶-methyladenine epigenetic marks—can significantly influence gene activity at the affected genomic sites without modifying the DNA sequence called nucleotide order. Various environmental factors can alter the DNA methylation pattern. Among these, methyl donor micronutrients, such as specific amino acids, choline, and several B vitamins (including folate, pyridoxine, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and cobalamin), primarily regulate one-carbon metabolism. This molecular pathway stimulates glutathione synthesis and recycles intracellular methionine. Glutathione plays a pivotal role during oocyte activation by protecting against oxidative stress, whereas methionine is crucial for the production of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, which serves as the universal direct methyl donor for cellular methylation reactions. Because local DNA methylation patterns at genes regulating fertility can be inherited by progeny for multiple generations even in the absence of the original disrupting factors to which the parent was exposed, and DNA methylation levels at specific genomic sites highly correlate with age and can also be passed to offspring, nutrition can influence reproduction and life span in a transgenerational manner. Full article

This study aimed to provide an overview of published studies that assess the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake among university students. A scoping review was undertaken and articles assessing the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake among university students were identified. EMBASE, PsycINFO and Scopus were searched for peer-reviewed articles reporting primary research. The initial search generated 805 potentially relevant articles. After reviewing titles and abstracts and applying the exclusion criteria, 22 articles were deemed eligible for inclusion. Nutrition knowledge was measured in all studies and information was predominantly collected using adapted General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaires (GNKQs). Dietary intake measurement methods varied across the studies, with the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) being commonly used. Findings identified that in most studies a positive relationship was found between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake. The ability to draw strong conclusions about the relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake in university students is limited by the heterogeneity of the study design, the subpopulations considered, and the tools used. Notwithstanding this, findings indicate that the majority of studies reported a positive relationship between nutrition knowledge and dietary intake. Future studies should consider the use of validated assessment tools for both nutrition knowledge and dietary intake and the inclusion of more male student participants. Full article

Interest in natural biopreservatives has increased significantly due to growing consumer demand for safer and more environmentally friendly food preservation strategies. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), naturally occurring molecules (typically <10 kDa), have emerged as a promising alternative to synthetic chemical preservatives. Found in bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals, including humans, AMPs play a crucial role in innate immune defense. Their antibacterial and antioxidant effects enable them to prevent microbial spoilage and extend the shelf life of food, reducing the need for artificial additives. AMPs are biodegradable and environmentally friendly, and they specifically target harmful microorganisms, minimizing disruption to beneficial microorganisms. Despite their promising properties, challenges such as stability, cost and potential sensory impairment limit their wide application. Recent advances, such as encapsulation techniques and nanotechnology, have shown remarkable potential to improve the stability and functionality of AMPs in complex food systems. In addition, AMPs derived from edible mushrooms represent a sustainable and natural approach to food preservation and could offer effective solutions against foodborne pathogens and oxidative spoilage. This review examines the structural features, mechanisms of action and practical applications of AMPs in food protection, with a particular focus on their innovative integration with nanotechnology to address current food safety challenges. Full article

In the European context shaped by migration, it is necessary to adapt dietitians to cultural diversity for effective professional practice. The objectives of the research are to analyze the cultural and ethnic diversity in Romania, highlighting the possible influence of acculturation on the dietary behaviors of different ethnic groups, and to formulate ways to apply the stages of cultural competence. The research methodology included the collection and use of data from the population census and other statistical sources to analyze the ethnic, linguistic, and religious composition in different regions of Romania, and the use of a cultural competence model that could be applied in the Romanian medical context for the formulation of health recommendations tailored to eating habits and influenced by acculturation and sociocultural factors. The study reveals the cultural diversity of the Romanian population, with more than 1.7 million inhabitants having a native language other than Romanian and with a wide ethnic and religious variety. We adapted a cultural competence model including methods to assess dietary acculturation, understand food preferences, and respect ethnic, religious, and generational diversity, ensuring its applicability in various multicultural contexts. This study emphasizes the importance of cultural competence in dietetic practice in a diverse health care setting and tailoring nutrition services according to cultural diversity to improve health and patient satisfaction. Full article

Mobile applications, websites and social media networks are now widely used communication tools. With the emergence of communication-related technologies in our lives and, consequently, the rise of social media networks and mobile applications, nutrition-related applications have become popular. Smartphones and other artificial intelligence technologies have become very useful tools for delivering nutrition-related interventions because they are very accessible and cost-effective. Digital interventions are also able to serve a larger number of communities than traditional interventions. Nutrition is not a field that has remained on the sidelines of these technological advances, and numerous mobile applications and technological tools have emerged that are intended to provide dietary advice or guidelines on the process of recovering from a disease. However, many of these applications have limitations and barriers that are important to consider. The aim of this review was to analyze the most current and widely used mobile applications related to nutrition, as well as their complementary tools (activity bracelets and smart scales, among others), highlighting their importance in improving lifestyle habits. In addition, their advantages and disadvantages are discussed and future directions are proposed. Full article

The importance of digital tools for dietary assessment has increased in recent years, both commercially and scientifically. In the field of nutrition research, the digitization of dietary assessment methods presents many opportunities and risks. One of the main challenges is ensuring scientific quality while maintaining good usability. In this context, an evaluation tool was developed based on the guidelines of the European Food Safety Authorization (EFSA; 2009 and 2014), complemented by the usability aspect of health-related applications. This was followed by a literature search concerning the available dietary assessment tools, which were analyzed according to the evaluation criteria. Eight applications were included in the study after reviewing the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the digital tools. A total of thirty-eight requirements in eight main categories were defined for the evaluation, which the best possible dietary assessment tool should meet. The evaluation showed that none of the tested tools currently meet all the defined requirements or categories. The aspects of usability and the accuracy of data collection showed a positive correlation, suggesting a direct link between the two categories and providing an important approach for future developments. Full article

Obesity is considered an important risk factor for the onset of asthma, playing a key role in enhancing the disease’s severity. However, there is increasing evidence linking not only obesity but also overweight with a higher risk of asthma. Although the correlation between obesity and asthma has already been reported, several aspects are still not fully elucidated, mainly about the inflammatory processes underlying both diseases. It is well known that Western-type calorically rich diets and overfeeding can act as triggers of chronic metabolic inflammation, but few studies have examined associations between ultra-processed foods (UPFs) intake, despite its positive correlation with obesity, and biomarkers of inflammation. In addition to their nutrient composition, UPF may have chemical additives and contaminants from packaging, whose effects on health and food addiction are still under research. In this review, we provide an overview of the current data that identify the associations between the obese asthma phenotype and UPF consumption, highlighting the potential central role played by the intestinal microbiota. Full article

The popularity of vegetarian and vegan diets is growing due to increased awareness of the environmental and health benefits of such diets. However, despite the consumption of meatless diets being associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases and mortality, followers of these diets are prone to certain nutritional inadequacies, which could limit health benefits. The main nutrients of concern are vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine, selenium, calcium, and iron. It is essential for all those following vegetarian and vegan diets to implement vitamin B12 supplementation. To prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, adults should take one oral dose of 50–100 μg cyanocobalamin daily or 2000 μg weekly divided into two oral cyanocobalamin doses. Iodine supplementation is essential for pregnant and breastfeeding women and is recommended for vegetarians and vegans who are unable to access sea vegetables or iodine-fortified foods. The recommended dose of iodine supplement for adults is 150 μg daily. Selenium supplementation should be reserved for individuals with clinical evidence of deficiency due to concerns of adverse effects on lipid profiles and type 2 diabetes risk. It is recommended that vegetarian and vegan adults should supplement 4000 International Units (IU)/d of oral vitamin D to prevent deficiency as sunlight exposure is unreliable due to a range of lifestyle and environmental factors. This recommendation also applies to omnivores. As a precaution, those wishing to transition to a more plant-based diet should consider how they will substitute the nutrition they currently obtain from animal-based foods with plant-based sources or appropriate supplementation. Full article

The aim of this paper is to investigate associations between the time spent by parents preparing dinner and children’s consumption of made-from-scratch meals. We developed a cross-sectional study with 595 parent–child dyads from São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected via telephone interviews: time spent preparing dinner and socio-demographic characteristics were obtained using a questionnaire, while food consumption was recorded via dietary recall. Crude and adjusted regression analyses were used to test associations between time spent preparing dinner and the contribution of made-from-scratch meals to children’s dinner energy intake. Parents (93.1% woman, 60.5% aged 31–41, 62.2% white, 88.4% married, 71.2% employed, 50.0% ≥ 12 years of education) spent an average of 108- and 112-min preparing dinner on weekdays and weekends, respectively. Spending more than two hours/day was positively associated with the consumption of made-from-scratch meals (β = 4.4; p = 0.035). When parents spend more time preparing dinner, their children consume more made-from-scratch meals. Given that cooking from scratch is considered healthier but takes more time, it is important that policies and interventions aimed at promoting healthier meals among children/families and avoiding overburdening women with domestic tasks are accompanied by recommendations that focus on promoting an equitable division of food work among families. Full article