Nutrients

21 pages, 1263 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Maternal Euthyroid Autoimmune Thyroiditis on Minipuberty in Female Offspring

by Karolina Kowalcze, Johannes Ott, Giovanni Cangelosi, Joanna Kula-Gradzik, Andrea Deledda and Robert Krysiak

Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1841; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121841 (registering DOI) - 7 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Minipuberty is a transient activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis in infancy that contributes to the postnatal development of sexual organs. Its course has been shown to be influenced by maternal hypothyroidism. This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive axis and genital development [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Minipuberty is a transient activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis in infancy that contributes to the postnatal development of sexual organs. Its course has been shown to be influenced by maternal hypothyroidism. This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive axis and genital development in infant girls born to women with euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis. Methods: The study involved three groups of infants: two groups were daughters of euthyroid women with autoimmune thyroiditis, while the third group (control) consisted of daughters of women without thyroid disease during pregnancy. Half of the mothers with thyroiditis received additional vitamin D and selenium supplementation during pregnancy, whereas the other half did not. During the first 18 months of life, periodic assessments were conducted of gonadotropin concentrations in urine, as well as salivary levels of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, androstenedione, and DHEA-S. Additionally, ovarian volume, uterine length, and breast diameter were measured in the infants. Results: Daughters of women with autoimmune thyroiditis who did not receive supplementation during pregnancy exhibited lower levels of LH, estradiol, and progesterone, as well as a more rapid decline in LH and estradiol to below detectable levels, compared with daughters of healthy women. These hormonal differences were accompanied by smaller uterine length and breast diameter in this group. No differences were observed between the offspring of non-supplemented women with thyroiditis and daughters of healthy women regarding the levels of other hormones or ovarian volume. The dynamics of all assessed hormone levels and organ measurements did not differ between daughters of euthyroid women with thyroiditis who received vitamin D and selenium supplementation and daughters of healthy women. LH and progesterone levels showed inverse correlations with anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody titers, whereas uterine and breast dimensions positively correlated with estradiol levels. Conclusions: These findings suggest that maternal euthyroid autoimmune thyroiditis can affect the progression of female minipuberty, while supplementation with vitamin D and selenium during pregnancy may mitigate this effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamins and Human Health: 3rd Edition)

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16 pages, 940 KB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Glucose Metabolism and Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Offspring: Modification by Erythrocyte Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

by Xuanqing He, Sufang Duan, Jian He, Bin Sun, Ting Li, Minyan Lan, Xiaonan Gu, Guoyu Zhang, Lizi Lin, Duo Li and Li Cai

Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1840; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121840 (registering DOI) - 6 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) adversely affects offspring neurobehavioral outcomes, yet evidence regarding continuous markers of maternal glucose metabolism remains limited. Although polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to affect associations between glucose metabolism and respiratory outcomes, their effects on children’s emotional [...] Read more.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) adversely affects offspring neurobehavioral outcomes, yet evidence regarding continuous markers of maternal glucose metabolism remains limited. Although polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to affect associations between glucose metabolism and respiratory outcomes, their effects on children’s emotional and behavioral problems remain unclear. This study investigated the association between maternal glucose metabolism and emotional and behavioral problems in children and the potential modifying effect of maternal erythrocyte PUFAs. Methods: This prospective birth cohort included 481 mother–child pairs. Maternal glucose metabolism during pregnancy was assessed using GDM diagnosis via a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 1 h and 2 h OGTT glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Maternal erythrocyte PUFAs were quantified by gas chromatography. Children’s emotional and behavioral problems at age 5 years were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Generalized linear models were used to evaluate associations, including multiplicative interaction terms between glucose metabolism indicators and PUFAs. Results: Maternal FPG (OR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.08–2.47), OGTT-1h glucose (OR = 1.84; 95%CI: 1.08–3.12), and HOMA-IR (OR = 1.52; 95%CI: 1.01–2.27) were each positively associated with an increased risk of abnormal total difficulties scores in children. Maternal insulin levels were positively associated with abnormal total difficulties scores in girls (p for interaction < 0.05). Higher maternal n-3 PUFA levels and lower n-6 PUFA levels attenuated the risk of glucose metabolism-related emotional and behavioral problems in children. Conclusion: Maternal glucose metabolism was associated with increased risk of emotional and behavioral problems in children. PUFA biomarkers could modify glucose-related emotional and behavioral outcomes in children. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early-Life Nutrition and Health Trajectories: A Focus on Neurodevelopment and Metabolism)

14 pages, 425 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Boswellia serrata on Pain Intensity, Central and Peripheral Sensitization, and Pain Modulation in Healthy Volunteers—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Pilot Trial

by Sascha Hammer, Marco Reiser, Mathias Bader, Jakob Pannold, Angelika Moser, Maximilian Niederer, Anselm Johannes Schlemmer, Sebastian Labenbacher, Kordula Lang-Illeviech and Helmar Bornemann-Cimenti

Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1839; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121839 (registering DOI) - 6 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Boswellia serrata has traditionally been used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Although several studies support clinical analgesic efficacy, the underlying mechanisms have not been investigated in human experimental pain models. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial aimed [...] Read more.

Background: Boswellia serrata has traditionally been used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Although several studies support clinical analgesic efficacy, the underlying mechanisms have not been investigated in human experimental pain models. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot trial aimed to examine the mode of action of Boswellia serrata to differentiate between its peripheral and central effects. This exploratory pilot study was designed to generate preliminary effect size estimates and assess functional pain-processing outcomes, rather than to provide definitive evidence of clinical efficacy. Methods: Twelve healthy volunteers were recruited and received either 300 mg of Boswellia serrata extract or a visually identical placebo twice daily for 28 days, separated by a 4-week washout period. Pain and sensitization were induced using a topical capsaicin model. Outcomes included spontaneous pain intensity, mechanical allodynia, pinprick hyperalgesia, thermal thresholds, and conditioned pain modulation, alongside psychological assessments of mood, anxiety, sleep, and structured adverse-event monitoring. Results: Results showed no significant difference in the primary endpoint of spontaneous pain intensity between Boswellia and placebo (VAS 43 ± 21 vs. 47 ± 17; d = 0.18; p = 0.539). Conclusions: While Boswellia serrata did not significantly reduce acute peak pain in this model, the observed trends suggest a potential multi-level modulatory influence on nociceptive processing and endogenous pain inhibition. These findings warrant larger clinical trials to further elucidate its therapeutic potential, particularly in populations with impaired pain modulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Nutrition)

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30 pages, 935 KB

Open AccessReview

Dietary Polysaccharides in Skin Health: Structure–Function Relationships and Implications for Nutritional Dermatology

by Li Zhao, Zhenzhi Chen, Yujie Sun, Ke Jia, Yunjia Liu and Ping Li

Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1838; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121838 (registering DOI) - 6 Jun 2026

Abstract

Skin health depends on the coordinated maintenance of barrier integrity, immune homeostasis, redox balance, microbial ecology, and systemic metabolic status. Among dietary constituents, polysaccharides have attracted increasing attention because they represent a structurally heterogeneous class of complex carbohydrates whose biological behavior is shaped [...] Read more.

Skin health depends on the coordinated maintenance of barrier integrity, immune homeostasis, redox balance, microbial ecology, and systemic metabolic status. Among dietary constituents, polysaccharides have attracted increasing attention because they represent a structurally heterogeneous class of complex carbohydrates whose biological behavior is shaped by molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkage patterns, branching, higher-order conformation, and physicochemical properties. However, many current skin-related studies remain primarily phenomenon-driven, with insufficient attention to how specific structural features influence biological function and dermatologic relevance. From a structure–function perspective, key structural features of dietary polysaccharides may influence several skin-relevant biological processes, including microbiota-associated signaling, immune regulation, barrier homeostasis, oxidative balance, and extracellular matrix protection. The relevance of these structure-linked functions differs across dermatologic contexts: it appears most direct in photoaging, more conditional in atopic dermatitis, and relatively indirect in psoriasis, whereas wound-repair-related settings are less closely aligned with strict dietary relevance. Current evidence therefore supports structure–function associations more strongly than direct associations between specific structural features and dermatologic outcomes. Dietary polysaccharides are not functionally interchangeable in skin-related contexts, and their skin-related effects depend on structural background, disease setting, and mode of application. Where non-dietary evidence is discussed, it serves primarily as mechanistic or translational contextualization rather than as a basis for nutritional recommendation. Clarifying these relationships may support future mechanistic research and facilitate more rational nutritional applications of dietary polysaccharides in skin health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Dietary Polysaccharides for Human Health and Diseases)

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14 pages, 1030 KB

Open AccessArticle

Eating Habits, Body Weight Perception, and Psycho-Emotional Factors Among Romanian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Ramona Amina Popovici, Baleanu Vlad-Dumitru, Laria-Maria Trusculescu, Andreea Mihaela Kiș, Alexandra Enache, Cristina Raluca Bodo, Ana Gabriela Seni, Liana Dehelean, Anca Porumb, Diana Marian, Alexandru Mischie, Dana Emanuela Cot (Pitic), Adina Feher and Liana Todor

Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1837; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121837 (registering DOI) - 6 Jun 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Dietary habits adopted during young adulthood play a critical role in physical, emotional, and cognitive health. University students represent a particularly vulnerable group due to academic stress, lifestyle transitions, and increased autonomy, factors that may influence eating behaviors, body weight perception, and [...] Read more.

Introduction: Dietary habits adopted during young adulthood play a critical role in physical, emotional, and cognitive health. University students represent a particularly vulnerable group due to academic stress, lifestyle transitions, and increased autonomy, factors that may influence eating behaviors, body weight perception, and psychological well-being. This study aims to examine dietary habits among students and their associations with self-perceived body weight, lifestyle characteristics, and psychological factors within a biopsychosocial framework. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire distributed to university students aged 18–30 years in Romania. The questionnaire assessed dietary habits, nutritional knowledge, lifestyle behaviors, and psychological variables, including perceived stress and body weight perception. Body mass index was calculated based on self-reported anthropometric data. Results: The findings indicated substantial variability in dietary behaviors, with a high prevalence of irregular meal patterns, frequent snacking, and engagement in weight-control practices. Irregular meal patterns were reported by approximately 62% of participants, while 47% had engaged in at least one weight-loss diet. Discrepancies between self-reported BMI and perceived body weight were observed in roughly 38% of cases, and 83% of respondents reported at least one psychological symptom (stress, anxiety, or low mood) related to eating behaviors. A positive correlation was observed between sleep duration and perceived rest quality (r = 0.364, p < 0.001). High frequencies of caffeinated beverage consumption were also observed. Additionally, 204 participants reported no alcohol consumption, while the variety of alcoholic beverages consumed was strongly correlated with alcohol intake frequency (r = 0.734, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Dietary habits among university students are closely interconnected with body weight perception, lifestyle behaviors, and psychological well-being. These findings emphasize the need for integrative health promotion strategies that address nutrition, emotional regulation, and lifestyle balance to support mental and cognitive health during young adulthood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Factors and Emotion and Cognitive Health)

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19 pages, 1163 KB

Open AccessArticle

Addition of Prebiotic Rice Bran to Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food Modulated Changes in Body Composition Only of 6–23-Month-Old Children During Treatment for Uncomplicated Acute Malnutrition: The Solutions to Enhance Health with Alternative Treatment (SEHAT) Study

by Silvia Barbazza, Marinka van der Hoeven, Maiza Campos Ponce, Annika M. Weber, Moretta D. Fauzi, Damayanti D. Soekarjo, Elizabeth P. Ryan, Sonia Fortin and Frank T. Wieringa

Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1836; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18121836 (registering DOI) - 6 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) have been developed to treat severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children by promoting rapid weight gain, but the long-term effects have been overlooked. Incorporating prebiotic rice bran into RUTF can enhance balanced weight gain. We hypothesized that children [...] Read more.

Background: Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) have been developed to treat severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children by promoting rapid weight gain, but the long-term effects have been overlooked. Incorporating prebiotic rice bran into RUTF can enhance balanced weight gain. We hypothesized that children receiving RUTF + rice bran would exhibit increased fat-free mass (FFM) and reduced body fat percentage and abdominal adiposity. Methods: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT05319717) involving 200 children with different degrees of acute malnutrition compared the effectiveness of RUTF with or without rice bran. Children received treatment for 8 weeks, with another 8 weeks of follow-up. Anthropometry, including skinfolds, was collected every 4 weeks. Results: Compliance was similar in both groups (~21%). Children aged 6 to 23 months receiving RUTF + rice bran gained more FFM than those receiving RUTF alone (p = 0.05 at week 8). Over the 8-week treatment, the fat mass index increased in children receiving RUTF (p = 0.02), but not in those receiving RUTF + rice bran (p = 0.48), although the increase in body fat percentage was similar (p = 0.23). The ratio of abdominal to peripheral skinfolds decreased in both groups during treatment but increased during follow-up, though the difference was not statistically significant. In children aged 24 to 59 months, no significant differences in body composition were observed. The fat-free mass index increased in both groups during treatment but declined afterwards, with significant changes noted in the RUTF + rice bran group. Conclusions: The addition of rice bran to RUTF affected body composition changes during treatment only in younger children, where more lean mass was gained and fat mass gain was limited. Differences in intestinal microbiome maturity might underlie this age difference. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security: Addressing Global Malnutrition and Hunger)

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11 pages, 426 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Simplified Diet for PKU: Practices of Swedish Metabolic Dietitians

by Marika Kanthe, Camilla Widenberg Törnquist and Tom J. de Koning

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1835; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111835 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Dietary management of phenylketonuria (PKU) focuses on restricting phenylalanine (Phe) intake. The European PKU guidelines and the PKU Dietary Handbook recommend a simplified PKU diet, allowing unrestricted consumption of many low-Phe foods, called free foods. While this approach may reduce the [...] Read more.

Background: Dietary management of phenylketonuria (PKU) focuses on restricting phenylalanine (Phe) intake. The European PKU guidelines and the PKU Dietary Handbook recommend a simplified PKU diet, allowing unrestricted consumption of many low-Phe foods, called free foods. While this approach may reduce the treatment burden for patients, its implementation varies. This study investigated practices of Swedish metabolic dietitians regarding the simplified diet and the use of free foods for classical PKU (cPKU) and compared these with European recommendations. Methods: A survey was distributed to all metabolic dietitians in Sweden. The survey included questions on professional experience, the use of free foods and the classification of 135 low-protein food items as never, sometimes or always counted in cPKU. Data were summarised descriptively. Results: All 13 eligible dietitians participated. The use of free foods was recommended by 8/13 dietitians. Of foods classified as free in the PKU Handbook, about one third were commonly restricted in Swedish PKU practice. For 39% of the foods surveyed, no single response option (never, sometimes or always counted) reached >50%, indicating variation in practice. Classification of individual foods partially aligned with their Phe content, but portion size and concerns about excessive Phe intake also influenced advice. Conclusions: Significant variation exists in the dietary management of PKU in Sweden, and the simplified diet approach is not consistently implemented. Dietitians’ concerns about the safety of increased Phe intake from free foods play a central role in this. These findings highlight challenges in incorporating international guidelines into national practice and underscore the need for further research to address dietitians’ safety concerns related to the simplified diet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Special Diets in Paediatric Metabolic, Neurological and Immune-Mediated Disorders)

10 pages, 527 KB

Open AccessArticle

Short-Term Gastrointestinal Tolerance and Oxygenation Changes After a Locust Bean Gum-Containing Formula in Preterm Infants: A Retrospective Paired Cohort Study

by Murat Konak, Evrim Kılıçlı, Saime Sündüs Uygun and Havvanur Namal

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1834; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111834 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Gastrointestinal dysmotility, abdominal discomfort, and feeding-related respiratory instability are common in preterm infants. Although locust bean gum (LBG)-containing formulas are used for regurgitation, their short-term effects on gastrointestinal tolerance in neonatal intensive care settings are not well defined. We evaluated short-term [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Gastrointestinal dysmotility, abdominal discomfort, and feeding-related respiratory instability are common in preterm infants. Although locust bean gum (LBG)-containing formulas are used for regurgitation, their short-term effects on gastrointestinal tolerance in neonatal intensive care settings are not well defined. We evaluated short-term changes in gastrointestinal tolerance and oxygenation after initiation of an LBG-containing formula and explored whether postmenstrual age (PMA) modified the response. Methods: This retrospective paired cohort study included 26 infants who received an LBG-containing anti-regurgitation formula, either alone or combined with human milk. Standardized ordinal scores (0–2) for stool consistency, straining, abdominal distension, gas passage, abdominal tenderness, mean oxygen saturation (SpO₂) category, and desaturation frequency were recorded at baseline (Day 0), Day 3, and Day 7. Paired comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and PMA-stratified differences were explored using Kruskal–Wallis analysis. Results: By Day 7, soft/normal stools were observed in 96.2% of infants (p = 0.00017), severe straining resolved in 87.5% (p = 1.6 × 10⁻⁵), abdominal distension improved in 96.2% (p = 2.4 × 10⁻⁶), and gas passage normalized in all infants (p = 0.00025). Mean SpO₂ category improved significantly (p = 0.0023), and the proportion of infants with rare or no desaturation increased from 61.5% to 96.2%. Growth velocity remained clinically acceptable. Infants with PMA < 34 weeks showed the largest improvements across outcomes. Conclusions: In this retrospective paired cohort, initiation of an LBG-containing formula was associated with short-term improvement in gastrointestinal tolerance and oxygenation indices in preterm infants. Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested possible heterogeneity of response across postmenstrual age strata; these observations require confirmation in adequately powered prospective studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in Health and Disease)

19 pages, 1166 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Behaviours and Association with Nutritional Status Among Malaysian School-Based Adolescents: Findings from Adolescent Health Survey 2022

by Lay Kim Tan, Guey Yong Chong, Shi Hui Cheng, Sumarni Mohd Ghazali and Chee Cheong Kee

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1833; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111833 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background/objective: This study determined the prevalence of dietary behaviours and examined their relationship with nutritional status among Malaysian school-based adolescents. Methods: Data from 33,523 adolescents who participated in the Adolescent Health Survey (AHS 2022) were analysed. Multiple logistic regression was employed to assess [...] Read more.

Background/objective: This study determined the prevalence of dietary behaviours and examined their relationship with nutritional status among Malaysian school-based adolescents. Methods: Data from 33,523 adolescents who participated in the Adolescent Health Survey (AHS 2022) were analysed. Multiple logistic regression was employed to assess associations between dietary behaviours and nutritional status, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Our findings demonstrated a double burden of malnutrition, with 6.8% stunting, 8.3% thinness, and 30.5% overweight/obese. High prevalence of inadequate daily intake of fruit and vegetables (FV) (83.9%) and insufficient daily dairy consumption (62.7%) was observed. Approximately one-third of adolescents reported frequent fast-food consumption (i.e., at least one day per week) (35.4%) and daily intake of carbonated soft drinks (32.4%). Daily carbonated soft drink consumption was associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity (aOR:1.11; 95% CI:1.04–1.20), highlighting the need to prioritise the public health strategies aimed at reducing sugar intake. Conversely, inadequate FV intake (aOR:0.88; 95% CI:0.81–0.95) and frequent fast-food consumption (aOR:0.87; 95% CI:0.82–0.94) were associated with lower odds of overweight/obesity, while insufficient daily dairy intake was associated with lower odds of thinness (aOR:0.83; 95% CI:0.73–0.94). These negative associations should be interpreted cautiously due to possible reverse causality and reporting bias. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of strengthening nutrition education and the food environment among Malaysian adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet, Health, and Society: Advances in Nutritional Epidemiology for Public Health)

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20 pages, 3811 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Exploratory Study on Beneficial Effect of BE-FD-1 (Mineral-Enriched Raphanus sativus L. Leaf Extract) in High-Fat-Diet- and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

by Sung Jin Kim, Kyeong-No Yoon, Daewon Hwang, Jung Eun Park, Gabsik Yang, You Jeong Moon, Hyun Won Kim, Jeong Eun Jang, Ki Hyun Kim, Minjung Park and Ki Sung Kang

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1832; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111832 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, and systemic complications. Methods: In this preliminary study, the metabolic effects of BE-FD-1, a water extract of Raphanus sativus L. leaves cultivated under a mineral-fortification protocol, [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, and systemic complications. Methods: In this preliminary study, the metabolic effects of BE-FD-1, a water extract of Raphanus sativus L. leaves cultivated under a mineral-fortification protocol, were investigated in a high-fat-diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced diabetic mouse model. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of vanadium, chromium, magnesium, zinc, and calcium in radish leaf. Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 5/group) were orally administered BE-FD-1 at 250 or 500 mg/kg once daily for four weeks, with metformin (250 mg/kg) as a positive reference. Results: BE-FD-1 at 500 mg/kg significantly reduced the oral glucose tolerance test area under the curve and fasting blood glucose levels, significantly restored serum insulin levels, and significantly decreased serum ALT, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels relative to the HFD/STZ control group. Body weight gain and AST showed non-significant decreasing tendencies. Serum creatinine remained within the normal range, providing a preliminary safety signal that should be interpreted with caution given the absence of additional renal biomarkers and histopathological evaluation. Conclusions: These exploratory findings suggest that BE-FD-1 may warrant further investigation as a candidate functional ingredient for T2DM-related metabolic dysfunction; however, larger studies with comprehensive phytochemical characterization, mechanistic validation, and broader safety evaluation are required. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanicals and Nutritional Approaches in Metabolic Disorders)

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19 pages, 4436 KB

Open AccessArticle

Curcumin Induces Pyroptosis-Associated Molecular Changes in Osteosarcoma Cells Correlating with the ROS/NLRP3/CASPASE-1/GSDMD Axis with Concomitant PI3K/AKT Suppression and Apoptosis Activation

by Keqing Yuan, Xingyu Zhao, Jiayi Guo, Yue Lu, Yufei Cui, Wei Zhang and Wenhe Zhu

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1831; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111831 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound derived from turmeric, exhibits broad-spectrum anticancer activities, but its ability to induce pyroptosis in osteosarcoma remains unknown. Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, and novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to [...] Read more.

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound derived from turmeric, exhibits broad-spectrum anticancer activities, but its ability to induce pyroptosis in osteosarcoma remains unknown. Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, and novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to overcome osteosarcoma chemoresistance. Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether curcumin induces pyroptosis-associated molecular changes in human osteosarcoma cells and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, focusing on the ROS/NLRP3/CASPASE-1/GSDMD axis and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Methods: Human osteosarcoma U2OS and MG63 cells were treated with curcumin (20–40 μmol·L⁻¹ for 24 h). Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay. Pyroptotic morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was measured colorimetrically, and IL-1β/IL-18 secretion was quantified by ELISA. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were analyzed by flow cytometry. Protein expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved CASPASE-1, GSDMD-N, PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved CASPASE-3 were detected by Western blotting. Pharmacological validation was performed using the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Results: Curcumin significantly inhibited the proliferation of U2OS and MG63 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Scanning electron microscopy revealed characteristic pyroptotic features including cell swelling, membrane pore formation, and rupture. Curcumin treatment markedly increased LDH release and elevated IL-1β/IL-18 secretion. Mechanistically, curcumin induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and ROS accumulation, upregulated NLRP3, cleaved CASPASE-1, and GSDMD-N expression, and concomitantly reduced PI3K/AKT pathway activity. Additionally, curcumin upregulated pro-apoptotic Bax, downregulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and activated cleaved CASPASE-3. The pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK partially reversed curcumin-induced cytotoxicity, confirming that caspase-dependent apoptosis contributes to the overall anticancer effect. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that curcumin induces both apoptosis and pyroptosis-associated molecular changes in human osteosarcoma cells. The pyroptotic effect involves the ROS/NLRP3/CASPASE-1/GSDMD axis, accompanied by PI3K/AKT suppression, while caspase-dependent apoptosis also plays an important role. These findings uncover a previously unreported mechanism of curcumin’s anti-osteosarcoma activity and suggest that targeting multiple cell death pathways may represent a promising strategy to overcome apoptosis resistance in osteosarcoma. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Botanicals and Nutritional Approaches in Metabolic Disorders)

15 pages, 774 KB

Open AccessReview

Emotional Eating Under Negative Affect: A Narrative Review from the Perspectives of Emotion Regulation and Reward Processes in Food Choice

by Siwen Fu, Jie Chen and Xiaochun Wang

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1830; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111830 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Emotional eating under negative affect refers to eating responses that occur in brief unpleasant emotional states and are not explained by hunger alone. This narrative review synthesizes representative evidence from experimental, ecological, and neurocognitive studies on emotional eating under negative affect, with emphasis [...] Read more.

Emotional eating under negative affect refers to eating responses that occur in brief unpleasant emotional states and are not explained by hunger alone. This narrative review synthesizes representative evidence from experimental, ecological, and neurocognitive studies on emotional eating under negative affect, with emphasis on two interrelated pathways. (1) Emotion regulation: emotional eating may function as a rapid and accessible regulatory strategy through which food, especially highly palatable food, is used to attenuate negative affect. The immediate soothing effects of eating may reinforce later motivation and habitual responses to regulate emotions through food, whereas more adaptive strategies, such as cognitive reappraisal, may reduce the likelihood and intensity of emotion-related eating. (2) Reward processing and biased decision making: negative affect and affective stress contexts may diminish cognitive control and bias food choice toward immediate rewards. This pathway is reflected in increased attentional bias to food cues, stronger weighting of taste and palatability during value weighing, heightened responsivity to highly rewarding foods, and reduced regulatory influence of health and nutrition attributes. These processes may shift food choice toward energy-dense, nutrient-poor, and ultra-processed foods. The nutritional manifestations of emotional eating are not limited to total intake. Changes in intake quantity are heterogeneous, whereas changes in food choice, diet quality, degree of processing, and eating patterns appear more consistent. Repeated emotional eating may therefore contribute to less stable eating patterns and potential nutritional implications, although links with long-term physiological outcomes remain indirect. Future longitudinal and ecological momentary assessment studies are needed to clarify when emotional eating becomes a stable dietary pattern and which individual or contextual factors increase vulnerability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Relationship Between Dietary Behavior, Food Perception and Psychological State)

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15 pages, 2694 KB

Open AccessArticle

Obesity Triggers Dysregulation of Essential ABC Transporters in Rat Testis and Sperm

by Péter Szatmári, Kata Kira Kemény, Adrienn Seres-Bokor and Eszter Ducza

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1829; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111829 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Objectives: Obesity and the associated metabolic dysfunction influence fertility performance at molecular levels and ABC transporters are considered as potential molecular factors affecting fertility both in the testis and sperm; therefore, we aimed to examine the effect of a short-term diet-induced obesity on [...] Read more.

Objectives: Obesity and the associated metabolic dysfunction influence fertility performance at molecular levels and ABC transporters are considered as potential molecular factors affecting fertility both in the testis and sperm; therefore, we aimed to examine the effect of a short-term diet-induced obesity on testicular and spermatic ABC transporters in a rat model focusing on the expressions of P-glycoprotein (P-gp, Abcb1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, Abcg2). The testicular androgen state involving aromatase enzyme (Cyp19a1), androgen receptor (Ar), and testosterone levels were also evaluated. Methods: Obesity was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by feeding a high-fat, high-sugar diet (HFHSD) for 10 weeks, and metabolic status was evaluated using a glucose tolerance test. The weight and size of reproductive organs were measured, and Abcb1a/1b, Abcg2, Cyp19a1, and Ar expression in testes or sperm was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. At the same time, testosterone levels were measured by ELISA. Results: HFHSD successfully induced higher weight gain with glucose intolerance and reduced reproductive organ size. In obese rats, testicular Abcb1a and Abcb1b mRNA and P-gp protein expression were significantly higher, whereas testicular Abcg2 mRNA levels decreased. Spermatic Abcb1a, Abcb1b and Abcg2 mRNA expression also reduced in obesity. Neither testicular testosterone concentration nor Cyp19a1 and Ar mRNA expression levels changed after the 10-week obesogenic diet compared with controls. Conclusions: Overall, our study revealed infertility-related ABC transporter changes in obese male rats, suggesting that these alterations may predispose obese males to fertility impairments, even before the obesity-induced androgen dysregulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle on Reproductive Health—2nd Edition)

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18 pages, 2100 KB

Open AccessReview

Impact of Vitamin D Concentration on Postoperative Outcomes and Complications Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Scoping Review of the Literature

by Daniel Jaglarz, Tomasz Strzemecki, Rafał Pankowski, Nina Janowska, Piotr Sypień, Ewa Tramś, Rafał Kamiński and Dariusz Grzelecki

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1828; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111828 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Despite its beneficial effect on the healing of bone fractures and in the treatment of osteoporosis, there is still a lack of evidence on the impact of clinical outcomes after a total joint arthroplasty (TJA). This review aims to establish the role [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Despite its beneficial effect on the healing of bone fractures and in the treatment of osteoporosis, there is still a lack of evidence on the impact of clinical outcomes after a total joint arthroplasty (TJA). This review aims to establish the role of vitamin D in clinical outcomes after a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: In this review, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were cross-checked by two reviewers independently. The inclusion criteria were original human studies published in English from 2014 to 2024. For identification-relevant studies, the search terms used were as follows: “Vitamin D” and “total knee arthroplasty” or “total knee replacement” or “total joint arthroplasty” or “total joint replacement”. Case reports, letters and expert consensuses were excluded from the analysis. Finally, 19 studies were included in this review. Results: A literature review shows that vitamin D may have an impact on patients treated for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee with a significant prevalence of hypovitaminosis in orthopedic patients. The influence was observed for periprosthetic joint infections: PJI patients have significantly lower vitamin D levels than primary ones. Also, a greater incidence of revision knee surgery due to PJIs in the deficient group compared to the non-deficient group at a one-year follow-up was found, of up to a 2-fold increase. This affects the clinical outcome with a lower Knee Society Score (KSS) functional score in the vitamin D-deficient group. Conclusions: The current data suggest that the vitamin D metabolism pathway and its implications in orthopedic patients, especially those treated with TKA surgery, may be a significant factor that improves clinical and functional outcomes. A possible relation between a low preoperative concentration of vitamin D and its impact on the outcomes, such as the length of the hospital stay, implant survival, and risk of complications, is needed to support these findings in multicenter, prospective studies and randomized controlled trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin D Status and 25(OH)D Thresholds: From Musculoskeletal to Systemic and Beyond)

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17 pages, 2674 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nutritional and Metabolic Health Profiling in a Large Clinic-Based Sample of Mexican Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Marco Antonio Luna-Ruiz-Esparza, Abraham García-Gil, Efren Encinas-Torres, Humberto Gómez-Campaña, Arely Sarahi Ramos-González, Diana Yadira Calva-Espinoza, Gerardo Benitez-Iturrios, Luis Fernando Hernández-Lezama, Abraham Campos-Romero and Jonathan Alcántar-Fernández

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1827; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111827 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial condition characterized by excessive adipose tissue that adversely affects health and continues to rise worldwide. It is strongly associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of adverse outcomes, including type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial condition characterized by excessive adipose tissue that adversely affects health and continues to rise worldwide. It is strongly associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of adverse outcomes, including type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, clinic-based cross-sectional analysis of electronic health records from 200,022 adults aged ≥20 years, who accessed nutritional and clinical laboratory services at Salud Digna between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2025. Nutritional status was classified as normal weight or overweight/obesity using body mass index criteria. Metabolic health was assessed using five components of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Individuals were defined as metabolically unhealthy if they met three or more metabolic syndrome criteria. Results: Among participants, 78.17% of males and 79.73% of females were classified as overweight or obese. Metabolic unhealthiness was observed in 50.74% of males and 55.42% of females. The prevalences of metabolically healthy normal weight, metabolically healthy overweight/obesity, metabolically unhealthy normal weight, and metabolically unhealthy overweight/obesity were 18.55%, 31.09%, 3.90%, and 44.20%, respectively. Conclusions: These findings highlight a high burden of overweight/obesity and metabolic abnormalities in a large clinic-based sample of Mexican adults. While not nationally representative, this study provides important insights into the distribution of nutritional and metabolic health profiles in individuals accessing healthcare services, supporting the need for targeted prevention, early detection, and management strategies in clinical settings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Public Health)

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25 pages, 6816 KB

Open AccessReview

The Nutri-Exposome Intelligence Framework: Integrating Multi-Omics, Machine Learning, and Digital Nutrition for Precision Chronic Disease Prevention

by Mia Yang Ang and Siew Woh Choo

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1826; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111826 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Precision nutrition is moving beyond population-based guidance and isolated gene–diet interactions toward integrative models of dietary response. However, current approaches remain fragmented across nutrigenomics, microbiome research, multi-omics profiling, digital health, and machine learning. This review proposes the Nutri-Exposome Intelligence Framework as a [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Precision nutrition is moving beyond population-based guidance and isolated gene–diet interactions toward integrative models of dietary response. However, current approaches remain fragmented across nutrigenomics, microbiome research, multi-omics profiling, digital health, and machine learning. This review proposes the Nutri-Exposome Intelligence Framework as a conceptual, data science-driven model for integrating cumulative dietary, environmental, microbial, molecular, clinical, and digital exposures for precision chronic disease prevention. Methods: This conceptual review synthesizes the literature on precision nutrition, nutrigenetics, nutrigenomics, exposomics, gut microbiome research, multi-omics integration, wearable and biomarker-based monitoring, and machine learning in nutrition studies. Evidence was organized into a framework linking exposure assessment, host susceptibility, microbiome-mediated biotransformation, molecular response profiling, computational modelling, personalized intervention, and longitudinal feedback. Results: The proposed framework consists of seven interconnected layers: diet, environment, and lifestyle exposures; host genome and microbiome; multi-omics molecular responses; machine learning-based integration; risk prediction and responder stratification; personalized dietary intervention; and wearable and biomarker-based feedback. It positions the nutri-exposome as a cumulative exposure–response system and highlights how machine learning can support data harmonization, feature engineering, predictive modelling, responder classification, explainable interpretation, and adaptive refinement of dietary recommendations. Key applications include obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic syndrome, and broader cardiometabolic prevention. Conclusions: Nutri-exposome intelligence offers a structured pathway for transforming complex nutrition data into predictive, explainable, and adaptive precision nutrition strategies. Implementation will require longitudinal and multi-ethnic cohorts, standardized metadata, causal validation, interpretable machine learning, ethical governance, and equitable access to support responsible clinical and public health translation globally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Data Science and Machine Learning for Nutrition Studies)

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14 pages, 1329 KB

Open AccessArticle

1,5-Anhydro-D-Mannitol Is a Potentially Low-Energy Carbohydrate: A Dual-Model Approach in Rats and a Randomized, Three-Way Crossover Trial in Humans

by Kenichi Tanabe, Ikuma Tanaka, Hiromi Hayashi, Kazuhiro Yoshinaga and Sadako Nakamura

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1825; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111825 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: We hypothesized that orally ingested 1,5-anhydro-D-mannitol (AM) would be absorbed from the gut but poorly metabolized, and it may have low fermentability by gut microbiota based on the breath hydrogen test. Methods: We used a dual-model approach in this study. In animal [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: We hypothesized that orally ingested 1,5-anhydro-D-mannitol (AM) would be absorbed from the gut but poorly metabolized, and it may have low fermentability by gut microbiota based on the breath hydrogen test. Methods: We used a dual-model approach in this study. In animal experiments, AM was administered orally to male Wistar rats. In a randomized, three-way crossover trial (UMIN000054040), 15 healthy young adults consumed a single 5 g dose of AM, mannose, or fructooligosaccharide (FOS). Primary outcome was breath hydrogen concentrations; secondary outcomes included plasma AM, blood glucose concentration, and urinary AM excretion. Results: After ingestion of 5 g AM in humans, the 14 h area under the curve for breath hydrogen excretion was markedly lower after AM than that after FOS ingestion (p < 0.05). Plasma AM peaked at 1 h, whereas blood glucose remained unchanged from baseline. Approximately 30% of ingested AM was excreted unchanged in urine within 24 h. Results of animal experiments were similar to those in humans. Fecal excretion in AM was confirmed to be minimal, accounting for ~1% of the administered dose within 24 h in rats. Conclusions: These findings indicate that AM is potentially a low-energy carbohydrate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Metabolism)

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13 pages, 1181 KB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship Between Sleep and Meal Timing with Glycemia Parameters in Individuals with Obesity Participating in a Randomized Time-Restricted Eating Study

by Sirimon Reutrakul, Stacey L. Simon, Qi Wang, Emily N. C. Manoogian, Satchindananda Panda, Suryeon Ryu, Zan Gao, Caleb Griffiths, Erika Helgeson, Douglas G. Mashek, Niki Oldenburg and Lisa Senye Chow

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1824; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111824 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Circadian misalignment, including mistimed sleep or eating, is associated with altered glucose metabolism. The importance of eating window timing for time-restricted eating (TRE) is increasingly recognized. This secondary analysis examined associations between meal to sleep timing intervals and glycemic parameters in individuals [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Circadian misalignment, including mistimed sleep or eating, is associated with altered glucose metabolism. The importance of eating window timing for time-restricted eating (TRE) is increasingly recognized. This secondary analysis examined associations between meal to sleep timing intervals and glycemic parameters in individuals with obesity across three dietary interventions [TRE, CR: caloric restriction, and UE: unrestricted eating]. Methods: Participants aged 18–65 years with obesity were randomized to a 12-week intervention: TRE (8 h eating window), CR (15% reduction in daily caloric intake), or UE (usual eating habits). CGM and actigraphy were assessed over two weeks at baseline and end-intervention. Mixed effects models examined associations between continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) outcomes and two intervals: last meal to sleep onset (PM meal-Sleep) and awakening to first meal (Awake-AM meal). Results: Each hour increase in the Awake-AM meal interval was associated with lower overnight (1 AM–5 AM) average glucose, lower glycemic variability, lower %time > 180 mg/dL, and greater %time < 70 mg/dL. Each hour increase in the PM meal-Sleep interval was associated with lower overnight (1 AM–5 AM) average glucose. Both associations persisted after adjustment for baseline sleep duration, HbA1c, and randomization assignment. Conclusions: In individuals with obesity, morning (Awake-AM meal interval) and evening (PM meal-Sleep interval) fasting relative to sleep were differentially associated with glycemic control. These findings highlight the relevance of eating and sleep timing to glycemic parameters and may inform eating window selection for individuals practicing TRE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Time-Restricted Eating, Circadian Rhythms, and Cardiometabolic Risk)

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13 pages, 670 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Continuous vs. Intermittent Caloric Restriction on Fat Loss: A Randomized Controlled Trial

by Kelly E. Johnson, Briana Curran, Sydney Roberson, Haley Corso, Emily Hoelscher, Bill I. Campbell, Kamryn Rabon, Amelia Lovering and Madison Albert

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1823; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111823 (registering DOI) - 5 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Obesity remains difficult to treat effectively, not because weight loss cannot be achieved, but because it is difficult to sustain in the face of physiological adaptations to energy restriction, including reductions in resting metabolic rate and loss of fat-free mass. Dietary [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Obesity remains difficult to treat effectively, not because weight loss cannot be achieved, but because it is difficult to sustain in the face of physiological adaptations to energy restriction, including reductions in resting metabolic rate and loss of fat-free mass. Dietary strategies that preserve favorable body composition while supporting long-term adherence are therefore needed. The purpose of this study was to compare continuous caloric restriction (CCR) with an intermittent approach incorporating structured diet refeeds and planned diet breaks (DRF) on body composition outcomes in adult women with obesity. Methods: Thirty adult females (18–65 years; BMI 30–45 kg·m⁻²) were randomized to 12 weeks of CCR or DRF following a two-week maintenance phase used to determine individualized caloric needs. Both groups were prescribed a 25% caloric deficit and protein intake of 1.2 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹. Body composition, including body fat percentage, fat mass, and fat-free mass, was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography at baseline and post-intervention. Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of time for body fat percentage (p < 0.001), which decreased by 6.7 ± 2.1% in the CCR group and 6.0 ± 1.9% in the DRF group, with no significant group × time interaction (p > 0.05). Fat mass significantly declined in both groups (p < 0.001), with reductions of 9.30 ± 2.77 kg (CCR) and 9.21 ± 2.63 kg (DRF); between-group differences were negligible (p > 0.05; Cohen’s d = 0.03). Fat-free mass increased over time (p < 0.05); although the interaction was not significant (p = 0.08), the DRF group demonstrated a moderate effect size advantage. Despite similar changes in body composition, analysis of energy balance revealed a significantly greater daily energy deficit in the CCR group compared with DRF (−1005 ± 515 vs. −690 ± 120 kcal/day, p = 0.041), indicating a higher achieved level of caloric restriction in CCR. Conclusions: Both dietary strategies effectively reduced fat mass in females with obesity; however, incorporating diet breaks was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward greater preservation or accrual of fat-free mass without compromising fat loss. Future studies should investigate this potential association in larger, adequately powered trials before any conclusions regarding metabolic adaptation or practical advantage can be drawn. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary and Lifestyle Intervention on Body Mass Index and Overall Health)

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