Search Results (246)

Background/Introduction: Psychological inflexibility, which includes experiential avoidance, is a transdiagnostic process associated with multiple mental health issues in adolescence. Physical fitness (PF) has shown benefits for mental well-being, yet its specific relationship with psychological inflexibility remains understudied, particularly among youth. Objectives: To examine the association between components of PF and psychological inflexibility, measured by the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), in a representative sample of Spanish adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from 631 adolescents (aged 12–17) participating in the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) study. PF was assessed by the Assessing the Levels of PHysical Activity and Fitness (ALPHA-Fit) Test Battery (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, agility, and flexibility). Psychological inflexibility was measured using the AAQ-II. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to evaluate associations, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, socioeconomic status, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep duration, and energy intake. Results: Unadjusted analyses showed weak but significant associations between psychological inflexibility and performance in the 20 m shuttle run test (p = 0.002), the 4 × 10 shuttle run test (p = 0.005), and the sit-and-reach test (p < 0.001). However, after adjusting for covariates, none of the PF components maintained a statistically significant association with the AAQ-II scores. Conclusions: In this adolescent sample, PF components were not independently associated with psychological inflexibility after adjustment for key confounders. These findings suggest that, while PF may contribute to general well-being, it is not a primary determinant of psychological inflexibility. Further longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms linking physical and psychological health in youth. Full article

Background: Artificial non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs), such as sucralose, have been associated with gut microbiota (GM) alterations. However, the impact of rebaudioside A (reb A), a natural NNS, on GM has received limited scrutiny. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the response of GM composition to sucralose and reb A in rats under two dietary conditions. Methods: Male Wistar rats (150–200 g) fed with a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD) were randomly assigned to receive sucralose (SCL), reb A (REB), glucose (GLU, control), or sucrose (SUC). The NNS interventions were administered in water at doses equivalent to the acceptable daily intake (ADI). After eight weeks, the GM composition in fecal samples was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results: The NNSs did not modify the diversity, structure, phylum-level composition, or Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio of the GM in rats under ND or HFD. However, REB with HFD decreased Bacilli and increased Faecalibacterium abundance at the class level. SCL and REB in rats receiving ND reduced the genera Romboutsia and Lactobacillus. Conclusions: Our study suggests that when sucralose or reb A is consumed at recommended doses, there is no alteration in the diversity or the composition of the GM at the phylum level. The clinical relevance of these findings lies in the potential modifications of the GM at specific taxonomic levels by the consumption of these NNSs. Further research involving humans and including a broader range of microbial analyses is warranted. Full article

This study investigated pesticide residues in 580 vegetable samples collected from markets in Serbia, encompassing potatoes, carrots, celery, radishes, horseradish, ginger, onions, and leeks. In total, 33 distinct pesticides were detected using validated HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analytical methods. Multiple residues were identified in 19 samples, while 29 samples exceeded established maximum residue levels (MRLs). Acute and chronic dietary risks were assessed for both adults and children. Although individual hazard quotients (HQs) for adults and children remained below the threshold of concern (HQ < 1), the cumulative acute risk reached up to 63.1% of the Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) for children and 51.1% ARfD for adults, with ginger and celery posing the highest risks. Similarly, cumulative chronic risks remained below the safety threshold, with the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) percentages reaching a maximum of 5.9% ADI for adults and increased vulnerability of 11.0% ADI among children. Monte Carlo simulations were applied to account for variability and uncertainty in chronic exposure estimates. The hazard index (HI) results showed that adverse health effects for both population groups remained within acceptable safety limits (HI < 1), although higher susceptibility was observed in children. Sensitivity analysis identified body weight and vegetable consumption rates as the most influential factors affecting chronic risk variability. Full article

The garden Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus L.) is increasingly consumed worldwide due to its culinary appeal and perceived health benefits. However, the chemical markers underlying its functional properties remain insufficiently characterized. Building on evidence from a recent human pilot study confirming both high acceptability and dietary safety, we conducted a comprehensive volatilomic and phytochemical analysis of T. majus flowers and their juice. Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) was employed to establish the volatilomic fingerprint of floral tissues and juice. Our analysis revealed a striking dominance of benzyl isothiocyanate and benzonitrile, which together accounted for 88% of the total volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) in the juice, 67% and 21%, respectively. In the floral tissues, benzyl isothiocyanate was even more prevalent, representing 95% of the total volatile profile. Complementary in vitro assays confirmed a substantial total phenolic content and strong antioxidant activity in the flowers. These findings provide a robust chemical rationale for the potential health-promoting attributes of T. majus, while identifying key volatilomic markers that could support future functional and safety claims. In parallel, a benefit–risk assessment framework is discussed in accordance with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines for the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) of edible flowers. Given that both benzyl isothiocyanate and benzonitrile are classified as Cramer Class III substances, a conservative intake threshold of 1.5 μg/kg body weight per day is proposed. To enable quantitative exposure modeling and support the derivation of a tolerable daily intake (TDI), future studies should integrate organic solvent-based extraction methodologies to estimate the total volatile load per gram of floral biomass. This would align risk–benefit assessments with the EFSA’s evolving framework for novel foods and functional ingredients. Full article

Glyphosate (GLYP) is an effective and low-cost broad-spectrum herbicide. However, this herbicide and its primary degradation product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), have been linked with adverse human health effects. The global use of glyphosate has significantly increased in recent years, resulting in more direct and indirect human exposure. In this context, GLYP and AMPA are often detected in fresh and processed foods for adults and infants, as well as in drinking water worldwide. Diverse extraction and quantification methods for GLYP and AMPA from foods have been developed. Solid-phase extraction and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) are the most frequently employed cleanup strategies, while LC-MS/MS is one of the most sensitive and selective techniques for detecting GLYP and AMPA in food products. Although most studies show that GLYP and AMPA concentrations in foods remain within established maximum residue limits, occasionally they exceed legal limits. Thus, the widespread presence of GLYP and AMPA in foodstuffs is a public concern that may lead to consumers exceeding the acceptable daily intake due to prolonged dietary exposure, even if levels remain within thresholds. Therefore, this review explores the different approaches and techniques used in the extraction, detection, and quantification of GLYP and AMPA in foods. Full article

Evaluating the bioaccessibility and health risks of seafood is extremely important because, although it is a significant source of vital minerals, it may also contain potentially toxic elements. This study aimed to determine the content of metals and minerals in different seafood species before and after thermal processing. Also, given the risk of overestimating the actual final concentration available in the body, a study was carried out to determine the bioaccessibility of these elements by simulating the digestion process in the gastrointestinal tract. Assessment of the potential toxic effects on consumer health in terms of exposure to heavy metals was carried out through risk analysis by Estimated Daily Intake, Hazard Index, and Cancer Risk parameters. Three bivalve mollusks, one gastropod mollusk, four cephalopod mollusks, and one crustacean species were analyzed in terms of minerals (P, S, K, Ca, and Se) and heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Fe, Zn, Co, Mn, and As) content. The lead (Pb) concentration recorded the strongest bioaccessibility increase, even reaching 100% in P. vannamei. Generally, the bioaccessibility of all metalloids dropped below 100%, which suggests that only a part of the amount of metal in the initially ingested sample can be absorbed by the human organism. Potassium and sulfur registered the greatest value, up to 23% for minerals’ bioaccessibility in the same samples. The highest intake rate of metals occurred after the consumption of M. gigas, which registered the highest Estimated Daily Intake for Cr (chromium) (0.321 mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹), Cu (copper) (10.15 mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹), and Zn (zinc) (12.67 mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹). The Hazard Index values indicated no significant risk of poisoning. All calculated Cancer Risk scores remained below the acceptable threshold. Moreover, the Pearson coefficient revealed a positive correlation between the Hazard Index and the most abundant elements in the samples, Cr, Zn, and Cu. This study could provide a framework for evaluating both the nutritional benefits and toxicological concerns of seafood intake in public health applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dietary habits of older Korean adults according to their level of plant protein intake. Methods: To conduct this study, the daily plant protein intake of 4254 older adults aged 65 years and older who participated in the dietary survey (24-h recall method) of the 2016~2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) was divided into quintiles. And the association among plant protein quintiles and general characteristics, health-related behaviors, dietary habits, nutrient intakes, and Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) was examined. Results: For the energy contribution of protein, more than 90% of all groups from Q1 through Q5 were in the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR, 7–20%) for protein. In the case of food security, the proportion tended to increase by about 11 percentage points from Q1 (43.4%) to Q5 (54.4%) according to plant protein quintiles, and while food insecurity was above 50% from Q1 to Q3, the percentage tended to decrease as the plant protein quintile increased from Q4 (48.3%) to Q5 (45.3%). Overall, the low plant protein intake group, especially the Q1 to Q3 group, was found to have an inadequate intake of nutrients, including total protein, compared to the recommended intake. In addition, among the components of the KHEI score, the score for the item “consumption of multigrain rice” was found to be very low. Conclusions: Based on these findings, dietary education or guidelines are needed to increase individual awareness, as well as the development of dietary content at government level to support this. Full article

Introduction: People with disabilities are characterized by suboptimal health and lower self-rating health. Their need for health care is greater, they often have a higher prevalence of health problems and they have more difficulty accessing health care. The aim of this study was to assess the health behaviors and health indicators of 12–18-year-old young people with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, and to explore their school-related perceptions in the Northern Great Plain region of Hungary. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with the participation of 185 young people. A custom questionnaire was used, based on the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, assessing eating habits, oral care, physical activity, mental well-being, and self-reported health status. The sample was categorized into three groups: the ID1 (Intellectual Disability level 1) group, encompassing young individuals with mild intellectual disability; the ID2 group, encompassing young people with moderate intellectual disability; and the ID+ASD group, encompassing young individuals affected by both intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Results: Consumption of various food types was below optimal levels. Low intake of fruits and vegetables was common, with only 21.6% of the respondents consuming fruit daily and 23.8% consuming vegetables daily. ID1 group reported significantly higher rates of nervousness several times a week (17.8% vs. 5.6% and 6.9%, p < 0.001), sleep difficulties (28.8% vs. 7.4% and 15.5%, p = 0.032), and dizziness (9.6% vs. 1.9% and 3.4%, p = 0.022) compared to the other two groups. A third school-related factor, related to negative emotions, showed a near-significant difference (p = 0.064), suggesting that students with both autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability perceive lower levels of acceptance from teachers. On school-free days, computer usage was significantly highest in the ID+ASD group; 50% of them used a computer for at least 4 h per day. Conclusions: To improve mental well-being among affected children, psychological support and the implementation of mental health programs are recommended. In addition to teaching stress management techniques and coping mechanisms, integrating relaxation techniques into comprehensive developmental programs—both individually and in groups—is advised. For teachers, it is recommended to acquire disability-specific communication strategies. Full article

The presence of pesticide residues in wine raises concerns about consumer health and regulatory compliance. This study evaluates the behaviour of seven pesticides (boscalid, penconazole, tebufenozide, kresoxim-methyl, trifloxystrobin, chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin) during key stages of vinification, including clarification, fermentation, and racking, using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Penconazole, kresoxim-methyl and trifloxystrobin were not detected at the beginning of the vinification stage. Boscalid, chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyalothrin showed a reduction of 100% whit, a concentration below the limit of quantification at the end of the vinification stage. However, tebufenozide showed the lower elimination rate (88.1%), presenting a concentration at the end of the vinification process of 21.71 µg/kg. Experimental data confirm that pesticide concentrations progressively decline due to a combination of physicochemical transformations, adsorption onto solids, and biochemical processes. The clarification and racking stages are particularly important for reducing residues, primarily by removing suspended solids that adsorb pesticides. Fermentation also contributes to this reduction through microbial metabolism and enzymatic hydrolysis. The effectiveness of these stages depends on the pesticide’s solubility, chemical stability, and interactions with components in the wine matrix. Additionally, a risk assessment based on Acceptable Daily Intake and Estimated Daily Intake was performed to evaluate potential consumer exposure, showing lower risk for all pesticides studied. The findings emphasise the importance of optimising clarification and racking procedures, selecting effective fining agents, and refining filtration techniques to further enhance pesticide removal. Full article

In our previous study, when Levilactobacillus brevis FB215, derived from blue cheese, was cultured in a water extract of Sakekasu, a byproduct of brewing Japanese rice wine, putrescine, a polyamine that has been reported to have health-promoting effects, accumulated. However, the culture supernatant exhibited an undesirable taste. A metabolome analysis revealed that the major metabolites that were increased by the fermentation of Sakekasu extract were lactate, citrulline, and putrescine. Sakekasu extract fermented by FB215 and cultured at 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 37 °C contained lactate at concentrations of 35, 49, 58, and 59 mM, respectively, while the putrescine concentrations were approximately 1 mM at all culturing temperatures. Furthermore, 500 mL of Sakekasu extract fermented by FB215 contained 0.02 and 2.2% of the acceptable daily intake of tyramine and histamine, respectively, which are biogenic amines that raise safety concerns regarding their use in fermented foods. Supplementation with sucrose at a final sugar concentration of 16% (w/v) significantly improved the overall palatability of the Sakekasu extract fermented by FB215 to a level statistically equivalent to that of commercially available sugar-sweetened lactic acid bacterial beverages. A daily intake of 500 mL of Sakekasu extract fermented by FB215 provided approximately 28 mg of polyamines, which is equivalent to the increase in blood polyamine concentrations reported in a previous study. Full article

Many monitoring studies have been performed to assess and manage the risk of residues in seafood contaminated with pesticides owing to various environmental factors. Although seaweed and shellfish have higher consumption rates than fish, studies on their pesticide residues are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct residue monitoring and a risk assessment of 51 pesticides in shellfish (littleneck clam and oyster) and seaweed (sea mustard, seaweed fusiforme, laver, and sea tangle) cultivated in four administrative regions of the Republic of Korea. A total of 120 samples (20 samples per species) were collected, and pesticide residues were analyzed using a modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe extraction method, followed by a GC-MS/MS analysis. The monitoring results show that oxadiazon was detected at 8–9 ng/g in only four littleneck clam samples. The estimated daily intake was calculated and compared with the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for risk assessment. The %ADI values ranged from 0.05% to 1.12% for average and extreme consumers across six different scenarios. The results of this study suggest that the detected residual levels of pesticides exert no harmful effects on people over a lifetime of consumption. Full article

In a global context marked by food insecurity and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, this study proposes a healthy food basket (HFB) model tailored to the demographic, cultural, and economic specificities of the Republic of Moldova which is aligned with international standards. The research employed a comprehensive methodology, including estimations of daily energy requirements using revised Harris–Benedict equations, food selection based on nutritional value, economic availability, and cultural relevance, and nutritional validation through the mean adequacy ratio (MAR), which was derived from nutrient adequacy ratios (NARs) and dietary reference values (DRVs) established by the EFSA. Nutrient intake calculations were based on food composition data and not population-level dietary surveys. Fat-soluble vitamins were excluded due to insufficient available data. The results indicate adequate intake levels of vitamins (B₁, B₂, B₃, and C) and minerals (iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium) while highlighting deficiencies in calcium and sodium that require dietary adjustments. The inclusion of traditional foods, such as kefir and salted or raw pork fat, underscores the model’s cultural acceptability and economic relevance, strengthening the integration of global nutritional principles with regional dietary habits. This study’s limitations, including the use of secondary data and the lack of empirical validation, highlight the need for longitudinal studies. The HFB model offers a replicable solution for other regions facing similar challenges, contributing to global efforts to reduce malnutrition and promote sustainable diets. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vegetable leftovers constitute more than half of Vietnamese school lunch waste, partly due to limited ingredient variety, which may reduce meal acceptance. Methods: This cross-over study assessed the impact of diversifying vegetable options on intake and satisfaction among 40 students at a suburban Vietnamese primary school. Five new menus were developed by redistributing a 100 g vegetable portion into smaller servings of multiple vegetable types, combining them creatively with protein-rich foods or rice while maintaining nutritional value and cost. Students alternated between current and new menus over four weeks. Sensory evaluations using a 5-point hedonic scale and food weighing were conducted daily. Results: Most students increased vegetable intake during the new menu period. Mean intake was significantly higher with new menus (81.5 g; 95%CI: 77.1–85.9) compared to current menus (71.1 g; 95%CI: 65.2–75.1) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that enhancing vegetable variety in combination can significantly improve intake and sensory characteristics without additional costs. This scalable strategy offers a practical solution for schools to foster healthier eating habits among students. Full article

Several challenges persist in China’s ginseng industry. Phoxim, chlorpyrifos, quintozene—unregistered pesticides primarily used as soil insecticides and fungicides—may pose high dietary risks. This study performed a thorough screening of potential pesticides used in Chinese ginseng cultivation, evaluated the long-term dietary risks for the ginseng-consuming group, and used the primary risk factors for ginseng in China and South Korea to compare the two nations’ pesticide usage scenarios. From 2020 to 2022, 325 pesticides and related compounds were screened in 15 major ginseng-producing counties and 3 commercial markets in Northeast China, and 39 pesticides and 3 metabolites were identified using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, including allylmorph, pyrimethanil, pyraclostrobin, and other contaminants in Northeast China. Acute and chronic dietary risk assessment was performed using 0.009 kg as the maximum daily intake and 0.005 kg as the average daily intake, with adults as the exposed population. Based on these findings and reliable toxicological data, acute and chronic dietary risk quotients for ginseng were assessed, considering dietary intake and population exposure. The results indicate that ginseng products are generally safe and manageable, with acute and long-term dietary risks remaining within acceptable limits. Full article

Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the nutritional and toxicological aspects of different forms of blueberry products (fresh blueberries, dried blueberries, supplements and herbal teas). Methods: Twelve aglycone and glycoside polyphenolic compounds, such as stilbenoids (resveratrol, astringin), flavonols (quercetin, rutin, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, kaempferol), flavanols (catechin, epicatechin), flavanone (hesperitin), flavone (luteolin), and forty chemical elements were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity were also evaluated. Results: Different distributions of polyphenolic compounds were observed in the blueberry samples, with quercetin and its derivatives, as well as catechin and epicatechin, present in all samples. High concentrations of Ca, K, Mg and P (10–5800 mg/kg) were detected, followed by Fe and Mn at levels below the allowable limits in foods (425 and 500 mg/kg, respectively). The daily intake of polyphenols was quantified, and the estimated daily intake (EDI) was calculated for sixteen elements (including As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn). Hazard quotients (HQs), hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR) were assessed for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with the EDI of these elements in food products for both adults and young consumers. For all samples, HI values were below 1, and CR values were within acceptable limits. Conclusions: The diversity in polyphenolic profiles and elemental content in blueberry-based products was highlighted by this exploratory study. These findings are valuable for understanding the health benefits and risks of blueberry products. Full article