Search Results (1,430)

Objective: In the context of an aging population, the prevention and control of cognitive impairment is a key public health priority. This study aims to investigate the association between proactive health behaviors and the risk of AD8 screening positivity in older adults in China, providing an empirical basis for developing targeted intervention strategies. Methods: Based on health behavior data from 1110 older adults in China, the chi-square test was used to analyze the differences in proactive health behaviors (such as limiting salt and alcohol intake, smoking cessation, and vaccination) between the low-risk and high-risk groups for AD8 screening. Factor analysis was used to extract the main factors of proactive health behaviors. Firth penalized logistic regression models were used to analyze the impact of the main factors and sociodemographic factors on the risk of cognitive impairment. Results: The chi-square test showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in salt restriction behavior (χ² = 18.063, p < 0.01) and vaccination (χ² = 29.674, p < 0.01), with a higher proportion of salt restriction (34.7%) and vaccination rates (80.4%) in the low-risk group. Factor analysis extracted four main factors (psychological–social support, information–behavior execution, technology–environment promotion, and addictive behavior control), with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 58.45%. Among them, psychological–social support (31.42% explained variance) and information–behavior execution (28.04%) had the strongest explanatory power. Firth penalized logistic regression showed that psychological–social support (Firth-corrected OR = 0.072, 95% CI: 0.035–0.148, p < 0.01) and information–behavior execution (Firth-corrected OR = 0.008, 95% CI: 0.003–0.021, p < 0.01) had significant protective effects on AD8 screening positivity (standardized OR values indicated that each one-standard-deviation increase in these two factors reduced screening-positive risk by 39% and 53%, respectively), and the risk increased by 21.7% for every 5-year increase in age (OR = 1.217, p = 0.001). Technology–environment promotion (OR = 0.417, 95% CI: 0.250–0.691, p = 0.001) and addictive behavior control (OR = 0.709, 95% CI: 0.490–1.026, p = 0.068) showed no significant protective effects. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the four-factor structure and core conclusions. Conclusions: Among proactive health behaviors, psychological–social support and information–behavior execution are key protective factors in reducing the risk of AD8 screening positivity in older adults, and age is an important influencing factor. Strengthening psychological support and optimizing access to health information and behavior execution can serve as core strategies for cognitive impairment prevention and control, providing empirical support for the formulation of health policies for older adults. Full article

Beverages, particularly sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), pose a significant public health concern globally. Changing eating habits among Pakistani young adults have led to higher sugary drink consumption, underscoring the need for a suitable cultural assessment tool. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 381 university students aged 18–26 years from three major cities of Pakistan. Following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, the original Beverage Intake Questionnaire (BEVQ-15) was modified by removing four items (including alcoholic beverages), adding two culturally relevant types (flavored milk and refreshing drinks), and converting measurement units to milliliters, resulting in a 13-item Beverage Intake Questionnaire-Pakistan (BEVQ-PK). Validity was assessed by comparing BEVQ-PK1 (test) with three 24 h dietary recalls. Test–retest reliability was evaluated after a 14-day interval by comparing BEVQ-PK1 (test) and BEVQ-PK2 (retest). Analyses included descriptive statistics, paired sample t-tests, Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Bland–Altman plots, and Spearman’s correlations. The BEVQ-PK (13-item) demonstrated moderate to strong validity (r = 0.2–0.8, p < 0.001) and strong reliability (r = 0.5–0.9, p < 0.001). Most beverage categories showed no significant intake differences between test and retest. Tea/coffee with milk was the most frequently consumed beverage, followed by soft drinks and green/black tea. Overall, BEVQ-PK is a valid and reliable tool for assessing SSB intake among Pakistani university students and can support future nutrition and public health research. Full article

Obesity and metabolic disorders are an increasing concern in companion animals, creating demand for herb-derived nutraceuticals and functional feeds. This study evaluated whether a water extract of Aster pekinensis (AP) ameliorates high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity and metabolic dysfunction in mice. The phytochemical profile of AP was characterized by mass spectrometry, revealing oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins and dicaffeoylquinic acids. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD and orally given AP (10–200 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks, with normal diet and untreated HFD groups as controls. AP at 50–200 mg/kg/day reduced body-weight gain, adipose tissue mass and food efficiency without lowering food intake, and improved fasting glucose and atherogenic lipid indices. AP also enhanced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, attenuated hepatic steatosis, hepatocellular ballooning, lobular inflammation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Activity Score, and decreased serum liver enzyme activities. These effects were accompanied by modulation of hepatic genes involved in lipogenesis and inflammation. Together, these findings indicate that AP extract mitigates diet-induced obesity and NAFLD-like liver injury and supports further development as a herb-derived nutraceutical or functional feed ingredient for managing obesity-related metabolic disorders in companion animals. Full article

Background: Due to variability in patterns of consumption as well as well-known difficulties in obtaining valid self-report from heavy drinkers, quantifying the effects of heavy alcohol consumption on mortality is challenging. Using a DNA methylation biomarker of chronic heavy alcohol consumption (HAC) named the alcohol T-score (ATS), we previously showed that chronic HAC was a strong predictor of mortality. However, whether there is a similar effect when measures of shorter-term heavy alcohol use, i.e., recent “binge” drinking, were used to predict mortality was not examined. This is a critical issue because most biomarkers of HAC assess only short-term HAC. Methods: Therefore, we examined the prediction of all-cause mortality from a DNA methylation biomarker of smoking (cg05575921), the ATS and a short-term biomarker of recent heavy alcohol use (cg07375256) in 708 subjects from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial using Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Modeling. Models were compared using Akaike’s Information Criterion. Results: The ATS was the best single predictor among three-variable models that included controls for sex and age. Of the possible four variable models, the model consisting of age, sex, cg05575921 methylation and ATS best predicted mortality. The addition of cg07375256 methylation did not improve model performance. In sensitivity analyses using only participants who provided alcohol SR (n = 639), the importance of the ATS and cg05575921 was replicated. We also found that ATS values were higher among those who declined to provide self-report alcohol use, indicating that missing self-report data about alcohol intake are not missing at random, and sometimes reflects elevated alcohol consumption. Finally, cg05575921 methylation was strongly associated with ATS values but only weakly with alcohol SR and not at all with cg07375256 methylation. Conclusions: Accordingly, this study indicates a strong effect of chronic HAC, but not short-term HAC, on mortality, further highlights the limitations of self-reported alcohol use in the prediction of all-cause mortality and indicates the value of assessing HAC in addition to smoking. Full article

Objective: To evaluate population-level temporal relationships between modifiable lifestyle factors and rising breast, colorectal and uterine cancer incidence rates among females under 50 years old. Methods: This retrospective ecological study utilized data from the United States Cancer Statistics (USCS) for cancer incidence, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for health-related behaviors, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for physical activity. Modifiable lifestyle factors analyzed included obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), smoking, alcohol use, fiber and saturated fat intake, caloric intake, and physical activity. Trends were assessed using average annual percent change (AAPC), and population-level correlations between cancer incidence and lifestyle factors were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: Between 2001 and 2018, 914,659 breast, 144,130 colorectal, and 124,399 uterine cancer cases were identified. The largest increases in cancer incidence occurred in age groups under 30 years old. Colorectal cancer increased by 6.9%, followed by uterine cancer at 4.8% and breast cancer at 1.7%, all p < 0.001. When examining this age group by race, colorectal cancer increased by 8.0% (p < 0.001) annually in White women aged 20–24 years, while uterine cancer rose 4.8% (p < 0.001) in Hispanic women in the 20–24 and 25–29 year age groups. Breast cancer also increased by 2.0% (p < 0.001) per year in White women 25–29 years old. Smoking rates decreased, and alcohol consumption and obesity rates increased. No significant correlation was found between cancer incidence and smoking, caloric intake, saturated fat, or physical activity. A moderate positive correlation was identified between alcohol use and cancer risk (r = 0.55–0.67, p < 0.05). Obesity prevalence showed strong population-level temporal correlation with cancer incidence for all three cancers with stratified analysis demonstrating the strongest correlations in patients with class III obesity. Conclusions: From 2001 to 2018, the incidence of breast, colorectal, and uterine cancers increased most sharply among women under 30 years of age. Over the same period, obesity prevalence in this population also increased. These population-level observations are hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in individual-level, prospective studies to determine whether and how obesity and other lifestyle factors influence early-onset cancer risk. Full article

Background: Depression represents a major public health burden in Hungary, where prevalence remains higher than the global average. Although diet is an increasingly studied factor associated with mental health, evidence from Central and Eastern Europe is scarce. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the Hungarian wave of the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) 2019, a nationally representative sample of 5603 adults aged ≥15 years. Depressive symptom severity was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) and categorized as none (0–4), mild (5–9), and moderate-to-severe (≥10). Self-reported frequency of consumption of fruits, vegetables, fruit juice, dairy products, fish, processed meat, sweetened beverages, coffee, and sweeteners was examined. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression models, adjusted for gender, age, education, income, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, were used to estimate associations with depressive symptom severity. Results: Overall, 77.9% of participants had no depression, 17.0% mild, and 5.1% moderate-to-severe symptoms. After full adjustment, lower consumption of fruits and vegetables, less frequent fruit juice intake, and lower processed meat consumption were associated with higher odds of more severe depressive symptoms. Moderate coffee intake (1–2 cups/day) was associated with lower odds than heavier consumption. Conclusions: In the Hungarian adult population, poorer dietary patterns, particularly low intake of fruits, vegetables, and paradoxically lower processed meat consumption, are significantly associated with greater depressive symptom severity, independent of major sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. These findings underscore the potential role of diet quality in mental health and support public health efforts to promote nutrient-rich dietary patterns in Hungary. Full article

Background/Objectives: Moderate consumption of fermented beverages such as traditional beer has been associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play key roles in inflammation and oxidative stress, yet the impact of moderate fermented beverage consumption on blood miRNA profiles remains poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of regular, moderate intake of traditional and alcohol-free beer on whole blood miRNA levels in healthy adults. Methods: Whole blood samples were collected at baseline and after a 4-week intervention with alcohol-free beer and traditional beer in healthy overweight/obese adults (n = 36). miRNA profiling was performed using Affymetrix in a discovery subset, followed by targeted validation using real-time PCR in the full cohort. Bioinformatics and system biology analysis were applied to explore potential functional associations. Results: After traditional beer consumption, 202 miRNAs showed differential expression compared to baseline (p < 0.05). Eighteen miRNAs with changes ≥1.5-fold and the two miRNAs with the lowest p-values (p < 0.005) were selected for further analysis. Of them, the six miRNAs with the most consistent expression patterns were validated by real-time PCR. Moderate beer intake was associated with increased levels of miR-144-5p and miR-19a-3p in the overall population. Sex-stratified analyses suggested a tendency toward higher levels in these miRNAs in women following traditional beer intake. In silico analysis showed that predicted target genes of these miRNAs are involved in pathways related to immune regulation and inflammatory signaling. Conclusions: Moderate beer consumption is associated with consistent changes in whole-blood miRNA expression, particularly miR-144-5p and miR-19a-3p, in a healthy overweight/obese population. These findings support a potential role for epigenetic modulation in the biological response to moderate beer intake and provide a basis for future mechanistic studies. Full article

Endometriosis is a chronic, oestrogen-dependent inflammatory condition affecting approximately 10% of women of reproductive age, frequently associated with chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhoea and infertility, substantially impairing quality of life. While pharmacological and surgical therapies represent the standard of care, growing evidence indicates that lifestyle and dietary factors play an important complementary role in symptom management and may influence disease progression. Regular physical activity appears to attenuate systemic inflammation, improve hormonal regulation and support psychological well-being. Dietary patterns rich in anti-inflammatory components, particularly Mediterranean-diets and low-inflammatory diets, have been associated with reduced pain and improved gastrointestinal symptoms, whereas high consumption of red and processed meats may increase disease risk. Micronutrients and selected supplements, including vitamins C, E and D, magnesium, zinc, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, N-acetylcysteine, curcumin, probiotics and green tea polyphenols, show promising but variable evidence for symptom relief. Additional lifestyle factors, such as avoiding endocrine-disrupting chemicals, moderating alcohol intake, ensuring adequate sleep and managing psychological stress, may further modulate inflammatory and hormonal pathways relevant to the disorder. Overall, current evidence indicates that integrating lifestyle interventions alongside conventional treatments offers clinically relevant benefits, although larger, well-designed clinical studies are needed to clarify the magnitude of these effects and to explore further promising lifestyle-based therapeutic approaches. Full article

This literature review examined the relationship between energy drink consumption and cardiovascular health in young people. Following PRISMA 2020, we searched Scopus for articles published from 2020 to 2025 and included 33 original studies after screening 133 records. Evidence from observational, clinical, and experimental research was synthesized into six themes: youth consumption; direct cardiovascular outcomes; composition and toxicity; animal or cellular experiments; perceptions and habits; and occupational or sociodemographic factors. Across studies, habitual intake was linked to acute blood-pressure rises, arrhythmias, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances, sometimes within 24 h of a single can. Risks were amplified by high caffeine and taurine doses and by co-use with alcohol or intense exercise. Adolescents and young adults were most vulnerable, due to heightened sympathetic responses, frequent use under academic or work stress, and limited risk perception. Authors highlighted five actions: longitudinal research; tighter ingredient monitoring and transparent labeling; consumer education; protection of vulnerable groups; and clinical guidance for responsible use. These results were observed across regions and study designs. Overall, the findings indicate that unregulated energy-drink consumption is a preventable cardiovascular risk in youth, justifying the use of coordinated public-health measures, including curriculum-based education, marketing restrictions, ingredient oversight, and clinical screening to mitigate harm. Full article

Background/Objectives: Immature watermelon (WM) rind contains higher levels of citrulline and potassium than mature fruit and may exert diuretic and metabolic benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity and diuretic effects of WM and salt-treated watermelon rind extract (WMS) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, focusing on changes in lipid metabolism, sodium handling, and tissue-level alterations. Methods: Citrulline concentrations in WM and WMS were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD for 6 weeks and subsequently administered WM (380 mg/kg) or WMS (380 mg/kg) orally for an additional 6 weeks. Body weight, food intake, organ and fat-pad weights, serum biochemical markers, and sodium (Na⁺) levels were measured. Histopathological analyses of liver and epididymal adipose tissue were performed to assess non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) scores and adipocyte morphology. Results: WM and WMS contained citrulline at levels substantially higher than those reported for mature watermelons. Both treatments significantly reduced body weight, liver weight, and epididymal fat mass compared with the HFD control. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were lowered in the WM- and WMS-treated groups. Serum Na⁺ concentrations increased by 43.2 ± 7.6% in WM-treated mice and 21.5 ± 6.6% in WMS-treated mice, suggesting enhanced sodium handling. Histological assessment revealed reduced NASH scores and smaller adipocyte sizes in both groups. These improvements are consistent with the known diuretic and metabolic actions of citrulline and potassium. Conclusions: WM and WMS exhibit significant anti-obesity and diuretic effects in HFD-induced obese mice. Their combined actions on sodium excretion, lipid metabolism, and adipose tissue remodeling suggest that immature watermelon rind extracts may serve as promising natural agents for preventing obesity and related metabolic dysfunction. Full article

Background: The transition from the term non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to steatotic liver disease (SLD), an umbrella term for several related conditions, offers benefits, particularly in identifying cardiometabolic risk factors more effectively. However, the impact of alcohol consumption on liver disease progression remains significant, leading to the recognition of a new entity: MetALD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease with moderate alcohol intake). Aim: This study aimed to compare characteristics associated with liver disease progression in diabetic patients diagnosed with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) versus those with MetALD. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 286 diabetic patients were followed for 12 months. All patients underwent transient elastography (TE) and ultrasound to assess hepatic steatosis. Participants were classified into MASLD and MetALD groups. The performance of fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) were also evaluated. Results: MASLD was diagnosed in 58.2% (167 patients), of whom 4.9% (7 patients) had TE values suggestive for liver cirrhosis. Among those with MetALD, 17.6% (21 patients) had TE values compatible with advanced fibrosis. MASLD subjects presented a slight decrease in liver fibrosis values from 6.58 ± 2.27 kPa to 6.03 ± 1.57 kPa in the 12 months. On the contrary, MetALD subjects had an increase of liver stiffness measurements (LSM) values from 11.83 ± 6.27 kPa to 12.24 ± 8.66 kPa. Conclusions: in diabetic patients, the coexistence of moderate alcohol intake and cardiometabolic risk factors (MetALD) is associated with more advanced liver fibrosis and impaired long-term glycemic control, compared to MASLD alone. Full article

Adequate nutrition and healthy behaviours during pregnancy are essential to maternal and neonatal health. Evidence from Greece on maternal dietary and lifestyle practices remains limited, despite global guidelines promoting supplementation, physical activity (PA) and abstinence from harmful substances. This review evaluates micronutrient intake, supplementation practices, PA and substance exposure among pregnant women in Greece, based on studies from 2010 to 2025. The results reveal widespread use of supplements, but frequent deviations from clinical guidelines. Suboptimal intake of key micronutrients remains common, and unsupervised supplementation raises concerns about excessive intake. Caffeine and tobacco use persist during pregnancy and lactation, while alcohol consumption shows a declining trend. PA is generally below international recommendations, with most pregnant women engaging in sedentary or low-intensity activities. These findings underscore systemic gaps in antenatal care in Greece, including inconsistent counselling, lack of structured screening and the absence of coordinated national strategies. Culturally tailored public health interventions, with a focus on equitable access and behaviour change support, are urgently needed to enhance nutritional adequacy, reduce behavioural risks and promote evidence-based care across the perinatal period. Full article

Alcohol consumption is a globally prevalent lifestyle factor with complex and sometimes paradoxical effects on cardiovascular health, particularly regarding acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Earlier epidemiological studies described a J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and ACS risk; however, emerging evidence has increasingly challenged the validity of this concept. Mendelian randomization studies, genetic data, and recent pooled analyses suggest that the apparent cardioprotective effects of light-to-moderate drinking are largely attributable to residual confounding, including abstainer bias and socioeconomic factors, rather than true causal mechanisms. In contrast, excessive alcohol intake is linked to increased oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, and prothrombotic states, all of which contribute to plaque instability and the precipitation of ACS. Additionally, acute heavy drinking episodes may induce coronary vasospasm and arrhythmias, further elevating ACS risk. Genetic factors, drinking patterns, and beverage types may also modulate the relationship between alcohol and ACS, indicating the need for personalized risk assessment. Understanding these complex interactions is essential for clinicians when counseling patients on alcohol consumption within the context of cardiovascular prevention. This review aims to delve into current evidence on the epidemiology and pathophysiology linking alcohol consumption with ACS, providing a nuanced perspective that balances potential protective effects with the significant risks associated with excessive alcohol use, as well as summarizing all medical societies’ recommendations regarding alcohol consumption and cardiovascular health. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Recent findings suggest that long-term and heavy alcohol consumption can aggravate several pathological processes associated with AD, whereas the impact of light or moderate consumption remains uncertain. Excessive alcohol exposure impairs the structure and function of key brain regions involved in cognition, particularly the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, cerebellum, Basolateral amygdala (BLA), and hypothalamus. Several studies indicate that chronic alcohol consumption affects the brain by multiple mechanisms like increased oxidative stress, microglial activation, neuroinflammation, microtubule instability, tau hyperphosphorylation, and modified amyloid-β turnover. Disruption of cholinergic transmission further contributes to memory deficits and neuronal susceptibility. These alcohol-related alterations closely resemble core features of AD pathology and may accelerate disease progression. Although some epidemiological studies report the potential benefits of low alcohol intake, their interpretation is limited by inconsistent definitions of drinking patterns and the influence of confounding variables. Overall, current evidence supports a dose-dependent relationship in which alcoholism increases vulnerability to AD-related neurodegeneration. Reducing harmful alcohol use may therefore represent a practical approach to lowering long-term dementia risk. This review summarizes the current mechanisms of alcohol induced neuronal damage across different brain regions. Prolonged alcohol consumption accelerates cerebral aging by enhancing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, disrupting tau protein degradations, and other neuronal damages that intersect with the pathogenesis of AD. Full article

Background/Objectives: Individuals carrying pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch Syndrome (LS)- have increased risk for various types of cancer. The study compared health behaviors, i.e., smoking, alcohol consumption, level of physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) among affected and unaffected (never diagnosed) individuals with P/LP variants associated with HBOC or LS. Methods: We used baseline and 18-month follow-up data from individuals with HBOC- or LS-associated P/LP variants from the Swiss CASCADE study, an open-ended, prospective, family-based cohort. Generalized linear models with random effects were applied. Results: A total of 856 records from 518 participants (HBOC: 410; LS: 108) were analyzed. More than half (58%) of participants had at least one cancer diagnosis. After controlling for potential confounders, the proportion of current smokers was not significantly different between the two groups (ß = 3.5, p = 0.24). Alcohol intake was not associated with cancer diagnosis (adjusted: ß = −0.2, p = 0.57), although it was positively associated with time since genetic testing (ß = 0.11, p < 0.01). Levels of physical activity were lower among affected individuals compared to unaffected (adjusted: ß = −0.5, p = 0.03). There was no difference in BMI between the two groups. Conclusions: No significant differences in health behaviors, i.e., smoking, alcohol consumption, or BMI, were detected in individuals with P/LP variants associated with HBOC or LS unaffected by cancer and those with cancer diagnosis. Lower levels of physical activity in those with a cancer diagnosis could potentially be attributed to cancer treatment. Future studies should examine whether adjustments in health behavior are associated with the genetic diagnosis. Full article