Search Results (1,527)

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, with over 60% of Americans drinking it daily. This review examines coffee’s multifaceted impact on health and well-being, drawing on decades of research. Overall, the consensus is that moderate coffee intake is more beneficial than harmful across a wide range of health outcomes. Numerous large-scale, prospective cohort studies from around the world have consistently shown that moderate coffee consumption—typically three to five cups per day—is associated with reduced overall mortality and lower risk of major diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stroke, respiratory conditions, cognitive decline, and potentially several types of cancer, including liver and uterine cancers. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee have shown benefits. The addition of sugar and cream to coffee may attenuate coffee’s positive health effects. Despite historical concerns, coffee consumption is not linked to increased risks of cancer, hypertension, or arrhythmia. However, some concerns remain. For pregnant women, coffee consumption should be limited to lower amounts, such that the daily intake of caffeine does not exceed 200 mg/day. Also, excessive caffeinated coffee intake may cause anxiety or sleep disturbances. Coffee’s health-promoting mechanisms include improved glucose balancing, increased physical activity, increased fat oxidation, improved lung function, and reduced inflammation. Beyond mortality and chronic diseases, coffee consumption affects many aspects of well-being: it supports hydration, boosts mental acuity, enhances physical performance, and may aid bowel recovery after surgery. While the field is well-studied via long-term observational cohorts, future research should focus on randomized controlled trials, Mendelian randomization studies, and granular analyses of coffee types and additives. Full article

Background/Objectives: Excessive sugar intake through sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has raised global concerns due to its association with various health risks. This study evaluates the effectiveness of nudges—in the form of order placement, variety expansion, and a combination of both—in promoting non-SSB purchases at self-service kiosks, a key environment for SSB consumption. Methods: This study was conducted using a real-world kiosk at food and beverage outlets in South Korea from 28 May to 12 July, 2024. A total of 183 consumers aged 19 to 29 participated in this study. A single kiosk device was used with four screen layouts, each reflecting a different nudge strategy. Participants were unaware of these manipulations when making their purchases. After their purchases, participants completed a survey. All data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29.0. Results: Females reported significantly higher positive attitudes, preferences, and perceived necessity regarding nudges compared to males. In particular, both the single (variety) and combination (order and variety) nudges received positive responses from females (p < 0.001). The combination nudge significantly increased non-SSB purchases compared to the control (p < 0.05) and single (order) nudge groups (p < 0.01), which suggests that combination nudge is effective in promoting healthier beverage choices. Females were also more likely to purchase non-SSBs than males (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings suggest that the combination nudge strategy effectively promotes healthier beverage choices in real kiosk settings. Notably, females demonstrate significantly higher positive attitudes, preferences, and perceived necessity regarding nudges compared to males, and are also more likely to purchase non-SSBs. These findings offer valuable insights for real-world applications aimed at encouraging healthier consumption behaviors. Full article

Background: Culinary herbs and spices are potent sources of bioactive compounds such as (poly)phenols that confer health benefits to consumers. Observational studies have quantified (poly)phenol intake levels from foods and beverages but not herbs and spices. Hence, the contribution of herbs and spices to (poly)phenol intakes is unclear. Methods: The current study measured herb and spice total (poly)phenol consumption in a convenience sample of adults (n = 212) using a validated online herb and spice questionnaire. Respondents reported the frequency and amount of consumption of 27 herbs and spices during the past month. Total (poly)phenol concentration (mg) for each herb and spice was calculated using the online database Phenol-Explorer. Results: Responses showed monthly intakes of 679.92 (1134.06) (median, IQR) mg total (poly)phenols from 47.44 (60.71) g herbs and spices. Cinnamon, black pepper and cloves were the largest contributors to total (poly)phenol intakes from herbs and spices. Conclusions: These findings suggest that herbs and spices contribute potentially meaningful amounts of (poly)phenols to total dietary (poly)phenol intakes and that existing reports of (poly)phenol consumption for populations may underestimate actual levels by 3–12%. Full article

This study aims to investigate the release of potentially toxic elements from disposable paper and plastic cups when exposed to hot water, simulating the scenario of their use in hot beverage consumption, and to assess the associated health risks. By using ICP-MS, twelve potentially toxic elements, namely As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn, were determined in leachates, revealing significant variability in mass fractions between paper and plastic cups, with plastic cups demonstrating greater leaching potential. Health risk assessments, including hazard quotient (HQ) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), indicated minimal non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for most elements, except Pb, which posed elevated non-carcinogenic risk, especially in plastic cups. Children showed higher relative exposure levels compared to adults due to their lower body weights (the HQ in children is two times greater than in adults). Overall, the findings of the current study underscore the need for stricter monitoring and regulation of materials used in disposable cups, especially plastic ones, to mitigate potential health risks. Future investigations should assess the leaching behavior of potentially toxic elements under conditions that accurately mimic real-world usage. Such investigations ought to incorporate a systematic evaluation of diverse temperature regimes, varying exposure durations, and different beverage types. Full article

Background: Energy drinks (EDs) are non-alcoholic, functional beverages sold worldwide in more than 165 countries. These products are very popular and often consumed by children, teenagers, and young adults to improve physical performance, reduce drowsiness, and improve memory and concentration with increased intellectual effort. However, their consumption is associated with an increased risk of various health consequences. Objectives: The purpose of this non-systematic review was to discuss the components of EDs and their effects, summarize the AEs reported in the literature associated with the consumption of EDs, and briefly characterize the possible ED-related drug interactions. Methods: Scientific evidence was extracted by searching the databases PubMed and Google Scholar. In addition, the reference lists of the retrieved papers were reviewed and cross-referenced to reveal additional relevant scientific evidence. Results: The most common ingredients in EDs are caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone, B vitamins, the vitamin-like compound inositol, and sweeteners (sugar, fructose, glucose–fructose syrup or artificial sweeteners). Although it is difficult to conclusively prove a cause-and-effect relationship between the consumption of EDs and the observed pathophysiological abnormalities, most scientific evidence (mostly clinical case reports) indicates that both occasional and especially chronic use of EDs is associated with the occurrence of numerous adverse effects (AEs). Among these, the best documented AEs are those on the cardiovascular system. It should also be noted that the components of EDs (primarily caffeine) may have drug interactions; therefore, EDs may be an important factor influencing the safety of pharmacotherapy in patients consuming EDs. Conclusions: Consuming energy drinks lead to various health problems and may interfere with pharmacotherapy due to the potential development of drug interactions. Due to the widespread availability of EDs, their suggestive advertising aimed at the youngest customers, and ambiguous regulations, new legislative policies are required to limit the widespread consumption of such products and their negative health effects. Full article

Background: Skipping breakfast, a prevalent issue among children and adolescents, has been reported to be associated with academic performance and long-term health. However, less attention has been given to the types of breakfast foods consumed. Therefore, our study aims to investigate the association between breakfast variety and dietary knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among preadolescents. Methods: The study included 1449 students in grades 4–6 from Zhongshan city, Guangdong province. Data were collected through face-to-face field investigation using a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire encompassed sociodemographic characteristics, as well as dietary KAP. Results: Among all participants, 1315 reported consuming breakfast daily. Dietary diversity varied significantly: 8.8% consumed only 1 type of food, 52.9% consumed 2–4 types, and 38.3% consumed ≥5 types. Students who consumed a greater variety of breakfast foods exhibited more favorable dietary and lifestyle patterns. Specifically, those who consumed ≥5 types of food showed statistically significant associations with healthier practices, including reduced intake of sugary beverages and night snacks, stronger adherence to dietary guidelines, more positive attitudes toward improving eating habits, longer sleep durations, increased participation in meal preparation, greater dish variety in meals, and higher engagement in daily physical activity. Conclusions: Breakfast variety was associated with KAP, particularly when breakfast types ≥ 5, providing more sufficient and favorable evidence for breakfast consumption. Full article

Food addiction (FA) is an emerging psychiatric condition that presents behavioral and neurobiological similarities with other addictions, and its early identification is essential to prevent the development of more severe disorders. The aim of the present study was to determine the ability of anthropometric measures, eating habits, symptoms related to eating disorders (ED), and lifestyle features to predict the symptoms of food addiction. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 702 university students (77.3% women; age: 22 ± 6 years). The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0), the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), anthropometric measurements, and a set of self-report questions on substance use, physical activity level, and other questions were administered. A total of 6.4% of participants presented symptoms compatible with food addiction, and 8.1% were at risk for ED. Additionally, 26.5% reported daily smoking, 70.6% consumed alcohol, 2.9% used illicit drugs, and 29.4% took medication; 35.3% did not engage in physical activity. Individuals with food addiction had higher BMI (p = 0.010), waist circumference (p = 0.001), and body fat (p < 0.001) values, and a higher risk of eating disorders (p = 0.010) compared to those without this condition. In the multivariate logistic model, non-dairy beverage consumption (such as coffee or alcohol), vitamin D deficiency, and waist circumference predicted food addiction symptoms (R²_Nagelkerke = 0.349). Indeed, the machine learning approaches confirmed the influence of these variables. Conclusions: The prediction models allowed an accurate prediction of FA in the university students; moreover, the individualized approach improved the identification of people with FA, involving complex dimensions of eating behavior, body composition, and potential nutritional deficits not previously studied. Full article

Background: The differential effects of post-exercise rehydration beverages on inflammatory processes and organ protection remain incompletely characterized. This study investigated how beverages with distinct compositions influence urinary biomarkers following endurance exercise. Methods: In a randomized crossover design, eight trained male runners performed 6000 m pace running followed by consumption of 500 mL of either: water (Drink 1), hypotonic sports drink (Drink 2, 200 mOsm/L), oral rehydration solution (Drink 3, 270 mOsm/L), or modified hypotonic formulation (Drink 4, 200 mOsm/L). After 60 min, participants completed a 1000 m time trial. Urine samples were collected at baseline, post-6000 m, and post-1000 m for analysis of biochemical parameters and inflammatory cytokines. Results: No significant differences in 1000 m performance were observed between trials. Drink 3 significantly reduced creatinine and uric acid excretion compared to other beverages (p < 0.05), suggesting decreased waste product elimination. Creatinine-corrected intestinal fatty acid-binding protein values were lower with Drinks 2 and 3, indicating potential intestinal protection. Notably, Drink 4 showed modest but significant enhancement of IL-4 excretion (p < 0.05, ηp² = 0.347), demonstrating beverage-specific modulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines with moderate effect sizes. Conclusions: Different beverage formulations exert distinct effects on waste product elimination, intestinal organ damage markers, and inflammatory cytokine profiles. These findings suggest that beverage selection should be tailored to specific recovery priorities and training contexts. Full article

Due to increasing environmental concerns and the constant development of the bottling industry, research into the environmental impact of beverage packaging processes is crucial. The aim of this article is to determine the environmental impact, in selected aspects, of automated beverage bottling and packaging processes using life cycle analysis (LCA). The analysis covers key process stages, such as filling, packaging and internal transport, in the context of raw material consumption, but also energy and waste generation. This work focuses primarily on the impact of changing the raw material used for bottle and shrink film production on the environmental impact of the studied technical facility within the adopted system boundaries and on analyzing scenarios for the management of these post-consumer materials. This research has shown that the stage associated with the greatest negative environmental impact is the shrinking of the film around the bottles. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that recycling plastic film and bottle waste is a more environmentally friendly solution than landfill disposal. The analysis shows that using recycled materials in the tested production line allows for the reduction of harmful emissions and a reduction in the overall environmental footprint of the tested system. Full article

Fermented plant-based beverages represent promising functional foods due to their content of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, prebiotics) and viable probiotic microorganisms. Sprouted buckwheat is a rich source of bioactives and nutrients, which makes it a promising ingredient for the development of synbiotic formulations. This study aimed to optimize the fermentation process of a plant-based beverage composed of germinated buckwheat, honey, inulin, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lpb. plantarum), using Box–Behnken experimental design (BBD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) tools. The influence of three independent variables (inulin, honey, and inoculum concentration) was evaluated on five key response variables: total polyphenol content, flavonoid content, antioxidant activity (RSA%), pH, and starter culture viability. The optimal formulation—comprising 3% inulin, 10% honey, and 6.97 mg/100 mL inoculum—demonstrated functional stability over 21 days of refrigerated storage (4 °C), maintaining high levels of antioxidants and probiotic viability in the fermented beverage. Kinetic analysis of the fermentation process confirmed the intense metabolic activity of Lpb. plantarum, as evidenced by a decrease in pH, active consumption of reducing sugars, and organic acids accumulation. Full article

The consumption of low-alcohol fermented beverages has been related to cardiovascular health improvements. Although the underlying mechanism is not completely understood, (poly)phenols have been proposed as one of the mediators. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a controlled intervention with beer on (poly)phenols metabolism in individuals with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS). 20 participants (MetS and control) who consumed a standardized amount of beer during 6 weeks were recruited. Phenolic compounds were assessed in urine. Different changes in phenolic compounds associated with chronic beer consumption were found, particularly related to hesperetin conjugates and to the degradation of phenolic compounds derived from flavonoids and lignans. Noteworthily, MetS and control participants differed in baseline urine phenolic compound profiles and in their metabolization. Significant differences were found in the production and excretion of key (poly)phenols-derived metabolites, such as increased naringenin phase II conjugates in healthy subjects, or increased bacterial flavonoid catabolites. Certain relationships were observed between the phenolic compounds with metabolic and anthropometric variables. These findings suggest that beer-derived (poly)phenols are differentially metabolized according to metabolic-health status, and that they may contribute to certain metabolic health benefits through the modulation of specific metabolic pathways. Full article

Background/Objectives: Higher energy density (ED; kJ/g) and higher levels of processing of foods and beverages have been associated with childhood obesity and reduced diet quality. This study described and examined the distribution of ED and levels of processing of new food and beverage products intended for Australian children (0–4 years, 5–12 years). Methods: This study used 2013–2023 data from the Mintel Global New Products Database. Products were classified by ED (low ≦ 4.184 kJ/g, medium > 4.184 kJ/g and <12.552 kJ/g, or high ≧ 12.552 kJ/g) and level of processing (using the NOVA classification system; unprocessed/minimally processed foods; processed culinary ingredients; processed foods; ultra-processed foods (UPFs)). Non-parametric statistics were used to examine ED and level of processing by age and ‘Food’ and ‘Drink’ groups. Results: Of the 1770 products analysed, 56% were classified as high-ED and 81% as UPF. Among ‘Food’ products intended for children ‘5–12 years’, 93% were classified as UPFs. The differences in ED classification between non-UPFs and UPFs were significant for ‘Food’ products intended for children aged ‘0–4 years’ (p < 0.001) but not for children aged ‘5–12 years’ (p = 0.149). Conclusions: The prevalence of high-ED and UPFs in the Australian packaged food supply demonstrates the need to tighten regulations around products intended for children. The regulation of low-ED UPFs (i.e., recognised by Australian Dietary Guidelines as ‘healthy’) may also be required. Full article

Recent studies have detected microplastics (MPs) in seafood and various food products worldwide, including poultry, fish, salt, beverages, fruits, and vegetables. This widespread contamination makes human exposure through consumption unavoidable and raises concerns for food safety and human health. MPs provide physical support to microorganisms for biofilm formation, protecting them from extreme conditions and facilitating their persistence in the environment. However, little is known about the impact of MPs in the transmission of foodborne pathogens and subsequent spread of infectious diseases like campylobacteriosis, the most common foodborne illness caused by a bacterium, Campylobacter. This review explores the sources of MP contamination in the food chain and offers a comprehensive overview of MP presence in animals, food products, and beverages. Moreover, we compile the available studies linking MPs and Campylobacter and examine the potential impact of these particles on the transmission of Campylobacter along the food chain with a particular focus on poultry, the main source and reservoir for the pathogen. While the environmental and toxicological effects of MPs are increasingly understood, their influence on the virulence of Campylobacter and the spread of antimicrobial resistance remains underexplored. Further studies are needed to develop standardized methods for isolating and identifying MPs, enabling comprehensive investigations and more effective monitoring and risk mitigation strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intergenerational care plays a significant role in shaping household dietary quality and human capital development in China. Influenced by the legacy of the one-child policy, the care provided in these families often prioritizes child-focused practices. This study examines how intergenerational care influences schoolchildren’s sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Methods: This study utilizes data from the 2014–2015 China Education Panel Survey (CEPS) to investigate the impact of intergenerational care on schoolchildren’s dietary behaviors, with a focus on sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. We apply both ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and the ordered logit model to estimate the impacts, and we use the instrumental variables approach to address potential endogeneity. Results: Schoolchildren from only-child families report greater SSB consumption, while those from multi-child families consume less. Intergenerational care is linked to more digital media exposure, more pocket money, and less parental supervision. These findings withstand rigorous validation through multiple robustness checks, including sample restriction strategies and propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. The effect is especially pronounced among boys, schoolchildren from families with higher parental education levels, and schoolchildren attending schools without formal nutrition education programs. Conclusions: The result indicates that intergenerational care significantly increases SSB consumption among schoolchildren from only-child families. Community nutrition and school health education programs can reduce schoolchildren’s SSB consumption, thereby lowering risks of obesity and other public health concerns. Full article

Plant polyphenols have emerged as potent bioactive molecules that can modulate key cellular pathways associated with aging and chronic disorders. The Mediterranean diet and the traditional Japanese style of life are rich in polyphenol-containing foods and beverages, and epidemiological evidence links these dietary patterns to increased longevity and reduced morbidity. This narrative review examines the chemical description of plant polyphenols, their mechanisms of action, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hormetic effects, and how supplementation or a diet rich in these compounds may provide further life extension. We discuss the major classes of polyphenols present in the Mediterranean dietary pattern (e.g., resveratrol and hydroxytyrosol) and in the Japanese diet (e.g., epigallocatechin gallate and soy isoflavones), comparing their biological behaviors and cooperative effects on metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative conditions. We also examine a few preclinical and clinical studies that explain the beneficial impact of these chemicals on aging-associated biomarkers. Furthermore, both dietary habits are characterized by low consumption of processed foods and sugary carbonated drinks and reduced utilization of deep-frying with linoleic acid-rich oils, a practice that reduces the formation of harmful lipid peroxidation products, notably 4-hydroxynonenal, known to be implicated in accelerating the aging process. The Mediterranean dietary pattern is also characterized by a low/moderate daily consumption of wine, mainly red wine. This work debates emerging evidence addressing issues of bioavailability, dosage optimization, and formulation technologies for polyphenol supplementation, also comparing differences and similarities with the vegan and vegetarian diets. We also explore how these chemicals could modulate epigenetic modifications that affect gene expression patterns pertinent to health and aging. In conclusion, we aim to show a consolidated framework for the comprehension of how plant polyphenols could be utilized in nutritional strategies for potentiating life expectancy while stimulating further research on nutraceutical development. Full article