Search Results (1,069)

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

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles contain different chemicals that can act as endocrine disruptors. Phthalates and bisphenol A can be found in various foods and beverages packaged in PET packaging or aluminum cans. For some phthalates, the European Union has established specified tolerable daily intakes for humans. This study aimed to establish the changes, types of phthalates (dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate), and bisphenol A concentrations in beer packaged in PET bottles and stored at two temperatures (4 °C and 20 °C) for four months. Beers were obtained from a local brewery after packaging into PET bottles and stored at the designated temperatures. GC-MS analysis was performed to determine phthalates and bisphenol A. Obtained data show that beers packaged in PET bottles can contain significant amounts of bisphenol A, and that their concentration increases with storage time. Phthalates were also identified in the samples, with the highest concentration of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate found in the sample kept at 20 °C after 1 month of storage, sample P5; this concentration was 164.814 µg/L. BPA was recorded with the highest concentration in sample P11, which underwent 4 months of storage at a temperature of 20 °C. 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

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

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide, primarily due to the stimulating effects attributed to its caffeine content. However, excessive intake of caffeine results in negative effects, including palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia. Therefore, low-caffeine coffee has captivated growing consumer interest, highlighting its significant market potential. Traditional decaffeination methods often lead to non-selective extraction, resulting in a loss of desirable flavor compounds, thereby compromising coffee quality. In recent years, microbial fermentation has emerged as a promising, targeted, and safe approach for reducing caffeine content during processing. Additionally, mixed-culture fermentation further enhances coffee flavor and overcomes the drawbacks of monoculture fermentation, such as low efficiency and limited flavor profiles. Nonetheless, several challenges are yet to be resolved, including microbial tolerance to caffeine and related alkaloids, the safety of fermentation products, and elucidation of the underlying mechanisms behind microbial synergy in co-cultures. This review outlines the variety of microorganisms with the potential to degrade caffeine and the biochemical processes involved in this process. It explores how microbes tolerate caffeine, the safety of metabolites produced during fermentation, and the synergistic effects of mixed microbial cultures on the modulation of coffee flavor compounds, including esters and carbonyls. Future directions are discussed, including the screening of alkaloid-tolerant strains, constructing microbial consortia for simultaneous caffeine degradation for flavor enhancement, and developing high-quality low-caffeine coffee. Full article

Objectives: This study examined the impact of a low-sugar flavored beverage on total fluid intake and hydration biomarkers during intermittent exercise in a hot environment among healthy children. Methods: Twenty-one children (11 girls, 8–10 y) completed a randomized, crossover study with two trials. Each trial involved three bouts of 10 min walking, 5 min rest, 10 min walking, and 35 min rest for a total of 3 h in a hot (29.9 ± 0.6 °C) and dry environment (26 ± 7% relative humidity). Walking intensity was 69 ± 7% of age-predicted maximum heart rate. Participants consumed either plain water (W) or a low-sugar flavored beverage (FB). Body weight, fluid intake, urine samples, and perceptual ratings were collected. Results: Total ad libitum fluid intake was significantly higher with the FB (946 ± 535 mL) than with W (531 ± 267 mL; p < 0.05). This difference was 128% higher for FB compared to W, with 19 out of the 21 children ingesting more fluids in FB versus W. Children rated the FB as more likable across all time points (p < 0.05). Net fluid balance was better with FB at 60, 70, 85, 135, and 145 min (p < 0.05), though not different at the 3 h mark. Urine volume was higher with FB (727 ± 291 mL) than with W (400 ± 293 mL; p < 0.05). Urine osmolality was significantly higher in the W trial at 120 and 180 min (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A flavored, low-sugar beverage enhanced ad libitum fluid intake and improved hydration markers compared to water during exercise in the heat, supporting its potential as a practical rehydration strategy for children. Full article

Proper nutrition is a fundamental aspect to maintaining overall health and well-being, influencing both physical and social aspects of human life; an unbalanced or inadequate diet can lead to various nutritional deficiencies and chronic health conditions. In today’s fast-paced world, monitoring nutritional intake has become increasingly important, particularly for those with specific dietary needs. While smartphone-based applications using image recognition have simplified food tracking, they still rely heavily on user interaction and raise concerns about practicality and privacy. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a novel, compact spectroscopic sensing platform for automatic beverage recognition. The system utilizes the AS7265x commercial sensor to capture the spectral signature of beverages, combined with a K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) machine learning algorithm for classification. The approach is designed for integration into everyday objects, such as smart glasses or cups, offering a noninvasive and user-friendly alternative to manual tracking. Through optimization of both the sensor configuration and KNN parameters, we identified a reduced set of four wavelengths that achieves over 96% classification accuracy across a diverse range of common beverages. This demonstrates the potential for embedding accurate, low-power, and cost-efficient sensors into Internet of Things (IoT) devices for real-time nutritional monitoring, reducing the need for user input while enhancing accessibility and usability. Full article

Fermented apple juice (FAJ), a nutrient-dense beverage rich in vitamins, offers multiple health benefits, including improved digestion, enhanced fat metabolism, and sustained energy provision with reduced caloric intake. To advance the development of probiotic-enriched flavored and functional juices, this study establishes Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) as a safe and effective starter culture for apple juice fermentation. The selected strain exhibited minimal biogenic amine synthesis, producing only 30.55 ± 1.2 mg/L of putrescine and 0.59 ± 0.55 mg/L of cadaverine, while histamine and tyramine were undetectable. Furthermore, the strain demonstrated no hemolytic activity and exhibited robust biofilm-forming capacity, reinforcing its suitability for fermentation applications. An electronic nose analysis revealed that L. plantarum significantly enriched the volatile compound profile of FAJ, leading to an improved flavor profile. The strain also displayed excellent growth adaptability in the apple juice matrix, further optimizing fermentation efficiency and sensory quality. Crucially, 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that FAJ specifically restructures the gut microbiota in obese individuals, significantly elevating the relative abundance of beneficial genera, including Enterococcus, Parabacteroides, and Bifidobacterium (p < 0.05). Concurrently, FAJ enhanced glycolytic activity, suggesting a potential role in metabolic regulation. Collectively, these findings confirm that L. plantarum-fermented FAJ combines favorable sensory properties and safety with promising anti-obesity effects mediated through gut microbiome modulation and metabolic pathway activation. This study provides a critical scientific foundation for designing next-generation functional fermented beverages with targeted health benefits. Full article

Background: Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major global health challenge, with unhealthy diets contributing significantly to their burden. Metabolomics data offer new possibilities for identifying nutritional biomarkers, as demonstrated in short-term intervention studies. This study investigated associations between habitual dietary intake and urinary metabolites, a not well-studied area. Methods: Data were available from 496 participants of the population-based MEIA study. Linear and median regression models examined associations between habitual dietary intake and metabolites, adjusted for possible confounders. K-means clustering identified urinary metabolite clusters, and multinomial regression models were applied to analyze associations between food intake and metabolite clusters. Results: Using linear regression models, previously reported associations could be replicated, including citrus intake with proline betaine, protein intake with urea, and fiber intake with hippurate. Novel findings include positive associations of poultry intake with taurine, indoxyl sulfate, 1-methylnicotinamide, and trimethylamine-N-oxide. Milk substitutes were positively associated with urinary uracil, pseudouridine, 4-hydroxyhippurate, and 3-hydroxyhippurate, and inversely associated with quinic acid. Dietary fiber intake showed a positive association with 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropionic acid and a negative association with indoxyl sulfate. We identified sucrose and taurine as key metabolites differentiating metabolite clusters. Multinomial regression analysis confirmed significantly different dietary associations across clusters, particularly for fruits, processed meat, poultry, and alcoholic beverages. Conclusions: This study highlights established and novel food–metabolite associations, demonstrating the potential of urinary metabolomics for use as nutritional biomarkers in individuals from the general population. Full article

Background/Objectives: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are strongly linked to beverage consumption. This study aimed to assess the average daily beverage intake of Saudi residents, energy intake from beverages, and the influence of socio-demographic factors, health behaviors, and health status on beverage intake. Methods: A nationally representative, cross-sectional study utilized stratified quota sampling to survey adults (≥18 years) across all 13 administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from April 2022 to December 2023 using the validated Arabic Beverage Frequency Questionnaire (ABFQ), assessing consumption patterns of 28 beverage types. Results: The study included 4385 participants (mean age: 36.1 ± 11.14 years, 65% male). Sweetened tea (28 mL/day), regular soft drinks (22.1 mL/day), and Saudi coffee (18 mL/day) were the most frequent beverages after water. Sweetened tea contributed to the highest average energy intake (33.2 ± 46.4 kcal/day). Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) was higher among younger individuals (18–29 years: OR: 4.0, 95% CI [2.6–6.3]; 30–44 years: OR: 2.8, 95% CI [1.8–4.3]), males (OR:1.6, 95% CI [1.4–1.8]), and residents of specific regions [Al-Jawf (OR: 1.9, 95% CI [1.2–3.2]) and Jazan (OR: 3.2, 95% CI [2.2–4.7])]. Higher water intakes were associated with males (OR: 1.5, 95% CI [1.3–1.7]), higher education levels (OR: 1.4, 95% CI [1.2–1.8]), physically active (OR: 1.5, 95% CI [1.3–1.8]), and those overweight (OR: 1.6, 95% CI [1.2–2.3]) or obese (OR: 2, 95% CI [1.4–2.8]). Conclusions: This study provides a valuable insight into beverage consumption patterns among Saudi residents. The findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to promote healthier beverage choices, particularly among younger populations and those with lower socioeconomic status. Full article

Background: Prostate cancer is a leading malignancy among men globally, with its incidence expected to rise due to aging populations and shifting lifestyles. While established risk factors include age, ethnicity, and genetics, the role of modifiable dietary factors, particularly sugar intake, remains less clear. Emerging evidence suggests that high sugar consumption may promote carcinogenesis through insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and hormonal dysregulation. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current evidence on the association between dietary sugar intake and prostate cancer risk. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across six databases for observational studies published between January 2005 and April 2025. Eligible studies assessed the associations between quantitative sugar intake and prostate cancer outcomes. Screening, data extraction, and a risk of bias assessment (using ROBINS-E) were performed independently by multiple reviewers. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising four prospective cohorts, one case–control study, and one cross-sectional study, with a combined sample of 11,583 men from the USA, Canada, Sweden, and France. Three studies reported a significant positive association between a high intake of dietary sugars and prostate cancer risk, two found no association, and one showed mixed findings depending on the type of sugar. Heterogeneity in the exposure assessments and confounder control limited the comparability. Conclusions: This review suggests a possible association between high dietary sugar intake and increased prostate cancer risk, especially from added sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages. However, inconsistent findings and methodological limitations highlight the need for robust, prospective studies with standardized assessments to understand this relationship better. Full article

Introduction: The major cause of obesity is excessive calorie intake. Inappropriate dietary habits, like increased meal frequency, portion sizes, or amount of snacks consumed contribute to obesity development. Potential differences in the perception of snacks by people with different BMIs may be one of the causes of obesity. Assessment of the perception of snacks by people with excessive and normal body weight will allow us to check whether this parameter actually has an impact on the development of obesity. Materials and Methods: A survey study was conducted to check differences in assessing different snacks and beverages by individuals with varied BMIs. Participants analyzed snacks on presented photographs and assessed portion sizes, estimated caloric content, assessed whether the meal was healthy, and determined whether the indicated portion would be sufficient to satisfy their hunger. The study population was divided according to body mass index (BMI) into individuals with normal weight, overweight, and obesity. Additionally, the study group was divided according to gender and age. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the majority of the studied parameters concerning BMI; however, the study revealed relatively low education level regarding caloric assessment. Conclusions: BMI seems not to have an influence on calorie and portion size perception of snacks. The majority of the population wrongly assessed the calorific value of snacks, which might contribute to obesity development. People have a tendency to overestimate the caloric value of snacks. Women assess the portion size of highly processed snacks as larger than men do. Full article

Background: Sitting is highly prevalent among young and older adults and can transiently reduce cerebral blood flow. Dietary flavanols confer benefits to the peripheral vasculature and may be effective at counteracting the impact of sitting in the cerebrovasculature. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the acute ingestion of flavanols prior to sitting improves common carotid artery (CCA) blood flow/shear rate (BF/SR) in young and older individuals. Methods: Two acute randomized, double-blinded, cross-over, placebo-controlled studies were conducted in 40 healthy young males (high-fit: 22.2 ± 2.9 yr., low-fit: 23.2 ± 4.1 yr., N = 20 per group) and 20 healthy older adults (72.4 ± 5.0 yr.). Participants consumed either a high- (695 mg) or low-flavanol (5.6 mg) cocoa beverage just before a 2 h sitting bout. Resting CCA retrograde/anterograde BF and SR, as well as arterial diameter, were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: Sitting reduced anterograde BF and/or SR in young and older individuals (p < 0.001) but only resulted in increases in retrograde BF (p = 0.021) and SR (p = 0.022) in the older group. Flavanols did not affect anterograde BF/SR in either group (p > 0.05) but mitigated (non-significant interaction: p = 0.053) sitting-induced increases in retrograde BF/SR in older individuals, with retrograde BF (p = 0.028) and SR (p = 0.033) increasing significantly only after intake of the low-flavanol beverage. No changes in arterial diameter were detected. Conclusions: This suggests that flavanols may have the potential to attenuate the detrimental sitting-induced increases in retrograde BF and SR in older adults, although larger well-powered studies are required to confirm this. Full article

Background: Elevated serum uric acid (SUA) levels in young people have become a significant public health concern. Dietary habits are a key factor influencing SUA levels. This study aimed to investigate dietary patterns (DPs) of children and adolescents and their associations with SUA. Methods: This cross-sectional study included children and adolescents in Guangzhou, China. We used structured questionnaires to collect data on demographics, lifestyle, and dietary intake, and we collected blood samples for biochemical analysis. DPs were identified by factor analysis. We used robust linear regression to examine the association between these patterns and SUA levels. Parallel mediation analysis was utilized to assess the mediating role of body mass index (BMI) Z-score and waist circumference (WC). Results: The study encompassed 4100 children and adolescents between ages 9–17. The median SUA level was 374 (IQR: 319, 438) μmol/L and the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 41.7%. We identified four DPs, including plant-based, snack–beverage, highprotein, and meat–carbohydrate patterns. There was a positive correlation between the meat–carbohydrate pattern and SUA (β = 3.67 μmol/L, 95% CI: 1.22–6.12). The Q4 group of the highprotein pattern was associated with higher SUA levels (9.17 μmol/L, 95% CI: 2.41–15.93) compared to the Q1 group. BMI Z-score and WC mediated the association between the meat–carbohydrate pattern and SUA. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that BMI Z-score and WC mediated the association between the meat–carbohydrate pattern and SUA. This study emphasizes the significance of targeted dietary interventions for weight control in addressing the increasing SUA levels in children and adolescents. Future research could focus on exploring the molecular mechanisms, developing personalized dietary intervention programs, and conducting multicenter prospective cohort studies. Full article