Search Results (170)

Background/Objectives: To explore the factors associated with changes in skeletal muscle mass among Japanese health checkup subjects (5214 men and 6614 women). Methods: Fat-free index (FF index) was defined as FF mass divided by height squared (kg/m²). Change rate in FF index (kg/m²/year) was defined as [FF index (second time) − FF index (first time (i.e., baseline))]/interval between first and second times (years). Factors associated with change rate in FF index >0 kg/m²/year were primarily examined. Results: The average age, body mass index (BMI) were 52.4 years and 23.9 kg/m² for men, and 50.5 years and 21.8 kg/m² for women. In the multivariate analyses, age (p < 0.0001), body mass index (BMI, p < 0.0001), baseline FF index (p < 0.0001), waist circumference (p = 0.0365), fasting blood sugar (FBS, p = 0.0012), alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.0001) and alcohol intake were found to be significant in men, while BMI (p < 0.0001), baseline FF index (p < 0.0001), triglyceride (p = 0.0031), FBS (p = 0.0064) and alcohol intake were found to be significant in women. Conclusions: Lifestyle guidance from various aspects including metabolic factors may be important to maintain skeletal muscle mass. Full article

Increasing awareness of the negative health effects associated with high sugar intake has led to a growing demand for reducing added sugar in food products. In this study, the antioxidant properties of commercial yogurts containing pasteurized fruits were evaluated and compared with natural yogurts freshly enriched with 3–20% thawed fruits (bilberries, cherries and strawberries). Additionally, yogurts enriched with cornelian cherry were analyzed. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the ABTS and DPPH methods, along with measurements of total polyphenol content and reducing power. The effect of fruit addition on the number of yogurt bacteria was also investigated. The results showed that the addition of fruits significantly increased the yogurts’ ability to neutralize free radicals, attributed to the presence of natural antioxidants and polyphenols. The addition of fruits helped maintain the vitality of lactic acid bacteria, with bacterial counts remaining well above the minimum threshold of 10⁷ cfu/g. The findings demonstrated that cornelian cherry has great potential as a source of polyphenols with antioxidant properties. These results confirm the high nutritional value of yogurts enriched with thawed fruit, which may serve as a valuable component of a healthy diet and a healthier alternative to sweetened yogurts commonly available in stores. Full article

Background/Objectives: Male infertility is multifactorial, involving genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and medical factors. Recent research has underscored the influence of lifestyle choices, such as dietary habits, smoking, alcohol abuse, and metabolic disturbances, on sperm quality. In this context, nutrition plays a pivotal role: adherence to a healthy diet like the Mediterranean Diet (MD), which emphasizes seasonal, fresh, and whole foods, has been linked to improved sperm performance. Conversely, a high intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), characterized by additives, high levels of sugars, fats, and salt, and a nutrient-poor profile, may impair sperm quality. Methods: Based on data supporting the reproductive health benefits of the MD, this observational cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the possible relationship between MD adherence, assessed using the 14-point a priori Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), based on the NOVA classification, and sperm quality in 358 individuals (mean age 34.6 ± 9.3 years) who spontaneously referred to our center of reproductive medicine. Semen analyses were performed according to the WHO 2021 criteria. Hormonal profiles (FSH, LH, testosterone, SHBG, bioavailable testosterone, and calculated free testosterone) were also determined. Results: MD adherence score was significantly and positively correlated with semen parameters, whilst negatively correlated with FSH and LH levels. In contrast, UPF intake was correlated with poor semen parameters, whilst no association was observed with hormonal levels. Multivariate analyses confirmed these associations and showed the independency from age and BMI. Notably, among men with FSH levels < 8 IU/mL, higher quartiles of UPF intake had lower markers of sperm quality, particularly for viability and typical morphology. Differently, high MD adherence scores were associated with high quality sperm parameters even when FSH levels were >8 IU/mL. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that the adherence to MD, and conversely reduced intake of ultra-processed foods, is associates with a better semen profile. These findings suggest the possible role of dietary interventions as a modifiable factor in the management of male infertility. Full article

Background: The majority of Australian children exceed the World Health Organization’s recommended dietary intake of free sugar, particularly through the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. Front-of-pack nutrition labels increase perceived risk and deter the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. However, past studies of young children have focused almost exclusively on a parent’s choice of beverage for children. This study investigated the influence of four label designs (text-based warning, tooth decay pictorial, teaspoons of sugar, and Health Star Rating) on the beverage choices of N = 1229 Australian children (aged 4–11 years) and their parents. Methods: In an online vending machine scenario, parent–child dyads were separately asked to select which beverage they would choose for themselves before and after being randomised to one label condition. The beverages displayed included 100% fruit juice, soft drink, soft drink with a non-nutritive sweetener, flavoured milk, plain milk and bottled water. Beverage healthiness was determined by a 1–10 rating based on a review by a panel of experts (10 dietitians and nutritionists). Results: Mixed-model ANOVAs showed that for parents, each label design performed comparably; however, for children, small but significant differences were seen in the effectiveness of different label designs, with the teaspoons of sugar label, text-based warning, and tooth decay pictorial found to be more impactful in promoting healthier drink choices than the Health Star Rating. Conclusions: These findings can inform public health advocacy efforts to improve food labelling and could be incorporated into educational resources to help children understand the nutritional profiles of different sugary drinks. Full article

Background: Dietary intake plays a crucial role in health research, yet existing methods for its measurement can lead to participant burden, lengthy recording, and human errors, and do not account for age-specific variations. Libro is a real-time diet-tracking mobile-based app offering flexible features. An automated food recording program within Libro was customized for young people vulnerable to eating misbehaviour. This preliminary study assessed its relative validity using a self-administered 24 h recall method as the reference method. Methods: The relative validity of Libro was tested by adopting a cross-over design that recorded food intake over a period of 3 non-consecutive weekdays and 1 weekend day with both methods. The participants were recruited online through a mental health research charity, and this study was conducted fully online. The primary outcome was the concordance of total energy intake between the two methods, with secondary outcomes focusing on the intake of protein, carbohydrates, fats, free sugars, fibre, and trans-fatty acids. Test–retest validity was assessed per method with the intraclass correlation coefficient; a Bland–Altman plot and t-test were performed to test agreement at the group level; correlation coefficient and cross-classification were performed to assess agreement at the individual level. Results: Forty-seven participants were included in the final analysis. The average intraclass correlation coefficient for energy intake measured by Libro over four days was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.76–0.91). Compared to Intake24, the average energy intake recorded using Libro was significantly lower (mean difference: −554 Kcal, 95% CI: −804.1 to −305.6 Kcal, p < 0.001), potentially driven by the reduced reporting of foods rich in free sugars. The correlation coefficient for average energy intake measured by Libro vs. Intake24 was 0.32 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.55), with only 27.7% of subjects classified in the same quartile with both methods (κ = 0.31, 95% CI: −0.03, 0.55). Concordance varied across specific dietary component measures. Conclusions: While Libro had good test–retest reliability if adopting a multiple administration method, it underreported energy and other aspects of dietary intake, along with poor classification performance compared to Intake24 in a population vulnerable to eating misbehaviour. We suggest that future studies improve user experience to increase compliance and data accuracy. Full article

Background and Objectives: Added sugar usage has become an important public health issue nowadays. Therefore, the interest in studying the cognitive and emotional effects associated with sugar consumption has increased. The present study aimed to investigate how the intake of added sugar affects participants’ impulsivity and cognitive functions monitored during the performance of a computerized Go/NoGo task. Materials and Methods: This study included 20 subjects (10 men and 10 women). Quantitative data for this study were collected via self-report questionnaires, including demographics, the Dietary Fat and Free Sugar—Short Questionnaire (DFS), the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0), and the Barratt impulsiveness scale-11 (BIS-11). Results: Event-related potentials (ERPs) were registered throughout this study. Comparing the results of psychophysiological and neuropsychological evaluations before and after the added sugar consumption reveals differences in ERPs. Specifically, the NoGo-P3 amplitude increased after the intake of added sugar. However, there were no behavioral differences between the two experimental sessions. Conclusions: Overall, the results of our study suggest that added sugar intake was associated with stronger neuronal firing in NoGo trials. One possible explanation for this could be the need for more cognitive endeavors for participants to successfully inhibit their response impulses after added sugar consumption. Full article

Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by the rapid overconsumption of palatable food in a short amount of time, often leading to obesity. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system involved in palatable food intake, is highly expressed in reward-related brain regions and is involved in both obesity and BED. This study investigated differences in ECS expression between these conditions using male Wistar rats exposed to specific regimen over six weeks: a non-access group (NA) with a standard diet, a continuous access group (CA) with free-choice high-fat high-sugar (fcHFHS) diet modeling obesity, and an intermittent access group (IA) with intermittent fcHFHS access modeling BED. Food intake was measured, and brain tissues from the nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsal striatum (DS), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) were analyzed for ECS expression using qPCR and mass spectrometry. We identified differential ECS expression across palatable food access groups, with variations depending on the brain region (striatal or mesencephalic). Correlation analyses revealed ECS dysregulations dependent on the type (fat or sucrose) and quantity of palatable food consumed. Comparative network analysis revealed co-regulation patterns of ECS-related genes with specific signatures associated with each eating pattern, highlighting RMTg as a key region for future research in eating behavior. Full article

Background/Objectives: The excessive consumption of free sugars adversely impacts health, contributing to systemic disorders and significantly increasing the risk of dental caries. Children are particularly vulnerable to dental caries due to their dietary habits and oral hygiene practices. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sugar intake and dental caries experience in a sample of children aged 6–12 years. Methods: Data were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) covering the years 2011–2016. This cross-sectional study utilized nationally representative data from NHANES, which provides comprehensive health assessments on the U.S. population. This study focused on 3658 children aged 6–12 years. Free sugar intake and its association with dental caries were evaluated using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, a widely accepted measure for assessing cumulative caries experience in permanent teeth. Demographic and socioeconomic factors were also accounted for. The sample primarily consisted of generally healthy children, with mild to moderate health conditions included in the analysis. Results: The average Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score was 1.69 (SD = 2.61). Untreated dental caries affected 19.1% of the sample, with disproportionately higher rates observed among Mexican American children (23.8%), children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds (24.2%), those with less-educated parents (25.1%), and overweight children (22.9%). Mean daily free sugar intake was 72.46 g (SD = 50.45), with significant variations across race/ethnicity, parental education, and gender. A statistically significant association was found between free sugar intake and dental caries in U.S. children (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Free sugar intake is strongly associated with an increased risk of dental caries. Disparities in caries prevalence were evident based on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and parental education levels. Regulating sugar intake and promoting dietary education are effective strategies to reduce the risk of dental caries and improve oral health outcomes among children. Full article

Background: Fructose (50% of sucrose/sugar) is one component of free-sugars and is metabolized to uric acid, which is a known risk factor for gout and metabolic syndrome. Pacific peoples in New Zealand experience a higher prevalence of gout, type 2 diabetes, and overweight/obesity than other ethnic groups. Interestingly, despite having a similar body mass index (BMI), they tend to have a higher proportion of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) and less fat than other ethnic groups. Given this context, this study aimed to evaluate the associations between serum uric acid (SUA), free-sugar intake, and ASMM. Methods: In a nested sub-study from the Pacific Islands Families birth-cohort study, 101 boys and 99 girls (all aged 14 and 15 years) self-reported how often they had consumed foods containing sugar in the past month. Anthropometry, body fatness, and ASMM by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and metabolic risk factors, including SUA were measured. Results: Overall, 43% of girls and 57% of boys consumed ‘sugary drinks’ twice or more a day. When analyzed by group, ASMM was positively related to SUA for both boys and girls (r = 0.593, p < 0.0001). The effect of the intake of ‘sugary drinks’ on SUA (r = 0.176, p = 0.013) was reduced when ASMM was considered in the relationships. Conclusions: This study shows high SUA levels in Pacific adolescents, with a positive association between ASMM and SUA in both genders. Sugary drink intake was positively associated with SUA in both boys and girls. High ASMM in Pacific people and an increased risk for raised SUA make it important to work with Pacific communities to reduce added sugar intake and adopt integrated, family-based, culturally centered, and life-course approaches to prevent chronic diseases, including gout. Full article

Background/Aims: High intakes of free sugars may have negative effects on health perhaps associated with their effect on nutrient and food group intakes. The primary aim of the study was to compare nutrient and food group intakes between children with habitual high or low intakes of free sugars to identify which foods could be targeted to improve the diets of children consuming excess free sugars. The secondary aim was to assess antecedents for a child being in the high free sugars group compared with the low to identify the age at which an intervention would be most effective. Methods: The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children collected 3-day food records from children at ages 7, 10, and 13 years. Increments of 5% of energy from free sugars (%E-FS) were calculated. Two groups of children were identified: those consuming ≤15%E-FS each time (Low-FS) and those consuming >20%E-FS each time (High-FS). Their mean daily nutrient and food group intakes were compared at each age using ANOVA. Antecedents of being in these two FS groups were tested using regression models. Results: At each age, 70% of children consumed >15%E-FS with one-third >20%E-FS. Data were available for 4723 children at all three ages, and the diets of the 456 children with Low-FS intakes were compared with 330 children with High-FS intakes at each age. Energy intakes were higher in High-FS than Low-FS at each age, but protein, fat, starch, and fibre intakes were lower. Several micronutrient intakes (e.g., calcium, zinc, selenium, and retinol) were also lower. The High-FS group ate more confectionery and other sweet foods than the Low-FS group as well as six times more sugar-sweetened soft drinks (SSSD) and four times more fruit juice. However, the High-FS group consumed less bread, fat spreads, milk, and vegetables than the Low-FS group. Being in the High-FS group compared with Low-FS group was not associated with maternal education, age, or breastfeeding duration. It was more likely if the child was difficult to feed at 15 months or a picky eater in preschool years and if a dietary pattern low in nutrient-dense core foods and high in nutrient-poor discretionary foods was being consumed at 2 and/or 3 years of age. Conclusions: Children who habitually ate a High-FS diet in mid-late childhood consumed larger amounts of SSSD and fruit juice and less of some core foods than Low-FS consumers. This type of dietary pattern was already evident at 2 years of age and was associated with being a picky eater. To reduce children’s intake of free sugars, support for parents to introduce a healthy balanced diet should be provided in the first 2 years of a child’s life. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sweet taste preferences are currently targeted to aid with reducing free sugar intakes, but associations between sweet taste liking, sweet food intakes, and sugar intakes are not well established. Methods: UK consumers (n = 179) who were consuming >5% of total energy intakes from free sugars provided several laboratory measures of sweet taste liking, laboratory test meal measures of sweet food choice and sugar intakes, and 3-day food diary measures of free-living free sugar and total sugar intakes. Liking measures included liking for a 1 M sucrose solution, and pleasantness, desire to eat, and sweet taste intensity ratings for seven foods of a range of sweet taste intensities in a taste test. Results: Wide individual differences in sweet taste liking, in liking for a high sweet taste intensity, and in the relationships between sweet taste intensity and sweet taste liking were found. The majority of participants confirmed high liking and increasing liking for increasingly sweet tastes, but differing patterns of responses were also found. Higher liking for sweet foods was associated with increased sweet food selection and consumption at the test meal, and to some degree with free sugar and total sugar consumption in this restricted scenario. However, we found no associations between sweet taste liking, regardless of measure, and either free-living free sugar or total sugar intakes. Conclusions: These findings cast doubt on assumptions that sweet taste preferences are high for all and that these high sweet taste preferences drive high free sugar intakes. Full article

Background: Obesity in childhood and adolescence represents a major public health problem, mostly attributed to dietary and physical activity factors. We aimed to determine the dietary and physical activity habits of participants before and after the implementation of a personalized, multidisciplinary, lifestyle intervention program for the management of obesity in the context of the Horizon Research Project ‘BigO: Big Data against Childhood Obesity’. Methods: Three hundred and eighty-six (n = 386) children and adolescents (mean age ± SD: 12.495 ± 1.988 years, 199 males and 187 females) participated in the study prospectively. Based on body mass index (BMI), subjects were classified as having obesity (n = 293, 75.9%) and overweight (n = 93, 24.1%) according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-off points. We implemented a personalized, multidisciplinary, lifestyle intervention program providing guidance on diet, sleep, and exercise, and utilized the BigO technology platform to objectively record data collected via a Smartphone and Smartwatch for each patient. Results: Following the intervention, a statistically significant decrease was noted in the consumption of cheese, cereal with added sugar, savory snacks, pasta, and fried potatoes across both BMI categories. Also, there was an increase in daily water intake between meals among all participants (p = 0.001) and a reduction in the consumption of evening snack or dinner while watching television (p < 0.05). Boys showed a decrease in the consumption of savory snacks, fried potato products, and pasta (p < 0.05), an increase in the consumption of sugar-free breakfast cereal (p < 0.05), and drank more water between meals daily (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a personalized, multidisciplinary, lifestyle intervention improves the dietary habits of children and adolescents. Full article

Background: High intake of fast food has been linked to increased risks of both depressive and anxiety disorders. However, associations between individual fast-food items and depressive/anxiety disorders are rarely examined. Method: Using cross-sectional survey the association between common fast-food items and depressive/anxiety symptoms among 142 young Hong Kong adults aged 18–27 years old was examined. A qualitative food frequency questionnaire was employed to measure the intake frequency of 22 common fast-food items found in Hong Kong. Occurrence of significant depressive and anxiety symptoms was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively. Primary measures were multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for occurrence of depressive and anxiety symptoms compared with the low intake frequency group for common fast-food items. Results: Our observations suggest that frequent intake of high-fat, -sugar, and -sodium fast-foods increased depressive symptoms, while frequent high-fat fast-food intake was associated with anxiety symptoms. However, frequent intake of sugar-free beverages reduced the risk of depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Habitual intake of certain fast foods were related to depressive/anxiety symptoms in young adults. Full article

The adoption of brown fermented milk in the normal diet and daily beverages is accompanied by significant sugar intake and a high public health burden. To reduce the sugar content in dairy products while maintaining optimal nutritional properties, a novel low-calorie, lactose-free brown fermented milk was developed through enzymatic hydrolysis and the Maillard reaction. The optimal product was achieved using low-temperature lactase, where the lactose and glucose content were reduced 33-fold and 2.4-fold to 0.06 g/100 g and 13.32 g/L, respectively, meeting the criteria for being lactose-free (<0.5 g/100 g). Meanwhile, hazardous compounds such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and 3-deoxyglucosone were reduced by more than 20%. After 28 days of storage, the water-holding capacity and suspension stability remained notably stable, and the protein composition was also more enriched compared to commercial milk. It is expected that this low-calorie dairy product may promote growth in the dairy market. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the associations between carbohydrate intake and gout risk, along with interactions between genetic susceptibility and carbohydrates, and the mediating roles of biomarkers. We included 187,387 participants who were free of gout at baseline and completed at least one dietary assessment in the UK Biobank. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the associations between carbohydrate intake and gout risk. Over a median follow-up of 11.69 years, 2548 incident cases of gout were recorded. Total carbohydrate intake was associated with a reduced gout risk (Q4 vs. Q1: HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.60–0.74), as were total sugars (0.89, 0.80–0.99), non-free sugars (0.70, 0.63–0.78), total starch (0.70, 0.63–0.78), refined grain starch (0.85, 0.76–0.95), wholegrain starch (0.73, 0.65–0.82), and fiber (0.72, 0.64–0.80), whereas free sugars (1.15, 1.04–1.28) were associated with an increased risk. Significant additive interactions were found between total carbohydrates and genetic risk, as well as between total starch and genetic risk. Serum urate was identified as a significant mediator in all associations between carbohydrate intake (total, different types, and sources) and gout risk. In conclusion, total carbohydrate and different types and sources of carbohydrate (excluding free sugars) intake were associated with a reduced risk of gout. Full article