Search Results (11,089)

Objectives: The objectives of this review are to explore the effects of various nutrition and exercise lifestyle interventions on pregnancy outcomes in individuals with, or at risk of, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as to examine whether interventions that are culturally and/or religiously sensitive influence clinical and behavioural outcomes. Methods: This study was conducted as a narrative review. PRISMA was used solely as a reporting guide to enhance transparency in the search and study selection process. PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched for studies published up to November 2025. Intervention-based studies evaluating nutrition, physical activity, or combined lifestyle interventions targeting either GDM incidence, insulin use, or glycemic outcomes were included. Forty-three studies met eligibility criteria. Study designs consisted primarily of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with one case–control and one quasi-experimental design trial. Results: Combined lifestyle interventions generally showed the most consistent improvements in glycemic control; however, findings were not uniform across all studies, and reporting on insulin outcomes was limited. The Mediterranean, low-glycemic index (LGI) and DASH diets, along with supervised, prenatal exercise programs with low–moderate intensity, delivered at least three times per week, were effective in managing GDM. Regarding culturally or religiously sensitive interventions, only one study was identified. Conclusions: Lifestyle interventions may improve glycemic outcomes in GDM; however, further high-quality research is needed, particularly studies incorporating culturally and religiously sensitive approaches and improved reporting of insulin-related outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nutritional vulnerability (NV) describes the interaction of diet quality, access to food, health status and socioeconomic factors and may differ between neighborhoods. Nevertheless, there is still a limited amount of evidence regarding local NV variations in contrasting resource landscapes. The purpose of this study was to operationalize NV in Windham, Connecticut and conduct an analysis of its spatial distribution and the differences between neighborhoods for NV and specifically diet quality. Methods: NV was measured with four indicators, including two diet quality measures (liking-based DQI and short food frequency-based sHEI), food security, obesity, and SNAP participation. Areas of vulnerable concentration were determined through spatial mapping. Indicators related to each other were measured by Spearman correlation. To compare the contrasting neighborhoods (resource-dense vs. resource-limited), contextual differences were studied and differences in NV indicators, sociodemographic and movement factors were compared with the help of chi-square tests. Diet quality measures were jointly examined for concordance (both measures low or high) and discordance. Results: Area-level comparisons showed significant differences in mobility-related and sociodemographic characteristics, including vehicle access and education level (p < 0.05). High diet quality (measure concordance) was reported by individuals living in high-resourced regions; low diet quality (measure concordance) by individuals in low-resourced regions. Conclusions: The NV Map illustrated focal patterns of vulnerability determined by the interplay of sociodemographic disadvantage and mobility-related limitations and not by distance to food resources. These results give practical spatial data to promote specific nutrition and resource intervention. Full article

Pulmonary fibrosis, encompassing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) with a progressive phenotype (PPF), represents a group of chronic, life-threatening conditions associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden. Despite advances in antifibrotic therapies, traditional disease-centered management alone is insufficient to address the multidimensional needs of affected patients. This comprehensive review advocates for a holistic, patient-centered approach to the management of pulmonary fibrosis, integrating pharmacological interventions with systematic comorbidity assessment, pulmonary rehabilitation, psychosocial support, nutritional optimization, early palliative care, social and community reinforcement, and digital health technologies. We examine the evidence supporting each dimension of holistic care, discuss current barriers to implementation—including healthcare fragmentation, limited multidisciplinary protocols, and scarce resources—and outline future perspectives centered on precision medicine and integrated care models. By shifting from a purely organ-focused paradigm to a comprehensive, multidisciplinary strategy, clinicians can improve not only disease outcomes but also quality of life and overall well-being for patients living with fibrosing ILDs. Full article

Novel ingredients from rowanberry pomace were developed for French-type bread applications via supercritical CO₂ extraction and the enzymatic and ultrasound treatment of the defatted residue (DFR), which contained 6.367% of proteins, 8.36% of soluble, and 43.04% insoluble fiber. Proteolytic enzymes from Bacillus licheniformis and Aspergillus oryzae, and cellulolytic enzyme mixtures Viscozyme L and Celuclast, were used to increase the soluble fraction. Treating DFR with enzymes generated significant amounts of soluble substances containing oligosaccharides, fructose, and glucose, with Viscozyme L being more effective than proteases. Tri-, and tetrapeptides, chlorogenic acids, and dihydroxy coumarins were also present in the soluble extracts of fermented DFR. The antioxidant characteristics of treated DFR were evaluated by the in vitro assays. Substitution of >5% of wheat flour with untreated DFR significantly reduced bread volume and crumb porosity; however, these adverse effects were mitigated by using fermented DFR. The highest bread volume (1845 cm³) and porosity (78.38%) were observed in bread containing 5% pomace that underwent enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrasound treatment. The substitution of flour with DFR significantly increased the antioxidant characteristics of bread samples and the substances generated during the in vitro digestion. It may be concluded that rowanberry pomace ingredients may improve bread nutritional quality and assist in the sustainable use of fruit processing by-products. Full article

Sarcopenia, defined as the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, is increasingly recognized as a significant concern in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and particularly in kidney transplant recipients (KTx-ps). This review explores the complex interplay of pathophysiological mechanisms, prevalence, and management strategies of sarcopenia in the context of kidney transplantation. CKD contributes to sarcopenia through systemic inflammation, malnutrition, uremic toxin accumulation, and metabolic imbalances, all of which persist or are exacerbated after transplantation due to immunosuppressive therapies especially corticosteroids. Notably, the post-transplant period may introduce additional risks, such as altered body composition and reduced physical activity, further aggravating muscle wasting. Sarcopenia affects approximately 26% of KTx-ps, leading to adverse outcomes including decreased quality of life, increased risk of infection, frailty, delayed recovery, and graft loss. The diagnosis remains challenging due to variability in assessment tools and a lack of standardized criteria. Management strategies must be multifactorial, including personalized nutritional support, targeted physical activity, and, where appropriate, pharmacological interventions. Early identification through imaging and functional testing is critical, especially in older patients and those with prolonged dialysis vintage. Emerging therapies, such as myostatin inhibitors, offer promise but require further validation. Additionally, early steroid withdrawal may mitigate muscle loss without compromising graft survival in selected patients. This review underscores the need for heightened awareness and standardized protocols to identify and manage sarcopenia in kidney transplantation, ultimately improving long-term outcomes and patient-centered care. Full article

Background/Objectives: Aging is associated with physiological, biochemical, and psychosocial changes that can significantly affect nutritional status and overall health. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), older adults face unique age-related challenges that may compromise healthy aging, yet evidence remains fragmented. This systematic review synthesized the existing literature on the nutritional status, age-related challenges, and strategies to promote healthy aging of older adults in SSA. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies published up to 10 December 2025. Results: Fifty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, with most of the studies coming from South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria. Amongst community-dwelling populations, approximately 30–65% of the older adults were either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, while hospital-based studies reported markedly higher burdens, with malnutrition prevalence exceeding 70% in some settings. Undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the coexistence of overweight and obesity were frequently observed, reflecting the region’s ongoing nutrition transition. Frailty emerged as the predominant age-related challenge, with prevalence ranging around 10–60%. Other common challenges included sarcopenia, reduced muscle strength, functional disability, cognitive impairment, and dysphagia, all of which were closely related to poor nutritional status, food insecurity, multimorbidity, and reduced quality of life. Few studies reported on healthy aging strategies, with the limited evidence suggesting that nutrition education, physical activity, and psychosocial interventions may enhance nutritional and functional outcomes. Conclusions: The need for context-specific, nutrition-sensitive interventions, and stronger health and social support systems is warranted to promote healthy aging in SSA older adults. Full article

Selenium-sand melon (Cucumis melo L.) juice (SSJ) is valued for its lycopene and organic selenium content, but its shelf-life is limited by heat-labile nutrients and postharvest microbial spoilage. Non-thermal strategies that combine UV-C with natural antioxidants are therefore of interest. This study quantified the individual and interactive effects of UV-C alone or with four antioxidant systems on microbial safety, bioactive retention, and the flavor stability of SSJ under extreme contamination conditions (Escherichia coli D25015 at 5.19 log₁₀ CFU/mL; Mucor circinelloides D11624 at 4.36 log₁₀ CFU/mL). For this, we evaluated the efficacy of five treatments: UV-C alone (Group Z) and UV-C combined with catechin (Group EC, 0.01%), sodium erythorbate (Group K, 0.01%), ascorbic acid (Group VC, 0.1%), and catechin-ascorbic acid (Group HH, 0.005% + 0.05%). Conventional pasteurization (high-temperature short-time, HTST; low-temperature long-time, LTLT) served as controls. UV-C alone (Group Z) preserved lycopene and volatile flavor compounds better than HTST or LTLT. The combined use of UV-C and antioxidants exhibited synergistic effects, with no viable bacteria detected in Group K (sodium erythorbate) within four weeks. UV-C combined with antioxidants offer a scalable, non-thermal strategy that maintains nutritional and sensory quality while achieving pathogen reduction. These findings provide a quantitative framework for clean-label preservation of functional melon beverages. Full article

Alternative proteins and novel processing technologies are crucial to transforming contemporary food systems into ones with lower environmental impact while meeting the rising global demand for protein. Alternative protein sources from plants, microbes, insects, and cultivated cells offer diverse nutritional and techno-functional attributes that can partially or fully replace conventional animal proteins in meat analogs and related products. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on major categories of alternative protein sources, including plant-based ingredients, microbial- and fermentation-derived proteins, insect and other emerging sources, and cultivated (cell-based) meat, with a specific focus on their suitability for structured meat analog applications. Modern structuring and processing technologies are discussed, including the traditional wet and dry extrusion to modern technologies like high-moisture extrusion, high-pressure processing, shear-cell technology, 3D printing, fermentation-based structuring, and enzymatic protein modification. Furthermore, this review critically evaluates product design and quality attributes of meat analogs, including physicochemical properties, sensory performance, nutritional aspects, and safety considerations. This review highlights technological and scale-up challenges, as well as the necessity of multi-criteria optimization in sensory quality, nutrition, sustainability, and affordability, and presents research priorities focused on combining multiple protein sources and advanced processing pathways for next-generation meat analog. This review provides an integrated framework linking protein sources, processing technologies, antioxidant functionality, and sustainability considerations to support the development of next-generation meat analogs. In addition, this review highlights the intrinsic antioxidant potential of alternative proteins, emphasizing the role of bioactive peptides, polyphenols, and structure–function relationships in enhancing oxidative stability and product quality. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with goji berries (Lycium barbarum) on the nutritional profile, oxidative stability, and shelf life of rabbit meat. Thirty-two rabbits were assigned to two dietary treatments: a control diet (CN) and the same diet supplemented with 3% dried goji berries (GJ). Proximate composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle were determined at dissection, whereas physical, microbiological, and biochemical parameters were evaluated during refrigerated storage (4 °C; 1, 4, and 10 days) and frozen storage (−20 °C; 60 and 120 days). Dietary supplementation significantly modified the lipid profile of the meat, reducing saturated fatty acids and increasing long-chain n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. During refrigerated storage, lipid peroxidation increased in both groups; however, meat from the GJ group showed significantly lower TBARS values after 10 days (0.22 vs. 0.33 mg MDA/kg; p < 0.001), indicating improved oxidative stability. Lower accumulation of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), reduced formation of biogenic amines, and slower growth of spoilage-related microbial populations, particularly Pseudomonas spp., were also observed in GJ samples. Overall, the GJ diet improved fatty acid composition and delayed degradative processes during storage, suggesting its potential as a functional feed ingredient to enhance rabbit meat quality and shelf life. Full article

Background: Dietary fibre has been increasingly recognised for its potential role in modulating inflammation, gut-derived uraemic toxins, nutritional status, and kidney-related outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly through mechanisms involving the gut–liver–kidney axis. While nutritional management in CKD has traditionally focused on protein intake, despite growing evidence supporting soluble and insoluble types, the role of dietary fibre remains insufficiently reflected in clinical guidelines. Objective: This systematic review evaluated the effects of dietary fibre intake on inflammatory markers, gut-derived uraemic toxins, nutritional status, kidney function, and mechanistic pathways relevant to gut–liver–kidney axis among CKD patients. Methods: PubMed, Scopus and Medline Complete were searched for observational and interventional human studies. Review articles and animal studies were excluded. A total of 45 met eligibility criteria. Risk-of-bias (RoB) was assessed using domain-based tools, and findings were synthesised narratively across predefined outcome domains. Results: Higher fibre intake was generally associated with reductions in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and selective improvements in inflammatory tone including Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), while effects on C-reactive protein (CRP) varied. Several fermentable fibres were frequently linked with reduced gut-derived uraemic toxins, including indoxyl sulphate (IS), p-cresyl sulphate (pCS), and less consistently trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO). Nutritional markers such as albumin, BMI and overall diet quality were typically maintained or improved. Kidney function was stable across short-term interventions, with suggestions of slower decline in longer studies incorporating fibre-rich dietary patterns. Mechanistic studies frequently reported increased saccharolytic activity and favourable changes in fermentation profiles. Despite growing evidence, soluble fibre remains an underrepresented component in CKD dietary guidelines, warranting further high-quality interventional studies to confirm its therapeutic potential. Full article

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly incorporated into nutrition research and practice; however, the extent of its clinical integration and impact on health outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review evaluated how AI-based systems have been implemented in human nutritional interventions and summarized reported outcomes. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, JMIR, and MDPI were searched from January 2020 to March 2025 (search completed in March 2025). Randomized controlled trials and prospective or retrospective cohort studies published in English or Spanish were included if they evaluated AI-driven nutritional interventions in human populations and reported health-related outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I. A qualitative synthesis was performed. Results: Sixteen studies involving 10,863 participants were included. Most were randomized controlled trials targeting metabolic disorders, particularly type 2 diabetes and obesity. Eleven studies evaluated metabolic outcomes, including HbA1c, body weight, fat mass, lipid levels, and insulin resistance indices. Six studies assessed gastrointestinal symptom severity scores, and two examined quality-of-life or patient-reported outcomes. Several trials reported short-term improvements favoring AI-supported interventions in glycemic control, weight reduction, and symptom severity. However, effects were heterogeneous and often observed within multimodal programs, limiting attribution of outcomes solely to the AI component. Conclusions: AI integration in nutrition remains in an early phase of clinical implementation. Although preliminary findings suggest potential benefits, interpretation should be cautious given methodological heterogeneity and moderate-to-high risk of bias across studies. Larger, rigorously designed investigations are required to determine sustained clinical effectiveness. Full article

Food safety, nutrition, and public health are actual economic and medical problems. Sweetness is an important feature of food technology. Models for the sweetness of special organic compounds used in the food industry are suggested. The models are built using the CORAL software. New statistical coefficients of predictive potential are studied. These are the index of ideality of correlation (IIC) and correlation intensity index (CII). The effectiveness of using the IIC and CII has been tested in simulated sweetness via Monte Carlo optimization of correlation weights for molecular features extracted from Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System (SMILES) strings. Both factors have been shown to improve the model’s statistical quality on the calibration and validation sets. However, this is accompanied by a decrease in the statistical quality of the training sets. Full article

Insect bioconversion can transform agri-food side-streams into insect biomass while returning nutrients in the form of frass. This study evaluated Tenebrio molitor reared on wheat bran and on substrates in which bran was partially replaced with agri-food side-streams produced in Kosovo, including brewer’s spent grain, brewer's spent yeast, apple and grape pomace, and surplus vegetables. Growth performance, larval composition, and frass nutrient composition were assessed across seven treatments. Larvae reared on wheat bran combined with brewer’s spent grain and melon as wet feed achieved the highest larval weight. Substrates containing wheat bran, apple pomace, and brewer spent yeast also supported high larval weights, but with a higher feed conversion ratio. In contrast, larvae reared on wheat bran, grape pomace, and brewer's spent yeast showed the lowest larval weights. The use of potatoes as wet feed was associated with a longer development period. Larval proximate composition remained similar across treatments, with crude protein contents of 52–56% DM and only limited variation in fat and ash content. Overall, several tested side-streams supported larval growth comparable to wheat bran while generating nutrient-containing frass. Full article

Background/Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is primarily treated via dietary modifications. Several diets have been shown to improve symptoms with similar efficacy. Other aspects of IBS, such as insufficient nutrient intake and being overweight, should also be considered when planning treatment options. The present scoping review aimed to identify various diets investigated in IBS-related clinical trials and to map the measured outcomes. Methods: We performed a systematic search of three databases: PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL Ultimate. Our search was limited to papers published between January 2000 and February 2026, and included human studies published as peer-reviewed original articles in English that described dietary interventions in adult patients (≥18 years) with IBS. Results: The titles and abstracts of 1261 studies were screened; 1147 studies were excluded; and 114 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Excluding articles outside the scope of our research resulted in a total of 71 included articles from 57 unique clinical trials. The most common interventions were low fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) (n = 43), traditional dietary advice (n = 13), and gluten-free diets (n = 11). The most common primary outcomes were the effect on IBS symptoms (n = 48), efficacy in terms of improving quality of life (n = 10), psychological well-being (n = 7), nutrient intake (n = 7), and adherence/applicability/feasibility to the diet (n = 7). Conclusions: In conclusion, the most studied dietary intervention in IBS was low FODMAP, and an effect on GI symptoms was the most common outcome. Considering other conditions associated with IBS, the effects on anthropometric, endocrine, metabolic, and nutritional parameters should also be evaluated. Full article

Fruit anthocyanins are primary determinants of color, sensory quality, and nutritional value in grapes; however, their endogenous biosynthesis is governed by complex interactions among genetic, environmental, agronomic, and postharvest factors. This review elaborates recent advances in physiology and molecular biology to clarify the biosynthetic mechanisms in grapes, including the coordinated action of structural enzymes, MYB–bHLH–WD40 regulatory complexes, hormone-mediated signaling pathways, and vacuolar transport processes. Key environmental factors, such as temperature fluctuations, light exposure, water availability, and soil properties, regulate these networks, contributing to significant variation in pigmentation profiles across cultivars and growing regions. Strategic agronomic practices, including canopy management, regulated deficit irrigation, balanced nutrient management, and temperature-mitigation techniques, further influence pigmentation by modifying the microclimate of the fruit zone during development. Based on these mechanistic insights, this review evaluates targeted strategies for enhancing anthocyanin accumulation, highlighting recent progress in genetic improvement through CRISPR/Cas genome editing, transgenic approaches, and marker-assisted selection (MAS), which enable precise modulation of biosynthetic and regulatory genes. Complementary postharvest interventions, such as optimized cold storage, modified-atmosphere packaging, hormonal elicitors, and controlled oxidative technologies, provide additional opportunities to maintain or enhance pigment stability after harvest. Collectively, these advances establish a comprehensive framework linking molecular regulation with practical vineyard, breeding, and postharvest strategies, offering an integrated pathway to improve anthocyanin consistency, berry quality, and the phenolic characteristics of grape-derived products. Full article