Search Results (43)

Background/Objectives: Poor dietary habits are a major contributor to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the leading cause of mortality worldwide. To promote healthier eating, governments and stakeholders have implemented various nutrition policies, including front-of-pack nutrition labeling (FOPNL). The Choices International Foundation (Choices), through its criteria, supports these efforts through its standardized nutrient profiling system (NPS). Originally developed to underpin a positive FOPNL logo, in 2021, the criteria were expanded into a globally oriented five-level profiling system covering 23 basic and 10 discretionary food groups, addressing key nutrients such as trans-fatty acids, saturated fat, sodium, sugar, fiber, and energy. To ensure continued scientific relevance, the Choices criteria are periodically reviewed by an independent International Scientific Committee (ISC). Methods: This paper presents the 2025 revision of the Choices criteria, focusing on priority areas identified through stakeholder consultation and recent scientific developments. Results: Key updates include the introduction of nutrient-based equivalence criteria for plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy, based on protein and selected micronutrient thresholds. Non-sugar sweeteners (NSSs) were newly included as a factor that lowers a product’s health classification and makes it ineligible for a positive FOPNL. Additionally, the industrially produced trans-fatty acid (iTFA) criteria were revised and aligned with the latest World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, improving both technical feasibility and policy coherence. While options for incorporating whole-grain and micronutrient criteria were explored, these were not included in the current revision. Conclusions: The 2025 update system enhances the scientific rigor, policy alignment, and global applicability of the Choices system. By providing a harmonized and evidence-based tool, it aims to support national policies that foster healthier food environments and, ultimately, improve public health outcomes worldwide. Full article

Background: Cardiometabolic risk (CMR), including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and impaired glucose regulation, disproportionately affects Hispanic/Latinx adults in the United States (U.S.). Although plant-forward dietary patterns are established as cardioprotective, less is known about how dietary patterns within Hispanic/Latinx subgroups relate to CMR. Methods: A narrative review was conducted of observational studies among U.S. Hispanic/Latinx adults (≥18 years) examining defined dietary patterns (a priori, a posteriori, or hybrid) in relation to CMR outcomes (e.g., BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, glucose, lipids). Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted version of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, including Seventh-day Adventist Latinx, Puerto Rican adults, Mexican American adults, Hispanic women, and a national Hispanic cohort. Plant-forward dietary patterns were associated with lower BMI and waist circumference, lower triglycerides and fasting glucose, and higher HDL-C. In contrast, energy-dense patterns characterized by refined grains, added sugars, processed meats, fried foods, solid fats, and sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with greater adiposity, poorer lipid profiles, and higher blood pressure. Traditional rice-and-beans–based patterns observed in Puerto Rican and Mexican American groups were associated with central adiposity and higher metabolic syndrome prevalence, despite modestly higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Study quality ranged from good (n = 4) to very good (n = 6). Conclusions: Across Hispanic/Latinx subgroups, plant-forward dietary patterns were associated with favorable cardiometabolic profiles, whereas refined and animal-based patterns aligned with higher CMR. Given the predominance of cross-sectional evidence, these findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal. Culturally grounded dietary counseling, along with additional longitudinal and intervention studies, is needed to support cardiometabolic health in these populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traditional kombucha is produced by fermenting a sweetened infusion of Camellia sinensis leaves with a symbiotic consortium of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY). The growing interest in this beverage has driven the exploration of alternative substrates, including a wide range of plant-based raw materials, such as leaves, fruits, flowers, and seeds. Consequently, numerous products are being investigated for their differential properties, not only organoleptic but also nutritional and bioactive. This review aims to summarize recent advances in alternative kombucha research, focusing on the substrates used, their physicochemical and biochemical characteristics, and the biological activities studied. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to select articles related to alternative kombuchas. A critical analysis of their current state was carried out through the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) methodology. Results: The SWOT analysis led to the identification of strengths, including promising in vitro results and growing consumer interest; weaknesses, including a lack of animal studies, clinical trials, and approved health claims, and an excessive focus on antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds; opportunities, including substrate diversity, innovation, and consumer education; and threats, including elaboration risks, misinformation, competitors, and potential consumer rejection. Conclusions: Despite the promising results achieved to date, it is essential that the scientific community and the food industry continue efforts to generate robust evidence, particularly through clinical validation, in order to draw reliable conclusions regarding the benefits of alternative kombuchas for human health. Full article

Background/Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a growing public health burden in the European Union (EU), largely driven by modifiable lifestyle factors such as diet. This systematic review aimed to synthesize observational evidence on the associations between nutritional exposures and incident T2DM across the EU-28, with a focus on regional heterogeneity and implications for EU-level nutrition policy. Methods: The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020219994). Searches were conducted in different databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science) identifying 23,437 records, from which 104 observational studies were included. Eligible studies involved adults (≥18 years) without T2DM at baseline and assessed dietary exposures in relation to T2DM incidence. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed in duplicate using the NHLBI tool in Covidence. Results: Most included studies were cohort studies (77.9%), primarily conducted in Western, Northern, and Southern Europe. Diets characterized by high consumption of whole and minimally processed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fermented dairy, consistently showed associations with lower T2DM risk. In contrast, high intake of red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and ultra-processed foods was linked to higher risk. Adherence to Mediterranean or plant-based dietary patterns was associated with lower risk, whereas high animal-protein dietary patterns were detrimental. Conclusions: Nutritional determinants play a decisive role in shaping T2DM risk in the EU. Evidence supports prioritizing dietary patterns rich in plant-based and minimally processed foods while reducing ultra-processed and meat-based products. Tailored region-specific policies are needed to address the T2DM epidemic and guide effective prevention strategies. Full article

Objective: To identify major sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption patterns among Chinese children and adolescents and examine their associations with childhood overweight/obesity. Methods: Data were drawn from the Chinese Food Consumption Survey (2017–2020), including 7979 children and adolescents. SSB intake was assessed using a non-consecutive 3-day 24 h dietary recall and classified into nine types. Principal component analysis identified SSB consumption patterns. Nutritional status was defined using BMI Z-scores, following the World Health Organization growth standards. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associations between SSB patterns and overweight/obesity, with subgroup analyses by sex, age, and residence area. Results: Three major SSB patterns were identified: (1) Carbonated Beverage and Milk Tea Pattern (dominated by carbonated beverages and milk tea); (2) Functional Beverages Pattern (dominated by coffee beverages and sports beverages); and (3) Plant Hybrid Pattern (dominated by plant protein beverages and plant-based beverages). Preschool-aged children exhibited lower scores across all three patterns. Higher pattern scores were observed among school-aged children and adolescents and those with lower parental education levels, parents working as unskilled labor or homemakers, lower family annual income per capita, and residence in rural areas. All three identified SSB consumption patterns demonstrated significant positive associations with overweight/obesity in children, where higher consumption levels corresponded to greater odds of overweight/obesity. Children exhibiting higher scores in two or more patterns had higher odds of being overweight/obese (Medium-high: OR = 1.249, 95% CI = 1.053, 1.482; High: OR = 1.256, 95% CI = 1.081, 1.459). Subgroup analysis further indicated that the association between the Plant Hybrid Pattern score and overweight/obesity varied significantly by sex. Conclusions: Three SSB consumption patterns were associated with a higher likelihood of overweight/obesity among Chinese children, particularly among those with preferences for multiple SSB types. Interventions should be tailored to SSB consumption habits and socioeconomic contexts, with special attention to rural populations. Full article

The application of plant biostimulants to enhance fruit quality is increasing, yet their impact on the phyllosphere microbiome remains understudied. This study investigated the effects of a sugar-based biostimulant on the bacterial and fungal communities on strawberry leaf surfaces using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The sweetener treatment significantly decreased bacterial alpha diversity (Shannon and Simpson indices). Compositional analysis revealed a lower relative abundance of the phylum Pseudomonadota, whereas the fungal phylum Ascomycota increased and Basidiomycota decreased. At the family level, Sphingobacteriaceae, Bacillaceae, and Micrococcaceae were significantly enriched in the treated group. Furthermore, we isolated bacterial strains, including Sphingomonas zeae St1 and Frigoribacterium faeni TSAY2, which increased in abundance post-treatment and demonstrated enhanced growth using the sweetener as a sole nutrient source. These findings suggest that sugar-based biostimulants directly reshape the composition and functional potential of the phyllosphere microbiome, which may, in turn, influence nutrient uptake, plant growth, and immunity. Full article

This manuscript provides an in-depth review of both artificial and natural sweeteners, including polyols and plant-derived alternatives, examining their sweetening potency, glycemic index, modes of action, and applications in the food sector. The rising demand for sugar substitutes, fueled by health concerns such as obesity and diabetes, has prompted significant research into low-calorie and non-nutritive sweeteners. This work categorizes sweeteners into synthetic options (such as aspartame, sucralose, saccharin) and naturally occurring ones (such as stevia, monk fruit, and polyols like sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol), focusing on physico-chemical characteristics, relative sweetness (ranging from 100 to 220,0000 times sweeter than sucrose), and glycemic index, important for their use in diabetes-friendly food products. The current manuscript examines how these sweeteners interact with taste receptors to induce sweetness perception without contributing significant calories. It also discusses their health implications and controversies and limitations regarding healthy and safety data, process feasibility, market application trends, environmental stability, and commercialization challenges. The review also addresses challenges in scaling production and ensuring the economic viability of plant-based sweeteners, offering a forward-looking perspective on their commercialization in the food industry. Full article

The demand for functional beverages is increasing as consumers seek options that offer health benefits, and plant-based beverages are gaining popularity for their associated advantages. The objective of this study was to optimize the formulation of a chickpea and hibiscus beverage to maximize flavor sensory acceptance, antioxidant capacity, and anthocyanin content using a mixture design and characterize the optimal formulation. An extreme vertices mixture design was employed, with fixed proportions of chickpea beverage (66.5%) and inulin (2%), while varying the proportions of hibiscus decoction, monk fruit, and cinnamon powder. Additionally, the Kano model was used to classify the beverage’s attributes. The optimized formulation consisted of 31.41% hibiscus decoction, 0.48% monk fruit, and 0.61% cinnamon powder, achieving 329.2 µmol TE/100 mL (antioxidant capacity), 3.567 mg C3GE/100 mL (anthocyanin content), and a flavor rating of 6.2. The Kano model classified good taste, functional properties, monk fruit sweetening, and chickpeas as attractive attributes, with functional properties obtaining the highest satisfaction index (0.88). These results demonstrate that employing a mixture design is an effective tool to enhance health-related aspects and consumer acceptance. Additionally, the incorporation of the Kano model provides a broader perspective on the development of functional beverages by identifying key attributes that influence product acceptance and market success. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dietary glucose is transported across the intestinal absorptive cell into the systemic circulation by the apically located Na⁺-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1, SLC5A1) and basally residing Na⁺-independent glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2, SLC2A2). Whilst recent experimental evidence has shown that sensing of sweet compounds by the gut-expressed sweet taste receptor T1R2–T1R3 and glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor signalling are components of the pathway controlling SGLT1 expression, little is known about the mechanisms involved in the regulation of GLUT2. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that T1R2–T1R3 and its downstream signalling pathway participate in the regulation of intestinal GLUT2. Methods: We used in vivo and in vitro approaches employing a weaning pig model, a heterologous expression assay, and knockout mice for elucidating the regulation of GLUT2 by luminal sugars. Results: A plant-based sweetener formulation included in piglets’ diet led to a marked increase in GLUT2 expression in piglets’ intestine, compared to controls. The sweeteners that do not activate pig T1R2–T1R3 failed to upregulate GLUT2. There was a significant increase in GLUT2 expression when the sweetener sucralose, which activates T1R2–T1R3, was included in the drinking water of wild-type mice. However, in knockout mice, in which the genes for the sweet receptor subunit T1R3 and the associated G-protein gustducin were deleted, there was no upregulation of GLUT2 expression in response to sucralose supplementation. There was a notable increase in GLUT2 expression in wild-type mice fed a high-carbohydrate diet compared to when maintained on a low-carbohydrate diet. However, in GLP-2 receptor knockout mice kept on the high-carbohydrate diet, there was no enhancement in GLUT2 expression. Conclusions: The experimental evidence suggests that luminal sweet sensing via T1R2–T1R3 and the enteroendocrine-derived GLP-2 are constituents of the regulatory pathway controlling GLUT2 expression. Full article

Background: In response to criticism and limitations of the Nutri-Score Nutrient Profiling Model (NS-NPM), the algorithm was updated in 2023. However, its impact on beverage classification remains partially assessed. Objective: This study aimed to compare the nutritional profiles of beverages marketed in Spain using the original and updated NS-NPM algorithms. Methods: Nutritional data for 3432 beverages in the “Drink Base” database were analyzed using both the 2015 (original) and 2023 (updated) NS-NPM versions. Results: The 2023 update showed significant changes compared to the 2015 version. Updated scores particularly increased for artificially sweetened beverages (+190.3%), milkshakes (+98.9%), nut-based beverages (+343.9%), cereal-based beverages (+651.3%), and the mix of plant-based beverages (+733%), leading to a less healthy classification. Conversely, scores decreased for fruit juices (−12.7%) and alcohol-substitute beverages (−8.2%), while legume-based beverages maintained their classification with minimal score variation (−1.4%), raising questions about the treatment of free sugars. The remaining beverage categories experienced score changes that did not alter their classification. Conclusions: The 2023 NS-NPM algorithm improves beverage classification by refining the differentiation of sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages, improving consumer guidance. While it increases discrimination, challenges remain in the classification of plant-based beverages and fruit juices. These findings highlight Nutri-Score’s impact on industry reformulation and its potential as a public health tool to promote healthier beverage choices. This study provides novel evidence on how the updated Nutri-Score algorithm may influence consumer perception and food policy in the Spanish context. Full article

Background: While unhealthy dietary trends, such as elevated confectionery consumption and decreased fruit intake, have been documented in adults, the longitudinal patterns of food consumption during childhood remain inadequately characterized. This study aimed to describe national trends in food group intakes among children and adolescents in Japan. Methods: Data on participants aged 1–19 years in the National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2001 to 2019 (n = 37,072) were used in this study. A 1-day, semi-weighed, household-based dietary record was used to assess dietary intake. Results: Decreasing trends in the intakes of animal-based foods, potatoes and starches, sugars and sweeteners, fruits (annual percentage change [APC] range: −5.04 to −0.62), algae, fish and shellfish (APC range: −3.22 to −2.02), eggs, milks, fats and oils, and confectionery were observed, while intakes of meats (APC range: 1.02 to 1.92) and beverages (APC range: 1.36 to 2.51) increased. Consumption of plant-based foods, cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds, vegetables, and mushrooms was mostly unchanged, whereas variable intakes of seasonings and spices were observed. Conclusions: This study showed that the intakes of many food groups (e.g., fruits, fish and shellfish, and milk) decreased among children and adolescents, but some increased (e.g., meats and beverages) or remained stable (e.g., cereals and vegetables). Further evidence is needed to enable policymakers to set target interventions to improve children’s diets. Full article

An upward trend has been observed in recent years in which consumers are actively more conscious about finding healthier food alternatives to purchase. Based on the constantly increasing demands of the diabetes food market, a new product of canned peach halves was designed at the Laboratory of Technology & Food Quality & Food Safety of the University of Thessaly through the substitution of sugar with sweetening agents coming from the Stevia plant and Agave syrup. For the production process of the samples the ingredients were carefully selected. Then, the recipes were designed along with the determination of the all the parameters that should be taken into account according to the thermal processing of previous studies. After the completion of the production process, the samples were stored in a dark and cold environment for a 6-month period. Subsequently, the samples were analyzed before and after simulated digestion (INFOGEST protocol) to determine their nutritional characteristics and their microbiological safety. The samples were then given to consumers to test the organoleptic characteristics of the new products. The results of the microbiological, nutritional, organoleptic, and meal tests were analyzed in order to assess the quality of samples. The canned peaches with Stevia had higher bio-availability and liking scores, and resulted in lower post-prandial glucose levels. Full article

Functional beverages comprise a special category of drinks free of alcohol that contain bioactive components from plant, animal, marine, or microorganism sources that contribute to the reinforcement of human health. Functional beverages are mainly divided into the following basic categories: (i) dairy-based beverages and (ii) non-dairy-based beverages. Functional beverages have several positive functional properties such as the rehydration of the body, recovery of lost energy, the increase of athletic performance, the prevention of pain in joints, the improvement of heart health, the improvement of immunity and the digestive system, and the creation of the feeling of satiety and boosting mood. However, according to health experts, there are also functional beverages that induce obesity and heart diseases because of their high content of sugars, sweeteners, and other components such as caffeine, taurine, taurine combined with caffeine, creatinine, etc. The scope of this review was to highlight the main components and the functional properties of energy drinks along with the effects of functional beverages on human health. Limited review articles address this overall hypothesis in the recent literature, thus comprising the significance of the current study. Full article

The Argentine Patagonian region provides abundant plant-based materials for functional foods. This study evaluated the functional potential of tisanes made with black tea (BT) or rooibos (R) and Patagonian matrices (blueberry, rosehip, yacón), analyzing total phenols (TPs), flavonoids (Fvs), antioxidant activity (AA), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) content. Tisanes were prepared using 3 g/200 mL of water at 90 °C, with BT or R accounting for 40% of the dry mass and the remaining ingredients contributing 20% each. TPs (67 mg GAE/100 mL) and Fvs (35–42 mg/cup) contributed significantly to dietary intake. Sugar addition reduced bioactive compounds and AA, while sweeteners showed no significant impact. BT-based tisanes were low in sodium, while R-based tisanes had higher levels. Full article

This study investigates the bioactive compound profiles of 12 wild edible plant species from the Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Polygonaceae, and Urticaceae families, consumed as aromatic and medicinal vegetables by local communities and forming part of the natural vegetation of Mount Ergan. The plants were collected and analyzed for their anthocyanin, organic acid, and sugar contents, using advanced liquid chromatography techniques. Statistically significant differences were observed between species for each compound analyzed, highlighting their diverse phytochemical profiles. Malva neglecta, Brassica nigra, and Taraxacum phaleratum exhibited the highest anthocyanin contents, suggesting their strong potential as natural antioxidant sources. Organic acid levels were notably elevated in Polygonum cognatum, T. phaleratum, Urtica dioica, and M. neglecta, which positions these species as promising candidates for use as natural acid regulators in food and pharmaceutical formulations. In terms of sugar content, Chenopodium album, Mentha longifolia, and T. phaleratum had the lowest levels, while M. neglecta, Cirsium arvense, P. cognatum, and Tragopogon buphthalmoides showed significantly higher concentrations, indicating potential applications in the development of natural sweeteners. This study’s findings provide valuable insights into the phytochemical diversity of these wild plant species, emphasizing their potential utility in health nutrition, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. This study emphasizes the significance of investigating underexploited plant species for their bioactive chemicals and illustrates their potential contribution to the development of sustainable, natural product-based solutions for diverse industrial uses. Full article