Search Results (1,615)

Global chestnut production has grown significantly in recent years, driven by its health benefits and growing interest in sustainable agriculture. Chestnut processing produces a solid residue consisting primarily of the fruit’s outer shell (pericarp), which is generally disposed of by on-farm combustion. However, this waste biomass shows a high potential for valorization due to its nutritional composition, particularly as a source of dietary fiber and polyphenols. In this study, the valorization potential of chestnut outer shells was evaluated through two approaches, demonstrating possible applicability at an industrial level: (1) the recovery of polyphenols using a simple and environmentally friendly extraction method, easily applicable on-farm, based on hot water as a solvent under different time–temperature combinations according to Response Surface Methodology (Central Composite Design); (2) the addition of chestnut outer shell flour during breadmaking as a source of fiber supplementation. Optimization of the extraction process using Response Surface Methodology combined with the desirability function identified optimal conditions at 102 min and 115 °C, yielding a maximum of approximately 172.30 mg of polyphenols per gram of dry outer shell. The incorporation of chestnut outer shell flour into bread formulations resulted in reduced dough workability, increased crust hardness (13.00 ± 0.87; 36.00 ± 1.00), and a darker bread color (1278.33 ± 39.27; 584.33 ± 25.90 RGB), particularly in the crumb. Full article

In the face of escalating environmental crises, sustainable development is becoming one of the key global challenges. A growing body of research indicates that transitioning to plant-based diets, including a vegan diet, can significantly improve environmental sustainability. Young people from Generation Z play a crucial role in shaping future consumption patterns, and their beliefs and attitudes toward sustainable food may serve as an important indicator of social changes in the area of nutrition and the potential for implementing pro-ecological practices. The aim of the study is to assess students’ perceptual attitudes toward plant-based products, which constitute an integral part of vegan diets, addressing a significant gap in the literature on sustainable consumption among Generation Z in emerging economies. The study allows for the identification of the main sources of information, psychosocial barriers, and motivational factors underlying the adoption of a vegan diet, situating them within sustainable development paradigms. The research group consisted of 263 university students in Warsaw (Poland). A CAWI survey method was used, with a proprietary questionnaire. The study shows that more than 60% of respondents were not interested in this dietary option, and a similar proportion did not expect to adopt veganism in the future. Students’ attitudes toward the vegan diet are shaped primarily by their self-assessment of nutritional knowledge, previous experiences with plant-based diets, and socio-cultural factors. Although many respondents recognize the health and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet, the lack of reliable knowledge, concerns about deficiencies, higher product costs, and social pressure remain key barriers limiting their willingness to change eating habits. From a practical perspective, the findings highlight the need to develop nutrition education focused on the competencies required to properly balance plant-based diets, to increase the economic and sensory accessibility of vegan food, and to counteract persistent stereotypes and misconceptions about veganism, especially on social media, which is the main source of information for this age group. Full article

Promoting the clean energy transition is crucial for environmental sustainability and public health. Utilizing data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) spanning 2006–2015, this study employs a Difference-in-Differences (DID) model, treating China’s West–East Gas Pipeline Project (WEGT) as a quasi-natural experiment to evaluate the causal impact of natural gas infrastructure expansion on residents’ health. The empirical results indicate that the WEGT significantly improved public health, reducing the probability of self-reported recent illness by approximately 8.2 percentage points. Heterogeneity analysis shows more pronounced effects among urban residents and the elderly. Mechanism analysis reveals that the infrastructure improves health primarily by optimizing household energy structures and reducing industrial pollution emissions. Furthermore, the “Coal-to-Gas” policy synergistically enhances these health benefits. Economic co-benefits analysis estimates that the project reduced individual annual medical expenditures by approximately 540 RMB and increased the probability of employment by 6.9%. These findings provide empirical evidence for deepening supply-side structural reforms in energy and support the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically by demonstrating how resilient infrastructure (SDG 9) enables affordable clean energy (SDG 7), which in turn delivers good health and well-being (SDG 3). Full article

Background/Objectives: Adherence to the EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet (PHD) may promote human health and environmental sustainability, yet evidence regarding adherence and nutritional adequacy in Australia is limited. Globally, no research to date has used the recently updated 2025 PHD guidelines. We benchmarked the compatibility of Australian adults’ dietary patterns with the 2025 PHD and examined its associations with nutritional adequacy and sociodemographic factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of dietary data from 5655 adults who participated in the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Usual intakes were estimated from two 24 h recalls using the Multiple Source Method. PHD adherence was measured using the Healthy Reference Diet Score (0–130 points). Nutrient adequacy was assessed using the full probability method for iron and the Australian/New Zealand Estimated Average Requirement Cut-Point Method for all other nutrients. Survey-weighted regression models examined associations with nutritional adequacy and sociodemographic factors. Results: The mean PHD adherence score was 50 (SE 0.3) points. Higher adherence was associated with lower odds of inadequate intakes of several micronutrients, but with higher odds of inadequacy for vitamin B12 (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.45) and calcium (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.17). PHD adherence was higher among females, older adults, those with higher educational attainment, those born in countries where English is not the main language, two-person households and non-smokers; adherence was non-linearly associated with alcohol and was lower among those with a Body Mass Index ≥ 30 kg/m². Conclusions: PHD adherence in Australia was low. Higher adherence was associated with improved adequacy for several micronutrients. Trade-offs for vitamin B12 and calcium warrant consideration. Equity-conscious strategies will be needed to support the adoption of nutritionally adequate, environmentally sustainable diets. Full article

Background: Metabolic syndrome, a clinical condition defined by central obesity, impaired glucose regulation, elevated blood pressure, hypertriglyceridemia, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol across the lifespan, is now a major public health issue typically managed with lifestyle, behavioral, and dietary recommendations. However, “one-size-fits-all” recommendations often yield modest, heterogeneous responses and poor long-term adherence, creating a clinical need for more targeted and implementable preventive and therapeutic strategies. Objective: To synthesize evidence on how the gut microbiome can inform precision nutrition and exercise approaches for metabolic syndrome prevention and management, and to evaluate readiness for clinical translation. Key findings: The gut microbiome may influence cardiometabolic risk through microbe-derived metabolites and pathways involving short-chain fatty acids, bile acid signaling, gut barrier integrity, and low-grade systemic inflammation. Diet quality (e.g., Mediterranean-style patterns, higher fermentable fiber, or lower ultra-processed food intake) consistently relates to more favorable microbial functions, and intervention studies show that high-fiber/prebiotic strategies can improve glycemic control alongside microbiome shifts. Physical exercise can also modulate microbial diversity and metabolic outputs, although effects are typically subtle and may depend on baseline adiposity and sustained adherence. Emerging “microbiome-informed” personalization, especially algorithms predicting postprandial glycemic responses, has improved short-term glycemic outcomes compared with standard advice in controlled trials. Targeted microbiome-directed approaches (e.g., Akkermansia muciniphila-based supplementation and fecal microbiota transplantation) provide proof-of-concept signals, but durability and scalability remain key limitations. Conclusions: Microbiome-informed personalization is a promising next step beyond generic guidelines, with potential to improve adherence and durable metabolic outcomes. Clinical implementation will require standardized measurement, rigorous external validation on clinically meaningful endpoints, interpretable decision support, and equity-focused evaluation across diverse populations. Full article

Several studies have demonstrated that methionine supplementation in fish diets enhances immune status, inflammatory response, and resistance to bacterial infections by modulating for DNA methylation, aminopropylation, and transsulfuration pathways. However, the immunomodulatory effects of methionine in viral infections remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of methionine supplementation on immune modulation and resistance to the viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Two diets were formulated and fed to juvenile rainbow trout for four weeks: a control diet (CTRL) with all nutritional requirements, including the amino acid profile required for the species, and a methionine-supplemented diet (MET), containing twice the normal requirement of DL-methionine. After feeding, fish were bath-infected with VHSV, while control fish were exposed to a virus-free bath. Samples were collected at 0 (after feeding trial), 24, 72, and 120 h post-infection for the haematological profile, humoral immune response, oxidative stress, viral load, RNAseq, and gene expression analysis. In both diets, results showed a peak in viral activity at 72 h, followed by a reduction in viral load at 120 h, indicating immune recovery. During the peak of infection, leukocytes, thrombocytes, and monocytes migrated to the infection site, while oxidative stress biomarkers (superoxide dismutase glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione redox ratio) suggested a compromised ability to manage cellular imbalance due to intense viral activity. At 120 h, immune recovery and homeostasis were observed due to an increase in the amount of nitric oxide, GSH/GSSG levels, leukocyte replacement, monocyte influx, and a reduction in the viral load. When focusing on the infection peak, gene ontology (GO) analysis showed several exclusively enriched pathways in the skin and gills of MET-fed fish, driven by the upregulation of several key genes. Genes involved in recognition/signalling, inflammatory response, and other genes with direct antiviral activity, such as TLR3, MYD88, TRAF2, NF-κB, STING, IRF3, -7, VIG1, caspases, cathepsins, and TNF, were observed. Notably, VIG1 (viperin), a key antiviral protein, was significantly upregulated in gills, confirming the modulatory role of methionine in inducing its transcription. Viperin, which harbours an S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) radical domain, is directly related to methionine biosynthesis and plays a critical role in the innate immune response to VHSV infection in rainbow trout. In summary, this study suggests that dietary methionine supplementation can enhance a more robust fish immune response to viral infections, with viperin as a crucial mediator. The improved antiviral readiness observed in MET-fed fish underscores the potential of targeted nutritional adjustments to sustain fish health and welfare in aquaculture. Full article

Elevated atmospheric CO₂ is known to alter plant physiology, yet its specific effects on nutrient-rich leafy vegetables remain insufficiently quantified. This study aimed to examine how eCO₂ influences yield and nutritional quality in kale (Brassica oleracea) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) through the first meta-analysis focused exclusively on these crops. Following the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE) guidelines, we systematically reviewed eligible studies and conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to evaluate overall and subgroup responses based on CO₂ concentration, crop type and exposure duration. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges’ g with 95% confidence intervals. The analysis showed that eCO₂ significantly increased biomass in spinach (g = 1.21) and kale (g = 0.97). However, protein content declined in both crops (spinach: g = −0.76; kale: g = −0.61), and mineral concentrations, particularly calcium and magnesium, were reduced, with spinach exhibiting stronger nutrient losses overall. The variability in response across different CO₂ concentrations and exposure times further underscores the complexity of eCO₂ effects. These results highlight a trade-off between productivity and nutritional quality under future CO₂ conditions. Addressing this challenge will require strategies such as targeted breeding programmes, biofortification, precision agriculture and improved sustainable agricultural practices to maintain nutrient density. This research provides critical evidence for policymakers and scientists to design sustainable food systems that safeguard public health in a changing climate. Full article

As global interest in sustainable nutrition grows, algae have emerged as a promising functional food resource. This review analyzes the nutritional value of edible algae, with a particular focus on protein-rich microalgae, and synthesizes current clinical evidence regarding their health benefits. Algae have been demonstrated to provide a broad spectrum of physiologically active nutrients, encompassing a range of vitamins and minerals as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant molecules and various bioactive compounds including dietary fiber. These nutrients have been linked to improved cardiovascular and metabolic health, enhanced immune function, and anti-inflammatory effects. A particular emphasis is placed on algal proteins as a novel alternative to traditional dietary proteins. Genera such as Spirulina and Chlorella offer high-quality, complete proteins with amino acid profiles and digestibility scores comparable to those of animal and soy proteins, thereby supporting muscle maintenance and overall nutritional status. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that the ingestion of microalgae can stimulate muscle protein synthesis and improve lipid profiles, blood pressure, and inflammation markers, indicating functional benefits beyond basic nutrition. Algal proteins also contain bioactive peptides with antioxidative properties that may contribute to positive outcomes. This review synthesizes current studies, which demonstrate that algae represent a potent, sustainable protein source capable of enhancing dietary quality and promoting health. The integration of algae-based products into plant-forward diets has the potential to contribute to global nutritional security and long-term public health. However, the available clinical evidence remains heterogeneous and is largely based on small, short-term intervention studies, with substantial variability in algae species, processing methods and dosages. Consequently, while the evidence suggests the possibility of functional effects, the strength of the evidence and its generalizability across populations remains limited. Full article

Sustainable food production for a growing population requires farming practices that reduce chemical inputs while maintaining soil as a living, renewable foundation for productivity. This review synthesizes current advances in understanding how endophytic fungi (EFs) interact with the soil microbiome and contribute to the physicochemical and biological dimensions of soil health in arable ecosystems. We examine evidence showing that EFs enhance plant nutrition through phosphate solubilization, siderophore-mediated micronutrient acquisition, and improved nitrogen use efficiency while also modulating plant hormones and stress-responsive pathways. EFs further increase crop resilience to drought, salinity, and heat; suppress pathogens; and influence key soil properties including aggregation, organic matter turnover, and microbial network stability. Recent integration of multi-omics, metabolomics, and community-level analyses has shifted the field from descriptive surveys toward mechanistic insight, revealing how EFs regulate nutrient cycling and remodel rhizosphere communities toward disease-suppressive and nutrient-efficient states. A central contribution of this review is the linkage of EF-mediated plant functions with soil microbiome dynamics and soil structural processes framed within a translational pipeline encompassing strain selection, formulation, delivery, and field scale monitoring. We also highlight current challenges, including context-dependent performance, competition with native microbiota, and formulation and deployment constraints that limit consistent outcomes under field conditions. By bridging microbial ecology with agronomy, this review positions EFs as biocontrol agents, biofertilizers, and ecosystem engineers with strong potential for resilient, low-input, and climate-adaptive cropping systems. Full article

Almond skin is an abundant by-product of almond processing and is recognized for its rich content of dietary fiber, polyphenols, and unsaturated fatty acids along with potential health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition, prebiotic potential, and microbiota modulation properties of dehydrated almond skin, including its use in 3D-printed functional biscuits. Nutritional analysis revealed high dietary fiber (62.6%) and substantial antioxidant capacity linked to polyphenols. Almond skin supplementation with a concentration ranging from 2.5% to 5.0% significantly enhanced the viability of various probiotic strains during storage, extending their shelf life. Two biscuit formulations, with and without almond skin, were produced and subjected to simulated gastrointestinal digestion (INFOGEST protocol) followed by in vitro fermentation using a minimal gut microbiota model (Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bacteroides caccae, Escherichia coli, Segatella copri, and Clostridioides difficile). Results demonstrated that biscuit enriched with almond skin selectively promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria such as B. longum and L. rhamnosus (from 6.9 to 8.5 log cfu/mL and from 7.8 to 9.0 log cfu/mL, respectively) while suppressing pathogens including C. difficile and E. coli. Moreover, enriched biscuits retained higher polyphenol content and exhibited a favorable macronutrient profile. These findings support the valorization of almond skin as a sustainable functional ingredient offering prebiotic effects and probiotic viability protection, with promising applications in personalized nutrition and gut health management. Further in vivo studies and clinical trials are necessary to confirm these effects and optimize formulations for commercial use. Full article

Wild seeds constitute a taxonomically diverse and underexplored reservoir of C18-series bioactive fatty acids (BFAs) with significant nutritional, biomedical, and industrial relevance. This review integrates current knowledge on their lipid composition, metabolic architecture, and potential applications. Numerous wild taxa accumulate high levels of oleic, linoleic, α-linolenic, γ-linolenic, and stearidonic acids, while others synthesise structurally specialised compounds such as punicic, petroselinic, and sciadonic acids. These FAs, together with tocopherols, phytosterols, and phenolics, underpin antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cardiometabolic effects supported by in vitro and in vivo evidence. The occurrence of these unusual lipids reflects lineage-specific modulation of plastidial and endoplasmic-reticulum pathways, including differential activities of SAD, FAD2/3, Δ6- and Δ5-desaturases, elongases, and acyl-editing enzymes that determine the final acyl-CoA and TAG pools. Wild seed oils show strong potential for translation into functional foods, targeted nutraceuticals, pharmacologically relevant lipid formulations, cosmetic ingredients, and bio-based materials. However, their exploitation is constrained by ecological sustainability, oxidative instability of PUFA-rich matrices, antinutritional constituents, and regulatory requirements for novel lipid sources. This review positions wild seeds as high-value, underused lipid resources with direct relevance to health and sustainability. It underscores their potential to enhance nutritional security and offer alternatives to conventional oil crops. Full article

Background/Objectives: Metabolism is fundamental to all living organisms. It comprises a highly complex network of fine-tuned chemical reactions that sustain life but also generate by-products that damage cellular biomolecules, including DNA, thereby contributing to aging and disease. As metabolism can be largely modified by dietary alterations, it has the potential to positively or negatively affect health and disease. Interestingly, many aging-associated illnesses known to be influenced by diet also show a causal relation with DNA damage. As DNA keeps all instructions for life, and DNA lesions, if unrepaired, interfere with vital processes such as DNA replication and transcription, DNA damage may be an important mediator of the impact of nutrition on health and aging. Methods: Here, we discuss the genome-protective effects of various oral interventions in mice, aiming to elucidate which nutritional alterations lower DNA damage and promote overall health. Results: Our analysis covers a wide range of interventions with reported positive impacts on genomic stability, including modified diets (e.g., dietary restriction, probiotics, micronutrients, fatty acids, and hormones), NAD+ precursors (e.g., nicotinamide riboside), plant derivatives, and synthetic drugs. Among these, caloric and dietary restriction emerge as the most potent, generic modulators of DNA damage and repair processes, enhancing aspects of repair efficiency through metabolic recalibration and improved cellular resilience. Other interventions, like NAD+ precursors, activate partly similar pathways without necessitating reduced food intake. Conclusions: While many interventions show promise, their effects are often less pronounced or are process-specific compared to caloric or dietary restriction. Additionally, many substances lack comprehensive exploration of their genome-protective effects in mice, with often only a small number of studies examining their impact on genome stability. Moreover, the heterogeneity between studies limits direct comparison. However, the observed overlap in mechanistic effects between treatments lends credibility to their potential efficacy. Ultimately, a deeper understanding of these mechanisms could pave the way for translating these findings into, e.g., combination treatments to promote healthy aging in humans. Full article

Malting is a sustainable, low-cost, and adaptable technique that enhances the nutritional and functional value of cereals while contributing to waste reduction, improved food safety, and the valorization of brewing by-products such as brewers’ spent grain. It was originally developed for barley but is now used with a wide range of cereals. Malting, in its simplest form, involves controlled germination and drying, which enhance enzyme activity and improve grain nutritional quality. Our review introduces a broader perspective by addressing how malting can enhance health benefits through malted forms of both common and less prominent cereals such as sorghum, teff, millet, triticale, quinoa, and buckwheat. Nutritional enhancement takes place by increasing nutrient bioavailability, changing chemical composition, and reducing antinutrients, while inducing the production of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities. This review examines brewers’ spent grain (BSG), a nutrient-dense brewing by-product that is widely recognized as a sustainable ingredient for food and nutrition applications. Full article

Pests contribute significantly to the loss of Apis mellifera colonies in a multifactorial context that includes viruses, pesticides, nutritional deficiencies, and climate change. This review critically summarises diagnostic techniques (morphological, molecular, automated) and epidemiological methods for the main parasites (Varroa destructor, Vairimorpha spp., Acarapis woodi, Tropilaelaps spp., Aethina tumida, Lotmaria passim, Crithidia mellificae), evaluating trade-offs between sensitivity, specificity, cost, and practicality. There is no universal gold standard; the methodological choice must be contextualised. A decision-making framework structured on four pillars (Primary objective, Resource constraints, Epidemiological context, Ethics/Regulatory) is proposed to guide optimal selections, with application examples and testable hypotheses for future validation. Limitations of emerging technologies (reduced accuracy in the field for AI and LAMP), gaps in multi-pathogen synergies (including viruses and bacteria), interactions with pesticides, and climate impacts with explicit uncertainties are discussed. A global perspective and a One Health approach are adopted, identifying research priorities for integrated diagnostic tools, validated predictive models, and sustainable strategies. Full article

Chronic low-grade inflammation, or “inflammaging,” represents a central mechanism linking dietary patterns, gut microbiome composition, and biological aging. Evidence from Blue Zone populations and Mediterranean diet studies demonstrates that specific nutritional interventions are associated with up to 23% lower all-cause mortality, with analyses suggesting that part of this association may be mediated by measurable improvements in inflammatory biomarkers. This paper synthesizes published evidence from Mediterranean diet trials, centenarian microbiome studies, and digital health platforms to propose a comprehensive digital health framework that integrates quarterly inflammation and microbiome monitoring with continuous lifestyle tracking to deliver personalized longevity interventions. This paper introduces the Longevity-Inflammation Index (L-II), a composite score combining high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and microbiome-derived markers, with scoring algorithms derived from centenarian population studies. The proposed platform leverages artificial intelligence to generate evidence-based recommendations adapted from centenarian and Mediterranean dietary patterns. Published evidence from multiple randomized controlled trials demonstrates that Mediterranean dietary interventions reduce hs-CRP by 18–32%, increase microbiome diversity by 6–28%, and improve metabolic markers including HOMA-IR and TG/HDL ratios. Digital health platforms demonstrate sustained engagement rates of 58–84% at 12 months, with dietary logging frequencies of 4–6 days per week. Cost-effectiveness analyses of dietary interventions show incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of USD 2100–4800 per quality-adjusted life year gained. This inflammation-centered digital health framework offers a scalable approach for translating longevity research into practical interventions for healthy aging, with validation studies needed to confirm the integrated platform’s efficacy and real-world implementation feasibility. Full article