Search Results (757)

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

The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in adolescence is high due to their widespread availability and accessibility and has been linked to increased cardiometabolic risk. In the Autonomous City of Melilla, an environment with particular cultural and religious characteristics, it is relevant to analyze the relationship of UPFs with metabolic markers of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is a cross-sectional pilot study on 31 Muslim adolescents aged 15 to 17 years. The NOVA food classification was used to identify UPFs. The final sample comprised Muslim adolescents because written consent for venous blood sampling was obtained only from Muslim families/legal guardians. Separate multiple linear regression models adjusted for sex were fitted to examine the associations between UPF intake (%E/day) and each cardiometabolic and inflammatory marker. Higher UPF intake was positively associated with BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, waist-to-height indicator (ICA), and fasting glucose after controlling for the false discovery rate (q < 0.05). Regarding the inflammatory component, Muslim girls had elevated levels of IL-7, IL-10, and IL-13, and Muslim boys had higher levels of MIP-1β. In addition, IL-8 correlated positively with waist circumference, BMI, and the HDL/LDL ratio, while MCP-1 was negatively associated with Apo A1, total cholesterol, and HDL. In this exploratory pilot study, higher intake of UPF appears to be associated with greater central adiposity and higher fasting glucose; these hypothesis-generating findings warrant confirmation in larger, representative samples and may inform culturally adapted nutritional screening in Melilla. Full article

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have emerged as a critical component of diet quality, yet data on the associations between UPF and nutrient intakes remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate nutrient consumption in relation to UPF intake and adherence to international dietary guidelines for non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention. Methods: Data from 469 individuals aged 2–18 years enrolled in the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS) were analyzed. Intakes were assessed using two 24 h recalls, and foods were classified according to the NOVA system. Participants were categorized by UPF energy intake tertiles. Nutrient adequacy was assessed using Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, European Society of Cardiology guidelines for macronutrients, and the Institute of Medicine’s Estimated Average Requirements and Adequate Intake values for micronutrients. Results: Children in the highest UPF tertile had significantly higher intakes of energy, carbohydrates, added sugars, saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, and cholesterol, but lower intakes of protein compared to those in the lowest tertile. Fiber intake remained inadequate across all tertiles, with no significant differences. Regarding adherence to NCD prevention guidelines, children in the 3rd UPF tertile had a 2.3 times higher prevalence ratio for exceeding added sugar recommendations, while their protein intake prevalence ratio was 0.8 times lower. For micronutrients, the highest UPF tertile showed significantly elevated intakes of vitamins E, B₁, folate, calcium, iron, copper, and sodium, but lower potassium intake compared to the lowest tertile. Conclusions: Our results underscore the need for effective public health strategies to improve diet quality in children and adolescents and prevent diet-related NCDs. Full article

Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.), a Brassicaceae species native to the high Andes of Peru, has gained global attention as a functional food and herbal medicinal product due to its endocrine-modulating, fertility-enhancing, and neuroprotective properties. Although numerous studies have addressed its biological effects, a systematic and up-to-date summary of its chemical constituents and analytical methodologies is lacking. This review aims to provide a critical overview of the chemical constituents of L. meyenii and to evaluate analytical studies published between 2000 and 2025, focusing on recent advances in extraction strategies and qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques for quality control. Major compound classes include macamides, macaenes, glucosinolates, and alkaloids, each contributing to maca’s multifaceted activity. Ultra-(high-)performance liquid chromatography (U(H)PLC), often coupled with ultraviolet, diode array, or mass spectrometric detection, is the primary and most robust analytical platform due to its sensitivity, selectivity, and throughput, while ultrasound-assisted extraction improves efficiency and reproducibility. Emerging techniques such as metabolomics and chemometric approaches enhance quality control by enabling holistic, multivariate assessment of complex systems and early detection of variations not captured by traditional univariate methods. As such, they provide complementary, predictive, and more representative insights into maca’s phytochemical complexity. The novelty of this review lies in its integration of conventional targeted analysis with emerging approaches, comprehensive comparison of analytical workflows, and critical discussion of variability related to phenotype, geographic origin, and post-harvest processing. By emphasizing analytical standardization and quality assessment rather than biological activity alone, this review provides a framework for quality control, authentication, and safety evaluation of L. meyenii as a functional food and dietary supplement. Full article

Fermentation, one of the oldest food processing techniques, is known to play a pivotal role in improving the nutritional and functional characteristics of cereals, with positive implications for gut health and overall well-being. The present study aims to examine the phenolic acids, peptides, and potential bioactive properties of 2 novel sorghum-based fermented beverages, Niselo and Delishe. A total of 48 phenolic compounds were identified through targeted and untargeted Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with a Quadrupole Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometer (UHPLC–Q-Orbitrap HRMS) analyses, revealing a higher content of phenolic acids in Niselo and a prevalence of flavonoids in Delishe. Niselo exhibited enhanced in vitro cytoprotective and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging activity and displayed a clear cytoprotective effect against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells. Proteomic profiling using tryptic digestion revealed that Niselo has a substantial abundance of fragments of peptides matching several stress-related and antioxidant proteins, indicating a superior stress-response and/or defense capability. Overall, these findings highlight the functional potential of sorghum-based fermented beverages, supporting their role as health-promoting products. Full article

Objective: This study investigates the association between consumers’ perceived readability of Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) label print size—a theoretical structural gatekeeper for visual salience—and self-reported food consumption frequency in the United Kingdom. We aimed to disentangle the effect of label readability from label content. Using non-equivalent dependent variables (NEDVs), we tested whether the association is specific to unhealthy convenience foods and absent for healthy or unlabeled foods, while also examining heterogeneity across consumer subgroups. Methods: Data from 8948 adults across four waves (2012–2018) of the UK Food and You Survey were analyzed. Cumulative link ordinal logistic regressions were employed to model the association between self-reported print size readability and the consumption frequency of four product types: pre-packaged sandwiches and pre-cooked meat (unhealthy, labeled targets), dairy (nutritionally advisable, labeled control), and fresh meat (unlabeled control). Models were adjusted for sociodemographic covariates, health behaviors, and survey wave fixed effects. Results: The findings reveal a content-specific and significant dynamic relationship exclusively for pre-packaged sandwiches. In 2012, a one-unit increase in readability was associated with a 9% decrease in the odds of frequent consumption ($OR=0.91$), consistent with a warning effect. However, by 2018, this relationship reversed to a 4% increase ($OR=1.04$), indicating that higher readability became associated with more frequent consumption. In contrast, a persistent null association was observed for pre-cooked meat, dairy, and fresh meat. Subgroup analyses for sandwiches indicated that the association with readability was strongest among less-engaged consumers. Conclusions: Empirical evidence challenges the utility of a standardized approach to food labelling. The results suggest that the effectiveness of label salience is contingent not just on the consumer but on the product’s context and the content of its message, highlighting the need for adaptive rather than uniform policy standards. Full article

Background: Childhood obesity and being overweight represent a global public health challenge; the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) contributes to this problem. In Mexico, public health policies have been implemented to improve school food environments. Objective: To assess the school food environment before the implementation of the guidelines for the preparation, distribution, and sale of food and beverages (SFGs) in three primary schools in Mexico City. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed method study was conducted, including structured non-participatory observation of selling points outside and inside of schools, and availability of drinking fountains and lunchboxes contents. A food waste audit assessment was performed to identify the most frequently consumed products, main ingredients, front-of-package labels, and colorants. Additionally, 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted with school authorities, teachers, and food vendors. Results: SSBs and UPFs selling points were observed outside and inside in public schools, while in private schools, only inside, with use of delivery food apps. Public schools lacked functional drinking fountains. A total of 345 food waste items were collected across the schools, of which 46.3% were SSBs and 53.7% were UPFs. The main ingredient was sugar (15.6%), the principal front-of-package was excess sugar (37.5%), and the most frequently used colorants were red 40 (25.1%). Interview participants reported awareness of the SFGs; however, they identified barriers such as resistance from parents and students and the economic dependence of school cooperatives on UPFs sales. Conclusions: These findings highlight structural and economic challenges for the effective implementation of public policies promoting healthier school food environments. Full article

A large and growing empirical literature documents that privatization, deregulation, financialization, and under-regulation of harmful industries are associated with adverse health outcomes in the United States. However, this evidence remains fragmented across sectors and rarely articulates a unifying causal framework. This paper advances the literature by integrating findings across health care, harmful-product industries, and economic and social policy to demonstrate that corporate profit maximization functions as a cross-cutting driver of health disparities and premature mortality in the United States. We synthesize evidence showing that profit-driven incentives shape insurance markets, hospital and physician practice ownership, pharmaceutical marketing, and the aggressive promotion of tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, opioids, firearms, and fossil fuels—together contributing to more than one million deaths annually. We further document how corporate influence over public policy has increased poverty, economic inequality, and discrimination, all of which are powerful social determinants of health. In contrast to sector-specific analyses, this paper presents a unified, systems-level account of how profit-first governance undermines population health. We conclude by describing how a social movement to achieve a single payer system that provides Medicare for All would not only vastly improve public health, it would be a catalyst for numerous other reforms that enhance the general wellbeing. Full article

Background/Objectives: The growing prevalence of mental health problems among medical students is a global concern, with dietary patterns emerging as potential modifiable factors. This study aimed to explore and evaluate whether higher consumption of ultra-processed foods may be associated with greater symptoms of anxiety and depression. Methods: This was an exploratory cross-sectional study integrated into a previous cohort of medical students, conducted based on the guidelines for Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology. Sixty-seven medical students completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire-based index. Dietary patterns and the associations between these patterns and symptoms of anxiety and/or depression were assessed statistically. Results: There were differences in the consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and unsweetened juices between groups with/without anxiety or depression (p < 0.05). A higher intake of ultra-processed foods such as pizza, hot dogs, cereals high in fat and sugar, processed beverages and sweets was linked to greater symptoms (p < 0.05; Cohen’s d = 0.3–0.7). Three to four dietary patterns were identified, explaining between 60% and 86% of the variance. High consumption of cereals with added fat and sugars increased the risk by 7.4 times (OR = 7.4, 95% CI 1.2–12.2, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Dietary intake was associated, but not causally linked, to emotional symptoms among medical students. Lower consumption of unprocessed foods and higher intake of ultra-processed foods formed consistent behavioral profiles associated with anxiety and depression. Consuming more than three daily servings of cereals with added fat and sugar increased the risk of severe depressive symptoms by more than sevenfold, highlighting a strong dietary determinant. Future research should assess nutritional interventions aimed to improve mental health and academic performance in medical students. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nutritional patterns influence the gut–brain axis and immune signaling with potential consequences for depression and anxiety. We conducted a review focused on clinically meaningful psychiatric outcomes (symptom severity/diagnosis) to synthesize recent evidence (2020–2025) on Mediterranean-style dietary interventions; ultra-processed food (UPF) exposure; and psychobiotic/prebiotic strategies, integrating mechanistic insights relevant to practice. Methods: Searches in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science (January 2020–October 2025) combined terms for diet, Mediterranean diet (MD), UPF, microbiota, probiotics, psychobiotics, depression, and anxiety. Eligible designs were randomized/controlled trials (RCTs), prospective cohorts, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses reporting clinical psychiatric outcomes in adults. We prioritized high-quality quantitative syntheses and recent RCTs; data were extracted into a prespecified matrix and synthesized narratively. Results: Recent systematic reviews/meta-analyses support that MD interventions reduce depressive symptoms in adults with major or subthreshold depression, although large, long-term, multicenter RCTs remain a gap. Exposure to UPF is consistently associated with higher risk of common mental disorders and depressive outcomes in large prospective cohorts. Psychobiotics (specific probiotic strains and prebiotics) show small-to-moderate benefits on depressive symptoms across clinical and nonclinical samples, with heterogeneity in strains, dosing, and duration. Mechanistic reviews implicate microbiota-derived metabolites (short-chain fatty acids) and immune–inflammatory signaling (including tryptophan–kynurenine pathways) as plausible mediators. Conclusions: Clinically, emphasizing Mediterranean-style dietary patterns, reducing UPF intake, and considering targeted psychobiotics may complement standard psychiatric care for depression. Future work should prioritize adequately powered, longer RCTs with standardized dietary protocols and microbiome-informed stratification to clarify responders and mechanisms. Full article

Background/Objectives: With the increasing global concern about diet-related diseases associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), there is an urgent need for practical and standardized tools to evaluate and monitor UPF intake. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Nova-UPF screener, a brief, food-based questionnaire originally developed in Brazil, for use among Portuguese adults. Methods: The adaptation process relied on data from the Portuguese National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015–2016) and was refined using the DELPHI methodology. A validation study was carried out with a convenience sample of 304 adults through an electronic questionnaire. Dietary intake was evaluated using a 24 h dietary recall. Criterion validity was assessed by examining the relationship between the Nova-UPF score and the percentage of total energy intake (TEI) from UPFs, while construct validity was evaluated based on predefined hypotheses. Agreement between quintiles of Nova-UPF score and quintiles of UPF contribution to TEI was tested using the prevalence and bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) index. Results: The final Portuguese version of the Nova-UPF screener includes 25 subgroups. The Nova-UPF score was positively associated with the percentage of UPF contribution to TEI (B = 6.224, p < 0.001). Participants in the highest quintiles of the Nova-UPF score had higher TEI but lower consumption of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, potassium, and dietary fibre. There was a near-perfect agreement between quintile classifications of UPF and Nova-UPF score (PABAK = 0.86). Conclusions: The Portuguese Nova-UPF screener is a valid, simple, and quick tool for evaluating UPF consumption and dietary quality in adults. Full article

Investors use information about companies’ social and environmental performance to make investment decisions, a strategy known as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment analysis. ESG screening may offer a mechanism to incentivize corporations to improve their health impact. However, there has been limited investigation of the extent to which ESG investment frameworks capture corporate health impacts in major industries. In this study, we sought to characterize the extent to which ESG frameworks address the health-impacting activities of the food and beverage (F&B) industry. To do this, we conducted a deductive framework analysis during the period of September 2023 to March 2024. Specifically, we identified gaps in existing ESG frameworks by comparing the content of five ESG reporting standards and rating systems to the HEALTH-CORP-FB typology, an evidence-based typology that describes the health-impacting activities of the F&B industry across seven domains (Governance Practices, Political Practices, Preference and Perception Shaping Practices, Economic Practices, Employment Practices, Products and Services, and Environmental Practices). To further assess how ESG frameworks account for the health-impacting activities of the F&B industry, we classified health-focused ESG fields in the packaged foods subindustry by two attributes: relevance to the assigned HEALTH-CORP-FB activity (low, medium, high) and type of business operations addressed (e.g., process, performance). Results indicate that, on average, the ESG fields (n = 1348) covered 39% of the 89 HEALTH-CORP-FB activities (range across frameworks: 27–48%). Higher proportions of activities in the Governance, Environmental, Employment, and Economic Practices domains (range across domains: 43–87%) were represented than activities in the Products and Services, Preference and Perception-Shaping Practices, and Political Practices domains (17–36%). Fields assigned to the latter domains were also less likely to be deemed highly relevant and to measure corporate performance. We conclude that the ESG frameworks included in this study capture some of the activities of the F&B industry that affect population health and health equity; however, critical gaps remain. We discuss how integrating key health-focused ESG indicators (e.g., revenue generation from ultra-processed foods) into existing frameworks could enable investors, public health organizations, civil society, and shareholder advocates to strengthen the accountability of the F&B sector with respect to health. Full article

This research investigates how ingredient statement (IS) labels influence consumer perceptions of food processing and the downstream effects on behavioral intentions, with implications for sustainability. Across three studies, we demonstrate that consumers rely more heavily on IS labels than Nutrition Facts (NF) panels when judging the degree of food processing. Study 1 shows that IS labels attract greater attention and are perceived as more diagnostic for processing judgments. Study 2 confirms that IS labels elicit higher processing perceptions than NF labels across multiple food categories. Study 3 reveals that IS label length and ingredient familiarity interact to shape processing perceptions and behavioral intentions, with longer and less familiar ingredient lists reducing purchase and recommendation intentions. Theoretically, these findings support schema and dual-process models of consumer cognition, highlighting the role of heuristic cues in food evaluation. Practically, they suggest that simplifying ingredient lists may enhance consumer trust and product appeal. From a policy perspective, IS labels may serve as informal sustainability heuristics, nudging consumers toward less processed, potentially lower-impact foods. We discuss the implications for labeling regulation, product reformulation, and integrated health–sustainability frameworks, while identifying avenues for future research on real-world behavior and environmental metrics. Full article

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1, is a persistent food safety hazard in the dairy production chain. This study investigated AFM1 occurrence in fermented dairy products collected from the Croatian market in spring 2025 and assessed associated dietary exposure risks. A total of 81 samples were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) following immunoaffinity column clean-up. AFM1 was detected in 48.1% of samples, with a mean concentration of 0.015 µg/kg. Products with thermophilic and probiotic bacterial cultures showed the lowest incidence rates, at 33.3% and 40.0%, respectively. Significantly higher AFM1 occurrence was found in Croatian samples than in imported ones (p < 0.05). Exposure assessment, based on estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard index (HI), and margin of exposure (MOE), identified toddlers and children as the most at-risk groups, with EDI ranging from 0.21 to 0.93 ng/kg bw/day, depending on AFM1 concentration. HI exceeded 1 even at mean AFM1 levels, while MOE fell below the safety threshold of 10,000 in worst-case scenarios, indicating potential health concerns. These findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and targeted risk mitigation strategies for vulnerable populations, and support expanding regulatory limits to include processed dairy products. Full article

The global population is aging rapidly and the prevalence of age-related noncommunicable diseases is increasing. Favorable dietary patterns have the power to reduce the risk or progression of various age-related chronic diseases, including obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, several types of cancer, and some neurodegenerative diseases. In contrast, adverse dietary patterns may contribute to the onset or progression of many chronic diseases or their risk factors. A diet rich in wholesome, nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods, such as a Mediterranean-style diet, may promote health and prevent disease through its abundance of antioxidants, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and micronutrients. Conversely, a diet high in nutrient-poor and ultra-processed foods may accelerate disease onset and progression by promoting inflammation and affecting metabolic pathways adversely. This narrative review summarizes the literature from clinical trials and large population-based studies on protective dietary patterns and adverse dietary patterns that influence risk of cardiovascular disease and related risk factors, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, type 2 diabetes, frailty, and liver disease. Full article