Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development of kidney stone disease. The Oxidative Balance Score (OBS), which integrates dietary and lifestyle pro- and antioxidant exposures, provides a comprehensive measure of overall oxidative balance. This study aimed to examine the prospective associations between OBS, its dietary (DOBS) and lifestyle (LOBS) components, and kidney stone disease. This prospective study included 171,576 UK Biobank participants without a hospital diagnosis of kidney stone disease. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to achieve covariate balance across groups. Weighted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95
Niacin is an essential micronutrient involved in energy metabolism and neurological function; however, evidence linking energy-adjusted dietary niacin equivalent density (E-NE density) with cognitive performance and dementia risk remains limited and inconclusive. Our objective was to investigate the association between E-NE density, cognitive performance, and incident dementia, considering potential moderation by genetic susceptibility to dementia. Participants from the UK Biobank who completed at least one 24-hour dietary questionnaire and were free of dementia before the end date of the final dietary assessment cycle were included (n = 207,043) and followed for a median of 10.49 years. During this period, 2,403 incident dementia cases were identified, including 1,046 cases of Alzheimer’s dementia and 439 cases of vascular dementia. Linear regression was employed to examine the association between E-NE density and cognitive performance. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association between E-NE density and dementia risk. Potential non-linear associations were further assessed, and interactions between E-NE density and polygenic risk score were evaluated. Higher E-NE density was associated with better cognitive performance across multiple domains in a non-linear manner, with inflection points approximately corresponding to quintiles 2–4 of E-NE density (P for non-linear < 0.001). Compared with moderate E-NE density (quintiles2-4), low E-NE density was associated with higher risks of all-cause dementia (HR,1.26; 95
Pandemic control practices had the unintended consequences of increasing children’s risk for multiple adversities, including food insecurity (FI). Understanding longitudinal patterns of children’s weight gain related to FI during the pandemic may provide insight into links between multiple adversities and child health. This study aimed to examine (1) pandemic-related changes in body mass index-for-age z-score (BMIz) among school-age children and (2) changes in BMIz by household FI risk across time. Participants were 367 children (pandemic onset age: 3.4-15.5y) and their caregivers residing in Maryland, US. Data were collected pre-pandemic (2017–2020), early pandemic (2020), mid-pandemic (2021), and late pandemic (2022). Children’s weight and height (BMIz calculated) were measured at pre-, mid-, and late pandemic. At all assessments, caregivers reported FI risks via validated 2-item screener, creating four patterns: always food secure; food secure at pre-pandemic then food insecure at mid- and/or late pandemic; food insecure at pre-pandemic then food secure at mid- and/or late pandemic; and always food insecure. Linear mixed models were used to examine (1) changes in BMIz (2), FI risks at mid- and late pandemic in relation to BMIz change, and (3) FI patterns in relation to BMIz change, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. BMIz increased from pre- to mid-pandemic (β = 0.09;SE = 0.03;P < 0.01) and decreased from mid- to late pandemic (β = -0.12;SE = 0.04;P < 0.01), with no significant difference between pre- and late-pandemic BMIz. In adjusted models, children in families experiencing mid-pandemic FI had a greater BMIz increase from pre- to mid-pandemic versus counterparts (β = 0.20;SE = 0.10;P = 0.04). Children with persistent FI had the greatest increases in BMIz from pre- to mid-pandemic (difference-in-differences = 0.28;P = 0.035) and from pre- to late pandemic (difference-in-differences = 0.30;P = 0.033), compared with persistent food secure counterparts. The increase in children’s BMIz from pre- to mid-pandemic, followed by a late-pandemic decrease suggests that children’s BMIz was responsive to pandemic-related adversities. The heightened pandemic BMIz increase among children from households experiencing FI illustrates increased vulnerability with multiple adversities.
Fruits, especially bananas and their products, play a vital role in enhancing human health due to their abundance of bioactive compounds, fibers, resistant starch, and essential nutrients. This pilot study uniquely evaluated whether consuming muffins containing 35
Due to the complexities of modern life, sleep disorders have become prevalent, leading to a number of physical and mental health issues. This meta-analysis was conducted to explore the association between dairy consumption and sleep parameters. Following a database search, 29 citations (25 observational and 4 trials) were included in the meta-analysis. In observational studies, a dose–response association was observed between dairy ingestion and better sleep quality and duration. Consumption of milk had a linear association with good sleep quality at doses up to 2 servings/day. The estimated reduction in risk of poor sleep quality was 15
Diet is a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, yet evidence regarding the association between plant-based diets and cognitive aging remains limited. We examined the association between plant-based diets and cognitive decline among older adults from China. A total of 6,721 participants (mean age: 81.41 ± 10.40 years) from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) were included. Dietary intake was assessed using a simplified food frequency questionnaire to derive the plant-based diet index (PDI), healthy PDI (hPDI), and unhealthy PDI (uPDI). Global cognitive function and six specific domains were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Z-scores were calculated using baseline mean and standard deviation. Linear mixed-effects models and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the associations between plant-based diet indices and cognitive decline and impairment. Over 6.07 years of follow-up, 1,580 participants developed cognitive impairment. Participants in the highest tertiles of PDI and hPDI exhibited 32.04
The association between maternal glycemic status and offspring vision remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal associations between maternal glucose concentrations during different pregnancies, glycemic control, and myopia in preschool offspring. This cohort study enrolled 4227 mother-child pairs with children aged 3–6 years, and incorporated both a prospective analysis and a nested case-control analysis as its sub-studies. In the prospective cohort, suspected myopia was defined as non-cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) ≤ 0.75 D; a stricter SE ≤ 1.00 D cut-off was used for sensitivity analysis. Clinically-diagnosed myopia cases were extracted from electronic medical information in nested case control analysis. The exposures assessed were gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), glycemic control, and glycemic indexes throughout pregnancy. All multivariable models were adjusted for key covariates including outdoor time, screen time, via modified Poisson regression and generalized linear regression. A total of 559 (13.7
Vegetarian or vegan diets have been associated with favorable cardiovascular outcomes in the general population; however, their effects on cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of vegetarian or vegan dietary interventions on cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with CVD. A systematic search of five electronic databases was conducted from inception to January 1, 2026. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing vegetarian or vegan diets with omnivorous diets in adult patients with CVD were included. Outcomes of interest included systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). Pooled mean differences (MDs) with 95
Current evidence on the association between beans and bean products intake and chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains limited. In vitro and animal studies suggest that soy isoflavones exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially conferring renal protective effects. However, large-scale epidemiological studies are lacking to clarify the association between soy isoflavone intake and CKD. Investigating the association between beans and bean products intake, soy isoflavones, and CKD in the Northeast China Biobank (NEC-Biobank) based on Northeast China Regional Population. From July 2018 to December 2019, we enrolled 27,003 participants aged ≥ 18 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 110-item semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). CKD was defined by reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or the presence of proteinuria. The intake of each independent variable was adjusted using the nutrient residual method. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to examine associations between beans and bean products residual-adjusted intake, soy isoflavones, and CKD prevalence. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were performed to evaluate potential nonlinear associations. Among 27,003 participants, 900 individuals had CKD. After multivariable adjustment using the lowest intake quartile as reference, we observed residual-adjusted intake the highest level of total beans and bean products was inversely associated with the prevalence of CKD (Odds Ratios [OR] and 95
Dietary recommendations promote a predominantly plant-based diet, and the growing interest in such diets has resulted in an increased supply of ultra-processed plant-based alternatives to animal-based foods such as milk and meat. However, most evidence points towards adverse health effects of a high intake of ultra-processed foods (UPF). The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in UPF intake and its nutritional consequences in a youth population in Sweden consuming vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pescatarian, or omnivore diets. In total, 244 participants, 16–24 y old, participated in the cross-sectional study VeggiSkills-Sweden. Foods reported in four 24-h recalls were classified into UPF or non-UPF according to the Nova classification system. Percentage contribution of UPF to energy, nutrients, and other food components was investigated and compared between the four dietary groups. Associations between UPF intake and demographic variables, health-related lifestyle factors and nutrient status were analysed. Vegans obtained more energy, nutrients (e.g., n-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, B12, calcium and zinc), and salt from UPFs compared to the other dietary groups but did not have a higher energy intake or higher body mass index. They consumed more total dietary fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and less saturated fatty acids (SFA). Also, vegans obtained all vitamin D and B12 from UPFs. Across the entire study population, participants with the highest intake of UPF had a lower level of general nutrition knowledge and consumed less whole grain and more free sugars, but less SFA and more PUFA. UPF intake was not associated with biochemical indicators of nutritional status. Youths adhering to a vegan diet obtained more energy and nutrients, including nutrients of concern in a plant-based diet, from UPFs than youth adhering to lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pescatarian or omnivore diets. As UPFs are defined today, authorities should be careful discouraging UPF intake while at the same time promoting a more plant-based diet among youths.
Diabetes and metabolic syndrome are major public health challenges closely linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired insulin signaling. Selenium, an essential trace element with antioxidant and immunomodulatory roles, has been proposed as an adjunctive strategy for metabolic regulation; however, evidence from randomized trials remains inconsistent. We evaluated the effects of selenium supplementation on glycemic indices, oxidative-stress-related biomarkers, lipid metabolism, and related metabolic indicators in adults, and explored potential effect modifiers. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, CINAHL, CNKI, WanFang, VIP, and SinoMed through 12 August 2025 for randomized controlled trials of oral selenium supplementation in adults, including pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Outcomes included fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, fasting insulin, indices of insulin resistance and β-cell function, oxidative-stress-related and inflammatory biomarkers, lipid parameters, and anthropometric and hemodynamic indicators. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated weighted mean differences with 95
Earlier randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of prune on bone health provided inconsistent findings. This study aims to summarize the literature and elucidate the effect of prune on bone health. In February 2025, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for RCTs. The review was submitted to PROSPERO (CRD420250655812) and conducted according to the PRISMA statement guidelines. RCTs on the effects of prune on bone health markers were included. Weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95
The link between nutritional status and cognitive performance is well-documented in early childhood, but limited data exist on adolescents, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examines the associations between nutritional status, overall cognitive function and its subdomains, and academic performance among adolescent girls in Ghana. Cross-sectional data from the Ten2Twenty-Ghana study were analysed, including 845 girls aged 10–17 from 19 primary schools in the Mion District. Fluid cognition, a composite measure of cognitive function, was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery. The cognition battery comprised five subdomains: executive function, attention control, processing speed, working memory, and episodic memory. Academic performance was assessed using examination scores in Mathematics, English, and General Science. Anthropometry was used to calculate the body mass index-for-age z-score (BAZ) and the height-for-age z-score (HAZ) using WHO AnthroPlus. Generalised linear mixed-effects models with a random intercept for school, assessed associations while adjusting for potential confounding variables, including age, anaemia, dietary diversity, menarche status, health complaints, school attendance, household food security, wealth, dependency, and literacy ratios, school feeding status, and interviewer effect. The mean HAZ was -0.9 ± 1.2, BAZ was -0.7 ± 0.9, fluid cognition was 26.7 ± 9.6, and academic performance was 53.8 ± 13.1
Herpes zoster is usually caused by varicella-zoster virus reactivation, particularly in the aged. It imposes postherpetic neuralgia and impacts life quality, which may be improved by nutritional interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and mechanism of oral whey protein supplementation in the recovery, pain, and life quality of herpes zoster patients. Forty herpes zoster patients were recruited in Shanghai Dermatology Hospital and randomly divided into the treatment group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 20), with normal therapy. Whey protein was orally administrated 20 g per time, twice per day. The recovery time, pain scores (VAS), dermatology life quality index (DLQI), nutritional status (PG-SGA), oxidative stress markers, and immune parameters were investigated. Whey protein supplementation significantly reduced the recovery time and scabbing time compared to controls. Pain scores were decreased, and DLQI was improved. Nutritional status (PG-SGA scores) was improved, with increased serum prealbumin. Total protein and albumin were not changed. Oral whey protein increased the GSH content and GSH-PX activity, but the SOD activity, MDA content, and NO content were not altered. The serum contents of IL-6, IFN-γ, IgG, and IgA were increased, while TNF-α, C3, C4, CRP, IgE, and IgM, were not statistically changed. Oral whey protein adjuvant to standard therapy accelerated recovery, reduced pain, and improved quality of life in herpes zoster patients, probably by improving the nutritional status, enhancing the antioxidant system, and supporting the immune system, which highlighted the application of whey protein in herpes zoster therapy.
While detrimental health impacts of excessive alcohol use are well-established, potential effects of low-to-moderate drinking remain controversial. We examined the associations between total and beverage-specific alcohol intake and mortality, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer (e.g., 20 site-specific cancers), and other mortality. We included 340,924 participants from UK Biobank (2006–2022). Alcohol use was categorized as: never or occasional alcohol consumption (≤ 20 g/week), low consumption (> 20 g/week to ≤ 20 g/d for men, > 20 g/week to ≤ 10 g/d for women), moderate consumption (> 20 to ≤ 40 g/d for men, > 10 to ≤ 20 g/d for women), and high consumption (> 40 g/d for men and > 20 g/d for women). We used Cox proportional hazard models to examine the associations of alcohol intake and mortality. During a mean follow-up of 13.4 years, we documented 22,381 deaths. Compared with never or occasional alcohol intake, high total alcohol intake was associated with higher mortality from all-causes (HR and 95
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, with oxidative stress playing an important role in its development. This study aimed to examine the association between the Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI), a measure of total dietary antioxidant intake, and the risk of MetS in Iranian adults. This prospective cohort study was conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) and included 4,628 adults (> 18 years) with complete dietary assessment data from the third TLGS examination and newly enrolled participants from the fourth examination. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire, and the CDAI was calculated based on six components: vitamins A, C, and E, manganese, selenium, and zinc. MetS was defined according to the Joint Interim Statement criteria. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95
The association between teas with different fermentation levels and bone health remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between teas with different fermentation levels and bone health in a community-based population. This is a cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited using a multistage probability sampling method in China between 2021 and 2023. At baseline, participants self-reported the type (unfermented green, semi-fermented oolong, fully-fermented black, and post-fermented dark) and frequency of tea consumption. Bone mineral density was measured using calcaneal ultrasonography. A total of 8,490 participants were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 51.5 years. The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was 2.8
Plant-based and pescatarian diets are generally considered healthier alternatives to meat-based diets; however, their specific effects on mortality risk among individuals with clinical obesity remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the associations between different dietary patterns and the risks of all-cause and premature mortality in patients with clinical obesity. A nationwide cohort study using UK Biobank data included 154,986 participants with clinical obesity. Dietary patterns among these individuals were categorized as regular meat-eaters, occasional meat-eaters, pescatarians, vegetarians, and vegans. Accelerated failure time (AFT) models were used to evaluate the associations between dietary patterns and all-cause and premature mortality. Interaction analyses, subgroup analyses, and sensitivity analyses were further conducted to assess the robustness of the findings. Among individuals with clinical obesity, the all-cause mortality rates for regular meat-eaters, occasional meat-eaters, pescatarians, and vegetarian/vegans were 12.75
Abstract Background Diet during pregnancy significantly influences maternal and offspring health outcomes, including long-term risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, asthma, allergic disease and diabetes. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are cost-effective tools for dietary assessment but require validation to ensure accuracy. The objective of this study was to assess the validity of an FFQ developed for pregnant women in the NorthPop Birth Cohort Study (NorthPop) in Sweden. Methods Pregnant women ( n = 96) were recruited from NorthPop. Nutrient and food group intakes assessed by the FFQ were compared with intakes assessed by three 24-hour dietary recalls (24HR) using group mean comparisons, Spearman correlation coefficients, cross-classification, and Bland-Altman analysis. Results The FFQ showed acceptable to very good correlations for most nutrients and food groups. Mean deattenuated correlation coefficients were 0.45 (0.15 to 0.73) for nutrients and 0.55 (0.32 to 0.80) for food groups. Energy adjustment altered individual nutrient correlations, but the overall mean remained unchanged at 0.45 (0.11 to 0.84); however, it reduced the mean correlation for food groups to 0.49 (0.17 to 0.70). Analyses of mean intake, cross-classification, and Bland-Altman plots showed acceptable agreement between the FFQ and the 24HR reference method. Conclusions The FFQ evaluated in this study is a valid tool for assessing dietary intake at the group level among pregnant women in the NorthPop cohort. The results support the use of this FFQ to study relationships between diet and disease and to identify dietary factors during pregnancy.
Choline plays key roles in neurotransmitter synthesis and membrane integrity, processes fundamental to brain function. However, evidence from population studies on the association of dietary choline intake with dementia risk is mixed. We analyzed data of 5,301 dementia-free participants (mean age = 68.6 years; 59
