BACKGROUND:The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends reconstituting powdered infant formula with water at ≥70 °C to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. While this practice is important for microbiological safety, it may also reduce the viability and/or functional activity of heat-sensitive bioactive components, such as probiotics. However, it remains unclear whether probiotics added to infant formula can reach the infant gut under WHO-recommended preparation conditions. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate whether Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis M-63 added to infant formula can be detected in the neonatal gut when the formula is prepared with water at ≥70 °C following WHO recommendations. METHODS:In this exploratory, randomized study with two supplementation levels, 34 term neonates received formula containing B. infantis M-63 reconstituted according to WHO-recommended conditions, from birth to 1 month of age. Fecal recovery of the administered strain was assessed, together with analyses of gut microbiota composition and fecal metabolite profiles. Concurrent breastfeeding was permitted without restriction to reflect real-world feeding practices. RESULTS:Although reconstitution at ≥70 °C substantially reduced viable bacterial counts in the prepared formula, B. infantis M-63 was detected in fecal samples at high rates at 1 month of age (low-dose 94.4%, high-dose 100%), with no significant differences in detection rates or fecal counts between dose groups. Gut microbiota composition shifted toward a Bifidobacterium-dominant profile over time regardless of dose. In addition, fecal recovery of the administered strain was positively associated with specific tryptophan-derived metabolites, including indole-3-lactic acid (ρ = 0.509, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS:Under WHO-recommended infant formula preparation conditions, B. infantis M-63 was detected in nearly all infants, together with a gut microbiota profile characteristic of early infancy. These findings provide in vivo evidence that B. infantis M-63 can reach the neonatal gut and suggest potential biological activity under microbiologically safe and practically relevant preparation conditions.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the association of the EAT-Lancet diet and its metabolic signature with the risk of gout, taking genetic predispositions into account. METHODS:Study populations included 91,479 UK Biobank participants with concomitant information on questionnaire and molecular data. EAT-Lancet diet score was calculated using the Oxford WebQ dietary questionnaire. A metabolic signature was developed using the elastic net regression. Associations between EAT-Lancet diet score, its metabolic signature, and incidence of gout were assessed through the Cox proportional hazards models. Mediation analysis was performed to assess the mediatory effects of metabolic signature and individual metabolite. A genetic risk score (GRS) of gout was calculated and incorporated to evaluate joint associations and potential interactions between genetic susceptibility and EAT-Lancet diet score or its metabolic signature in relation to gout risk. RESULTS:During a median follow-up period of 11.61 years, 1,444 incident cases of gout were observed. Comparing the highest to lowest quartile, both the EAT-Lancet diet score (HR = 0.74, 95%CIs = 0.63-0.86) and its metabolic signature (HR = 0.40, 95%CIs = 0.32-0.50) were significantly associated with a reduced risk of gout. Joint analysis indicated that favorable metabolic profiles may attenuate the genetic predisposition to gout. Mediation analysis showed that the metabolic signature explained 39.1% (95%CIs = 24.6%-82.3%) of the EAT-Lancet diet-gout association. CONCLUSIONS:Adherence to EAT-Lancet diet and its metabolic signature are associated with a reduced risk of gout. This signature also partially mitigates the genetic susceptibility to gout.
Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) contains anti-nutritional factors such as phytates, tannins, and enzyme inhibitors that limit nutrient bioavailability; however, appropriate processing techniques effectively reduce these constraints. This study evaluates the effects of milling, soaking, parboiling, and popping on the physicochemical, functional, and structural properties of proso millet, along with in silico analysis of its bioactive compounds. Processing significantly influenced functional properties, with water absorption capacity observed highest in parboiling (41.31±0.03%), followed by soaking (23.79±0.01%), popping (22.02±0.08%), and milling (18.05±0.01%). In contrast, oil absorption capacity was highest in milling (18.21±0.08%), followed by popping (17.9±0.05%), parboiling (14.96±0.07%), and soaking (14.01±0.07%). Phenolic content ranged from 0.51±0.004 to 0.56±0.0047, with the highest value in parboiling, while tannin content varied slightly (0.07-0.09 mg/g). Antioxidant activity (DPPH) was highest in soaking (9.97±0%), followed by popping (9.0±0.006%), milling (7.54±0%), and parboiling (6.81±0.006%). FTIR and SEM analysis revealed structural modifications, including starch gelatinization and protein denaturation, particularly in parboiled and popped samples. In silico studies showed strong binding affinity of palmitic acid with human pancreatic α-amylase (-7.2 kcal/mol) and yamogenin with pancreatic lipase (-6.8 kcal/mol), supported by stable RMSF and NMA profiles. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences among treatments (p<0.05). Overall, processing enhanced the functional and nutritional quality of proso millet, supporting its potential in functional food development.
BACKGROUND:Plant-based diets are linked to health benefits, but may challenge adequate nutrient intake in older adults. OBJECTIVES:This study aims to analyze the nutrient, particularly protein intake, of Dutch older adults with decades-long adherence to vegetarian or vegan diets. METHODS:In this cross-sectional study, dietary intake was assessed using 3-day food records and compared with a Dutch reference group. Protein quality was assessed using the Meal Protein Quality Score (MPQS) and Protein Adequacy and Quality Score (PAQS). Group comparisons utilized Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS:The study included 20 vegetarians and 6 vegans aged 76 (72-80) years. Median dietary adherence was 42 years for vegetarians, and 10 years for vegans, preceded by 31 years of vegetarian diet. Compared with omnivores, vegans had lower energy intake, higher proportion of energy from carbohydrate and fat, and higher fiber intake. In contrast, vegetarians had comparable energy intake to omnivores, but lower proportion of energy from carbohydrates and higher fat and fiber intake. Protein intake below the RDA occurred in 83% of vegans, 40% of vegetarians, and 25% of omnivores. Foods contributing to protein intake were dairy products for vegetarians and dairy replacers for vegans, combined with gluten- and soy-based products. Protein quality over the day, expressed as PAQS, was <1 in most vegans (100%) and vegetarians (83.3%), indicating lower protein quality. Inadequate protein quality per meal (MPQS <100) was observed across all meals, except dinner in vegetarians. Both plant-based diets failed to meet recommended intakes for calcium, zinc, vitamin B12 and vitamin D, as well as iron and folate in vegans. CONCLUSION:Long-term vegetarian and vegan diets in older adults were associated with inadequate micronutrient intake and insufficient protein intake, adequacy and quality, especially in vegans. While inadequacies were common, well-composed plant-based meals can provide adequate protein quality, highlighting opportunities for targeted nutritional guidance.
BACKGROUND:Excessive iron may adversely affect intestinal health, particularly the immature intestine of infants. The mechanism of high iron intake affecting intestine in infants remains unclear. OBJECTIVES:This study aims to investigate the effects of high iron supplementation on intestinal stem cells (ISCs) function in infant rats. METHODS:Suckling rats aged 2 days were supplemented with iron at doses of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 mg Fe/kg body weight/day for 13 days. At the end of the treatment, jejunal tissues were harvested for histopathological evaluation, immunohistochemical staining to assess protein expression and localization, and RT-qPCR to quantify the mRNA levels of Wnt/β-catenin and Notch signaling pathway-related genes. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's test. RESULTS:Histological analysis revealed that iron supplementation of 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly reduced villus height by 34.00% and 19.32%, respectively (P < 0.05), which was associated with suppressed proliferation of ISCs. Notably, with iron supplementation of 50 mg/kg, the expression of Wnt- and Notch-pathway target genes, including Hes1 and Notch1, decreased by 69.98% and 67.22% (P < 0.05), respectively, accompanied by increases of 56.57% and 13.35% in goblet and endocrine cells, respectively (P < 0.05), and a 38.54% decrease in enterocytes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Overall, this study suggested that excessive iron intake during suckling inhibited ISCs proliferation, changed ISCs differentiation toward secretory rather than absorptive lineages, finally damaging intestine. These findings reveal the intrinsic mechanisms of iron overload-induced intestinal damage during suckling, providing an important theoretical basis for the scientific application of iron nutritional regulation for infants.
Background Pomegranate juice (PomJ) is a rich source of polyphenols, particularly ellagitannins and anthocyanins, that have been linked to metabolic benefits. However, evidence regarding its acute metabolic effects remains inconclusive. Objective To compare acute glycemic and incretin responses following consumption of isocaloric pomegranate juice (PomJ) and sugar-water, and to explore individual variability in glycemic response patterns. Methods In this randomized, controlled, crossover trial, 42 adults completed three interventions following a standardized low-polyphenol diet, which was maintained for the entire study. Participants consumed isocaloric PomJ, sugar-water, and water, in random order, each separated by a 1-week washout period. Postprandial glucose, insulin, glucagon, GLP-1, GIP, C-peptide, and triglycerides were measured over 2 hours. Glycemic and incretin responses were analyzed using mixed-effects models. Exploratory analyses, including dynamic time warping (DTW) and response stratification, were performed to characterize individual glycemic response patterns. Results Participants at baseline had a mean age of 33.6±10.4years, a mean BMI of 27.1±4.6kg/m2, and mean fasting glucose levels of 94.9±9.7mg/dL. Mean glycemic responses did not differ between PomJ and sugar-water across conventional glycemic metrics, including netAUC, glucose peak, time of glucose peak, its duration, and the ending time of the peak (all P>0.05).However, PomJ elicited significantly lower GIP responses than sugar-water (AUC PomJ: 23.2±4066, AUC Sugar-water: 2102.0±5699, adjusted p=0.002; bonferroni correction). A participant-level permutation analysis of DTW distances demonstrated that within-participant glucose trajectories were, on average, more similar than expected under random participant pairing (within-participant DTW distance: 91.3, between-participant DTW distance was 111.3; permutation P=0.0002). Exploratory post hoc stratification identified heterogeneous glycemic response patterns, which were further characterized descriptively. Conclusion Pomegranate juice produced similar glycemic but distinct incretin responses compared with sugar-water. Exploratory analyses highlighted heterogeneity in glycemic response patterns under standardized study conditions. Further repeated-measures studies are needed to determine the reproducibility and biological basis of these observations.This study was registered in clinicaltrials.gov NCT04591782
Background Taurine has shown promise as a therapeutic agent for diabetic disorders, and circulating taurine concentration has consistently been lower in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, it is unclear whether higher habitual taurine intake or plasma taurine concentration is associated with a lower risk of developing T2D. Objective To investigate associations of habitual taurine intake, its food source, and plasma taurine concentration with risk of incident T2D. Methods This prospective study included 23,456 individuals without diabetes from the Chinese Tianjin Chronic Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Health (TCLSIH) cohort and 24,241 individuals without diabetes from the Swedish Malmö Diet and Cancer (MDC) cohort. Habitual taurine intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire in the TCLSIH cohort and a modified diet history method in the MDC cohort. Plasma taurine concentration was measured in a subsample of the MDC cohort. Incident T2D was identified through medical examinations and physician diagnoses in the TCLSIH cohort, and via registry linkage and rescreening in the MDC cohort. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Over a median follow-up of 4.2 years (TCLSIH) and 24.6 years (MDC), 757 and 4,161 participants developed T2D, respectively. The fully adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for incident T2D comparing extreme quartiles of absolute taurine intake were 0.96 (0.73, 1.25) in the TCLSIH cohort and 1.08 (0.96, 1.21) in the MDC cohort. The corresponding pooled multivariable HR (95% CI) was 1.06 (0.95, 1.18). Such associations remained largely unchanged after adjusting taurine intake for total energy using both the residual and nutrient density methods. In addition, no significant association was observed for source-specific taurine and plasma taurine concentration. Conclusions Neither habitual taurine intake nor plasma taurine concentration was associated with risk of incident T2D in population-based settings.
Nutrition underpins athletic health, performance, and recovery. However, many athletes do not achieve optimal dietary practices. Practical barriers, including limited time, financial constraints, and low confidence in food preparation, may limit the translation of nutrition knowledge into consistent dietary behaviors. Culinary nutrition (CN) integrates nutrition science with hands-on food skills and has emerged as a strategy to address translational gaps, yet its application in sports nutrition remains underexplored.This scoping review aims to (1) characterize the design and hands-on activities of food skills interventions for athletes, and (2) compare how these interventions align with the established definition of culinary nutrition.Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search of SportDiscus, CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus was conducted in January 2026. Studies were included if they involved athletes and incorporated a hands-on food skills component. Two independent reviewers screened studies and extracted data using a standardized template. Researchers then synthesized the data to characterize intervention design and evaluate alignment with the constructs used to define CN.Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Although food skills interventions varied by population, setting, duration, and delivery, all combined hands-on activities with didactic nutrition education. Studies represented a geographically diverse sample spanning seven countries: Brazil, India, the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and Germany. Participants included athletes competing across a range of levels, from secondary school and community sport to university and regional-level competition. Mean participant ages ranged from 11.9 to 22 years, and studies included male, female, and mixed sex samples. Interventions targeted outcomes including nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, and psychosocial determinants such as self-efficacy and readiness to change. Evaluation approaches were inconsistent. No studies directly measured food skills, and none fully aligned with core CN constructs.Greater conceptual clarity, stronger theoretical integration, establishment of standardization and best practices, and more interventional research exploring the impact of CN on individuals’ health, wellbeing, and performance are needed to advance CN in sports contexts. Registry and registry number for systematic reviews or meta-analyses This research was registered with Open Science Framework (OSF) (https://osf.io/4cske/overview)
Dietary carbohydrate has traditionally been classified using a simple-versus-complex scheme, although the heterogeneous sources and structures of carbohydrate-containing foods make physiologically meaningful comparisons based on chemical structure alone challenging. Glycemic load (GL) provides a standardized approach to quantify the glucose-raising potential of carbohydrate-containing foods by integrating glycemic index (GI) with the amount of carbohydrate consumed. GI is an in vivo, unitless relative ranking of the postprandial glucose-raising potential of carbohydrate-containing foods, whereas GL provides a directly quantifiable standard for all carbohydrates regardless of their dietary sources (dGL). A complementary construct, dietary insulin demand (dID), extends physiologic quantification to food-induced insulin responses, incorporating effects attributable not only to carbohydrate but also to protein and amino acid composition, fat, food structure, and mixed-meal interactions. To date, however, the evidence base for dID is substantially smaller than that for dGL; support is strongest for its ability to characterize postprandial insulin responses, whereas evidence relating dID to long-term clinical outcomes remains limited. This review summarizes the development, methodology, interpretation, and implications of dGL and dID, emphasizing the body of observational and experimental work that established dGL as a physiologically quantifiable dietary exposure. A substantial body of evidence links refined carbohydrate intake and higher dGL with cardiometabolic disorders, including cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, systemic inflammation, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes, with less consistent evidence for cancer. Recent large cohorts and meta-analyses further support the relevance of dGI and dGL to cardiometabolic risk, particularly in populations consuming diets high in refined carbohydrates and low in dietary fiber. Nevertheless, effect estimates vary across populations and intervention studies, reflecting differences in metabolic phenotype, dietary assessment and GI assignment, energy balance, food sources, comparator diets, and the magnitude of the achieved dGL contrast. For nutritional management of diabetes, development of a “GL exchange” may provide a useful extension of the traditional carbohydrate-exchange approach to glycemic control. Beyond simple isocaloric macronutrient substitution, dGL and dID quantify the physiologic glucose-raising and insulinogenic demands of foods and dietary patterns.
Background Stevia is a plant-based non-nutritive sweetener. Acute effects of stevia ingestion on glycemia and hormonal responses have not been fully investigated. Objective This objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of beverages containing stevia alone and in combination with glucose on glycemic, hormonal, and appetite responses. Methods: This study evaluated three cohorts of n=23 individuals with either normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for which each individual completed four test conditions in a randomized sequence crossover study design. The four test conditions were beverages containing stevia (75.6 mg steviol equivalents), water, glucose (30 g), and stevia+glucose (30 g glucose+75.6 mg steviol equivalents). Blood samples were collected before and for 180 min after beverage consumption. Assessments included net area under the curve (niAUC) and incremental maximal concentration values for plasma glucose, insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon-like peptide-1, glucagon, and PYY. Appetite was assessed with visual-analog scale questions and energy consumption during an ad libitum meal. Results Responses to the stevia beverage did not differ significantly from those for water alone, and stevia + glucose did not differ significantly from glucose alone for any of the three groups. Conclusion Acute stevia consumption did not materially alter responses for glycemia or hormones involved in glucose and appetite regulation, appetite ratings, or energy intake at a subsequent meal.Clinical Trial Registry number and website where it was obtained: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT05287906. Study Details | NCT05287906 | A Trial to Assess Steviol Glycosides on Acute Appetite Hormone Release | ClinicalTrials.gov
Background Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and rising nutrient needs, with girls facing additional iron requirements from menstrual losses, yet Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) inadequately address these needs. Objective This study assessed the adequacy and equity of national FBDGs and government-run adolescent nutrition programs in supporting adolescent nutrition and anemia prevention across eight LMICs in Africa and Asia. Methods A structured desk review of national FBDGs and government-led adolescent nutrition programs was conducted across Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan, with specific focus on adolescents’ nutritional needs, particularly iron; cultural and economic relevance; behavioral communication strategies; and equity considerations. Documents were identified via the FAO FBDG repository, government websites, WHO/UNICEF/World Bank sources, and Nutrition International offices, with duplicate screening and extraction by two independent reviewers, discrepancies resolved by a third. Iron recommendations were cross-referenced against FAO/INFOODS food composition data, and iron-source food affordability, seasonality, and accessibility were rated by two independent reviewers on a 5-point scale, reconciled by a third. No statistical hypothesis testing was performed. Results Thirty-one documents were identified (8 national FBDGs, 10 communication materials, 13 program documents). Most FBDGs lacked age- and gender-specific recommendations and gave only general iron guidance despite elevated anemia risk among adolescent girls; iron supplementation and fortification recommendations were inconsistent and poorly aligned with national anemia programs. Adolescent-friendly communication and equity considerations, particularly for out-of-school, rural, and marginalized adolescents, were largely absent. Conclusions Among the FBDGs and program documents reviewed across eight LMICs, adolescent-specific guidance on iron, communication, and equity remains substantially underdeveloped. Strengthening FBDGs through adolescent-specific recommendations and closer alignment with supplementation/fortification programs could improve the relevance of adolescent nutrition guidance; effects on dietary behavior or anemia reduction were not assessed and warrant prospective evaluation.
Food supplement labels distinguish declared active ingredients from excipients, but this distinction does not address whether a declared active ingredient makes a substantive supplemental contribution in the form and quantity used. This Perspectives article proposes the term perception filler as an analytical and descriptive construct for identifying situations in which a declared ingredient may contribute more to the perceived completeness or strength of a formulation than to an interpretable nutritional or botanical contribution. The concept is most relevant to low quantities of raw botanical powders presented among active ingredients, particularly where the declared form provides no basis for estimating active constituent content. Existing regulatory taxonomies governing supplement formulation (active ingredients, excipients, and proprietary blends) do not capture this category: a raw botanical powder declared in the active panel is classified as an active ingredient by default, without any mechanism for evaluating whether its form and declared quantity reflect a substantive supplemental contribution. Using turmeric powder as the primary illustrative example, this article distinguishes perception fillers from excipients, proprietary blends, extract equivalence labelling, and botanical adulteration. It proposes working criteria for identification and argues for clearer disclosure of botanical ingredient form and standardisation percentage where applicable. The concept does not depend on agreed dose thresholds; it rests on the observation that certain declarations are more likely to contribute to a product's formulation narrative than to its stated supplemental function.
BACKGROUND:Gut dysbiosis, disrupted intestinal barrier integrity, and elevated bacterial LPS levels are hallmarks of obesity-related metabolic dysfunctions. Fish oil (FO) and tart cherry (TC) have individually been shown to modulate gut microbiota dysbiosis and improve gut integrity. OBJECTIVES:We hypothesized that TC and FO, individually or in combination, would mitigate high-fat (HF) diet-induced dysbiosis and favorably modulate the expression of genes associated with intestinal barrier integrity. METHODS:Male and female C57BL/6J (BL6) and TALLYHO/Jng (TH) mice were fed low-fat, HF, or HF supplemented with TC, FO, or TC+FO diets for 14 wk from weaning. Cecal DNA was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and intestinal tissue was assessed for gut integrity gene expression. RESULTS:Supplementation with TC, FO, or TC+FO modulated gut microbial β-diversity in a strain- and sex-dependent manner. Combined TC+FO supplementation significantly increased Lachnospiraceae abundance (P < 0.03) and reduced Deferribacteraceae (P < 0.03), especially in females. With regard to intestinal barrier integrity, TC and FO supplementation, particularly in combination, attenuated HF-induced reductions in barrier integrity markers. TC+FO significantly upregulated Zo1, Ocln, and Muc2 expression in BL6 females (P < 0.05), whereas FO and TC+FO increased expression of these genes in TH females (P < 0.05), suggesting additive benefits. CONCLUSIONS:Supplementation with TC and FO, particularly in combination, attenuated HF diet-induced gut dysbiosis and favorably modulated the expression of intestinal barrier-associated genes, suggesting potential protective effects against HF diet-induced gut dysfunction.
BACKGROUND:Fish oil (FO), rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), exerts beneficial effects on gastrointestinal diseases in humans and animals. OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to investigate whether FO attenuated deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced intestinal dysfunction and abnormal expression of mitochondrial fission/fusion-related proteins in weaned piglets. METHODS:Twenty-four weaned pigs were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design (6 pigs/group), and the factors included dietary treatments (5% corn oil or FO) and DON exposure (4 mg/kg DON or not). After 21 d of feeding, intestinal samples were collected. Intestinal porcine epithelial cell line 1 (IPEC-1) cells were treated with 41 μM EPA or 38 μM DHA, with or without 0.5 μg/mL DON. Small interfering RNAs targeting mitochondrial fission/fusion-related proteins [dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusin-1 (Mfn1), and mitofusin-2 (Mfn2)] were used to explore the molecular mechanism. RESULTS:FO improved growth performance (P < 0.05) and increased expression of mitochondrial fission/fusion-related proteins, including Drp1, Mfn1, and Mfn2 (P < 0.05), accompanied by restoring jejunal morphology, digestion, and barrier function, and mitochondrial function (P < 0.05) of piglets after DON exposure. EPA or DHA attenuated cell damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell apoptosis (P < 0.001), and increased Drp1, Mfn1, and Mfn2 protein expression (P < 0.05) after DON exposure in IPEC-1 cells. EPA/DHA alleviated cell injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell apoptosis (P < 0.001) in the presence of siDrpl and siMfnl; however, EPA or DHA could not alleviate these indices (P > 0.05) in the presence of siMfn2. CONCLUSIONS:The protective effects of EPA/DHA against DON-induced intestinal injury were strongly associated with Mfn2 signaling.
Nutrition is one of the few modifiable risk factors for health status. The diet-disease relationship, however, is highly complex, with many endogenous and exogenous factors contributing to risk and with variation in responses to diet between individuals. The 2020-2030 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Strategic Plan for Nutrition Research states that precision nutrition is a unifying and holistic approach to developing comprehensive and dynamic nutritional recommendations relevant to both individual and population health. Recognizing the growing importance of advanced computational approaches in nutrition research, in 2022, the NIH Office of Nutrition Research and participating NIH Institutes and Centers published a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for training programs in Artificial Intelligence for Precision Nutrition (AIPrN) aiming to develop a new generation of the scientific workforce, literate in both nutritional and computer sciences, that leverages the growing data resources available for nutrition research to tackle complex and emerging health-disease associations. In this paper, we describe the approaches developed by the first 4 institutional awardees of the T32 AIPrN training grant, and we highlight applied strategies for interdisciplinary training, data integration, and methodological innovation as the research community prepares to analyze and interpret data generated by major initiatives such as the NIH-funded Nutrition for Precision Health Initiative.
BACKGROUND:Isoflavones are plant-derived estrogenic compounds that can cross the placenta and influence fetal development, but evidence on fetal ultrasound parameters is limited. OBJECTIVES:This study aims to assess associations between individual and combined isoflavones and fetal ultrasound parameters in a prospective birth cohort in Guangxi, China. METHODS:We included 577 mother-infant pairs. Fetal parameters included biparietal diameter, head circumference, femur length, abdominal circumference, and estimated fetal weight. Maternal serum isoflavones in early pregnancy were measured by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Associations were analyzed using multiple linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression. RESULTS:Higher daidzein, genistein, and glycitein levels (highest compared with lowest tertile) were linked to significantly increased second-trimester biparietal diameter [β = 0.291, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.091, 0.492; β = 0.256, 95% CI: 0.053, 0.459, and β = 0.296, 95% CI: 0.095, 0.498, respectively] and head circumference z-scores (β = 0.216, 95% CI: 0.004, 0.427, β = 0.240, 95% CI: 0.025, 0.456, and β = 0.264, 95% CI: 0.050, 0.478, respectively). Higher daidzein concentrations were also correlated with significantly increased third-trimester head circumference (β = 0.304, 95% CI: 0.086, 0.522). Glycitein exhibited sex-specific effects on abdominal circumference and estimated fetal weight in females, whereas daidzein affected third-trimester estimated fetal weight in females and head circumference in males (all P < 0.05). In Bayesian kernel machine regression, higher isoflavone combined levels (daidzein, genistein, glycitein, and equol) were significantly associated with increased second-trimester biparietal diameter) z-scores in the total population and female fetuses, as well as increased second-trimester estimated fetal weight in female fetuses, with glycitein identified as the major contributor. CONCLUSIONS:Early-pregnancy isoflavone exposure may positively influence fetal growth, with trimester- and sex-specific effects. Further mechanistic studies on placental nutrient transport, gene expression, and long-term offspring outcomes are warranted.
Polyphenols are bioactive compounds commonly found in foods like fruits, vegetables, and cocoa. These compounds have the potential to impact the gut microbiota and metabolism to support exercise and recovery through both direct and indirect mechanisms. The purpose of this narrative review is to present evidence for a triad relationship between polyphenolic compounds, the gut microbiome, and exercise. This was achieved by reviewing and summarizing mechanistic and human intervention study outcomes to elucidate how polyphenols influence the triad relationship. Polyphenols exert a prebiotic effect, increasing the abundance of beneficial exercise-related microbiota such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus spp. Beyond these prebiotic effects, polyphenols may directly attenuate exercise-induced inflammation, support gastrointestinal integrity, and improve endothelial function, potentially enhancing endurance performance and recovery. Indirectly, polyphenols may influence substrate utilization through adipose tissue beiging and increase fat oxidation. The gut microbiota also modulates the effects of polyphenols on exercise outcomes through the production of beneficial microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, which have been shown to support exercise outcomes by promoting intestinal gluconeogenesis and reducing proinflammatory pathways. Overall, current evidence suggests that polyphenols may serve as a promising nutritional strategy to support exercise performance, recovery, and overall metabolic health through interactions with the gut microbiota.
