This cross-sectional study investigated meal delivery app (MDA) use and associated factors among Brazilian adults in the CUME+ study. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle and app use data were collected online. Chi-square tests and Poisson's regressions were performed. Among 839 participants, 76.52% reported using MDAs, particularly adults aged 30-39 years (40.03%) and full-time workers (77.10%). App users exhibited more sedentary behaviours (p < 0.05), including fewer hours of household activities, longer sitting and screen time. Regular user (≥1 time/week) was reported by 27.10%. In the adjusted model, adults aged 40-49 years had a lower prevalence of regular use than those aged 30-39 years (p = 0.042), while sitting ≥8 h/day doubled its prevalence compared with ≤3 h/day (p = 0.008). Insufficiently active (p = 0.030) and active (p = 0.027) individuals had a lower prevalence of use than inactive ones. Among regular users, 51.70% ordered meal dishes and 39.70% snacks half of the time or more. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring these platforms for nutritional surveillance.
Pre- and post-intervention spermiogram analysis and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profiling of fat- and water-soluble seminal plasma (SP) metabolites were performed in 26 infertile men treated for 60 days with vitamin E + CoQ10 (intervention 1 on n = 6 participants with predominant fat-soluble compound alterations), vitamin E + CoQ10 + B-complex vitamins + vitamin C (intervention 2 on n = 12 participants with combined fat- and water-soluble compound alterations) and B-complex vitamins + vitamin C (intervention 3 on n = 8 participants with predominant water-soluble compound alterations). Intervention 1 improved only SP vitamin E levels, intervention 2 improved spermiogram, an index cumulating all metabolic SP alterations named biomarker score (BS) and fat- and water-soluble SP metabolites, intervention 3 improved spermiogram, BS and several water-soluble SP metabolites. In conclusion, personalised nutraceutical supplementations, administered on the basis of SP metabolic profile alterations, may improve semen quality of infertile males.
Sarcopenia and obesity, characterised respectively by reduced muscle mass and function and increased adiposity, may co-occur as sarcopenic obesity (SO). This systematic review summarises cohort evidence linking these body composition phenotypes to dementia risk. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database and PsycINFO were searched from inception to February 2026. Outcomes included incident all-cause dementia (ACD) and subtypes. Pooled hazard ratios were calculated for each phenotype using random-effects models. Fourteen publications were included for sarcopenia, 72 for obesity, and four for SO. Late-life obesity (≥65 years) was protective for ACD (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.76-0.89), whereas mid-life obesity (<65 years) modestly increased risk (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.16). Sarcopenia was associated with increased risk (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.26-1.58). SO showed no significant association (HR 1.43, 95% CI 0.87-1.99). These findings highlight age-dependent effects of obesity and an elevated dementia risk with sarcopenia; the predictive role of SO requires further research.
Pectin, a structurally diverse class of dietary fibres, holds promise as a next-generation prebiotic. This study evaluated the microbiota-modulating potential of 17 chemically and enzymatically modified citrus pectin fractions, along with rhamnogalacturonan-rich apple and potato pectin extracts, using in vitro batch fermentations inoculated with human faecal samples. A highly linear, homogalacturonan-rich citrus pectin (CP3 MOD 2) selectively increased the absolute abundances of Faecalibacterium and Gemmiger - key butyrate-producing genera - while suppressing opportunistic pathogens such as Escherichia. These effects were confirmed across twelve donors and associated with increased acetate production. Pectin structural features, including high galacturonic acid content and low branching, were positively correlated with beneficial microbial shifts. In contrast, rhamnogalacturonan-rich pectins exhibited broader, less selective responses. The microbiota's baseline composition significantly influenced fermentation outcomes, underscoring interindividual variability. CP3 MOD 2 emerges as a promising candidate for further in vivo evaluation in a targeted, structure-guided prebiotic intervention.
Dietary inorganic nitrate has cardioprotective and ergogenic effects, yet public and professional knowledge remains poorly characterised. In the KINDS-2 multinational cross-sectional survey, we assessed knowledge, beliefs and purchasing behaviours in a general population cohort (UK, USA, Australia; n = 2,970, recruited via Prolific) and a healthcare professional (HCP) cohort (42 countries; n = 498, recruited via professional networks). Knowledge was scored using cohort-specific indices and a harmonised cross-cohort comparable index (CCC-NKI; 20 points, seven domains). Knowledge was low in both cohorts: general population median 8.9/21, with only 28.7% having heard of dietary nitrate (USA 36.4%, UK 15.0%, Australia 11.2%); HCPs median 11.5/23. On the CCC-NKI, HCPs scores were higher in the general population (median 10 vs. 8; p < 0.001). Identifying nitrate-rich foods was the strongest correlate of total score yet showed no between-cohort difference. Most participants were willing to consume nitrate-rich foods given supporting evidence. These findings underscore the need for targeted education.
Changes in body composition with ageing, such as fat gain and muscle loss, pose significant health challenges. Coffee consumption may influence body composition, but evidence remains inconclusive. This cross-sectional study examined associations between coffee consumption and body composition in an older Finnish population with high habitual coffee intake. The analysis included 528 men and women (mean age 67.7 years). Coffee intake was assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire, and body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multivariable-adjusted associations between coffee consumption (<375, 375, and >375 ml/day) and lean mass index, appendicular lean mass index, fat mass index, body mass index, and android/gynoid ratio were analysed using sex-stratified ANCOVA, with Bonferroni correction applied. Mean ± SD coffee intake was 370 ± 214 ml/day. No statistically significant differences between the coffee intake categories were observed for any body composition outcome (p-values > 0.06). In this older Finnish population, coffee consumption was not associated with DXA-assessed body composition.
This study assessed the combined effect of 12 weeks melatonin supplementation (5mg/day) and Dual-task training (DTT) on functional capacity and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Thirty-six participants were randomised into three groups: DTT + melatonin (TMG, n = 13), DTT + placebo (TPG, n = 11), and placebo (PG, n = 12). During bipedal stance, post-intervention centre-of-pressure mean velocity (CoPVm) was lower in TMG and TPG than in PG under both eyes-opened and eyes-closed conditions. During unipedal stance, CoPVm decreased only in TMG under eyes-closed conditions and was lower than in PG. Leg muscle strength was higher in TMG than in TPG and PG, and higher in TPG than in PG at post-intervention. Both training groups demonstrated better motor capacity, freezing-of-gait, and quality-of-life outcomes than PG. Overall, DTT enhanced motor capacity, bipedal static balance, freezing of gait and quality of life, while melatonin provided additional benefits for unipedal static balance and leg strength.
Diet plays a fundamental role in our life starting from the earliest stages and throughout each phase of our existence. One diet that has garnered considerable attention in recent years is the Mediterranean diet. Named after the geographical region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, which includes areas Greece, Spain and Southern Italy, it is one of the healthiest diets in the world since it is associated with significant lower risks for several non-transmissible chronic diseases. Despite this overwhelming evidence, recent data show a significant decrease in the popularity of this diet in the very countries that are considered the cradle of it, which is associated with an increase in metabolic diseases and obesity. Paradoxically, this diet is gaining more followers in countries that geographically are not part of the Mediterranean basin. This "Mediterranean diet paradox" highlights the urgent need for coordinated public health strategies aimed at correcting or reversing this shiftwithin the Mediterranean region itself to avoid the long-term economic and public health consequences.
The planetary health diet proposed by the EAT-Lancet Commission provides a global framework to integrate human health and environmental sustainability through plant-based dietary patterns. Its 2025 update refined quantitative targets and emphasised the need for regional adaptation. This study compares the EAT-Lancet reference diets, the FAO/WHO Sustainable Healthy Diets, and Mediterranean dietary models represented by national guidelines from Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal, alongside the Italian Mediterranean Diet Pyramid proposed by the Italian Society of Human Nutrition. Quantitative recommendations were harmonised into weekly intakes, and qualitative features were systematically analysed. Overall, strong convergence was observed, particularly for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and unsaturated fats. However, the EAT-Lancet model recommends higher intakes of legumes and nuts than the Mediterranean guidelines. Differences also emerged for dairy products and olive oil, reflecting regional adaptations. The Mediterranean Diet represents a culturally grounded and feasible model for translating planetary health principles into practice.
Fish is widely promoted as part of healthy dietary patterns. The aim of this review was to summarise current literature on the environmental footprint of fish and its role within sustainable diets. Fish generally represents a minor share of total dietary environmental impacts, contributing to a smaller proportion of greenhouse-gas emissions (GHGe), land and water use than meat and other animal products. Several modelling studies showed that substituting meat with fish or increasing fish intake within optimised dietary patterns can reduce environmental impacts, although the magnitude varies by country, diet type, and fish species. However, some analyses reported increased GHGe associated with higher fish intake, especially in models ensuring nutritional quality. Overall, fish consumption is compatible with achieving nutritionally adequate and lower environmental impacts, although optimal match between environmental boundaries and nutritional needs is not always possible. These findings suggest that fish can play a constructive role in sustainable diets when integrated thoughtfully within broader dietary shifts.
This study aimed to investigate the association between carbohydrate quality and body weight. This longitudinal study included 3,816 participants from the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais, Brazil (CUME) Study. Food consumption was assessed at baseline using a food frequency questionnaire. The Carbohydrate Quality Index (CQI) was calculated based on four criteria: fibre intake (g/day), glycemic index, ratio of whole grains, and ratio of solid carbohydrates. Body weight was self-reported for all follow-up waves. A generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) was used. Individuals in the last CQI quintile had lower mean body weight over time (exp(β) = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93-0.96, p < 0.001). Similar results were found in the components of the CQI, where a higher intake of fibre, whole grains, and complex carbohydrates was associated with a lower mean body weight over time. These findings reinforce the importance of dietary recommendations that prioritise especially the quality of macronutrients consumed.
We aimed to assess whether changes in the Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Trial diet quality through the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity (dTAC), overall, healthy and unhealthy Plant-Based Diet Index (PDI, hPDI and uPDI, respectively), and modified Alternative Healthy Eating Index (mAHEI) contributed to the improvement of cardiometabolic risk markers in patients with established CVD during 48 months of follow-up. The delta (changes) of DII and dTAC were positively and negatively associated, respectively, with the body mass index and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) deltas. Also, the PDI and hPDI deltas were negatively associated with total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting glucose deltas. Finally, the uPDI delta was positively associated with fasting glucose and systolic blood pressure deltas and the mAHEI delta was also negatively associated with the WHtR and triglycerides deltas. Thus, adherence to a healthier dietary pattern may impact positively cardiometabolic risk factors in this sample.
Cooking skills significantly influence diet quality and help prevent chronic diseases. However, no validated instrument is currently available to assess home-cooking skills in Italy. This study aimed to culturally adapt and validate an Italian version of the Brazilian Home-Cooking Skills Assessment Scale for both nutrition professionals and the general population in Italy. The study involved forward-backward translation, Delphi technique validation with eight experts, pilot testing with 30 participants, and psychometric validation with 357 individuals (49.9% nutrition professionals). The Content Validity Index was above 0.9. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure explaining 50.9% of the variance, with strong model-fit indices. Reliability assessments showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's 𝛼 = 0.885) and high test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.88). The final instrument comprised 24 items distributed across four skill levels. The Home Cooking Skills Questionnaire - Italian version is a validated tool for assessing home-cooking skills in Italy and demonstrates strong psychometric properties.
Obesity is recognised to be a risk factor for breast cancer since adipose tissue influences the tumour microenvironment. This study aims to investigate the effect of the secretome of 3T3-L1 adipocytes untreated or treated with liquorice root extract (LRE), containing flavonoids, phenolic acids, and saponins on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. By treating adipocytes with LRE, the secretion of certain pro-tumorigenic factors like IGFBP-6, resistin, and VEGF was reduced. MCF-7 cells exposed to conditioned medium from LRE-treated adipocytes exhibited an increase in reactive oxygen species levels, downregulation of the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway, and increased autophagy. Those conditions reduced cell viability, migration, and colony formation. Additionally, there was downregulation of genes associated with oestrogen signalling and tumour-related processes, including CYP19A1 (aromatase), ERα, Her2, and components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). These findings suggest that LRE can modulate the adipocyte secretome to influence breast cancer cell behaviour under obesity-related in vitro conditions.
N-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) may protect against metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the influence of obesity remains unclear. This study examined the association between n-3 FA intake and MetS by body mass index (BMI) among 12,853 middle-aged Koreans (aged 40-64 years) from the 2016-2021 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. MetS was defined using modified NCEP-ATP III criteria, and dietary intake was assessed by 24-h recall. Participants were stratified into under/normal weight (BMI <23 kg/m2) and overweight/obese (BMI ≥23 kg/m2) groups. In the under/normal weight group, higher intakes of total n-3 FA (odds ratio [OR] = 0.55), alpha-linolenic acid (OR = 0.66), and eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (OR = 0.66) were inversely associated with MetS odds. A modest interaction between BMI and total n-3 FA intake was observed (p-interaction = 0.04). BMI may modify the metabolic response to n-3 FA intake, suggesting dietary n-3 FA may be particularly beneficial for those with lower BMI in relation to MetS.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between nutrient patterns and depression among participants of the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais Plus via an online questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics, health-related data, dietary intake, and a self-reported diagnosis of depression were analysed. Three nutrient patterns were identified using principal component analysis, with a cumulative variance of 43.7%. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed. Among the 7.617 participants, 13.2% reported a diagnosis of depression. An animal-origin pattern was positively associated with depression among individuals classified as having normal weight (OR = 1.40; CI: 1.01-1.94). However, an anti-inflammatory pattern had a protective effect in the entire sample (OR = 0.754; CI: 0.599-0.948) as well as specific subgroups. These findings underscore the importance of promoting a healthy, adequate diet as a strategy for the prevention and management of depression among individuals with characteristics similar to those of the study population.
This cross-sectional study assessed perceived stress levels in a group of Italian adolescents and examined potential relationships with diet quality, eating behaviours and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). A total of 1627 adolescents (52% male, median age 16 years) completed a survey including the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the KIDMED for Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, the KIDSCREEN-10 for HR-QoL, and the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire for Children. Only 16.5% reported low stress levels, while 21.8% exhibited high perceived stress. Perceived stress was inversely associated with MD adherence (β = -0.06; p < 0.0001) and HR-QoL (β = -0.45; p < 0.0001), and positively associated with dysregulated eating behaviours, including emotional eating (β = 0.02; p value < 0.0001), external eating (β = 0.01; p < 0.0001) and restrained eating (β = 0.01; p < 0.0001). These results reinforce the importance of adolescent mental health and the need for strategies aimed at reducing stress and promoting balanced dietary patterns as MD.
Food contamination may occur within the complete food chain, with domestic handling and inadequate storage often contributing to foodborne illness. Therefore, accurate food safety information on packaging, including date labels and storage instructions, is essential. However, cross-national comparisons of labelling practices for chilled ready-to-eat (RTE) foods remain limited. This study examined and compared labelling practices in six European Union (EU) countries and four non-EU countries, focusing on date labels, recommended storage temperatures, and secondary shelf life. Data from 2665 food labels were collected between May and September 2023 through in-store observations and online resources. Most labels indicated either a "Use by" or "Best before" date, reflecting microbiological and quality stability. Cluster analysis identified two groups: Cluster 1, mainly from Portugal and Spain, included more stable products with "Best before" dates, whereas Cluster 2, dominated by French and Turkish labels, comprised more perishable foods with "Use by" dates. Recommended storage temperatures varied from +4 °C to +12 °C, indicating potential consumer confusion.
Yogurt is commonly recommended during pregnancy, but its association with infantile diarrhoea remains unclear. This prospective study was embedded in the Tongji Maternal and Child Health Cohort. Yogurt intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and categorised based on frequency, amount and their combination. Infantile diarrhoea was diagnosed by doctors. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the adjusted relative risks (aRRs). Among 2161 mother-infant pairs, 72.9% mothers consumed yogurt, and 24.2% infants experienced diarrhoea. Each 100 g/week increase or each 1 time/week increase in yogurt intake were associated with reduced risks of infantile diarrhoea, with aRRs (95% CI) of 0.98 (0.96, 0.99) and 0.96 (0.94, 0.99), respectively. Compared with non-consumers, regular high consumers (≥3 times/week and ≥600 g/week had a significantly lower risk of infantile diarrhoea (aRR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.96). Regular high yogurt intake during late pregnancy may help protect infants from diarrhoea.
The associations between branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and dementia in individuals with chronic diseases remain unclear, and evidence on aromatic amino acids (AAAs) is limited. Using metabolic biomarker data from 117,892 UK Biobank participants, we found that higher circulating levels of BCAAs (HR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.41-0.76) and AAAs (HR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.55-0.98) were associated with lower risks of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease, but not vascular dementia. Stratified analyses showed stronger inverse associations for BCAAs among women and individuals without diabetes (both P for interaction = 0.001). Similarly, AAAs were inversely associated with dementia risk primarily in non-diabetic participants, but not modified by hypertension or dyslipidemia. These findings highlight the potential protective roles of BCAAs and AAAs and underscore the importance of sex and diabetes status in dementia prevention.
