BACKGROUND:Precision nutrition strategies can be effective in optimizing health outcomes. We previously showed that dietary macronutrient modulation targeting tissue-specific insulin resistance (IR) phenotypes induced pronounced improvements in cardiometabolic health. It remains unclear whether these improvements may partially be explained by gut microbiota-related mechanisms. OBJECTIVES:We investigated whether 12-wk high monounsaturated fatty acid (HMUFA) and low-fat, high-protein, high-fiber diets (LFHP) impact gut microbiota composition and functionality in people with predominant muscle IR (MIR) compared with liver IR (LIR) in relation to cardiometabolic health improvements. METHODS:This 2-center, randomized, double-blind, dietary intervention trial included 179 individuals with LIR or MIR [40‒75 y, body mass index (in kg/m2) 25‒40], who followed either a 12-wk isocaloric HMUFA or LFHP diet. A 7-point oral glucose tolerance test was performed to determine tissue-specific IR and cardiometabolic risk factors. Fecal microbiota composition was profiled using 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid amplicon sequencing (V3‒V4 region), and GLP-1 and gut microbial products were determined in plasma and feces. RESULTS:The HMUFA diet induced significant shifts in overall gut microbial composition (P < 0.05) and short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria (q < 0.05) in the LIR phenotype, but not in MIR. The LFHP diet induced only modest changes in gut microbiota features. We found phenotype-specific correlations between specific baseline taxa abundance and change in metabolic outcomes (MIR-HMUFA: Barnesiella-ΔMISI (Spearman ρ = 0.45, P < 0.001); LIR-HMUFA: Sutterella-Δplasma-C-reactive protein (Spearman ρ = 0.57, P = 0.0001) and a Rhodospirillales genus-Δhomeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (Spearman ρ = ‒0.58, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Individuals with predominant LIR seem more prone to diet-induced gut microbiota-related improvements in cardiometabolic health than those with MIR, highlighting the importance of understanding heterogeneity in IR. Our findings support a role for the gut microbiota in precision nutrition targeting tissue-specific IR. CLINICALTRIALS:gov registration: This is a secondary analysis of the PERSonalized glucose Optimization through Nutritional intervention (PERSON) randomized trial. REGISTRATION NUMBER:NCT03708419, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03708419.

BACKGROUND:The extent to which energy density (ED) and eating rate (ER) interact in their effect on energy intake of meals remains unknown. OBJECTIVES:The aim was to determine the independent and combined effects of ED and ER on ad libitum food and energy intake and to compare them to a control meal (medium ED and ER). We hypothesized that lower ED/slower ER would decrease intake and higher ED/faster ER would increase intake relative to control. METHODS:In a 2 x 2 randomized crossover design with a medium-control condition. Participants [n = 69, age 25 ± 5 y (mean ± standard deviation), body mass index (in kg/m2) 23 ± 4] joined 5-lunchtime meal sessions during which they were served ad libitum sandwiches (67-98 energy percentage ultra-processed ingredients) that varied in ER (slow, fast) and ED low (1.9 kcal/g), or high (3.8 kcal/g). The control meal was a "typical lunch" sandwich with medium ED (2.9 kcal/g), average ER. The main outcomes were food (grams) and energy intake (kilocalories). RESULTS:We found a significant ED ∗ ER interaction effect on energy intake [F (1272) = 5.2, P = 0.024]. Energy intake of the slow-ER/low-ED meal (mean 570 kcal; 95% confidence interval: 442, 698 kcal) was 573 kcal (50%) lower compared to the fast-ER/high-ED meal [1143 kcal; (1015, 1271 kcal)]. Compared to the control a slow-ER and low-ED reduced energy intake by 59% [mean Δ of 394 kcal; (480, 308 kcal)] and a fast-ER/high-ED increased energy intake by 19% [Δ 179 kcal; (94, 265 kcal)]. CONCLUSIONS:Our results emphasize that ED and ER can moderate ad libitum energy intake. These findings highlight the importance of combined nutrition and sensory strategies to moderate caloric intake from (ultra-processed) meals. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05659771.

Portion size estimation is an essential component of dietary intake assessment, but people generally struggle with such estimation. Augmented reality methods have been developed to aid in this, but it is unclear how selected features are intended to improve accuracy or create a positive user experience. In this paper, we present a storyboard for a new augmented reality approach, AReplica. We explain why each feature was chosen and list necessary future research.

Plant-based meat and dairy analogues contain less protein than their animal-based counterparts and rely on various plant protein sources, which frequently display incomplete amino acid (AA) profiles that do not reflect dietary requirements due to low quantities of one or more essential AA (EAA). There is little insight in the AA profiles of most of these plant-based analogues. We assessed the AA composition of forty plant-based meat and dairy analogues that were commercially available in The Netherlands in March 2023 and compared their EAA profile to dietary requirements and to the EAA profile of their meat and dairy counterparts. Total protein contents were lower in most analogues when compared with their animal-based counterparts (meat analogues, n 16 (80 %); lunch meats and cheese analogues, n 10 (100 %); milk and yoghurt analogues, n 9 (90 %)) and accompanied by lower EAA contents. In reference to dietary requirements, the sum of the total EAA contents was adequate in all but one of the analogues. Nevertheless, all analogues displayed deficiencies in one or more specific EAA. Methionine contents were most frequently low (n 39; 98 %), followed by lysine contents (n 11; 28 %). Essential AA compositions varied between analogues irrespective of the protein source(s) used. In conclusion, plant-based meat and dairy analogues exhibit incomplete EAA profiles, which may compromise adequate protein nutrition in plant-centred diets.

Insulin resistance (IR) is an early marker of cardiometabolic deterioration which may develop heterogeneously in key metabolic organs, including the liver (LIR) and skeletal muscle (MIR). This tissue-specific IR is characterized by distinct metabolic signatures, but the role of the gut microbiota in its etiology remains unclear. Here, we profiled the gut microbiota, its metabolites and the plasma metabolome in individuals with either a LIR or MIR phenotype (n = 233). We observed distinct microbial community structures LIR and MIR, and higher short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing bacteria, fecal SCFAs and branched-chain fatty acids and a higher postprandial plasma glucagon-like-peptide-1 response in LIR. In addition, we found variations in metabolome profiles and phenotype-specific associations between microbial taxa and functional metabolite groups. Overall, our study highlights association between gut microbiota and its metabolites composition with IR heterogeneity that can be targeted in precision-based strategies to improve cardiometabolic health. Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT03708419.

BACKGROUND:Plant-based foods have reduced protein digestibility and frequently display unbalanced amino acid profiles. Plant-based foods are therefore considered inferior to animal-based foods in their anabolic potential. No study has assessed the anabolic potential of a vegan diet that provides a large variety of plant-based protein sources in older adults. OBJECTIVES:To investigate the effect of a 10-d vegan diet on daily mixed muscle protein synthesis (MPS) rates in comparison with an isocaloric, isonitrogenous, omnivorous diet in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS:This cross-over trial assessed 34 community-dwelling older adults (72 ± 4 y, 18 males, 16 females), who were randomly assigned to consume a 10-d controlled vegan diet, followed by a controlled omnivorous diet (60% animal protein), or vice versa. One day before the study diets, participants consumed 400 mL deuterated water, followed by daily doses of 50 mL. Subsequent plasma and muscle samples were collected during the intervention period. Physical activity levels were assessed using accelerometry. Secondary outcomes were cardiometabolic risk factors and appetite. Statistical analyses were performed using linear mixed models, and results are presented as means ± standard errors. RESULTS:Integrated MPS rates did not differ between the vegan (1.23 ± 0.04%/d) and omnivorous (1.29 ± 0.04%/d) diets (P = 0.2542). Plasma low-density lipoprotein (Δ0.23 ± 0.03, P < 0.0001), high-density lipoprotein (Δ0.03 ± 0.14, P = 0.0387), and total cholesterol (Δ0.25 ± 0.04, P < 0.0001) levels were significantly lower succeeding the vegan diet than the omnivorous diet. There were no significant differences between the omnivorous and the vegan diet in fasting plasma triglyceride, glucose and insulin levels, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P > 0.05). Physical activity levels were high (12,460 ± 4512 steps/d). CONCLUSIONS:A well-balanced vegan diet providing a variety of plant-based protein sources does not compromise daily MPS rates when compared with an isocaloric, isonitrogenous omnivorous diet in physically active, older adults. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05624333 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05624333).

IntroductionAn elevated postprandial glucose response is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Existing research suggests large heterogeneity in the postprandial glucose responses to identical meals and food products between individuals, but the effect of other consumed meals during the day and the order of meals during the day on the heterogeneity in postprandial glucose responses still needs to be investigated. In addition, the robustness of the glucose responses to meals or foods is still unknown.ObjectivesThe overall aim of the project is to assess whether the glucose response to a meal is sufficiently person-specific to use in personalized dietary advice. We aim to answer the question: “How replicable are glucose responses to meals within individuals and how consistent is the variation in glucose responses between individuals?”MethodsThe question will be assessed under standardized conditions of a 9-week fully controlled dietary intervention in which all meals are the same between individuals and consumed in a fixed order at a fixed time. 63 apparently healthy men and women with a BMI of 25–40 kg/m2 and aged 45–75 years were enrolled in the RepEAT study (NCT05456815), of whom 53 participants completed the study. The RepEAT study comprised a fully controlled dietary intervention of nine weeks, consisting of three repetitive periods of three weeks. Within each three-week period, a variety of meals and food products were offered during breakfast, lunch, dinner and in between meal snacks. Throughout the dietary intervention, glucose was continuously monitored using Freestyle Libre Pro IQ monitors. Physical activity was monitored using the ActiGraph and ActivPAL. To measure the association between glucose responses and an individual’s phenotype, various measurements were performed before the start of the dietary intervention including an oral glucose tolerance test, a high-fat mixed meal challenge, assessment of body fat distribution including liver fat (MRI/MRS), and cardiometabolic markers.DiscussionThe repetitive and fully controlled nature of the dietary study allows detailed assessment of the replicability of the glucose responses to meals and food products within individuals. Furthermore, the consistency of the variation between individuals independent of insulin resistance will be determined.

Precision nutrition based on metabolic phenotype may increase the effectiveness of interventions. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated the effect of modulating dietary macronutrient composition accord-ing to muscle insulin-resistant (MIR) or liver insulin-resistant (LIR) phenotypes on cardiometabolic health. Women and men with MIR or LIR (n = 242, body mass index [BMI] 25-40 kg/m2, 40-75 years) were random-ized to phenotype diet (PhenoDiet) group A or B and followed a 12-week high-monounsaturated fatty acid (HMUFA) diet or low-fat, high-protein, and high-fiber diet (LFHP) (PhenoDiet group A, MIR/HMUFA and LIR/LFHP; PhenoDiet group B, MIR/LFHP and LIR/HMUFA). PhenoDiet group B showed no significant im-provements in the primary outcome disposition index, but greater improvements in insulin sensitivity, glucose homeostasis, serum triacylglycerol, and C-reactive protein compared with PhenoDiet group A were observed. We demonstrate that modulating macronutrient composition within the dietary guidelines based on tissue-specific insulin resistance (IR) phenotype enhances cardiometabolic health improvements. Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT03708419, CCMO registration NL63768.068.17.

Frequent consumption of industrially processed foods has been associated with obesity. However, it is unknown what drives this association. Food textures of industrially processed foods that stimulate energy overconsumption may be an important driver of this association. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the independent and combined effects of food texture and level of industrial food processing (based on the NOVA classification) on daily energy intake and eating behaviour. Eighteen healthy adults (F/M: 11/7, 23 ± 3 y, 22.1 ± 2.0 kg/m2) participated in a 2 × 2 randomized crossover dietary intervention with four conditions (total of 288 meals): hard unprocessed, hard (ultra-)processed, soft unprocessed and soft (ultra-)processed. Daily diets were offered ad libitum and were equal in energy density (1 kcal/g). Food Intake (g) was measured by pre- and post-consumption weighing of the plates. Eating behaviour parameters were derived from video annotations. Daily energy intake and food intake were, respectively, 33 https://www.clinicaltrials.gov , February 21st 2020.

Recent studies suggest that circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) may be a marker of metabolic health status. We performed a secondary analysis of a 12-week randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of two energy restriction (ER) diets on fasting and postprandial plasma FGF21 levels, as well as to explore correlations of plasma FGF21 with metabolic health markers, (macro)nutrient intake and sweet-taste preference. Abdominally obese subjects aged 40–70 years (n = 110) were randomized to one of two 25% ER diets (high-nutrient-quality diet or low-nutrient-quality diet) or a control group. Plasma FGF21 was measured in the fasting state and 120 min after a mixed meal. Both ER diets did not affect fasting or postprandial plasma FGF21 levels despite weight loss and accompanying health improvements. At baseline, the postprandial FGF21 response was inversely correlated to fasting plasma glucose (ρ = −0.24, p = 0.020) and insulin (ρ = −0.32, p = 0.001), HOMA-IR (ρ = −0.34, p = 0.001), visceral adipose tissue (ρ = −0.24, p = 0.046), and the liver enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (ρ = −0.23, p = 0.021). Diet-induced changes in these markers did not correlate to changes in plasma FGF21 levels upon intervention. Baseline higher habitual polysaccharide intake, but not mono- and disaccharide intake or sweet-taste preference, was related to lower fasting plasma FGF21 (p = 0.022). In conclusion, we found no clear evidence that fasting plasma FGF21 is a marker for metabolic health status. Circulating FGF21 dynamics in response to an acute nutritional challenge may reflect metabolic health status better than fasting levels.

Background: Despite the established relation between energy restriction (ER) and metabolic health, the most beneficial nutrient composition of a weight-loss diet is still a subject of debate. Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the additional effects of nutrient quality on top of ER. Methods: A parallel-designed, 12-week 25% ER dietary intervention study was conducted (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02194504). Participants aged 40-70 years with abdominal obesity were randomized over 3 groups: a 25% ER high-nutrient-quality diet (n = 40); a 25% ER low-nutrient-quality diet (n = 40); or a habitual diet (n = 30). Both ER diets were nutritionally adequate, and the high-nutrient-quality ER diet was enriched in MUFAs. n-3 PUFAs, fiber, and plant protein and reduced in fructose. Before and after the intervention, intrahepatic lipids, body fat distribution, fasting and postprandial responses to a mixed-meal shake challenge test of cardiometabolic risk factors, lipoproteins, vascular measurements, and adipose tissue transcriptome were assessed. Results: The high-nutrient-quality ER diet (-8.4 +/- 3.2) induced 2.1 kg more weight loss (P = 0.007) than the low-nutrient-quality ER diet (-6.3 +/- 3.9), reduced fasting serum total cholesterol (P = 0.014) and plasma triglycerides (P < 0.001). promoted an antiatherogenic lipoprotein profile, and induced a more pronounced decrease in adipose tissue gene expression of energy metabolism pathways than the low-quality ER diet. Explorative analyses showed that the difference in weight loss between the two ER diets was specifically present in insulin-sensitive subjects (HOMA-IR <= 2.5). in whom the high-nutrient-quality diet induced 3.9 kg more weight loss than the low-nutrient-quality diet. Conclusions: A high-nutrient-quality 25% ER diet is more beneficial for cardiometabolic health than a low-nutrient-quality 25% ER diet. Overweight, insulin-sensitive subjects may benefit more from a high-than a low-nutrient-quality ER diet with respect to weight loss, due to potential attenuation of glucose-induced lipid synthesis in adipose tissue. [GRAPHICS] .

Background: It is well-established that the etiology of type 2 diabetes differs between individuals. Insulin resistance (IR) may develop in different tissues, but the severity of IR may differ in key metabolic organs such as the liver and skeletal muscle. Recent evidence suggests that these distinct tissue-specific IR phenotypes may also respond differentially to dietary macronutrient composition with respect to improvements in glucose metabolism. Objective: The main objective of the PERSON study is to investigate the effects of an optimal vs. suboptimal dietary macronutrient intervention according to tissue-specific IR phenotype on glucose metabolism and other health outcomes. Methods: In total, 240 overweight/obese (BMI 25 – 40 kg/m 2 ) men and women (age 40 – 75 years) with either skeletal muscle insulin resistance (MIR) or liver insulin resistance (LIR) will participate in a two-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel, 12-week dietary intervention study. At screening, participants undergo a 7-point oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to determine the hepatic insulin resistance index (HIRI) and muscle insulin sensitivity index (MISI), classifying each participant as either “No MIR/LIR,” “MIR,” “LIR,” or “combined MIR/LIR.” Individuals with MIR or LIR are randomized to follow one of two isocaloric diets varying in macronutrient content and quality, that is hypothesized to be either an optimal or suboptimal diet, depending on their tissue-specific IR phenotype (MIR/LIR). Extensive measurements in a controlled laboratory setting as well as phenotyping in daily life are performed before and after the intervention. The primary study outcome is the difference in change in disposition index, which is the product of insulin sensitivity and first-phase insulin secretion, between participants who received their hypothesized optimal or suboptimal diet. Discussion: The PERSON study is one of the first randomized clinical trials in the field of precision nutrition to test effects of a more personalized dietary intervention based on IR phenotype. The results of the PERSON study will contribute knowledge on the effectiveness of targeted nutritional strategies to the emerging field of precision nutrition, and improve our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of whole body and tissue-specific IR. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03708419 , clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03708419.

The growing world population will increase the demand for new sustainable foods and ingredients. Here we studied the safety and tolerance of Lemna minor, a new sustainable vegetable crop from the duckweed family. Twenty-four healthy adults consumed either L. minor plant material or spinach as vegetable (170 g fresh weight) as part of a warm meal on 11 consecutively days in a randomized controlled parallel trial design. The intervention meals had a different recipe for each day of the week. All participants had to report daily if they experienced gastric complaints, feelings of hunger, fullness, desire to eat, thirst, general health, nausea, and stool consistency. Only hunger, flatulence and constipation were significantly different between both intervention groups. At the start and end of the intervention, blood and urine were sampled in order to analyze biomarkers for general health, e.g., kidney function, liver function, cardiovascular health, inflammation and iron status. Both intervention groups did not show significant differences for these biomarkers. In taste attributes the L. minor-based products showed in only a few specific cases a significant difference compared to the spinach-based products. Based on the results we conclude that 11 consecutive days intake of 170 g fresh weight L. minor plants as a cooked vegetable does not result in any adverse effect in healthy adult subjects.

The western dietary pattern is known for its frequent meals rich in saturated fat and protein, resulting in a postprandial state for a large part of the day. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the postprandial glucose and lipid metabolism in response to high (HP) or normal (NP) protein, high-fat hypercaloric diet and to identify early biomarkers of protein intake and hepatic lipid accumulation. In a crossover design, 17 healthy subjects were randomly assigned to consume a HP or NP hypercaloric diet for two weeks. In parallel, a control group (CD; n = 10) consumed a weight-maintaining control diet. Biomarkers of postprandial lipid and glucose metabolism were measured in 24 h urine and in plasma before and following a meal challenge. The metabolic profile of urine but not plasma, showed increased excretion of 13C, carnitine and short chain acyl-carnitines after adaptation to the HP diet. Urinary excretion of decatrienoylcarnitine and octenoylcarnitine increased after adaptation to the NP diet. Our results suggest that the higher excretion of short-chain urinary acyl-carnitines could facilitate the elimination of excess fat of the HP diet and thereby reduce hepatic fat accumulation previously reported, whereas the higher excretion medium-chains acyl-carnitine could be early biomarkers of hepatic lipid accumulation.

Low carbohydrate, high fat (LCHF) diets are followed by athletes, but questions remain regarding effects of LCHF on metabolic adaptation, exercise-induced stress, immune function and their time-course. In this cross-over study, 14 recreational male athletes (32.9 ± 8.2 years, VO2max 57.3 ± 5.8 mL/kg/min) followed a two week LCHF diet (<10 En% carbohydrates (CHO), ~75En% Fat) and a two week HC diet (>50 En% CHO), in random order, with a wash-out period of >2 weeks in between. After 2 days and 2 weeks on either diet, participants performed cycle ergometry for 90 min at 60%Wmax. Blood samples for analysis of cortisol, free fatty acids (FFA), glucose and ketones, and saliva samples for immunoglobin A (s-IgA) were collected at different time points before and after exercise. The LCHF diet resulted in higher FFA, higher ketones and lower glucose levels compared to the HC diet (p < 0.05). Exercise-induced cortisol response was higher after 2 days on the LCHF diet (822 ± 215 nmol/L) compared to 2 weeks on the LCHF diet (669 ± 243 nmol/L, p = 0.004) and compared to both test days following the HC diet (609 ± 208 and 555 ± 173 nmol/L, both p < 0.001). Workload was lower, and perceived exertion higher, on the LCHF diet compared to the HC diet on both occasions. A drop in s-IgA following exercise was not seen after 2 days on the LCHF diet, in contrast to the HC diet. In conclusion, the LCHF diet resulted in reduced workload with metabolic effects and a pronounced exercise-induced cortisol response after 2 days. Although indications of adaptation were seen after 2 weeks on the LCHF diet, work output was still lower.

The vast majority of dietary and eating behavior assessment methods are based on self-reports. They are burdensome and also prone to measurement errors. Recent technological innovations allow for the development of more accurate and precise dietary and eating behavior assessment tools that require less effort for both the user and the researcher. Therefore, a new sensor-based device to assess food intake and eating behavior was developed. The device is a regular dining tray equipped with a video camera and three separate built-in weighing stations. The weighing stations measure the weight of the bowl, plate, and drinking cup continuously over the course of a meal. The video camera positioned to the face records eating behavior characteristics (chews, bites), which are analyzed using artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic facial expression software. The tray weight and the video data are transported at real-time to a personal computer (PC) using a wireless receiver. The outcomes of interest, such as the amount eaten, eating rate and bite size, can be calculated by subtracting the data of these measures at the timepoints of interest. The information obtained by the current version of the tray can be used for research purposes, an upgraded version of the device would also facilitate the provision of more personalized advice on dietary intake and eating behavior. Contrary to the conventional dietary assessment methods, this dietary assessment device measures food intake directly within a meal and is not dependent on memory or the portion size estimation. Ultimately, this device is therefore suited for daily main meal food intake and eating behavior measures. In the future, this technology based dietary assessment method can be linked to health applications or smart watches to obtain a complete overview of exercise, energy intake, and eating behavior.

To collect dietary intake data in a fast and reliable manner, a flexible and innovative smartphone application (app) called Traqq was developed (iOS/Android). This app can be used as a food record and 24-h recall (or shorter recall periods). Different sampling schemes can be created on either prespecified or random days/times within a predetermined period for both methods, with push notifications to urge the participants to register their food intake. In case of non-response, notifications are automatically rescheduled to ensure complete data collection. For use as a food record, respondents can access the app and log their food intake throughout the day. Food records close automatically at the end of the day; recalls close after submission of the consumed items. The recall as well as the food record module provide access to an extensive food list based on the Dutch food composition database (FCDB), which can be accustomed to fit different research purposes. When selecting a food item, respondents are simultaneously prompted to insert portion size, i.e., in household measures (e.g., cups, spoons, glasses), standard portion sizes (e.g., small, medium, large), or weight in grams, and eating occasion/time of consumption. Portion size options can be adjusted, e.g., only entry in grams in case of a weighed food record or time of consumption instead of eating occasion). The app also includes a My Dishes function, which allows the respondent to create their own recipes or product combinations (e.g., a daily breakfast) and only report the total quantity consumed. Subsequently, the app accounts for yield and retention factors. The data are stored on a secure server. If desired, additional questions, i.e., in general or those related to specific food items or eating occasions can be incorporated. This paper describes the development of the system (app and backend), including expert evaluations and usability testing.

Self-reported methods of recall and real-time recording are the most commonly used approaches to assess dietary intake, both in research as well as the health-care setting. The traditional versions of these methods are limited by various methodological factors and burdensome for interviewees and researchers. Technology-based dietary assessment tools have the potential to improve the accuracy of the data and reduce interviewee and researcher burden. Consequently, various research groups around the globe started to explore the use of technology-based tools. This paper provides an overview of the: (1) most-commonly used and generally accepted methods to assess dietary intake; (2) errors encountered using these methods; and (3) web-based and app-based tools (i.e., Compl-eatTM, Traqq, Dutch FFQ-TOOLTM, and “Eetscore”) that have been developed by researchers of the Division of Human Nutrition and Health of Wageningen University during the past years.

The beneficial effect of wheat fibres on faecal bulk and stool pattern has mainly been observed with intact wheat fibres. This study investigates the effect of extrinsic wheat fibre (VITACEL® wheat fibre), which can be easily incorporated in many food products, on faecal bulk, stool pattern, gastrointestinal complaints, satiety and food liking. In a double-blind randomized crossover trial, healthy male volunteers received meal boxes for 10 days, containing various food products enriched with extrinsic wheat fibre (∼20 grams of additional fibre per day) or control food products containing conventional levels of fibre with similar taste, appearance and caloric values. Meal boxes were integrated in the normal dietary pattern. Stool frequency, stool consistency, gastrointestinal complaints, satiety and product liking were assessed daily, and the last 5 days of each intervention, participants collected all their faeces to analyse faecal bulk. We found that consumption of extrinsic wheat fibre-enriched products significantly enhanced faecal bulk; faecal wet and dry weight showed a 1.41 ± 0.1 and 1.55 ± 0.1 times increase compared to control, respectively (p < 0.01). Extrinsic wheat fibre intervention furthermore increased stool frequency (1.3 ± 0.1 defecations per day compared to 1.1 ± 0.1 defecations per day during control diet, p < 0.05), but did not affect stool consistency, satiety, gastrointestinal complaints or product liking. So, increased consumption of extrinsic wheat fibre enhances faecal bulk and stool frequency. As this extrinsic wheat fibre can be easily incorporated in many food products without affecting appearance or taste, it might facilitate the increase of overall fibre intake and subsequently improve (intestinal) health.