Dietary polyphenol intake in Europe: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study

Bioactive (Poly)phenol Concentrations in Plant-Based Milk Alternatives in the US Market

Plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs) are increasingly consumed as a dairy alternative [Olson, S. Milk and Non-Dairy Milk - US - 2021, 2021.]. Plant foods are rich sources of (poly)phenols, but concentrations of these bioactive phytochemicals in processed PBMAs are not well documented. We procured twenty-seven PBMA products of 6 types (almond, coconut, oat, pea, rice, and soy) for (poly)phenol analysis. Samples were analyzed via ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array with mass spectrometry. The (poly)phenol content of PBMAs varies and is dependent on plant source, brand, and added flavorings. Soy milk had the highest concentration and rice milk had the lowest (91.9 ± 2.7 and 0.9 ± 0.2 mean mg ± SD/cup serving, respectively). Almond milk, the most widely consumed PBMA, averaged 12.1 ± 8.2 mg/cup serving, but the majority of (poly)phenols are derived from added flavorings. PBMAs contain a wide range of potentially bioactive (poly)phenols and may contribute significantly to overall dietary (poly)phenol intake with the potential to impact health outcomes.

Fine-scale Dietary Polyphenol Intake is Associated with Systemic and Gastrointestinal Inflammation in Healthy Adults

BACKGROUND

Polyphenols are dietary bioactive compounds, many of which have anti-inflammatory properties. However, information on the intake of dietary polyphenols at the class and compound level and their associations with gastrointestinal (GI) and systemic inflammation is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

Estimate dietary polyphenol intake in healthy adults and examine its relationship with GI and systemic inflammation markers.

METHODS

Healthy adults (n = 350) completed the USDA Nutritional Phenotyping Study, an observational, cross-sectional study balanced for age, sex, and body mass index. Dietary intake, assessed via multiple 24-hour recalls, was ingredientized and mapped to FooDB, a comprehensive food composition database. Dietary polyphenol intake (total, class, compound) was estimated and examined for its relationship to GI and systemic inflammation markers using linear models and random forest regressions.

RESULTS

Mean total polyphenol intake was approximately 914 mg/1000 kcal per day with flavonoids as the greatest class contributor (495 mg/1000 kcal per day). Tea, coffee, and fruits were among the largest food contributors to polyphenol intake. Total polyphenol intake negatively associated with the GI inflammation marker, fecal calprotectin (β=-0.004, p=0.04). At the class level, polyphenols categorized as prenol lipids (β=-0.94, p<0.01) and phenylpropanoic acids (β=-0.92, p<0.01) negatively associated with plasma lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, a proxy for GI permeability. Food sources of these two classes included mainly olive products. We further detected a positive association between C-Reactive protein and polyphenols in the "cinnamic acids and derivatives" class using hierarchical feature engineering and random forest modeling.

CONCLUSION

Even in healthy adults, dietary polyphenol intake was negatively associated with GI inflammation and intake of prenol lipids and phenylpropanoic acids were negatively associated with GI permeability. Relationships between polyphenol intake and inflammatory outcomes varied with the resolution - total, class, compound - of polyphenol intake, suggesting a nuanced impact of polyphenols on GI and systemic inflammation.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY

NCT02367287, ClinicalTrials.gov.

Novel digital-based approach for evaluating wine components' intake: A deep learning model to determine red wine volume in a glass from single-view images

Estimation of wine components' intake (polyphenols, alcohol, etc.) through Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs) may be particularly inaccurate. This paper reports the development of a deep learning (DL) method to determine red wine volume from single-view images, along with its application in a consumer study developed via a web service. The DL model demonstrated satisfactory performance not only in a daily lifelike images dataset (mean absolute error = 10 mL), but also in a real images dataset that was generated through the consumer study (mean absolute error = 26 mL). Based on the data reported by the participants in the consumer study (n = 38), average red wine volume in a glass was 114 ± 33 mL, which represents an intake of 137-342 mg of total polyphenols, 11.2 g of alcohol, 0.342 g of sugars, among other components. Therefore, the proposed method constitutes a diet-monitoring tool of substantial utility in the accurate assessment of wine components' intake.

Dietary Intake of (Poly)phenols and Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in the Mexican Teachers' Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have reported that total (poly)phenol intake is associated with a reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, but mainly from high-income countries, where (poly)phenol intake may differ from that of low- and middle-income countries.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to evaluate the association between the intake of total, all classes, and subclasses of (poly)phenols and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a Mexican cohort.

METHODS

We used data from the Mexican Teachers' Cohort, which included 95,313 adult females. After a median follow-up of 11.2 y, 1725 deaths were reported, including 674 from cancer and 282 from cardiovascular diseases. (Poly)phenol intake was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire and the Phenol-Explorer database. Multivariable Cox models were applied to estimate the association between (poly)phenol intake and all-cause mortality and competitive risk models for cause-specific mortality.

RESULTS

Comparing extreme quartiles, total (poly)phenol intake was associated with lower risk of all-cause [hazard ratio (HR)Q4vs.Q1: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.76, 0.99; P-trend = 0.01] and cancer mortality (HRQ4vs.Q1: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.99; P-trend = 0.02). Among (poly)phenol classes, phenolic acids, particularly hydroxycinnamic acids from coffee, showed an inverse association with all-cause (HRQ4vs.Q1: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.91; P-trend = 0.002) and cancer mortality (HRQ4vs.Q1: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.94; P-trend = 0.03). No associations were observed with flavonoids or with cardiovascular mortality.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that high (poly)phenol intake, primarily consisting of phenolic acids such as hydroxycinnamic acids, may have a protective effect on overall and cancer mortality. Null associations for flavonoid intake might be due to the potential underestimation of their intake in this population.

High-Polyphenol Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk Factors Among Adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Polyphenols found in food is a potential modifiable factor in disease prevention, especially when it comes to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed to determine the total polyphenol intake from fruits and vegetables (FV) in patients at King of Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and its association with vascular risk biomarkers.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was done on 151 adult patients with at least one CVD risk factor. Data about demographics, smoking status, physical activity, height and weight, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC), disease history, current disease (CD), and amount of polyphenol intake (mg/100 g) from rich polyphenol FV sources were collected.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 127 (84.1%) were females, 49 (32.5%) had an age ranging from 45 to 54 years, and 110 (72.8%) were married. Of them, 54 (35.8%) had a bachelor's education, and 64 (42.4%) were employed. Moreover, 89 (59.3%) were physically inactive, 18 (11.9%) were smokers, 105 (69.5%) were obese, 116 (76.9%) had high WC, and 103 (68.2%), 109 (72.2%), and 90 (59.6%) had a family history of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and hyperlipidemia, respectively. The mean total polyphenol consumption/gm was significantly higher among older and married participants, and patients with HTN had a significantly lower mean total polyphenol consumption/gm. A significant positive correlation was found between the total polyphenol consumption/gm and participants' age.

CONCLUSION

The consumption of polyphenols was associated with age, marital status, and blood pressure. Polyphenols from FV may have a preventive effect against cardiovascular illnesses. Including a range of foods high in polyphenols in a balanced diet is still a potential way to support cardiovascular health.

Higher Dietary Polyphenol Intake Is Associated With Lower Blood Inflammatory Markers

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests a link between polyphenol intake and reduced incidence of several chronic diseases. This could arise through associations between polyphenol intake and reduced systemic oxidative stress and subsequent inflammation. However, confirming this association is difficult, as few large cohorts allow for comprehensive assessments of both polyphenol intake and markers of systemic inflammation.

OBJECTIVES

To address this, polyphenol intake was assessed in the UK-based Airwave cohort using 7-d diet diaries and data from Phenol-Explorer to test for associations between polyphenol intake and blood biomarkers of inflammation.

METHODS

Participants included 9008 males and females aged 17-74 y (median age: 42 y) whose data was included in a cross-sectional analysis. Phenol-Explorer was used to estimate individuals' polyphenol intake from diet data describing the consumption of 4104 unique food items. C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen were used as blood biomarkers of inflammation.

RESULTS

There were 448 polyphenols found in reported diet items. Median total polyphenol intake was 1536 mg/d (1058-2092 mg/d). Phenolic acids and flavonoids were the main types of polyphenols, and nonalcoholic beverages, vegetables, and fruit were the primary sources. Variation in energy-adjusted polyphenol intake was explained by age, sex, salary, body mass index, education level, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Linear regressions showed inverse associations between total daily intake and both CRP (β: -0.00702; P < 0.001) and fibrinogen (β: -0.00221; P = 0.038). Associations with specific polyphenol compound groups were also found. Logistic regressions using total polyphenol intake quartiles showed stepwise reductions in the odds of elevated CRP with higher intake (6%, 23%, and 24% compared with quartile 1; P = 0.003), alongside 3% and 7% lower odds per unit of polyphenol consumption equivalent to 1 cup of tea or coffee per day.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes polyphenol intake in a large, contemporary UK cohort. We observed associations between higher intake and lower CRP and fibrinogen. This contributes to evidence supporting the health benefits of dietary polyphenols.

An Improved Assessment Method to Estimate (Poly)phenol Intake in Adults with Chronic Pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Insights into (poly)phenol exposure represent a modifiable factor that may modulate inflammation in chronic pancreatitis (CP), yet intake is poorly characterized and methods for assessment are underdeveloped.

AIMS

The aims are to develop and test a method for estimating (poly)phenol intake from a 90-day food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) using the Phenol-Explorer database and determine associations with dietary patterns in CP patients versus controls via analysis of previously collected cross-sectional data.

METHODS

Fifty-two CP patients and 48 controls were recruited from an ambulatory clinic at a large, academic institution. To assess the feasibility of the proposed methodology for estimating dietary (poly)phenol exposure, a retrospective analysis of FFQ data was completed. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare (poly)phenol intake by group; Spearman correlations and multivariable-adjusted log-linear associations were used to compare (poly)phenol intakes with dietary scores within the sample.

RESULTS

Estimation of (poly)phenol intake from FFQs was feasible and produced estimates within a range of intake previously reported. Total (poly)phenol intake was significantly lower in CP vs controls (463 vs. 567mg/1000kcal; p = 0.041). In adjusted analyses, higher total (poly)phenol intake was associated with higher HEI-2015 (r = 0.34, p < 0.001), aMED (r = 0.22, p = 0.007), EDIH (r = 0.29, p < 0.001), and EDIP scores (r = 0.35, p < 0.001), representing higher overall diet quality and lower insulinemic and anti-inflammatory dietary potentials, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Using enhanced methods to derive total (poly)phenol intake from an FFQ is feasible. Those with CP have lower total (poly)phenol intake and less favorable dietary pattern indices, thus supporting future tailored dietary intervention studies in this population.

(Poly)phenols and brain health - beyond their antioxidant capacity

(Poly)phenols are a group of naturally occurring phytochemicals present in high amounts in plant food and beverages with various structures and activities. The impact of (poly)phenols on brain function has gained significant attention due to the growing interest in the potential benefits of these dietary bioactive molecules for cognitive health and neuroprotection. This review will therefore summarise the current knowledge related to the impact of (poly)phenols on brain health presenting evidence from both epidemiological and clinical studies. Cellular and molecular mechanisms in relation to the observed effects will also be described, including their impact on the gut microbiota through the modulation of the gut-brain axis. Although (poly)phenols have the potential to modulate the gut-brain axis regulation and influence cognitive function and decline through their interactions with gut microbiota, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, further research, including randomised controlled trials and mechanistic studies, is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and establish causal relationships between (poly)phenol intake and brain health.

Polyphenols in Cereals: State of the Art of Available Information and Its Potential Use in Epidemiological Studies

Cereals are the basis of much of the world's daily diet. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the beneficial properties of wholegrains due to their content of phytochemicals, particularly polyphenols. Despite this, the existing data on polyphenolic composition of cereal-based foods reported in the most comprehensive databases are still not updated. Many cereal-based foods and phenolic compounds are missing, including pigmented ones. Observational epidemiological studies reporting the intake of polyphenols from cereals are limited and inconsistent, although experimental studies suggest a protective role for dietary polyphenols against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Estimating polyphenol intake is complex because of the large number of compounds present in foods and the many factors that affect their levels, such as plant variety, harvest season, food processing and cooking, making it difficult matching consumption data with data on food composition. Further, it should be taken into account that food composition tables and consumed foods are categorized in different ways. The present work provides an overview of the available data on polyphenols content reported in several existing databases, in terms of presence, missing and no data, and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of methods for assessing cereal polyphenol consumption. Furthermore, this review suggests a greater need for the inclusion of most up-to-date cereal food composition data and for the harmonization of standardized procedures in collecting cereal-based food data and adequate assessment tools for dietary intake.

Intestinal Epithelial Co-Culture Sensitivity to Pro-Inflammatory Stimuli and Polyphenols Is Medium-Independent

The complexification of in vitro models requires the compatibility of cells with the same medium. Since immune cells are the most sensitive to growth conditions, growing intestinal epithelial cells in their usual medium seems to be necessary. This work was aimed at comparing the sensitivity of these epithelial cells to pro-inflammatory stimuli but also to dietary polyphenols in both DMEM and RPMI-1640 media. Co-cultures of Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cells were grown for 21 days in the two media before their stimulation with a cocktail of TNF-α (20 ng/mL), IL-1β (1 ng/mL), and IFN-γ (10 ng/mL) or with LPS (10 ng/mL) from E. coli (O111:B4). The role of catechins (15 µM), a dietary polyphenol, was evaluated after its incubation with the cells before their stimulation for 6 h. The RPMI-1640 medium did not alter the intensity of the inflammatory response observed with the cytokines. By contrast, LPS failed to stimulate the co-culture in inserts regardless of the medium used. Lastly, catechins were unable to prevent the pro-inflammatory response observed with the cytokines in the two media. The preservation of the response of this model of intestinal epithelium in RPMI-1640 medium is promising when considering its complexification to evaluate the complex cellular crosstalk leading to intestinal homeostasis.

Association of Dietary Polyphenol Intakes with Metabolic Syndrome and its Components: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

BACKGROUND

This study was conducted to assess the prospective association between dietary polyphenols intakes and risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components.

METHODS

Participants in this study (n=4559) were selected from among the adults of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) with an average follow-up of 5.9+2.5 years. Biochemical and anthropometric variables were measured at baseline and follow-up examinations. A reliable and valid semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intakes. The incidence of MetS and its components in relation to polyphenols and its subclasses (phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, and stilbenes) was evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models.

RESULTS

Of the 4559 subjects who enrolled in the present study, 1765 were male aged 38.6+14.2 y and 2794 were female aged 35.9+11.7 y. The hazard ratios of MetS were 25% lower in Q2 (HR, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.64‒0.88), 22% lower in Q3 (HR, 95% CI: 0.78, 0.65‒0.94) and 24% lower in Q4 (HR, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.61‒0.95) in comparison to Q1, whereas the results for subclasses of polyphenol were non-significant. The risk of high blood pressure (BP) reduced from quartiles 1 to 4 for phenolic acid (HR: 1.00, 0.88, 0.79, 0.80, Ptrend=0.03). The risk of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased across quartiles of phenolic acid (HR: 1.00, 1.22, 1.07, 1.30, Ptrend=0.02).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potential protective role of total dietary polyphenols in the prevention of MetS. These findings could be the starting point of upcoming trials to illuminate the optimal level of polyphenols deriving from the intake of polyphenol-rich diets to prevent MetS.

Metabolic, toxicological, chemical, and commercial perspectives on esterification of dietary polyphenols: a review

Molecular modifications have been practiced for more than a century and nowadays they are widely applied in food, pharmaceutical, or other industries to manipulate the physicochemical, bioactivity, metabolic/catabolic, and pharmacokinetic properties. Among various structural modifications, the esterification/O-acylation has been well-established in altering lipophilicity and bioactivity of parent bioactive compounds, especially natural polyphenolics, while maintaining their high biocompatibility. Meanwhile, various classic chemical and enzymatic protocols and other recently emerged cell factory technology are being employed as viable esterification strategies. In this contribution, the main motivations of phenolic esterification, including the tendency to replace synthetic alkyl phenolics with safer alternatives in the food industry to improve the bioavailability of phenolics as dietary supplements/pharmaceuticals, are discussed. In addition, the toxicity, metabolism, and commercial application of synthetic and natural phenolics are briefly introduced. Under these contexts, the mechanisms and reaction features of several most prevalent chemical and enzymatic esterification pathways are demonstrated. In addition, insights into the studies of esterification modification of natural phenolic compounds and specific pros/cons of various reaction systems with regard to their practical application are provided.

Polyphenols in edible plant leaves: an overview of their occurrence and health properties

Edible plant leaves (EPLs) constitute a major renewable functional plant biomass available all year round, providing an essential source of polyphenols in the global diet. Polyphenols form a large family of antioxidant molecules. They protect against the harmful effects of free radicals, strengthen immunity and stimulate the body's natural defenses thanks to their antibacterial and antiviral functions. This study refers to phenolic compounds from 50 edible plant leaves divided into four categories: green leafy vegetables, underutilized leafy vegetables, leafy spices and leafy drinks. It provides data on the identification, occurrence and pharmacological functions of polyphenols contained in EPLs, and provides a better understanding of trends and gaps in their consumption and study. Certain EPLs, such as moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.), tea (Camellia sinensis L.) and several leafy spices of the Lamiaceae family, reveal important characteristics and therapeutic potential. The polyphenol composition of EPLs makes them functional plants that offer relevant solutions in the fight against obesity, the management of food insecurity and the prevention of chronic diseases.

Development of a (Poly)phenol Metabolic Signature for Assessing (Poly)phenol-Rich Dietary Patterns

The objective assessment of habitual (poly)phenol-rich diets in nutritional epidemiology studies remains challenging. This study developed and evaluated the metabolic signature of a (poly)phenol-rich dietary score (PPS) using a targeted metabolomics method comprising 105 representative (poly)phenol metabolites, analyzed in 24 h of urine samples collected from healthy volunteers. The metabolites that were significantly associated with PPS after adjusting for energy intake were selected to establish a metabolic signature using a combination of linear regression followed by ridge regression to estimate penalized weights for each metabolite. A metabolic signature comprising 51 metabolites was significantly associated with adherence to PPS in 24 h urine samples, as well as with (poly)phenol intake estimated from food frequency questionnaires and diaries. Internal and external data sets were used for validation, and plasma, spot urine, and 24 h urine samples were compared. The metabolic signature proposed here has the potential to accurately reflect adherence to (poly)phenol-rich diets, and may be used as an objective tool for the assessment of (poly)phenol intake.

Health effects of 100% fruit and vegetable juices: evidence from human subject intervention studies

The health effects of 100% fruit and vegetable juices (FVJ) represent a controversial topic. FVJ contain notable amounts of free sugars, but also vitamins, minerals, and secondary compounds with proven biological activities like (poly)phenols and carotenoids. The review aimed to shed light on the potential impact of 100% FVJ on human subject health, comprehensively assessing the role each type of juice may have in specific health outcomes for a particular target population, as reported in dietary interventions. The effects of a wide range of FVJ (orange, grapefruit, mandarin, lemon, apple, white, red, and Concord grapes, pomegranate, cranberry, chokeberry, blueberry, other minor berries, sweet and tart cherry, plum, tomato, carrot, beetroot, and watermelon, among others) were evaluated on a series of outcomes (anthropometric parameters, body composition, blood pressure and vascular function, lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress, cognitive function, exercise performance, gut microbiota composition and bacterial infections), providing a thorough picture of the contribution of each FVJ to a health outcome. Some juices demonstrated their ability to exert potential preventive effects on some outcomes while others on other health outcomes, emphasising how the differential composition in bioactive compounds defines juice effects. Research gaps and future prospects were discussed. Although 100% FVJ appear to have beneficial effects on some cardiometabolic health outcomes, cognition and exercise performance, or neutral effects on anthropometric parameters and body composition, further efforts are needed to better understand the impact of 100% FVJ on human subject health.

Effect of vinegar supplementation on patients with esophageal lesions lightly stained with Lugol's iodine solution: Prospective single-centre trial

BACKGROUND

Esophageal chromoendoscopy with iodine solution is important for detecting early esophageal cancer. The effect of routine treatment for lesions lightly stained with Lugol's iodine solution is limited, and the addition of natural substances to a regular diet is becoming increasingly common. Vinegar has antitumor effects as reported in previous studies.

AIM

To evaluate whether vinegar supplementation could improve the prognosis of patients with lightly stained esophageal lesions.

METHODS

This prospective single-centre trial included consecutive patients with lightly stained lesions between June 2020 and April 2022. Patients in the experimental group received increased amounts of vinegar for 6 months. The primary outcome of the study was the clinical therapeutic effect. Complications related to vinegar ingestion and adverse events were also recorded in detail.

RESULTS

A total of 166 patients were included in the final analysis. There was no significant difference in the baseline data between the two groups. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis demonstrated that the rates at which endoscopic characteristics improved were 33.72% in the experimental group and 20.00% in the conventional group (P = 0.007); and the rates at which biopsy pathology improved were 19.77% and 8.75%, respectively (P = 0.011). Additional vinegar consumption had a statistically protective effect on the rate at which endoscopic characteristics improved [hazard ratio (HR) ITT = 2.183, 95%CI: 1.183-4.028; HRper-protocol (PP) = 2.307, 95%CI: 1.202-4.426] and biopsy pathology improved (HRITT = 2.931, 95%CI: 1.212-7.089; HRPP = 3.320, 95%CI: 1.295-8.507). No statistically significant effect of increased vinegar consumption on preventing high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or early cancer was observed (HRITT = 0.382, 95%CI: 0.079-1.846; HRPP = 0.382, 95%CI: 0.079-1.846). The subgroup analyses indicated that the overall therapeutic improvement of endoscopic characteristics and biopsy pathology seemed more obvious in older (age > 60) male patients with small lesions (lesion size ≤ 0.5 cm). Three patients in the experimental group reported acid regurgitation and heartburn. No adverse event during gastroscopy were recorded during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

A moderately increased ingestion of vinegar could not directly reduce the risk of esophageal cancer in the mucosa dysplasia population, but it improved the endoscopic characteristics and ameliorated the biopsy pathology to a certain extent. Further research is needed to verify the effect of nutritional intervention on precancerous esophageal lesions.

Synthesis, molecular docking evaluation for LOX and COX-2 inhibition and determination of in-vivo analgesic potentials of aurone derivatives

In the current study, seven (7) aurone derivatives (ADs) were synthesized and employed to in-vitro LOX and COX-2 assays, in-vivo models of acetic acid-induced mice writhing, formalin-induced mice paw licking and tail immersion test to evaluate their analgesic potential at the doses of 10 mg and 20 mg/kg body weight. Molecular docking was performed to know the active binding site at both LOX and COX-2 as compared to standard drugs. Among the ADs, 2-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)benzofuran-3(2H)-one (WE-4)possessed optimal LOX and COX-2 inhibitory strength (IC50=0.30 μM and 0.22 μM) as compared to standard (ZileutonIC50 = 0.08 μM, CelecoxibIC50 = 0.05 μM). Similarly in various pain models compound WE-4 showed significantly (p < 0.05) highest percent analgesic potency as compared to control at a dose of 20 mg/kg i.e. 77.60 % analgesic effect in acetic acid model, 49.97 % (in Phase-1) and 70.93 % (inPhase-2) analgesic effect in formalin pain model and 74.71 % analgesic response in tail immersion model. By the administration of Naloxone, the tail flicking latencies were reversed (antagonized) in all treatments. The WE-4 (at 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) was antagonized after 90 min from 11.23 ± 0.93 and 13.41 ± 1.21 to 5.30 ± 0.48 and 4.80 ± 0.61 respectively as compared to standard Tramadol (from 17.74 ± 1.33 to 3.70 ± 0.48), showing the opiodergic receptor involvement. The molecular docking study of ADs revealed that WE-4 had a higher affinity for LOX and COX-2 with docking scores of -4.324 and -5.843 respectively. As a whole, among the tested ADs, compound WE-4 demonstrated excellent analgesic effects that may have been caused by inhibiting the LOX and COX-2 pathways.

The Influence of a Polyphenol-Rich Red Berry Fruit Juice on Recovery Process and Leg Strength Capacity after Six Days of Intensive Endurance Exercise in Recreational Endurance Athletes

BACKGROUND

Various nutritional strategies are increasingly used in sports to reduce oxidative stress and promote recovery. Chokeberry is rich in polyphenols and can reduce oxidative stress. Consequently, chokeberry juices and mixed juices with chokeberry content are increasingly used in sports. However, the data are very limited. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of the short-term supplementation of a red fruit juice drink with chokeberry content or a placebo on muscle damage, oxidative status, and leg strength during a six-day intense endurance protocol.

METHODS

Eighteen recreational endurance athletes participated in a cross-over high intensity interval training (HIIT) design, receiving either juice or a placebo. Baseline and post-exercise assessments included blood samples, anthropometric data, and leg strength measurements.

RESULTS

A significant increase was measured in muscle damage following the endurance protocol in all participants (∆ CK juice: 117.12 ± 191.75 U/L, ∆ CK placebo: 164.35 ± 267.00 U/L; p = 0.001, η2 = 0.17). No group effects were detected in exercise-induced muscle damage (p = 0.371, η2 = 0.010) and oxidative status (p = 0.632, η2 = 0.000). The reduction in strength was stronger in the placebo group, but group effects are missing statistical significance (∆ e1RM juice: 1.34 ± 9.26 kg, ∆ e1RM placebo: -3.33 ± 11.49 kg; p = 0.988, η2 = 0.000).

CONCLUSION

Although a reduction in strength can be interpreted for the placebo treatment, no statistically significant influence of chokeberry could be determined. It appears that potential effects may only occur with prolonged application and a higher content of polyphenols, but further research is needed to confirm this.

GPER binding site detection and description: A flavonoid-based docking and molecular dynamics simulations study

Flavonoids, a phenolic compounds class widely distributed in the plant kingdom, have attracted much interest for their implications on several health and disease processes. Usually, the consumption of this type of compounds is approximately 1 g/d, primarily obtained from cereals, chocolate, and dry legumes ensuring its beneficial role in maintaining the homeostasis of the human body. In this context, in cancer disease prominent data points to the role of flavonoids as adjuvant treatment aimed at the regression of the disease. GPER, an estrogen receptor on the cell surface, has been postulated as a probable orchestrator of the beneficial effects of several flavonoids through modulation/inhibition of various mechanisms that lead to cancer progression. Therefore, applying pocket and cavity protein detection and docking and molecular dynamics simulations (MD), we generate, from a cluster composed of 39 flavonoids, crucial insights into the potential role as GPER ligands, of Puerarin, Isoquercetin, Kaempferol 3-O-glucoside and Petunidin 3-O-glucoside, aglycones whose sugar moiety delimits a new described sugar-acceptor sub-cavity into the cavity binding site on the receptor, as well as of the probable activation mechanism of the receptor and the pivotal residues involved in it. Altogether, our results shed light on the potential use of the aforementioned flavonoids as GPER ligands and for further evaluations in in vitro and in vivo assays to elucidate their probable anti-cancer activity.

Factors driving the inter-individual variability in the metabolism and bioavailability of (poly)phenolic metabolites: A systematic review of human studies

This systematic review provides an overview of the available evidence on the inter-individual variability (IIV) in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of phenolic metabolites and its determinants. Human studies were included investigating the metabolism and bioavailability of (poly)phenols and reporting IIV. One hundred fifty-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Inter-individual differences were mainly related to gut microbiota composition and activity but also to genetic polymorphisms, age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, (patho)physiological status, and physical activity, depending on the (poly)phenol sub-class considered. Most of the IIV has been poorly characterised. Two major types of IIV were observed. One resulted in metabolite gradients that can be further classified into high and low excretors, as seen for all flavonoids, phenolic acids, prenylflavonoids, alkylresorcinols, and hydroxytyrosol. The other type of IIV is based on clusters of individuals defined by qualitative differences (producers vs. non-producers), as for ellagitannins (urolithins), isoflavones (equol and O-DMA), resveratrol (lunularin), and preliminarily for avenanthramides (dihydro-avenanthramides), or by quali-quantitative metabotypes characterized by different proportions of specific metabolites, as for flavan-3-ols, flavanones, and even isoflavones. Future works are needed to shed light on current open issues limiting our understanding of this phenomenon that likely conditions the health effects of dietary (poly)phenols.

Characterizing Factors Associated with Excess Body Weight: A Descriptive Study Using Principal Component Analysis in a Population with Overweight and Obesity

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic, making it crucial to understand how it can be effectively prevented/treated. Considering that obesity is a multifactorial condition, this article carried out a baseline cross-sectional study of the variables involved in the disorder. Eighty-four subjects with overweight/obesity were recruited. Dietary baseline information was obtained by analysing three 24 h recalls. Resting metabolic rate was measured using indirect calorimetry, physical activity was measured through accelerometry, cardiometabolic parameters were determined in blood samples and body composition via anthropometry and bioimpedance. A univariant and multivariate exploratory approach was carried out using principal component analysis (PCA). Large inter-individual variability was observed in dietetic, biochemical, and physical activity measurements (coefficient of variation ≥ 30%), but body composition was more uniform. Volunteers had an unbalanced diet and low levels of physical activity. PCA reduced the 26 analysed variables to 4 factors, accounting for 65.4% of the total data variance. The main factor was the "dietetic factor", responsible for 24.0% of the total variance and mainly related to energy intake, lipids, and saturated fatty acids. The second was the "cardiometabolic factor" (explaining 16.8% of the variability), the third was the "adiposity factor" (15.2%), and the last was the "serum cholesterol factor" (9.4%).

Reassessing the role of phytochemicals in cancer chemoprevention

In this comprehensive review we tried to reassess the role of phytochemicals in cancer chemoprevention. The exploration of the "synergistic effect" concept, advocating combined chemopreventive agents, faces challenges like low bioavailability. The review incorporates personal, occasionally controversial, viewpoints on natural compounds' cancer preventive capabilities, delving into mechanisms. Prioritizing significant contributions within the vast research domain, we aim stimulating discussion to provide a comprehensive insight into the evolving role of phytochemicals in cancer prevention. While early years downplayed the role of phytochemicals, the late nineties witnessed a shift, with leaders exploring their potential alongside synthetic compounds. Challenges faced by chemoprevention, such as limited pharmaceutical interest and cost-effectiveness issues, persist despite successful drugs. Recent studies, including the EPIC study, provide nuanced insights, indicating a modest risk reduction for increased fruit and vegetable intake. Phytochemicals, once attributed to antioxidant effects, face scrutiny due to low bioavailability and conflicting evidence. The Nrf2-EpRE signaling pathway and microbiota-mediated metabolism emerge as potential mechanisms, highlighting the complexity of understanding phytochemical mechanisms in cancer chemoprevention.

Procyanidins and sensory nutrition; do procyanidins modulate homeostasis via astringent taste receptors?

Long-term intake of procyanidins has been suggested to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, and sensory function decline associated with aging. However, most of the ingested procyanidins are not absorbed and are excreted in the feces, so the mechanism of their beneficial impact is unknown. Procyanidins are the components of astringency in plant foods and their stimulation appears to be directly transmitted to the central nervous system via sensory nerves. Recent attention has been focused on the taste receptors expressed in the extra-oral gastrointestinal tract may regulate homeostasis via the neuroendocrine system. In this paper, we have reviewed recent findings on the relationship between the astringency of procyanidins and their bioregulatory effects.

Underrated aspects of a true Mediterranean diet: understanding traditional features for worldwide application of a "Planeterranean" diet

Over the last decades, the Mediterranean diet gained enormous scientific, social, and commercial attention due to proven positive effects on health and undeniable taste that facilitated a widespread popularity. Researchers have investigated the role of Mediterranean-type dietary patterns on human health all around the world, reporting consistent findings concerning its benefits. However, what does truly define the Mediterranean diet? The myriad of dietary scores synthesizes the nutritional content of a Mediterranean-type diet, but a variety of aspects are generally unexplored when studying the adherence to this dietary pattern. Among dietary factors, the main characteristics of the Mediterranean diet, such as consumption of fruit and vegetables, olive oil, and cereals should be accompanied by other underrated features, such as the following: (i) specific reference to whole-grain consumption; (ii) considering the consumption of legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices often untested when exploring the adherence to the Mediterranean diet; (iii) consumption of eggs and dairy products as common foods consumed in the Mediterranean region (irrespectively of the modern demonization of dietary fat intake). Another main feature of the Mediterranean diet includes (red) wine consumption, but more general patterns of alcohol intake are generally unmeasured, lacking specificity concerning the drinking occasion and intensity (i.e., alcohol drinking during meals). Among other underrated aspects, cooking methods are rather simple and yet extremely varied. Several underrated aspects are related to the quality of food consumed when the Mediterranean diet was first investigated: foods are locally produced, minimally processed, and preserved with more natural methods (i.e., fermentation), strongly connected with the territory with limited and controlled impact on the environment. Dietary habits are also associated with lifestyle behaviors, such as sleeping patterns, and social and cultural values, favoring commensality and frugality. In conclusion, it is rather reductive to consider the Mediterranean diet as just a pattern of food groups to be consumed decontextualized from the social and geographical background of Mediterranean culture. While the methodologies to study the Mediterranean diet have demonstrated to be useful up to date, a more holistic approach should be considered in future studies by considering the aforementioned underrated features and values to be potentially applied globally through the concept of a "Planeterranean" diet.

Relationships between Habitual Polyphenol Consumption and Gut Microbiota in the INCLD Health Cohort

While polyphenol consumption is often associated with an increased abundance of beneficial microbes and decreased opportunistic pathogens, these relationships are not completely described for polyphenols consumed via habitual diet, including culinary herb and spice consumption. This analysis of the International Cohort on Lifestyle Determinants of Health (INCLD Health) cohort uses a dietary questionnaire and 16s microbiome data to examine relationships between habitual polyphenol consumption and gut microbiota in healthy adults (n = 96). In this exploratory analysis, microbial taxa, but not diversity measures, differed by levels of dietary polyphenol consumption. Taxa identified as exploratory biomarkers of daily polyphenol consumption (mg/day) included Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Eubacterium ventriosum group, Ruminococcus torques group, and Sutterella. Taxa identified as exploratory biomarkers of the frequency of polyphenol-weighted herb and spice use included Lachnospiraceae UCG-001, Lachnospiraceae UCG-004, Methanobrevibacter, Lachnoclostridium, and Lachnotalea. Several of the differentiating taxa carry out activities important for human health, although out of these taxa, those with previously described pro-inflammatory qualities in certain contexts displayed inverse relationships with polyphenol consumption. Our results suggest that higher quantities of habitual polyphenol consumption may support an intestinal environment where opportunistic and pro-inflammatory bacteria are represented in a lower relative abundance compared to those with less potentially virulent qualities.

Dietary (poly)phenols and cardiometabolic health: from antioxidants to modulators of the gut microbiota

(Poly)phenols are plant secondary metabolites widely abundant in plant foods and beverages comprising a very large number of compounds with diverse structure and biological activities. Accumulating evidence indicates that these compounds exert beneficial effects against cardiometabolic diseases, and this review will provide a summary of current knowledge in this area. Epidemiological and clinical data collectively suggest that intake of flavonoids reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with the evidence being particularly strong for the flavan-3-ol subclass. However, to provide adequate dietary recommendations, a better understanding of their estimated content in foods and intake among the general public is needed. Regarding mechanisms of action, we now know that it is unlikely that (poly)phenols act as direct antioxidants in vivo, as it was hypothesised for decades with the popularity of in vitro antioxidant capacity assays. One of the reasons is that upon ingestion, (poly)phenols are extensively metabolised into a wide array of circulating metabolites with different bioactivities than their precursors. Well-conducted in vitro and in vivo studies and human nutrigenomic analysis have revealed new molecular targets that may be underlying the health benefits of (poly)phenols, such as the nitric oxide pathway. Recently, a bi-directional relationship was established between (poly)phenols and the gut microbiota, suggesting that individual gut microbial metabolising capacity may be a key factor explaining the variability in the cardiometabolic response to (poly)phenols. Future research is needed to elucidate which are the key factors affecting such capacity, and whether it can be modulated, along with the mechanisms of action.

Platelet hyperactivity: a comparison of water-soluble, bioactive compound levels in commercial tomato products and water-soluble tomato concentrate, a supplement with an approved EFSA antiplatelet health effect

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the concentration of water-soluble bioactive compounds in tomato products (polyphenols profile, water-soluble vitamins and nucleophilic substances) with the concentration of the same bioactive molecules existing in a water-soluble patented tomato extract, water-soluble tomato extract (WSTC), commercially available as FruitFlow®. This patented tomato extract has been recognised by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) in a specific Health Claim declaration as having an "Antiplatelet health effect". More than 100 commercial tomato samples, coming from 18 different processing tomato companies worldwide, were analysed and compared with the FruitFlow® supplement. According to the multivariate statistical analyses applied to the data matrix, it is possible to conclude that the commercial tomato products measured (pastes, purees, others) show a significantly higher concentration of water-soluble bioactive molecules (nucleosides/nucleotides and polyphenols) responsible for an anti-platelet aggregation effect than the FruitFlow® dietary supplement.

Plasma Concentration of 36 (Poly)phenols and Prospective Body Weight Change in Participants from the EPIC Cohort

INTRODUCTION

Dietary intake of (poly)phenols has been linked to reduced adiposity and body weight (BW) in several epidemiological studies. However, epidemiological evidence on (poly)phenol biomarkers, particularly plasma concentrations, is scarce. We aimed to investigate the associations between plasma (poly)phenols and prospective BW change in participants from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort.

METHODS

This study included 761 participants with data on BW at baseline and after 5 years of follow-up. Plasma concentrations of 36 (poly)phenols were measured at baseline using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Associations were assessed through general linear mixed models and multinomial logistic regression models, using change in BW as a continuous or as a categorical variable (BW loss, maintenance, gain), respectively. Plasma (poly)phenols were assessed as log2-transformed continuous variables. The false discovery rate (FDR) was used to control for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

Doubling plasma (poly)phenol concentrations showed a borderline trend towards a positive association with BW loss. Plasma vanillic acid showed the strongest association (-0.53 kg/5 years; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.99, -0.07). Similar results were observed for plasma naringenin comparing BW loss versus BW maintenance (odds ratio: 1.1; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.2). These results did not remain significant after FDR correction.

CONCLUSION

Higher concentrations of plasma (poly)phenols suggested a tendency towards 5-year BW maintenance or loss. While certain associations seemed promising, they did not withstand FDR correction, indicating the need for caution in interpreting these results. Further studies using (poly)phenol biomarkers are needed to confirm these suggestive protective trends.

Alzheimer, Parkinson, dementia, and phytochemicals: insight review

Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia are the leading neurodegenerative diseases that threaten the world with the aging population. Although the pathophysiology of each disease is unique, the steps to be taken to prevent diseases are similar. One of the changes that a person can make alone is to gain the habit of an antioxidant-rich diet. Phytochemicals known for their antioxidant properties have been reported to prevent neurodegenerative diseases in various studies. Phytochemicals with similar chemical structures are grouped. Accordingly, there are two main groups of phytochemicals, flavonoid and non-flavonoid. Various in vitro and in vivo studies on phytochemicals have proven neuroprotective effects by increasing cognitive function with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. The purpose of this review is to summarize the in vitro and in vivo studies on phytochemicals with neuroprotective effects and to provide insight.

[Design and validation of a self-reported dietary polyphenol intake frequency questionnaire.]

Introduction

Introduction: although there is evidence linking polyphenol consumption with better health outcomes, information on consumption patterns, particularly in Latin American countries, is scarce. Objective: to design and evaluate the validity of an online self-reported food frequency questionnaire to measure dietary total polyphenol intake in the Chilean adult population. Methods: the designed questionnaire (FFQ-P) was submitted to expert opinion for content validity coefficient estimation; then a pilot study was conducted in 47 adults who completed FFQ-P, in addition to a six-day food record as a reference method. Wilcoxon was applied in related samples, Spearman's correlation to determine the strength of association and Bland-Altman diagrams to examine the difference between methods. Results: content validity reflected concordant values for adequacy (0.94 ± 0.04) and relevance (0.93 ± 0.05). The percentage difference between both methods was 1.2 %, with greater variability observed in fruits (9 %) and alcoholic beverages (4 %). The Wilcoxon test showed no significant differences between food groups. Medium reliability was observed for vegetables, fruits, tea, and coffee (0.26 to 0.5) and moderate reliability for alcoholic beverages (0.5 to 0.75). The mean value of the difference was 9.8, being within a short distance of zero. Conclusion: FFQ-P is reliable for estimating polyphenol intake from fruits, vegetables, alcoholic beverages, tea, and coffee; however, the intake of non-alcoholic beverages, nuts and olives should be interpreted with reservation.

Phenolic Composition of Red and White Wine Byproducts from Different Grapevine Cultivars from La Rioja (Spain) and How This Is Affected by the Winemaking Process

The recovery of raw materials offers an opportunity for applying the principles of circular bioeconomy. The phenolic composition of three underused wine byproducts (skin, seed, and bunch stem) was analyzed through UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS to evaluate the intercultivar variability comparing red and white grape cultivars from La Rioja (Spain) and the influence of the winemaking, comparing conventional fermentation and carbonic maceration. We observed that the red skin, especially from Graciano, is rich in anthocyanins, whereas the white skin contains mainly phenolic acids, flavonols, and flavan-3-ols, with Maturana Blanca being the richest variety. Seeds are rich in flavan-3-ols and lignans with Maturana Blanca and Viura, respectively, the richest cultivars. Stems contain high amounts of flavan-3-ols, lignans, and stilbenes, with the red cultivars of Garnacha and Tempranillo being the richest samples. Carbonic maceration has a negative effect on the phenolic amount compared to conventional fermentation. In synthesis, we observed that each type of byproduct from red or white grape cultivars has a particular phenolic composition that can result in obtaining different ingredients with particular phenolic composition for target applications.

Effect of Pigmented Rice Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Dietary patterns that include polyphenols may help manage cardiometabolic risk factors. Pigmented rice contains phenolic acids and flavonoids that contribute to its antioxidant properties. This review examined the effect of polyphenol-containing pigmented rice on antioxidant status, lipid profile, glucose/insulin, blood pressure, and weight among adults. Four electronic databases including PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for relevant articles published in English since 2000, using PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022358132). Two-staged screening resulted in the inclusion of seventeen (seven acute, ten chronic) randomized controlled trials. A random effects model was conducted on cardiometabolic outcomes reported in at least three studies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Acute intake increased plasma antioxidant activity and lowered postprandial glucose and insulin levels. Chronic consumption was associated with reductions in fasting glucose (WMD: -1.60 mg/dL; 95% CI:-3.05,-0.14, p = 0.03, k = 5, n = 349), weight (WMD: -0.23 kg, 95% CI: -0.44, -0.02, p = 0.03, k = 3, n = 182), and diastolic blood pressure (WMD: -1.39 mmHg, 95% CI: -2.21, -0.56, p = 0.001, k = 3, n = 185). No effect on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure was found. The consumption of pigmented rice may improve cardiometabolic risk factors. However, the small number of studies and differences in study design, including participants' health status, form of rice utilized, and duration of intervention, support the need for more high-quality trials to further investigate these findings.

Development of a novel (poly)phenol-rich diet score and its association with urinary (poly)phenol metabolites

Background: Estimating (poly)phenol intake is challenging due to inadequate dietary assessment tools and limited food content data. Currently, a priori diet scores to characterise (poly)phenol-rich diets are lacking. This study aimed to develop a novel (poly)phenol-rich diet score (PPS) and explore its relationship with circulating (poly)phenol metabolites. Methods: A total of 543 healthy free-living participants aged 18-80 years completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) (EPIC-Norfolk) and provided 24 h urine samples. The PPS was developed based on the relative intake (quintiles) of 20 selected (poly)phenol-rich food items abundant in the UK diet, including tea, coffee, red wine, whole grains, chocolate and cocoa products, berries, apples and juice, pears, grapes, plums, citrus fruits and juice, potatoes and carrots, onions, peppers, garlic, green vegetables, pulses, soy and soy products, nuts, and olive oil. Foods included in the PPS were chosen based on their (poly)phenol content, main sources of (poly)phenols, and consumption frequencies in the UK population. Associations between the PPS and urinary phenolic metabolites were investigated using linear models adjusting energy intake and multiple testing (FDR adjusted p < 0.05). Result: The total PPS ranged from 25 to 88, with a mean score of 54. A total of 51 individual urinary metabolites were significantly associated with the PPS, including 39 phenolic acids, 5 flavonoids, 3 lignans, 2 resveratrol and 2 other (poly)phenol metabolites. The total (poly)phenol intake derived from FFQs also showed a positive association with PPS (stdBeta 0.32, 95% CI (0.24, 0.40), p < 0.01). Significant positive associations were observed in 24 of 27 classes and subclasses of estimated (poly)phenol intake and PPS, with stdBeta values ranging from 0.12 (0.04, 0.20) for theaflavins/thearubigins to 0.43 (0.34, 0.51) for flavonols (p < 0.01). Conclusion: High adherence to the PPS diet is associated with (poly)phenol intake and urinary biomarkers, indicating the utility of the PPS to characterise diets rich in (poly)phenols at a population level.

Tumor Microbial Communities and Thyroid Cancer Development-The Protective Role of Antioxidant Nutrients: Application Strategies and Future Directions

Thyroid cancer (TC), the most frequent malignancy of the endocrine system, has recorded an increasing incidence in the last decades. The etiology of TC remains at least partly unknown and, among modifiable risk factors, the gut microbiota and dietary nutrients (vitamins, essential microelements, polyphenols, probiotics) have been recognized to not only influence thyroid function, but exert critical effects on TC development and progression. Recent discoveries on the existence of tumor microbiota also in the TC microenvironment provide further evidence for the essential role of tumor microorganisms in TC etiology and severity, as well as acting as prognostic markers and as a potential target of adjuvant care in the treatment of TC patients. Therefore, in this review, we summarize current knowledge on the relationship of the tumor microbiome with the clinical tumor characteristics and TC progression, also illustrating the molecular mechanisms underlying this association, and how antioxidant nutrients may be used as a novel strategy to both control gut health and reduce the risk for TC. Furthermore, we discuss how new technologies might be exploited for the development of new foods with high nutritional values, antioxidant capability, and even attractiveness to the individual in terms of sensory and emotional features.

Low polyphenol intake among highly scholarity population: CUME cohort

In the absence of a recommendation for daily intake of phenolic compounds, to compare the intake of the main dietary polyphenols between populations is a really challenge. This study aimed to estimate the total dietary intake of polyphenols, classes and their food sources among Brazilian graduates and postgraduates. This was a cross-sectional study using baseline data from the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais (CUME project). Food consumption was assessed using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire with 144 food items. Polyphenol intake was estimated from the Phenol-Explorer and US Department of Agriculture database, and previous studies that evaluated the phenolic content of specific foods. A total of 4130 individuals of both sexes with a median age of 34 (18-86) years old were finally included. The median intake of total polyphenols adjusted for energy was 753.41 mg/day (interquartile range - IQR=461.80; p<0.001), and the most consumed classes were phenolic acids and flavonoids, with median intakes of 552.30 mg/d (IQR=429.78; p<0.001) and 154.70 mg/day (IQR=108.70; p<0.001), respectively. The main food sources of polyphenols were coffee, peanuts, beans, and fruits. A lower intake of total polyphenols and their classes was observed in a population with similar characteristics to those from developed countries. The results demonstrate the importance of disseminating nutritional information about foods, so that the consumption of natural foods is prioritized. New studies that evaluate the consumption of polyphenols and their impact on human health are recommended to establish a daily recommendation for the consumption of such compounds.

Unravelling phenolic metabotypes in the frame of the COMBAT study, a randomized, controlled trial with cranberry supplementation

Cranberry (poly)phenols may have potential health benefits. Circulating (poly)phenol metabolites can act as mediators of these effects, but they are subjected to an extensive inter-individual variability. This study aimed to quantify both plasma and urine (poly)phenol metabolites following a 12-week intake of a cranberry powder in healthy older adults, and to investigate inter-individual differences by considering the existence of urinary metabotypes related to dietary (poly)phenols. Up to 13 and 67 metabolites were quantified in plasma and urine respectively. Cranberry consumption led to changes in plasma metabolites, mainly hydroxycinnamates and hippuric acid. Individual variability in urinary metabolites was assessed using different data sets and a combination of statistical models. Three phenolic metabotypes were identified, colonic metabolism being the main driver for subject clustering. Metabotypes were characterized by quali-quantitative differences in the excretion of some metabolites such as phenyl-γ-valerolactones, hydroxycinnamic acids, and phenylpropanoic acids. Metabotypes were further confirmed when applying a model only focused on flavan-3-ol colonic metabolites. 5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone derivatives were the most relevant metabolites for metabotyping. Metabotype allocation was well preserved after 12-week intervention. This metabotyping approach for cranberry metabolites represents an innovative step to handle the complexity of (poly)phenol metabolism in free-living conditions, deciphering the existence of metabotypes derived from the simultaneous consumption of different classes of (poly)phenols. These results will help contribute to studying the health effects of cranberries and other (poly)phenol-rich foods, mainly considering gut microbiota-driven individual differences.

Flavonoid-Loaded Biomaterials in Bone Defect Repair

Skeletons play an important role in the human body, and can form gaps of varying sizes once damaged. Bone defect healing involves a series of complex physiological processes and requires ideal bone defect implants to accelerate bone defect healing. Traditional grafts are often accompanied by issues such as insufficient donors and disease transmission, while some bone defect implants are made of natural and synthetic polymers, which have characteristics such as good porosity, mechanical properties, high drug loading efficiency, biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, their antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and bone repair promoting abilities are limited. Flavonoids are natural compounds with various biological activities, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Their good anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant activities make them beneficial for the treatment of bone defects. Several researchers have designed different types of flavonoid-loaded polymer implants for bone defects. These implants have good biocompatibility, and they can effectively promote the expression of angiogenesis factors such as VEGF and CD31, promote angiogenesis, regulate signaling pathways such as Wnt, p38, AKT, Erk and increase the levels of osteogenesis-related factors such as Runx-2, OCN, OPN significantly to accelerate the process of bone defect healing. This article reviews the effectiveness and mechanism of biomaterials loaded with flavonoids in the treatment of bone defects. Flavonoid-loaded biomaterials can effectively promote bone defect repair, but we still need to improve the overall performance of flavonoid-loaded bone repair biomaterials to improve the bioavailability of flavonoids and provide more possibilities for bone defect repair.

Low Dietary Flavonoid Consumption Is Associated to Severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background and Aims

Associations between diet habits and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been widely described. Flavonoids are taken with vegetables, fruits, and green tea. Because of barrier-protective and anti-inflammatory effects, flavonoid consumption (FC) may influence the severity of IBD. The aim of this study was to reveal the role of FC in the course and severity of IBD.

Methods

A prospective cohort study including 204 IBD patients (Crohn's disease n = 126, ulcerative colitis n = 78) was conducted between 2016 and 2021. FC was calculated using questionnaires. In addition to standard activity scores and different treatments, a "severity index" was related to individual FC. Differences between groups and odds ratios were analyzed.

Results

Inverse correlation (r = -0.0549; P = .01) between FC and severity of IBD was found. Patients were assigned to 3 different severity index ranges: mild, moderate, and severe disease. FC of patients with severe disease (331 ± 330 mg/week) was less than FC of patients with mild (1404 ± 1086 mg/ week) disease (P < .001). The risk of IBD patients with low FC (1000 mg/week) experiencing overall severe disease was 17 times increased (P < .001) compared to patients with high FC (>1000 mg/week). Patients with UC and low FC had a 9.6-times higher risk for disease progression (P < .001).

Conclusion

Consumption of dietary flavonoids and the overall severity of IBD are inversely correlated. Patients with mild diseases consume higher amounts of flavonoids than patients with severe diseases. Low dietary flavonoids were related to a considerable risk of severe IBD.

Intake of the Total, Classes, and Subclasses of (Poly)Phenols and Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Prospective Analysis of the EPIC Study

Existing epidemiological evidence regarding the potential role of (poly)phenol intake in prostate cancer (PCa) risk is scarce and, in the case of flavonoids, it has been suggested that their intake may increase PCa risk. We investigated the associations between the intake of the total and individual classes and subclasses of (poly)phenols and the risk of PCa, including clinically relevant subtypes. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort included 131,425 adult men from seven European countries. (Poly)phenol intake at baseline was assessed by combining validated center/country-specific dietary questionnaires and the Phenol-Explorer database. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). In total, 6939 incident PCa cases (including 3501 low-grade and 710 high-grade, 2446 localized and 1268 advanced, and 914 fatal Pca cases) were identified during a mean follow-up of 14 years. No associations were observed between the total intake of (poly)phenols and the risk of PCa, either overall (HRlog2 = 0.99, 95% CI 0.94-1.04) or according to PCa subtype. Null associations were also found between all classes (phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, and stilbenes) and subclasses of (poly)phenol intake and the risk of PCa, overall and according to PCa subtype. The results of the current large prospective cohort study do not support any association between (poly)phenol intake and PCa incidence.

A Review of the Anti-Obesity Effects of Wild Edible Plants in the Mediterranean Diet and Their Active Compounds: From Traditional Uses to Action Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets

Obesity is a long-term condition resulting from a continuous imbalance between the amount of energy consumed and expended. It is associated with premature mortality and contributes to a large portion of the global chronic disease burden, including diabesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and some cancers. While lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments are the primary ways to manage obesity, they may not always be sufficient for long-term weight loss. In these cases, medication may be necessary. However, the options for drugs are limited due to their potential side effects. As a result, there is a need to identify safe and effective alternative treatments. Recently, dietary compounds, plants, and bioactive phytochemicals have been considered as promising sources for discovering new pharmacological agents to treat obesity and its related complications. These natural products can function independently or synergistically with other plants to augment their effects at various levels of the body. They can modulate appetite, lipase activity, thermogenesis and fat synthesis and degradation, satiation, adipogenesis, and adipocyte apoptosis. Additionally, targeting adipocyte growth and differentiation with diverse medicinal plants/diet is a significant strategy for devising new anti-obesity drugs that can intervene in preadipocytes, maturing preadipocytes, and mature adipocytes. Clinical trials have shown that the wild edible plants in the Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of obesity and its related diseases. This review examines the effectiveness of the common components of the Mediterranean diet in managing obesity and its associated health issues. We conducted a comprehensive literature review using PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Medline Plus to gather data on the therapeutic effects of the Mediterranean diet and phytochemicals in treating obesity and its associated diseases.

Association of dietary flavan-3-ol intakes with plasma phenyl-γ-valerolactones: analysis from the TUDA cohort of healthy older adults

BACKGROUND

Dietary polyphenols, including flavan-3-ols (F3O), are associated with better health outcomes. The relationship of plasma phenyl-γ-valerolactones (PVLs), the products of colonic bacterial metabolism of F3O, with dietary intakes is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether plasma PVLs are associated with self-reported intakes of total F3O and procyanidins+(epi)catechins.

DESIGN

We measured 9 PVLs by uHPLC-MS-MS in plasma from adults (>60y) in the Trinity-Ulster-Department of Agriculture (TUDA study (2008 to 2012; n=5186) and a follow-up subset (2014 to 2018) with corresponding dietary data (n=557). Dietary (poly)phenols collected by FFQ were analyzed using Phenol-Explorer.

RESULTS

Mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) intakes were estimated as 2283 (2213, 2352) mg/d for total (poly)phenols, 674 (648, 701) for total F3O, and 152 (146, 158) for procyanidins+(epi)catechins. Two PVL metabolites were detected in plasma from the majority of participants, 5-(hydroxyphenyl)-γ-VL-sulfate (PVL1) and 5-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-γ-VL-3'-glucuronide (PVL2). The 7 other PVLs were detectable only in 1-32% of samples. Self-reported intakes (mg/d) of F3O (r = 0.113, P = 0.017) and procyanidin+(epi)catechin (r = 0.122, P = 0.010) showed statistically significant correlations with the sum of PVL1 and PVL 2 (PVL1+2). With increasing intake quartiles (Q1-Q4), mean (95% CI) PVL1+2 increased; from 28.3 (20.8, 35.9) nmol/L in Q1 to 45.2 (37.2, 53.2) nmol/L in Q4; P = 0.025, for dietary F3O, and from 27.4 (19.1, 35.8) nmol/L in Q1 to 46.5 (38.2, 54.9) nmol/L in Q4; P = 0.020, for procyanidins+(epi)catechins.

CONCLUSIONS

Of 9 PVL metabolites investigated, 2 were detected in most samples and were weakly associated with intakes of total F3O and procyanidins+(epi)catechins. Future controlled feeding studies are required to validate plasma PVLs as biomarkers of these dietary polyphenols.

The Gut-Brain Axis as a Therapeutic Target in Multiple Sclerosis

The CNS is very susceptible to oxidative stress; the gut microbiota plays an important role as a trigger of oxidative damage that promotes mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. In the current review, we discuss recent findings on oxidative-stress-related inflammation mediated by the gut-brain axis in multiple sclerosis (MS). Growing evidence suggests targeting gut microbiota can be a promising strategy for MS management. Intricate interaction between multiple factors leads to increased intra- and inter-individual heterogeneity, frequently painting a different picture in vivo from that obtained under controlled conditions. Following an evidence-based approach, all proposed interventions should be validated in clinical trials with cohorts large enough to reach significance. Our review summarizes existing clinical trials focused on identifying suitable interventions, the suitable combinations, and appropriate timings to target microbiota-related oxidative stress. Most studies assessed relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS); only a few studies with very limited cohorts were carried out in other MS stages (e.g., secondary progressive MS-SPMS). Future trials must consider an extended time frame, perhaps starting with the perinatal period and lasting until the young adult period, aiming to capture as many complex intersystem interactions as possible.

The Influence of (Poly)phenol Intake in Saliva Proteome: Short- and Medium-Term Effects of Apple

The relationship between salivary proteome and dietary habits was studied in previous works, where a relationship between salivary proteins like cystatins and polyphenol/tannin levels in diet was observed. However, it remains to be elucidated if this association results from an effect of polyphenol-rich food ingestion on saliva composition. The aim of this work was to test the effects of apple intake on the saliva proteome, both in the short and medium term (after 4 days of continuous intake). By incubating saliva samples with apple phenolic-rich extract, protein bands containing α-amylase, S-type cystatins, and proline-rich proteins (PRPs) appeared in the fraction that precipitated, showing the potential of these (poly)phenols to precipitate salivary proteins. Among these, it was salivary cystatins that presented changes in their levels both in the saliva samples collected immediately after apple intake and in the ones collected after 4 days of intake of an extra amount of apple. These results support the thought that intake is reflected in the salivary proteome. The effect of a polyphenol-rich food, like the apple, on salivary cystatin levels is in line with results observed in animal models and, due to the involvement of these proteins in oral food perception, it would be interesting to explore in future studies the effect of these changes on sensory perception and acceptance of polyphenol-rich food.

Bioavailable Microbial Metabolites of Flavanols Demonstrate Highly Individualized Bioactivity on In Vitro β-Cell Functions Critical for Metabolic Health

Dietary flavanols are known for disease preventative properties but are often poorly absorbed. Gut microbiome flavanol metabolites are more bioavailable and may exert protective activities. Using metabolite mixtures extracted from the urine of rats supplemented with flavanols and treated with or without antibiotics, we investigated their effects on INS-1 832/13 β-cell glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) capacity. We measured insulin secretion under non-stimulatory (low) and stimulatory (high) glucose levels, insulin secretion fold induction, and total insulin content. We conducted treatment-level comparisons, individual-level dose responses, and a responder vs. non-responder predictive analysis of metabolite composition. While the first two analyses did not elucidate treatment effects, metabolites from 9 of the 28 animals demonstrated significant dose responses, regardless of treatment. Differentiation of responders vs. non-responder revealed that levels of native flavanols and valerolactones approached significance for predicting enhanced GSIS, regardless of treatment. Although treatment-level patterns were not discernable, we conclude that the high inter-individual variability shows that metabolite bioactivity on GSIS capacity is less related to flavanol supplementation or antibiotic treatment and may be more associated with the unique microbiome or metabolome of each animal. These findings suggest flavanol metabolite activities are individualized and point to the need for personalized nutrition practices.

Bioactive Compounds Intake of the Brazilian Population According to Geographic Region

Studies have been conducted in order to estimate bioactive compound consumption across populations, with substantial disparities according to the origin of the cohort examined. In this sense, Brazil is a continental country with marked differences in food plant availability across geographic regions. We aimed to estimate the bioactive compound intake according to Brazilian geographic region, as well as to determine the major contributors. Data were obtained from the National Dietary Survey 2017-2018, a cross-sectional population-based study including data on the individual food intake of 46,164 subjects aged ≥10 years. The consumption of polyphenols (total and classes) was significantly higher in the South compared with other regions (p = 0.0001). Total carotenoid intake was higher in the Midwest, followed by the Southeast (p = 0.0001). Tea was the main supplier of total polyphenol intake in the South, whereas coffee contributed the most to total polyphenol intake in other Brazilian regions. Açaí, caja juice, mango and corn were important suppliers of carotenoid intake in the North and Northeast. Bioactive compound intake presented variations according to Brazilian region, and individuals living in the South, Midwest and Southeast may experience higher bioactive-dense diets. We highlight the potential of many food plants for sustained explorations to the development of marketable products, possibly increasing the bioactive compound intake.

Dietary polyphenols, metabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic risk factors: An observational study based on the DCH-NG subcohort

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Polyphenol-rich foods have beneficial properties that may lower cardiometabolic risk. We aimed to prospectively investigate the relationship between intakes of dietary polyphenols, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components, in 676 Danish residents from the MAX study, a subcohort of the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health-Next Generations (DCH-NG) cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Dietary data were collected using web-based 24-h dietary recalls over one year (at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months). The Phenol-Explorer database was used to estimate dietary polyphenol intake. Clinical variables were also collected at the same time point. Generalized linear mixed models were used to investigate relationships between polyphenol intake and MetS. Participants had a mean age of 43.9y, a mean total polyphenol intake of 1368 mg/day, and 75 (11.6%) had MetS at baseline. Compared to individuals with MetS in Q1 and after adjusting for age, sex, lifestyle and dietary confounders, those in Q4 - for total polyphenols, flavonoids and phenolic acids-had a 50% [OR (95% CI): 0.50 (0.27, 0.91)], 51% [0.49 (0.26, 0.91)] and 45% [0.55 (0.30, 1.00)] lower odds of MetS, respectively. Higher total polyphenols, flavonoids and phenolic acids intakes as continuous variable were associated with lower risk for elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Total polyphenol, flavonoid and phenolic acid intakes were associated with lower odds of MetS. These intakes were also consistently and significantly associated with a lower risk for higher SBP and lower HDL-c concentrations.

Estimated dietary intake of polyphenols from cereal foods and associated lifestyle and demographic factors in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study

Cereal foods are consumed globally and are important sources of polyphenols with potential health benefits, yet dietary intakes are unclear. We aimed to calculate the dietary intakes of polyphenols from cereal foods in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS), and describe intakes by demographic and lifestyle factors. We estimated intakes of alkylresorcinols, lignans and phenolic acids in n = 39,892 eligible MCCS participants, using baseline dietary data (1990-1994) from a 121-item FFQ containing 17 cereal foods, matched to a polyphenol database developed from published literature and Phenol-Explorer Database. Intakes were estimated within groups according to lifestyle and demographic factors. The median (25th-75th percentile) intake of total polyphenols from cereal foods was 86.9 mg/day (51.4-155.8). The most consumed compounds were phenolic acids, with a median intake of 67.1 mg (39.5-118.8), followed by alkylresorcinols of 19.7 mg (10.8-34.6). Lignans made the smallest contribution of 0.50 mg (0.13-0.87). Higher polyphenol intakes were associated with higher relative socio-economic advantage and prudent lifestyles, including lower body mass index (BMI), non-smoking and higher physical activity scores. The findings based on polyphenol data specifically matched to the FFQ provide new information on intakes of cereal polyphenols, and how they might vary according to lifestyle and demographic factors.

Change in habitual intakes of flavonoid-rich foods and mortality in US males and females

BACKGROUND

Higher baseline intakes of flavonoid-rich foods and beverages are associated with a lower risk of chronic disease and mortality in observational studies. However, associations between changes in intakes and mortality remain unclear. We aimed to evaluate associations between 8-year changes in intakes of (1) individual flavonoid-rich foods and (2) a composite measure (termed the 'flavodiet') of foods and beverages that are known to be main contributors to flavonoid intake and subsequent total and cause-specific mortality.

METHODS

We evaluated associations between 8-year changes in intakes of (1) individual flavonoid-rich foods and (2) a novel 'flavodiet' score and total and cause-specific mortality. We included 55,786 females from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and 29,800 males from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), without chronic disease at baseline in our analyses. Using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models, we examined associations of 8-year changes in intakes of (1) flavonoid-rich foods and (2) the flavodiet score with subsequent 2-year lagged 6-year risk of mortality adjusting for baseline intakes. Data were pooled using fixed-effects meta-analyses.

RESULTS

We documented 15,293 deaths in the NHS and 8988 deaths in HPFS between 1986 and 2018. For blueberries, red wine and peppers, a 5%, 4% and 9% lower risk of mortality, respectively, was seen for each 3.5 servings/week increase in intakes while for tea, a 3% lower risk was seen for each 7 servings/week increase [Pooled HR (95% CI) for blueberries; 0.95 (0.91, 0.99); red wine: 0.96 (0.93, 0.99); peppers: 0.91 (0.88, 0.95); and tea: 0.97 (0.95, 0.98)]. Conversely, a 3.5 servings/week increase in intakes of onions and grapefruit plus grapefruit juice was associated with a 5% and 6% higher risk of total mortality, respectively. An increase of 3 servings per day in the flavodiet score was associated with an 8% lower risk of total mortality [Pooled HR: 0.92 (0.89, 0.96)], and a 13% lower risk of neurological mortality [Pooled HR: 0.87 (0.79, 0.97)], after multivariable adjustments.

CONCLUSIONS

Encouraging an increased intake of specific flavonoid-rich foods and beverages, namely tea, blueberries, red wine, and peppers, even in middle age, may lower early mortality risk.

Alpine Diet in Valmalenco (Lombardy, Italy): Nutritional Features of Spontaneous Plants and Traditional Dishes

BACKGROUND

Along the Alps, the Alpine diet is considered to be one of the most common nutritional models. Next to traditional animal-based products, spontaneous plants of the territory are collected and eaten.

AIM

The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional features of selected autochthonous plants of the territory and the typical recipe of green gnocchi.

METHODS

The analyses of proximate composition, carotenoid, total phenol, and mineral contents in raw and cooked plant samples and the chemical composition and in vitro starch digestibility in green and control gnocchi were performed.

RESULTS

Except for Aruncus dioicus, all the wild plants contained high levels of carotenoids (15-20 mg/100 g FW), mainly as xanthophylls. Rumex acetosa showed the highest levels of total phenols (554 mg GAE/100 g FW), and Urtica dioica can be considered to be a good dietary source of iron, calcium, and magnesium (4.9, 410, and 72 mg/100 g FW). Cooking significantly decreased the potassium and magnesium contents in all wild species, and total phenols and carotenoids in Aruncus dioicus, Blitum bonus-henricus, and Silene vulgaris (p < 0.05). The slowly digestible fraction of starch (%SDS/available starch), which is inversely correlated to insulin demand, was significantly increased in green gnocchi compared to matched control gnocchi (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Traditional consumption of spontaneous plants in the Alpine regions might increase the dietary intakes of several bioactive substances and contribute to cover the nutritional needs of micronutrients.

Association between classes and subclasses of polyphenol intake and 5-year body weight changes in the EPIC-PANACEA study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations among the intake of total polyphenols, polyphenol classes, and polyphenol subclasses and body weight change over 5 years.

METHODS

A total of 349,165 men and women aged 25 to 70 years were recruited in the Physical Activity, Nutrition, Alcohol, Cessation of Smoking, Eating Out of Home and Obesity (PANACEA) project of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort from nine European countries. Body weight was measured at baseline and at follow-up after a median time of 5 years. Polyphenol intake, including four main polyphenol classes and eighteen subclasses, was estimated using validated dietary questionnaires and Phenol-Explorer. Multilevel mixed linear regression models were used to estimate the associations.

RESULTS

Participants gained, on average, 2.6 kg (±5.0 kg) over 5 years. Total flavonoids intake was inversely associated with body weight change (-0.195 kg/5 years, 95% CI: -0.262 to -0.128). However, the intake of total polyphenols (0.205 kg/5 years, 95% CI: 0.138 to 0.272) and intake of hydroxycinnamic acids (0.324 kg/5 years, 95% CI: 0.267 to 0.381) were positively associated with body weight gain. In analyses stratified by coffee consumption, hydroxycinnamic acid intake was positively associated with body weight gain in coffee consumers (0.379 kg/5 years, 95% CI: 0.319 to 0.440), but not in coffee nonconsumers (-0.179 kg/5 years, 95% CI: -0.490 to 0.133).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher intakes of flavonoids and their subclasses are inversely associated with a modest body weight change. Results regarding hydroxycinnamic acids in coffee consumers require further investigation.