Effect of the consumption of a fruit and vegetable soup with high in vitro carotenoid bioaccessibility on serum carotenoid concentrations and markers of oxidative stress in young men

Prevalence and risk factors of metabolic associated fatty liver disease in the contemporary South China population

Background

As a newly proposed diagnosis, data on the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is rare. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of MAFLD using new definition in the contemporary South China population.

Methods

In this population based, cross sectional study, a total of 5377 participants aged 30–79 years old were recruited from the South China between 2018 and 2019. MAFLD was diagnosed in subjects who have both hepatic steatosis and metabolic disorders according to the newly international expert consensus. The total prevalence of MAFLD and prevalence by sex and age was estimated. Demographic characteristics, history of disease, and lifestyle were recorded by participants on a questionnaire. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed and evaluated by experienced sonographers. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) of MAFLD.

Results

Overall prevalence of MAFLD was 29.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.0% to 30.5%). Prevalence was higher in women (31.7%) than in men (25.5%; p < 0.001 for sex difference) and in subjects aged 50 years or older (30.7%) than in those aged 30–49 years (19.8%; p < 0.001 for age difference). In participants diagnosed with MAFLD, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was up to 90.5%, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metabolic dysregulation were 25.0% and 62.2%, respectively. Risk factors for MAFLD included overweight/obesity (OR = 4.67; 95% CI, 3.76–5.83), T2DM (OR = 2.41, 95% CI, 1.68–3.47), hypertriglyceridemia (OR = 2.42, 95% CI, 2.03–2.87), high school education (OR = 1.50, 95% CI, 1.23–1.82), high income (OR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.05–1.42). A lower risk of MAFLD was associated with high physical activity equivalent (OR = 0.71, 95% CI, 0.60–0.85). A U-shaped association of frequency of soups and ORs of MAFLD was found, the adjusted ORs (95% CI) of lower and higher frequency of soups were 1.58 (1.32–1.89) and 1.36 (1.13–1.63), respectively.

Conclusions

Our results showed a high prevalence of MAFLD in the general adult population in South China. Obesity has the greatest impact on MAFLD, physical activity and moderate consumption of soups might be the potential protective factors of MAFLD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12986-021-00611-x.

Cognitive Function and Consumption of Fruit and Vegetable Polyphenols in a Young Population: Is There a Relationship?

Scientific evidence has shown the relationship between consumption of fruits and vegetables and their polyphenols with the prevention or treatment of diseases. The aim of this review was to find out whether the same relationship exists between fruits and vegetables and cognitive function, especially memory, in a young population. The mechanisms by which polyphenols of fruits and vegetables can exert cognitive benefits were also evaluated. These compounds act to improve neuronal plasticity through the protein CREB (Camp Response Element Binding) in the hippocampus, modulating pathways of signaling and transcription factors (ERK/Akt). In the same way, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the maintenance, survival, growth, and differentiation of neurons. All these effects are produced by an increase of cerebral blood flow and an increase of the blood’s nitric oxide levels and oxygenation.

Fruit and vegetable intake, as reflected by serum carotenoid concentrations, predicts reduced probability of polychlorinated biphenyl-associated risk for type 2 diabetes: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004

Type 2 diabetes has been shown to occur in response to environmental and genetic influences, among them nutrition; food intake patterns; sedentary lifestyle; body mass index; and exposure to persistent organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Nutrition is essential in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and has been shown to modulate the toxicity of PCBs. Serum carotenoid concentrations, considered a reliable biomarker of fruit and vegetable intake, are associated with the reduced probability of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Our hypothesis is that fruit and vegetable intake, reflected by serum carotenoid concentrations, is associated with the reduced probability of developing type 2 diabetes in US adults with elevated serum concentrations of PCBs 118, 126, and 153. This cross-sectional study used the Center for Disease Control and Prevention database, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004, in logistic regression analyses. Overall prevalence of type 2 diabetes was approximately 11.6% depending on the specific PCB. All 3 PCBs were positively associated with the probability of type 2 diabetes. For participants at higher PCB percentiles (eg, 75th and 90th) for PCB 118 and 126, increasing serum carotenoid concentrations were associated with a smaller probability of type 2 diabetes. Fruit and vegetable intake, as reflected by serum carotenoid concentrations, predicted notably reduced probability of dioxin-like PCB-associated risk for type 2 diabetes.

Nutritional evaluation of microalgae oils rich in omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids as an alternative for fish oil

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the nutritional value of the total lipid extract of different omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids producing photoautotrophic microalgae in one study. It was shown that microalgae oils from Isochrysis, Nannochloropsis, Phaeodactylum, Pavlova and Thalassiosira contain sufficient omega-3 LC-PUFA to serve as an alternative for fish oil, which was used as the 'golden standard'. In the microalgae oils an important part of the omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are present in the polar lipid fraction, which may be favourable from a bioavailability and stability viewpoint. Consumption of microalgae oil ensures intake of sterols and carotenoids. The intake of sterols, including cholesterol and phytosterols, is probably not relevant. The intake of carotenoids is however definitely significant and could give the microalgae oils a nutritional added value compared to fish oil.

Soup consumption is associated with a lower dietary energy density and a better diet quality in US adults

Epidemiological studies have revealed that soup consumption is associated with a lower risk of obesity. Moreover, intervention studies have reported that soup consumption aids in body-weight management. However, little is known about mechanisms that can explain these findings. The objective of the present study was to investigate associations between soup consumption and daily energy intake, dietary energy density (ED), nutrient intake and diet quality. Adults aged 19–64 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys during 2003–8 were included in the study. Soup consumers were identified from the first dietary recall using the United States Department of Agriculture food codes and combination food type from the dietary data. Compared with non-consumers (n9307), soup consumers (n1291) had a lower body weight (P= 0·002), a lower waist circumference (P= 0·001) and a trend towards a lower total energy intake (P= 0·087). Soup consumption was associated with a lower dietary ED (P< 0·001); this was independent of whether data on beverage or water consumption were included. Diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2005, was significantly better in soup consumers (P= 0·008). Soup consumption was also associated with a reduced intake of total fat and an increased intake of protein, carbohydrate and dietary fibre, as well as several vitamins and minerals (P< 0·05 for all). However, it was also associated with a higher intake of Na (P< 0·001). The relationship between soup consumption and body weight could be due to a reduced dietary ED and an improved diet quality. Consumers need to pay attention to their Na intake and choose low-Na products for a healthier diet.

Soup consumption is associated with a reduced risk of overweight and obesity but not metabolic syndrome in US adults: NHANES 2003-2006

A limited number of studies have found that soup consumption is related to a lower risk of overweight and obesity in Asian and European populations, however, these studies do not provide a consistent picture regarding the association between soup consumption and markers of metabolic syndrome. To date, no study examining the relationship between soup and body weight or metabolic syndrome have been conducted in the US population. The present study used a sample of 4158 adults aged 19–64 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2003 and 2006. The frequency of soup consumption was determined using a food frequency questionnaire. The weighted prevalence of soup consumption was 94%, with a seasonal variation in the frequency of soup consumption being found. Non-consumers of soup were at a higher risk of being overweight or obese (adjusted odds ratio = 1.381, P = 0.013), with a higher adjusted prevalence of reduced HDL cholesterol (adjusted odds ratio = 1.280, P = 0.045), but there was no association between soup consumption and metabolic syndrome (P = 0.520). The frequency of soup consumption was inversely associated with covariate-adjusted body mass index and waist circumference (P<0.05), but not with biomarkers of metabolic syndrome, except for a lower fasting insulin level in frequent soup consumers (P = 0.022). Results from the present study suggest soup consumption is not associated with metabolic syndrome. However, there is an inverse relationship between soup consumption and body weight status in US adults, which support laboratory studies showing a potential benefit of soup consumption for body weight management.

Effect of lycopene supplementation on oxidative stress: an exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Lycopene is a potentially useful compound for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Studies on the effects of lycopene on oxidative stress offer insights into its mechanism of action and provide evidence-based rationale for its supplementation. In this analysis, randomized controlled trials of the effects of oral lycopene supplementation on any valid outcomes of oxidative stress were identified and pooled through a search of international journal databases and reference lists of relevant publications. Two reviewers extracted data from each of the identified studies. Only studies of sufficient quality were included. Twelve parallel trials and one crossover trial were included in the systematic review, and six trials provided data for quantitative meta-analysis. Our results indicate that lycopene supplementation significantly decreases the DNA tail length, as determined using comet assays, with a mean difference (MD) of -6.27 [95% confidence interval (CI) -10.74, -1.90] (P=.006) between the lycopene intervention groups and the control groups. Lycopene supplementation does not significantly prolong the lag time of low-density lipoprotein (MD 3.76 [95% CI -2.48, 10.01]; P=.24). Lycopene possibly alleviates oxidative stress; however, biomarker research for oxidative stress needs be more consistent with the outcomes in lycopene intervention trials for disease prevention.

Carotenoids and chronic diseases

Chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases are the major causes of deaths in North America. Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables has been suggested to have protective effects against such chronic diseases. Carotenoids are important plant pigments which are thought to contribute towards the beneficial effects of fruit and vegetable consumption. This review focuses on the role of carotenoids and particularly lycopene in chronic diseases.