Fruit consumption and cardiometabolic risk in the PREDIMED-plus study: A cross-sectional analysis

Lifestyle and Quality of Life of Women with Diagnosed Hypothyroidism in the Context of Metabolic Disorders

The lifestyle causes of metabolic disorders in patients with hypothyroidism should be investigated. We aimed to assess the lifestyle and quality of life of women diagnosed with hypothyroidism and search for the presence of differences between the lifestyle and quality of life of women with and without diagnosed lipid metabolism disorders. This study included 311 women. To assess the differences between the groups with and without metabolic disorders, a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was performed. Of the products that were potentially beneficial for health, statistically significant differences in the average frequency of consumption were observed for legume seeds (p = 0.014), and of the products potentially unbeneficial for health, the frequencies of consumption of fried dishes (p = 0.016) and fast-food products (p = 0.001) were significant. Only 11.9% rated their free-time physical activity as high. The quality of life was significantly different between the groups. The lifestyle was moderately appropriate. Compared with women with lipid metabolism disorders, women without them exhibited a higher frequency of correct dietary behaviors regarding the consumption of products with a potentially beneficial effect and sleeping duration. Women without lipid metabolism disorders had a better quality of life. Women with hypothyroidism should be educated about the beneficial aspects of the regular consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish and sleeping for the optimal amount of time.

Association between Polyphenol Intake and Lipid Profile of Adults and Elders in a Northeastern Brazilian Capital

This research was aimed at evaluating the relationship between the estimated polyphenol intake and the atherogenic lipid profile in adult and elder residents in the city of Teresina, located in the Northeastern Region of Brazil. This study was a cross-sectional population-based survey with 501 adults and elders, conducted in Teresina, Brazil. Food intake was obtained by 24-h food recall. The estimated polyphenol intake was calculated by multiplying the food consumption data from the recall by the polyphenol content in the foods described in the Phenol-Explorer database. The mean intake of total polyphenols was 1006.53 mg/day. The phenolic acids was the class with the highest intake, followed by the flavonols. Coffee, beans and apples were the main foods contributing to the total polyphenol intake. In the individuals with elevated serum concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides, the intake of total polyphenols was significantly higher. The intake of total polyphenols, phenolic acids and lignans was higher in the subjects with dyslipidemia. This article provides, for the first time, data on the intake of the total polyphenol classes and subclasses in the evaluated population and the relationship with the lipid profile. The individuals with a higher intake of total polyphenols had a worse lipid profile, which may be a consequence of an improved diet in those individuals who present with dyslipidemia.

Regulator of G-Protein Signalling 9: A New Candidate Gene for Sweet Food Liking?

Genetics plays an important role in individual differences in food liking, which influences food choices and health. Sweet food liking is a complex trait and has been associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and related comorbidities. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) aimed to investigate the genetics of sweet food liking using two adult discovery cohorts (n = 1109, n = 373) and an independent replication cohort (n = 1073). In addition, we tested the association of our strongest result on parameters related to behaviour (food adventurousness (FA) and reward dependence (RD) and health status (BMI and blood glucose). The results demonstrate a novel strong association between the Regulator of G-Protein Signalling 9 (RGS9I) gene, strongest single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs58931966 (p-value 7.05 × 10^-9 in the combined sample of discovery and replication), and sweet food liking, with the minor allele (A) being associated with a decreased sweet food liking. We also found that the A allele of the rs58931966 SNP was associated with decreased FA and RD, and increased BMI and blood glucose (p-values < 0.05). Differences were highlighted in sex-specific analysis on BMI and glucose. Our results highlight a novel genetic association with food liking and are indicative of genetic variation influencing the psychological-biological drivers of food preference. If confirmed in other studies, such genetic associations could allow a greater understanding of chronic disease management from both a habitual dietary intake and reward-related perspective.

The Fruit Intake-Adiposity Paradox: Findings from a Peruvian Cross-Sectional Study

Due to the increase in obesity worldwide, international organizations have promoted the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, as part of which fruit consumption stands out. However, there are controversies regarding the role of fruit consumption in mitigating this disease. The objective of the present study was to analyze the association between fruit intake and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in a representative sample of Peruvians. This is an analytical cross-sectional study. Secondary data analysis was conducted using information from the Demographic and Health Survey of Peru (2019-2021). The outcome variables were BMI and WC. The exploratory variable was fruit intake, which was expressed in three different presentations: portion, salad, and juice. A generalized linear model of the Gaussian family and identity link function were performed to obtain the crude and adjusted beta coefficients. A total of 98,741 subjects were included in the study. Females comprised 54.4% of the sample. In the multivariate analysis, for each serving of fruit intake, the BMI decreased by 0.15 kg/m² (β = -0.15; 95% CI -0.24 to -0.07), while the WC was reduced by 0.40 cm (β = -0.40; 95% CI -0.52 to -0.27). A negative association between fruit salad intake and WC was found (β = -0.28; 95% CI -0.56 to -0.01). No statistically significant association between fruit salad intake and BMI was found. In the case of fruit juice, for each glass of juice consumed, the BMI increased by 0.27 kg/m² (β = 0.27; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.40), while the WC increased by 0.40 cm (β = 0.40; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.60). Fruit intake per serving is negatively related to general body adiposity and central fat distribution, while fruit salad intake is negatively related to central distribution adiposity. However, the consumption of fruit in the form of juices is positively associated with a significant increase in BMI and WC.

Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and the risk of metabolic syndrome in taxi drivers: A focus on street food

Background

In South Africa, similar to other populous countries, the taxi industry is an important form of transportation that contributes to the country's development. As a result, minibus taxi driving is an occupation characterized by strenuous activities such as long hours of driving, limited rest, and challenges related to securing passengers, among several others. Consequently, to combat stress, some commercial drivers resort to smoking, overeating unhealthy food sold at transportation interchange areas (i.e., taxi ranks), and participating in sedentary behaviors. Most of these activities are risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Aim

Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors that predispose South African taxi drivers who work in the Cape Town Metropole area to the risk of developing MetS.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used a convenient sampling method that included 185 male minibus taxi drivers aged 20 years or above. The participants were interviewed using a validated questionnaire to gather information regarding their sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle practices. They also underwent physical and metabolic assessments, and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria were used to diagnose people with MetS.

Results

Overall, the mean age and driving experience of the taxi drivers were 40.0 years (SD: 10.7) and 9.1 years (SD: 7.4), respectively, with those with MetS being significantly older and having more driving experience than those without. Older participants were 3 and 2.9 times more likely to be diagnosed with MetS than the younger participants. Most taxi drivers (70%) met the IDF diagnostic criteria for MetS. Smokers, those who spent more than 100 ZAR (USD 5.9) and those who spent less than 1.4 MET-minutes per week on physical activity were 1.96, 2.0, and 13.6 times more likely to suffer from MetS that those who were nonsmokers, those who spent less than 100 ZAR and those who spent <1.4 MET-minutes per week on physical activity. Consumption of alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), as well as takeaway and fried foods, snacks, and sold by the SF vendors, increased the likelihood of developing MetS, abnormal HDL-C, TG, and hypertension, while avoiding takeaway and fried foods decreased this likelihood. Taxi drivers who also avoided consuming fresh fruits had abnormal HDL-C.

Conclusion

These findings have significant public health implications, highlighting the need for South African policymakers to adopt a system-level approach to promote lifestyle changes among taxi drivers within the taxi industry. This can help reduce the health risks faced by these drivers and improve their overall health profile.

Sugar Consumption Pattern among Cardiometabolic Risk Individuals: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

The global prevalence of noncommunicable diseases has risen rapidly over the past decade. Research has focused on dietary management, particularly dietary sugar, to prevent and treat noncommunicable diseases.

OBJECTIVE

This study undertakes a scoping review of research on the impacts of dietary sugar on cardiometabolic related health outcomes.

METHODS

Ovid Medline, Scopus and Web of Science Core collection databases were used to identify papers published from January 1, 2010 onwards. The included studies had to be cross-sectional or cohort studies, peered review, published in English and in adults, aged 18 years old and above. Articles had to determine the impacts of sugar intake on cardiometabolic related health outcomes. Study quality was measured using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-sectional Studies. In addition, a narrative synthesis of extracted information was conducted.

RESULTS

Thirty-one articles were included in this review. All studies had a large sample size, and the exposure measure was clearly defined, valid and applied consistently across all study participants. Exposure was measured using validated questionnaires. All data were statistically analysed and adjusted for critical potential confounding variables. Results showed that dietary sugar intake was significantly associated with metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, and body weight.

CONCLUSION

Dietary sugar intake significantly increased cardiometabolic risks through mechanisms dependent and independent of weight gain. It is essential to create public awareness on the topics of cardiometabolic risk management and dietary sugars intake.

Should We ‘Eat a Rainbow’? An Umbrella Review of the Health Effects of Colorful Bioactive Pigments in Fruits and Vegetables

Health promotion campaigns have advocated for individuals to ‘eat a rainbow’ of fruits and vegetables (FV). However, the literature has only focused on individual color pigments or individual health outcomes. This umbrella review synthesized the evidence on the health effects of a variety of color-associated bioactive pigments found in FV (carotenoids, flavonoids, betalains and chlorophylls), compared to placebo or low intakes. A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL was conducted on 20 October 2021, without date limits. Meta-analyzed outcomes were evaluated for certainty via the GRADE system. Risk of bias was assessed using the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine critical appraisal tools. A total of 86 studies were included, 449 meta-analyzed health outcomes, and data from over 37 million participants were identified. A total of 42% of health outcomes were improved by color-associated pigments (91% GRADE rating very low to low). Unique health effects were identified: n = 6 red, n = 10 orange, n = 3 yellow, n = 6 pale yellow, n = 3 white, n = 8 purple/blue and n = 1 green. Health outcomes associated with multiple color pigments were body weight, lipid profile, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, mortality, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Findings show that color-associated FV variety may confer additional benefits to population health beyond total FV intake.

The Effect of Nutrition on Aging-A Systematic Review Focusing on Aging-Related Biomarkers

Despite the increasing life expectancy, an individual’s later years tends to be accompanied by a decrease in the quality of life. Though biological changes that occur through the natural process of aging cannot be controlled, the risk factors associated with lifestyle can. Thus, the main goal of this systematic review was to evaluate how nutrition can modulate aging. For this purpose, thirty-six studies were selected on (i) the efficiency of nutrition’s effect on aging, (ii) the evaluation of biomarkers that promote healthy aging, and (iii) how to increase longevity through nutrition, and their quality was assessed. The results showed that choosing low carbohydrate diets or diets rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, cereals, fish, and unsaturated fats, containing antioxidants, potassium, and omega-3 decreased cardiovascular diseases and obesity risk, protected the brain from aging, reduced the risk of telomere shortening, and promoted an overall healthier life. With this study, the conclusion is that since the biological processes of aging cannot be controlled, changing one’s nutritional patterns is crucial to prevent the emergence and development of diseases, boost longevity, and, mostly, to enhance one’s quality of life and promote healthy aging.

Simple sugar intake and cancer incidence, cancer mortality and all-cause mortality: A cohort study from the PREDIMED trial

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between intake of simple sugars and cancer incidence, cancer mortality, and total mortality in a prospective cohort study based on the PREDIMED trial conducted from 2003 to 2010.

METHODS

Participants were older individuals at high cardiovascular risk. Exposures were total sugar, glucose and fructose from solid or liquid sources, and fructose from fruit and 100% fruit juice. Cancer incidence was the primary outcome; cancer mortality and all-cause mortality were secondary outcomes. Multivariable-adjusted, time-dependent Cox proportional hazard models were used.

RESULTS

Of 7447 individuals enrolled, 7056 (94.7%) were included (57.6% women, aged 67.0 ± 6.2 years). 534 incident cancers with 152 cancer deaths and 409 all-cause deaths were recorded after a median follow-up of 6 years. Intake of simple sugars in solid form was unrelated to outcomes. Higher cancer incidence was found per 5 g/day increase in intake of liquid sugars, with multivariable-adjusted HR of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.03-1.13) for total liquid sugar, 1.19 (95% CI, 1.07-1.31) for liquid glucose, 1.14 (95% CI, 1.05-1.23) for liquid fructose, and 1.39 (95% CI, 1.10-1.74) for fructose from fruit juice. Cancer and all-cause mortality increased to a similar extent with intake of all sugars in liquid form. In categorical models, cancer risk was dose-related for all liquid sugars.

CONCLUSIONS

Simple sugar intake in drinks and fruit juice was associated with an increased risk of overall cancer incidence and mortality and all-cause mortality. This suggests that sugary beverages are a modifiable risk factor for cancer and all-cause mortality.

GC-MS Metabolic Profile and α-Glucosidase-, α-Amylase-, Lipase-, and Acetylcholinesterase-Inhibitory Activities of Eight Peach Varieties

The inhibition of certain digestive enzymes by target food matrices represents a new approach in the treatment of socially significant diseases. Proving the ability of fruits to inhibit such enzymes can support the inclusion of specific varieties in the daily diets of patients with diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, etc., providing them with much more than just valuable micro- and macromolecules. The current study aimed atidentifying and comparing the GC-MS metabolic profiles of eight peach varieties ("Filina", "Ufo 4, "Gergana", "Laskava", "July Lady", "Flat Queen", "Evmolpiya", and "Morsiani 90") grown in Bulgaria (local and introduced) and to evaluate the inhibitory potential of their extracts towards α-glucosidase, α-amylase, lipase, and acetylcholinesterase. In order to confirm samples' differences or similarities, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were also applied to the identified metabolites. The results provide important insights into the metabolomic profiles of the eight peach varieties and represent a first attempt to characterize the peels of the peach varieties with respect to α-glucosidase-, α-amylase-, lipase-, and acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory activities. All of the studied peach extracts displayed inhibitory activity towards α-glucosidase (IC₅₀: 125-757 mg/mL) and acetylcholinesterase (IC₅₀: 60-739 mg/mL), but none of them affected α-amylase activity. Five of the eight varieties showed inhibitory activity towards porcine pancreatic lipase (IC₅₀: 24-167 mg/mL). The obtained results validate the usefulness of peaches and nectarines as valuable sources of natural agents beneficial for human health, although further detailed investigation should be performed in order to thoroughly identify the enzyme inhibitors responsible for each activity.