The Role of the Japanese Traditional Diet in Healthy and Sustainable Dietary Patterns around the World

The global burden of disease attributable to high body mass index in 204 countries and territories: Findings from 1990 to 2019 and predictions to 2035

AIM

Our study aims to provide an updated estimate of age- and sex-specific deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with high body mass index (BMI) from 1990 to 2019 at the global, regional and national levels, and to forecast the global burden of disease attributed to high BMI from 2020 to 2035.

METHODS

We used the data for the number of deaths, DALYs, age-standardized rate (per 100 000 population), percentage change and population attributable fraction from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019) to examine the disease burden attributable to high BMI. We further applied an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to predict the disease burden for the period 2020-2035.

RESULTS

From 1990 to 2019, the deaths and DALYs attributable to high BMI increased by 148% and 155.86% for men, and by 111.67% and 121.78% for women, respectively. In 2019, high BMI directly accounted for 8.52% [95% uncertainty intervals (UI) 0.05, 0.12] of all-cause deaths and 5.89% (95% UI 0.04, 0.08) of global DALYs. The highest death rates were observed in men aged 65-69 and women aged 75-79. The highest DALY rates were observed in the age group of 60-64 for both sexes. In 2019, the highest age-standardized deaths and DALY rates were observed in the Central Asia region [163.15 (95% UI 107.72, 223.58) per 100 000 people] and the Oceania region [4643.33 (95% UI 2835.66, 6902.6) per 100 000 people], respectively. Fiji [319.08 (95% UI 213.77, 444.96) per 100 000 people] and Kiribati [10 000.58 (95% UI 6266.55, 14159.2) per 100 000 people] had the highest age-standardized deaths and DALY rates, respectively. In 2019, the highest age-standardized rates of high BMI-related deaths and DALYs were observed in the middle-high socio-demographic index quintile and in the middle socio-demographic index quintile. The age-standardized deaths and DALY rates attributable to high BMI are projected to increase in both sexes from 2020 to 2035. The death rates are projected to rise from 62.79 to 64.31 per 100 000 people, while the DALY rates are projected to rise from 1946 to 2099.54 per 100 000 people.

CONCLUSIONS

High BMIs significantly contribute to the global disease burden. The projected rise in deaths and DALY rates attributable to high BMI by 2035 highlights the critical need to address the impact of obesity on public health. Our study provides policymakers with up-to-date and comprehensive information.

Development of a Culinary Intervention (Cooking Class) for Salt Reduction in Japanese Home Cooking: Strategies and Assessment

Introduction

Culinary interventions (cooking classes) are a potential educational tool for salt reduction in the home diet, but their content has never been reported in detail. This study aimed to develop a cooking class for salt reduction, describe its rationale and structure so that other parties could replicate it, and preliminarily assess its impact on salt intake.

Methods

A multidisciplinary research team developed a cooking class package to reduce salt content in the Japanese home diet. The package comprised its developmental policy, teaching methodology, a menu and recipes, and an implementation manual and aimed to allow third parties to replicate and modify the content. The team took the following step-by-step developmental approach. First, traditional home meals were modeled to create strategies contributing to a target of 2 g salt/meal. Then, educational topics were developed through these strategies, and finally, a dietitian produced menus and prepared documents for the class. The impact of the cooking class was assessed in a nonrandomized study of community residents. The outcome was differences in urinary salt excretion before and after the intervention. General linear models were used to account for the possible confounders.

Results

The authors assumed 4-7 g salt/meal from analyzing typical Japanese home diets and developed 3 strategies: (1) restricting salt content in the main dish, (2) maintaining good tastes without salty dishes, and (3) balancing nutrition with low-salt dishes. On the basis of these strategies, the authors selected a total of 5 educational topics that participants could learn and apply at home: 1a, a simple and reliable technique to limit salt in a serving; 2a, excluding salty dishes; 2b, staple foods with notable flavor and aroma; 3a, flavoring without salt in side dishes; and 3b, ingredients that should be used intentionally. The team dietitian translated these educational topics into a menu and recipes for hands-on training and prepared a manual for conducting the class. The class developed using this approach was successfully overseen by a dietitian outside the research team. In the validation study, the intervention group (n=52) showed a greater decrease in urinary salt excretion than the control group (n=46), with an adjusted difference of -1.38 g (p=0.001).

Conclusions

The authors developed a cooking class package for salt reduction so that third parties could replicate and modify the class. The significant salt reduction noted in this study warrants further studies to apply this cooking class to other populations.

Peripheral vascular dysfunction and the aging brain

Aging is the greatest non-modifiable risk factor for most diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Robust evidence indicates that CVD are a strong determinant for reduced brain health and all-cause dementia with advancing age. CVD are also closely linked with peripheral and cerebral vascular dysfunction, common contributors to the development and progression of all types of dementia, that are largely driven by excessive levels of oxidative stress (e.g., reactive oxygen species [ROS]). Emerging evidence suggests that several fundamental aging mechanisms (e.g., "hallmarks" of aging), including chronic low-grade inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence and deregulated nutrient sensing contribute to excessive ROS production and are common to both peripheral and cerebral vascular dysfunction. Therefore, targeting these mechanisms to reduce ROS-related oxidative stress and improve peripheral and/or cerebral vascular function may be a promising strategy to reduce dementia risk with aging. Investigating how certain lifestyle strategies (e.g., aerobic exercise and diet modulation) and/or select pharmacological agents (natural and synthetic) intersect with aging "hallmarks" to promote peripheral and/or cerebral vascular health represent a viable option for reducing dementia risk with aging. Therefore, the primary purpose of this review is to explore mechanistic links among peripheral vascular dysfunction, cerebral vascular dysfunction, and reduced brain health with aging. Such insight and assessments of non-invasive measures of peripheral and cerebral vascular health with aging might provide a new approach for assessing dementia risk in older adults.

Development of a Machine Learning Model for Classifying Cooking Recipes According to Dietary Styles

To complement classical methods for identifying Japanese, Chinese, and Western dietary styles, this study aimed to develop a machine learning model. This study utilized 604 features from 8183 cooking recipes based on a Japanese recipe site. The data were randomly divided into training, validation, and test sets for each dietary style at a 60:20:20 ratio. Six machine learning models were developed in this study to effectively classify cooking recipes according to dietary styles. The evaluation indicators were above 0.8 for all models in each dietary style. The top ten features were extracted from each model, and the features common to three or more models were employed as the best predictive features. Five well-predicted features were indicated for the following seasonings: soy sauce, miso (fermented soy beans), and mirin (sweet cooking rice wine) in the Japanese diet; oyster sauce and doubanjiang (chili bean sauce) in the Chinese diet; and olive oil in the Western diet. Predictions by broth were indicated in each diet, such as dashi in the Japanese diet, chicken soup in the Chinese diet, and consommé in the Western diet. The prediction model suggested that seasonings and broths could be used to predict dietary styles.

Potassium intake: the Cinderella electrolyte

Dietary guidelines recommend intake targets for some essential minerals, based on observational and experimental evidence relating mineral intake levels to health outcomes. For prevention of cardiovascular disease, reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium intake are the principal tools. While reducing sodium intake has received greatest public health priority, emerging evidence suggests that increasing potassium intake may be a more important target for cardiovascular prevention. Increased potassium intake reduces blood pressure and mitigates the hypertensive effects of excess sodium intake, and the recent large Phase III SSaSS trial reported that increasing potassium intake (and reducing sodium intake) in populations with low potassium intake and high sodium intake, through salt substitution (25% KCl, 75%NaCl), reduces the risk of stroke in patients at increased cardiovascular risk. As key sources of potassium intake include fruit, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, higher potassium intake may be associated with healthy dietary patterns. The current review makes the case that increasing potassium intake might represent a more advantageous dietary strategy for prevention of cardiovascular disease. Future research should focus on addressing the independent effect of potassium supplementation in populations with low or moderate potassium intake, and determine effective strategies to increase potassium intake from diet.

Carbon footprint and embodied nutrition evaluation of 388 recipes

Food consumption, which delivers fundamental energy and essential nutrients to human beings, is crucial for achieving a series of sustainable goals. Alongside rising population growth and living standards, there has been a significant increase in food cultivation demands, supply chain complexities, and waste management. Therefore, to protect human health and the environment, promoting sustainable food systems and the uptake of sustainable dietary habits are vital. Yet, information on the environmental and health impact of dietary choices remains inconsistent across multiple evaluation methods, which fail to deliver essential ideas to consumers. In this study, we formulate an integrated approach using Environmentally Extended Input-Output analysis, covering the food supply chain from production to the distribution phase, complemented with a hybrid Life Cycle Assessment for cooking and disposal processes, to quantify the carbon footprint of specific recipes. Our dataset also includes the distinct nutritional values of each recipe. This dataset not only informs the food industry and recipe platforms, enabling more sustainable choices, but also helps individuals balance nutritional value with environmental impact, leading to more informed and sustainable dietary decisions.

Association of breakfast styles such as Japanese, Western, and cereals with sleeping habits, eating habits, and lifestyle in preschool and elementary school children

Introduction

In Japan, breakfast styles are categorized into five groups; Japanese breakfast (JB; rice and miso soup), Western breakfast (WB; bread and milk), Japanese-Western breakfast (J-WB; alternative daily serving), cereal breakfast (CB), and breakfast skipping. In our recent studies, breakfast style was highly associated with the daily sleep-wake phase (chronotype), and healthy eating habits. In contrast with other breakfast style consumers, JB-consumers were positively associated with the morning chronotype and healthy eating habits such as a high consumption of a variety of protein sources, vegetables, and dietary fibers, and low consumption of sweetened juices. These previous studies included only adult participants; hence, in the current study, we investigated whether similar observations can be made in children.

Methods

Preschool (aged 3-5 years) and elementary school children (6-8 years) (N = 6,104, 49.87% boys, 50.13% girls, mean body mass index 15.39 ± 0.03 kg/m² for preschoolers and percentage of overweight -2.73 ± 0.22 for elementary school children) participated in this cross-sectional online survey on lifestyle, including eating and sleep habits, through their mother's responses.

Results

The results showed that the morning-evening type index values (chronotype indicator, smaller indicates morning type) were negatively correlated with JB intake (-0.05, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with WB (0.03, p < 0.05) and CB intake (0.06, p < 0.01), suggesting that the JB group exhibited the morning chronotype and the WB and CB groups exhibited the evening chronotype. The JB group consumed a variety of protein sources (mean ± SE; days/week) with more frequency (fish 2.95 ± 0.038 p < 0.001, soy 3.55 ± 0.043 p < 0.001, egg 3.82 ± 0.044 p < 0.001) compared with the WB group (fish 2.58 ± 0.033, soy 3.00 ± 0.038, egg 3.49 ± 0.039). On the other hand, the JB group consumed snacks (5.48 ± 0.042 p < 0.001) and sweetened juice (2.50 ± 0.050 p < 0.001) less frequently than the WB group (snacks; 5.80 ± 0.037 and sweetened juice; 2.74 ± 0.049).

Discussion

JB-eating children with a morning chronotype exhibited better sleep and eating habits than WB-eating children with an evening type pattern. The results suggest that JB eating habits may be associated with good eating and sleeping lifestyles, even among preschool and elementary school children.

Current dietary intake of the Japanese population in reference to the planetary health diet-preliminary assessment

Introduction

We sought to assess the Japanese diet by examining the current dietary intake in Japan using the global reference diet from the EAT-Lancet Commission (Planetary Health Diet; PHD), from the perspective of protein intake in different age groups.

Methods

Average dietary intake by food group in the Japan National Health and Nutrition Survey 2019 (NHNS 2019) was converted to the PHD food groups, and the diet gap (DG) (%) of the global reference of the PHD was calculated by age group.

Results

Although the DG of the intake was excessive compared with the global reference of the PHD in most food groups in all age groups (7.1-416%), the intake exceeded the upper limit of the range only for red meat (640%). Red meat had the highest DG among subjects in their 40s, although the DG decreased with increasing age. Protein intake was within the possible range and did not greatly exceed the recommended dietary intake in the Japanese standard.

Discussion

The current Japanese diet contains an excessive intake of red meat in terms of the global reference of the PHD. This trend is similar to that previously reported in various western regions and countries. However, the Japanese diet does not significantly exceed the recommended protein intake for Japanese people, suggesting that the PHD is an environmentally friendly and healthy choice for younger and older age groups in an aging Japanese society. Policy makers need to develop sustainable and healthy food-based dietary guidelines in addition to providing food and nutrition education and developing a food environment that encourages sustainable and healthy choices to support dietary change.

Development of a Diet Quality Score for Japanese and Comparison With Existing Diet Quality Scores Regarding Inadequacy of Nutrient Intake

BACKGROUND

Few studies have explored optimal diet quality scores in Japan.

OBJECTIVES

We developed a Diet Quality Score for Japanese (DQSJ) and examined the associations of DQSJ and existing diet quality scores with inadequacy of nutrient intake in Japanese adults.

METHODS

Candidate components of the DQSJ were extracted from well-established diet quality scores: Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), Alternate Mediterranean Diet score (AMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). From candidates, we selected the components of the DQSJ, considering potential health effects of the components (from the Global Burden of Disease Study) and dietary intake in Japan. The DQSJ included 10 components: fruits, vegetables, whole grain, dairy, nuts, legumes, fish, red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and sodium. We calculated the DQSJ, HEI-2015, AHEI-2010, AMED, DASH, and Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top score (JFGST) based on 4-d dietary records of 392 Japanese aged 20-69 y. Inadequate intakes of 21 nutrients were assessed using the DRIs for Japanese. Logistic regression was used to examine the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake according to quartiles of the scores.

RESULTS

All examined scores except the JFGST were moderately to strongly correlated with each other (Spearman correlation coefficients: 0.52-0.84). They were inversely associated with the prevalence of inadequate intake of most nutrients (n = 16 for DQSJ and HEI-2015, n = 13 for AHEI-2010 and DASH, n = 17 for AMED, compared with n = 4 for JFGST). AMED was also positively associated with the prevalence of inadequate sodium intake, whereas no such associations were observed for the other scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar to HEI-2015, AHEI-2010, and DASH, the DQSJ was generally associated with the low prevalence of inadequate intake of most nutrients in Japanese adults. Further evaluations against biomarkers and health outcomes are warranted.

Distinct dietary risk factors for incident osteoporotic fractures in early and late postmenopausal phase women

INTRODUCTION

Available evidence on favorable nutritional factors for preventing osteoporosis remains controversial. Considering the recent increases in life expectancy, we investigated the relationship between incident osteoporotic fractures and dietary habits in early and late postmenopausal phase women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Subjects were Japanese postmenopausal outpatients recruited at a primary care institution in Nagano Prefecture (Nagano Cohort Study). Patients with critical or acute illness or secondary osteoporosis were not included in this study. In total, 1,071 participants were prospectively followed for a mean of 5.8 years. The cohort was divided into early (≤ 70 years) and late (> 70 years) postmenopausal phases based on median age. Dietary nutrient intake was estimated by the food frequency questionnaire method. According to baseline nutrient intake characteristics, we focused on protein/energy and Ca/NaCl intake ratios, which were also divided by the median values.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier plots revealed a significantly higher occurrence of fractures for the high protein/energy intake group in early postmenopausal subjects (P = 0.009), whereas the low Ca/NaCl intake group in late postmenopausal subjects exhibited a significantly earlier occurrence of fractures (P = 0.002). Multivariate Cox regression uncovered significant independent risks of higher protein/energy (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.04-1.74) and lower Ca/NaCl (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.63-0.99) intake ratios for incident osteoporotic fractures in the early and late postmenopausal cohorts, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Distinct dietary risk factors for osteoporotic fractures were identified in early and late postmenopausal phase women. Appropriate nutritional guidance according to patient age will be important for maintaining bone health and quality of life.

Metabolically Healthy Obesity: Are Interventions Useful?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to detail the current global research state of metabolically healthy obesogenesis with regard to metabolic factors, disease prevalence, comparisons to unhealthy obesity, and targeted interventions to reverse or delay progression from metabolically healthy to unhealthy obesity.

RECENT FINDINGS

As a long-term condition with increased risk of cardiovascular, metabolic, and all-cause mortality risks, obesity threatens public health on a national level. The recent discovery of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), a transitional condition during which obese persons carry comparatively lower health risks, has added to confusion about the true effect of visceral fat and subsequent long-term health risks. In this context, the evaluation of fat loss interventions, such as bariatric surgery, lifestyle changes (diet/exercise), and hormonal therapies require re-evaluation in light of evidence that progression to high-risk stages of obesity relies on metabolic status and that strategies to protect the metabolism may be useful in the prevention of metabolically unhealthy obesity. Typical calorie-based exercise and diet interventions have failed to reduce the prevalence of unhealthy obesity. Holistic lifestyle, psychological, hormonal, and pharmacological interventions for MHO, on the other hand, may at least prevent progression to metabolically unhealthy obesity.

Dietary patterns and cardiometabolic health: Clinical evidence and mechanism

For centuries, the search for nutritional interventions to underpin cardiovascular treatment and prevention guidelines has contributed to the rapid development of the field of dietary patterns and cardiometabolic disease (CMD). Numerous studies have demonstrated that healthy dietary patterns with emphasis on food-based recommendations are the gold standard for extending lifespan and reducing the risks of CMD and mortality. Healthy dietary patterns include various permutations of energy restriction, macronutrients, and food intake patterns such as calorie restriction, intermittent fasting, Mediterranean diet, plant-based diets, etc. Early implementation of healthy dietary patterns in patients with CMD is encouraged, but an understanding of the mechanisms by which these patterns trigger cardiometabolic benefits remains incomplete. Hence, this review examined several dietary patterns that may improve cardiometabolic health, including restrictive dietary patterns, regional dietary patterns, and diets based on controlled macronutrients and food groups, summarizing cutting-edge evidence and potential mechanisms for CMD prevention and treatment. Particularly, considering individual differences in responses to dietary composition and nutritional changes in organ tissue diversity, we highlighted the critical role of individual gut microbiota in the crosstalk between diet and CMD and recommend a more precise and dynamic nutritional strategy for CMD by developing dietary patterns based on individual gut microbiota profiles.

The flavor-enhancing action of glutamate and its mechanism involving the notion of kokumi

The sodium salt of glutamic acid, or monosodium glutamate (MSG), has two effects in foods: one is to induce a unique taste called umami, which is one of the five basic tastes, and the other is to make food palatable (i.e., flavor-enhancing or seasoning effects). However, the mechanism behind how MSG makes food more palatable remains poorly understood, although many food scientists seem to believe that the umami taste itself plays an important role. Here, we propose an alternative notion regarding this topic based on previous and recent studies. When added to complex food compositions, MSG facilitates the binding of existing kokumi substances to kokumi receptors. In turn, these bound kokumi substances enhance the intensity of umami, sweet, salty, and fatty tastes, resulting in increased palatability accompanied by kokumi flavor, such as thickness, mouthfulness, and continuity. The requisite for sufficient palatability and kokumi flavor is a good balance of umami and kokumi substances. This framework gives a scientifically useful background for providing newly developed foods, including cultured meat and plant-based meat substitutes, with good taste characteristics.

Effects of Differences of Breakfast Styles, Such as Japanese and Western Breakfasts, on Eating Habits

A balanced diet and protein source intake are reportedly good for health. However, many people skip breakfast or have a light breakfast. Thus, this study aimed to examine the influence of breakfast styles on eating habits among Japanese workers, including traditional Japanese-style breakfast (JB), a pattern in which Japanese foods are eaten; Japanese-Western-style breakfast (J-W B), a pattern in which Japanese and Western foods are eaten alternately; Western-style breakfast (WB), a pattern in which Western foods are eaten; and cereal-style breakfast (CB), a pattern in which cereal is eaten. We hypothesized that breakfast style may be related to good eating habits. Data from 4274 respondents (67.97% male, 33.03% female, age 48.12 ± 0.19 years), excluding night shift workers and breakfast absentees out of a total of 5535 respondents, were analyzed. The results suggest that Japanese food is linked to the intake of protein sources such as fish, eggs, and soy. Furthermore, it was suggested that Japanese food breakfast is effective for good eating habits, such as not eating irregular amounts of food, not eating snacks, not drinking sweet juices, and having a balanced diet.

Challenges of diet planning for children using artificial intelligence

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Diet planning in childcare centers is difficult because of the required knowledge of nutrition and development as well as the high design complexity associated with large numbers of food items. Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to provide diet-planning solutions via automatic and effective application of professional knowledge, addressing the complexity of optimal diet design. This study presents the results of the evaluation of the utility of AI-generated diets for children and provides related implications.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We developed 2 AI solutions for children aged 3-5 yrs using a generative adversarial network (GAN) model and a reinforcement learning (RL) framework. After training these solutions to produce daily diet plans, experts evaluated the human- and AI-generated diets in 2 steps.

RESULTS

In the evaluation of adequacy of nutrition, where experts were provided only with nutrient information and no food names, the proportion of strong positive responses to RL-generated diets was higher than that of the human- and GAN-generated diets (P < 0.001). In contrast, in terms of diet composition, the experts' responses to human-designed diets were more positive when experts were provided with food name information (i.e., composition information).

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the development and evaluation of AI to support dietary planning for children. This study demonstrates the possibility of developing AI-assisted diet planning methods for children and highlights the importance of composition compliance in diet planning. Further integrative cooperation in the fields of nutrition, engineering, and medicine is needed to improve the suitability of our proposed AI solutions and benefit children's well-being by providing high-quality diet planning in terms of both compositional and nutritional criteria.

The Harm Inflicted by Polite Concern: Language, Fat, and Stigma

Understanding language as a social action draws attention to the ways in which fat stigmatizing discourses do social harm. Drawing on interviews and experiences situated in Osaka, Japan and north Georgia, US, this paper looks closely at the ways in which fat stigma is expressed across the two sites, both blatantly and through more subtle language use. We identified four key themes in people's narratives around localized ideas about fatness. These themes are: (1) expressed pity or concern for fat people; (2) reported experiences of indirect stigma in public settings; (3) reported experiences of direct stigma in private settings; and (4) robust and repeated associations between fat and other conditions that had locally relevant negative connotations in each site. We further identify the expressed concern and pity articulated in the first theme as a form of cloaked, "dressed up" stigma and as such, we argue that it enacts social harm, especially when it co-occurs with more blatant forms of stigma. Linguistic niceties around caring actually, at least in these contexts, reify symbolic connections between fat bodies and their social failure.

Systematic review of the portion size norm of discretionary foods

CONTEXT

Portion size norm is described as the perception of how much of a given food people choose to eat. Reducing the portion size norm of foods that are high in saturated fat, added sugar, and added salt toward smaller sizes might be a potential strategy to promote appropriate portion size selections. However, an overview of existing portion size norms for discretionary foods has yet to be established.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review was to examine the portion size norm of discretionary foods and assess the methodologies used to investigate the norm.

DATA SOURCES

The literature search was conducted in 6 databases following the PRISMA guidelines (from inception to January 2022).

DATA EXTRACTION

Forty studies were eligible and grouped into 3 categories by portion size norm measures: normal (n = 26), appropriate (n = 8), and preferred portion sizes (n = 3). Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools.

DATA ANALYSIS

A wide range of portion sizes were considered normal for each food type, with means/medians varying from 2- to 4-fold among studies. Studies differed considerably in design, with variables including the setting, food type, food presentation, the manner in which portion-size-related questions were formulated, and the range and number of displayed serving size options. The quality of reviewed studies was mixed (25 studies had low or moderate risk of bias, 15 had high risk of bias), and the method of assessing portion size was not validated in 15 of 33 quantitative studies.

CONCLUSION

The assessment of portion size in future studies should be conducted using tools that are validated for the population of interest so that more definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding portion size norms for discretionary foods.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration number CRD42021249911.

Association of Japanese Breakfast Intake with Macro- and Micronutrients and Morning Chronotype

(1) Background: Dietary intake may have a remarkable effect on sleep because skipping breakfast and having a late dinner affects many sleep parameters. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for children and adults to maintain morning chronotype. We examine whether breakfast style is associated with nutrient intake and sleep factors. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional analysis, with a large sample size of 2671 (766 men and 1805 women aged 20–60 years after data brush-up), was based on data obtained from an online survey. Correlation analysis was performed using Spearman’s rank correlation test. The Kruskal–Wallis’s test followed by post hoc Dunn’s multiple comparison test was used to evaluate the interaction between sleep factors and breakfast categories. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify variables associated with multiple confounding factors. Dietary data were analyzed using approximately one-month average dietary records from the application. The basic characteristics of the participants (age, sex, and BMI) and other lifestyle-related factors (sleep and physical activity) were obtained accordingly. Sleep parameters including the timing of weekday sleep onset, weekday wake-up, weekend (free day) sleep onset, weekend wake-up, sleep, and midpoints of sleep phase were calculated for each participant. We categorized participants’ breakfast types into five groups: (1) Japanese meal, where breakfast may contain Japanese ingredients such as rice; (2) Western meal, where breakfast may contain bread; (3) alternating eating patterns of Japanese and Western meals; (4) cereals and supplements, where breakfast may contain cereals or supplements and energy bars; and (5) skipped breakfast (no breakfast). (3) Results: The midpoint values of the sleep phase on weekends adjusted for sleep debt on work days (MSFsc) related to chronotype were higher in women, suggesting that they may prefer eveningness. Participants with obesity, young age, and low physical activity preferred eveningness with longer sleep durations. Intake of Japanese-style breakfast was significantly associated with early wake-up time on both weekdays and weekends. Cereal-style breakfast intake was significantly associated with late wake-up on both weekdays and weekends. Intake of macronutrients such as protein, fat, carbohydrate, and sodium at breakfast time was positively and strongly associated with the intake of Japanese breakfast, whereas macronutrients were negatively associated with the intake of cereal breakfast. Among micronutrients, vitamin K was positively correlated with Japanese breakfast and negatively correlated with cereal breakfast; (4) Conclusions: Japanese-style breakfast is associated not only with morning preference but also with high intake of macro- and micronutrients.

Nutrient Profiling of Japanese Dishes: The Development of a Novel Ajinomoto Group Nutrient Profiling System

Government agencies and private companies have supported the development of nutrient profiling (NP) systems to facilitate the selection of nutrient-dense foods by consumers, promote nutritious food development, and limit excessive advertising of products with low nutritional value. While most NP models were developed to assess individual foods, the Ajinomoto Group Nutrient Profiling System (ANPS) was developed to assess the overall nutritional value of cooked dishes that are culturally specific to Japan. Based on the national dietary recommendations and nutritional surveys, target values were created for 13 dish categories, while considering the combinations of meal units. For the ANPS, the four evaluating elements were protein and vegetables, which should be encouraged, and sodium and saturated fatty acids, which should be limited. The ANPS algorithm for dishes was the sum of the scores of individual elements, with a maximum of 10 points per serving. The sum of scores was then multiplied by 2.5 to convert to the 100-point scale. Convergent validity was tested using the nutrient-rich food index (NRF) score of 6.3. In total, 1,089 popular Japanese dishes were evaluated using the ANPS, and the median score of ANPS was 70.0 points (interquartile range, 55–78.8), and the average score was 67.7 (standard deviation, 16.5) points. Since salt intake is a major health risk in Japan, this tool was designed to evaluate sodium content with high sensitivity, and low-salt dishes significantly improved sodium and ANPS scores compared with regular dishes. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the total score of NRF 6.3 and ANPS in 1,089 dishes was r = 0.452 (p < 0.0001). This newly developed ANPS could be used to evaluate culture-specific cooked dishes per serving size. It can determine the nutritional values of dishes, with a high sensitivity to sodium content, a major Japanese nutritional issue. Further research is needed to determine the accuracy and usefulness of the ANPS as a system that would lead to changes in eating behavior nationwide.

Natural Food for Sarcopenia: A Narrative Review

Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterised by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Proper nutrition is essential for management of sarcopenia. Thus, this article aims to review the association between dietary pattern or food groups consisting of natural food and sarcopenia. A literature search was performed using four databases namely PubMed, Scopus, Sage and ScienceDirect. The search terms used were 'fruits', 'vegetables', 'egg', 'fish', 'chicken', 'protein food', 'ulam', 'fresh herbs', 'sarcopenia', 'elderly and 'older adults'. A total of 18 studies were included in the final review. Adherence to Mediterranean and Japanese dietary pattern were associated with lower prevalence of sarcopenia whereas Western dietary pattern was significantly associated with higher risk of sarcopenia. For food groups, there is a significant association between dietary protein intake and sarcopenia. There are also significant associations between the intake of vegetables, fruits or both vegetables and fruits, and lower risk of sarcopenia. Consumption of natural food comprising of high-quality protein, fruits and vegetables have been associated with protection against muscle wasting and sarcopenia. Therefore, it is possible that a well-planned diet may works just as effectively as or possibly better than individual nutrient supplements for the prevention and treatment for sarcopenia among older adults.

Analysis of Physiological Variations and Genetic Architecture for Photosynthetic Capacity of Japanese Soybean Germplasm

The culmination of conventional yield improving parameters has widened the margin between food demand and crop yield, leaving the potential yield productivity to be bridged by the manipulation of photosynthetic processes in plants. Efficient strategies to assess photosynthetic capacity in crops need to be developed to identify suitable targets that have the potential to improve photosynthetic efficiencies. Here, we assessed the photosynthetic capacity of the Japanese soybean mini core collection (GmJMC) using a newly developed high-throughput photosynthesis measurement system "MIC-100" to analyze physiological mechanisms and genetic architecture underpinning photosynthesis. K-means clustering of light-saturated photosynthesis (A_sat ) classified GmJMC accessions into four distinct clusters with Cluster2 comprised of highly photosynthesizing accessions. Genome-wide association analysis based on the variation of A_sat revealed a significant association with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on chromosome 17. Among the candidate genes related to photosynthesis in the genomic region, variation in expression of a gene encoding G protein alpha subunit 1 (GPA1) showed a strong correlation (r = 0.72, p < 0.01) with that of A_sat . Among GmJMC accessions, GmJMC47 was characterized by the highest A_sat , stomatal conductance (g_s ), stomatal density (S_Density ), electron transfer rate (ETR), and light use efficiency of photosystem II (Fv'/Fm') and the lowest non-photochemical quenching [NPQ(t)], indicating that GmJMC47 has greater CO₂ supply and efficient light-harvesting systems. These results provide strong evidence that exploration of plant germplasm is a useful strategy to unlock the potential of resource use efficiencies for photosynthesis.

Renal health benefits of sustainable diets in Japan: a review

Global warming may reduce food production and force people to adopt dietary habits of inadequate quantity or quality. Such dietary habits could trigger chronic kidney disease through inappropriate nutrition or lifestyle diseases. Livestock farming and other types of food production are responsible for many greenhouse gases. These problems are being emphasized as a diet-environment-health trilemma to be addressed on a global scale, with various methods being proposed toward its resolution. Diets like plant-based and low-protein diets not only potentially prevent the progression of chronic kidney disease, but are also rational from an environmental preservation perspective. Evidence from Japan on resolutions for this trilemma is sparse, but one concrete proposal is the use of traditional Japanese diets like washoku, the Okinawa diet, and the traditional Buddhist diet. However, traditional Japanese diets also have several problems, such as excessive salt content and caloric deficiencies, and need to be modified and incorporated into the current lifestyle. The progression of chronic kidney disease needs to be prevented with appropriate dietary treatment and environmental friendly manner.

Burden of All Cancers Along With Attributable Risk Factors in China From 1990 to 2019: Comparison With Japan, European Union, and USA

Background

Understanding the epidemiological characteristics of various cancers can optimize the prevention and control strategies in the national cancer control plan. This study aimed to report the burden differences, pattern trend, and potential risk factors of all neoplasm types in China in recent 30 years, and further compared with top economies in the world.

Methods

The disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) of all neoplasms with the attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2019 in China, Japan, European Union, USA, and the world were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The temporal trend analysis was estimated using the joinpoint regression model.

Results

In 2019, about 251.4 million DALYs worldwide were caused by all neoplasms, and nearly 26.9% (67.5 million DALYs) occurred in China with the ASDR in 2019 of 342.09/10 000, which was higher than European Union (334.25/10 000), USA (322.94/10 000), and Japan (250.36/10 000). Although the cancer burden of the colorectum, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, oral cavity, ovary, and kidney in China was lower than in Japan, European Union and USA, the corresponding ASDR gradually increased in China over the past 30 years, but declined in the three developed areas. Around 46.29% of overall neoplasms DALYs in China in 2019 were attributed to 22 identified risk factors, and the specific risk attributable-fraction for several neoplasm types varied greatly in these regions.

Conclusion

The ASDR of cancers of the lung, colorectum, pancreas, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, oral cavity, ovary, kidney, and chronic lymphoid leukemia increased in China compared to 30 years ago. With the population aging and the social transformation in China, the increasing burden of neoplasms and the changing spectrum of neoplasms suggest that effective comprehensive prevention and treatment measures should be adopted to reduce the burden, including public health education, strict tobacco-control policy, healthier lifestyles, along with expanding vaccination programs and early cancer screening.

Dietary Patterns vs. Dietary Recommendations

Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) are important for developing labeling laws, identifying populations at risk of over- or under-consumption, and promoting public health interventions. However, the process of developing DRVs is quite complex, and they should not be viewed as recommendations ready to use or goals for individuals. Rather, they require interpretation by professionals and can form the basis of dietary advice. On the other hand, focusing on foods rather than macronutrients can assist individuals in understanding a healthy diet by taking into consideration many variables that may help compliance with a healthy dietary style. Evolution, tradition within specific geographical and historical contexts, taste, economic affordability, season-associated local dietary resources, and lifestyle may all explain the increasing popularity of dietary patterns that are highly successful today. Three models (the Mediterranean, New Nordic, and Japanese) have been recently characterized for geographical setting and food composition, as well as the associated lifestyle. Of note, all these three models rely on pyramids sharing a large basis made up of local vegetal resources and a top of red meats (allowed in many cases, but in limited amounts), thus allowing for the urgent demand of sustainability for the planet's health. This mini-review aimed to summarize the meaning of DRVs and to describe the dietary patterns that better contemplate health, diet diversity, and sustainability.

Food and nutrient intake in dietary supplement users: a nationwide school-based study in Japan

Dietary supplements can be used to compensate for an inadequate diet. However, some studies indicate that supplement users consume healthier diets than non-users, although such data are lacking in Japanese children. The aim of the present study was to investigate the food and nutrient intake of dietary supplement users among school-aged children in Japan. A nationwide school dietary survey was conducted at fourteen elementary schools and thirteen junior high schools in twelve prefectures in Japan. Three-day non-consecutive semi-weighed dietary records were obtained on two weekdays and one weekend day. Analysis of covariance was performed to investigate differences in food and nutrient intake from meals consumed at school and outside of school between dietary supplement users and non-users, adjusted for socio-demographic and health-related characteristics. Of the 910 children included in this analysis, 80 (8⋅8 %) reported supplement use. Based on 3-d dietary records, dietary supplement users consumed higher mean amounts of oils and lower amounts of fruits and vegetables than non-users. In school lunches, users consumed significantly higher amounts of oils and lower amounts of protein than non-users. In meals consumed outside of school, dietary supplement users consumed significantly higher amounts of confectioneries and lower amounts of fruits and vegetables, folate, vitamin C and dietary fibre than non-users. Collectively, our findings indicate that dietary supplement users consumed less healthy diets than non-users. Additional studies are warranted to confirm these results and identify factors contributing to poorer dietary habits in supplement users.

Analysis of the molecular mechanism of inosine monophosphate deposition in Jingyuan chicken muscles using a proteomic approach

Inosine monophosphate (IMP) is an indicator of meat taste, and the molecular mechanism underlying IMP deposition in muscle tissues is important to developing superior poultry breeds. The aim of this study was to identify the key proteins regulating IMP deposition in different muscle groups of 180-day-old Jingyuan chickens (Hen) using a proteomics-based approach. We identified 1,300 proteins in the muscle tissues of Jingyuan chickens, of which 322 were differentially expressed between the breast and leg muscles (129 proteins were highly expressed in breast muscles and 193 proteins were highly expressed in leg muscles). PGM1, PKM2, AK1, AMPD1, and PurH/ATIC were among the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) involved in the purine metabolism pathway, of which purH was highly expressed in leg muscles, while the others were highly expressed in breast muscles. The proteomics screening results were verified by PRM, qPCR, and western blotting, showing consistency with the proteomics results. Our findings are not only significant in terms of protecting the Jingyuan chicken germplasm resources, but also provide the molecular basis for generating high-quality broiler chicken breeds.

Comparison of patient characteristics between East Asian and non-East Asian patients with insulin autoimmune syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is the third most common cause of spontaneous hypoglycaemia in Japan but very rare in the rest of the world. We aimed to identify factors, which are associated with the occurrence of IAS and which may differ between East Asian and non-East Asian patients.

DESIGN

A PubMed search using the search terms 'insulin autoimmune syndrome' and 'Hirata disease' revealed a total of 287 reports of IAS cases, including one previously unpublished own case.

RESULTS

Mean age (±standard deviation) was 52 ± 19 years in East Asian and 54 ± 21 years in non-East Asian patients (p > .05). In both groups, there were more females. Mean body mass index was lower in East Asian than in non-East Asian patients (23.0 ± 4.3 vs. 27.1 ± 5.6 kg/m² , p < .0001). Postprandial hypoglycaemia was more common in non-East Asian patients (p < .05). East Asian patients took more frequently antithyroid medications and non-East Asian patients angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (both p < .0001). Graves' disease and other autoimmune diseases were more frequently observed in East Asian patients (both p < .01). Parameters of glucose metabolism were comparable in both groups, independent of diabetes diagnosis (p > .05), except for insulin that was higher in East Asian compared to non-East Asian metabolically healthy patients (p < .01). Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*0406 was the most frequent HLA-type in East Asian patients (p < .0001), whereas DRB1*0403 and *0404 were more frequent in non-East Asian patients (both p < .05). Non-East Asian patients received more secondary treatments, including plasmapheresis and rituximab, whereas medication discontinuation was more common in East Asian patients (all p < .05). Outcome was similar in both groups (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Factors associated with IAS markedly differ between East Asian and non-East Asian patients, with autoimmune disorders, particularly Graves' disease, antithyroid medications, and HLA-DRB1*0406 more prevalent in East Asian patients and cardiovascular and plasma cell diseases, ACE inhibitors and HLA-DRB1*0403 more prevalent in non-East Asian patients.

Salt intake per dish in the Japanese diet: a clue to help establish dietary goals at home

The salt intake of Japanese at home remains high. To aid in salt reduction and encourage a balanced diet, we conducted a cross-sectional study using data from a previous clinical trial in community-dwelling individuals to evaluate major salt sources and relationships among the intake of different dishes in the Japanese diet at home. Dietary records and urinary salt excretion measurements were performed daily for 1 month in seventy-nine participants. The records were classified into six grain dish categories as staple dishes, seven side dish categories and a snack category. Regression analyses were used to estimate (1) salt intake per meal for each category of grain dish, (2) salt intake per dish from each dish category and its contribution to the total salt intake and (3) the influence of grain dish selection on the frequencies of other dishes. Salt intake per meal was approximately 3 g, regardless of grain dish selection. Fish and meat dishes showed the largest contribution to the total salt intake (35 %), followed by vegetable dishes (19 %). The intake of fish or meat and vegetables was promoted by plain rice and reduced by ramen noodles. The intake of dairy products was only promoted by bread, while that of fruits was not influenced by any grain dish category. These results suggest simple strategies to reduce salt intake while maintaining dietary balance, such as eating plain rice more often and using less salt to cook meat/fish and vegetable dishes.

Increased salt intake is associated with diabetes and characteristic dietary habits: a community-based cross-sectional study in Japan

We investigated the association of salt intake with lifestyle-related diseases and also the association of habitually consumed foods with salt intake. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from a baseline survey of 2,129 residents of Yonezawa city (980 males and 1,149 females), Yamagata prefecture. The residents were divided into three groups based on their estimated daily salt intake: low, medium, and high. In both genders, the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes increased in the order of high > medium > low salt intake (trend p<0.001). Similar trends were observed in the prevalence of hyperlipidemia in females and metabolic syndrome in males. The prevalence of diabetes in the high salt intake group was significantly higher than that in the control group (matched from the low and medium salt intake groups), even when confounding factors were excluded by propensity score matching (p<0.01). Network analysis showed that the low salt intake group had a greater tendency to habitually consume various vegetables than the high salt intake group. Our findings reveal that the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases increased with higher salt intake. We speculate that a dietary shift to multiple vegetable consumption could have salt-lowering effects.

Comparison and recommendation of dietary patterns based on nutrients for Eastern and Western patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a non-specific chronic idiopathic inflammatory condition of the digestive system, requires lifelong treatment in which drugs are the mainstay, along with surgery when necessary. In adjuvant therapies, the diet is considered to be an essential, controllable, and economical component. However, the majority of recent nutrition research has focused on the general effects of nutrients on IBD, with little attention given to the advantages and negative aspects of individual foods and dietary combinations. To cover these shortcomings, we surveyed the benefits and drawbacks of typical foods and their chemical compositions on intestinal pathophysiology by comparing nutrients existing in the foods in Eastern and Western countries. Moreover, for Eastern and Western patients with IBD, we innovatively propose a 3-step dietary recommendation based on modified customary eating habits, including lowering the triggering foods, modifying dietary advice to control disease progression, and improving surgery prognosis.

Equivalent servings of free-range reindeer promote greater net protein balance compared to commercial beef

Wild game consumption has been associated with health benefits but the acute influence on human protein metabolism remains unknown. We compared feeding-induced responses of equivalent amounts of free-range reindeer (FR) and commercial beef (CB) on protein kinetics using stable isotope methodology. Seven participants (age: 40 ± 14 years; body mass index: 24 ± 3 kg/m2) completed two randomised studies, ingesting 2 oz of FR or CB. L-[ring 2H5]phenylalanine & L-[ring 2H2]tyrosine were delivered via primed, continuous intravenous infusion. Blood samples were collected during the basal period and following consumption of FR or CB. Feeding-induced changes in whole-body protein synthesis (PS), protein breakdown (PB), and net protein balance (NB) were determined via plasma sample isotope enrichment analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; plasma essential amino acid (EAA) concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry. Plasma post-prandial EAA concentrations were higher with FR compared to CB (P < 0.05). The acute feeding-induced PS response was not different, but PB was reduced and contributed to a superior level of NB (P < 0.00001) in FR compared to CB. Our results demonstrate that FR may influence more favourable protein metabolism than CB. These data support potential health benefits of wild game onf whole-body protein.Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index; DIAAS: digestible indispensable amino acid score; CB: commercial beef; EAA: essential amino acids; FR: free-range reindeer; Ra: rate of appearance; UAF: University of Alaska Fairbanks; USDA: USA Department of Agriculture.

Temporal trend of gastric cancer burden along with its risk factors in China from 1990 to 2019, and projections until 2030: comparison with Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia

Background

Identifying and projecting the epidemiological burden of gastric cancer (GC) can optimize the control strategies, especially in high-burden areas.

Methods

We collected incidence, deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR), age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) of GC from 1990 to 2019 in China, Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) was calculated to quantify the temporal trends, and the projection was estimated by applying the Bayesian age-period-cohort model.

Results

In China, the ASIR of GC declined slightly from 37.56/100000 in 1990 to 30.64/100000 in 2019 (AAPC of − 0.41), while the declines of ASMR and ASDR were pronounced (AAPC of − 1.68 and − 1.98, respectively), which were weaker than Japan and South Korea. Although the age-standardized rates of gastric cancer in most countries have declined overall in the past 30 years, the downward trend in the last 4 years has become flattened. Smoking remained one main contributor to DALYs of GC in China, Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia, with more than 24%. The contribution from high-sodium diet was similar between men and women, and kept relatively stable over the three decades. The predicted ASMRs among the four East Asian countries continued to decline until 2030, but the absolute deaths would still increase significantly, especially in South Korea and Mongolia.

Conclusions

Although the age-standardized rates of GC in most countries have declined, the absolute burden of GC in the world, especially in China and Mongolia, is on the rise gradually. Low socio-demographic index and aging along with Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, and high-salt diet were the main risk factors of GC occurrence and should be paid more attention.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40364-021-00340-6.

With a Hint of Sudachi: Food Plating Can Facilitate the Fondness of Food

Among the senses of food, our subjective sense of taste is significantly influenced by our visual perception. In appetite science, previous research has reported that when we estimate quality in daily life, we rely considerably on visual information. This study focused on the multimodal mental imagery evoked by the visual information of food served on a plate and examined the effect of the peripheral visual information of garnish on the sensory impression of the main dish. A sensory evaluation experiment was conducted to evaluate the impressions of food photographs, and multivariate analysis was used to structure sensory values. It was found that the appearance of the garnish placed on the plates close to the main dish contributes to visual appetite stimulants. It is evident that color, moisture, and taste (sourness and spiciness) play a major role in the acceptability of food. To stimulate one's appetite, it is important to make the main dish appear warm. These results can be used to modulate the eating experience and stimulate appetite. Applying these results to meals can improve the dining experience by superimposing visual information with augmented reality technology or by presenting real appropriate garnishes.

Unique Habitual Food Intakes in the Gut Microbiota Cluster Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This cross-sectional study aimed to clarify the characteristic gut microbiota of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) using t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding analysis and the k-means method and to clarify the relationship with background data, including dietary habits. The gut microbiota data of 383 patients with T2DM and 114 individuals without T2DM were classified into red, blue, green, and yellow groups. The proportions of patients with T2DM in the red, blue, green, and yellow groups was 86.8% (112/129), 69.8% (81/116), 76.3% (90/118), and 74.6% (100/134), respectively; the red group had the highest prevalence of T2DM. There were no intergroup differences in sex, age, or body mass index. The red group had higher percentages of the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus genera and lower percentages of the Blautia and Phascolarctobacterium genera. Higher proportions of patients with T2DM in the red group used α-glucosidase inhibitors and glinide medications and had a low intake of fermented soybean foods, including miso soup, than those in the other groups. The gut microbiota pattern of the red group may indicate characteristic changes in the gut microbiota associated with T2DM in Japan. These results also suggest that certain diabetes drugs and fermented foods may be involved in this change. Further studies are needed to confirm the relationships among traditional dietary habits, the gut microbiota, and T2DM in Japan.

Nutraceuticals and Cancer: Potential for Natural Polyphenols

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, associated with multifactorial pathophysiological components. In particular, genetic mutations, infection or inflammation, unhealthy eating habits, exposition to radiation, work stress, and/or intake of toxins have been found to contribute to the development and progression of cancer disease states. Early detection of cancer and proper treatment have been found to enhance the chances of survival and healing, but the side effects of anticancer drugs still produce detrimental responses that counteract the benefits of treatment in terms of hospitalization and survival. Recently, several natural bioactive compounds were found to possess anticancer properties, capable of killing transformed or cancerous cells without being toxic to their normal counterparts. This effect occurs when natural products are associated with conventional treatments, thereby suggesting that nutraceutical supplementation may contribute to successful anticancer therapy. This review aims to discuss the current literature on four natural bioactive extracts mostly characterized by a specific polyphenolic profile. In particular, several activities have been reported to contribute to nutraceutical support in anticancer treatment: (1) inhibition of cell proliferation, (2) antioxidant activity, and (3) anti-inflammatory activity. On the other hand, owing to their attenuation of the toxic effect of current anticancer therapies, natural antioxidants may contribute to improving the compliance of patients undergoing anticancer treatment. Thus, nutraceutical supplementation, along with current anticancer drug treatment, may be considered for better responses and compliance in patients with cancer. It should be noted, however, that when data from studies with bioactive plant preparations are discussed, it is appropriate to ensure that experiments have been conducted in accordance with accepted pharmacological research practices so as not to disclose information that is only partially correct.

Additive Effects of L-Ornithine on Preferences to Basic Taste Solutions in Mice

In addition to the taste receptors corresponding to the six basic taste qualities-sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami, and fatty-another type of taste receptor, calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), is found in taste-bud cells. CaSR is called the 'kokumi' receptor because its agonists increase sweet, salty and umami tastes to induce 'koku', a Japanese word meaning the enhancement of flavor characters such as thickness, mouthfulness, and continuity. Koku is an important factor for enhancing food palatability. However, it is not well known whether other kokumi-receptors and substances exist. Here, we show that ornithine (L-ornithine but not D-ornithine) at low concentrations that do not elicit a taste of its own, enhances preferences to sweet, salty, umami, and fat taste solutions in mice. Increased preference to monosodium glutamate (MSG) was the most dominant effect. Antagonists of G-protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 subtype A (GPRC6A) abolished the additive effect of ornithine on MSG solutions. The additive effects of ornithine on taste stimuli are thought to occur in the oral cavity, and are not considered post-oral events because ornithine's effects were confirmed in a brief-exposure test. Moreover, the additive effects of ornithine and the action of the antagonist were verified in electrophysiological taste nerve responses. Immunohistochemical analysis implied that GPRC6A was expressed in subsets of type II and type III taste cells of mouse circumvallate papillae. These results are in good agreement with those reported for taste modulation involving CaSR and its agonists. The present study suggests that ornithine is a kokumi substance and GPRC6A is a newly identified kokumi receptor.

Comparing Associations of Dietary Energy Density and Energy Intake, Macronutrients with Obesity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (JDDM 63)

To investigate the association between dietary energy density (DED) and obesity in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, we compared the strength of the associations of DED with intake of energy and macronutrients in terms of obesity as well as nutritional factors that have long been used for medical nutritional therapy. Cross-sectionally investigated were 1615 outpatients with type 2 diabetes who attended 26 clinics nationwide with diabetes specialists. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the association between obesity and DED, energy, and macronutrients by quintile categories and a 1 SD increment with adjustment for potential confounders. β coefficients were calculated for the association between body mass index (BMI) and each nutritional factor by 1 SD increments in nutritional values. Multi-adjusted OR for obesity between extreme quintiles of DED was 2.99 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.01-3.12). Conversely, the ORs did not differ significantly according to the quintiles of other nutrient factors. Multi-adjusted β coefficient of BMI per 1 SD according to DED was far higher than those of other nutrient factors (β coefficient 0.65, 95% CI: 0.41-0.88). These findings indicated that DED in persons with type 2 diabetes was positively associated with BMI and the prevalence of obesity. DED was also much more potently associated with obesity and BMI than nutritional indicators such as intake of energy or macronutrients.

Comparing Pathological Risk Factors for Dementia between Cognitively Normal Japanese and Americans

The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative showed that Japanese had significantly lower brain Aβ burden than Americans among a cognitively normal population. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare vascular disease burden, Aβ burden, and neurodegeneration between cognitively normal elderly Japanese and Americans. Japanese and American participants were matched for age (±4-year-old), sex, and Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. Brain vascular disease burden and brain Aβ burden were measured using white matter lesions (WMLs) and 11C-labeled Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) retention, respectively. Neurodegeneration was measured using hippocampal volumes and cortical thickness. A total of 95 Japanese and 95 Americans were recruited (50.5% men, mean age = 82). Compared to Americans, Japanese participants had larger WMLs, and a similar global Aβ standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR), cortical thickness and hippocampal volumes. Japanese had significantly lower regional Aβ SUVR in the anterior ventral striatum, posterior cingulate cortex, and precuneus. Cognitively normal elderly Japanese and Americans had different profiles regarding vascular disease and Aβ burden. This suggests that multiple risk factors are likely to be involved in the development of dementia. Additionally, Japanese might have a lower risk of dementia due to lower Aβ burden than Americans. Longitudinal follow-up of these cohorts is warranted to ascertain the predictive accuracy of these findings.

The Food Identity of Countries Differs Between Younger and Older Generations: A Cross-Sectional Study in American, European and Asian Countries

Current generations have been strongly influenced by mass communication and massive immigration flows, which may change local lifestyles and perceptions of inhabitants towards traditional foods and beverages (TFBs). TFBs constitute a core element of the cultural identity of a country, although some of them are losing their appeal. In this study, the authors explored the TFBs perceptions of inhabitants in nine countries to determine if their food identity is changing by analysing the TFBs most frequently mentioned by different age cohorts within a country. Six countries were found to have a distinctive core of TFBs shared across age cohorts (homogenous), whereas the remaining showed a heterogeneous pattern. Correspondence and cluster analyses usually grouped younger generations together implying higher similarities among these cohorts. Furthermore, the binary logistic regression analyses performed identified significant differences in the probability of mentioning a specific TFBs across age cohorts per country. Data collected show younger cohorts focusing on TFBs categorised as snacks and foods on-the-go, whereas older cohorts more often refer to time-consuming savoury preparations. The results suggest that lifestyles and current societal trends in food consumption, for example, convenience and healthiness, are impacting the food culture and identity of countries, and therefore play an important role in the variation of TFBs perception and consumption between age cohorts within countries. The results obtained in this study could not only be used by food policymakers and nutritionists to distinguish the current trends that are reshaping the food identity and eating behaviours of the population but also to improve or develop new dietary strategies by age cohorts in the countries studied.

Impact of dietary compositions and patterns on the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Japanese men: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to examine the impact of dietary compositions and patterns on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) morbidity in Japanese men.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 281 individuals who underwent comprehensive medical examinations during health screening. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and factor analysis was performed to detect dietary patterns. NAFLD was diagnosed by the presence of fatty liver on abdominal ultrasonography in nondrinkers (< 30 g/day), and patients were categorized into control (n = 192) and NAFLD groups (n = 89).

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the NAFLD group consumed fewer mushrooms. Three dietary patterns were identified, namely, a healthy pattern, a western pattern, and a snack pattern. The score of healthy pattern was negatively correlated with the risk of NAFLD. Compared with the lowest tertile of the healthy pattern, the middle tertile was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD after adjusting for age, physical activity, and smoking (odds ratio: 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.25-0.91). After further adjustments for body mass index, the middle tertile was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD (odds ratio: 0.46, 95% confidence interval: 0.23-0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

A healthy dietary pattern comprising frequent intake of seaweeds, vegetables, mushrooms, pulses, and potatoes and starches was associated with a lower risk of NAFLD in Japanese men. In our opinion, this healthy pattern closely resembles the Japanese Washoku diet, indicating that adherence to Washoku may help prevent NAFLD.

Decreasing Salt in Hospital Meals Reduced Energy Intake in Elderly Japanese Inpatients

Japanese salt consumption is high, about 10 g salt/d. Low salt intake reduces the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. However, saltiness is an important taste in daily meals, greatly influencing eating habits. When hospital admission is short-term, reducing salt supply may have an adverse effect on food intake. The aim of this study is to find the effect of sudden change in dietary salt content on energy intake in elderly Japanese inpatients. The study is an observational study of 83 patients and was conducted in a hospital in Tokyo, Japan. The research period was three weeks, and included 8 g salt/d meals for the 1st week, 7 g salt/d meals for the 2nd week, and 7 g salt/d meals with total 1 g/d salt packs that patients were allowed to use freely for the 3rd week. The energy supply satisfied the individuals' energy requirements and was the same throughout the three weeks. Nutrition surveys and blood pressure measurements during the three weeks were conducted by dietitians and nurses, respectively. The results showed that energy intake of patients was reduced by about 90 kcal/d in the 2nd week compared with the 1st week and increased about 130 kcal/d in the 3rd week compared with the 2nd week. Blood pressure did not change during the research period. When high salt intake has become a habit, reducing salt supply suddenly in a short time period may lead to decreased energy intake in elderly inpatients but does not affect blood pressure.

Effect of fish paste products, fish balls 'tsumire', intake in Sprague-Dawley rats

The fish paste product, fish balls ‘tsumire’, is a traditional type of Japanese food made from minced fish as well as imitation crab, kamaboko and hanpen. Although tsumire is known as a high-protein and low-fat food, there is a lack of scientific evidence on its health benefits. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effects of tsumire intake on organ weight and biomarker levels in Sprague–Dawley rats for 84 d as a preliminary study. Six-week-old male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two groups: group I, fed normal diets, and group II, fed normal diets with 5 % dried tsumire. Throughout the administration period, we monitored their body weight and food intake; at the end of this period, we measured their organ weight and analysed their blood biochemistry. No significant differences were observed with respect to body weight, food intake, organ weight and many biochemical parameters between the two groups. It was found that inorganic phosphorus and glucose levels were higher in group II rats than in group I rats. On the other hand, sodium, calcium, amylase and cholinesterase levels were significantly lower in group II than in group I. Interestingly, we found that the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and leucine aminopeptidase in group II were significantly lower than in group I, and that other liver function parameters of group II tended to be lower than in group I. In conclusion, we consider that the Japanese traditional food, ‘tsumire,’ may be effective as a functional food for human health management worldwide.

Identification of Salty Dietary Patterns of the Japanese Macroregion

Objective

The traditional Japanese dietary pattern, “Washoku,” is considered to provide an ideal nutritional balance. However, it tends to have a high salt intake. To reduce population-level salt intake, it is important to review the overall dietary patterns over a wide area.

Methods

To identify dietary patterns with high salt intake, partial least squares regression analysis was conducted using population-based household survey data from 52 cities. Annual salt consumption was set as the target variable, and the annual purchase weight of 109 foods was set as the explanatory variable.

Result

At least three dietary patterns (traditional, urban, and local) accounted for more than 90% of the variation in salt consumption and 29% of the explanatory variables (food purchases). Traditional patterns explained the salt consumption and regional differences in energy and protein consumption; however, their relationship to fat consumption was weak. The results reconfirmed that “Washoku” has an ideal nutritional balance but has high salt intake. The distribution of scores for traditional Japanese food patterns was high in northeast Japan and low in southwest Japan, with a geographical gradient. This pattern is thought to have formed over a long period of time because of the influence of environmental factors, such as local climate.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Diet: Role in Healthy Aging

Inflammation is a physiological process involved in the defenses of the body and the repair of tissues. It is acutely activated by infections, trauma, toxins, or allergic reactions. However, if it becomes chronic, inflammation can end up stimulating the development of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, neurological disease, or cancer. Additionally, during aging, inflammation becomes increasingly more chronic. Furthermore, we found that certain foods, such as saturated fats, have pro-inflammatory activity. Taking this into account, in this review we have discussed different diets with possible anti-inflammatory activity, the commonly ingested components of each diet and their active compounds. In addition, we have proposed some dietary guidelines, as well as a list of compounds present in foods with anti-inflammatory activity, outlining how to combine them to achieve optimal anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we can conclude that the compounds in our diet with anti-inflammatory activity could help alleviate the inflammatory processes derived from diseases and unhealthy diets, and thereby promote healthy aging.

Clinical characteristics and longitudinal changes of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in 2 decades: the NAGALA study

Background

In this study, to clarify the evolving background of people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), we compared the current prevalence of NAFLD with that of 2 decades ago.

Methods

We included two cohorts. The past cohort was from 1994 to 1997 and included 4279 men and 2502 women. The current cohort was from 2014 to 2017 and included 8918 men and 7361 women. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography.

Results

The prevalence of NAFLD increased in both genders throughout these 2 decades (18.5% in the past cohort and 27.1% in the current cohort for men; and 8.0% in the past cohort and 9.4% in the current cohort for women). The prevalence of hyperglycemia increased, whereas the prevalence of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and hypertriglyceridemia significantly decreased. There was no significant difference in the mean body mass index. Multivariate analysis revealed that the prevalence of obesity and body mass index were significantly associated with the prevalence of NAFLD in both the past and current cohorts.

Conclusions

The incidence of NAFLD significantly increased throughout these 2 decades, and obesity is the most prevalent factor. Thus, body weight management is an essential treatment option for NAFLD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01809-2.

Genomic adaptations to cereal-based diets contribute to mitigate metabolic risk in some human populations of East Asian ancestry

Adoption of diets based on some cereals, especially on rice, signified an iconic change in nutritional habits for many Asian populations and a relevant challenge for their capability to maintain glucose homeostasis. Indeed, rice shows the highest carbohydrates content and glycemic index among the domesticated cereals and its usual ingestion represents a potential risk factor for developing insulin resistance and related metabolic diseases. Nevertheless, type 2 diabetes and obesity epidemiological patterns differ among Asian populations that rely on rice as a staple food, with higher diabetes prevalence and increased levels of central adiposity observed in people of South Asian ancestry rather than in East Asians. This may be at least partly due to the fact that populations from East Asian regions where wild rice or other cereals such as millet have been already consumed before their cultivation and/or were early domesticated have relied on these nutritional resources for a period long enough to have possibly evolved biological adaptations that counteract their detrimental side effects. To test such a hypothesis, we compared adaptive evolution of these populations with that of control groups from regions where the adoption of cereal-based diets occurred many thousand years later and which were identified from a genome-wide dataset including 2,379 individuals from 124 East Asian and South Asian populations. This revealed selective sweeps and polygenic adaptive mechanisms affecting functional pathways involved in fatty acids metabolism, cholesterol/triglycerides biosynthesis from carbohydrates, regulation of glucose homeostasis, and production of retinoic acid in Chinese Han and Tujia ethnic groups, as well as in people of Korean and Japanese ancestry. Accordingly, long-standing rice- and/or millet-based diets have possibly contributed to trigger the evolution of such biological adaptations, which might represent one of the factors that play a role in mitigating the metabolic risk of these East Asian populations.