Vegetarian diet and pregnancy outcome.

Objective: Vegetarian diets are becoming increasingly popular. Our aim was to evaluate the association of a vegetarian diet with pregnancy, labor, and newborn's outcome. Study design: This retrospective case-control study included 150 women on a vegetarian diet and 300 omnivores. The data were collected from Tampere University Hospital pregnancy database from January 2015 to April 2021. Diet was a self-reported variable. Outcomes of interest were compared between the groups. The frequency of small-for-gestational age (SGA) newborns and low birth weight were primary outcomes. Other parameters concerning pregnancy, labor, and newborn served as secondary outcomes. Results: The rate of SGA at the 10 % cutoff was lower in the vegetarian group. Based on a definition of two standard deviations, SGA did not differ between the vegetarian diet group and the control group. The median birthweight was significantly higher in the vegetarian group. Gestational diabetes (GDM) was more common in the vegetarian group, however the numbers of large for gestational age (LGA) newborns were comparable between the study groups. Labor induction was more common, and the second stage of labor was longer in the vegetarian group. Preterm births (< 32+0 and < 37+0 gestational weeks) were more common in the control group. No differences were found in the mean umbilical artery pH value, 1- and 5- minutes Apgar scores or the number of newborns transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit and neonatal ward. The proportions of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy did not differ between the groups. Conclusion: According to our results, a vegetarian diet may be considered safe during pregnancy. It was not associated with an increased risk of pregnancy- or neonatal complications.

Radium levels in Brazil nuts: A review of the literature.

Brazil nuts are well known for their extraordinarily high selenium content. For this reason, they are frequently recommended as a kind of natural selenium 'supplement', particularly for certain population groups such as vegetarians and vegans in regions with low soil selenium levels. Typically, an intake of one or two Brazil nuts per day is recommended. Brazil nuts, however, also stand out from other nuts in terms of their high (albeit highly variable) radium content. The radium isotopes Ra-226 and Ra-228 emit alpha- and beta-radiation, with this type of radiation being particularly harmful when ingested. Consequently, it is important to consider radium levels in Brazil nuts before formulating recommendations for a long-term, daily intake of these nuts. To date, however, no comprehensive overview of radium levels in Brazil nuts has been published. Therefore, a literature review without time or language restrictions was conducted, including unpublished original data from Germany. The literature review (including the German data) indicated mean Ra-226 and Ra-228 levels of 49 (range: 17-205) mBq/g and 67 (range: 12-235) mBq/g, respectively. Assuming a consistent daily intake of one or two Brazil nuts, this would result in an effective dose of ~88-220 µSv/year. This level of exposure appears to be neither clearly harmful nor clearly harmless. As increased radioactivity exposure (at least at higher doses) is associated with increased cancer risk, randomised controlled trials assessing the effect of Brazil nuts on cancer risk biomarkers are needed.

Vitamin D intake and status in children and adolescents: Comparing vegetarian, vegan, and omnivorous diets.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate papers analysing dietary intake, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and anthropometry in children on vegetarian, vegan and omnivorous diets, as research indicates all diets generally fall below recommended vitamin D intake. METHODS: This mini review examined the vitamin D status of children aged 1-18 years by systematically searching PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2023. RESULTS: The review included nine studies published between 2000 and 2023. Four studies reported lower vitamin D intake in children on vegetarian and vegan diets compared to omnivores. Three studies reported lower 25(OH)D concentrations in children on vegetarian and vegan diets. Specifically, one study found lower concentrations in vegans compared to omnivores, another found lower concentrations in vegetarians and vegans not taking supplements and a third reported lower 25(OH)D concentrations in Asian children aged 3-4.5 years compared to Caucasian children. Three studies found no significant differences in 25(OH)D between diet groups. Three studies assessing anthropometry showed that vegetarians have similar body weight and height as omnivores. CONCLUSION: Children across all dietary groups may have low vitamin D intakes; supplementation should be considered for those with inadequate sun exposure, especially those avoiding animal products.

The impact of explaining vegetarian meal requests on the affective responses and perceptions of meat eaters.

Social situations can present challenges for those looking to reduce or avoid eating meat. In an experimental vignette study with a large representative sample of 1,117 UK-based meat eaters, we explore affective responses to requests for vegetarian meals and perceptions of those making the request across four social situations: a BBQ, a pub, a restaurant dinner, and a dinner party. We examine moderators of these perceptions including whether the requester presents themselves as vegetarian or a meat restrictor and whether they cite health, environmental or no motives for their request. Overall, we find that these moderators have a greater impact on meat eaters' perceptions of the requester than on their affective responses to the request. We also find that these outcomes are more impacted by the mention of motives than they are diet type. Standout findings include evidence that people citing environmental motives for their vegetarian meal request are perceived more negatively, while those with health motives are perceived more positively. We also identify substantial heterogeneity across the respondents' levels of meat attachment: those who are more attached to meat have more negative perceptions of vegetarian meal requesters and experience higher negative affect and lower positive affect in response to the request.

Similar changes in diet quality indices, but not nutrients, among African American participants randomized to follow one of the three dietary patterns of the US Dietary Guidelines: A secondary analysis.

The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between diet quality, nutrients, and health outcomes among participants in the Dietary Guidelines: 3 Diets study (3-group randomized 12-week intervention; African American; Southeastern virtual teaching kitchen). Participants (n = 63; ages 18-65 y, BMI 25-49.9 kg/m2) were randomized to the Healthy U.S. (H-US), Mediterranean (Med), or Vegetarian (Veg) groups. Hypotheses tested included (1) that the more plant-based diet patterns (Veg and Med) would have greater improvements in all diet quality indices (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), alternate Mediterranean Diet Index (aMED), healthy Plant-based Dietary Index (hPDI) assessed via three dietary recalls) as compared to the H-US pattern and (2) that each index would separately predict changes in weight loss, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and blood pressure (BP). None of the group-by-time interactions for any of the diet indices were significant. Compared to the H-US group, Veg participants had greater increases in fiber (difference between groups 5.72 ± 2.10 5 g/day; P = .01), riboflavin (0.38 ± 0.19 mg/day; P = .05), and folate (87.39 ± 40.36 mcg/day; P = .03). For every one-point increase in hPDI, there was a 1.62 ± 0.58 mmHg decrease in systolic BP, for every one-point increase in aMED there was a 1.45 ± 0.70 mmHg decrease in diastolic BP, and for every one-point increase in hPDI, there was a 1.15 ± 0.38 mmHg decrease in diastolic BP. Findings indicate that there is significant overlap in the dietary recommendations of the three dietary patterns presented in the USDG and similarities in how African American adults adopt those diet patterns. Clinical Trials registry at clinicaltrials.gov:NCT04981847.

Cardiovascular Health and Diet Quality among Vegetarians, Vegans and Omnivores: Insights from a Large Urban Population in Poland.

Background/Objectives: Dietary habits are among the most significant determinants of health. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional quality and cardiovascular profiles of individuals following plant-based diet. Methods: The study population comprised 199 individuals (136 women, 63 men; mean age 33.9 ± 8.9 years) including vegans (VG; n = 50), vegetarians (VN; n = 101) and omnivores (OV; n = 48). In this analysis the following procedures were assessed: a questionnaire interview, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, and a blood sample collection. Dietary patterns were evaluated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire and a 24-h dietary recall. Results: Vegans exhibited the lowest protein intake relative to the other groups (p < 0.05) and a significantly higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower intake of cholesterol compared to VN and OV (p < 0.05). Vegans had significantly lower levels of serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, fasting glucose and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p < 0.05). No cases of overweight or obesity were observed among VN and VG participants. No instances of impaired fasting glucose or elevated blood pressure were noted among vegans. Hypercholesterolemia was identified in 56.2% of OV, 26.7% in VN and 16.0% in VG (p < 0.05), elevated blood pressure was recorded in one vegetarian and in 6.2% of OV participants. Conclusions: Our research indicates that plant-based diets are associated with a better cardiovascular profile compared to traditional diets. Moreover, suboptimal intake of essential nutrients, underscores the need for more effective public health interventions and improved nutrition education regardless of dietary patterns.

A Qualitative Study of Rural Plant-Based Eaters' Knowledge and Practices for Nutritional Adequacy.

(1) Background: Healthful plant-based diets, especially those rich in minimally processed plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, have been associated with a lower risk of diet-related chronic disease. However, individuals who limit or avoid animal products may be at risk of nutrient deficiencies, especially related to Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, iodine, zinc, and protein. Such deficiencies can result in both short- and long-term health challenges. We used qualitative methods to explore plant-based eaters' knowledge and awareness of these eight nutrients of concern in diets that limit or exclude animal-source foods. (2) Methods: We conducted interviews with 28 rural flexitarian, pescatarian, vegan, or vegetarian adults in Vermont, USA. (3) Results: The participants positively viewed the healthfulness of plant-based diets, but many recognized limitations to accessing Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids. They shared the strategies used to meet their needs including eating a varied diet, seeking out specific foods, and taking dietary supplements. Analyses identified gaps in the participants' knowledge related to nutrient bioavailability, food sources of specific nutrients, and the importance of zinc and iodine. Vegans-the highest-risk group-generally presented as the most knowledgeable. The participants noted a lack of local plant-based nutrition expertise. (4) Conclusions: Addressing the identified knowledge gaps and challenges to dietary adequacy, especially among those who limit, but do not fully omit, animal-source foods, may support plant-based nutrition.

The Relevance of Plant-Based Diets and Micronutrient Supplementation for Body Composition: Data from the VeggieNutri Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the anthropometry and body composition of vegetarian and omnivorous adults living in Portugal, while exploring nutritional and health parameters underlying observed differences. METHODS: 425 omnivorous (OMNI), lacto-ovo-vegetarian (LOV), or vegan (VEG) healthy adults were recruited. Anthropometry was measured, and bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed. Participants answered food frequency, sociodemographic, and lifestyle questionnaires. Serum iron, ferritin, and CRP were quantified by spectrophotometry, and serum B12 vitamin and homocysteine were quantified by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. RESULTS: Total protein intake significantly decreased with increasing strictness of vegetarian habits (median (P25; P75) in g/day: 98.6 (79.5; 123.1), 90.4 (65.9; 121.0), and 87.6 (59.8; 118.5) for OMNI, LOV and VEG, respectively; p = 0.020), and carbohydrate intake was the highest in LOV (median (P25; P75) in g/day: 231.5 (178.4; 287.9), 283.9 (227.3; 342.6), and 263.0 (222.0; 348.3) for OMNI, LOV and VEG, respectively; p = 0.001). VEG were the main users of B12 vitamin (93% in VEG vs. 17% in OMNI and 59% in LOV, p = 0.001), and LOV were the main users of iron supplements (29% in LOV vs. 14% in OMNI and 13% in VEG, p = 0.042), respectively. Blood levels of B12 vitamin correlated negatively with blood homocysteine (rs = -0.386, p < 0.001) and positively with % muscle mass (rs = 0.136, p = 0.005). Participants using iron supplements presented higher C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.014) and they had lower % MM (p = 0.003). Finally, when compared to being OMNI, being LOV independently associated with: (a) having +4.8% (p = 0.002) of fat mass, which could be due to higher carbohydrate intake, and (b) having -2.2% (p = 0.043) of muscle mass. Our data suggest that the association between diet and muscle mass could be attenuated in VEG due to B12 supplementation and/or aggravated in LOV due to iron supplementation-associated inflammation.

Iron Deficiency Is Associated with Elevated Parathormone Levels, Low Vitamin D Status, and Risk of Bone Loss in Omnivores and Plant-Based Diet Consumers.

A cross-sectional study was performed in healthy adults (mean age 28 y, 67% women) whose habitual diet was an omnivore, lacto-ovo vegetarian, or vegan diet. The total sample (n = 297) was divided into two groups according to the parathormone (PTH) cut-off value of 65 pg/mL of either normal-PTH (n = 228) or high-PTH (n = 69). Vitamin D status (25-hydroxycholecalciferol, 25-OHD), PTH, and bone formation (bone alkaline phosphatase, BAP) and bone resorption (N-telopeptides of type I collagen, NTx) markers were determined. Hematocrit, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, platelets, serum iron, serum transferrin, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin were also measured. In the total sample, 25-OHD and PTH were negatively correlated, and all subjects with high PTH presented vitamin D insufficiency (25-OHD < 75 nmol/L). High bone remodeling was observed in the high-PTH group, with significantly higher NTx and marginally higher BAP compared to the normal-PTH group. Hematocrit and ferritin were significantly lower in the high-PTH compared to the normal-PTH group. However, serum iron was higher in the high-PTH group, which was only observed for the lacto-ovo vegetarian and vegan subjects. It is concluded that both low vitamin D and low iron status are associated with elevated PTH and bone resorption, more in vegetarians than omnivores, which is in line with the hypothesis that chronic iron deficiency in adulthood mainly predisposes to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and the elderly.

Plasma lipids and glycaemic indices in australians following plant-based diets versus a meat-eating diet.

BACKGROUND: Vegan and vegetarian dietary patterns are known to beneficially modulate risk factors for cardiovascular disease; however, the current literature does not differentiate between various plant-based diets. This study aimed to examine the association between various plant-based diets and plasma lipids and glycaemic indices compared to a regular meat-eating diet. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of Australian adults (n = 230) aged 30-75yrs habitually consuming the following were recruited: vegan, lacto-vegetarian, pesco-vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, or regular meat-eater. Multivariable regression analysis was used to adjust for covariates. RESULTS: Compared to regular meat-eaters, vegans had significantly lower total cholesterol (-0.77mmol/L,95% CI -1.15, -0.39, P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, -0.71mmol/L, 95% CI -1.05, -0.38, P < 0.001), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C, -0.75mmol/L, 95% CI -1.11, -0.39, P < 0.001), total cholesterol/HDL-C-ratio (-0.49mmol/L, 95% CI -0.87, -0.11, P = 0.012), fasting blood glucose (FBG, -0.29mmol/L, 95% CI -0.53, -0.06, P = 0.014), haemoglobin A1C (-1.85mmol/mol, 95% CI -3.00, -0.71, P = 0.002) and insulin (-1.76mU/L, 95% CI -3.26, -0.26, P = 0.021) concentrations. Semi-vegetarians had significantly lower LDL-C (-0.41mmol/L, 95% CI -0.74, -0.08, P = 0.041) and non-HDL-C (-0.40mmol/L, 95% CI -0.76, -0.05, P = 0.026) and lacto-ovo vegetarians had significantly lower FBG (-0.34mmol/L, 95% CI -0.56, -0.11, P = 0.003) compared to regular meat-eaters. There were no differences in HDL-C and triglycerides between plant-based and regular-meat diets. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma lipaemic and glycaemic measures as a collective were more favourable among vegans, whereas among lacto-ovo vegetarians and semi-vegetarians, only some measures were favourable. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12621000743864. Date 6/11/2021.

Effect of roasted purple laver (nori) on vitamin B12 nutritional status of vegetarians: a dose-response trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the bioavailability of vitamin B12 from nori and to evaluate the required dosage for improving vitamin B12 nutritional status in vegetarians not using supplements. METHODS: The study design is an open-label, parallel, dose-response randomized controlled trial. Thirty vegetarians were assigned to control (no nori), low-dose (5 g nori, aiming to provide 2.4 µg vitamin B12 per day), or high-dose (8 g nori, aiming to provide 4 µg vitamin B12 per day) groups. The primary outcome was changes in vitamin B12 status as measured by serum vitamin B12, holotranscobalamin (holoTC), homocysteine (Hcy), and methylmalonic acid (MMA), and a combined score of these four markers (4cB12 score) during the four-week intervention. Dietary vitamin B12 intakes were assessed at baseline and end of the trial with a 17-item food frequency questionnaire designed for vitamin B12 assessment. General linear model was used to compare least square means of changes in each biomarker of vitamin B12 status, among the three groups, while adjusting for respective baseline biomarker. RESULTS: After adjusting for baseline status, nori consumption led to significant improvement in serum vitamin B12 (among-group P-value = 0.0029), holoTC (P = 0.0127), Hcy (P = 0.0225), and 4cB12 (P = 0.0094). Changes in MMA did not differ significantly across groups, but showed within-group pre-post improvement in the low-dose group (median [p25, p75] = -339 [-461, -198] nmol/L). Vitamin B12 status appeared to plateau at low dose (5 g of nori), which compared with control group, improved serum vitamin B12 (lease square mean [95% CI] = + 59 [25, 93] pmol/L, P = 0.0014); holoTC (+ 28.2 [10.1, 46.3] pmol/L, P = 0.0035); Hcy (-3.7 [-6.8, -0.6] µmol/L, p = 0.0226); and 4cB12 score (+ 0.67 [0.24, 1.09], p = 0.0036). High-dose resulted in similar improvements. There was no significant difference between low-dose and high-dose groups in all biomarkers of vitamin B12. CONCLUSIONS: Consuming 5 g of nori per day for 4 weeks significantly improved vitamin B12 status in vegetarians. A higher dose (8 g) may not confer additional benefits. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05614960. Date of registration: November 14th 2022.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of functional vitamin B12 status among adult vegans.

The dietary intake of vitamin B12 among unsupplemented vegans is notably lower compared to both vegetarians and omnivores. Prolonged low intakes of vitamin B12, such as seen in those adhering to a vegan diet, lead to physiological deficiency of vitamin B12 and an elevated risk of B12-related morbidity. However, while serum B12 serves as a conventional biomarker for assessing B12 status, its utility is limited given its sensitivity and specificity in ascribing physiological deficiency of B12 and the functional vitamin B12 status of those adhering to vegan diets is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using data based on the full panel of biomarkers of vitamin B12 status to test whether adherence to a vegan diet is associated with an elevated risk of functional vitamin B12 deficiency compared to vegetarian or omnivorous diets. In addition, subgroup analysis was carried out to look at the effect of vitamin B12 supplement use on B12 status among vegans. Our search identified 4002 records, of which 19 studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review and 17 studies were taken forward for the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis results revealed significantly lower serum B12, pmol/ (-0.72 [-1.26, -0.18]; p = 0.01) and elevated total homocysteine, µmol/L (tHcy) (0.57 [0.26, 0.89]; p < 0.001) concentrations, alongside elevated methylmalonic acid, nmol/L (MMA) (0.28 [-0.01, 0.57]; p = 0.06) and lower holotranscobalamin, pmol/ (HoloTC) (-0.42 [-0.91, 0.07]; p = 0.09) levels among vegan adults compared to omnivores, indicating increased functional B12 deficiency in addition to low vitamin B12 status in vegan adults. There were no differences between vegans and vegetarians in HoloTC (0.04 [-0.28, 0.35]; p = 0.814) or MMA (-0.05 [-0.29, 0.20]; p = 0.708), but differences were found in serum B12 (-0.25 [-0.40, -0.10]; p = 0.001) and for tHcy (0.24 [0.09, 0.39]; p = 0.002) concentrations. Subgroup analyses indicated that the use of vitamin B12 supplements among vegans contributes to significant improvements in all biomarker concentrations compared to their unsupplemented counterparts. Our findings underscore the need for improved strategies to redress poor vitamin B12 status with appropriate B12 supplementation use among those adhering to vegetarian and vegan diets.

The Association of a Vegan Diet during Pregnancy with Maternal and Child Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Background: With the increasing prevalence of pregnant women adhering to a vegan diet, gaining insight into their nutritional intake and its association with maternal and fetal outcomes is essential to providing recommendations and developing guidelines for general practice. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review of the available scientific literature in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane was conducted in January 2024. Results: The titles and abstracts of 2211 unique articles were screened. Only six studies were eligible for inclusion and assessed for methodological quality using the (National Institutes of Health Study Quality (NIHSQ) Assessment Tool. The intake of protein and various micronutrients was significantly lower among vegan pregnant women compared to omnivorous women. Vitamin B12 supplements seemed sufficient in optimizing maternal and umbilical cord vitamin B12 levels amongst vegan mothers. Further, women on a vegan diet less often showed excessive pregnancy weight gain. However, children from women on a vegan diet had a significantly lower birth weight than those from women on an omnivorous diet. Conclusion: So far, only a few studies, with a large diversity of (assessment of) outcomes and insufficient power, have been published on this topic, limiting our ability to make firm conclusions about the effects of a vegan diet during pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes.

The Veg∗n Eating Motives Inventory Plus (VEMI+): A measure of health, environment, animal rights, disgust, social, pandemic and zoonotic diseases, and farm workers' rights motives.

Health, environmental concern, and animal rights are established motives for reduced meat consumption that can be measured by the Vegetarian Eating Motives Inventory (VEMI). This preregistered study aimed to expand the VEMI to include four less-studied motives: disgust, social, concern about zoonotic diseases and pandemics, and concern for workers' rights. We had three objectives: to combine the seven motives into a comprehensive model, to test if the VEMI+ scales function equivalently across omnivore and vegan groups, and to validate and differentiate these motives against external measures and meat reduction appeals. In samples of 731 omnivores and 731 vegans (total N = 1,462), we found support for the measurement invariance of a seven-factor structure across groups and created a scale with reliable measures for each dimension (ω total between 0.82 and 0.97). Vegans scored higher overall, with substantially higher scores on environmental concern, animal rights, disgust, and zoonotic disease concerns, while omnivores had slightly higher scores on health, social, and workers' rights scales. Scale scores had expected correlations with criterion measures and differentially predicted support for motive-tailored appeals. This study enhances our understanding of dietary motivations and provides a valuable tool for future research.

Nutritional analysis of vegan recipes: From social media to plate.

The study aimed to determine the nutritional composition of vegan recipes shared on the Instagram social media platform and to compare these ingredients with their non-vegan/omnivorous versions. Turkish and English vegan recipes of meatballs (n = 53), burgers (n = 12), pizza (n = 15), pasta (n = 38), cake (n = 58), and cookies (n = 52) were obtained from Instagram. They all met the criteria of being shared as #vegan labeled, presented detailed information about ingredients, and only included plant-based ingredients. Afterward, non-vegan/omnivorous recipes (n = 228) were determined as equivalent to the vegan recipes in each food group, and a total of 456 recipes were evaluated. The amounts of macro- and micronutrients per 100-gram serving were obtained by the Nutritional Data System (BeBiS). According to the outcomes, the most significant differences in nutritional composition were found between vegan and non-vegan meatball recipes. The levels of cholesterol and B12 were significantly lower in English vegan recipes of meatballs, pasta, cake, and cookies compared to their non-vegan versions (p < .05). Consuming different vegan foods throughout the day could provide complementary nutrient intake and sustainable optimal health. Nevertheless, recipe-based updates could be an innovative approach in future vegan studies. In addition, analysis of vegan recipes could be considered to modulate vegan supplementation programs.

Modeling the acceptance of vegetarian diets to promote sustainable food systems.

With increasing concerns about health, animal welfare, and the environment, changes in dietary patterns are emerging, as evidenced by the gradual shift toward plant-rich diets. To appropriately plan vegetarian meals with high consumer satisfaction that would help promote this dietary pattern and ultimately improve the sustainability of food systems, meal acceptability testing would be crucial. The present work aims to investigate the influence of individual food components' acceptability on the overall meal acceptability in vegetarian diets. Over four taste-testing periods, 94 panelists of US nationality recruited from Cornell University staff (47 males and 47 females; 30-50 years of age) were asked to rate the acceptability of 41 vegetarian meals containing various food category items, including a main dish, side dish, appetizer, salad, soup, bread, dessert, beverage, and a control food. Each meal included six menu items to ensure the tested foods resembled a typical meal. Consequently, some meals lacked one or more of the nine total food categories. Participants were asked to rate the acceptability of the six meal items and the overall meal acceptability on a 9-point hedonic scale. Multiple imputation was used to fill in any missing data, and multiple linear regression analysis was then performed. Through this study, a model that predicts the overall meal acceptability of vegetarian diets based on individual meal category components was developed with an R-squared value of .7033, suggesting that around 70.33% of the variation in overall meal acceptability could be explained by the nine food category predictors. The findings also suggested that the most influential food item on overall meal acceptability was the main dish followed by the side dish. For every unit increase in the acceptability score of the main dish on a 9-point hedonic scale, the overall meal acceptability increased by 0.324 points. The positive findings would be beneficial to food service providers in designing a vegetarian meal with high meal acceptability. By focusing on optimizing the acceptability of these two key categories, menu planners can effectively elevate customers' satisfaction of their meals.

Comparison of Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Endothelial Function Among Vegetarians and Non-vegetarians of Vijayapura, India: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: The known impact of diet on the pathophysiology of various chronic diseases and the current dietary transition in the country make it essential to assess the influence of dietary patterns specific to this region on inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial functions. OBJECTIVE: This study compared oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial functions among vegetarians and non-vegetarians in Vijayapura, Karnataka, India. METHODS: The present cross-sectional comparative study involved apparently healthy vegetarians (n=35) and non-vegetarians (n=35) aged 20-40. The anthropometric measurements like height (cm) and weight (kg) were recorded, and the BMI was calculated. The physiological parameters like systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were recorded. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum malondialdehyde (MDA), and serum nitric oxide (NO) were estimated as markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial function, respectively. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Statistics version 20.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2011. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). RESULTS: The average age of vegetarians and non-vegetarians was 25.22 ± 7.63 years and 25.60 ± 5.64 years, respectively. Anthropometric and physiological parameters were comparable between the two groups. However, there was a trend for higher mean body weight among non-vegetarians (53.94± 6.73 vs. 57.22±7.18) with a marginal non-statistically significant p-value (p=0.052). Vegetarians showed significantly higher serum MDA levels than non-vegetarians (2.14 (0.93-2.91) vs. 0.64 (0.35-1.32); p=0.000), while hs-CRP (vegetarians - 0.01 (0.005-0.034) vs. non-vegetarians - 0.03 (0.01-0.04); p=0.18) and serum NO levels (vegetarians - 6.72 (5.46-8.39) vs. non-vegetarians - 5.43 (2.87-9.16); p=0.215) were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results were intriguing and contrasting, as serum MDA is remarkably higher among vegetarians than non-vegetarians, pointing toward greater oxidative stress among the former and possibly indicating a dietary imbalance among vegetarians, which needs further exploration.

Effect of pilot-scale high-temperature short-time processing on the retention of key micronutrients in a fortified almond-based beverage: implications for fortification of plant-based milk alternatives.

The effect of thermal processing treatments on key micronutrients in fortified almond-based beverages has not been well characterized. An almond-based beverage was produced in a pilot plant, fortified with vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, riboflavin (vitamin B2), calcium carbonate, and zinc gluconate, and was processed using various high-temperature short-time (HTST) pasteurization treatments. Naturally present micronutrients in the base ingredients included several B vitamins (vitamin B1 [thiamin], total vitamin B3 [sum of nicotinamide and nicotinic acid], and total vitamin B6 [sum of pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxine]) and minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium). The prepared almond-based beverage was homogenized and thermally processed using HTST pasteurization with a temperature range from ~94 to 116°C for a constant time of 30 s. The samples were analyzed for vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2, target B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, total vitamin B3, and total vitamin B6), and minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and zinc). The results showed that amounts of vitamin A, vitamin D2, riboflavin, and total vitamin B6 did not significantly (p > 0.05) change after the HTST treatments, whereas thiamin significantly (p < 0.05) decreased by 17.9% after HTST treatment at 116°C. Interestingly, total vitamin B3 content significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 35.2% after HTST treatment at 116°C. There was no effect of processing on the minerals that were monitored. The results from this study indicate that the majority of key micronutrients assessed in this study are stable during HTST processing of an almond-based beverage and that fortification of plant-based milk alternatives may be a viable process to enhance the micronutrient content consumers receive from these products.

Health Benefits of a Plant-Based Dietary Pattern and Implementation in Healthcare and Clinical Practice.

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine recommends eating a predominantly plant-based diet with a variety of minimally processed vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. At any level, adoption of a plant-based diet can improve one's health through a variety of mechanisms. Increasing intake of plant-based foods often results in increases in fiber intake, decreases in saturated fat intake, and increased intake of essential vitamins and minerals, among other healthful benefits. Despite such potential benefits, many individuals are reluctant or resistant to change their usual dietary behaviors or unable to sustain diet changes over time. This is largely because an individual's decision to adopt a plant-based diet is influenced by a diverse array of motivating factors, priorities, and/or misconceptions about nutrient adequacy of plant-based diets. Here, we discuss key points from a session at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine's annual conference LM2023. Specifically, we review common preconceptions about plant-based diets, provide guidance on removing the barriers to adopting and adhering to plant-based diets, and highlight key literature findings supporting the health benefits of plant-based diets. Last, we discuss how plant-based diets are increasingly being implemented within health care and clinical practice to support Food is/as Medicine approaches.

An Unusual Presentation of Intramuscular Cysticercosis in a Vegetarian Patient: A Case Report.

Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection. It can involve any tissue in the body, the brain being the most common site. Intramuscular cysticercosis is rare, and few cases have been reported. Here, we are reporting a case of incidental finding of intramuscular cysticercosis in a 22-year-old male having a purely vegetarian diet presented with pain, swelling, and tingling sensation in the forearm without any other systemic involvement after taking Albendazole for unrelated reasons. Diagnosis of intramuscular cysticercosis remains a challenge and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intramuscular swelling, especially in endemic areas.