Simply red? The effects of distinct colours and sustainable production methods on the consumers' preferences for healthier sweet peppers.

The purpose of this paper is to thoroughly assess the value of colours in consumers' preferences for sweet peppers, and the association with more sustainable methods of production in the consumers' minds. Furthermore, this study provides novel insights into the influence of colours on the willingness to pay (WTP) for vegetables. It explores the interplay between colours, food attributes, and socio-demographic characteristics among consumers, marking the first attempt to examine this relationship comprehensively. A discrete choice experiment, based on consumers' preferences for sweet pepper attributes (price, colour, and production method), was implemented and a Seemingly Unrelated Regression model was then applied to evaluate the willingness to pay for different colours. The study has revealed that different colours provide consumers with different utilities and WTP in the choices of potential healthier foods. In addition, gender, age, education and number of family components play a role in affecting consumers' WTP of food linked to colour. Finally, it was found that consumers' knowledge for certain pepper colours with different antioxidant contents is interrelated. This study introduces several novelties, in particular a positive correlation between interest in antioxidants and colours was found, suggesting that interest in healthy food properties might move consumers towards a specific sensory choice.

Balancing Freshness and Sustainability: Charting a Course for Meat Industry Innovation and Consumer Acceptance.

The agribusiness sector is constantly seeking solutions to enhance food security, sustainability, and resilience. Recent estimates indicate that one-third of the total food production remains unused due to waste or limited shelf life, resulting in negative environmental and ethical consequences. Consequently, exploring technological solutions to extend the shelf life of food products could be a crucial option to address this issue. However, the success of these technological solutions is closely linked to the perception of the end-consumers, particularly in the short term. Based on these considerations, this paper presents a systematic literature review of the main technological innovations in the fresh meat industry and of consumers' perceptions of such innovations. Regarding innovative technologies, this review focused on active and smart packaging. Amidst various technological innovations, including the utilization of fundamental matrices and natural additives, a noticeable gap exists in consumer perception studies. This study represents the first comprehensive compilation of research on consumers' perceptions and acceptance of innovations designed to extend the shelf life of fresh meat. Moreover, it sheds light on the existing barriers that hinder the complete embrace of these innovations.

The interplay of food-related lifestyle and eating behavior in Italian women.

Introduction: Women play a crucial role in food shopping and preparation, and their food choices have significant implications for their health and that of their families. This study aims to provide a perspective on women's eating lifestyle, which has undergone significant changes. Methods: A factor analysis was conducted to assess the degree of involvement in food choices and the types of food items consumed among a sample of 399 Italian women. Results: Through cluster analysis, four segments were identified: hedonic food consumers, sustainable- and balanced-diet consumers, food experimenters, and no food fondness consumers. The results reveal a correlation between the degree of food involvement and the type of food consumed. Discussion: Furthermore, the food lifestyle of the sample is partially dependent on age. Individuals aged 25-28 years show more hedonic food consumption behavior, while the older age group (44-64 years) falls into the sustainable and balanced diet consumer cluster (the largest cluster) and the cluster of those who do not express definable food choices (no food fondness).

The unusual association of Graves' disease, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and premature ovarian failure: report of a case and HLA haplotype characterization / A associação incomum entre doença de Graves, urticária crônica idiopática e insuficiência ovariana prematura: relato de caso clínico e tipagem HLA

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), defined as the occurrence of spontaneous wheals for more than six weeks, has been associated with autoimmune diseases. Herein, we report the unusual association of CSU, Graves' disease, and premature ovarian failure. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) studies were performed. A 36-year-old woman presented symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism for three months. In the same period, the patient complained of widespread urticarial wheals, intensely itchy, and poorly responsive to therapy with antihistaminic agents. Hyperthyroidism was confirmed biochemically, and treatment with methimazole was started. As hyperthyroidism improved, a marked improvement in her urticaria was also observed. However, the patient continued to complain of amenorrhea. Endocrine evaluation, at the age 38, was consistent with premature ovarian failure. This is the first report of coexistence of GD, CSU, and POF. The genetic background of such unusual association is a specific combination of HLA.

A urticária crônica idiopática, caracterizada pelo aparecimento de pápulas espontâneas e persistentes por pelo menos seis semanas, tem sido associada a doenças autoimunes. Apresentamos aqui o caso da associação incomum entre urticária crônica idiopática, doença de Graves e falência ovariana prematura. Foram conduzidos estudos de tipagem HLA. Uma mulher de 36 anos apresentou sinais e sintomas de hipertireoidismo por três meses. No mesmo período, a paciente queixou-se do aparecimento de pápulas urticariformes generalizadas que coçavam intensamente e não eram responsivas ao tratamento com anti-histamínicos. O hipertireoidismo foi confirmado bioquimicamente, e o tratamento com metimazol foi iniciado. Assim que os valores hormonais se normalizaram, observou-se uma melhoria significativa do quadro de urticária. No entanto, a paciente continuou a apresentar amenorreia. A avaliação endocrinológica, com a idade de 38 anos, mostrou falência ovariana prematura. Este é o primeiro caso de associação entre doença de Graves, urticária idiopática crônica e falência ovariana prematura. A base genética dessa associação incomum é representada por combinações específicas de haplótipos HLA.