Dietary intake of metals, metalloids, and persistent organic pollutants in Spanish pregnant women. ECLIPSES study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe dietary intake and important dietary sources to pollutants as well as to identify maternal socio-economic and lifestyle factors associated with high intake during pregnancy in women residing in a Mediterranean city with heavy industrial activity. METHODS: Dietary intake during pregnancy of As, InAs, Cd, MeHg, Pb, PCDD/Fs, DL-PCBs, and NDL-PCBs in 701 pregnant women participating in the longitudinal ECLIPSES study was calculated based on a 45-item food-frequency questionnaire and a database of pollutants in food of the Catalan Food Safety Agency. Details on socio-economic, lifestyle, and anthropometric variables were also collected. RESULTS: The mean dietary intake of pollutants per day and the food group that contributed the most (%) was: 286.51 µg of As (71.27% from white fish), 4.14 µg of InAs (70.16% from cereals-tubers), 6.27 µg of Cd (47.51% from seafood), 5.00 µg of MeHg (52.88% from blue fish), 3.32 µg of Pb (30.15% from cereals-tubers), 9.93 pg of PCDD/Fs (from many food categories), 18.39 pg of DL-PCBs (59.74% from blue fish) and 181.00 ng of NDL-PCBs (44.58% from blue fish). Adjusted multivariate analysis revealed that older age was associated with high As intake, higher educational level was related to low InAs, Cd, and DL-PCBs intake, and alcohol use and smoking were linked with high Pb intake. CONCLUSION: The dietary intake of pollutants including As and DL-PCBs among pregnant women exceeds or almost reaches the EFSA safety threshold. These findings support the urgent need for local governments to pay special attention to this situation and develop specific prevention strategies for this vulnerable group.

Cross-Sectional Associations between HDL Structure or Function, Cell Membrane Fatty Acid Composition, and Inflammation in Elderly Adults.

BACKGROUND: Cell membrane fatty acid composition has been related to inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Dysregulation of HDL function is also considered a CVD risk factor. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate whether the content of cell membrane fatty acids and HDL functionality are linked to each other as well as to inflammation. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis involved 259 participants (mean age: 67.9 y) with overweight/obesity (mean BMI: 29.5 kg/m2) from a coronary artery disease case-control study nested within the PREDIMED (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea) trial for which HDL functional parameters [apoA-I, apoA-IV, and apoC-III; cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC); HDL oxidative inflammatory index (HOII); sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P); serum amyloid A (SAA); and complement-3 (C3) protein] were quantified. We also assessed 22 fatty acids in blood cell membranes using GC and inflammatory markers (IFN-γ and IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) in serum. Associations of HDL-related variables with cell membrane fatty acids and with inflammatory markers were assessed using multivariable linear regression analyses with elastic net penalty. RESULTS: ApoA-I, apoC-III, CEC, HOII, S1P, and SAA, but not apoA-IV and C3 protein, were associated with membrane fatty acids. S1P and SAA were directly associated with IL-6, whereas apoA-I and C3 protein showed inverse associations with IL-6. Specific fatty acids including myristic acid (14:0) and long-chain n-6 fatty acids being negatively and positively associated with IL-8, respectively, were also found to be positively associated with SAA. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests interrelations between indicators of inflammation and both blood cell membrane fatty acid composition and HDL structure/functional parameters in a Mediterranean population at high CVD risk.This trial was registered at www.isrctn.com as ISRCTN35739639.

GSPE pre-treatment protects against long-term cafeteria diet-induced mitochondrial and inflammatory affectations in the hippocampus of rats.

Deregulations like the loss of sensitivity to insulin (insulin resistance) and chronic inflammation are alterations very commonly found in sporadic forms of neurodegenerative pathologies. Thus, finding strategies to protect against them, may lead to a reduction in the incidence and/or affectation of these pathologies. The grape seed-derived proanthocyanidins extract (GSPE) is a mixture of compounds highly enriched in polyphenols and flavonoids that have shown to have a wide range of therapeutic benefits due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the protective effects of a short pre-treatment of GSPE in the hippocampus against a prolonged feeding with cafeteria diet. METHODS: GSPE was administered for 10 days followed by 12 weeks of cafeteria diet. We analyzed transcriptional activity of genes and protein expression of key mediators of neurodegeneration in brain samples. RESULTS: Results indicated that GSPE was able to protect against cellular damage through the activation of AKT, as well as promote the maintenance of mitochondrial function by conserving the OXPHOS complexes and upregulating the antioxidant SOD. DISCUSSION: We observed that GSPE decreased inflammatory activation as observed through the downregulation of JNK, IL6 and TNFα, just like the reduction in reactive profile of astrocytes. Overall, the data presented here offers an interesting and hopeful initial step for future long-term studies on the beneficial effects of a supplementation of common diets with polyphenol and flavonoid substances for the amelioration of typical early hallmarks of neurodegeneration.

Effects of Nutrition on Cognitive Function in Adults with or without Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials.

New dietary approaches for the prevention of cognitive impairment are being investigated. However, evidence from dietary interventions is mainly from food and nutrient supplement interventions, with inconsistent results and high heterogeneity between trials. We conducted a comprehensive systematic search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in MEDLINE-PubMed, from January 2018 to July 2021, investigating the impact of dietary counseling, as well as food-based and dietary supplement interventions on cognitive function in adults with or without cognitive impairment. Based on the search strategy, 197 eligible publications were used for data abstraction. Finally, 61 articles were included in the analysis. There was reasonable evidence that dietary patterns, as well as food and dietary supplements improved cognitive domains or measures of brain integrity. The Mediterranean diet showed promising results, whereas the role of the DASH diet was not clear. Healthy food consumption improved cognitive function, although the quality of these studies was relatively low. The role of dietary supplements was mixed, with strong evidence of the benefits of polyphenols and combinations of nutrients, but with low evidence for PUFAs, vitamin D, specific protein, amino acids, and other types of supplements. Further well-designed RCTs are needed to guide the development of dietary approaches for the prevention of cognitive impairment.

Tricarboxylic acid cycle related-metabolites and risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle deregulation may predispose to cardiovascular diseases, but the role of TCA cycle-related metabolites in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) remains unexplored. This study sought to investigate the association of TCA cycle-related metabolites with risk of AF and HF. METHODS: We used two nested case-control studies within the PREDIMED study. During a mean follow-up for about 10 years, 512 AF and 334 HF incident cases matched by age (±5 years), sex and recruitment center to 616 controls and 433 controls, respectively, were included in this study. Baseline plasma levels of citrate, aconitate, isocitrate, succinate, malate and d/l-2-hydroxyglutarate were measured with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were fitted to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for metabolites and the risk of AF or HF. Potential confounders included smoking, family history of premature coronary heart disease, physical activity, alcohol intake, body mass index, intervention groups, dyslipidemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and medication use. RESULTS: Comparing extreme quartiles of metabolites, elevated levels of succinate, malate, citrate and d/l-2-hydroxyglutarate were associated with a higher risk of AF [ORQ4 vs. Q1 (95% CI): 1.80 (1.21-2.67), 2.13 (1.45-3.13), 1.87 (1.25-2.81) and 1.95 (1.31-2.90), respectively]. One SD increase in aconitate was directly associated with AF risk [OR (95% CI): 1.16 (1.01-1.34)]. The corresponding ORs (95% CI) for HF comparing extreme quartiles of malate, aconitate, isocitrate and d/l-2-hydroxyglutarate were 2.15 (1.29-3.56), 2.16 (1.25-3.72), 2.63 (1.56-4.44) and 1.82 (1.10-3.04), respectively. These associations were confirmed in an internal validation, except for aconitate and AF. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the potential role of the TCA cycle in the pathogenesis of cardiac outcomes.

Mediterranean diet enriched in extra-virgin olive oil or nuts modulates circulating exosomal non-coding RNAs.

PURPOSE: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, which can transport different molecules, including nucleic acids. Dietary habits may induce gene regulation through the modulation of exosomal RNAs. We aimed at characterizing exosomal lncRNAs, mRNA and miRNAs modulation after a 1-year adherence to a low-fat diet (LFD) or to Mediterranean-based diets enriched in extra-virgin olive oil (MedDiet + EVOO) or in a mixture of nuts (MedDiet + Nuts). METHODS: Plasma samples were collected, at baseline and after 1 year of dietary interventions, from 150 participants included in the PREDIMED study (Reus Center). LncRNAs, mRNAs and miRNAs were isolated from plasma exosomes and screened. RT-qPCR validation was performed for miRNAs. RESULTS: Compared with LFD, 413 lncRNAs and 188 mRNAs, and 476 lncRNAs and 235 mRNAs were differentially modulated in response to the MedDiet + EVOO and MedDiet + Nuts interventions, respectively. In addition, after 1 year of dietary interventions, 26 circulating miRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between groups. After 1 year of intervention, 11 miRNAs significantly changed in LFD group, while 8 and 21 were modulated in response to the MedDiet enriched with EVOO or nuts, respectively. Bioinformatic analyses of differentially expressed miRNAs and their validated target genes suggest certain metabolic pathways are modulated by LFD (PI3K-Akt and AMPK), MedDiet + EVOO (PI3K-Akt, NF-kappa B, HIF-1, and insulin resistance), and MedDiet-Nuts (FoxO, PI3K-Akt, AMPK, p53 and HIF-1) interventions. CONCLUSION: Results show that 1-year MedDiet + Nuts and MedDiet + EVOO dietary interventions modulate exosomal RNA content, with the former affecting a higher number of miRNAs. The modulation of exosomal RNAs could help explain how the adherence to a Mediterranean diet may lead to beneficial effects and deserves further investigation.

Effect on gut microbiota of a 1-y lifestyle intervention with Mediterranean diet compared with energy-reduced Mediterranean diet and physical activity promotion: PREDIMED-Plus Study.

BACKGROUND: The Mediterranean diet is a well-recognized healthy diet that has shown to induce positive changes in gut microbiota. Lifestyle changes such as diet along with physical activity could aid in weight loss and improve cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of an intensive lifestyle weight loss intervention on gut microbiota. METHODS: This is a substudy of the PREDIMED-Plus (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea-Plus), a randomized controlled trial conducted in overweight/obese men and women (aged 55-75 y) with metabolic syndrome. The intervention group (IG) underwent an intensive weight loss lifestyle intervention based on an energy-restricted Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and physical activity promotion, and the control group (CG) underwent a non-energy-restricted MedDiet for 1 y. Anthropometric, biochemical, and gut microbial 16S rRNA sequencing data were analyzed at baseline (n = 362) and 1-y follow-up (n = 343). RESULTS: IG participants had a weight loss of 4.2 (IQR, -6.8, -2.5) kg compared with 0.2 (IQR, -2.1, 1.4) kg in the CG (P < 0.001). Reductions in BMI, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and triglycerides and an increase in HDL cholesterol were greater in IG than in CG participants (P < 0.05). We observed a decrease in Butyricicoccus, Haemophilus, Ruminiclostridium 5, and Eubacterium hallii in the IG compared with the CG. Many genera shifted in the same direction within both intervention groups, indicating an overall effect of the MedDiet. Decreases in Haemophilus, Coprococcus 3, and few other genera were associated with a decrease in adiposity parameters in both intervention groups. Changes in Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 were positively associated with changes in MedDiet adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss induced by an energy-restricted MedDiet and physical activity induce changes in gut microbiota. The role of MedDiet-induced changes on the host might be via short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria, whereas with energy restriction, these changes might be modulated with other mechanisms, which need to be explored in future studies. This trial was registered at http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN89898870 as ISRCT 89898870.

Sperm DNA methylation changes after short-term nut supplementation in healthy men consuming a Western-style diet.

BACKGROUND: Many environmental and lifestyle factors have been implicated in the decline of sperm quality, with diet being one of the most plausible factors identified in recent years. Moreover, several studies have reported a close association between the alteration of specific sperm DNA methylation signatures and semen quality. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of tree nut consumption on sperm DNA methylation patterns in healthy individuals reporting eating a Western-style diet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis conducted in a subset of participants (healthy, non-smoking, and young) from the FERTINUTS 14-wk randomized-controlled, parallel trial, recruited between December 2015 and February 2017. The participants included in the current study (n = 72) were randomly selected in a proportion 2:1 from the original FERTINUTS trial between the 98 participants that completed the entire dietary intervention (nut group, n = 48; control group, n = 24). Sperm DNA methylation patterns were examined at baseline and after 14 weeks in 48 individuals consuming 60 g/d of mixed nuts (nut group) and in 24 individuals following the usual Western-style diet avoiding consumption of nuts (control group). RESULTS: Over the course of the trial, no significant changes in global methylation were observed between groups. However, in the nut group, we identified 36 genomic regions that were significantly differentially methylated between the baseline and the end of the trial and 97.2% of the regions displayed hypermethylation. We identified no such change in the control group over the same period of time. We also utilized the recently developed germ line age calculator to determine if nut consumption resulted in alterations to the epigenetic age of cells and no significant differences were found. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Adding nuts to a regular Western-style diet subtly impacts sperm DNA methylation in specific regions, demonstrating that there are some sperm epigenome regions that could respond to diet.

Choline Metabolism and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure in the PREDIMED Study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the associations of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and its precursors (choline, betaine, dimethylglycine, and L-carnitine) with the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). This study sought to investigate these associations. METHODS: Prospective associations of these metabolites with incident AF and HF were examined among participants at high cardiovascular risk in the PREDIMED study (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea) after follow-up for about 10 years. Two nested case-control studies were conducted, including 509 AF incident cases matched to 618 controls and 326 HF incident cases matched to 426 controls. Plasma levels of TMAO and its precursors were semi-quantitatively profiled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Odds ratios were estimated with multivariable conditional logistic regression models. RESULTS: After adjustment for classical risk factors and accounting for multiple testing, participants in the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile of baseline choline and betaine levels had a higher risk of AF [OR (95% CI): 1.85 (1.30-2.63) and 1.57 (1.09-2.24), respectively]. The corresponding OR for AF for extreme quartiles of dimethylglycine was 1.39 (0.99-1.96). One SD increase in log-transformed dimethylglycine was positively associated with AF risk (OR, 1.17; 1.03-1.33). The corresponding ORs for HF for extreme quartiles of choline, betaine, and dimethylglycine were 2.51 (1.57-4.03), 1.65 (1.00-2.71) and 1.65 (1.04-2.61), respectively. TMAO and L-carnitine levels were not associated with AF or HF. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the role of the choline metabolic pathway in the pathogenesis of AF and HF.

Dietary Fibre Consensus from the International Carbohydrate Quality Consortium (ICQC).

Dietary fibre is a generic term describing non-absorbed plant carbohydrates and small amounts of associated non-carbohydrate components. The main contributors of fibre to the diet are the cell walls of plant tissues, which are supramolecular polymer networks containing variable proportions of cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectic substances, and non-carbohydrate components, such as lignin. Other contributors of fibre are the intracellular storage oligosaccharides, such as fructans. A distinction needs to be made between intrinsic sources of dietary fibre and purified forms of fibre, given that the three-dimensional matrix of the plant cell wall confers benefits beyond fibre isolates. Movement through the digestive tract modifies the cell wall structure and may affect the interactions with the colonic microbes (e.g., small intestinally non-absorbed carbohydrates are broken down by bacteria to short-chain fatty acids, absorbed by colonocytes). These aspects, combined with the fibre associated components (e.g., micronutrients, polyphenols, phytosterols, and phytoestrogens), may contribute to the health outcomes seen with the consumption of dietary fibre. Therefore, where possible, processing should minimise the degradation of the plant cell wall structures to preserve some of its benefits. Food labelling should include dietary fibre values and distinguish between intrinsic and added fibre. Labelling may also help achieve the recommended intake of 14 g/1000 kcal/day.

Prospective association of physical activity and inflammatory biomarkers in older adults from the PREDIMED-Plus study with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: There is limited prospective evidence on the association between physical activity (PA) and inflammation in older adults. Our aim was to assess the associations between changes in PA and changes in the inflammatory profile in older individuals who are overweight or obese. METHODS: This prospective study included 489 men and women, aged 55-75 years, from the PREDIMED-Plus trial. Levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 18 (IL-18), monocyte chemo-attractant protein-1 (MCP-1), C-peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), leptin, and regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted chemokine (RANTES) were obtained from fasting blood samples and a composite inflammatory score based on these biomarkers was calculated. Physical activity was measured by a validated questionnaire. All measures were taken at baseline and one-year follow-up. RESULTS: Multiple linear regression models showed an association between an increase in total PA and a decrease in the inflammatory score (p = 0.012), which was particularly driven by a decrease in C-peptide (p = 0.037). Similarly, the inflammatory score decreased with increasing moderate PA (p = 0.001), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Increases in total PA, moderate and moderate-to-vigorous PA were associated with a decrease in the inflammatory profile of obese or overweight older individuals. This finding is relevant for PA recommendations and public health strategies. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: Clinical trial identifier: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial 89898870.

Plant-Based Fat, Dietary Patterns Rich in Vegetable Fat and Gut Microbiota Modulation.

Diet is advocated as a key factor influencing gut microbiota. Several studies have focused on the effect of different carbohydrates, mainly fiber, on gut microbiota. However, what remains to be elucidated is the impact of a key component of diet that is widely debated upon: dietary fats. This review highlights the importance of understanding the source, quality, and type of fats that could differentially modify the intestinal microbiome. Fats from plant-based sources such as nuts, or vegetable oils have shown positive alterations in gut microbiota biodiversity both in in vivo and in vitro studies. Nuts and other plant-based fat sources, dietary patterns (e.g., Mediterranean diet) rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats and, in some cases, polyphenols, and other phytochemicals, have been associated with increased bacterial diversity, as well beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria imparting a positive metabolic influence. It is with this interest, this narrative review brings together evidences on different plant-based fat sources, dietary patterns rich in vegetable fats, and associated changes in gut microbiota.

The Involvement of Peripheral and Brain Insulin Resistance in Late Onset Alzheimer's Dementia.

Nowadays, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe sociological and clinical problem. Since it was first described, there has been a constant increase in its incidence and, for now, there are no effective treatments since current approved medications have only shown short-term symptomatic benefits. Therefore, it is imperative to increase efforts in the search for molecules and non-pharmacological strategies that are capable of slowing or stopping the progress of the disease and, ideally, to reverse it. The amyloid cascade hypothesis based on the fundamental role of amyloid has been the central hypothesis in the last 30 years. However, since amyloid-directed treatments have shown no relevant beneficial results other theories have been postulated to explain the origin of the pathology. The brain is a highly metabolically active energy-consuming tissue in the human body. It has an almost complete dependence on the metabolism of glucose and uses most of its energy for synaptic transmission. Thus, alterations on the utilization or availability of glucose may be cause for the appearance of neurodegenerative pathologies like AD. In this review article, the hypothesis known as Type 3 Diabetes (T3D) will be evaluated by summarizing some of the data that has been reported in recent years. According to published research, the adherence over time to low saturated fatty acids diets in the context of the Mediterranean diet would reduce the inflammatory levels in brain, with a decrease in the pro-inflammatory glial activation and mitochondrial oxidative stress. In this situation, the insulin receptor pathway would be able to fine tune the mitochondrial biogenesis in neuronal cells, regulation the adenosine triphosphate/adenosine diphosphate intracellular balance, and becoming a key factor involved in the preservation of the synaptic connexions and neuronal plasticity. In addition, new targets and strategies for the treatment of AD will be considered in this review for their potential as new pharmacological or non-pharmacological approaches.

Plasma Metabolites Associated with Frequent Red Wine Consumption: A Metabolomics Approach within the PREDIMED Study.

SCOPE: The relationship between red wine (RW) consumption and metabolism is poorly understood. It is aimed to assess the systemic metabolomic profiles in relation to frequent RW consumption as well as the ability of a set of metabolites to discriminate RW consumers. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional analysis of 1157 participants is carried out. Subjects are divided as non-RW consumers versus RW consumers (>1 glass per day RW [100 mL per day]). Plasma metabolomics analysis is performed using LC-MS. Associations between 386 identified metabolites and RW consumption are assessed using elastic net regression analysis taking into consideration baseline significant covariates. Ten-cross-validation (CV) is performed and receiver operating characteristic curves are constructed in each of the validation datasets based on weighted models. A subset of 13 metabolites is consistently selected and RW consumers versus nonconsumers are discriminated. Based on the multi-metabolite model weighted with the regression coefficients of metabolites, the area under the curve is 0.83 (95% CI: 0.80-0.86). These metabolites mainly consisted of lipid species, some organic acids, and alkaloids. CONCLUSIONS: A multi-metabolite model identified in a Mediterranean population appears useful to discriminate between frequent RW consumers and nonconsumers. Further studies are needed to assess the contribution of these metabolites in health and disease.

A Mediterranean Diet Rich in Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Is Associated with a Reduced Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Older Individuals at High Cardiovascular Risk.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is thought to reduce liver steatosis. OBJECTIVES: To explore the associations with liver steatosis of 3 different diets: a MedDiet + extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), MedDiet + nuts, or a control diet. METHODS: This was a subgroup analysis nested within a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial, PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED trial: ISRCTN35739639), aimed at assessing the effect of a MedDiet on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. One hundred men and women (mean age: 64 ± 6 y), at high cardiovascular risk (62% with type 2 diabetes) from the Bellvitge-PREDIMED center were randomly assigned to a MedDiet supplemented with EVOO, a MedDiet supplemented with mixed nuts, or a control diet (advice to reduce all dietary fat). No recommendations to lose weight or increase physical activity were given. Main measurements were the percentage of liver fat and the diagnosis of steatosis, which were determined by NMR imaging. The association of diet with liver fat content was analyzed by bivariate analysis after a median follow-up of 3 y. RESULTS: Baseline adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors were similar among the 3 treatment arms. At 3 y after the intervention hepatic steatosis was present in 3 (8.8%), 12 (33.3%), and 10 (33.3%) of the participants in the MedDiet + EVOO, MedDiet + nuts, and control diet groups, respectively (P = 0.027). Respective mean values of liver fat content were 1.2%, 2.7%, and 4.1% (P = 0.07). A tendency toward significance was observed for the MedDiet + EVOO group compared with the control group. Median values of urinary 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid/creatinine concentrations were significantly (P = 0.001) lower in the MedDiet + EVOO (2.3 ng/mg) than in the MedDiet + nuts (5.0 ng/mg) and control (3.9 ng/mg) groups. No differences in adiposity or glycemic control changes were seen between groups. CONCLUSIONS: An energy-unrestricted MedDiet supplemented with EVOO, a food with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is associated with a reduced prevalence of hepatic steatosis in older individuals at high cardiovascular risk.

Effect of Nut Consumption on Erectile and Sexual Function in Healthy Males: A Secondary Outcome Analysis of the FERTINUTS Randomized Controlled Trial.

Lifestyle risk factors for erectile and sexual function include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, psychological stress, and adherence to unhealthy diets. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of mixed nuts supplementation on erectile and sexual function. Eighty-three healthy male aged 18-35 with erectile function assessment were included in this FERTINUTS study sub-analysis; a 14-week randomized, controlled, parallel feeding trial. Participants were allocated to (1) the usual Western-style diet enriched with 60 g/day of a mixture of nuts (nut group; n = 43), or (2) the usual Western-style diet avoiding nuts (control group; n = 40). At baseline and the end of the intervention, participants answered 15 questions contained in the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and peripheral levels of nitric oxide (NO) and E-selectin were measured, as surrogated markers of erectile endothelial function. Anthropometrical characteristics, and seminogram and blood biochemical parameters did not differ between intervention groups at baseline. Compared to the control group, a significant increase in the orgasmic function (p-value = 0.037) and sexual desire (p-value = 0.040) was observed during the nut intervention. No significant differences in changes between groups were shown in peripheral concentrations of NO and E-selectin. Including nuts in a regular diet significantly improved auto-reported orgasmic function and sexual desire.

Plasma Metabolites Associated with Coffee Consumption: A Metabolomic Approach within the PREDIMED Study.

Few studies have examined the association of a wide range of metabolites with total and subtypes of coffee consumption. The aim of this study was to investigate associations of plasma metabolites with total, caffeinated, and decaffeinated coffee consumption. We also assessed the ability of metabolites to discriminate between coffee consumption categories. This is a cross-sectional analysis of 1664 participants from the PREDIMED study. Metabolites were semiquantitatively profiled using a multiplatform approach. Consumption of total coffee, caffeinated coffee and decaffeinated coffee was assessed by using a validated food frequency questionnaire. We assessed associations between 387 metabolite levels with total, caffeinated, or decaffeinated coffee consumption (≥50 mL coffee/day) using elastic net regression analysis. Ten-fold cross-validation analyses were used to estimate the discriminative accuracy of metabolites for total and subtypes of coffee. We identified different sets of metabolites associated with total coffee, caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption. These metabolites consisted of lipid species (e.g., sphingomyelin, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine) or were derived from glycolysis (alpha-glycerophosphate) and polyphenol metabolism (hippurate). Other metabolites included caffeine, 5-acetylamino-6-amino-3-methyluracil, cotinine, kynurenic acid, glycocholate, lactate, and allantoin. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.60 (95% CI 0.56-0.64), 0.78 (95% CI 0.75-0.81) and 0.52 (95% CI 0.49-0.55), in the multimetabolite model, for total, caffeinated, and decaffeinated coffee consumption, respectively. Our comprehensive metabolic analysis did not result in a new, reliable potential set of metabolites for coffee consumption.

Dairy products intake and the risk of incident cataracts surgery in an elderly Mediterranean population: results from the PREDIMED study.

PROPOSAL: The aim of this study was to examine the association between the consumption of total and specific types of dairy products and the risk of incident cataracts in an elderly Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 5860 subjects from the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) Study. The time to cataract surgery was calculated as the time between recruitment and the date of the surgery, last visit of the follow-up, date of death, or until the end of the study. Dairy products intake was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires. We used Cox proportional hazard regression to assess the risk of cataract surgery according to average dietary energy-adjusted total dairy products, milk, yogurt and cheese consumption. RESULTS: We documented a total of 768 new cataract events after a median of 5.6 years of follow-up. Subjects in the second [hazard ratio (HR) 0.62; 95% CI 0.52, 0.74] and third tertile (HR: 0.71; 95% CI 0.60, 0.85) of skimmed yogurt intake had a significantly lower risk of cataracts after adjusting for potential confounders. No significant associations were observed for total dairy products, whole and skimmed milk, whole yogurt and cheese consumption. CONCLUSION: The intake of skimmed yogurt was associated with a reduced risk of cataracts in an elderly Mediterranean population with high cardiovascular risk. No significant associations were observed for other type of dairy product. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 35739639. Registration date: 5 October 2005.

Legume consumption and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in the PREDIMED study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Limited prospective studies have examined the association between legumes consumption and mortality, whereas scarce, if at all, previous studies have evaluated such associations taking into consideration specific grain legumes. We aimed to investigate the association between total legumes consumption and grain legumes species (dry beans, chickpeas, lentils, and fresh peas) with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and other-cause mortality among elderly Mediterranean individuals at high CVD risk. METHODS: We prospectively assessed 7216 participants from the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea study. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline and yearly during follow-up by using a validated food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 6.0 years, 425 total deaths, 103 CVD deaths, 169 cancer deaths and 153 due to other-causes deaths occurred. Hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence interval (CI)] of CVD mortality were 1.52 (1.02-2.89) (P-trend = 0.034) and 2.23 (1.32-3.78) (P-trend = 0.002) for the 3rd tertile of total legumes and dry beans consumption, respectively, compared with the 1st tertile. When comparing extreme tertiles, higher total legumes and lentils consumption was associated with 49% (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.31-0.84; P-trend = 0.009) and 37% (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.40-0.98; P-trend = 0.049) lower risk of cancer mortality. Similar associations were observed for CVD death in males and for cancer death in males, obese and diabetic participants. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the benefits of legumes consumption for cancer mortality prevention which may be counterbalanced by their higher risk for CVD mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered at http://www.controlled-trials.com (ISRCTN35739639). Registration date: 5th October 2005.