Evaluating the influence of ultra-processed food intake on associations between dietary indices with systemic inflammation in adulthood and old ages.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Low-grade systemic inflammation (LGSI) is critical to developing many chronic diseases. In turn, it has been shown that the diet can modulate favorably or unfavorably the inflammatory status. Thus, evaluating the diet from appropriate approaches is fundamental; to do so, there are different proposals for dietary indexes. We aimed to: (i) investigate the association between three well-known dietary indexes and LGSI biomarkers; (ii) test these associations individually or in combination with an indicator of ultra-processed foods (UFPs) intake. (iii) as an additional aim, hypothesizing that all the indexes should be capable of identifying the inflammatory potential of diet, we tested the hypothesis that these indexes agree and correlate with each other. METHODS: Cross-sectional population-based data of adults and older persons (n = 583). Dietary data were obtained through two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls (24HDR) and calculated for Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS); Brazilian Healthy Eating Index - Revised (BHEI-R) and energy ingested from UPFs (UPFs ratio). An LGSI score was created from some plasma inflammatory biomarkers [C-Reactive Protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and adiponectin]. Logistic and linear regression models tested the associations between dietary indexes and LGSI score. RESULTS: The MSDPS and DII were significantly associated with our inflammatory score, but the BHEI-R did not. Including UPFs in regression models did not increase the strength of these associations. CONCLUSIONS: From the three scores, the dietary inflammatory index and the Mediterranean-style dietary pattern score (MSDPS) were the ones that showed significant association with the inflammatory biomarker. The combination of the indexes with a ratio of UPF intake did not increase the significance of our analyses. The best agreement between the indexes was found between MSDPS and UPFs ratio; the only pair of indexes considered concordant and correlated was the BHEI-R and DII.

100% Orange Juice Consumption is Associated with Socioeconomic Status, Improved Nutrient Adequacy, and Higher Bioactive Compounds Intake: Results from Brazilian National Dietary Survey 2017-2018.

OBJECTIVE: The consumption of 100% orange juice (OJ) has been associated with nutrient adequacy and better diet quality. To date, there are few analyses exploring 100% OJ consumption patterns across populations, with no data from Brazil. We aimed to explore the associations between 100% OJ consumption, sociodemographic factors, and nutrient intake in a representative sample of the Brazilian general population aged 10 years or older. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Dietary Survey 2017-2018, a cross-sectional study including data on individual food intake of 46,164 subjects aged ≥10 years collected using two 24-h dietary recalls. RESULTS: 100% OJ was consumed by 11% of the population, with a mean intake of 43.0 ml/d. Males were more frequent consumers compared to females, and the percentage of consumers increased with education and income. 100% OJ consumption was associated with higher intakes of energy, vitamin C, folate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, polyphenols, and carotenoids. There is no significant difference in fiber intake between consumers and non-consumers. 100% OJ consumers had a higher percentage of the population meeting the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, folate, calcium, and magnesium. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that 100% OJ could be a component of a healthy diet, helping individuals to achieve nutrient recommendations.

Bioactive compounds intake in the Brazilian population: Trends and determinants of socioeconomic inequalities between 2008 and 2018.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims at evaluating trends and determinants of socioeconomic inequalities in consumption of bioactive compounds in representative sample of the Brazilian population the period from 2008-2009 to 2017-2018. METHODS: Data from two cross-sectional population-based surveys were analyzed in the study, using descriptive analysis and estimation of inequalities in consumption. Trends in polyphenol and carotenoid intake were estimated using food consumption data from National Dietary Survey (NDS) 2008-2009 (n = 34,003) and 2017-2018 (n = 46,164). Evolution and determinants of inequalities in bioactive compounds intake were identified using analysis of inequality based on concentration index. RESULTS: Consumption of total polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids and carotenoid classes (except for zeaxanthin) was significantly associated with per capita income after adjustment for potential confounders, being higher income associated with higher intake of bioactive compounds. Disaggregation of inequalities showed that education was the main factor associated with consumption of flavonoids, other polyphenols and ß-cryptoxanthin in 2008-2009; whilst income was the main barrier to intake of polyphenols and carotenoids in 2017-2018. CONCLUSION: Income level and educational attainment have been important determinants to inequalities in bioactive compounds intake in the Brazilian population throughout the period of analysis, being higher intake of bioactive compounds-rich foods and beverages associated with higher income.

Bioactive Compounds Intake of the Brazilian Population According to Geographic Region.

Studies have been conducted in order to estimate bioactive compound consumption across populations, with substantial disparities according to the origin of the cohort examined. In this sense, Brazil is a continental country with marked differences in food plant availability across geographic regions. We aimed to estimate the bioactive compound intake according to Brazilian geographic region, as well as to determine the major contributors. Data were obtained from the National Dietary Survey 2017-2018, a cross-sectional population-based study including data on the individual food intake of 46,164 subjects aged ≥10 years. The consumption of polyphenols (total and classes) was significantly higher in the South compared with other regions (p = 0.0001). Total carotenoid intake was higher in the Midwest, followed by the Southeast (p = 0.0001). Tea was the main supplier of total polyphenol intake in the South, whereas coffee contributed the most to total polyphenol intake in other Brazilian regions. Açaí, caja juice, mango and corn were important suppliers of carotenoid intake in the North and Northeast. Bioactive compound intake presented variations according to Brazilian region, and individuals living in the South, Midwest and Southeast may experience higher bioactive-dense diets. We highlight the potential of many food plants for sustained explorations to the development of marketable products, possibly increasing the bioactive compound intake.

Inflammatory biomarkers in overweight and obese Iranian women are associated with polyphenol intake.

BACKGROUND: The evidence shows that obesity is associated with chronic inflammation in obese subjects. Polyphenols are a complex group of plant secondary metabolites that may play a role in reducing the risk of obesity and obesity-related diseases. Given the scarcity of evidence on the association between inflammatory markers and dietary polyphenols intake in overweight/obese Iranian women, the current study aims to investigate this link. METHOD: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 391 overweight and obese Iranian women aged 18-48 years (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2). A 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary intake, as well as anthropometric indices including weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) and biochemistry parameters including triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (Chole), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), galactin-3 (Gal-3), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), interleukin-1 beta (IL_1ß), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PA-I), serum leptin concentrations, and C-reactive protein of high sensitivity (hs-CRP) in all participants. The inflammatory markers were assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULT: The findings revealed a significant negative association between flavonoids intake and MCP-1 (P = 0.024), lignans intake and MCP-1 (P = 0.017), and Gal-3 (P = 0.032). These significant associations were observed between other polyphenols intake and IL_1ß (P = 0.014). There was also a significant positive association between other polyphenol intake and TGF-ß (P = 0.008) and between phenolic acid intake and TGF-ß (P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a high polyphenol intake may help individuals to reduce systemic inflammation. Further large studies involving participants of different ages and genders are highly warranted.

Estimated polyphenol intake and major food sources of the Brazilian population: changes between 2008-2009 and 2017-2018.

Assessing the dietary intake of polyphenols and their major food sources is the first step towards documenting the associations with health outcomes. Considering recent changes in dietary patterns of the Brazilian population, continuous monitoring of polyphenol intake is important. Thus, the present study was conducted to estimate the polyphenol intake and major food sources in the diet of the Brazilian population using data from the most recent National Dietary Survey (NDS, 2017-2018), to characterise the intake changes according to demographic characteristics and to compare the intake over the past decade in Brazil. Data from two cross-sectional population-based surveys were analyzed in the study. Trends in polyphenol intake and major food sources were estimated using food consumption data from NDS 2008-2009 (n 34 003) and 2017-2018 (n 46 164). The median (25-75th percentiles) of energy-adjusted polyphenol intake in 2017-2018 was 216·3 mg (125·3-495·2 mg) per 1000 kcal/d (4184 kJ/d), representing an increase of 12·3 mg/d from 2008-2009. However, unadjusted polyphenol intakes were similar between the surveys (medians: 364·3 mg/d in 2008-2009 and 366·9 mg/d in 2017-2018). The main food sources of total and polyphenol intake classes presented some variations between 2008-2009 and 2017-2018, with greater contribution of beans preparations, salads and tea to polyphenol intake, and decrease of orange contribution. Our study provided an updated information on polyphenol intake and its major food sources. The median intake remains lower than the reported by other populations. Furthermore, the results may contribute to future studies investigating temporal trends in polyphenol intake and disease risk.

Assessment of dietary intake of bioactive food compounds according to income level in the Brazilian population.

There is an inverse association between bioactive compounds intake and disease risk. The knowledge of its consumption according to socio-economic strata is important, which allows identification of potential intervention targets. Thus, we aimed to investigate bioactive compounds intake according to income level in Brazilian population. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey, a cross-sectional survey which included data on individual food intake of 34,003 subjects aged 10 years and over collected using two 24-h dietary records. Polyphenol and carotenoid content of foods was identified using published databases. Total polyphenol and carotenoid intake were determined according to per capita income, as well as main food sources. Total polyphenols and flavonoids intake increased with income level, and subjects with lower income showed higher phenolic acids intake than individuals in highest income (p = 0.0001). Total carotenoids and classes intake (with exception to ß-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin) were higher among subjects in highest income quartile, compared to the lowest quartile (p = 0.0001). Coffee was major source to total polyphenols and phenolic acids intake, and orange juice was main flavonoid provider in individuals from all income levels. In the upper income quartile, total carotenoid was supplied mainly by tomato and kale, and fruits had important contribution to carotenoid intake in the lowest income quartile. There is important influence of income level on diet quality regarding intake of foods with bioactive compounds, and individuals with lower income may experience lower quality diets due to less availability of foods with bioactive compounds.

Estimated dietary polyphenol intake and major food sources of the Brazilian population.

Epidemiological studies have suggested an inverse association between polyphenol intake and the risk of chronic diseases. However, the lack of comprehensive data on population-level intakes, especially in Latin American countries, has limited research on this topic. We aimed to estimate total and individual polyphenol intakes and determine the major dietary contributors in a representative sample of the Brazilian population. Data were obtained from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey, a cross-sectional survey which included data on individual food intake of 34 003 subjects aged 10 years and over collected using two 24-h dietary records. Polyphenol content of foods was identified using the Phenol-Explorer database and Brazilian Food Composition Database. Total and individual polyphenol intake was calculated, as well as the intake distribution by socio-demographic factors. The median and 25-75th percentiles of polyphenol intake were 364·3 and 200·9-1008 mg/d, respectively. After energy adjustment, the median and 25-75th percentiles of polyphenol intake were 204 and 111·4-542·1 mg/1000 kcal/d (4184 kJ/d), respectively. Non-alcoholic beverages and fruits were the major polyphenol suppliers, and coffee and orange juice the main individual food contributors to polyphenol intake. The individual compounds most consumed were isomers of chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-caffeoylquinic acid), naringenin and hesperetin. The present study provides, for the first time, data on dietary intake of total and individual polyphenols by the Brazilian population and illustrates the low quality of their diet. These results will facilitate the study of associations between polyphenol class intake and health outcomes, and will also be useful for future dietary intake recommendations.

Association between high consumption of phytochemical-rich foods and anthropometric measures: a systematic review.

Phytochemical-rich foods consumption may be a valid nutritional strategy to reduce the risk of weight gain and obesity. The phytochemical index (PI) is a simple and nonspecific method to evaluate the phytochemical intake, defined as the percentage of dietary calories derived from foods rich in phytochemicals. We aimed to conduct a systematic review to evaluate whether high consumption of phytochemical-rich foods evaluated by the PI is associated with lower values of anthropometric measurements. The available literature suggests that the PI seems to be inversely associated with body weight and waist circumference. Analyzing the longitudinal changes in anthropometric variables, individuals with high intake of phytochemicals gained less weight and fat mass when compared to those with lower PI. Our findings suggest that higher PI is associated with lower body mass index, waist circumference and adiposity. Whether the results are a reflex of a lower calorie intake or the anti-obesity properties of phytochemicals remains to be elucidated.