A discriminant analysis of plasma metabolomics for the assessment of metabolic responsiveness to red raspberry consumption.

Background: Many studies show that the intake of raspberries is beneficial to immune-metabolic health, but the responses of individuals are heterogeneous and not fully understood. Methods: In a two-arm parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial, immune-metabolic outcomes and plasma metabolite levels were analyzed before and after an 8-week red raspberry consumption. Based on partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) on plasma xenobiotic levels, adherence to the intervention was first evaluated. A second PLS-DA followed by hierarchical clustering was used to classify individuals into response subgroups. Clinical immune and metabolic outcomes, including insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and sensitivity (Matsuda, QUICKI) indices, during the intervention were assessed and compared between response subgroups. Results: Two subgroups of participants, type 1 responders (n = 17) and type 2 responders (n = 5), were identified based on plasma metabolite levels measured during the intervention. Type 1 responders showed neutral to negative effects on immune-metabolic clinical parameters after raspberry consumption, and type 2 responders showed positive effects on the same parameters. Changes in waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, fasting plasma apolipoprotein B, C-reactive protein and insulin levels as well as Matsuda, HOMA-IR and QUICKI were significantly different between the two response subgroups. A deleterious effect of two carotenoid metabolites was also observed in type 1 responders but these variables were significantly associated with beneficial changes in the QUICKI index and in fasting insulin levels in type 2 responders. Increased 3-ureidopropionate levels were associated with a decrease in the Matsuda index in type 2 responders, suggesting that this metabolite is associated with a decrease in insulin sensitivity for those subjects, whereas the opposite was observed for type 1 responders. Conclusion: The beneficial effects associated with red raspberry consumption are subject to inter-individual variability. Metabolomics-based clustering appears to be an effective way to assess adherence to a nutritional intervention and to classify individuals according to their immune-metabolic responsiveness to the intervention. This approach may be replicated in future studies to provide a better understanding of how interindividual variability impacts the effects of nutritional interventions on immune-metabolic health.

Impact of Blueberry Consumption on the Human Fecal Bileacidome: A Pilot Study of Bile Acid Modulation by Freeze-Dried Blueberry.

Cholesterol-derived bile acids (BAs) affect numerous physiological functions such as glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism and absorption, intestinal inflammation and immunity, as well as intestinal microbiota diversity. Diet influences the composition of the BA pool. In the present study, we analyzed the impact of a dietary supplementation with a freeze-dried blueberry powder (BBP) on the fecal BA pool composition. The diet of 11 men and 13 women at risk of metabolic syndrome was supplemented with 50 g/day of BBP for 8 weeks, and feces were harvested before (pre) and after (post) BBP consumption. BAs were profiled using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. No significant changes in total BAs were detected when comparing pre- vs. post-BBP consumption samples. However, post-BBP consumption samples exhibited significant accumulations of glycine-conjugated BAs (p = 0.04), glycochenodeoxycholic (p = 0.01), and glycoursodeoxycholic (p = 0.01) acids, as well as a significant reduction (p = 0.03) in the secondary BA levels compared with pre-BBP feces. In conclusion, the fecal bileacidome is significantly altered after the consumption of BBP for 8 weeks. While additional studies are needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and physiological implications of these changes, our data suggest that the consumption of blueberries can modulate toxic BA elimination.

Gene expression signatures and cardiometabolic outcomes following 8-week mango consumption in individuals with overweight/obesity.

Background: Little is known about the impact of mango consumption on metabolic pathways assessed by changes in gene expression. Methods: In this single-arm clinical trial, cardiometabolic outcomes and gene expression levels in whole blood samples from 26 men and women were examined at baseline and after 8 weeks of mango consumption and differential gene expression changes were determined. Based on changes in gene expression profiles, partial least squares discriminant analysis followed by hierarchical clustering were used to classify participants into subgroups of response and differences in gene expression changes and in cardiometabolic clinical outcomes following the intervention were tested. Results: Two subgroups of participants were separated based on the resemblance of gene expression profiles in response to the intervention and as responders (n = 8) and non-responders (n = 18). A total of 280 transcripts were significantly up-regulated and 603 transcripts down-regulated following the intervention in responders, as compared to non-responders. Several metabolic pathways, mainly related to oxygen and carbon dioxide transport as well as oxidative stress, were found to be significantly enriched with differentially expressed genes. In addition, significantly beneficial changes in hip and waist circumference, c-reactive protein, HOMA-IR and QUICKI indices were observed in responders vs. non-responders, following the intervention. Conclusion: The impact of mango consumption on cardiometabolic health appears to largely rely on interindividual variability. The novel transcriptomic-based clustering analysis used herein can provide insights for future research focused on unveiling the origins of heterogeneous responses to dietary interventions. Clinical Trial Registration: [clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT03825276].

Changes in systolic blood pressure, postprandial glucose, and gut microbial composition following mango consumption in individuals with overweight and obesity.

This study aimed to explore the impact of daily mango consumption (Mangifera indica) on cardiometabolic health and gut microbiota in individuals with overweight and obesity. Changes in cardiometabolic variables, gut microbiota diversity and composition, physical activity habits, and dietary intakes were assessed in 8 males and 19 females with overweight and obesity who consumed 280 g/day of mango pulp for 8 weeks. There were no significant changes in body weight, waist circumference, or plasma lipid levels. However, after consuming mangos for 8 weeks, participants showed a 3.5% reduction in systolic blood pressure (-4 ± 6 mm Hg, p = 0.011) as well as a 10.5% reduction in 2-hour plasma glucose concentration after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (-0.58 ± 1.03 mmol/L, p = 0.008). These beneficial cardiometabolic outcomes were accompanied with enhanced gut microbiota diversity and with changes in the abundance of specific gut bacterial species. Mango consumption may have beneficial effects on both blood pressure and glucose homeostasis in individuals with overweight and obesity. Further studies are warranted to determine the impact of long-term and regular mango intake on cardiometabolic risk factors of individuals with overweight and obesity, and the potential mechanisms linking gut microbial changes to those health benefits. This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03825276. Novelty: A 3.5% reduction in systolic blood pressure is noted after consuming mangos for 8 weeks. A 10.5% reduction in 2-hour plasma glucose concentration of an oral glucose tolerance test is observed after consuming mangos for 8 weeks. Mango consumption for 8 weeks may enhance gut microbial diversity and abundance of specific bacterial species.

Gut Microbial Signatures of Distinct Trimethylamine N-Oxide Response to Raspberry Consumption.

The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate the gut microbial signatures of distinct trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) responses following raspberry consumption. Investigations were carried out in 24 subjects at risk of developing metabolic syndrome who received 280 g/day of frozen raspberries for 8 weeks. Blood and stool samples were collected at weeks 0 and 8. Inter-individual variability in plasma TMAO levels was analyzed, 7 subjects were excluded due to noninformative signals and 17 subjects were kept for analysis and further stratified according to their TMAO response. Whole-metagenome shotgun sequencing analysis was used to determine the impact of raspberry consumption on gut microbial composition. Before the intervention, the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota was significantly higher in participants whose TMAO levels increased after the intervention (p = 0.03). The delta TMAO (absolute differences of baseline and week 8 levels) was positively associated with the abundance of gut bacteria such as Bilophila wadsworthia (p = 0.02; r2 = 0.37), from the genus Granulicatella (p = 0.03; r2 = 0.48) or the Erysipelotrichia class (p = 0.03; r2 = 0.45). Changes in the gut microbial ecology induced by raspberry consumption over an 8-week period presumably impacted quaternary amines-utilizing activity and thus plasma TMAO levels.

Health Benefits of Apple Juice Consumption: A Review of Interventional Trials on Humans.

Although numerous studies have reported the benefits of apple consumption on cardiometabolic health parameters and chronic disease prevention, few have focused on the effects of apple juice specifically. Juice consumption may be a convenient way to take advantage of the health effects of the bioactive components present in apples. The present review aims to summarize the current literature on health benefits of apple juice as reported in clinical trials in humans. Of the 67 studies retained, 20 interventional studies on humans were reviewed. Overall, cloudy apple juice consumption was found to be associated with several markers of cardiovascular health that may ultimately be relevant for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Most of the documentation was found regarding oxidative stress, as well as observations with other parameters such as markers of inflammation, lipid profile, and diabetes. This review suggests that, in 20 studies, apple juice consumed in moderation exerts positive effects on markers of cardiovascular disease risk (particularly on oxidative stress).

Validation of an automated self-administered 24-hour dietary recall web application against urinary recovery biomarkers in a sample of French-speaking adults of the province of Québec, Canada.

The objective of this study was to validate an automated self-administered 24-hour dietary recall web application (R24W) against recovery biomarkers for sodium, potassium and protein intakes and to identify individual characteristics associated with misreporting in a sample of 61 men and 69 women aged 20-65 years from Québec City, Canada. Each participant completed 3 dietary recalls using the R24W, provided two 24-hour urinary samples and completed questionnaires to document psychosocial factors. Mean reported intakes were 2.2%, 2.1% and 5.0% lower than the urinary reference values, respectively, for sodium, potassium and proteins (significant difference for proteins only (p = 0.04)). Deattenuated correlations between the self-reported intake and biomarkers were significant for sodium (r = 0.48), potassium (r = 0.56) and proteins (r = 0.68). Cross-classification showed that 39.7% (sodium), 42.9% (potassium) and 42.1% (proteins) of participants were ranked into the same quartile with both methods and only 4.8% (sodium), 3.2% (potassium) and 0.8% (proteins) were ranked in opposite quartiles. Lower body esteem related to appearance was associated with sodium underreporting in women (r = 0.33, p = 0.006). No other individual factor was found to be associated with misreporting. These results suggest that the R24W has a good validity for the assessment of sodium, potassium and protein intakes in a sample of French-speaking adults. Novelty: The validity of an automated self-administered 24-hour dietary recall web application named the R24W was tested using urinary biomarkers. According to 7 criteria, the R24W was found to have a good validity to assess self-reported intakes of sodium, potassium and proteins.

Raspberry consumption: identification of distinct immune-metabolic response profiles by whole blood transcriptome profiling.

Numerous studies have reported that diets rich in phenolic compounds are beneficial to immune-metabolic health, yet these effects are heterogeneous and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. To investigate the inter-individual variability of the immune-metabolic response to raspberry consumption, whole-blood RNAseq data from 24 participants receiving 280 g/d of raspberries for 8 weeks were used for the identification of responsiveness subgroups by using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLSDA) and hierarchical clustering. Transcriptomic-based clustering regrouped participants into two distinct subgroups of 13 and 11 participants, so-called responders and non-responders, respectively. Following raspberry consumption, a significant decrease in triglycerides, cholesterol and C-reactive protein levels were found in responders, as compared to non-responders. Two major gene expression components of 100 and 220 genes were identified by sparse PLSDA as those better discriminating responders from non-responders, and functional analysis identified pathways related to cytokine production, leukocyte activation and immune response as significantly enriched with most discriminant genes. As compared to non-responders, the plasma lipidomic profile of responders was characterized by a significant decrease in triglycerides and an increase in phosphatidylcholines following raspberry consumption. Prior to the intervention, a distinct metagenomic profile was identified by PLSDA between responsiveness subgroups, and the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidota ratio was found significantly lower in responders, as compared to non-responders. Findings point to this transcriptomic-based clustering approach as a suitable tool to identify distinct responsiveness subgroups to raspberry consumption. This approach represents a promising framework to tackle the issue of inter-individual variability in the understanding of the impact of foods on immune-metabolic health.

Individuals with self-determined motivation for eating have better overall diet quality: Results from the PREDISE study.

The study aimed at documenting motivational orientations for the regulation of eating as defined by self-determination theory and their association with sociodemographic characteristics and overall diet quality. As part of the PREDISE study, French-speaking women (n = 550) and men (n = 547), aged 18-65 years, living in the Province of Québec, Canada, completed online validated questionnaires. The Regulation of Eating Behavior Scale, based on the self-determination theory, assessed self-determined and non-self-determined motivation to regulate one's eating behavior. Three web-based 24-h food recalls were completed and used to compute the Canadian Healthy Eating Index 2007 (C-HEI), an indicator of the overall adherence to Canadian guidelines for healthy eating. Multiple linear regressions were performed to assess how regulation styles are associated with the C-HEI. Model 1 included no covariate, model 2 included sociodemographic covariates, and fully adjusted model 3 included as covariates sociodemographic variables as well as variables that were previously associated with diet quality, namely nutrition knowledge and social support for healthy eating. Women (p < 0.0001), older individuals (p = 0.0002), those with a higher education level (p < 0.0001), and non-smokers (p < 0.0001) reported higher self-determined motivation score than their counterparts. Self-determined motivation was positively (model 1: B = 4.67, p < 0.0001; model 2: B = 3.82, p < 0.0001; model 3: B = 3.61, p < 0.0001) and non-self-determined motivation was negatively (model 1: B = -1.62, p = 0.0009; model 2: B = -1.63, p = 0.0006; model 2: B = -1.49, p = 0.0022) associated with C-HEI. The present study suggests that some subgroups of the general adult population show more self-determined motivation for eating, which is associated with a better diet quality independently of individual characteristics and other individual and social determinants of healthy eating. Strategies to help individuals internalize the regulation of eating should be further investigated.

An 8-week freeze-dried blueberry supplement impacts immune-related pathways: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Blueberries contain high levels of polyphenolic compounds with high in vitro antioxidant capacities. Their consumption has been associated with improved vascular and metabolic health. PURPOSE: The objective was to examine the effects of blueberry supplement consumption on metabolic syndrome (MetS) parameters and potential underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled intervention trial was conducted in adults at risk of developing MetS. Participants consumed 50 g daily of either a freeze-dried highbush blueberry powder (BBP) or a placebo powder for 8 weeks (n = 49). MetS phenotypes were assessed at weeks 0, 4 and 8. Fasting blood gene expression profiles and plasma metabolomic profiles were examined at baseline and week 8 to assess metabolic changes occurring in response to the BBP. A per-protocol analysis was used. RESULTS: A significant treatment effect was observed for plasma triglyceride levels that was no longer significant after further adjustments for age, sex, BMI and baseline values. In addition, the treatment*time interactions were non-significant therefore suggesting that compared with the placebo, BBP had no statistically significant effect on body weight, blood pressure, fasting plasma lipid, insulin and glucose levels, insulin resistance (or sensitivity) or glycated hemoglobin concentrations. There were significant changes in the expression of 49 genes and in the abundance of 35 metabolites following BBP consumption. Differentially regulated genes were clustered in immune-related pathways. CONCLUSION: An 8-week BBP intervention did not significantly improve traditional markers of cardiometabolic health in adults at risk of developing MetS. However, changes in gene expression and metabolite abundance suggest that clinically significant cardiometabolic changes could take longer than 8 weeks to present and/or could result from whole blueberry consumption or a higher dosage. BBP may also have an effect on factors such as immunity even within a shorter 8-week timeframe. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03266055 , 2017.

Associations of Intake of Free and Naturally Occurring Sugars from Solid Foods and Drinks with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in a Quebec Adult Population: The PREDISE (PRÉDicteurs Individuels, Sociaux et Environnementaux) Study.

BACKGROUND: Associations between sugar consumption and cardiometabolic health, taking into account the physical form of sugar-containing foods (liquid vs. solid) and the type of sugars consumed [free sugars (FSs) vs. naturally occurring sugars (NOSs)], remain to be thoroughly documented. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine whether FS and NOS intakes from drinks and solid foods are associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in a sample of French-speaking adults from the province of Quebec, Canada. METHODS: Data were collected as part of the cross-sectional PREDISE (PRÉDicteurs Individuels, Sociaux et Environnementaux) study (n = 1019, 18-65 y old; 50% women). FS and NOS intakes were assessed by three 24-h dietary recalls using a self-administered, web-based application. Diet quality was assessed using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010. Participants underwent on-site clinical assessment of cardiometabolic risk factors, including blood pressure, waist circumference, BMI, and fasting blood sampling (glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, blood lipids). Multivariable linear regression models were performed to examine the associations between sugar intake and cardiometabolic risk factors with sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle variables, and diet quality entered as covariates. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, FS intake from drinks was associated with fasting insulin (1.06%; 95% CI: 0.30%, 1.84%; P = 0.006) and with insulin resistance as estimated using the HOMA model (1.01%; 95% CI: 0.19%, 1.84%; P = 0.02). All metabolic variables that were significantly associated with NOS intake from solid foods in minimally adjusted models were no longer significant after entering sociodemographic and lifestyle variables (e.g., educational and income levels, smoking, physical activity, daily energy intake) and diet quality in the models. CONCLUSIONS: Our data from an adult sample showed that unfavorable and favorable associations with cardiometabolic risk factors observed, respectively, for FS intake from drinks and NOS intake from foods are mostly explained by sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, as well as by diet quality.

Sex May Modulate the Effects of Combined Polyphenol Extract and L-citrulline Supplementation on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Adults with Prehypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Increased blood pressure (BP), vascular dysfunction and inflammation are involved in the etiology of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although several dietary components such as polyphenols and L-citrulline may help to control BP, their combined impact on ambulatory BP in individuals at risk of CVD remains unknown. The objective of this research was to investigate the short-term impact of supplementation with a combination of polyphenol extract and L-citrulline on ambulatory BP, endothelial function and inflammation. In a randomized double-blind parallel trial, 73 men and women with prehypertension were supplemented with a placebo (cellulose, n = 34, Plac) or 548 mg/day of polyphenols and 2 g/day of L-citrulline (n = 35, Suppl) for 6 weeks. The primary outcome of this study was the difference between groups in 24-h ambulatory diastolic BP (DBP) at week six. Secondary outcomes were a difference between groups at week six in ambulatory systolic BP (SBP), casual BP, serum lipids and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations and skin advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Potential interaction of treatment with sex was examined. Suppl had no impact on mean ambulatory SBP and DBP (p > 0.10 vs. placebo). Daytime and 24-h SBP were reduced with Suppl in women (p ≤ 0.01), but not in men (p ≥ 0.27). A non-significant reduction in AGEs was observed after Suppl compared to Plac among all participants (p = 0.07) and there was no difference in the concentrations of blood lipids (p > 0.20) or CRP (p = 0.36) between treatments at week six. Therefore, supplementation with polyphenol extract and L-citrulline for 6 weeks has no impact on ambulatory BP, blood lipids and CRP in adults with prehypertension. However, the polyphenol extract/L-citrulline supplement may reduce ambulatory SBP in women, but not in men. These preliminary results need further research efforts towards further documenting this sex-dependent BP response to supplementation with polyphenols and L-citrulline.

Associations Between Nutrition Knowledge and Overall Diet Quality: The Moderating Role of Sociodemographic Characteristics-Results From the PREDISE Study.

PURPOSE: To assess how nutrition knowledge is associated with global diet quality and to investigate whether sociodemographic characteristics (ie, sex, age, education, income, marital status, and living with children or not) moderate this association. DESIGN: Cross-sectional web-based study. PARTICIPANTS: The PREDISE study aims at identifying correlates of adherence to healthy eating guidelines in French-speaking adults from the Province of Quebec, Canada. SUBJECTS: A probability sample of 1092 participants (50% female). MEASURES: The Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire and 24-hour food recalls from which the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI) was calculated. ANALYSIS: Multiple linear regressions performed to assess how nutrition knowledge is associated with the C-HEI. Interaction terms tested to evaluate whether sociodemographic characteristics moderate the association between nutrition knowledge and the C-HEI. RESULTS: Nutrition knowledge (B = 0.141 [95% CI: 0.075-0.208], P < .0001) was identified as a significant correlate of the C-HEI. Education significantly moderated the association between nutrition knowledge and the C-HEI (P interaction = .0038), with a significative association among participants with a lower education level (B = 0.295 [95% CI: 0.170-0.421], P < .0001) but not among participants with a higher education level (B = 0.077 [95% CI: -0.004 to 0.157], P = .06). Whether participants lived with or without children also significantly moderated the association (P interaction = 0.0043); nutrition knowledge was associated with the C-HEI only in participants who were not living with children (B = 0.261 [95% CI: 0.167 to 0.355], P < .0001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the association between nutrition knowledge and adherence to healthy eating guidelines is not the same in different subgroups of the population. Interventions aiming at increasing nutrition knowledge may be a promising approach to improve diet quality, especially among individuals with a lower education.

Effects of Daily Raspberry Consumption on Immune-Metabolic Health in Subjects at Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Consumption of red raspberries has been reported to exert acute beneficial effects on postprandial glycemia, insulinemia, triglyceridemia, and cytokine levels in metabolically disturbed subjects. In a two-arm parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial, 59 subjects with overweight or abdominal obesity and with slight hyperinsulinemia or hypertriglyceridemia were randomized to consume 280 g/day of frozen raspberries or to maintain their usual diet for 8 weeks. Primary analyses measured metabolic differences between the groups. Secondary analyses performed with omics tools in the intervention group assessed blood gene expression and plasma metabolomic changes following the raspberry supplementation. The intervention did not significantly affect plasma insulin, glucose, inflammatory marker concentrations, nor blood pressure. Following the supplementation, 43 genes were differentially expressed, and several functional pathways were enriched, a major portion of which were involved in the regulation of cytotoxicity, immune cell trafficking, protein signal transduction, and interleukin production. In addition, 10 serum metabolites were found significantly altered, among which ß-alanine, trimethylamine N-oxide, and bioactive lipids. Although the supplementation had no meaningful metabolic effects, these results highlight the impact of a diet rich in raspberry on the immune function and phospholipid metabolism, thus providing novel insights into potential immune-metabolic pathways influenced by regular raspberry consumption.

Social Support, but Not Perceived Food Environment, Is Associated with Diet Quality in French-Speaking Canadians from the PREDISE Study.

The objectives were to assess whether social support for healthy eating and perceived food environment are associated with diet quality, and to investigate if sociodemographic characteristics moderate these associations. A probability sample of French-speaking adults from the Province of Québec, Canada, was recruited in the context of the PREDISE study. Participants reported their perceptions of supportive and non-supportive actions related to healthy eating from close others at home and outside of home (n = 952), and of the accessibility to healthy foods (n = 1035). The Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI) was calculated based on three Web-based 24 h food recalls. Multiple linear regression models showed that supportive (B = 1.50 (95% CI 0.46, 2.54)) and non-supportive (B = -3.06 (95% CI -4.94, -1.18)) actions related to healthy eating from close others at home were positively and negatively associated with C-HEI, respectively, whereas actions from close others outside of home were not. The negative association between non-supportive actions occurring at home and C-HEI was stronger among participants with lower (vs. higher) levels of education (p interaction = 0.03). Perceived accessibility to healthy foods was not associated with C-HEI (p > 0.05). These results suggest that the social environment may have a stronger influence on healthy eating than the perceived physical environment. This adds support for healthy eating promotion programs involving entire families, especially for more socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, whose efforts to eat healthily may be more easily thwarted by non-supportive households.

Intakes of Total, Free, and Naturally Occurring Sugars in the French-Speaking Adult Population of the Province of Québec, Canada: The PREDISE Study.

The objective of this study was to characterize the intakes of different types of sugars in an age- and sex-representative sample of French-speaking adults from five regions of the Province of Québec, Canada, enrolled in the cross-sectional PREDISE (PRÉDicteurs Individuels, Sociaux et Environnementaux) study (n = 1147, 18-65 years old; 50.2% women). Because only total sugar content of foods and beverages is available in the Canadian Nutrient File (CNF) 2015, the initial step of this study was thus to build a database of free and naturally occurring sugars content of each food item and recipe included in the R24W, which is an automated, self-administered, web-based, 24-h dietary recall validated to estimate nutrient intakes in French-speaking adults of the Province of Québec. Total sugars were manually differentiated into free and naturally occurring sugars using a systematic algorithm based on previously published systematic algorithms. The World Health Organization (WHO)'s free sugar definition was used to differentiate total sugars into free and naturally occurring sugars. Dietary intake estimates were assessed using three 24-h dietary recalls completed with the R24W. Mean total, free, and naturally occurring sugar intakes were 116.4 g (19.3% of daily energy intake (%E)), 72.5 g (11.7%E), and 44.0 g (7.5%E), respectively. Over half (57.3%) of the overall sample did not meet the WHO's recommendation to consume less than 10%E from free sugars. Women had a higher %E from naturally occurring sugars than men and being younger was associated with a greater %E from free sugars. Sugar intakes among French-speaking adults from the Province of Québec were mainly in the form of free sugars, with the majority of the population exceeding the WHO recommendation regarding free sugar intake. This suggests that public health efforts towards reducing free sugar intake in this population are relevant and necessary, considering that overconsumption of free sugars negatively influences health outcomes.

Correlates of the difference in plasma carotenoid concentrations between men and women.

Health professionals consider the evaluation of eating habits to be challenging, given the potential biases of dietary questionnaires based on self-reported data. Circulating carotenoid concentrations are reliable biomarkers of dietary carotenoid intake and could be useful in the validation of dietary assessment tools. However, there is a sex difference in circulating carotenoids, with women displaying higher concentrations compared with men independent of intake. The aim of the present study was to identify the correlates of plasma carotenoid concentrations among men (n 155) and women (n 110) enrolled in six fully controlled dietary interventions with varying dietary carotenoid intakes. We looked at the associations of post-intervention fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations (α-carotene, ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene and zeaxanthin) with physical and metabolic characteristics. We found that increased body weight (r -0·47, P<0·0001) and waist circumference (r -0·46, P<0·0001) were associated with lower plasma total carotenoid concentrations, while elevated plasma LDL-cholesterol (r 0·49, P<0·0001) and HDL-cholesterol (r 0·50, P<0·0001) concentrations were correlated with higher total carotenoids in plasma. Women had significantly higher plasma total carotenoid concentrations compared with men, despite significantly lower dietary carotenoid intake. Adjustment of circulating carotenoid concentrations for plasma HDL-cholesterol eliminated sex difference in plasma carotenoid concentrations. Our results suggest that physical characteristics as well as plasma lipids are associated with circulating carotenoid concentrations and that these variables should be taken into account when using plasma carotenoids as biomarkers for food intake in men and women.

Poor Adherence to Dietary Guidelines Among French-Speaking Adults in the Province of Quebec, Canada: The PREDISE Study.

BACKGROUND: Regular monitoring of the population's food and nutrient intake is essential to develop effective nutrition-focused public health policies. The aim of this study was to provide dietary intake estimates using an age- and sex-representative sample of French-speaking adults with Internet access from 5 administrative regions in the province of Quebec, Canada. METHODS: PRÉDicteurs Individuels, Sociaux et Environnementaux (PREDISE) is a multicentre cross-sectional study that used a Web-based approach to collect individual, social, and environmental data on factors associated with adherence to dietary recommendations. Dietary intake was estimated from the average of 3 validated Web-based 24-hour recalls. RESULTS: Mean (± SD) age of the 1147 participants (50.2% women) was 43.2 ± 4.6 years and median body mass index was 26.3 (interquartile range, 23.3-30.3). Less than 25% of participants met Canada's Food Guide recommendations for vegetables and fruit intake (prevalence, 23.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 21.1-26.0). Most participants reported consuming more than 2300 mg of sodium (prevalence, 80.5%; 95% CI, 78.2-82.7) and more than 10% energy as saturated fats (prevalence, 74.2%; 95% CI, 71.6-76.7). Mean Canadian Healthy Eating Index score on a scale of 0-100 was 54.5 (95% CI, 53.8-55.2), reflecting relatively poor diet quality according to current dietary recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported dietary intakes measured using a new validated Web-based 24-hour recall in this sample of French-speaking adults from Quebec and with access to Internet suggest low adherence to current Canadian dietary guidelines. These data emphasize the need for more effective nutrition-focused public health policies to maximize cardiovascular disease prevention at the population level.

Supplementation with Resveratrol and Curcumin Does Not Affect the Inflammatory Response to a High-Fat Meal in Older Adults with Abdominal Obesity: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial.

Background: High-fat meals induce postprandial inflammation. Resveratrol is a polyphenol known to prevent comorbidities associated with cardiovascular disease and exerts an anti-inflammatory action. There is also an increasing body of evidence supporting the role of curcumin, a polyphenol from the curcuminoid family, as a modulator of proinflammatory processes. Objective: The objectives of this study were to investigate the following: 1) the bioavailability of resveratrol consumed in combination with curcumin after consumption of a high-fat meal; and 2) the acute combined effects of this combination on the postprandial inflammatory response of subjects with abdominal obesity. Methods: In a double blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 11 men and 11 postmenopausal women [mean ± SD age: 62 ± 5 y; mean ± SD body mass index (in kg/m2): 29 ± 3] underwent a 6-h oral fat tolerance test on 2 occasions separated by 1-2 wk: once after consumption of a dietary supplement (200 mg resveratrol and 100 mg curcumin, Res/Cur) and once after consumption of a placebo (cellulose). Plasma concentrations of total resveratrol and its major metabolites as well as inflammatory markers, adhesion molecules, and whole blood NFκB1 and PPARA gene expression were measured during both fat tolerance tests. Results: Kinetics of resveratrol and identified metabolites revealed rapid absorption patterns but also relatively limited bioavailability based on free resveratrol concentrations. Supplementation with Res/Cur did not modify postprandial variations in circulating inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) and adhesion molecules [soluble E-selectin, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1] compared to placebo (PTreatment×Time > 0.05). However, Res/Cur significantly decreased the cumulative postprandial response of sVCAM-1, compared to placebo (incremental area under the curve -4643%, P = 0.01). Postprandial variations of whole-blood PPARA and NFKB1 gene expression were not different between Res/Cur and placebo treatments. Conclusions: Acute supplementation with Res/Cur has no impact on the postprandial inflammation response to a high-fat meal in abdominally obese older adults. Further studies are warranted to examine how resveratrol and curcumin may alter the vascular response to a high-fat meal. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01964846.