The Effect of Therapeutic Doses of Culinary Spices in Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) place a significant burden on global health and the healthcare systems which support it. Metabolic syndrome is a major risk factor for a large number of NCDs; however, treatments remain limited. Previous research has shown the protective benefits of edible dietary spices on key components of metabolic syndrome. Therefore we performed a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial to evaluate the effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum), and black seed (Nigella sativa) consumption on blood glucose, lipid profiles, and body composition in 120 participants with, or at risk of, metabolic syndrome. Each participant consumed 3 g/day of powder (spice or placebo). Data related to different parameters were collected from participants at the baseline, midpoint, and endpoint of the intervention. Over the 12-week interventions, there was an improvement in a number of biochemical indices of metabolic syndrome, including fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, LCL, and total cholesterol associated with supplementation with the spices when compared to a placebo. This study provides evidence to support the adjunct use of supplementation for those at risk of metabolic syndrome and its sequelae.

Impact of Skills for Change Program on metabolic control, diet and physical activity levels in adults with type 2 diabetes: A cluster randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is highly prevalent in the Arab Gulf countries. Despite this, limited culturally-adapted lifestyle intervention studies have been conducted in this region. METHODS: In this culturally adapted 12-month cluster randomized trial, 382 patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 20-70 years were recruited from 6 public healthcare centers (3 interventions and 3 controls) in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. The primary outcome of this study was a change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The secondary outcomes were Body Mass Index (BMI), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, total cholesterol, dietary intake, and physical activity levels. A diet and physical activity intervention, guided by the social cognitive theory, was delivered individually and in group format to the intervention group. The control group continued receiving only their usual diabetes management care. The data were collected at baseline and 1 year after participation. RESULTS: The mean baseline HbA1c levels of the control and the intervention groups were 7.45 ± 0.11% and 7.81 ± 0.11%, respectively. At the end of the 12-month intervention, there was no significant difference in the changes of mean HbA1c between the intervention and the control groups. On the other hand, BMI and daily caloric intake were significantly decreased in the intervention compared to the control group by 1.18 kg/m2 (95% CI: -1.78 - -0.60) and 246 kcal (95% CI: -419.52 - -77.21), respectively, after controlling for age, gender, education, marital status, duration since diabetes diagnosis, diabetes treatment, treatment clinic, and baseline values. Sitting time during the week-end was significantly lower, difference 52.53 minutes (95% CI: 93.93 - -11.14). CONCLUSIONS: This community-based lifestyle intervention for patients with baseline HbA1c <8% did not result in a significant decrease of HbA1c but reduced caloric intake, body weight, and weekend inactivity after controlling for the covariates. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered on February 11, 2020 with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04264793).

Adolescents' use of online food delivery applications and perceptions of healthy food options and food safety: a cross-sectional study in the United Arab Emirates.

Introduction: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess Online food delivery applications (OFDA) usage trends among adolescent users in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focusing on their perceptions of healthy food options and food safety (n = 532). Methods: Sociodemographic information, frequency of OFDA use, factors affecting food choices, and perceptions of healthy food and food safety were investigated. A total perception score was calculated for each participant. Results: Most participants used OFDAs weekly (65.4%), favoring fast food (85.7%). Factors like appearance and price drove food choices (65.0%), while taste and cost hindered healthy food orders (29.7 and 28.2%). Younger and frequent users had lower scores for perceiving healthy food, while seeking healthy options was associated with higher scores (p < 0.05). Females and those seeking healthy food showed higher food safety scores (p < 0.05). Discussion: The study suggests tailored interventions to promote healthier choices and improve food safety perceptions among adolescents using OFDAs in the UAE.

Could psychobiotics and fermented foods improve mood in middle-aged and older women?

Menopause is a natural physiological phase during which women experience dramatic hormonal fluctuations. These lead to many symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, which, in turn, can negatively affect quality of life. Proper nutrition has an influential role in alleviating depression as well as anxiety. It is well known that gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to the development of mood disorder. There is mounting evidence that modulating the gut-brain axis may aid in improving mood swings. In this context, this narrative review summarizes recent findings on how aging changes the composition of the gut microbiota and on the association between gut microbiota and mood disorders. In addition, it evaluates the effectiveness of psychobiotics and fermented foods in treating mood swings in middle-aged and older women. A search was done using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and thirteen recent articles are included in this review. It is evident that psychobiotic supplementation and fermented foods can improve mood swings via several routes. However, these conclusions are based on only a few studies in middle-aged and older women. Therefore, long-term, well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to fully evaluate whether psychobiotics and fermented foods can be used to treat mood swings in this population.

Public's calorie literacy and perceived effectiveness of restaurant menu calorie labeling in the United Arab Emirates.

Restaurant menu calorie labeling is regarded as a promising, cost-effective, and innovative method that will have an impact on the food environment, raise awareness among consumers, and aid in global efforts to prevent obesity. This study aimed to assess the public's calorie literacy, dining practices, and perceived effectiveness of restaurant menu labeling implementation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A descriptive, web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1279 adults in the UAE. Socio-demographic characteristics, calorie literacy, and perceived effectiveness of restaurant menu labeling among participants were investigated. Chi-square analysis was used to compare indicators across demographic characteristics. More females than males completed the online survey, (56.1% and 43.9%). Most of the participants aged < 30 years old (54.8%), The majority of participants reported eating away from home at least once per week (89.6%). 66.0% of participants were knowledgeable about calorie definition, but only 37.1% knew about average daily energy requirements. Younger participants, with a normal BMI, and higher education levels reported a significantly higher likelihood of eating at a chain restaurant with caloric information on the menu (p <0.05). The majority of participants (76.0%) preferred to see calorie information and other nutrition information on menus. To conclude, menu labeling is a welcomed policy to be implemented in food outlets. Further investigation is necessary to ascertain the most efficacious method of presenting nutrition information to consumers to facilitate informed purchasing decisions considering the potential benefits of mandating calorie declaration in obesity prevention efforts.

Reasons individuals stop eating questionnaire (RISE-Q) among adults in the United Arab Emirates.

The relationship between obesity and satiation is complex and bidirectional. Understanding differences in reasons for meal termination may enhance our understanding of overeating risks and susceptibility to overconsumption. This study aimed to investigate the reasons why individuals in the UAE stop eating. A cross-sectional web-based study was conducted among adults ≥18 years in the UAE (n = 1482). Using a self-administered online questionnaire, we collected information on sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and eating behavior using the Reasons Individuals Stop Eating-Questionnaire (RISE-Q-15) used twice for breakfast/main meal. The items were categorized into five scales; decreased food appeal (DFA), physical satisfaction (PS), planned amount (PA), self-consciousness (SC), and decreased priority of eating (DPE). All items were scored from 1 to 7 ranging between 3 to 21 on each scale. A paired t-test was used to evaluate the difference between the RISE-Q scores on each scale concerning the two meals. The main reason why participants stopped eating breakfast was under the PS scale (14.91 ± 3.72), followed by the PA scale (14.58 ± 3.00). The main reason why participants stopped eating main meals was under the PS scale (14.78 ± 3.56), followed by the PA scale (14.77 ± 43.81). The mean score of the DPE scale was significantly higher for breakfast than the main meal (p = 0.038). More than half of the participants reported an average eating rate (58.7%). Pearson's chi-square analysis revealed that the eating rate was dependent on BMI (p<0.001). Considering individual mealtimes and addressing factors related to PS and PA of food is crucial when designing nutrition interventions aiming to promote healthy eating habits among adults in the UAE.

Intake of polyphenols from cereal foods and colorectal cancer risk in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Cereal-derived polyphenols have demonstrated protective mechanisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) models; however, confirmation in human studies is lacking. Therefore, this study examined the association between cereal polyphenol intakes and CRC risk in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS), a prospective cohort study in Melbourne, Australia that recruited participants between 1990 and 1994 to investigate diet-disease relationships. METHODS: Using food frequency questionnaire diet data matched to polyphenol data, dietary intakes of alkylresorcinols, phenolic acids, lignans, and total polyphenols from cereals were estimated. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals for CRC risk were estimated for quintiles of intake with the lowest quintile as the comparison category, using multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards models with age as the time axis adjusted for sex, socio-economic status, alcohol consumption, fibre intake, country of birth, total energy intake, physical activity and smoking status. RESULTS: From 35,245 eligible adults, mean (SD) age 54.7 (8.6) years, mostly female (61%) and Australian-born (69%), there were 1394 incident cases of CRC (946 colon cancers and 448 rectal cancers). Results for total cereal polyphenol intake showed reduced HRs in Q2 (HR: 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68-0.95) and Q4 (HR: 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62-0.90), and similar for phenolic acids. Alkylresorcinol intake showed reduced HR in Q3 (HR: 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67-0.95) and Q4 (HR: 0.79; 95% CI, 0.66-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the present study showed little evidence of association between intakes of cereal polyphenols and CRC risk. Future investigations may be useful to understand associations between cereal-derived polyphenols and additional cancers in different populations.

Proximate composition and mineral content of spices increasingly employed in the Mediterranean diet.

The present study aimed to investigate the nutritional constituents of common market available spices in the United Arab Emirates. Seven commonly consumed spices namely, ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), black seed (Nigella sativa), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) and saffron (Crocus sativus) were obtained from local markets. Proximate analyses were performed according to AOAC procedures. Assessment of major (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P and S) and minor (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) elements was conducted using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Findings revealed varying macronutrient, micronutrient and mineral contents which are highly valuable for dietary purposes. The present study demonstrates that these edible spices could be used for nutritional support, due to their micro and macronutrient contents.

Validity and Reliability of the Arabic Version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18.

The present study translated and validated an Arabic version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 (TFEQ-R18), which assesses eating behaviour traits among Arabic speakers in the three domains: cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled eating (UE), and emotional eating (EE). Three bilingual experts first translated the English questionnaire into Arabic, and the questionnaire's comprehension was tested among 298 Arabic speakers. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested the model fit and flagged four items in the questionnaire with low consistency. These items were modified, and the revised Arabic version of TFEQ-R18 was validated in a population of 513 individuals. Validity was evaluated using CFA and Pearson's correlation coefficients, internal consistency using Cronbach's α, and the reproducibility of the questionnaire was confirmed with Bland-Altman analysis and T-test. The construct validity of the Arabic TFEQ-R18 was evaluated by comparing the response score in the population based on gender, BMI and age group. CFA confirmed that the model fit is good and strongly agrees with the collected data. Except for item 15 in the CR domain, all questions showed moderate to high correlation within their respective domains. The Cronbach's α for UE, EE, and CR domains recorded was 0.778, 0.784 and 0.588, respectively. Item 15 had the lowest consistency in the Arabic-TFEQ-R18, and Cronbach's α increased to 0.608 with its removal. There was no significant difference between the first and second attempts of the Arabic TFEQ-R18, indicating good test-retest reliability. Moreover, UE and EE were positively correlated to the BMI of the participants (r = 0.159, p = 0·000; r = 0.158, p = 0·000, respectively). The study concludes that the Arabic TFEQ is a valid and reliable tool for studying the three psychometric domains of UE, EE and CR among Arabic speakers.

Estimated dietary intake of polyphenols from cereal foods and associated lifestyle and demographic factors in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study.

Cereal foods are consumed globally and are important sources of polyphenols with potential health benefits, yet dietary intakes are unclear. We aimed to calculate the dietary intakes of polyphenols from cereal foods in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS), and describe intakes by demographic and lifestyle factors. We estimated intakes of alkylresorcinols, lignans and phenolic acids in n = 39,892 eligible MCCS participants, using baseline dietary data (1990-1994) from a 121-item FFQ containing 17 cereal foods, matched to a polyphenol database developed from published literature and Phenol-Explorer Database. Intakes were estimated within groups according to lifestyle and demographic factors. The median (25th-75th percentile) intake of total polyphenols from cereal foods was 86.9 mg/day (51.4-155.8). The most consumed compounds were phenolic acids, with a median intake of 67.1 mg (39.5-118.8), followed by alkylresorcinols of 19.7 mg (10.8-34.6). Lignans made the smallest contribution of 0.50 mg (0.13-0.87). Higher polyphenol intakes were associated with higher relative socio-economic advantage and prudent lifestyles, including lower body mass index (BMI), non-smoking and higher physical activity scores. The findings based on polyphenol data specifically matched to the FFQ provide new information on intakes of cereal polyphenols, and how they might vary according to lifestyle and demographic factors.

Soluble and Insoluble Dietary Fibre in Date Fruit Varieties: An Evaluation of Methods and Their Implications for Human Health.

Dietary fibre analysis is expensive due to its reliance on enzymes such as α-amylase, protease, and amyloglucosidase. This study investigated whether enzymes are essential in analysing insoluble, soluble, and total dietary fibre (IDF, SDF and TDF) contents in dry fruits with very low starch and protein contents. The IDF, SDF, and TDF were measured in date fruits using the enzymatic gravimetric method AOAC 991.43 in the ANKOM dietary fibre analyser, with and without enzymatic digestion. The study analysed six date fruit varieties with a range of texture profiles. Our results highlighted agreement between both methods in the measured IDF, SDF, and TDF values. TDF values in date fruit varieties varied considerably, from 5.67% g/100 g to 10.33% g/100 g. Results from both methods also indicate that IDF constituted the bulk of dietary fibre content in all date fruit varieties (77.8% to 91.6%), while the proportion of SDF was between 8.4% and 22.2%. This study confirms that dates are a rich source of dietary fibre, and can be a valuable functional ingredient in foods that reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The study confirmed that the inexpensive non-enzymatic technique is a viable substitute for the enzymatic method for analysing dietary fibre in dry fruits.

Comparison of students' perceptions of online and hybrid learning modalities during the covid-19 pandemic: The case of the University of Sharjah.

Hybrid learning enables educators to incorporate elements of conventional face-to-face learning methods with structured online schemes. This study aimed to assess university students' perceptions of online and hybrid learning during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates (n = 2056). Students' sociodemographic characteristics, perceptions of online and hybrid learning, concerns, and university life changes, were investigated. Perception statements were dichotomized into "positive" and "negative" based on a 50% cut-off point. Scores of > 7 and >5 indicated positive perceptions of online and hybrid learning respectively while scores of ≤ 7 and ≤ 5 indicated negative perceptions. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to predict students' perceptions of online and hybrid learning according to demographic variables. Spearman's rank-order correlation was performed to determine the relationship between students' perceptions and behaviors. Most students preferred online learning (38.2%) and on-campus learning (36.7%) to hybrid learning (25.1%). Around two-thirds of the students had a positive perception of online and hybrid learning in terms of university support, however, half of them preferred the assessment during online or on-campus learning. Main difficulties reported in hybrid learning were lack of motivation (60.6%), discomfort when on-campus (67.2%), and distraction due to mixed methods (52.3%). Older students (p = 0.046), men (p<0.001), and married students (p = 0.001) were more likely to have a positive perception of online learning, while sophomore students were more likely to have a positive perception of hybrid learning (p = 0.001). In this study, most students preferred online or on-campus over hybrid learning and expressed certain difficulties while on hybrid learning. Future research should focus on investigating the knowledge and capability of graduates from a hybrid/online model compared to a traditional model. Obstacles and concerns should be considered for future planning to ensure the resilience of the educational system.

The Role of Lifestyle Interventions in the Prevention and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy-related endocrinopathies, affecting up to 25% of pregnancies globally. GDM increases the risk of perinatal and delivery complications, and the chance of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications, including cardiovascular diseases. This elevated risk is then passed on to the next generation, creating a cycle of metabolic dysfunction across generations. For many years, GDM preventive measures have had inconsistent results, but recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have identified promising new preventative routes. This review aims to summarize the evidence investigating the efficacy of lifestyle treatments for the prevention of GDM and to summarize the effects of two lifestyle interventions, including physical activity and dietary interventions. Based on the present research, future studies should be conducted to investigate whether initiating lifestyle interventions during the preconception period is more beneficial in preventing GDM. In addition, research targeting pregnancy should be designed with a personalized approach. Therefore, studies should customize intervention approaches depending on the presence of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors at the individual level.

Cancer Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mini-Review.

Since its emergence, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the entire world and all commerce and industries, including healthcare systems. COVID-19 adversely affects cancer patients because they are immunocompromised. Increased COVID-19 infection and shortage of medical supplies, beds and healthcare workers in hospitals affect cancer care. This paper includes a description of the existing research that shows the impact of COVID-19 on the management of cancer patients. Aged people with various chronic conditions such as cancer and comorbidities face more challenges as they have a greater risk of disease severity. COVID-19 has affected care delivery, including patient management, and has been responsible for increased mortality among cancer patients. Cancer patients with severe symptoms require regular therapies and treatment; therefore, they have a higher risk of exposure. Due to the risk of transmission, various steps were taken to combat this disease; however, they have affected the existing operational efficiency. Herein, we present the changing priorities during COVID-19, which also affected cancer care, including delayed diagnosis, treatment, and surgeries.

The benefits of physical activity in middle-aged individuals for cardiovascular disease outcomes.

Regular physical activity (PA) has a positive role in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Due to a trend toward a more sedentary lifestyle, the middle-aged population (35-65 years) is at greater risk of developing CVD. It is well established that PA improves cardiorespiratory fitness and reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular events, including stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and blood pressure. PA can potentially decrease oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, which are the two main underlying mechanisms leading to CVD. By reducing CRP, TNF-α, INF-γ, NF-κB and increasing IL-10, IL-4, and IL-8, PA can prevent the initiation and progression of CVD in middle-aged adults, highlighting the importance of being physically active for this age group. The general recommendation for PA to prevent CVD is at least 150 min/week at a moderate level of intensity; the type of PA should be adapted to the fitness level and medical condition of the individual. However, standardized guidelines for middle-aged individuals with cardiovascular events still need to be established.

Food safety knowledge among pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Studies have indicated shortcomings in food safety knowledge and practices among pregnant women in the Arab region. A high-risk group for having severe outcomes from foodborne illnesses. This study aimed to assess self-reported food safety knowledge and practices among pregnant women in the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 354 pregnant women residing in the UAE completed an online survey between October 2021 and January 2022. The questionnaire included socio-demographic information, food safety knowledge, and food practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Correct answers for food safety knowledge were scored out of 50 and the total score was compared by sociodemographic characteristics. The total mean score for the study population was 26.7 ± 4.6 out of 50. Participants had good knowledge about foodborne diseases (81.3%) and personal hygiene practices (61.8%). While they were least knowledgeable about cross-contamination (43.3%) and temperature control practices (35.8%). Significantly higher knowledge scores were observed with higher levels of education and primigravida women (p<0.05). Knowledge about the COVID-19 virus and its relation to food safety was adequate for most participants. This study infers the need for food safety-related education and training programs to reduce the risk of foodborne disease among this vulnerable group. It also highlights the need to enhance the role of healthcare professionals as trusted sources of information in improving food safety during pregnancy.

Barriers and Facilitators of Weight Management among School Children with Obesity: A Qualitative Investigation of Parents' Perceptions.

Parents play a critical role in influencing the eating habits of their children. This study examined parents' perceptions of factors that contributed to childhood obesity and sought their suggestions on various modalities for overcoming the barriers to healthy eating. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken with 26 parents of 9-13 years old school children with obesity from the United Arab Emirates. Three main topics covered in the interviews were: (1) Parents' perceptions of their children's weight and eating habits; (2) Attitudes towards healthy eating and weight management; and (3) Suggestions on how their children can adopt a healthy lifestyle. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed using the NVIVO software to identify the emerging main themes and sub-themes. Parents identified individual/intrapersonal (child), interpersonal (peers, family, nannies), and institutional/school environment barriers and facilitators to a healthier lifestyle. The three major themes that emerged were: (1) Negative effects of obesity on children's lives; (2) Barriers to weight management and healthy lifestyle; and (3) Facilitators to healthy eating. Nutritional education and a supportive home and school environment were suggested for the adoption of a healthy lifestyle by children.

Feeding Practices of Infants and Toddlers by Their Mothers in Selected Northern Emirates of the United Arab Emirates.

Research on the feeding practices of infants and young children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is limited, especially in the northern regions of the country. A retrospective web-based survey was conducted to assess child feeding practices among the mothers of young children aged 6 months to 2.5 years in the northern emirates of the UAE. Information from a total of 475 mothers was collected on maternal socio-demographic factors, child feeding practices, and the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. For the first 6 months, 46.7% of the infants were exclusively breastfed, 43.8% were fed on both breastmilk and formula, and 9.5% were given formula only. Significant differences in the types of feeding were found correlating with maternal age (p = 0.02) and employment status (p < 0.001) but not with educational level, with a higher proportion of younger and unemployed women exclusively breastfeeding. However, although a significantly higher proportion of mothers with lower educational levels breastfed their children for ≥6 months (p = 0.026), they introduced "other milk" (non-breastmilk or formula) before the child reached the age of 12 months (p = 0.022). In this study, 22.1% of the infants and 8.1% of the toddlers did not receive an animal source of iron, while 52.6% of the children received vitamin/mineral supplements. The median daily frequency intake of sweets and savory snacks was substantially higher than the respective intake of fruits and vegetables. Intervention programs that focus on healthy infant and toddler feeding, including food sources of iron and nutrient-dense food groups, are needed in the UAE.

Camel milk consumption patterns and perceptions in the UAE: a cross-sectional study.

Camel milk has been consumed for centuries due to its medicinal and healing properties. The present study aims to investigate the consumption patterns of camel milk and perceived benefits and risks among adults in the United Arab Emirates. A self-administered online questionnaire was developed in English and Arabic languages and was completed online by 852 adults. Socio-demographic characteristics, camel milk consumption patterns and perceived knowledge of the benefits and risks of camel milk were investigated. About 60 % of the participants have tried drinking camel milk, but only a quarter (25⋅1 %) were regular consumers. The most consumed camel milk products after fresh milk were yoghurt and flavoured milk. The most popular additions to camel milk were honey, turmeric and sugar. Most consumers had less than one cup of camel milk per day (57⋅0 %). Camel milk consumers preferred it over other types of milk due to its nutritional value (66⋅4 %) and medicinal properties (39⋅3 %). Among consumers, 58⋅4 % reported consuming unpasteurised camel milk. Reasons included the belief that it is fresher (87⋅2 %), better for the immune system (41⋅6 %), and higher in nutrients (39⋅2 %). Overall, participants had inadequate knowledge about the health benefits of camel milk (7⋅11 ± 5⋅3 out of 25). Males and camel milk consumers had a significantly higher knowledge about the health benefits of camel milk compared to females and non-consumers (P < 0⋅05). Although positive perceptions were common, misperceptions appear to be prevalent among non-consumers. Consuming unpasteurised camel milk is a major public health concern, thus national regulations are essential.