Omnivore and vegetarians show similar body composition and skin physiology across body regions-A comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Skin physiology seems to be influenced by dietary choices and body composition, although links between these factors remain poorly characterised. In the present manuscript, we elaborate on the potential relationships among food groups, body composition and skin physiology in omnivores and vegetarians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study involved 181 participants, 129 omnivores and 52 vegetarians. The main functions of the skin measured in our laboratory were transepidermal water loss, deep and superficial epidermal hydration, skin elasticity, and carotenoid content. Skin variables obtained from different body regions were made comparable by a new Proportional Skin Index calculated to respect their relative representativity. RESULTS: No statistical differences were found when comparing both groups' body composition and skin variables from different body regions, with the exception of the skin carotenoid content significantly higher in the vegetarian group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although dietary patterns significantly differed between groups, with vegetarians consuming fewer animal-derived products and more plant-based foods, multiple linear regression analysis revealed no differences or association between the dietary pattern and the skin physiology. These findings highlight the need for further research to elucidate the specific impact of diet and food groups and body composition on skin physiology.

Assessing knowledge and awareness of Food and Drug Interactions among nutrition sciences students: Implications for education and clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases and polymedication increase the risk of food-drug interactions (FDIs) among the population, negatively impacting health. Nutritionists, as responsible for dietary planning, have a key role in preventing these events. AIM: To assess the knowledge about FDIs among a sample of Nutrition Sciences Bachelor students. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was conducted, involving 44 students from the 3rd and 4th academic years of different Portuguese universities during the 2023/2024 academic year. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire, covering general and specific FDIs knowledge, academic background, and perceptions regarding FDIs importance and training adequacy. RESULTS: Results revealed a general lack of FDIs knowledge among participants, particularly in identifying specific interactions and appropriate dietary management. While half of the students reported exposure to a subject dedicated to FDIs, only 18.18% considered the knowledge acquired sufficient. Nearly all participants (93.18%) expressed the need for further training in FDIs during their undergraduate course. Furthermore, none of the participants had received additional training or attended workshops on FDIs. Specifically, participants struggled to identify appropriate dietary choices in conjunction with certain medications. Moreover, only a minority of participants demonstrated awareness of the ideal timing for medication intake relative to food consumption. Despite these knowledge gaps, participants recognized the importance of FDIs knowledge for future clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Bridging these knowledge gaps through targeted educational interventions and interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to ensure future nutrition professionals are equipped to address the complex challenges posed by FDIs in professional practice.

Eating behavior: The influence of age, nutrition knowledge, and Mediterranean diet.

BACKGROUND: Student life during the university period is characterized by many changes in eating behaviors and dietary patterns due to adaptation to a new environment, study stress, lack of proper time management, and busy class schedules. These unhealthy actions may be detrimental to cognitive processing and influence academic performance, which is related to professional success. AIM: To assess different eating patterns in Portuguese university students and relate them to several sociodemographic variables. METHODS: Cross-sectional information about eating behavior was assessed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire in 169 students between 18 and 50 years of age, from the Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias and from different academic courses, some related to health sciences. Mediterranean diet adherence was also assessed using a validated 14-item questionnaire. RESULTS: According to the analyses of the 169 participants included in the sample, 33 presented restrained eating behavior, with 73 presenting external and 63 emotional. In the same line of thought, 62.10% of nutrition sciences students presented emotional eating behavior and overall it was observed that these students were more likely to have emotional eating behavior. Otherwise, presenting restrained eating behavior was statistically associated with being older and having higher Mediterranean diet adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Studying nutrition sciences was associated with having emotional eating behavior. Older students and those who adhere more closely to the Mediterranean diet were associated with having restrained eating behavior.

A higher Mediterranean diet adherence and exercise practice are associated with a healthier drinking profile in a healthy Spanish adult population.

PURPOSE: Very few studies have examined the association between beverage intake patterns and healthy lifestyle characteristics. Most of the research that has been carried out focuses on the consumption of soft drinks or alcohol and ignores the overall beverage pattern. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between consumption of different types of beverage and physical exercise practice and MedDiet adherence. METHODS: Cross-sectional information about fluid intake from different types of beverages was collected in 1262 men and women between 18 and 70 years old, using a 24-h fluid-specific diary over seven consecutive days. Physical exercise was evaluated with a self-reported questionnaire, and MedDiet adherence was assessed using a validated 14-item questionnaire. Both variables were classified into three categories. RESULTS: Individuals with greater adherence to the MedDiet showed a higher intake of water and wine and a lower consumption of sweet regular beverages. Participants who engaged in more physical exercise consumed more water, milk and derivatives, juices and wine and less sweet regular beverages. Compared to the lowest category, the possibility of meeting the EFSA recommendations of total fluid intake was greater in individuals with eight or more points on the MedDiet adherence questionnaire [OR 1.94; 95 % CI 1.25-3.01] and in those who practice physical exercise three times a week or more [OR 1.71; 95 % CI 1.22-2.39]. Participants with a healthier lifestyle had a lower risk of exceeding the WHO's free-sugar recommendations only from beverages. CONCLUSIONS: Participants with greater adherence to the MedDiet and who engaged in more physical exercise exhibit a healthier pattern of fluid intake.

Frequent Consumption of Sugar- and Artificially Sweetened Beverages and Natural and Bottled Fruit Juices Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in a Mediterranean Population at High Cardiovascular Disease Risk.

BACKGROUND: The relation between the consumption of sweetened beverages and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is controversial. OBJECTIVE: This analysis evaluated the associations between intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), artificially sweetened beverages, and natural and bottled fruit juices and the incidence of MetS in elderly individuals at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and without MetS at baseline. METHODS: We prospectively examined 1868 participants free of MetS at baseline from the PREDIMED (PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea) study. MetS was defined by using the updated harmonized criteria of the International Diabetes Federation, the American Heart Association, and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Energy and nutrient intakes were evaluated at baseline and then yearly by using a validated 137-item food-frequency questionnaire. Multivariable-adjusted HRs for MetS and its components were estimated from mean intakes during follow-up. We compared the 2 highest consumption categories (1-5 and >5 servings/wk) with the lowest category (<1 serving/wk). RESULTS: A total of 930 incident cases of MetS were documented during a median follow-up of 3.24 y. When we compared consumption of >5 servings/wk with consumption of <1 serving/wk, multivariable HRs (95% CIs) for MetS incidence were 1.43 (1.00, 2.15), 1.74 (1.26, 2.41), 1.30 (1.00, 1.69), and 1.14 (1.04, 1.65) for SSBs, artificially sweetened beverages, natural fruit juices, and bottled fruit juices, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The occasional consumption of SSBs and artificially sweetened beverages (1-5 servings/wk) was not associated with the incidence of MetS in middle-aged and elderly individuals at high risk of CVD. The consumption of >5 servings/wk of all of the types of beverages analyzed was associated with an increased risk of MetS and some of its components. However, for SSBs and bottled fruit juices these associations must be interpreted with caution because of the low frequency of consumption in this population. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as ISRCTN35739639.

Analysis of food supplements and sports foods consumption patterns among a sample of gym-goers in Portugal.

BACKGROUND: Gym-goers usually seek methods to improve performance, muscle gain, and overall health. One of the main strategies is including food supplements (FS) into their routine as aids to enhance their athletic capabilities and satisfy their nutritional needs. Thus, this study aimed to investigate and characterize the main FS and Sports Foods (SF) currently consumed, as well as the main reasons for their use and the source of advice in a group of gym-goers in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (Portugal). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 303 gym-goers from Lisbon, Portugal, who were 133 women and 170 males (30.8 ± 12.9 years old). Face-to-face interviews were used by qualified researchers to gather data. RESULTS: Most of the interviewed athletes (71.95 %) took FS/SF, being men the main consumers. On average, 1.59 supplements were consumed per athlete. Logistic regression models indicated significant associations between age, gender, and motivations for gym attendance. While men and younger groups attended mainly for hypertrophy, women and older groups were focused on well-being. Protein (59.17 %) was the most used FS/SF, followed by creatine (41.28 %) and multivitamins (27.06 %). Men and younger individuals preferred protein and creatine, while older individuals focused more on specific vitamins and minerals. Women seemed to prefer L-carnitine and protein yogurts. Main sources of information included the internet, friends, and dietitians with notable gender and age-based preferences. Online stores were the main place of purchase. Monthly expenditures on FS/SF were not significantly affected by age or gender, but motivations for use had an influence. CONCLUSION: Most of the athletes interviewed took FS/SF, being men the major consumers. Protein was the principal FS/SF used, with online stores being the main place of purchase and the internet the primary source of information. Age and gender were key factors in adopted training, in the FS/SF chosen, and in the source of information selected. It is crucial that health professionals take primary responsibility for providing this guidance.

Exploring Vegetarian and Omnivorous Approaches to Cardiovascular Risk and Body Composition.

The role of nutrition in preventing non-communicable diseases has been widely studied in recent years, with indications that non-animal-based diets might improve body composition and therefore bring multiple health benefits. For all of these reasons, the main purpose was to compare body composition and metabolic status between vegetarian and omnivorous individuals and relate these values with cardiovascular risk. The present analysis included 176 participants (61 vegetarians and 115 omnivores). Body composition was assessed using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, biochemical parameters obtained from capillary blood, and the 10-year cardiovascular risk (10RCVD) calculated by the QRISK3 score. No statistical differences were found between groups regarding body composition. Concerning metabolic markers, vegetarian individuals showed reduced values of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and non-HDL cholesterol (p < 0.05). There were no differences in 10RCVD between groups. In both diets, moderate correlations between groups were found for cardiovascular risk and visceral adipose tissue. Our results suggest that the vegetarian regimen might be associated with better cardiometabolic biomarkers and better cardiovascular health, although controversial with the body composition trends observed. In conclusion, the results suggest that cardiovascular risk appears to be more influenced by body composition, mainly fat tissue, over dietary patterns itself.

Consumers' practices and safety perceptions regarding the use of materials for food preparation and storage: Analyses by age group.

Food Contact Materials (FCM) are those intended to be in contact with food, during its production, handling, and storage. FCM contain chemicals that could migrate to the foodstuff, posing potential health concerns, and usage practices influence the level of migration. This study assesses the preferences, safety perceptions, and usage practices of Portuguese consumers regarding FCM used for cooking and food storage (cookware). An observational, quantitative, and transversal study was performed through an online survey created for this purpose, which involved 1179 Portuguese adults. Results were analyzed according to age. Safety was the factor considered most important when choosing cookware materials, although the choice criteria varied with age. The majority of respondents recognize the risk of food contamination through cookware. Stainless steel and glass were considered the safest materials for cooking. The materials most used to reserve food are glass and plastic. Older individuals carry out more maintenance of cookware and have greater knowledge about how to wash and store it. Regarding the FCM symbology, there is a general lack of knowledge. Our study demonstrates the need to disseminate reliable information to the general public about cookware, contributing to greater literacy in health and to less exposure to food contact chemicals.

Functional Foods for Health: The Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Role of Fruits, Vegetables and Culinary Herbs.

The concept of "functional foods" converges topics such as diet, food, health, and disease [...].

Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Its Relationship to Metabolic Markers and Body Composition in Portuguese University Students.

BACKGROUND: Transitioning to university involves several changes, which might affect dietary habits. The present study aimed to assess the potential relationships involving adherence to the MedDiet, body composition, and metabolic markers within a Portuguese university sample. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involved 70 participants, 52 women, and 18 men (23.00 ± 7.00 years old and a BMI of 21.99 ± 2.79 kg/m2). The average MedDiet adherence of participants was 9.23 points, as evaluated by the 14 point validated questionnaire, with classifications of low and high (under or over 9 points, respectively). Body composition was assessed using X-ray dual densitometry (DXA), and metabolic markers were collected from capillary blood. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in HDL cholesterol and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio were found between groups. Lower levels (p < 0.05) of visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), BMI, and waist circumference were found in the higher MedDiet adherence group. Those measures were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with the adherence scores to the MedDiet. CONCLUSION: Higher adherence to MedDiet seemed to have a favorable and important impact on lipid profiles, primarily HDL-c. A positive relationship between MedDiet adherence and body composition distribution was also described, mostly due to the influence of higher adherence to MedDiet at lower levels of VAT and SAT in Portuguese university students.

University Students Eating Habits: Normal Semester vs. Lockdown Period Caused by COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, university students' eating habits may change due to the stress caused by mandatory full lockdown and social isolation, as well as uncertainty about their academic future. An analysis of 332 Portuguese university students from different areas of study was carried out through an online questionnaire to verify if the lockdown period caused by COVID-19 had any influence on the students' eating habits, as well as if this differed among students from health sciences courses and those from other areas. We found that, compared to a normal semester of classes, during the lockdown period, healthier eating habits were adopted, characterized by a decrease in meal delivery platforms used, self-reported consumption of fast-food, pre-cooked meals, foods rich in sugar and salt, and sugar-sweetened and alcoholic beverages, as well as increased self-reported consumption of vegetables, fruit and legumes, and physical exercise. Thus, although the lockdown led to stress and uncertainty, university students were able to take care of their eating habits and lifestyle, probably as a way of feeling stronger and safer against this disease.

Comparison between Different Groups of Vegetarianism and Its Associations with Body Composition: A Literature Review from 2015 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Vegetarian and vegan diets have become increasingly popular in the last years for many reasons, including their association with various health benefits when compared to omnivorous diets. The main objective of the study was to collect recent (2015-2021) scientific evidence for potential implications between a vegetarian/vegan diet and an individuals' body composition. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, with 22 studies selected for inclusion in our collective evaluation. Of the 22 studies included, there were 12 randomized controlled trials, 1 nonrandomized controlled trial, 1 comparative study, and 8 cross-sectional. The overall sample included in this study consists of 436,178 participants, 10,090 of whom were vegetarians, 5044 vegans, and 421,044 omnivores. RESULTS: Most studies, 17 out of 22, reported a significant positive relationship between a plant-based diet and body composition. CONCLUSION: There is scientifically sound evidence that vegan or vegetarian diets are associated with weight and body mass index reduction and, in some cases, fat mass distribution changes.

Bioimpedance and Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Are Not Equivalent Technologies: Comparing Fat Mass and Fat-Free Mass.

Bioimpedance (BIA) is the most frequently used technology for body composition assessment at a daily clinical level, mostly due to its low price and user-friendly operation. However, many doubts persist regarding its physiological meaning and applicability. The present study aimed to compare one BIA system and the Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) for the characterization of body composition in a previously selected cohort of healthy adult participants. A descriptive observational cross-sectional study included a final sample of 121 participants, 93 women and 28 men, with a mean age of 28.26 ± 9.72 years old and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.68 ± 3.13 kg/m2. Statistics involved paired t-tests and agreement analysis by the Bland-Altman method. BIA underestimated the percent body fat (%BF) by 5.56% and overestimated Fat-Free Mass (FFM) by 2.90 kg. A strong positive correlation between both technologies was found for FFM (r = 0.980) and the %BF (r = 0.932), but the disagreement was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Although DXA and BIA seem to correlate, these technologies are not congruent. Therefore, the risk of (mis)interpretation and bias is clear with BIA, potentially impacting the nutritional planning of clinical dietitians and the further results of its patients.

Plant-Based Diet and IGF-1 Modulation on HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: A Lifestyle Medicine Nutrition Approach in Oncology.

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women worldwide, where nutritional intervention should be part of a multidisciplinary lifestyle approach in oncology, promoting therapeutic success. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), along with estrogen, can promote the development of neoplastic cells in breast tissue. Cancers that develop under IGF-1 stimulation are often resistant to therapy. This case report describes a 47-year-old woman, body mass index 27.4 kg/m2, with HER2-positive breast cancer, as well as elevated blood glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Soon after her breast cancer diagnosis, she transitioned from a Western pattern diet (WPD) to a predominantly whole-food, plant-based diet (PWFPBD) for 1035 days, followed by 232 days of PWFPBD plus night fasting for 16 hours per day. IGF-1 decreased 22.38%, glycemia and total cholesterol decreased by -55.06% and -36.00% at the end of the first intervention and went up by 6.25%, and 3.87%, respectively, at the end of the second intervention. A PWFPBD, with or without 16-hour overnight fasting, seems to modulate plasma levels of IGF-1 on a 47-year-old woman diagnosed with breast cancer, type HER2-positive. Future research, should explore the physiologic and pathophysiological mechanisms and clarify whether this dietary strategy, may be clinically useful in preventing HER2-positive breast cancer.

Polyphenols and Their Metabolites in Renal Diseases: An Overview.

Kidney diseases constitute a worldwide public health problem, contributing to morbidity and mortality. The present study aimed to provide an overview of the published data regarding the potential beneficial effects of polyphenols on major kidney diseases, namely acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, renal cancer, and drug-induced nephrotoxicity. This study consists of a bibliographical review including in vitro and in vivo studies dealing with the effects of individual compounds. An analysis of the polyphenol metabolome in human urine was also conducted to estimate those compounds that are most likely to be responsible for the kidney protective effects of polyphenols. The biological effects of polyphenols can be highly attributed to the modulation of specific signaling cascades including those involved in oxidative stress responses, anti-inflammation processes, and apoptosis. There is increasing evidence that polyphenols afford great potential in renal disease protection. However, this evidence (especially when in vitro studies are involved) should be considered with caution before its clinical translation, particularly due to the unfavorable pharmacokinetics and extensive metabolization that polyphenols undergo in the human body. Future research should consider polyphenols and their metabolites that indeed reach kidney tissues.

Nutrition Literacy of Portuguese Adults-A Pilot Study.

Nutrition is an essential factor in the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases. For this reason, the population must know about nutrition, healthy food, and dietetics so that the promotion of healthier eating habits can lead to a consequent decrease in chronic disease incidence. That said, the present study aimed to assess nutrition literacy in the Portuguese population. Three hundred thirty participants aged between 18 and 65 years old were included in an observational, quantitative, and cross-sectional research. After the analysis, it was found that the vast majority of the study population (65.2%) had a good level of nutrition literacy. The participants having upper educational qualifications, following a specific diet, presenting an adequate BMI, having family members trained in the field of nutrition, and those who studied or worked in the field of health sciences reported a higher level of nutrition literacy. In conclusion, it seems to be essential to identify the population groups with the lowest nutrition knowledge so that it would be possible to apply personalized measures and to promote better literacy, reducing the prevalence and incidence of diseases and improving quality of life.

Changes in Eating Habits among Displaced and Non-Displaced University Students.

Nowadays the younger generations are moving their food habits from the traditional diet to a Western diet, which is low in fruits and vegetables and high in fat and sugary drinks. University students are a particularly vulnerable population once, with the entrance to university, they are subjected to new influences and responsibilities; in particular, those who live far from their parents' houses are more predisposed to unhealthy eating habits. To assess the influence that admission to university has had on the frequency of intake of certain foods and meals as well as their adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), self-administered questionnaires were applied. The sample included 97 Portuguese students, with an average age of 21 years, a normal weight, according to body mass index, and an average MedDiet adherence. Most of the individuals did not smoke and the majority did not drink coffee. It was also observed that displaced students consume fast food more frequently compared to the period before they start university. Fish ingestion decreased and coffee consumption increased, in the same group, after starting their university studies.

Grape Pomace: A Potential Ingredient for the Human Diet.

The industrial production of wine generates annually tons of waste that can and must be properly reused to reduce its polluting load ad increase the availability of passive ingredients to be used in human nutrition. Grape pomace, a by-product of winemaking, beyond being of nutritional value is a bioactive source with high potential value and benefits for human health. Having as main goal the preliminary perception of the potential use of this by-product, the aim of this study was the characterization of eight different grape pomaces. In this sense, ash content, relative ash, moisture, pH, microorganisms, metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), and semi-metal (As) were reported. The parameter that limits the daily amount ingested of this product is its arsenic content, a non-essential element that belongs to the group of semi-metal. Considering the obtained results and in the light of the restrictions imposed through the legislation in regulations set by the European Commission, the inclusion of grape pomace in the industrial production of foodstuffs could be a step towards the future of human nutrition and health.

Letter to the Editor Re: Nissensohn M. et al.; Nutrients 2016, 8, 232.

Dear Editor, We read with interest the recently published original article entitled "Beverage Consumption Habits and Association with TotalWater and Energy Intakes in the Spanish Population: Findings of the ANIBES Study" by Nissensohn et al. [1] in Nutrients.[...].

Beverage Intake Assessment Questionnaire: Relative Validity and Repeatability in a Spanish Population with Metabolic Syndrome from the PREDIMED-PLUS Study.

We assess the repeatability and relative validity of a Spanish beverage intake questionnaire for assessing water intake from beverages. The present analysis was performed within the framework of the PREDIMED-PLUS trial. The study participants were adults (aged 55-75) with a BMI ≥27 and <40 kg/m², and at least three components of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). A trained dietitian completed the questionnaire. Participants provided 24-h urine samples, and the volume and urine osmolality were recorded. The repeatability of the baseline measurement at 6 and 1 year was examined by paired Student's t-test comparisons. A total of 160 participants were included in the analysis. The Bland-Altman analysis showed relatively good agreement between total daily fluid intake assessed using the fluid-specific questionnaire, and urine osmolality and 24-h volume with parameter estimates of -0.65 and 0.22, respectively (R² = 0.20; p < 0.001). In the repeatability test, no significant differences were found between neither type of beverage nor total daily fluid intake at 6 months and 1-year assessment, compared to baseline. The proposed fluid-specific assessment questionnaire designed to assess the consumption of water and other beverages in Spanish adult individuals was found to be relatively valid with good repeatability.