J. Nutr. [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Beyond Added Sugar Reduction: A Narrative Review of Policies to Address Nonsugar Sweeteners.
Krieger JW, Davis JN, Ng SW … +7 more , Nguyen M, Zimova A, Hedrick VE, Malik VS, Smith Taillie L, Sylvetsky AC, Falbe J
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41856320 · Publisher ↗
This perspective provides policymakers, advocates and researchers with a description of proposed and enacted policies that assist consumers in identifying products with nonsugar sweeteners (NSSs) and/or reduce NSS exposu...
This perspective provides policymakers, advocates and researchers with a description of proposed and enacted policies that assist consumers in identifying products with nonsugar sweeteners (NSSs) and/or reduce NSS exposure. Consumption of NSSs is associated with multiple chronic diseases. NSS exposure is increasing as food and beverage manufacturers replace added sugars with NSSs. We conducted a narrative review to identify public policies addressing NSSs, focusing on the United States while also considering the international context. A policy scan identified relevant polices through: 1) review of a United States sweetened beverage policy database, 2) systematic searches of 5 online United States policy databases and PubMed, 3) review of a World Health Organization food policy database, 4) survey of NSS policy experts, and 5) review of policies known to the research team. Searches were conducted between November 2024 and February 2025. We describe a selected subset of identified policies in more detail as illustrative examples based on adequacy of NSS definition, impact, feasibility, equity, and comprehensiveness (extent of products included). We identified 416 proposed or enacted policies and classified them into 9 groups: bans and restrictions on NSS use (n = 26), excise taxes (n = 106), sales taxes (n = 67), food package labels and disclosures (n = 47), healthy retail (n = 2), procurement and nutrition standards (n = 71), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit restrictions (n = 54), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children nutrition standards (n = 7), restaurant healthy default beverages (n = 34), and marketing restrictions (n = 2). Innovative policy options included banning NSSs in products sold to minors, prohibiting misleading sweetener labeling, closing United States Food and Drug Administration approval loopholes permitting the use of NSSs that may lack adequate and transparent safety data, and restricting NSS advertising on public transportation. We conclude that many options for reducing potential harms from NSSs are available. Public policies with the greatest potential impact are bans or restrictions on use, excise taxes, and front-of-package warnings and disclosures.
Effects of 24-Week Almond Supplementation on Executive Function and Processing Speed in Middle-Aged Asian Indians with Prediabetes: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial.
Gulati S, Misra A, Tiwari R … +2 more , Pandey RM, Sharma M
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41850683 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Prediabetes is potentially recognized as a stage of heightened risk not only for diabetes but also for early cognitive decline, driven by insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and low-grade inflammation. OBJE...
BACKGROUND: Prediabetes is potentially recognized as a stage of heightened risk not only for diabetes but also for early cognitive decline, driven by insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and low-grade inflammation. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of daily almond supplementation on cognitive performance and biochemical markers in middle-aged Asian Indians with prediabetes, who are at high risk for metabolic and cognitive decline. METHODS: This 24-wk, open-label, parallel-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care center in New Delhi. A total of 60 adults aged 40-60 y with prediabetes were randomly assigned to an almond group (n = 29; almonds providing 20% of daily energy with diet and exercise) or a control group (n = 31; isocaloric diet and exercise without almonds). Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and 24 wk using the Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery (CANTAB), covering executive function, memory, attention, processing speed, and working memory. Anthropometry, glycemia, plasma α-tocopherol, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were also measured. RESULTS: At 24 wk, the almond group showed significant improvements in executive function [One Touch Stockings of Cambridge; β = -2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): -4.4, -0.6, P = 0.01] and in processing speed (reaction time; β = 73.8, 95% CI: 25.7, 122.0, P = 0.003; β = 39.3, 95% CI: 9.4, 69.1, P = 0.011) compared with controls. There were also significant reductions in weight, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting and postprandial glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and TBARS, along with increased plasma α-tocopherol (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Six months of almond supplementation improved executive function, processing speed, and overall cognition, reduced oxidative stress (TBARS), and improved plasma α-tocopherol and glycemia in Asian Indians with prediabetes. These findings suggest that almonds provide dual cognitive and metabolic benefits in this high-risk population. However, the moderate sample size and 24-wk duration warrant confirmation in larger and longer-term trials. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05322304.
Application of the Crohn's Exclusion Diet in Patients with Crohn's Disease: A Scoping Review.
Shen W, Zhou M, Zhou Y … +1 more , Gu J
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41833736 · Publisher ↗
Crohn's disease (CD) management requires sustainable dietary strategies. The Crohn's disease exclusion diet (CDED) combines partial enteral nutrition with exclusion of proinflammatory foods as an alternative to exclusive...
Crohn's disease (CD) management requires sustainable dietary strategies. The Crohn's disease exclusion diet (CDED) combines partial enteral nutrition with exclusion of proinflammatory foods as an alternative to exclusive enteral nutrition. This scoping review synthesizes evidence on study characteristics, protocols, efficacy, and controversies of CDED. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we systematically searched 7 databases from inception to 31 July, 2025. Original studies involving CD patients consuming CDED were included. Data extraction covered study design, intervention protocols, and outcomes (clinical remission, inflammatory markers, nutrition, microbiota, adherence). From 1001 records, 22 studies were analyzed. CDED protocols included 2-phase (strict/maintenance) and 3-phase (adding flexible maintenance) approaches. Clinical remission rates reached 70%-94% in pediatric and 45%-83% in adult patients. Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, fecal calprotectin) and nutritional indices (BMI, albumin) improved significantly. Gut microbiota beneficially shifted. Short-term adherence was high (≥85%) but declined long-term. Endoscopic remission (Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease score ≤2) was achieved in 50%-54% of patients. Limitations included small sample size, regional evidence imbalances, and a lack of data on special populations, long-term outcomes, and underlying mechanisms. CDED effectively induces and maintains remission in CD, with efficacy comparable to exclusive enteral nutrition but better tolerability. Key future directions include optimizing study protocols, reaching broader patient groups, boosting long-term adherence, and combining therapies for more tailored management.
Selenium Status Is Associated with Living Environment and Dietary Intake among Children Aged 3-17 Years in China.
Zhou Y, Jiang S, Pang X … +10 more , Li S, Duan Y, Wang S, Cao W, Zhang Q, Xu T, Chen B, Wang Y, Yang Z, Zhao W
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41831652 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Selenium is essential for children's health and either deficiency or excess could pose serious health risks. However, nationwide data on selenium nutrition in Chinese children are still lacking, as current st...
BACKGROUND: Selenium is essential for children's health and either deficiency or excess could pose serious health risks. However, nationwide data on selenium nutrition in Chinese children are still lacking, as current studies were primarily limited to historically deficient regions affected by Keshan disease and Kashin-Beck disease. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the relationship between the living environment, geographic factors, dietary intake, and the selenium status of Chinese children aged 3-17 y. METHODS: Data were derived from the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for children aged 0-17 y (CNHSC), conducted between 2019 and 2021. Field surveys were conducted to collect general demographic information, and a food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. Blood selenium concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Agilent 7700x), with a cutoff value of 70 μg/L indicating inadequate selenium status. RESULTS: The results revealed that the blood selenium concentration of children aged 15-17 y (92.93 μg/L) was higher than that of other age groups. Additionally, children from rural western areas, with a selenium concentration of 83.28 μg/L, were significantly more vulnerable to inadequate selenium status compared with those from eastern cities [odds ratio (OR) = 20.56 (10.77-39.25)]. Dietary intake of dairy products [OR = 0.58 (0.44-0.75)], meats [≥7 times/wk: OR = 0.48 (0.36-0.64), 3-7 times/wk: OR = 0.65 (0.48-0.90)], and aquatic products [OR = 0.53 (0.37-0.75)] were identified as protective factors against inadequate selenium status (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that children in rural western areas may be a priority population for future interventions to improve selenium status. A moderate increase in the consumption of selenium-rich foods, such as dairy products, meats, and aquatic products, is recommended to reduce the prevalence of inadequate selenium status in these regions.
Location-Specific Predictors of Double Burden of Malnutrition among Nigerian Mother-Child Pairs: Re-evaluating Dietary Quality and Socioeconomic Factors.
Ortutu BF, Adeleke FA, Idris H … +6 more , Ezenwa CJ, Adeleke FA, Nwonye O, Edafioghor LO, Egechizuorom IM, Iheme GO
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41831651 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The double burden of malnutrition (DBM), classified as the coexistence of maternal overweight/obesity or maternal undernutrition and child undernutrition or childhood overweight/obesity, within the same house...
BACKGROUND: The double burden of malnutrition (DBM), classified as the coexistence of maternal overweight/obesity or maternal undernutrition and child undernutrition or childhood overweight/obesity, within the same household, is an increasing concern in Nigeria. Drivers of DBM may differ by location due to urbanization, socioeconomic gradients, and dietary transitions. OBJECTIVES: This study examined location-specific predictors of DBM among Nigerian mother-child pairs, with a focus on child dietary quality, maternal education, household food insecurity, and wealth index. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study using a stratified multistage sampling technique was conducted among 1295 mother-child pairs (children aged 6-23 mo) across 4 Nigerian cities. Child nutritional status was assessed using World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards, and maternal body mass index was classified according to WHO adult cutoffs. Household food insecurity, dietary diversity, minimum meal frequency, and wealth index were measured using validated tools. Associations between predictors and DBM were examined using χ tests and generalized estimating equations, including interaction and stratified analyses by location. RESULTS: DBM prevalence was 37.4%, with the most frequent phenotype being overweight mothers and undernourished children (34%). Semiurban residence [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.93, 2.30], food-secure households (AOR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.37), and not meeting the minimum meal frequency (AOR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.92) were associated with an increased risk of DBM. CONCLUSIONS: DBM among Nigerian mother-child pairs is shaped by dietary factors. Context-specific interventions are needed, with a focus on improving child diet quality in semiurban areas.
A Randomized Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation and COVID-19 Clinical Outcomes and Long COVID: The Vitamin D for COVID-19 Trial.
Ganmaa D, Cook KA, Khudyakov P … +24 more , Enkhjargal D, Bilegtsaikhan T, Mayer KH, Clar A, Rueschman M, Balasubramanian R, Hazra A, Sesso HD, Stone VE, Copeland P, Friedenberg G, Smith DC, Lei Q, Lee T, McDonald EG, Enkhtsetseg T, Sumiya E, Narankhuu Y, Erdenetuya M, Tserendagva D, Landberg R, Roxhed N, Lagerström SR, Manson JE
J Nutr · 2026 Apr · PMID 41826107 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Data from randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation in modifying the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections are sparse. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the...
BACKGROUND: Data from randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation in modifying the course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections are sparse. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on healthcare utilization and other clinical outcomes among adults with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their close contacts. METHODS: We conducted a parallel 2-group randomized controlled double-blinded trial targeting free-living adults in the United States and Mongolia. Index participants with newly diagnosed COVID-19 were cluster-randomized with up to one of their cohabiting contacts either to an oral vitamin D loading dose of 9600 IU/d for 2 d followed by 3200 IU/d for 4 wk or to placebo. Participants completed weekly questionnaires on healthcare utilization, disease severity, and long COVID (index participants) or new SARS-CoV-2 infection (household contacts). The primary outcome was ≥1 healthcare visits (including hospitalization) or death within 4 wk among the index participants. RESULTS: Index participants (n = 1747) were a median of 38.0 y old (IQR: 31.1-47.0), 65.6% female/other sex, 4.2% Black non-Hispanic, 4.8% Hispanic/Latinx, 43.2% Asian, 44.3% non-Hispanic White, and 44.9% vitamin D deficient or insufficient (25-hydroxyvitamin D <20 ng/mL). Baseline characteristics for the household contacts (n = 277) were similar. The 4-wk cumulative incidence of healthcare utilization in index participants did not significantly differ between the vitamin D (n = 863) and placebo (n = 884) groups [cumulative incidences, 0.28 compared with 0.29; odds ratio (OR), 0.97; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75, 1.24]. Similar nonsignificant results were observed for the prespecified secondary treatment and prevention outcomes, though per-protocol analyses showed a nonsignificant trend toward benefit of vitamin D on the prevalence of long COVID at 8 wk (OR, 0.78; 95% CI: 0.59, 1.03). No safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Among adults with newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infections, vitamin D supplementation did not significantly change the 4-wk cumulative incidence of healthcare utilization or COVID-19-related outcomes compared with placebo. Promising results for long COVID warrant further study. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04536298. First registered on 1 September, 2020.
Interactions between Dietary Protein and Vegetable Fiber via the Gut Microbiota Are Associated with Cecal Fermentation Profiles and Immunoglobulin A Responses in Rats.
Shigetomi S, Fujimoto N, Hirano K … +4 more , Matsuda T, Kato C, Nishimura N, Hino S
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41825743 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Influence of dietary protein and its interaction with dietary fiber (DF) on gut microbiota, fermentation, and host immunity, particularly immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses, is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES:...
BACKGROUND: Influence of dietary protein and its interaction with dietary fiber (DF) on gut microbiota, fermentation, and host immunity, particularly immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses, is not fully understood. OBJECTIVES: This study examined how gut microbiota adapt to dietary protein, subsequently influencing fermentation profiles and IgA responses, and how these effects are modulated by coingestion of vegetable fiber (VF). METHODS: Male Wistar rats (5 wk old) were fed one of 6 diets varying in protein (casein, soy, and egg white) and DF (cellulose, VF) source for 14 d (n = 6/group). Cecal microbial composition, organic acids, ammonia, IgA, and immune-related gene expression as well as fecal IgA were analyzed. Data were analyzed using 2-way or aligned rank transform analysis of variance (ANOVA). Microbiota composition was assessed using permutational multivariate ANOVA and ANOVA-like differential expression tool version 2, and Spearman's rank correlation was applied for microbial co-occurrence network construction and correlation analysis. RESULTS: Soy protein-VF diet yielded the highest alpha-diversity, whereas egg white protein-VF diet yielded the lowest across multiple indices (P < 0.05). Beta-diversity analysis confirmed distinct clustering among dietary groups (P < 0.001), whereas network analysis showed that protein source affected community structure. Soy protein-VF diet showed an increase in n-butyrate production relative to soy protein-cellulose diet (49.09 compared with 17.28 μmol/cecum, P < 0.05). Egg white protein-cellulose diet showed the highest ammonia production that was suppressed by VF coingestion (155.52 compared with 61.66 μmol/cecum, P < 0.05). Notably, cecal IgA showed a positive correlation with ammonia (ρ = 0.67, P-adj. < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In rats, dietary protein and its interaction with VF are associated with compositionally distinct microbial signatures that influence fermentation profiles and IgA responses in the cecum. These findings highlight the importance of considering protein-fiber combinations when designing dietary interventions to optimize gut health.
A Modern Take on Protein Nutrition Meets Evolving Consumer Perceptions.
Clinthorne J, Leidy HJ, Sollid K
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41825742 · Publisher ↗
Protein is an essential nutrient that supports many critical aspects of health across the lifespan. The scientific report from the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee found that certain subgroups, particularly ado...
Protein is an essential nutrient that supports many critical aspects of health across the lifespan. The scientific report from the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee found that certain subgroups, particularly adolescent females, young females, and older adults, are at a higher risk of not consuming the recommended amount of dietary protein. The new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans prioritize a serving of protein with each meal and recommend a healthy range of protein intake for adults of 1.2-1.6 g protein per kg body weight per day. Data from the 2025 Food and Health Survey conducted by the International Food Information Council show that consumer interest in protein has risen dramatically in the last decade, as consumers increasingly report following a high-protein diet and use the protein content of food as a marker for healthfulness. Despite an increase in consumer interest in protein, there is still a limited understanding of how healthcare professionals can effectively support increased intake of protein sources among at-risk populations. Past research shows that protein-fortified foods can be used to supplement protein intake in randomized controlled trials that have demonstrated positive health outcomes in study participants. However, many of these foods are considered highly processed, which leads to debate regarding their role in healthy dietary patterns. This perspective examines consumer perceptions around protein intake and highlights the role of healthcare professionals in providing tailored guidance on protein food choices.
Effect of 2-Year Caloric Restriction in the Absence of Malnutrition on Indicators of Anemia, Iron Status, and Hepcidin in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Dugan C, Das SK, Racette SB … +4 more , Martin CK, Ravussin E, Redman LM, Hennigar SR
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41825741 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Caloric restriction (CR) is a promising nutritional intervention for improving metabolic and age-related health outcomes, but its long-term effects on hematologic health remain unclear. Clarifying how prolong...
BACKGROUND: Caloric restriction (CR) is a promising nutritional intervention for improving metabolic and age-related health outcomes, but its long-term effects on hematologic health remain unclear. Clarifying how prolonged CR affects anemia risk and iron status is essential for evaluating its long-term safety and clinical relevance. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of a 2-y CR intervention on markers of anemia, iron status, and hepcidin in females and males enrolled in the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-Term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) Phase 2 trial. METHODS: Participants in CALERIE Phase 2 (n = 220) were randomly assigned to 25% CR or ad libitum (AL) control. AL continued their habitual diet, whereas CR received an intensive intervention to promote CR over 2 y. All participants received a multivitamin/mineral supplement containing 18 mg iron. Fasted blood was collected at baseline (BL) and 12 (M12) and 24 (M24) mo and indicators of iron status (ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, and serum iron), anemia (hemoglobin and hematocrit), and regulators of iron status (hepcidin, C-reactive protein, and IL-6) were measured. Six-day diet diaries were collected twice at BL and once each at M12 and M24. An anemia surveillance protocol monitored hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell (RBC) count, and serum iron throughout the intervention, with medical evaluation and temporary/permanent CR discontinuation as needed. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the effect of treatment (CR compared with AL), time (BL, M12, and M24), and their interaction (treatment × time). RESULTS: Participants (n = 218) were mostly female (70%) with an mean age (±SD) of 38.1 ± 7.2 y and a mean BMI of 25.2 ± 1.7 kg/m. At baseline, ferritin (105.5 ± 126.9 μg/L), hepcidin (8.6 ± 5.8 ng/mL), and dietary iron intake (16.1 ± 5.5 mg/d) were similar between groups (P > 0.05). There were no group × time interactions for markers of anemia, indicators of iron status, or hepcidin (P > 0.05). Despite the anemia surveillance protocol, anemia prevalence remained >5% in both groups across all timepoints. Low RBC count was the most common trigger, and participants who triggered the protocol had lower hematocrit at M12 (P < 0.001) and M24 (P < 0.001); however, dietary iron intake remained similar and there were no differences in any indicators of iron status or hepcidin between those who triggered the protocol and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that prolonged CR in the absence of malnutrition does not adversely affect iron status or hepcidin in healthy adults.
Effects of Soluble Corn Fiber Consumption on Executive Functions and Gut Microbiota in Middle to Older Age Adults: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.
Alvarado DA, Holthaus TA, Martell S … +8 more , Southey NL, Atallah M, Sarma R, Revilla D, Brown M, Mehta T, Khan NA, Holscher HD
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41825740 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Dietary fiber may support cognition through gastrointestinal-microbiota mechanisms, but clinical evidence is limited. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether soluble corn fiber (SCF) improved cognition and...
BACKGROUND: Dietary fiber may support cognition through gastrointestinal-microbiota mechanisms, but clinical evidence is limited. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether soluble corn fiber (SCF) improved cognition and altered fecal microbiota and fermentation end products in adults. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial, 42 healthy adults (45-75 y) consumed SCF (18 g/d) or a maltodextrin placebo control (CON: 22 g/d) for 4 wk, separated by a washout. Cognitive outcomes included executive function with event-related potentials, relational memory, neuropsychological performance, and mood. Secondary outcomes included fecal microbiota, metabolomics, and gastrointestinal tolerance. Tertiary analyses related microbial and metabolite changes to cognitive improvements using correlation, mediation, and moderation models, and explored SCF fermentation pathways with 16S-predicted functional profiling, shotgun metagenomics, and in vitro culturing. RESULTS: SCF improved reaction times (RT) during congruent (β = -9.8 ms, 95% confidence interval (CI): -18.4, -1.2, false discovery rate (FDR) P = 0.01) and incongruent (β = -14.2 ms, 95% CI: -22.8, -5.6, FDR P = 0.003) flanker trials and increased Parabacteroides (∼4-fold, β = 1.44 log, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.88, FDR P < 0.001). At the SCF endpoint, congruent RT tended to be inversely associated with fecal acetate (ρ = -0.33) and propionate (ρ = -0.36), whereas Parabacteroides was marginally positively associated with acetate (ρ = 0.34) (all FDR P < 0.1). Moderation analyses indicated that SCF-RT relation varied by Parabacteroides magnitude change. At endpoint, SCF increased the predicted functional potential of carbohydrate-related KEGG Orthologs and pathways (FDR P < 0.05). In vitro culturing confirmed Parabacteroides distasonis ferments SCF. CONCLUSIONS: SCF consumption improved attentional inhibition, altered the gut microbiota, and selectively enriched Parabacteroides. Although mediation analyses did not support a direct microbiota-to-cognition pathway, moderation analyses suggested that SCF-related cognitive effects may depend in part on Parabacteroides abundance. Collectively, these findings suggest that certain cognitive benefits of SCF consumption may be partly underpinned by the gut microbiota. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05066425 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05066425).
Inverse Associations of Serum Total Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Linoleic Acid with Biomarkers of Inflammation: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.
Maki KC, Chen X, Wilcox ML … +6 more , Kirkpatrick CF, Guarneiri LL, Palacios OM, Beidelman ET, Macagno AL, Allison DB
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 41825739 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Observational evidence supports associations between higher consumption of omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with reduced risks for cardiometabolic diseases. However, some have hypothesized th...
BACKGROUND: Observational evidence supports associations between higher consumption of omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with reduced risks for cardiometabolic diseases. However, some have hypothesized that higher n-6 PUFA intake may be proinflammatory. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from the Aegis cohort was to examine associations of serum total n-6 PUFA and linoleic acid concentrations with biomarkers of inflammation. METHODS: Serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), glycoprotein acetyls, serum amyloid A (SAA), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were assessed as biomarkers of inflammation. Univariate Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated, and multivariate linear models were used to assess biomarker amounts across quintile categories of serum fatty acids with body mass index (BMI), age, sex, diabetes diagnosis, and n-3 PUFAs as covariates. RESULTS: Analyses included 2133 participants, of which 63.3% were female and mean (SD) age and BMI were 50.4 (16.7) y and 29.2 (6.68) kg/m, respectively. Circulating n-6 PUFA and linoleic acid concentrations were inversely correlated with all biomarkers of inflammation, r = -0.049 to -0.455 (each P ≤ 0.03). Least squares geometric means (95% confidence intervals) for quintile categories of circulating concentrations of both n-6 PUFAs and linoleic acid showed that, as these fatty acid concentrations increased, there were statistically significant decreases (P < 0.001) in hs-CRP, glycoprotein acetyls, and sICAM-1 concentrations. Neither SAA nor sVCAM-1 showed any significant trends across quintile categories. A composite sum of Z-scores of all 5 biomarkers of inflammation showed a statistically significant (P < 0.001) inverse trend across increasing quintile categories of n-6 PUFAs and linoleic acid. CONCLUSIONS: These findings do not support the hypothesis that dietary n-6 PUFAs, including linoleic acid, are proinflammatory.
Use of Machine Learning to Identify Determinants of Habitual-Preformed Water Intake.
Stinson EJ, Collins E, Cabeza De Baca T … +9 more , Gluck ME, Dote-Montero M, Racette SB, Kavouras SA, Das SK, Piaggi P, Votruba S, Hale A, Chang DC
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41825738 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Water intake is vital for health, yet the determinants of preformed water consumption in adults are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to apply machine learning (ML) models to identify factors as...
BACKGROUND: Water intake is vital for health, yet the determinants of preformed water consumption in adults are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to apply machine learning (ML) models to identify factors associated with preformed water intake, defined as water ingestion from plain water, other beverages, and food. METHODS: This secondary analysis used baseline data from 219 participants in the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy 2 trial, a randomized controlled trial with extensive measures of body composition, energy expenditure, and dietary, physiological, psychological, and biomarker variables in healthy adults without obesity. Habitual intake of preformed water was quantified using deuterium and oxygen-18 isotope data obtained during 2 consecutive 14-d doubly-labeled water measurement periods of weight stability. We developed models using linear regression, tree-based models (random forest, gradient boosting, and extreme gradient boosting), and penalized regression models (ridge, lasso, and elastic net) to identify factors associated with preformed water intake. RESULTS: On the basis of root mean squared error, the ridge regression model using 25 variables was the best and explained 38% of the variance in preformed water intake. Higher preformed water intake was associated with higher intake of dietary fiber, protein, alcohol, total weight of food ingested, and lower intake of carbohydrate and sodium. Higher preformed water intake was also associated with lower percent body fat and higher fat-free mass and total energy expenditure. Notably, ML models identified alcohol and potassium intake as important predictors that were not selected by traditional linear regression, underscoring their ability to capture nuanced relationships. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that data-driven ML models using a complex dataset can identify features and patterns associated with an important nutrient that might be missed using traditional statistical approaches and could be used to identify individuals at risk of inadequate hydration. This trial was registered as clinicaltrials.gov at NCT00427193.
Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Dietary Assessment in Adolescent Girls in Sri Lanka: Validity against Weighed Food Records and Comparison with 24-Hour Recalls.
Karunarathna N, Perera T, Nwabuikwu O … +8 more , Bannerman B, Bempong S, McCloskey P, Nguyen PH, Hughes D, Folson G, Silva R, Gelli A
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41825737 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Reliable dietary data for adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are limited due to high costs and estimation errors in traditional dietary assessment methods. Although technology-assisted di...
BACKGROUND: Reliable dietary data for adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are limited due to high costs and estimation errors in traditional dietary assessment methods. Although technology-assisted dietary assessment tools are becoming popular, few have been validated in LMICs. OBJECTIVES: This study validated the PlantVillage Food Recognition Assistance and Nudging Insights (FRANI), an artificial intelligence-assisted mobile application for dietary assessment, against weighed food records (WFR) and multipass 24-h recalls (24HR) among adolescent girls aged 14‒18 y (n = 60) in urban/semi-urban communities in Sri Lanka. METHODS: Dietary intake was assessed over 2 non-consecutive days using 3 methods: FRANI, WFR, and 24HR. The equivalence of nutrient intake was evaluated using mixed-effect models accounting for repeated measures by comparing intake ratios (FRANI/WFR and 24HR/WFR) with 10%, 15%, and 20% equivalence bounds. The concordance correlation coefficient was utilized to assess the agreement between methods. RESULTS: FRANI demonstrated equivalence with WFR at the 10% bound for energy and vitamin A; 15% for protein, fiber, iron, and zinc; and 20% for fat, niacin, and folate intakes. Comparisons between 24HR and WFR found that no nutrients fell within the 10% bound. Energy, protein, fat, iron, niacin, and vitamin A intakes were equivalent at 15% bound, whereas fiber, calcium, folate, and vitamin C intakes were equivalent at 20% bound. Concordance correlation coefficient ranged from 0.49 to 0.89 for FRANI compared to WFR, and 0.44 to 0.84 for 24HR compared with WFR. Omission errors were 2% for FRANI and 12% for 24HR, and intrusion errors were 7% and 9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PlantVillage FRANI application accurately estimated nutrient intakes of adolescent girls in Sri Lanka compared to the WFR. Its performance was at least comparable to the traditional 24HR method, supporting its potential as a scalable alternative for dietary assessment in similar LMIC populations.
Influence of Singular First Foods on the Infant Gut Microbiome: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Ferro LE, Bittinger K, Trudo SP … +5 more , Kim JK, Hunt CM, Brewer B, Polson SW, Trabulsi JC
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41825736 · Full text
BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal microbiome, integral to immune function, inflammation, and metabolism, becomes less malleable with age, making early dietary exposures, particularly first complementary foods (CFs), impor...
BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal microbiome, integral to immune function, inflammation, and metabolism, becomes less malleable with age, making early dietary exposures, particularly first complementary foods (CFs), important in its development. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different first CFs on the infant gut microbiome in a pilot, randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: Vaginally delivered, exclusively human milk (HM) fed infants (n = 43) with no prior CF exposure were randomized to 1 of 4 groups (oatmeal cereal, beef, carrot, or prune) (NCT05492253). Infants were fed the randomized food (with HM) for 1 wk (phase 1), followed by oatmeal cereal for another week (phase 2). Daily stool samples were collected and sequenced (full-length V1-V9 16S rRNA gene amplicons). RESULTS: In phase 1, oatmeal cereal increased observed amplicon sequence variants compared with beef (P = 0.024). Prune increased Bacteroides ovatus (P = 0.001) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (P = 0.011), whereas oatmeal cereal increased Enterococcus spp. (P = 0.030) relative to beef. In phase 2, oatmeal cereal following beef resulted in increased Shannon diversity (P = 0.0497) and following prune increased Faith's phylogenetic diversity (P = 0.015). Unweighted UniFrac distances differed when oatmeal cereal followed prune compared with continuing oatmeal cereal (P = 0.042). Veillonella infantium increased with continued oatmeal cereal consumption compared with beef (P = 0.002) or carrot (P = 0.002), followed by oatmeal cereal. After prune, oatmeal cereal increased Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Enterococcus faecalis, and decreased K. pneumoniae and Clostridium neonatale (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Beef as a CF is nutritionally desirable as it contains important minerals lacking in HM, yet resulted in a less diverse microbial profile. Because fruit and vegetables yielded comparable diversity to cereals, future research should investigate whether introducing meat alongside fruits and vegetables offers a balanced alternative to early reliance on cereals and further evaluate how first foods influence taxa abundance at the genus and species level and the resulting immune-related and metabolic pathways. This trial was registered in clincaltrials.gov as NCT05492253.
Adiposity Rebound or Fat-Free Mass Anabolism in Children-Challenging a 42-Year-Old BMI Puzzle with Waist-to-Height Ratio: The ASNF-NNF 2025 Inaugural Flemming Quaade Award for Innovation in Childhood Obesity Lecture.
Agbaje AO
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41819287 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Rolland-Cachera et al. introduced the concept of "adiposity rebound" in a paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1984. They observed that body mass index (BMI) increased during the f...
BACKGROUND: Rolland-Cachera et al. introduced the concept of "adiposity rebound" in a paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1984. They observed that body mass index (BMI) increased during the first year of life and then decreased with a renewed rise at about age 6 y, which they termed "adiposity rebound," concluding that early rebound increased the risk of excess adiposity in later years. Although this concept has been vigorously criticized, an alternative explanation for this phenomenon has been lacking for 42 y. Moreover, BMI does not distinguish between fat mass and muscle mass. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether a more accurate surrogate measure of adiposity, waist circumference to height ratio (WHtR), confirms or refutes BMI-based adiposity rebound. METHODS: In this study, 2410 children and adolescents' data aged 2-19 y from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2021-2023 cycle were analyzed using a more accurate WHtR. Both raw values of BMI and WHtR and their z-scores were plotted to ascertain the trajectory of adiposity with increasing age. RESULTS: The mean value of BMI at age 2 y (17.1 kg/m) was regained by age 6 y (mean BMI 17.0 kg/m), while the mean BMI at age 7 y was 17.3 kg/m after a significant decrease (adiposity rebound). The WHtR mean value at age 2 y (0.54) was never regained throughout childhood and adolescence (0.51). Although BMI-adiposity rebound seems to be completed by age 6 y, WHtR, which specifically assesses fat mass, continued decreasing. A body composition reset (BCR) at the intersection of BMI and WHtR trajectories at age 4 y until WHtR nadir at age 7 y was observed. The BCR is a post-infancy BMI increase after an initial decline that simultaneously corresponds to a continued WHtR-adiposity physiologic decrease, culminating at the lowest WHtR trajectory before a subsequent WHtR increase. CONCLUSIONS: These novel findings establish that BMI-adiposity rebound is not physiologic but an epiphenomenon. I posit that "adiposity rebound" is a BMI-induced false discovery similar to the "obesity paradox" in adults. Therefore, fat-free mass or skeletal muscle mass anabolism is likely the accurate physiologic explanation for the BCR effect that occurs in early childhood.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Thematic Analysis of Biomedical Literature for Precision Nutrition.
Day JL, Beckman JR, Nelson R … +4 more , Weeks Q, Dorta J, Doumbia M, Thomas DM
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41819286 · Publisher ↗
The scale of contemporary biomedical research challenges the ability of traditional reviews to preserve structural awareness across entire fields. This limitation is particularly consequential in precision nutrition, whe...
The scale of contemporary biomedical research challenges the ability of traditional reviews to preserve structural awareness across entire fields. This limitation is particularly consequential in precision nutrition, where feature selection and model interpretability depend on understanding how diverse and evolving data streams intersect to influence metabolic response. However, as literature volume grows, visibility across the full evidence landscape diminishes. To address this gap, we developed an end-to-end computational framework that ingests complete PubMed query results and organizes all returned abstracts into unsupervised thematic structures. Structured queries were programmatically executed, and abstracts were analyzed using complementary natural language processing approaches. To determine whether traditional reviews reflect the thematic distribution of primary research, review and nonreview subsets were clustered independently and compared using cluster-centroid cosine similarity heat maps. To demonstrate scalability under realistic precision nutrition integration demands, the framework mapped >385,000 abstracts spanning genetics and physical activity into stable thematic representations. Although clinically consolidated domains showed strong correspondence between review and primary research clusters, several mechanistic and genomics-focused areas demonstrated comparatively limited representation in review-derived structures. The full pipeline was operationalized in an interactive web-based application (https://medreview.streamlit.app/), enabling reproducible corpus-scale structural mapping and review-gap diagnostics without manual query navigation or programming. By transforming literature synthesis into scalable structural analysis, this framework provides a quantitative infrastructure for evidence-grounded modeling in precision nutrition research.
Phosphatidylethanolamine: Its Biological Significance and Responses to Nutritional Factors for Neurohealth.
Shi Z, Hao M, Chen G … +3 more , Li F, Zhou Y, Zhou JC
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41812924 · Publisher ↗
Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is a major component of biological membranes, pivotal to numerous life processes. Inhibition of its synthesis via either the cytidine diphosphate-ethanolamine (Kennedy) pathway or the phosph...
Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is a major component of biological membranes, pivotal to numerous life processes. Inhibition of its synthesis via either the cytidine diphosphate-ethanolamine (Kennedy) pathway or the phosphatidylserine decarboxylation pathway can be lethal. PEs derived from different organelles have different functions and biological significance, so they are not fully interchangeable. From a biological perspective, PE is involved in constructing membranes and plays a crucial part in mitochondrial biogenesis, ferroptosis, cell autophagy, cell division, synthesis of biomolecules, and other processes. Furthermore, PE acts as the essential substrate for glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor biosynthesis, thereby governing processes such as immune response, signal transduction, and embryonic development. Notably, PE is highly enriched in neural tissues and is closely implicated in the pathology of multiple neurological disorders, including hereditary spastic paraplegia, Liberfarb syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and sepsis-associated encephalopathy. Given that the concentrations, composition, and functions of PE can be modulated by dietary and nutritional factors, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, specific minerals and vitamins, and dietary patterns, targeting PE metabolism represents a promising and translatable strategy for supporting neurological health. This approach holds potential not only for populations with or at risk for neurodegenerative disorders but also for developing fetuses and newborns during critical nervous system development. This review summarized recent advances in these areas, updates our understanding of PE's basic biology, and explores novel strategies for neuroprotection and health promotion.
Framework for Identifying Signature Foods for Health in the Children's Healthy Living Program in the United States Affiliated Pacific Region.
Wilkens LR, Dela Cruz R, Yamanaka AB … +13 more , Hammond K, Shvetsov YB, Aflague T, Butel J, Coleman P, Fleming T, Shallcross L, Fialkowski MK, Young C, Ing C, Franck K, Esquivel M, Novotny R
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41796940 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Since diet adequacy depends in part on the quality of the local food supply, policy makers, farmers, and nutritionists need to know which foods to focus on to improve dietary adequacy and nutrition related he...
BACKGROUND: Since diet adequacy depends in part on the quality of the local food supply, policy makers, farmers, and nutritionists need to know which foods to focus on to improve dietary adequacy and nutrition related health. OBJECTIVES: The Children's Healthy Living (CHL) Food Systems resilience project, which includes 5 United States-Affiliated Pacific (USAP) jurisdictions, developed a framework to identify "Signal Nutrients" and "Signature Foods" for food-system interventions to improve the diet and health of USAP children. METHODS: The framework identifies "Signature Foods," defined as foods consumed by the population and associated with health conditions, which can be used as leverage points to affect health and the food system. The framework was applied to 2543 CHL children aged 2-8 y using food records and anthropometric measures. The intermittent consumption of foods made direct identification of foods associated with health difficult. Therefore, the framework first identified "Signal Nutrients" associated with health conditions (overweight, obesity, and acanthosis nigricans) using logistic regression. The analysis was then repeated for Signal Nutrients sourced from specific food types and food classes to identify the food items driving nutrient associations. Foods strongly associated (standardized [Std] β: >0.025 in absolute value) with health conditions, and in the same direction as the Signal Nutrients, were designated as Signature Foods. RESULTS: The framework identified 6 Signal Nutrients and 26 Signature Foods. For example, the Signal Nutrient calcium was found to be inversely associated with obesity (P = 0.0002). Twenty-four foods that contributed to calcium intake were examined for their association with obesity. Signature Foods identified for obesity and calcium were milk (Std β: ∼0.08), dairy other than milk (Std β: 0.06), fresh fish (Std β: 0.03), and cereal (Std β: 0.11). CONCLUSIONS: Identifying strategic uses of limited resources for nutrition and health promotion can be aided by a framework that utilizes objective data sources and knowledge of community partners. Fish may be considered a potential intervention point to promote, given its importance to the USAP region and because campaigns to increase child milk consumption already exist.
Tribute to K. Michael Hambidge, MD, ScD (1932-2023).
Krebs NF, King JC, Gibson RS
J Nutr · 2026 Mar · PMID 41796606 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Menstruation Is Associated with Dietary Diversity among Adolescent Girls: The Role of Social Eating Norms and Menstruation-Related Norms from a Mixed-Methods Study in Bangladesh.
Kalam MA, Shano S, Al Asif CA … +4 more , Chandra Das G, Sheuly AH, Hoang MA, Whitfield KC
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41791713 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Menstruation-related food restrictions are common among adolescent girls in low-and middle-income countries and often limit their dietary diversity. Despite having scholarly attention, little is known about a...
BACKGROUND: Menstruation-related food restrictions are common among adolescent girls in low-and middle-income countries and often limit their dietary diversity. Despite having scholarly attention, little is known about adolescent girls' dietary diversity during menstruation and how menstruation-related norms influence their ability to achieve minimum dietary diversity from the standpoint of social norm theory. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this mixed-methods study was to examine the relationship between menstruation and dietary diversity and whether menstruation-related norms moderate this relationship. METHODS: Quantitative data were collected from 898 girls and qualitative data were obtained from 20 interviews and 12 focus groups in Bangladesh. The women's dietary diversity scale was used to assess dietary diversity, menstruation status was collected through self-reported information, and menstruation-related norms were measured with an adapted scale. Multivariable regression models were used to analyze the associations and examine the influence of menstruation norms on this relationship. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically, emphasizing the domains of social eating norms theory. RESULTS: Quantitative results showed that girls who had menstruated in the past 0-7 d had significantly lower dietary diversity than those who had onset of menstruation in the past ≥8 d (β: -0.61; 95% confidence interval: -0.80, -0.42; P < 0.001). This association was moderated by menstruation-related norms: girls with more restrictive norms were less likely to consume diverse diet (β: -0.10; 95% confidence interval: -0.17, -0.02; P = 0.001). Sensitivity analyses with binary dietary diversity confirmed these findings. Qualitative findings illustrated that girls navigate food restrictions through compliance, adaptation, and quiet resistance to eating norms. Some adhered to deeply embedded social expectations, whereas others-guided by personal beliefs and bodily cues-prioritized comfort or symptom relief. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent girls experience lower dietary diversity during menstruation, largely due to restrictive social norms and household food rules. Programs and policies should use behavior change communication to promote diverse foods and educate youth on the deleterious impacts of restrictive eating norms during menstruation.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe