J. Nutr. [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Classification without Calibration: The Internal Logical Incoherence of Nova and Its Conflict with Dose-Dependent Biological Reasoning.
Louie JCY
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42322990 · Publisher ↗
The NOVA food classification system has achieved remarkable policy traction on the claim that ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) harm health through mechanisms that transcend classical nutrient composition. Yet this foundationa...
The NOVA food classification system has achieved remarkable policy traction on the claim that ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) harm health through mechanisms that transcend classical nutrient composition. Yet this foundational claim embeds 2 largely unexamined logical contradictions. If processing rather than nutrients constitutes the primary causal agent, then by the framework's own logic a nutritionally superior UPF (e.g., lower in saturated fat, added sugar, sodium, and energy density) must be inherently more hazardous than a nutritionally inferior non-UPF that is high in fat, sugar, and sodium but free of cosmetic additives. This inversion directly contradicts decades of epidemiological evidence underpinning global dietary guidelines. Compounding this contradiction, NOVA Group 4 classification is triggered by the mere presence of cosmetic additives or industrially processed ingredients, regardless of quantity, dose, or demonstrated biological activity, thereby abandoning the dose-dependency axiom that is foundational to toxicology, pharmacology, and nutritional biochemistry. Here, I articulate these 2 structural incoherencies, examine their implications for causal inference and exposure misclassification, locate them within a broader set of NOVA's architectural limitations, and propose a 4-criterion Validation Quartet-construct validity, dose specification, internal consistency, and falsifiability-that any food classification system should satisfy before regulatory adoption. It should be emphasized that concerns about UPFs may be legitimate; my argument is narrower and sharper: the instrument used to operationalize those concerns does not yet meet foundational metrological standards. Until such standards are met, translation of NOVA-based research into binding policy will systematically misallocate regulatory burden, penalizing nutritionally superior products while leaving nutritionally inferior non-UPFs largely unaddressed.
Bridging Space and Military Nutrition: Energy Balance Challenges and Countermeasures in Extreme Environments.
Sekel NM, Pasiakos SM
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42321130 · Publisher ↗
This critical review underscores the profound challenges of maintaining energy balance in high-consequence occupations in extreme environments, revealing fundamental differences, such as microgravity, radiation, and isol...
This critical review underscores the profound challenges of maintaining energy balance in high-consequence occupations in extreme environments, revealing fundamental differences, such as microgravity, radiation, and isolation stressors during spaceflight compared with terrestrial extremes of altitude and temperature during military operations. Herein, we highlight substantial logistical and physiological overlaps in mechanisms like appetite suppression, gastrointestinal disturbances, exercise-induced satiety signaling, sleep deficits, and psychological strain. These distinct and shared dynamics perpetuate negative energy balance, culminating in comparable sequelae that jeopardize mission success and long-term health. By synthesizing evidence from short and long-duration space missions with military training and operational contexts, we identify translational opportunities for optimizing dietary intake and minimizing the consequences of negative energy balance. We highlight issues pertaining to food palatability and antioxidant and micronutrient status, and we explore novel countermeasures to minimize musculoskeletal tissue degradation and maintain functional capacity.
Compliance with Low-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation Prevents Low Vitamin D Status among Children in Northern Ireland.
Kiely ME
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42320635 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Global Pathways to Thriving Children: Implementing Large-Scale Multicomponent Nutrition and Child Development Programs.
Black MM, Lutter CK
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42320634 · Publisher ↗
Thriving children are likely to develop the human capital necessary to become healthy, competent, and economically stable adults, beginning with achieving expected rates of growth and development as infants. However, mil...
Thriving children are likely to develop the human capital necessary to become healthy, competent, and economically stable adults, beginning with achieving expected rates of growth and development as infants. However, millions of young children in low-and middle-income countries are not thriving, largely due to nutritional deficiencies and lack of learning opportunities, often caused by poverty. Although nutrition interventions can support children's growth and nutrition and child development and parenting interventions can support children's learning and responsive caregiving, there are few large-scale, multicomponent programs that can support both nutrition and child development. Informed by concepts of nurturing care and principles of implementation science, this article provides rational and systems-based criteria for implementing large-scale, multicomponent nutrition and child development programs for children in disadvantaged environmental conditions. The criteria include the following-1) goals: set goals informed by theory and evidence-based interventions; 2) equity: reach vulnerable children and implement developmentally and culturally appropriate program; 3) quality: establish workforce development, support resources for delivery, and monitor for accountability; 4) engagement: engage participants, communities, and stakeholders in active roles; 5) outcome: implement rigorous and easy-to-use outcome assessments; and 6) sustainability, strive for sustained funding and update policies, practices, and laws. The system is coordinated by a multicomponent partner management team that operates in a continuous data-driven feedback loop, including government representatives and community participants. Building on the strengths of expertise in single sector nutrition and child development intervention research, the conclusion includes a call to action for the implementation of multicomponent large-scale programs for young children. An increase in children thriving during early childhood increases their likelihood of achieving health and developmental potential that can lead to human capital with extensions to economic productivity, positive quality of life, and sustainability for children, families, and countries.
Could an Ultra-Processed Food for Special Dietary Use Advance Personalized Medicine in Diabetic Nephropathy?
Uribarri J, Calvo MS
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42314873 · Publisher ↗
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Reprogramming the Genetic Potential of Buckwheat: A Roadmap for Functional Trait Improvement and Breeder-Ready Innovation.
Chettry U, Chrungoo NK
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42314872 · Publisher ↗
With a burgeoning world population, unfettered urbanization, and the consequently associated pressure on the production of adequate food to sustain an ever-expanding human race, it is imperative to focus on finding simpl...
With a burgeoning world population, unfettered urbanization, and the consequently associated pressure on the production of adequate food to sustain an ever-expanding human race, it is imperative to focus on finding simple and sustainable solutions to the present threat of global food insecurity. Besides staple food crops such as wheat, rice, and maize, there is an urgent need for production, promotion, marketing, and consumption of nutrition-dense, climate-resilient, economically viable, and locally available underutilized crops to ensure nutritional security. Within this milieu, buckwheat is a potential future crop owing to its nutritionally dense character, including the presence of its high-biological value protein with a balanced amino acid composition and flavonoids such as rutin, vitexin, quercetin, isovitexin, and isoorientin. Because buckwheat has strong adaptability to grow in a wide range of extreme environments and has a nutritionally dense profile, it has gained considerable interest among scientific communities for its role in the mitigation of nutritional insecurity by increasing agricultural diversification and minimizing environmental degradation. Owing to the presence of various bioactive constituents, crop-specific traits, and physiological responses, buckwheat research has seen significant advances in the context of the development of functional foods from this crop. Although buckwheat is considered as a healthy food because of its nutraceutical properties, low yields due to seed shattering because of pedicel breaking and heterozygosity due to self-incompatibility as a consequence of dimorphic heterostylism have always remained major problems in achieving large-scale incorporation of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) in the agricultural portfolio. The present review aims to address the current state of our knowledge on these issues and develop genome-based pipelines and prediction models that would help construct a roadmap for accelerating the domestication of buckwheat to bridge the "Food-nutrition gap".
Aspartame and Obesity: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms of Action, Transgenerational Effects, and Health Implications.
Liu L, Yan R
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42314871 · Publisher ↗
Obesity has become a major global public health challenge. As a widely used low-calorie artificial sweetener, the relationship between aspartame and obesity has drawn significant attention. This review outlines the physi...
Obesity has become a major global public health challenge. As a widely used low-calorie artificial sweetener, the relationship between aspartame and obesity has drawn significant attention. This review outlines the physicochemical properties of aspartame, its market applications, and its metabolism in the body. It highlights potential mechanisms by which aspartame may influence body weight, including interference with appetite regulation and alterations in gut microbiota. Furthermore, it reveals potential intergenerational/transgenerational health effects: parental aspartame intake, particularly during pregnancy, may increase risk of obesity, metabolic abnormalities, and neurobehavioral disorders through mechanisms such as epigenetic changes in offspring. Although multiple authoritative bodies deem aspartame safe within specified doses (acceptable daily intake: 40 mg/kg/d), controversies persist regarding its long-term health impacts (e.g., carcinogenicity, potential obesity promotion). Future research requires long-term population cohort studies and in-depth mechanistic investigations to clarify the causal relationship between aspartame and obesity, thereby providing evidence for scientifically evaluating its safety and formulating dietary guidelines.
Melatonin in Livestock Production: Bridging Chronobiology, Health, and Sustainable Outcomes.
Shah AM, Zhang H, Nikzaad RM … +9 more , Cao Q, Zhao Y, Chen G, Akhtar HMB, Ahmed M, Shah AR, Goswami N, Zhao H, Wence W
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42314870 · Publisher ↗
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a phylogenetically ancient hormone synthesized primarily in the pineal gland in response to light-dark cycles, where it regulates circadian rhythms, but it is also produced in...
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a phylogenetically ancient hormone synthesized primarily in the pineal gland in response to light-dark cycles, where it regulates circadian rhythms, but it is also produced in peripheral tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract. In livestock, melatonin extends beyond chronobiology to modulate immune function, reproduction, metabolism, and adaptation to environmental stressors such as heat, transport, and high production intensity. This review consolidates current knowledge on melatonin's application in animal nutrition, tracing from its discovery and biosynthesis to its receptor-mediated signaling (MT1 and MT2). The core analysis examines melatonin's dietary sources, including cereal grains, legumes, oilseeds, and forages, and supplementation strategies across livestock species. Key physiological benefits include potent antioxidant properties (scavenging reactive oxygen and nitrogen species while upregulating superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) and immunomodulatory capacity (increasing IL-2 and interferon-gamma, decreasing TNF-α and IL-6 via nuclear factor kappa-B pathway inhibition). A dedicated synthesis of effects on livestock performance reveals benefits for growth performance, reproductive health (estrus synchronization, sperm quality, and conception rates), and stress mitigation across species. The review provides species-specific dosage recommendations (e.g., 5-15 mg/d for pigs, 1-2 mg/d for poultry, 30-50 mg/d for cattle) and delivery methods (feed, water, and implants). By integrating fundamental mechanisms with applied nutritional outcomes, this work highlights melatonin's significant potential as a multifunctional nutraceutical to enhance productivity, health, welfare, and sustainability in modern livestock production systems.
Evaluation of Large Language Models for Mapping Dietary Data to Food Databases.
Lemay DG, Strohmeier MP, Stoker RB … +2 more , Larke JA, Wilson SM
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42309308 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: New food databases increasingly provide biochemical information not yet captured in standard food composition databases (FCDs). To enable precision nutrition, new methods are needed to map foods to these FCDs...
BACKGROUND: New food databases increasingly provide biochemical information not yet captured in standard food composition databases (FCDs). To enable precision nutrition, new methods are needed to map foods to these FCDs. OBJECTIVES: We sought to provide real-world ground-truth (benchmark) datasets and evaluate the use of large language models (LLMs) to match foods reported in dietary data with foods in FCDs. METHODS: Two ground-truth (benchmark) datasets were developed. Automated Self-Administered 24-hr Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24)-to-FooDB included a large FCD (9910 entries) with many similar or perfect matches. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)-to-Davis Food Glycopedia 2.0 (DFG2) included a small FCD (256 entries) with imperfect matches or "No Match" (46.9%). Matching methods tested included fuzzy matching, term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF), semantic embedding, and LLMs. RESULTS: Food text description mapping using similarity scores from semantic embedding performed better on both ground-truth datasets (87.8% accuracy, ASA24-to-FooDB; 48.0% accuracy, NHANES-to-DFG2) than fuzzy matching or TF-IDF. LLMs performed worse on ASA24-to-FooDB when given the entire FCD, but better on NHANES-to-DFG2 (62.6% accuracy). For foods where a correct match exists, semantic similarity yielded top K accuracies of 85% at k = 5, 95% at k = 10 for ASA24-to-FooDB and 96% at k = 5, 98% at k = 10 for NHANES-to-DFG2. A hybrid approach using semantic embeddings to select the top K matches to prompt LLMs yielded overall accuracies of 90.7% on ASA24-to-FooDB and 65.4% on NHANES-to-DFG2. An investigation of different prompt strategies and model sizes demonstrated that simpler prompts worked better for larger LLMs, whereas smaller LLMs needed detailed instructions. To assist nutrition scientists, the best strategy (semantic mapping + LLM reranking) was implemented in an application: FoodMapper (https://foodmapper.app/). CONCLUSIONS: To match food text descriptions to FCDs, identifying top matches using semantic similarity followed by an LLM to choose from among those matches or "no match" resulted in the highest accuracy. FoodMapper provides users with the best solution in a user-friendly interface that facilitates manual review.
Assessment of Acute Malnutrition Screening Coverage Among Children Aged 6-59 Months: Evidence From a Community-Based Representative Survey in Ethiopia.
Tamirat M, Gebremedhin S, Mohamed A … +10 more , Hailu F, Desalegn Y, Keflemariam G, Kassahun EA, Hassen HY, Yilma B, Kebede A, Barsenga K, Ackatia-Armah R, Gebreyesus SH
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42309307 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Acute malnutrition remains a major public health concern in Ethiopia, yet gaps in screening coverage hinder early detection and timely management. Through community-based management of acute malnutrition and...
BACKGROUND: Acute malnutrition remains a major public health concern in Ethiopia, yet gaps in screening coverage hinder early detection and timely management. Through community-based management of acute malnutrition and its expanded Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) program, Ethiopia prioritized community-level screening and referral. However, progress toward achieving full and equitable screening coverage remains limited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the coverage of acute malnutrition screening among children aged 6 to 59 mo in Ethiopia and to compare the screening levels between districts implementing the IMAM program and those not implementing the program and further evaluate the independent effect of IMAM program implementation on screening coverage after controlling for potential confounders. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2023 and July 2023. A total of 1440 children between the ages of 6 and 59 mo from 12 districts, 6 of which were implementing the IMAM program and 6 of which were non-IMAM districts, were included in the study. Study participants in both IMAM-implementing and non-IMAM districts were selected using a multistage cluster sampling method. Screening coverage was estimated as the proportion of children screened for acute malnutrition out of the total eligible population surveyed. RESULTS: Overall screening coverage over the past 3 mo was 52.8% among children aged <5 y. Screening coverage was significantly higher in IMAM-implementing districts compared with non-IMAM districts (56.3% compared with 38.1%, P < 0.001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, children in IMAM-implementing districts had 61% higher odds of being screened compared with those in non-IMAM districts (adjusted odds ratio = 1.61, 95% confidence interval: 1.25, 2.08, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Screening coverage for acute malnutrition remains low in Ethiopia, with marked differences between IMAM-implementing and non-IMAM districts. IMAM implementation resulted in significantly higher screening coverage among children.
Fish Consumption and Colorectal Neoplasms among Lynch Syndrome Carriers.
Bulbaai MT, Wesselink E, Bisseling TM … +8 more , Koornstra JJ, van Leerdam ME, Le Marchand L, Newcomb PA, Samadder NJ, Schep-Wijnveen HJ, Kampman E, van Duijnhoven FJ
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42309306 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Fish intake may exert antineoplastic effects, potentially through omega-3 fatty acids. However, its role in the development of colorectal neoplasms (CRNs) among individuals with Lynch syndrome (LS), a genetic...
BACKGROUND: Fish intake may exert antineoplastic effects, potentially through omega-3 fatty acids. However, its role in the development of colorectal neoplasms (CRNs) among individuals with Lynch syndrome (LS), a genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer, remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the association between fish intake and CRN risk among LS carriers, overall and across subgroups defined by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug/aspirin use, sex, geographical region, CRN history, and pathogenic variant type, and to examine associations between fish types and CRN risk. METHODS: Data from 1816 confirmed LS carriers in the Genetic, Environmental and Other factors that influence tumor risk in persons with Lynch Syndrome cohort (The Netherlands) and the Colon Cancer Family Registry (Australia, Canada, and the United States) were used. Information on fish intake was collected at inclusion using food frequency questionnaires. CRNs included adenoma, serrated lesions, and colorectal cancer. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) across sex-specific quartiles and per 10 g/d of total fish intake. Associations for specific fish types were assessed per 5 g/d increase. RESULTS: During a median follow-up time of 7.0 y (IQR range: 2.8-13.6), 742 (40.9%) participants developed a CRN. The CRN risk was similar in individuals in the highest quartile of fish intake compared with the lowest quartile (HR 1.03; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.32). No association was observed for every 10 g/d increment in fish intake (HR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.05) and across subgroups. However, a 5 g/d increase in canned fish appeared to increase the risk of CRNs (HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.10). CONCLUSIONS: Total fish intake does not appear to influence the development of CRNs in individuals with LS, whereas the influence of canned fish intake on CRN risk should be further investigated.
Effects of a 12-Month Nutritional Intervention on Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Nocturnal Dipping in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Hypertension, and Overweight or Obesity.
Minari TP, Vilela-Martin JF, Yugar-Toledo JC … +1 more , Pisani LP
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42309305 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides a 24-h profile of blood pressure, including wakefulness and sleep periods, offering superior prognostic value compared with office measurements. Although n...
BACKGROUND: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides a 24-h profile of blood pressure, including wakefulness and sleep periods, offering superior prognostic value compared with office measurements. Although nutritional interventions improve metabolic outcomes, their long-term effects on ABPM in high-risk populations remain insufficiently studied. This study aimed to assess 12-mo nutritional intervention effects on ABPM in patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and overweight or obesity. METHODS: In this prospective, nonrandomized longitudinal study, 84 patients with T2D, hypertension, and overweight or obesity were enrolled: 44 received individualized nutritional counseling focused on dietary quality and caloric control, whereas 40 served as controls with standard medical care. ABPM was performed at baseline and after 12 mo, assessing systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during 24-h, wakefulness, and sleep periods, as well as nocturnal dipping status. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significant reductions in 24-h SBP (-11.94 mmHg, P = 0.013), 24-h DBP (-6.44 mmHg, P = 0.028), wakefulness SBP (-10.27 mmHg, P = 0.042), sleep SBP (-12.03 mmHg, P = 0.017), and sleep DBP (-10.89 mmHg, P < 0.001; large effect size). Wakefulness DBP demonstrated a nonsignificant trend (-5.43 mmHg, P = 0.070). Adjusted analyses confirmed that sex, age, disease duration, weight, and BMI did not substantially alter outcomes. Dipping status improved significantly, with more patients converting from nondipper to dipper (McNemar P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: A structured nutritional intervention was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in ABPM parameters, during sleep, and with restoration of nocturnal dipping patterns. These findings suggest that long-term dietary modification may contribute to improved circadian blood pressure regulation. Randomized controlled trials with larger, more diverse populations are needed to confirm these findings and clarify underlying mechanisms.
Bovine Lactoferrin Compared With Ferrous sulfate for Treating Iron-Deficiency Anemia in Bangladeshi Women-A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Huda TM, Islam S, Ali NB … +7 more , Tabriz Bhuiyan SE, Rahman QS, Raqib R, Teixeira-Pinto A, Tarnow-Mordi W, El Arifeen S, Dibley MJ
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42302886 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in secretions, including breast milk, with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Previous studies suggest bovine lactoferrin (bLF) may improve hem...
BACKGROUND: Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in secretions, including breast milk, with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Previous studies suggest bovine lactoferrin (bLF) may improve hemoglobin and iron status; however, most evidence comes from high-income countries, and data from resource-limited settings remain limited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether oral bLF is noninferior to ferrous sulfate for improving hemoglobin among nonpregnant women with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in Bangladesh. We hypothesized that 200 mg or 400 mg bLF would be noninferior to 60 mg elemental iron as ferrous sulfate after 12 wk, using a prespecified noninferiority margin of -0.25 g/dL. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, noninferiority trial in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Women aged 18 to 49 y with IDA were randomized 1:1:1 to receive 60 mg elemental iron as ferrous sulfate, 200 mg bLF, or 400 mg bLF, each given daily with 400 μg folic acid for 12 wk. Ferrous sulfate was the active control. The primary outcome was hemoglobin change from baseline to 12 wk in the per-protocol population. RESULTS: Of 3722 women screened, 555 were randomly assigned to receive 186 to 200 mg bLF, 185 to 400 mg bLF, and 184 to ferrous sulfate. Mean hemoglobin change at 12 wk was -0.2 ± 0.8 g/dL, 0.0 ± 0.9 g/dL, and 1.1 ± 1.3 g/dL, respectively. Compared with ferrous sulfate, mean differences were -1.2 g/dL (95% CI: -1.6 to -0.9) and -1.1 g/dL (95% CI: -1.4 to -0.8) for 200 mg and 400 mg bLF, respectively (P < 0.0001). Adverse events were comparable across groups. CONCLUSIONS: In nonpregnant Bangladeshi women aged 18 to 49 y with IDA, both bLF doses were inferior to ferrous sulfate for improving hemoglobin after 12 wk. These findings do not support bLF as a substitute for ferrous sulfate in similar settings. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry as ACTRN12617001455358 (https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=373059).
Fatty Acids, Their Food Sources, and Cardiovascular Disease: Current Evidence and Controversies Surrounding the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Sun Q, Hu FB
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42288139 · Publisher ↗
The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans affirm the recommendation of limiting SFA intake to within 10% of total energy intake but simultaneously recommend the intake of red meat and full-fat dairy rich in SFA, lea...
The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans affirm the recommendation of limiting SFA intake to within 10% of total energy intake but simultaneously recommend the intake of red meat and full-fat dairy rich in SFA, leading to public confusion. This review summarizes evidence from short-term feeding trials, longitudinal observational studies, and long-term dietary interventions that examined SFA, in comparison with other fatty acids and carbohydrates, in relation to blood lipids and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk. Overall, the knowledge base clearly suggests that SFA, when isocalorically replacing cis MUFA and cis PUFA, leads to elevated levels of atherogenic low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Consistently, longitudinal observational studies and long-term high-quality dietary intervention trials demonstrated that isocalorically replacing SFA with PUFA led to a lower risk of developing CAD. Conversely, when SFAs are replaced by refined carbohydrates, the effects on blood lipids and CAD risk become more neutral. Evidence from feeding trials and observational studies also suggests that animal fat, including dairy fat, leads to adverse lipid profiles and elevated CAD risk when compared with nontropical plant-based oils rich in MUFA and PUFA. A higher consumption of red and processed meats is also associated with a higher CAD risk, especially when compared with nuts, legumes, and whole grains. The health impact of dairy products may be influenced by their fat content, vary among dairy products, and depend on the consumption levels. Overall, the evidence supports the conclusion that a heart-healthy diet should emphasize healthful sources of PUFA and MUFA, such as nontropical plant oils, nuts, and seeds; healthful sources of carbohydrate and protein, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and dark-meat fish; and moderate intake of low-fat and fermented dairy products, while deemphasizing excess intake of red and processed meats and full-fat dairy products.
Comparison of ChatGPT and Dietitians in Formulating Diet Plans and Recommendations for Patients with Cardiometabolic Diseases.
Katsigiannis G, Panoutsopoulos G, Perrea A … +1 more , Detopoulou P
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42285417 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence is transforming personalized medicine, yet its efficacy constitutes a dynamic factor in the field of health and personalized medicine. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare Chat Gener...
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence is transforming personalized medicine, yet its efficacy constitutes a dynamic factor in the field of health and personalized medicine. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer's (ChatGPT) ability to construct dietetic plans and provide nutritional advice against professional dietitians. METHODS: Three dietitians and ChatGPT-generated diet plans and gave recommendations for 1) obesity/dyslipidemia, 2) obesity/dyslipidemia/hypertension, and 3) obesity/dyslipidemia/type 2 diabetes, which were compared with each other and official recommendations. Prompts were developed via systematic iterative refinement. Macronutrient and micronutrient contents were analyzed using "Explore Food" software. ChatGPT's performance was also evaluated across sexes and 4 ethnic groups (Caucasian, Asian, African American, and Mexican). The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test was used. RESULTS: Dietitians recommended more carbohydrates, sugars, saturated fats, sodium, chloride, and iodine, whereas ChatGPT suggested higher polyunsaturated fats for obesity/dyslipidemia and obesity/dyslipidemia/hypertension. In addition, for obesity/dyslipidemia/hypertension, dietitians proposed more energy and fiber compared with ChatGPT. In the case of obesity/dyslipidemia/diabetes, dietitians proposed more sugar. Dietitians' plans were higher in vitamin C and other minerals in the case of obesity/dyslipidemia. Vitamin D was low in all plans. Accuracy relative to official guidelines was comparable: 50%-100% for dietitians compared with 55%-83% for ChatGPT across all conditions. No recommendation was made for adherence to the Mediterranean diet from ChatGPT, in contrast to dietitians. Overall, ChatGPT proposed higher energy plans for males than females (P < 0.05). However, ethnic subgroup analysis showed this difference was significant only for Caucasian and Mexican cases. CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT had a comparable ability to dietitians to design diet plans and provide nutritional counseling for people with obesity, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes. Its performance in specific ethnic groups may be limited. The value of human clinical judgment and interpersonal interaction in nutrition counseling is essential for patient engagement and optimal outcomes.
Leveraging Single-Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics in Gut Nutrition and Mucosal Immunology.
Yang J, Gao N
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42276188 · Publisher ↗
In this editorial, we describe how single-cell transcriptomics is advancing the field of intestinal nutrition biology, as highlighted in recent studies. These studies have uncovered potential communication between epithe...
In this editorial, we describe how single-cell transcriptomics is advancing the field of intestinal nutrition biology, as highlighted in recent studies. These studies have uncovered potential communication between epithelial and immune cells, generating innovative hypotheses regarding nutrient metabolism in the context of mucosal immunology. We also discuss how emerging spatial transcriptomics and in vivo labeling models may propel conventional technologies forward, in terms of uncovering physical cell-cell interactions and spatial cell-cell communication that can be modulated by nutrient intervention.
Evaluating a Multitask Artificial Intelligence Model Compared With Humans for Portion-Size Estimation.
Nurmanova B, Omarova Z, Sanatbyek A … +2 more , Varol HA, Chan MY
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42269935 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Accurate dietary assessment is essential for precision nutrition and nutrition surveillance. Portion-size estimation remains challenging, particularly in Central Asia, where communal eating and nonstandard ho...
BACKGROUND: Accurate dietary assessment is essential for precision nutrition and nutrition surveillance. Portion-size estimation remains challenging, particularly in Central Asia, where communal eating and nonstandard household measures are common. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), especially multitask learning models capable of simultaneous food recognition and portion estimation, offer promising alternatives to traditional self-report methods. However, direct comparisons between AI and human estimation remain limited. OBJECTIVES: This study compared 3 methods: unassisted human judgment, visual food atlas assistance, and an AI model, using Central Asian food items. METHODS: A total of 128 participants from Astana, Kazakhstan, visually estimated portion sizes of 51 foods and 8 beverages from standardized photographs. Participants were randomly divided to unassisted or atlas-assisted estimation, and an AI model trained on Central Asian food images was evaluated. Actual food weights served as the reference. Accuracy was assessed using mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) across food types, categories, and portion sizes. RESULTS: Atlas-assisted estimation showed the highest overall accuracy (MAE = 80.81 g; MAPE = 44.76%), whereas unassisted estimation was least accurate (MAE = 133.86 g; MAPE = 79.40%). The AI model performed intermediately (MAE = 97.37 g; MAPE = 67.81%). Differences across methods were significant (P < 0.05): atlas-assisted estimation was consistent, whereas AI model accuracy varied by food category and portion size. The AI model performed best for beverages (MAE = 34.48 g; MAPE = 11.79%) and average portions, with higher errors for small portions and visually complex foods. Differences between females and males were significant in the unassisted group (P = 0.038), with males reporting larger portions; differences were minimal with atlas assistance (P = 0.114). CONCLUSIONS: Visual atlases use substantially improved portion-size estimation. The AI model requires refinement for complex foods and small servings. Integrating visual and AI-based tools can enhance region-specific dietary monitoring strategies.
Persistent Benefits of Early Gestational Chenodeoxycholic Acid Supplementation on Late Pregnancy in Sows Via Sustained Modulation of the Gut-Metabolism Axis.
Zhao Y, Wang X, Ma Q … +8 more , Liu E, Zhang D, Liu H, Cai L, Wang J, Feng T, Schroyen M, Chen M
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42269934 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Our previous studies in pigs have identified chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) as a potent metabolic regulator during early gestation, capable of enhancing embryo implantation by optimizing maternal metabolic stat...
BACKGROUND: Our previous studies in pigs have identified chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) as a potent metabolic regulator during early gestation, capable of enhancing embryo implantation by optimizing maternal metabolic status and gut microbiota-host interactions, whereas the long-term impacts of early gestational CDCA on late pregnancy remain largely unexplored. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether supplementation with CDCA during early gestation (gestational day 0-28) exerts a sustained metabolic modulation effect on maternal health and reproductive outcomes in late gestation in a sow model. METHODS: Multiparous sows (n = 24) were randomly assigned to receive either a control diet or a diet supplemented with 0.15% CDCA during early gestation. The reproductive performance, oxidative stress, inflammatory status, gut microbiome, and serum metabolome in late gestation were subsequently evaluated. RESULTS: Results showed that early CDCA intervention significantly increased the total and live litter sizes (P < 0.05). Furthermore, CDCA treatment alleviated maternal oxidative stress and systemic inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity in late gestation (P < 0.05). Untargeted metabolomics revealed a distinct metabolic remodeling, characterized by the enrichment of beneficial metabolites, such as L-ornithine, and the depletion of proinflammatory and oxidative markers, including 1-palmitoylphosphatidylcholine, 2-lysophosphatidylcholine, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, and N-carboxymethyllysine. 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that CDCA exerted a targeted modulation rather than a global reconstruction of the gut microbiota. Specifically, CDCA suppressed potentially harmful bacteria, including NK4A214_group, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Turicibacter, whereas it enriched beneficial genera such as Subdoligranulum. Multiomics integration identified NK4A214_group as a key driver associated with exacerbated inflammatory status and unfavorable metabolic profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings demonstrate that early gestational CDCA supplementation elicits a long-term protective effect on maternal metabolism via optimizing specific gut microbe-metabolite interactions, thereby ensuring optimal gestational outcomes.
Maternal Betaine and Methylation Potential during Pregnancy Are Associated with Child Growth at Birth and Early Childhood: Results of the Chilean Maternal & Infant Cohort Study-II Cohort Study.
Trujillo-González I, Barisione G, Bottiglieri T … +3 more , Reyes M, Garmendia ML, Mujica-Coopman MF
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42269933 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: One-carbon metabolism regulates growth through methyl group transfer required for DNA synthesis and epigenetic processes. In folate-replete populations, the contribution of betaine-dependent remethylation and...
BACKGROUND: One-carbon metabolism regulates growth through methyl group transfer required for DNA synthesis and epigenetic processes. In folate-replete populations, the contribution of betaine-dependent remethylation and methylation potential to postnatal growth remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study examined if maternal plasma concentrations of betaine, methionine, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), cystathionine, and the SAM:SAH ratio are associated with offspring growth and body composition at birth and during early childhood. METHODS: This study included 150 mother-child dyads randomly selected from the prospective Chilean Maternal & Infant Cohort Study-II cohort. Maternal fasting plasma concentrations of betaine, methionine, SAM, SAH, and cystathionine were quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS before 30 wk of gestation. Anthropometric outcomes at birth (weight, length, head circumference) and at 2 to 3 y of age (weight, height, BMI-for-age, and weight-for-height), as well as body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass), were assessed in children. Associations were evaluated using multivariable linear regression models adjusted for prepregnancy BMI, child sex, gestational age at birth, and gestational age at blood collection. RESULTS: Maternal betaine concentrations showed no significant associations with anthropometric measures at birth. In contrast, higher maternal betaine concentrations were associated with greater child weight, weight-for-height z-score, and BMI-for-age z-score at 2 to 3 y. Higher SAM:SAH ratio was associated with lower child weight and weight gain, whereas SAM and SAH concentrations showed opposing associations consistent with their roles in methylation balance. Methionine concentrations were positively associated with multiple growth outcomes. Betaine and methionine concentrations were positively associated with fat mass, whereas SAM concentrations were inversely associated with fat-free mass at 2 to 3 y. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal plasma concentrations of betaine and methylation potential during pregnancy are differentially associated with early childhood growth and body composition in a folate-replete population. These findings support a role for maternal one-carbon metabolism in shaping postnatal growth trajectories, beyond the neonatal period.
Understanding the Biological Evidence and Emerging Research Gaps in Nutrition That Impact the Health of School-Aged Children-a Report from the "Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development: Knowledge Indicating Dietary Sufficiency (BOND-KIDS)" Project Working Group 1.
Weaver CM, Georgieff MK, Girardi G … +6 more , Kleinman R, Ramakrishnan U, Sacheck JM, Zemel BS, Papoutsakis C, Raiten DJ
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42269932 · Publisher ↗
The biology of nutrition is essential and inextricably involved in all aspects of human growth and development. Nutritional status is governed by an ecology consisting of internal (biology, genetics, metabolism, health s...
The biology of nutrition is essential and inextricably involved in all aspects of human growth and development. Nutritional status is governed by an ecology consisting of internal (biology, genetics, metabolism, health status, developmental stage, and nutrient intake) and external (home, community, school, and physical environment) inputs. The application of an ecological perspective considers internal and external components that may influence the effect of nutrition on growth and development. These interactions will differ across various stages of human development. The importance of diet and nutritional status and health during the "first 1000 d," which is inclusive of pregnancy through 2 y of postnatal life, is well recognized. However, significant gaps exist in our understanding of the importance of nutrition during the "next 7000 d" through adolescence (2-21 y). The community expends substantial resources to ensure nutritional adequacy during this critical developmental period, but not on improved precision of assessment of the need for or impact of these efforts. The "Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development: Knowledge Indicating Dietary Sufficiency (BOND-KIDS)" Project applied an ecological approach to understand both the need for, and impact of, programs and interventions intended to address nutrition in school-aged children. This paper summarizes the findings of Working Group 1 of the BOND-KIDS Project, which focuses on the biological evidence underlying nutritional needs and responses to interventions. Specifically, based on a review of the role of nutrition in the development of key functional systems (the musculoskeletal system, brain, metabolic processes, and immune system in school-aged children), we examined the importance of nutrition and physical activity for body size and composition, bone health, neurobehavioral function, and risk of noncommunicable diseases both in childhood and in later life. This work provides the biological underpinning upon which the other 3 BOND-KIDS Working Groups built their reports.
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