J. Nutr. [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Alcohol Consumption and Plasma Iron-Related Biomarkers, Including the Iron-Regulatory Hormone Hepcidin: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Japanese Population.
Shimizu Y, Yamaji T, Miyamoto Y … +5 more , Nakano S, Inoue M, Tsugane S, Sawada N, Iwasaki M
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42176990 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Although individuals who consume alcohol tend to exhibit increased iron stores, the potential suppression of plasma hepcidin by habitual alcohol consumption in the general population has not been epidemiologi...
BACKGROUND: Although individuals who consume alcohol tend to exhibit increased iron stores, the potential suppression of plasma hepcidin by habitual alcohol consumption in the general population has not been epidemiologically investigated. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional association between alcohol consumption and the plasma iron-related biomarkers iron, ferritin, and hepcidin in a Japanese population-based cohort. METHODS: A total of 1396 men, 538 premenopausal women, and 1753 postmenopausal women aged 40-69 y in 1990-1994 were examined for plasma biomarker measurement and alcohol consumption through a self-administered questionnaire. Alcohol consumption was categorized as nondrinking (<1 d/mo), occasional drinking (1-3 d/mo), and regular drinking (men: <150, 150-300, ≥300 g ethanol/wk; women: <150, ≥150). A generalized linear model was applied to estimate geometric mean values [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] of each biomarker according to alcohol consumption group and ratio of geometric values (95% CIs) relative to the nondrinking group with adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and blood sampling time. RESULTS: Both men and postmenopausal women showed significant increases in plasma iron and ferritin levels with higher alcohol consumption (P for trend < 0.01). The hepcidin-to-ferritin ratio, used as a marker of hepcidin levels relative to iron stores, was significantly decreased with increasing alcohol intake (P < 0.001), at 25% (95% CIs: 14%, 34%) lower than the fully adjusted geometric mean for regular drinking of 150-300 g ethanol/wk, and 36% (27%-44%) lower for ≥300 g in men and 43% (22%-58%) lower for ≥150 g in postmenopausal women. No significant association was observed among premenopausal women. CONCLUSIONS: While body iron stores increased with greater alcohol consumption, the plasma hepcidin-to-ferritin ratio significantly decreased in men and postmenopausal women. This finding may provide epidemiological support for the mechanism whereby habitual alcohol consumption suppresses hepcidin expression, leading to elevated iron stores.
Vitamins A, D, E, and K Intakes, Status, and Breastmilk Concentrations in Breastfeeding Women in Ireland.
Ali M, O'Dwyer F, Murphy B … +5 more , Bottu HM, Rooney M, Sweeney T, O' Reilly SL, O'Sullivan AM
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42176989 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K are critical during the postpartum period for maternal recovery and infant development. OBJECTIVES: To determine the concentrations of vitamins A, D, E, and K in maternal s...
BACKGROUND: Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K are critical during the postpartum period for maternal recovery and infant development. OBJECTIVES: To determine the concentrations of vitamins A, D, E, and K in maternal serum and breastmilk during the early postpartum period in breastfeeding women. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the WellFed 4-wk randomized controlled trial. Dietary recalls, serum, and breastmilk samples were collected from breastfeeding women at 4 and 8 wk postpartum (n = 48). Vitamin status and metabolic biomarkers were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and a clinical analyzer, respectively. Associations were analyzed using correlation, regression, and mediation analysis (PROCESS macro for SPSS; IBM Corp). RESULTS: Mean daily intakes for vitamins A, D, and E were 1230 ± 633 μg, 6.5 ± 4.6 μg and 13.3 ± 8.1 mg, respectively. All women were sufficient in serum retinol (2.1 ± 0.4, 2.1 ± 0.3 μmol/L), α-tocopherol (45.5 ± 9.5, 39.3 ± 8.7 μmol/L), and phylloquinone (1.0 ± 0.5, 1.1 ± 0.7 nmol/L) at weeks 4 and 8, respectively. Sixty-five percent of the cohort were vitamin D sufficient (61.7 ± 22.2 nmol/L, 56.7 ± 19.2 nmol/L). Vitamin A intake was positively associated with serum retinol concentrations (r = 0.386, P = 0.012, adjusted P = 0.048). Breastmilk retinol (3.7 ± 1.2, 3.2 ± 1.1 μmol/L) and α-tocopherol (15.3 ± 7.4, 12.4 ± 5.1 μmol/L) concentrations were adequate at both timepoints, 25(OH)D and 25(OH)D were below the analytical detection limit. Serum and breastmilk α-tocopherol were correlated (r = 0.363, P = 0.013, adjusted P = 0.026). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and CRP predicted up to 56% of serum α-tocopherol variance. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal serum concentrations of vitamins A, E, and K are adequate, whereas approximately two-thirds of women are vitamin D sufficient. Breastmilk vitamins A and E are adequate and higher than previously reported, whereas vitamin D metabolites are undetectable. Dietary intake is positively associated with serum vitamins A and D, whereas serum vitamin E is associated with lipid-related biomarkers and correlated with breastmilk α-tocopherol, highlighting a potential link between maternal metabolic health and vitamin E in breastmilk. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05924633 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05924633).
Dendrobium huoshanense Leaf Flavonoid Extract Ameliorates Hyperuricemia in Mice.
Han S, Li C, Zhang J … +6 more , Luo S, Ge R, Xu Y, Zhou X, Gong P, Liu Z
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42176988 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia is a chronic metabolic disorder posing serious health risks. Dendrobium huoshanense stems are widely used as medicine and functional food ingredients, but the leaves remain underutilized, and th...
BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia is a chronic metabolic disorder posing serious health risks. Dendrobium huoshanense stems are widely used as medicine and functional food ingredients, but the leaves remain underutilized, and their health potential remains unexplored. OBJECTIVES: In this research, the antihyperuricemic efficacy and mechanism of D. huoshanense leaf flavonoid extract (DLFE) are investigated. METHODS: Hyperuricemia was induced in male Kunming mice (20-25 g, n = 6 per group) by yeast extract. Mice were treated with benzbromarone (positive control) or DLFE [100 (L), 200 (M), 400 (H) mg/kg/d] for 14 consecutive days. The antihyperuricemic effects of DLFE were assessed by measuring serum uric acid (UA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Cr), and hepatic xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity. Renal histology, kidney injury markers [kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1)], neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α), and urate transporters [urate anion transporter 1 (URAT1), glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2)] were assessed. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms were elucidated using network pharmacology and subsequently verified in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: DLFE significantly reduced serum UA [M, 136.99 μmol/L and H, 121.99 μmol/L compared with hyperuricemia (HUA), 228.06 μmol/L, P < 0.01], creatinine [M, 115.75 μmol/L and H, 99.58 μmol/L compared with HUA, 161.90 μmol/L, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively], BUN (M, 9.82 μmol/L and H, 3.46 μmol/L compared with HUA, 13.21 μmol/L, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001), and hepatic XOD activity (M, 25.80 U/L and H, 18.63 U/L compared with HUA, 37.59 U/L, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001), mitigated renal injury and decreased Kim-1, NGAL, IL-1β, and TNF-α concentrations. Moreover, DLFE downregulated URAT1 and GLUT9 expression and upregulated ABCG2 expression. Network pharmacology predicted that DLFE alleviates hyperuricemia primarily by targeting the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway, which was confirmed by reduced PI3K and Akt phosphorylation in mouse renal tissue and HK-2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that DLFE alleviates hyperuricemia not only by inhibiting hepatic XOD activity to reduce UA production, but, more importantly, by accelerating renal UA excretion via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway to regulate renal UA transporters. Thus, DLFE shows promise as a potential functional food or dietary supplement for hyperuricemia prevention.
Total Sugars Misreporting in Self-Reported 24-Hour Recalls in the Study of Latinos: Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment Study.
Tasevska N, Mossavar-Rahmani Y, Midthune D … +11 more , Barrett B, Razis S, Kipnis V, Kaplan R, O'Brien D, Park Y, Beasley J, Van Horn L, Daviglus M, Sotres-Alvarez D, Freedman LS
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42176987 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Hispanic and Latinos living in the United States bear a disproportionate burden of chronic diseases previously associated with sugars intake. However, due to measurement error (ME) in self-reported diet, thes...
BACKGROUND: Hispanic and Latinos living in the United States bear a disproportionate burden of chronic diseases previously associated with sugars intake. However, due to measurement error (ME) in self-reported diet, these associations have been difficult to establish. OBJECTIVES: To study ME of self-reported total sugars (TSs) intake, as well as its determinates and effect on estimating diet-disease associations in Hispanics and Latinos living in the United States, we apply the 24-h urinary sucrose and fructose predictive biomarker previously confirmed in a feeding study under United States diet. METHODS: We used data from 443 males and females aged 18 to 74 y of Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and South American origin living across 4 United States communities who participated in the Study of Latinos: Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment Study (SOLNAS). Participants completed 3 24-h recalls (24HR) and 1 24-h urine collection for measurement of 24-h urinary sucrose and fructose biomarker. Doubly labeled water was administered once to estimate energy intake. Measures were repeated 6 mo later in a reliability sample (n = 81). ME structure in self-reported TSs was investigated using a time-varying intake ME model adjusted for sex, age, and body mass index. RESULTS: The biomarker-based TSs intake was 171.3 g/d (95% confidence interval: 158.3-185.3) compared with 96.3 g/d (95% confidence interval: 91.7-101.2) estimated by 3 24HRs. The correlation of true intake with mean TSs from 2 24HRs as a measure of usual intake over 0 to 12 mo ranged from 0.19 to 0.21. The attenuation factors for the average of 2 24HRs ranged from 0.08 to 0.16. Age and Hispanic and Latino background were significantly associated with TSs misreporting, whereas, age, Hispanic and Latino background, being male and supplement user were associated with misreporting of TSs density. CONCLUSIONS: In this Hispanic and Latino population, we observed large ME in 24HR-measured TSs consumption that would lead to severe attenuation of estimated risk in future sugars-disease association studies. Applying biomarker-based ME correction approaches may alleviate bias.
Burden and Co-Occurrence of Anemia, Micronutrient Deficiencies, Inflammation, and Malaria Among Women, Adolescents, and Children in Madagascar: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.
Rohner F, Rakotovao JM, El-Mallah C … +21 more , Andrianarison R, Randrenarizo N, Wegmüller R, Rakotovao R, Ravaoarisoa L, Joyeux M, Wirth JP, Annan Z, Petry N, Wieringa FT, Bastaraud A, Randrianirina F, Labonté JM, Abdelnour A, Jones KS, Rezzi S, Rajoelina MT, Ralaimiadana AR, Vololontiana HM, Yasmine LL, Galetti V
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42176986 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Madagascar faces persistently high rates of anemia and undernutrition, yet limited nationally representative data on micronutrient (MN) deficiencies impede evidence-based interventions. MN deficiencies and in...
BACKGROUND: Madagascar faces persistently high rates of anemia and undernutrition, yet limited nationally representative data on micronutrient (MN) deficiencies impede evidence-based interventions. MN deficiencies and infections such as malaria are known to interact and jointly contribute to this burden. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and co-occurrence of malaria, anemia, inflammation, and MN deficiencies among preschool children (PSC), adolescent boys and girls, and non-pregnant women. METHODS: The 2024 National Micronutrient Survey used a 2-stage probabilistic design across 23 regions. Venous blood and urine were analyzed for malaria, anemia, inflammation, iron, zinc, iodine, fluoride, vitamins A, D, and B12, folate, riboflavin, and thiamine biomarkers. RESULTS: Malaria was detected in 4% to 14% of participants, and inflammation in 21% to 46% of participants. Anemia affected 42% of PSC and about one-third of the older groups. Iron deficiency was most common in PSC (26%) and less frequent in adolescents and women (6%-16%). Zinc deficiency affected one-third of all groups. Riboflavin deficiency was highly prevalent, affecting 75% of PSC and nearly 90% of older groups. Vitamin A deficiency prevalence was 12% among PSC but rare in older groups, while folate deficiency affected 12% of adolescent girls and 21% of non-pregnant women. Other deficiencies were uncommon (iodine, vitamins B12 and D, and thiamine). Multiple conditions co-occurred frequently, particularly in PSC, although co-occurrence did not exceed levels expected by chance. CONCLUSIONS: Findings underscore the need for integrated national strategies combining fortification, supplementation, dietary diversification, biofortification, and infection control to address the multiple drivers of anemia and MN deficiencies.
Changes in Circulating MicroRNA Profiles During Arctic Military Training Target Inflammatory Pathways Independent of Macronutrient Intake.
Margolis LM, Teien HK, Hatch-McChesney A … +12 more , Robillard JT, Murphy NE, Carrigan CT, Tansø R, Varanoske AN, Martini S, Stenberg PH, Karl JP, Gwin JA, Ferrando AA, Pasiakos SM, Howard EE
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42176985 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Circulating microRNA (c-miRNA) are sensitive to exercise, energy status, and macronutrient intake, and facilitate adaptations to physiological stress. Whether changes in c-miRNA during Arctic military trainin...
BACKGROUND: Circulating microRNA (c-miRNA) are sensitive to exercise, energy status, and macronutrient intake, and facilitate adaptations to physiological stress. Whether changes in c-miRNA during Arctic military training differ based on macronutrient intake and if such differences alter their regulatory function is unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine whether consuming essential amino acid (EAA)-dense (EAA-dense), high-fat energy-dense (EN-dense), or high-carbohydrate (CHO) supplemental nutrition daily during Arctic military training affected c-miRNA. METHODS: Soldiers participating in an 8-d Arctic military training were randomly assigned to receive 3 standard rations plus 4 EAA-dense (n = 27; 31g protein), EN-dense (n = 22; 35 g fat), or CHO (n = 19; 70 g carbohydrate) snack bars providing ∼5000 kcal/d. Macronutrient intake (wrapper/food waste collection) was assessed daily. c-miRNA were measured using qRT-PCR pretraining and posttraining. Bioinformatics and in vitro analysis were used to identify function of the c-miRNA, with the most significant fold change from pretraining to posttraining. RESULTS: There was no difference in energy intake, although protein, fat, and carbohydrate intakes were highest (P < 0.05) in EAA-dense, EN-dense and CHO, respectively. Whether participants consumed the EAA-dense, EN-dense, or CHO snack bars during 8-d training had no effect on c-miRNA profiles. Twenty-six c-miRNA changed (24 decreased and 2 increased; P < 0.05) from pretraining to posttraining, independent of treatment. miR-146a-5p exhibited the most robust change from pretraining to posttraining and was identified to target inflammatory signaling. In vitro overexpression of miR-146a-5p in C2C12 myoblasts reduced (P < 0.05) Il6, Tnfα, and Traf6 gene expression and suppressed inflammatory responses within cells. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, miR-146a-5p is a potential regulator of the inflammatory response to physiological stress, independent of dietary macronutrient composition. This trial was registered at www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov as NCT05210205 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05210205).
Validation of the Cluster-Compositing Method to Assess the Performance of the Salt Iodization Program in Ethiopia.
Tefera N, Dary O, Noor R … +13 more , Hussein A, Assefa T, Woldeyohannes M, Tesfaye K, Hailemaryam F, Tessema B, Chuko T, Laillou A, Gorstein J, Tollera G, Hailu M, Chitekwe S, Tessema M
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42173495 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Traditionally, thousands of single salt samples, which have highly variable iodine content, are usually analyzed in population surveys requiring costly and lengthy laboratory work. The adoption of composite s...
BACKGROUND: Traditionally, thousands of single salt samples, which have highly variable iodine content, are usually analyzed in population surveys requiring costly and lengthy laboratory work. The adoption of composite samples may overcome this constraint. OBJECTIVES: To assess the validity of using composite salt samples for simpler and more efficient monitoring of iodized salt in Ethiopia. METHODS: We collected 6148 household single salt samples from 576 clusters during the 2021/2022 National Food and Nutrition Strategy Survey of Ethiopia. Equal amounts of single samples from each cluster were mixed, regardless of the type of salt (fine or coarse), to make a cluster-composite sample. Iodine determination was conducted using the titration method. Heterogeneity of the iodine content was also studied in samples collected from markets. RESULTS: Iodine contents were comparable between composite and single samples: 39 ± 4 parts per million (ppm) compared with 35 ± 15 ppm for fine salt, and 24 ± 11 ppm compared with 26 ± 17 ppm for coarse salt, respectively. Composite samples accurately identified underperforming regions and provided useful information at the subnational level and sociodemographic categories. Higher iodine contents were found among urban and more educated households, and to a lesser degree among wealthier groups. Iodine content was heterogeneous in market salt, even within the same package, with 23% of samples showing >2 ppm differences among 5 replicates, regardless of the salt type. This within-sample heterogeneity shows that the performance of the salt iodization programs should be based on measures of central tendency (median or means) rather than the proportion of single samples around a fixed threshold, as the latter is highly influenced by single-sample heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: The cluster-compositing method provides a cost-effective alternative to assess the performance of salt iodization programs; it provides better precision and reduces the laboratory workload by 10-fold. The methodology can be applied to different sociodemographic characteristics without the need to analyze thousands of single samples.
Identification of Circulating Lipidomic Biomarkers of Malnutrition Risk among Oncology Patients in the Total Cancer Care (TCC) Study: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.
Hoobler R, Maschek JA, Luo B … +13 more , Murphy EA, Kubinak JL, Stewart PA, Cox JE, Chaix A, Woodruff K, Sanchez A, Coletta AM, Tabung FK, Gupta S, Hardikar S, Colman H, Playdon MC
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42167531 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Early identification of malnutrition is critical for improving clinical outcomes in oncology patients. However, there are no established biomarkers for malnutrition screening. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to...
BACKGROUND: Early identification of malnutrition is critical for improving clinical outcomes in oncology patients. However, there are no established biomarkers for malnutrition screening. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify circulating lipid species associated with malnutrition risk among oncology patients through lipidomic analysis. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using plasma samples from oncology patients classified as at risk (n = 90) or not at risk (n = 90) for malnutrition using the Malnutrition Screening Tool (Malnutrition Screening Tool score = 0 compared with ≥2). All participants had head and neck, lungs, or gastrointestinal cancer. Targeted lipidomics were conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Elastic net regression adjusted for confounding variables identified lipids associated with malnutrition risk. A weighted lipid malnutrition risk score was derived and evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve. Conditional multivariable logistic regression assessed the association of the lipid score with malnutrition risk. Lipid enrichment analysis was performed using the lipid ontology enrichment framework. RESULTS: Elastic net regression identified 12 lipids species that were inversely associated with malnutrition risk: cholesterol ester 20:0, ceramide 18:2;O2/26:0, lysophosphatidylcholine 26:0/0:0, lysophosphatidylinositol 18:2/0:0, phosphatidylcholine 34:5, phosphatidylcholine 40:8, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) P-18:0/20:3, PE P-18:1/18:2, PE P-18:1/20:4, sulfated hexosylceramide 18:1;O2/16:0, sphingomyelin 18:2;O2/23:0, and triglyceride (O-50:1). One lipid, dihexosylceramide 18:1;O2/20:0, was positively associated with malnutrition risk. The weighted lipid malnutrition risk score was associated with increased risk for malnutrition [odds ratio: 3.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.97, 6.47, P < 0.001]. Addition of the lipid score to established malnutrition risk factors improved model predictive performance, increasing the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve from 0.78 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.84) to 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86, 0.94). Lipid ontology enrichment analysis indicated downregulation of membrane structure and signaling lipids and upregulation of storage lipids. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential of lipidomics to identify biomarkers of malnutrition risk among oncology patients. Large, prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings.
Lessons from Smart Cart 2.0: Considerations for Integrating Purchasing Data into Healthy Eating Interventions with AI Approaches.
Vadiveloo MK, Tovar A, Thorndike AN
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42167530 · Publisher ↗
The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases related to suboptimal diet quality in the United States and worldwide contributes to burgeoning healthcare costs and excess death and disability. Changing dietary intake is e...
The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases related to suboptimal diet quality in the United States and worldwide contributes to burgeoning healthcare costs and excess death and disability. Changing dietary intake is essential but difficult because dietary behaviors stem from interconnected biological, psychological, environmental, and social factors that are rarely comprehensively addressed in interventions. Emerging digital technologies present a paradox in food environments: some facilitate healthier eating, whereas other practices, like targeted marketing and price manipulation, exploit behavioral vulnerabilities and promote poor dietary habits. Smart Cart 2.0-a personalized digital healthy eating intervention using artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect patterns and influence dietary choices-offers critical lessons for health technology design. This perspective contends that improving digital dietary behavior interventions hinges on responsible implementation: fully leveraging technology's promise while establishing safeguards against premature adoption. With appropriate guardrails, digital technologies provide a tremendous opportunity to improve the delivery, personalization, and scalability of healthy eating interventions.
From Chow to Conclusions: Why Standardizing Laboratory Animal Diets Is Essential for Rigor, Reproducibility, and Translational Relevance in Nutrition Research.
Muhlhausler BS
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42167347 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Meat Intake, Genetic Predispositions, and the Risk of Steatotic Liver Disease in a Cohort Study.
Xu Y, Liang S, Li M … +6 more , Chang Y, Chen J, Qin X, Cao H, Zhang Z, Yang W
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42162797 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Prospective studies on meat intake and steatotic liver disease (SLD) risk, including its emerging subtypes and gene-diet interactions, are limited. OBJECTIVES: We examined associations between meat intake and...
BACKGROUND: Prospective studies on meat intake and steatotic liver disease (SLD) risk, including its emerging subtypes and gene-diet interactions, are limited. OBJECTIVES: We examined associations between meat intake and the risk of SLD and its subtypes, including alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD (MASLD), and MASLD with increased alcohol intake (MetALD). We also evaluated gene-diet interactions and the joint association of alcohol and red meat. METHODS: In a cohort of 2,942 Chinese adults from the Anhui Liver Diseases Study, dietary data were collected via a validated food frequency questionnaire, and SLD was assessed by vibration-controlled transient elastography. Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In addition, genetic variants were genotyped, including a polygenic risk score (PRS) for cirrhosis derived from established cirrhosis related loci (e.g. PNPLA3 rs738409 and TM6SF2 rs58542926) and polymorphisms in carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes (e.g. CYP2E1 rs6413432 and CYP1A2 rs762551), to evaluate gene-diet interactions. RESULTS: From 2020 to 2025, 584 incident SLD cases were identified. Each 50-g/d increase in total meat, unprocessed red meat, and processed red meat intake was associated with a 12% (95% CI: 4%, 20%), 13% (95% CI: 4%, 22%), and 93% (95% CI: 24%, 199%) higher SLD risk, respectively. Total meat was also positively associated with MASLD, ALD, and MetALD. Significant gene-diet interactions were observed for MASLD, with stronger associations in individuals with certain genetic variants in HSD17B13 rs6834314-GG and MARC1 rs2642438-GA/AA or high PRS (all P-interaction < 0.05). Compared with low red meat and no alcohol intake, high red meat with alcohol intake had the highest SLD risk (HR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.35). CONCLUSIONS: Meat intake is associated with increased SLD risk, particularly in genetically susceptible individuals. Combined high red meat and alcohol intake further elevates risk.
Taurine in Atherosclerosis: A Multitarget Perspective.
Xie LX, Xu QQ, Liu JY … +6 more , Zhang JY, Fu ZK, Liu KH, Mao CR, Deng FX, Huang L
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42162796 · Publisher ↗
Taurine, a conditionally essential amino acid with unique sulfur-containing groups, has many fundamental physiologic processes, including osmoregulation and bile acid conjugation. Atherosclerosis (AS) can lead to numerou...
Taurine, a conditionally essential amino acid with unique sulfur-containing groups, has many fundamental physiologic processes, including osmoregulation and bile acid conjugation. Atherosclerosis (AS) can lead to numerous severe vascular adverse events, such as stroke, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction, posing a significant threat to human health. Taurine plays a role in multiple targets associated with the development of AS. It regulates lipid metabolism, reduces platelet activation and aggregation, and suppresses uncontrolled proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Additionally, it has antioxidant effects and promotes vascular health through vasodilation and endothelial repair, making it a promising cardiovascular protective agent. Furthermore, its interactions with the gut microbiome offer new insights into its potential for managing pathological conditions that contribute to AS. Current evidence supports that taurine serves as a dietary supplement to enhance both intestinal and cardiovascular health, thereby reducing the risk of AS.
Associations between Yogurt Consumption, Gut Microbiota Composition, and Glucose Dynamics: A Single-Arm 84-Day Intervention Study Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring.
Sugimoto H, Chida K, Toshimitsu T … +3 more , Tokunaga S, Fujino K, Kawakami E
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42162795 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Although yogurt consumption has been associated with favorable metabolic outcomes, its effect on continuous glucose dynamics and gut microbiota composition remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to eval...
BACKGROUND: Although yogurt consumption has been associated with favorable metabolic outcomes, its effect on continuous glucose dynamics and gut microbiota composition remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of daily yogurt intake on glucose dynamics and gut microbiota composition in healthy adults, and to examine baseline host factors associated with interindividual variability in glycemic response. METHODS: This single-arm, 84-d intervention study involved 303 Japanese adults without a prior diabetes diagnosis consuming 200 g of plain yogurt daily at breakfast. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was used to assess mean glucose levels, standard deviation (SD), and an autocorrelation-based index (AC_Var). Fecal samples were collected at baseline and postintervention for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Associations between baseline clinical, microbial, and genetic characteristics and changes in the CGM-derived measures were evaluated. Differential abundance analysis was used to identify microbial taxa altered by the intervention. RESULTS: Mean glucose levels decreased progressively, with a reduction of 4.06 mg/dL [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.97 mg/dL, 5.14 mg/dL] by the final period. Significant decreases were also observed in SD (-0.86 mg/dL; 95% CI: -1.32 mg/dL, -0.41 mg/dL) and AC_Var (-0.0059; 95% CI: -0.010, -0.0017). Several baseline gut bacterial genera, including Gemmiger, Veillonella, Alistipes, and Butyricicoccus, were significantly associated with changes in the CGM-derived measures. After the intervention, increases were observed in the genera Blautia, Faecalibacterium, and Coprococcus, as well as in the phylum Firmicutes, whereas decreases were noted in Prevotella, Oscillospira, and the phylum Bacteroidetes. CONCLUSIONS: Daily yogurt consumption was associated with improvements in glucose dynamics and significant remodeling of the gut microbiota. Baseline microbiota profiles were linked to interindividual differences in glycemic response. These findings suggest the potential role of the gut microbiome in modulating the metabolic effects of yogurt and underscore the value of personalized dietary strategies.
Insights into the Micronutrient and Cardiovascular Health Risks during Pregnancy.
Wang X, Zhang L, Wang X … +7 more , Zu P, Pan R, Wang P, Chen X, Jiang P, Chen J, Zhu P
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42162794 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) during pregnancy may have both cardiovascular protective and risk effects, but their dose-response relationship is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explor...
BACKGROUND: Calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) during pregnancy may have both cardiovascular protective and risk effects, but their dose-response relationship is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the effects of serum essential metals Cu, Fe, and Ca during pregnancy on cardiovascular health risks (CVRs) and the biomarkers of endothelial cell activation [cell adhesion molecules (CAMs): intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin]. METHODS: We analyzed 2430 pregnant women from the Maternal and Infant Health cohort study in Hefei II. CVR-increased at 24-28 gestational weeks was defined using 5 clinical cardiovascular disease risk indicators. CAMs were measured in maternal blood at 24-28 wk in all participants. In addition, a random subset of 500 mother-infant pairs was selected for follow-up CAMs assessment, including 454 women with valid third-trimester maternal blood samples and 447 women with valid cord blood samples at delivery. RESULTS: Using these 5 clinical cardiovascular disease risk indicators, 54.3% of the pregnant women were classified into the CVR-increased group. Compared with the lowest Fe status (first quartile, Q1), pregnant women in second quartile (Q2) and third quartile (Q3) had lower odds of CVR-increased [odds ratio (OR) = 0.79 and 0.77, respectively], whereas the association was not significant in fourth quartile (Q4). In contrast, higher Cu was associated with a greater odds of CVR-increased (OR 1.39 for Q4 compared with Q1). In CAMs analyses, we found a U-shaped relationship between serum Fe concentration and ICAM-1, and the positive association between Fe and ICAM-1 and E-selectin was mainly reflected when the serum Fe concentration was high. No significant association was observed for CAMs measured in maternal blood in late pregnancy and umbilical cord blood at delivery. CONCLUSIONS: For the cardiovascular health of pregnant women, maintaining appropriate serum micronutrient levels, avoiding deficiency and excess, may be more important than simply supplementing. This study provides new insights into the relationship between serum micronutrients and CVR in pregnant women.
Irwin Harold Rosenberg: An Illustrious Career Driven by the Vision that Implementation of Nutrition Science Is as Important as the Science Itself.
Mason JB, Bowman BB
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42150682 · Publisher ↗
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Roles of Ras Homolog Guanosine Triphosphate Phosphohydrolases in Adipocyte Differentiation, Insulin Signaling, and Lipid Droplet Dynamics.
Huang Y, Chen G, Zhang Y
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42142663 · Publisher ↗
Ras homolog guanosine triphosphate phosphohydrolases (Rho GTPases), a family of small GTPases, are important players in many physiological processes such as cytoskeleton remodeling. Emerging experimental results have ind...
Ras homolog guanosine triphosphate phosphohydrolases (Rho GTPases), a family of small GTPases, are important players in many physiological processes such as cytoskeleton remodeling. Emerging experimental results have indicated them as pivotal regulators of lipid metabolism, which has profound implications for metabolic health. This review aims to summarize the roles of key Rho GTPases, RhoA, RAC1, and cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) in adipocyte differentiation, insulin signaling, and lipid droplet dynamics. Relevant research articles were retrieved via searches of available public databases, such as PubMed, and were reviewed here. For adipocyte differentiation, RhoA predominantly acts as a negative regulator during the early commitment phase, whereas RAC1 and CDC42 typically promote differentiation. Furthermore, Rho GTPases are integral to insulin signaling pathways, where their dysregulation can contribute to insulin resistance. The role of Rho GTPases in lipid droplet dynamics appears to be involved in the stabilization of lipid droplets through the regulation of the formation of actin stress fibers, whereas RAC1 facilitates droplet mobilization and degradation. The therapeutic potential of Rho GTPase pharmacological inhibitors and their efficacies in reducing lipid accumulation and improving insulin sensitivity in preclinical models are discussed. Nevertheless, challenges such as the specificity of these inhibitors and the complexity of the underlying mechanisms still remain. The development of highly specific modulators and full elucidation of signaling cascades are imperative to fully exploit Rho GTPases as promising therapeutic targets for combating obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related metabolic disorders.
The Effects of a Powdered Meal Replacement on Inflammation, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolism in People With Excess Body Weight-A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Montenegro J, Oliveira CL, Nguyen NK … +10 more , Armet AM, Berg A, Sharma AM, Mereu L, Cominetti C, Ghosh S, Cani PD, Richard C, Walter J, Prado CM
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42142662 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Excess body weight is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic abnormalities, such as insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the impact of a soy prote...
BACKGROUND: Excess body weight is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic abnormalities, such as insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the impact of a soy protein-yogurt-honey powdered meal replacement (PMR) on inflammation, gut microbiota, and metabolism in individuals with excess body weight and in weight-stable conditions. METHODS: The Powdered meal REplacement on MetabolIsm and gUt Microbiota (PREMIUM) Study was a 12-week, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial. Participants (body mass index: 25-37 kg/m) were randomized into either control (CON; usual diet, n = 34) or PMR (2 daily doses added to usual diet, n = 29) groups, maintaining a stable body weight. Assessments occurred at baseline, week 6, and week 12, and included inflammation markers (primary outcome: IL-6), gut microbiota diversity and composition (secondary outcome), metabolic blood markers (glucose and lipid profile), body composition (via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and dietary intake. Data of completers were analyzed by 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance or generalized estimating equations with Bonferroni-corrected post hoc tests. Between-group differences in changes over time are expressed as mean and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Adherence to PMR was 98% of total doses, which increased protein intake [6.53% (5.04%, 8.02%), P < 0.001] and decreased fat intake [-5.23% (-7.10%, -3.35%), P < 0.001] compared with CON. By design, body weight remained stable. There were no changes in IL-6 [-0.01 (-0.47, 0.45) pg/mL, P = 0.412], with a low statistical power of 13.7%. Minor changes in gut microbiota composition included an increase in relative abundance of Subdoligranulum (0.72 Log fold-change, q = 0.002). In exploratory outcomes, PMR increased lean soft tissue [0.57 (0.12, 1.02) kg, P = 0.014] and reduced total cholesterol [-0.33 (-0.58, -0.08) mmol/L, P = 0.01] and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [-0.28 (-0.46, -0.10) mmol/L, P = 0.003]. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, PMR intake did not improve chronic low-grade inflammation and had limited effects on gut microbiota, but was associated with improvements in lean soft tissue and lipid profile that warrant further exploration. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03235804 on August 1, 2017.
Her Eating Advice: Eat Dessert First: Remembering Judith S. Stern, ScD, RD.
Moore BJ, Greenwood M, Fried SK … +1 more , Dwyer JT
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42134773 · Publisher ↗
Judith Schneider Stern, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Nutrition and Internal Medicine at University of California at Davis, died on 8 May, 2019 after a distinguished career in studying, teaching, and communicating a...
Judith Schneider Stern, Distinguished Professor Emerita of Nutrition and Internal Medicine at University of California at Davis, died on 8 May, 2019 after a distinguished career in studying, teaching, and communicating about obesity.
Cardiovascular Disease Events and Life Expectancy Lost Attributable to Machine Learning-Derived Dietary Networks: Evidence from Canadian National Nutrition Survey Linked to Routinely Collected Administrative Databases.
Wang Y, Sutherland JM, Jessri M
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42134415 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) are transforming nutritional epidemiology by revealing dietary network structures invisible to conventional correlation-based methods. Although traditional ap...
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) are transforming nutritional epidemiology by revealing dietary network structures invisible to conventional correlation-based methods. Although traditional approaches fail to capture conditional food-food dependencies, advanced computational techniques can identify co-consumption patterns and their differential associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. OBJECTIVES: To apply ML-based network analysis to characterize complex food-food relationships and identify dietary communities representing distinct food combinations consumed by Canadian adults, and to examine associations of these community scores with CVD risk, all-cause mortality, and life expectancy (LE). METHODS: Dietary intake was obtained from 2 cycles of the nationally representative samples from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition 2004 (n = 15,835; linked with health administrative databases) and 2015 (n = 13,557). We used semiparametric Gaussian Copula graphical models to infer conditional dependencies between food groups and the Louvain algorithm for unsupervised community detection. Individual-level community scores were derived, and communities' associations with mortality and CVD were measured using weighted multivariable-adjusted Cox models. LE was estimated across community scores using abridged life tables. RESULTS: Three dietary communities were identified: vegetable-rich (VR), high-sugary beverage and low fruit (HSBLF), and high-fat breakfast. Higher VR scores were associated with lower all-cause mortality in the overall sample [hazard ratios (HR): 0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36, 0.67], females (HR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.26, 0.63), and males (HR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.81), and with lower CVD risk overall (HR: 0.55; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.94). Higher HSBLF scores were associated with increased mortality (HR: 1.31; 95% CI:1.06, 1.62) and among males (HR: 1.39; 95% CI:1.03, 1.88). LE at 45 y was longer with higher VR scores or lower HSBLF/high-fat breakfast scores (1.0-8.3 y for females, 0.8-6.1 y for males). CONCLUSIONS: ML-based network analysis identified dietary communities characterized by unique combinations of foods that were differentially associated with mortality and CVD, demonstrating the value of advanced computational approaches for characterizing dietary patterns relevant to chronic disease prevention.
Antidiabetic Kidney Disease Benefits of Feeding Rice Starch/Inulin-Enriched Extruded Rice to Diabetes Homozygous Mice.
Sun A, Sun C, Gao W … +6 more , Tao H, Zhao H, Yu B, Zhang Z, Liu P, Cui B
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 42134414 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the commonest cause of end-stage kidney disease. Supplementation of dietary fiber may have potential benefits for patients with DKD. OBJECTIVES: This study developed a type of...
BACKGROUND: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the commonest cause of end-stage kidney disease. Supplementation of dietary fiber may have potential benefits for patients with DKD. OBJECTIVES: This study developed a type of functional extruded rice (FER) with rice starch and 10% inulin using twin-screw extrusion, and its beneficial effects on DKD mice were evaluated. METHODS: Mice were divided into control (CON) group (diabetes heterozygous mice fed a normal diet containing extruded rice starch without inulin), model (MOD) group [diabetic MOD, diabetes homozygous mice (db/db) mice fed a normal diet containing extruded rice starch without inulin], FER-fed (RERF) group (db/db mice fed a normal diet containing FER), and metformin-treated group (positive CON, db/db mice treated with metformin and fed a normal diet containing extruded rice starch without inulin). RESULTS: Physicochemical analysis revealed that resistant starch content was significantly increased by 403.57% in FER compared with extruded rice starch without inulin, which was caused by inulin-starch interactions. Compared with the MOD group, the FER-fed (RERF) group decreased fasting blood glucose by 32.70%, serum creatinine by 50.96%, urea nitrogen by 26.89%, tumor necrosis factor-α by 34.98%, and interleukin-6 by 37.70% (P < 0.05). Histopathology results showed reduced glomerular swelling and colon inflammation in the RERF group compared with the MOD group. Consumption of the FER diet reshaped the profile of gut microbiota, increasing abundances of short-chain fatty acid-producing Anaerostipes and reducing proinflammatory Alistipes. Compared with the MOD group, the RERF group increased acetic acid by 86.88%, propanoic acid by 154.08%, and butanoic acid by 319.56% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that FER could be utilized as a food for special dietary use in patients with diabetic kidney, given the dietary fiber-enriched rice's ability to mitigate DKD in an appropriate mouse disease MOD.
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