J. Nutr. [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Why Should Nutrition Research and Innovation Be Integrated with Environmental Science?
Bremer AA
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 41921621 · Full text
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Evaluating ChatGPT for Carbohydrate Counting Accuracy in Diabetes Management: A Precision Health Approach.
Aslan S, Sözlü S
J Nutr · 2026 Mar · PMID 41921620 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have recently shown significant progress in advancing precision health. However, despite this progress, the use of AI in carbohydrate counting-a skill essential for diabetes...
BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have recently shown significant progress in advancing precision health. However, despite this progress, the use of AI in carbohydrate counting-a skill essential for diabetes management that presents challenges in learning and implementation-remains limited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ChatGPT in creating a snack and diet plan with a certain amount of carbohydrate using carbohydrate counting. METHODS: Study data were obtained using ChatGPT (GPT-5 version), which is freely available to the public. ChatGPT was asked to create a daily diet plan with a 45% carbohydrate content and 4 different snack options (standard, dairy, fruit, and whole grains) with 15 and 30 g of carbohydrates. Carbohydrate and energy values of the foods were calculated using a nutrition database. RESULTS: For snack prompts, carbohydrate values did not significantly differ from the predefined 15-g and 30-g targets in most categories (p > 0.05). Significant differences were found in absolute deviation values in the 15-g prompt-standard group. In the 2000-kcal daily diet plan, the mean carbohydrate percentage (45%) and gram value (225 g) were achieved; however, total energy values significantly exceeded the 2000-kcal target (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Although ChatGPT demonstrated high accuracy in approximating predefined carbohydrate targets at the mean level, deviations in total energy and variability across prompts suggest challenges in simultaneously satisfying multiple nutritional constraints. These findings highlighted both the potential and the limitations of ChatGPT in carbohydrate counting and support the need for expert oversight in clinical applications.
Adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research Lifestyle Recommendations on Early- and Later-Onset Breast Cancer Risk in Mexican Women.
Santos O, Gómez-Flores-Ramos L, Brochier M … +9 more , Cortés A, Pérez-Escobedo P, Castellanos A, Miranda P, Pon A, Rivera-Ontiveros O, Hernandez-Ávila M, Lajous M, Stern D
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 41921619 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Early-onset breast cancer (BC) is more common in Hispanic than in non-Hispanic White women. However, little is known about the role of lifestyle factors in the development of early- and later-onset BC in Mexi...
BACKGROUND: Early-onset breast cancer (BC) is more common in Hispanic than in non-Hispanic White women. However, little is known about the role of lifestyle factors in the development of early- and later-onset BC in Mexican women. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to estimate the potential relationship between lifestyle and BC risk, with particular attention to potential differences between early-onset and later-onset BC. METHODS: We used data from 84,534 participants in the Mexican Teachers' Cohort. An 8-item score was constructed to measure adherence to the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) cancer prevention recommendations. BC cases were identified through self-reports, linkages with electronic health records, and administrative data. Early-onset BC was defined as diagnosis before age 50, and later-onset BC as diagnosis at age ≥50. To estimate the 10-y risk of early- and later-onset BC, analyses included women <40 y and women aged ≥50 y at baseline, respectively. We used the parametric g-formula to estimate 10-y risks, risk differences (RD), and risk ratios (RR). RESULTS: Over 10 y of follow-up, 1052 BC cases were identified, including 180 early-onset and 209 later-onset cases. For overall BC, the estimated RR comparing women with scores of 5-8 compared with 0-2 was 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.61, 1.15], with a corresponding RD of -0.23 percentage points (95% CI: -0.65, 0.14). The estimated RR comparing scores of 5-8 with 0-2 were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.51, 1.13) for early-onset BC and 1.23 (95% CI: 0.86, 1.83) for later-onset BC. The corresponding RD were -0.20 percentage points (95% CI: -0.48, 0.08) for early-onset BC and 0.34 percentage points (95% CI: -0.25, 0.95) for later-onset BC. CONCLUSIONS: Estimated risks of overall, early-onset, and later-onset BC were broadly similar across levels of adherence to the WCRF/AICR-based lifestyle score. The estimates were imprecise, with CIs including the null value, indicating that chance cannot be ruled out; however, the range of estimates is compatible with both modest decreases and modest increases in risk.
Circadian Rhythm-Aligned Time-Restricted Feeding Prevents Ovariectomy-Induced Fat Gain, Insulin Resistance, and Osteosarcopenia in Rats.
Kulkarni C, Washimkar KR, Yadav S … +9 more , Porwal K, Sadhukhan S, Sharma S, Rajput S, Hurkadale PJ, Gayen JR, Mugale MN, Chattopadhyay N, Godbole MM
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41916467 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Circadian rhythm-aligned time-restricted feeding (TRF) has emerged as a non-pharmacological strategy to improve metabolic health, but its effects on estrogen-deficiency-associated disorders remain unexplored....
BACKGROUND: Circadian rhythm-aligned time-restricted feeding (TRF) has emerged as a non-pharmacological strategy to improve metabolic health, but its effects on estrogen-deficiency-associated disorders remain unexplored. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the impact of circadian rhythm-aligned TRF on metabolic and musculoskeletal health in an ovariectomy (OVX) rat model of postmenopausal estrogen deficiency. METHODS: Seventy-five female Sprague-Dawley rats were used (45-OVX, 30-sham). Fifteen days after surgery, OVX rats were assigned to OVX + ad libitum (Ad lib), OVX + TRF, or OVX + liraglutide (Lira) (0.3 mg/kg/d, s.c.) groups (n = 15/group). Sham rats were assigned to sham + Ad lib or sham + TRF (n = 15/group). TRF groups had access to American Institute of Nutrition-93 maintenance (AIN-93M) rodent diet only during the dark phase (20:00-09:00), whereas Ad lib groups had 24-h access. At 4, 8, and 12 wk, glucose tolerance, fat mass, inflammatory markers, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), microarchitecture, oxidative stress, muscle mass, morphology, and expression of atrogin-1 and Muscle RING-finger protein-1 (MuRF-1) were assessed on subgroups of rats. Data are shown as mean ± SEM. One-way analysis of variance with post hoc Tukey test was used (P < 0.05 significant). RESULTS: Compared to sham + Ad lib rats, OVX + Ad lib rats had poorer glucose tolerance at 12 weeks (20.93% higher blood glucose), but OVX + TRF rats had glucose tolerance that was comparable to sham + TRF and OVX + Lira. Compared to the sham + Ad lib rats, the OVX + Ad lib rats had higher lymphocytes (62.29%) and white blood cells (WBCs) (68.35%), but these increased levels were prevented by TRF (p<0.05), with effects similar to OVX + Lira. In OVX + Ad lib rats, fat mass increased by 59.52% when compared to sham + Ad lib rats, but it remained constant in OVX + TRF rats (comparable to sham + TRF and OVX + Lira). Femoral (39.39%) and vertebral (19.10%) vBMD as well as bone stiffness (p<0.05 compared to sham + Ad lib) decreased in OVX + Ad lib rats, while bone mass and microarchitecture were maintained under TRF conditions (comparable to OVX + Lira). The levels of the skeletal muscle atrophy markers atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 were significantly greater in OVX + Ad lib rats than in sham + Ad lib rats (p<0.05), but remained constant in OVX + TRF rats (comparable to sham + TRF and OVX + Lira). CONCLUSIONS: Circadian rhythm-aligned TRF represents a lifestyle intervention that counteracts estrogen-deficiency-induced metabolic and musculoskeletal deterioration.
Modeling the Association between Repeated Measures of Hemoglobin during Pregnancy and Adverse Birth Outcomes.
Geng J, Zhang Z, Nguyen PH … +3 more , Luo H, Young MF, Ko YA
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 41916466 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Maternal hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and their trajectories throughout pregnancy are important determinants of birth outcomes. However, longitudinal studies on pregnancy frequently rely on cross-sectional...
BACKGROUND: Maternal hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and their trajectories throughout pregnancy are important determinants of birth outcomes. However, longitudinal studies on pregnancy frequently rely on cross-sectional analyses at specific time points or utilize summary measures, overlooking valuable information contained in repeated Hb measurements. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to illustrate various statistical approaches for modeling longitudinal Hb data and their associations with birth outcomes, highlighting the strengths and limitations of each method. METHODS: We analyzed 8 pregnancy datasets (6452 women, 13,580 Hb measurements) from the Biomarker Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia project using: 1) logistic regression incorporating residual Hb, 2) 2-stage mixed effect model, 3) distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM), 4) generalized additive mixed model (GAMM), and 5) group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM). Outcomes were low birth weight (<2.5 kg), preterm birth (PTB, <37 wk), and small for gestational age (birthweight <10th percentile). RESULTS: Logistic regression using residual Hb, 2-stage mixed-effects model, and DLNM did not reveal any significant associations between Hb concentrations and adverse birth outcomes. GAMM showed that women with PTB had lower Hb concentrations before 20 wk of gestation compared with those without PTB. GBTM identified 4 distinct Hb trajectory clusters, but no significant associations were found between trajectory groups and adverse birth outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: These analytic approaches provide complementary insights into the relationship between maternal Hb and birth outcomes, while illustrating how inference can vary depending on the method used. DLNMs can help pinpoint critical gestational periods of vulnerability, whereas models such as GAMM and GBTM capture nonlinear trends and heterogeneous trajectories. Researchers should be aware that conclusions about Hb and birth outcomes may be highly sensitive to modeling decisions. Overall, these methods can guide researchers in selecting statistical strategies best suited to their study aims and data structure.
Examining the Relationship between Meal Costs and the Redemption of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Benefits in Oklahoma: An Instrumental Variables Method.
Zhang Q, Zhang J, Tang C … +2 more , Hodges L, Guthrie J
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 41916465 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) prescribes nutritious food for participants to redeem at no cost. Under-redemption is prevalent but varies across geographies....
BACKGROUND: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) prescribes nutritious food for participants to redeem at no cost. Under-redemption is prevalent but varies across geographies. Little is known about whether differences in food costs influence redemption rates. OBJECTIVES: We examined the relationship between meal costs and WIC benefit redemptions among Oklahoma households in 2020. We hypothesized that by constraining household budgets, higher meal costs could be associated with higher WIC benefit redemptions. METHODS: We merged WIC household-level benefit redemption data from Oklahoma WIC, including participants' sociodemographics, redemptions for 16 food categories, and county-level meal-cost data. We analyzed the cross-sectional relationship between meal costs and redemption rates overall and by food category in March-December 2020, controlling for participants' sociodemographics and the average COVID-19 infection rate in the resident county. Multivariable linear regression was applied. To address statistical endogeneity between meal costs and redemption rates for some food categories, an instrumental variable method was adopted. RESULTS: Food benefits redemption was positively associated with meal costs among WIC households in Oklahoma after accounting for endogeneity. A 10-cent higher meal cost was associated with a 3-percentage-point higher mean redemption rate (P < 0.05), although the relationship varied across food categories. Among benefit categories with a significant association between meal costs and redemption, costs exerted the largest association with redemption of whole-grain bread (Coef. = 0.453, P = 0.014) and the smallest association with redemption of whole milk (Coef. = 0.137, P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The findings may help policymakers better estimate the potential operational implications of higher food prices, which can be associated with higher WIC budgets through both increased food costs and higher redemption of WIC food benefits.
Environmental Sustainability and Chronic Disease Outcomes across Four Sustainable Dietary Patterns.
Mu J, Agarwal D, Bharani T
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41905733 · Publisher ↗
Global food consumption patterns have undergone substantial transformation in recent decades, driven by rapid population growth and the consequent intensification of agricultural production. This growth, however, has com...
Global food consumption patterns have undergone substantial transformation in recent decades, driven by rapid population growth and the consequent intensification of agricultural production. This growth, however, has come at significant environmental cost. As food consumption practices play a central role in shaping these impacts, shifts toward environmentally sustainable diets-typically characterized by greater reliance on plant-based foods-have been proposed as a viable mitigation strategy. However, the extent to which such dietary patterns can simultaneously confer environmental benefits and reduce chronic disease risk remains insufficiently characterized. Addressing this gap, this narrative review evaluates the environmental sustainability and health implications of 4 widely promoted sustainable dietary patterns-vegetarian, vegan, Mediterranean, and EAT-Lancet-by summarizing key sustainability metrics and systematically assessing contemporary evidence linking these diets to chronic disease outcomes. Our analysis underscores the importance of integrating climate impacts with health benefits when evaluating dietary interventions.
Improving the Estimation of Population Iodine Status: A New Method for Calculating the Precision and Subgroup Differences of Median Urinary Iodine Concentration from Spot Urine Specimens.
Woodruff BA, Peerson JM, Rohner F … +13 more , Schultink W, Timmer A, Andersson M, Galetti V, Obeid O, Jallow B, Sydygalieva B, Koroma AS, Jha RK, Beye M, Nizamov F, Petry N, Wirth JP
J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 41895409 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) from spot urine specimens are typically not normally distributed. As such, survey managers use the median UIC, rather than the mean, as the measure of central tendency. Non...
BACKGROUND: Urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) from spot urine specimens are typically not normally distributed. As such, survey managers use the median UIC, rather than the mean, as the measure of central tendency. Non-normal distributions prevent the comparison of sample means to a standard or subgroup-specific means using parametric tests. OBJECTIVES: We used Box-Cox transformations of UIC data to obtain normal distributions to accurately calculate measures of precision and statistical significance. We compared this with the conventional method using bootstrapping to calculate 95% confidence intervals (CIs) around the median. METHODS: We applied the Box-Cox transformation to UIC data from national surveys containing nonpregnant women in The Gambia, India, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Uzbekistan. We calculated subgroup-specific means and CIs and used parametric statistics (i.e., t-tests and analysis of variance) to assess the statistical significance of subgroup differences while accounting for complex sampling. Means and CIs were then back-transformed into the original units (μg/L). The back-transformed mean of the transformed UIC values can be interpreted as an estimate of the population median, given the near symmetry of the transformed values. RESULTS: The crude UIC data from all countries were not normally distributed. Box-Cox λ values ranged from 0.128 to 0.454, and all transformed datasets had skewness values between -0.1 and +0.1, confirming approximate normality. The Box-Cox method allowed detection of statistically significant differences in the back-transformed mean UICs by region and household-salt iodization status in nearly all countries. CONCLUSIONS: The Box-Cox transformation enables the calculation of results that account for complex sampling, enables the estimation of the statistical significance of apparent subgroup differences, and offers a more accurate approach to analyzing skewed UIC data. Program planners can use this approach to prioritize population groups with insufficient iodine status and tailor nutrition programs to address inequities in iodine nutrition.
Letter to Editor: the Underrecognized Barrier of Enrollment in Nutrition Programs.
Maier MP, Guido MC, Martin AF
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41895408 · Publisher ↗
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Erratum to 'Riboflavin deficiency is highly prevalent in women and children across high and low/middle income countries worldwide' [J. Nutr. 2026; 156: 101277].
McAnena L, Ward M, McCann A … +24 more , Pentieva K, Hoey L, Barlow R, Jarrett HR, Kerr MA, Strain JJ, Hughes C, Flynn A, Walton J, Lamers Y, Bhatti P, Karakochuk CD, Whitfield KC, Murphy M, Cavallé-Busquets P, Cox LJ, Prentice A, Parkington DA, Makhdoomi T, Kounnavong S, Hinnouho GM, Birungi N, Green TJ, McNulty H
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41887611 · Publisher ↗
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The Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Vitamin D Status and Associated Health Outcomes in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Royle E, Glatt DU, McSorley EM … +10 more , Pourshahidi K, Armstrong DJ, Grimley L, Slevin MM, Henry CO, McMullan JE, Iniesta RR, McCluskey JT, Gleeson N, Magee PJ
J Nutr · 2026 Mar · PMID 41887286 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is a key regulator of musculoskeletal growth, immune regulation, and cognitive function in children. As children in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland are at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to the...
BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is a key regulator of musculoskeletal growth, immune regulation, and cognitive function in children. As children in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland are at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to the northern latitude, supplementation is recommended. To our knowledge, the effect of supplementation on status and related health outcomes has not been investigated in children residing in the UK/Ireland. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on vitamin D status and related health outcomes in children. METHODS: The D vitamin in children study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, conducted among healthy children (aged 4-11 y). Children received 12 wk of either 10 μg/d vitamin D or a placebo devoid of vitamin D (control) in the form of an oral spray. The primary outcome, plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and secondary outcomes, including grip strength, balance, cognitive function, winter status, immune markers, and bone turnover markers, were assessed pre- and postintervention. RESULTS: One hundred eighteen participants completed the study (mean age 8.1 ± 1.8 y; 51% girls). Supplementation significantly increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration (from 66.31 ± 17.26 nmol/L to 69.04 ± 16.93 nmol/L) compared to a decline in the placebo group (63.67 ± 19.48 nmol/L to 56.29 ± 18.58 nmol/L; P < 0.001) and prevented deficiency during the extended winter months. No effects were observed on muscle function, cognitive function, immune function, or bone turnover markers. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent in UK/Irish children, and supplementation in the form of an oral spray is effective in achieving/maintaining an adequate status in most children. Further research is warranted to elucidate mechanisms underpinning nonresponse to supplementation and to further investigate the potential beneficial effects of supplementation on cognitive function. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT05018988.
Maternal Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Supplementation under Isocaloric High-Fat Diet Alleviates Oxidative Stress and Extends Lifespan through a whd-Dependent Mechanism in Drosophila Offspring.
Li Y, Zhao Q, Xu W … +7 more , Kong X, Hou C, Dong Y, Guan Y, Wang R, Cai L, Niu Y
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41887285 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Maternal nutrition and metabolic signals during development can influence oxidative stress and aging. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a bile acid derivative with antioxidant and mitochondrial protective...
BACKGROUND: Maternal nutrition and metabolic signals during development can influence oxidative stress and aging. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a bile acid derivative with antioxidant and mitochondrial protective effects, yet its molecular mechanisms in aging remain poorly defined. OBJECTIVES: Because Drosophila melanogaster does not synthesize endogenous bile acids, we used it as a model to examine how maternal isocaloric high-fat diet and TUDCA supplementation influence offspring lifespan. METHODS: Female flies were fed a normal control diet (NC), an isocaloric high-fat diet (mIHF), or a high-fat diet, with or without TUDCA, until oviposition. All male offspring developed on the NC diet. Offspring lifespan, exercise capacity, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial function were evaluated. The tub-Gal80/tub-Gal4 system was used to manipulate withered (whd) (a homolog of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, CPT1) at the adult stage, and transgenic flies were fed the same diets as wild-type flies. RESULTS: The mIHF+TUDCA diet significantly prolonged offspring lifespan compared with NC+TUDCA (+19.10%, P < 0.0001) and improved climbing performance at days 0 and 40 (P < 0.05). Offspring in the mIHF+TUDCA group showed improved systemic redox status across aging, with higher glutathione and lower malondialdehyde levels at days 0, 20, and 40 (P < 0.05). In the fat body, mIHF+TUDCA reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) (P < 0.05). Mechanistically, whd knockdown shortened lifespan under NC, mIHF, and mIHF+TUDCA conditions (P < 0.0001) and abolished the lifespan extension induced by mIHF+TUDCA. Moreover, whd knockdown increased ROS and reduced MMP in the fat body, and these changes were not reversed by TUDCA. In contrast, whd overexpression restored these phenotypes toward control levels without further lifespan extension. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal a diet-dependent regulatory role of TUDCA, suggesting that the mIHF+TUDCA diet alleviates oxidative stress in offspring largely via whd activity and promotes healthy aging.
Nutritional Value Score Rates Foods Based on Nutrient Density and Noncommunicable Disease Prevention.
Beal T, Ortenzi F
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41881761 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Most nutrient profiling systems (NPS) were designed exclusively for high-income countries to address chronic-disease risk and do not capture locally available foods, nutrient bioavailability, or the dual burd...
BACKGROUND: Most nutrient profiling systems (NPS) were designed exclusively for high-income countries to address chronic-disease risk and do not capture locally available foods, nutrient bioavailability, or the dual burden of undernutrition and noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). OBJECTIVES: We developed and tested the Nutritional Value Score (NVS)-a novel NPS based on priority nutrients and dietary factors predictive of noncommunicable disease risk-to better identify foods with high nutritional value relevant to health priorities in high-income countries and LMICs alike, and to serve as a functional unit for environmental impact and affordability analyses. METHODS: The NVS combines 7 weighted components-nutrient ratios (sodium:potassium, saturated:unsaturated fat, and carbohydrate:fiber), vitamins, minerals, protein (quality-adjusted), n-3 fatty acids, fiber, and Calories-scaled from 1 to 100, with a 25% penalty for ultraprocessed foods. It was applied to 289 commonly consumed foods in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, and the United States using local food composition data where available. We evaluated content validity, face validity, convergent and discriminant validity, and conducted various sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: The NVS identified organ meats, dark green leafy vegetables, fish, and seafood as the highest-scoring foods and soft drinks, grain-based baked sweets, instant noodles, packaged ultraprocessed snacks, and refined grains as the lowest. It showed stronger discrimination within fruits, vegetables, animal-source foods, and starchy staples than Nutri-Score or Health Star Rating (HSR). Correlations were moderate overall with Nutri-Score (r = 0.58) and HSR (r = 0.63) but weak for ultraprocessed foods (r < 0.15). Rankings shifted notably when using mass-based compared with energy-based references units. CONCLUSIONS: The NVS better distinguishes foods with high nutritional value than popular existing NPS and supports more meaningful environmental impact and affordability comparisons than conventional mass-based or energy-based reference units. Although further criterion validation is needed, the NVS shows promise to guide policies and programs prioritizing nutritious foods globally.
Semi-targeted Metabolomics Analysis of Biomarkers of Low to Moderate Alcohol Intake in the Postmenopausal Women's Alcohol Study: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Feeding Study.
Yano Y, Albert PS, Roy S … +9 more , Farhat Z, Baer DJ, Moore SC, Dorgan JF, Viallon V, Keski-Rahkonen P, Ferrari P, Abnet CC, Loftfield E
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41871667 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies of the health impact of alcohol consumption have mostly been based on self-reported measures of intake. Objective markers may provide better measures of alcohol intake and its biologic e...
BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies of the health impact of alcohol consumption have mostly been based on self-reported measures of intake. Objective markers may provide better measures of alcohol intake and its biologic effects, potentially elucidating mechanisms of disease. However, there are currently no validated biomarkers to assess low to moderate drinking. OBJECTIVES: To apply semi-targeted metabolomics to identify biomarkers of low to moderate alcohol consumption using plasma samples collected in the Postmenopausal Women's Alcohol Study (WAS), a randomized controlled crossover feeding study. METHODS: In the WAS, postmenopausal women (n = 51) were randomly assigned to consume 0, 15, or 30 g of alcohol/d (equivalent to 0, 1, or 2 drinks/d) for 8 wk each as part of a controlled diet, with washout periods between treatments. Metabolites were measured in baseline, washout, and post-treatment fasting plasma samples. Linear mixed-effects models were used to identify metabolites significantly altered by alcohol intake. RESULTS: A total of 1422 metabolites were measured, of which 150 were previously reported to be correlated with alcohol in observational studies. Alcohol intake significantly altered plasma levels of 46 metabolites, including xenobiotics directly related to alcohol, ethyl glucuronide and ethyl α-glucopyranoside; α-hydroxyisovalerate; 2-aminobutyrate; androgenic steroids; and multiple phosphatidylcholines. Top-ranking metabolites displayed clear dose-response relationships with alcohol dose-most notably, ethyl α-glucopyranoside, which showed a strong positive relationship (461% and 900% change for 15 and 30 g of alcohol/d, respectively, compared with no alcohol). We replicated associations for 14 alcohol-related metabolites identified in previous studies and discovered a number of new potential biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: In a tightly controlled feeding study, consumption of 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks/d changed plasma levels of 46 metabolites, suggesting their utility as biomarkers of low to moderate alcohol consumption, with opportunities to conduct etiologic research in cohorts with metabolomics data.
Urinary α-Carboxyethyl Hydroxychromanol (α-CEHC)-A Biomarker of Vitamin E Intake: A Scoping Review.
Benchetrit Y, Traber MG
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41871666 · Full text
Urinary α-carboxyethyl hydroxychromanol (α-CEHC), the terminal catabolic product of α-tocopherol, has been proposed as a noninvasive biomarker of vitamin E intake. Existing human studies vary substantially in design, pop...
Urinary α-carboxyethyl hydroxychromanol (α-CEHC), the terminal catabolic product of α-tocopherol, has been proposed as a noninvasive biomarker of vitamin E intake. Existing human studies vary substantially in design, population characteristics, analytical methods, and reporting practices, limiting the comparability of findings across the literature. The objective of this scoping review is to systematically map all human evidence evaluating urinary α-CEHC in relation to vitamin E intake, catabolism, or health status. The protocol for this scoping review was registered in Open Science Framework on 26 October 2025 (https://osf.io/a7gkv). Following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and PRISMA-ScR reporting standards, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and CINAHL. The initial literature search yielded 586 records. Two reviewers independently screened all records, extracted data using piloted forms, and organized findings into thematic domains reflecting biomarker responsiveness, methodological variability, and clinical contexts. A total of 34 studies were included, representing a wide range of vitamin E interventions, urine collection approaches, and analytical methods. Study heterogeneity was substantial. The increases in urinary α-CEHC excretion in response to supplemental vitamin E dose reported in 10 intervention studies were highly correlated (R = 0.7819, P < 0.0001). Overall, urinary α-CEHC appears to be a promising integrated measure of vitamin E catabolism; however, methodological inconsistencies across studies limit the ability to compare results between individuals on routine diets. Standardized urine collection protocols, conjugate handling procedures, normalization strategies, and analytical techniques will be necessary before α-CEHC can be validated for clinical application. This study was registered in Open Science Framework on 26 October, 2025 (https://osf.io/a7gkv) as a scoping review.
Therapeutic Effects of Dietary Supplements on Emotion-Related Symptoms in Children and Adolescents with Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Shi Y, Yin X, Meng X … +3 more , Cheng Y, Wei Y, Zhou X
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41871665 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is frequently accompanied by emotional symptoms such as irritability and anxiety, which significantly impact quality of life. Dietary supplements have been proposed as potential...
BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is frequently accompanied by emotional symptoms such as irritability and anxiety, which significantly impact quality of life. Dietary supplements have been proposed as potential interventions, but their efficacy for emotion-related symptoms in children and adolescents with ASD remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various dietary supplements in improving emotion-related symptoms in children and adolescents with ASD, and to explore differences across supplement types. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from inception to 15 May, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating dietary supplements for emotion-related symptoms in children and adolescents with ASD were included. Primary outcomes were irritability, anxiety, and overall emotional symptoms. Data were pooled using random-effects models to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were conducted by supplement type and emotion category. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB) 2.0. RESULTS: Twenty-one RCTs (22 studies) comprising 866 participants were included. Dietary supplements significantly improved irritability (SMD = -0.36, 95% CI: -0.68, -0.05, P = 0.02) and overall emotional symptoms (SMD = -0.44, 95% CI: -0.81, -0.08, P = 0.02) compared with control groups, with small-to-moderate effect sizes. No significant improvement was observed for anxiety (SMD = -0.15, 95% CI: -0.45, 0.14, P = 0.32). Subgroup analyses by supplement type showed that vitamin supplements had some benefits for irritability (SMD = -0.44, 95% CI: -0.79, -0.10, P = 0.01). Other supplement types showed nonsignificant effects. Moderate-to-high heterogeneity was observed across analyses (I = 64.42%-68.41%). Sensitivity analyses excluding high-risk bias studies confirmed the robustness of findings. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplements may improve irritability and overall emotional symptoms in children and adolescents with ASD. However, evidence strength is limited by study heterogeneity, RoB, and small-sample sizes. High-quality, large-scale RCTs are needed to confirm these findings and establish optimal intervention protocols.
Child Hemoglobin Trajectories across the First 10 Years of Life and Association with Child Cognition and Academic Achievement at 10-11 Years.
Young MF, Tran LM, Nguyen P … +4 more , Kalam MA, Khuong LQ, Martorell R, Ramakrishnan U
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41871664 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Anemia is a global health concern, although the importance of changes in hemoglobin (Hb) and cognitive outcomes in childhood remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between child Hb trajector...
BACKGROUND: Anemia is a global health concern, although the importance of changes in hemoglobin (Hb) and cognitive outcomes in childhood remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between child Hb trajectories and anemia with cognitive development and academic achievement at 10-11 y. METHODS: We used prospective data from Vietnamese children (n = 831) born to females who participated in a preconception micronutrient supplementation trial (PRECONCEPT). Hb was measured at 3 mo, 6 mo, 1 y, 2 y, and 10-11 y. Multivariable linear regression models assessed the association between Hb trajectories and anemia with cognitive development [full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ)], and academic achievement (mathematics and reading) at 10-11 y, adjusting for maternal (intervention, education, age, and mental health), child (age and sex), and household (home environment and socioeconomic status) characteristics. RESULTS: Three child Hb trajectories were identified (low-6.4%, middle-52.2%, and high-41.4%). Compared with the middle and high trajectory groups, children in the low trajectory had the lowest Hb concentrations at 3 mo (Hb: 9.7 g/dL) and through age 10-11 y (11.2 g/dL). Children in the low-Hb trajectory had lower FSIQ (89.8 compared with 93.2), math (12.1 compared with 13.5), and reading (17.8 compared with 19.0) scores compared with the high Hb trajectory. These differences were attenuated in adjusted models. Children in the low and middle Hb trajectories had nonsignificantly lower FSIQ {-0.93 (95% confidence interval: -4.57, 2.71) and [-1.13 (-2.92, 0.66)]}, reading scores [-0.01 (-1.36, 1.34) and -0.46 (-1.13, 0.21)] and math scores [-0.57 (-1.15, 0.01) and -0.65 (-1.82, 0.51)]. Anemia status at 10-11 y was negatively associated with FSIQ [-3.82 (-6.68, -0.76)] and math scores [-1.04 (-2.03, -0.05)] in adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS: Child Hb trajectories across the first 10 y of life were largely established early in life and had weak associations with cognition and academic achievement at 10-11 y. Anemia among 10-y-old children was associated with lower IQ and math scores, which underscores the importance of continued investment in nutrition programs among school-age children.
The Whey of the Future: Is rBLG a New Player within Protein Nutrition?
Haigh FA, Wall BT
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41866046 · Publisher ↗
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Maternal Methionine Nutrition and Its Functions in Epigenetic Regulation of Offspring Development in Animals.
Zhang Q, Wu Y, Cao J … +3 more , Yang Y, Hou S, Wen Z
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41866045 · Publisher ↗
Methionine is an essential amino acid that plays a vital role in animal growth and development, lipid metabolism, intestinal health, and 1-carbon metabolism as a primary methyl donor. Emerging evidence indicates that mat...
Methionine is an essential amino acid that plays a vital role in animal growth and development, lipid metabolism, intestinal health, and 1-carbon metabolism as a primary methyl donor. Emerging evidence indicates that maternal methionine status exerts long-term effects on offspring growth, metabolism, and health through developmental programming, largely mediated by epigenetic mechanisms. These mechanisms primarily involve alterations in deoxyribonucleic acid methylation, histone modifications, and related epigenetic regulatory networks that modulate gene expression during critical periods of embryonic and postnatal development. This review highlights recent advances in the physiological functions of methionine and the epigenetic mechanisms underlying maternal methionine-mediated regulation of offspring development, with particular emphasis on findings from animal models. We highlight how variations in maternal methionine status influence offspring phenotypes by reshaping epigenetic landscapes associated with growth, metabolic homeostasis, and tissue development. By integrating current evidence from nutritional, molecular, and epigenetic perspectives, this review aims to provide a comprehensive theoretical framework for optimizing maternal-offspring methionine nutrition strategies and to offer insights for improving offspring health and productivity in both animals and humans.
Consuming Primarily Egg Dishes and Eggs as Ingredients among United States Adolescents Is Associated with Greater Usual Nutrient Intakes Compared with Not Consuming Eggs.
Morales-Juárez A, Cowan-Pyle AE, Bailey RL … +1 more , Eicher-Miller HA
J Nutr · 2026 May · PMID 41861914 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Adolescents need nutrient-dense foods for growth, and eggs are a nutritious option to help meet nutrient needs. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the relationship between egg-consumption categories and n...
BACKGROUND: Adolescents need nutrient-dense foods for growth, and eggs are a nutritious option to help meet nutrient needs. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the relationship between egg-consumption categories and nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy and nutrient exposure scores among US adolescents. METHODS: Adolescents in the 2007-2018 NHANES (14-17 y; n = 3691) with at least one 24-h dietary recall and supplement data were included. Egg consumption was categorized as nonegg consumer, consumer of eggs as ingredients, or consumer of a primarily egg dish. Usual nutrient intakes, nutrient adequacy, and nutrient exposure scores for intakes from all sources [i.e., total nutrient index (TNI); scored 0-100; foods + supplements] and foods alone [i.e., Food Nutrient Index (FNI); 0-100] were estimated using the National Cancer Institute method. Pairwise t-tests compared the nutrient markers across the 3 egg-consumption groups. RESULTS: US adolescents failed to meet various nutrient adequacy markers, highlighting a high risk of inadequacy for calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin E, and a low percentage above the adequate intake for choline. Primarily egg dish consumers exhibited higher mean usual intakes for lutein + zeaxanthin, choline, vitamin A, selenium, vitamin D, riboflavin, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and protein than nonegg consumers; and for lutein + zeaxanthin, choline, selenium, and DHA than those consuming eggs as ingredients (P < 0.001). Consuming eggs as ingredients showed higher iron and vitamin E intakes compared with not consuming eggs. Consumers of eggs, either primarily dishes or as ingredients had higher TNI scores (P < 0.001) for total (76 and 71 compared with 65), magnesium (69 and 66 compared with 60) and potassium (83 and 80 compared with 73) and FNI scores for potassium (82 and 80 compared with 73) than nonegg consumers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: US adolescents consuming eggs, as primarily dishes or ingredients, had better compliance in meeting nutrient markers compared with nonegg consumers, highlighting associations between eggconsumption and nutrient intake.
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