Eur J Nutr [JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Planetary health diet index and risk of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective cohort study.
Xu X, Dong Y, Hu J … +5 more , He Z, Borné Y, Sonestedt E, Huang T, Zhang S
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42400868 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: The EAT-Lancet Commission introduced the planetary health diet to promote human health while reducing environmental impact. However, no study has yet examined how adherence to this diet is associated with ris...
BACKGROUND: The EAT-Lancet Commission introduced the planetary health diet to promote human health while reducing environmental impact. However, no study has yet examined how adherence to this diet is associated with risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between the planetary health diet index (PHDI) and the risk of developing IBS. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 177,754 participants (mean age: 55.6 ± 7.93 years, 44.8% males) free of IBS at baseline from the UK Biobank who completed at least one 24-h dietary assessment in 2009-2012. Adherence to the PHDI was quantified using a diet score ranging from 0 to 140 points. Incident IBS was identified through electronic health records. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between the PHDI and IBS risk. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 10.5 years, 2684 IBS cases were documented. In the fully adjusted model, participants in the highest PHDI quartile had a significantly lower risk of incident IBS compared with those in the lowest quartile (HR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.82; P for trend < 0.0001); the corresponding HR (95% CI) per 10-point increase was 0.92 (0.89, 0.95). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses yielded generally consistent results. In addition, such inverse association was more pronounced among participants aged < 60 years and females than their counterparts (P for interaction < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Higher adherence to the PHDI was associated with a lower risk of incident IBS, providing further evidence that adherence to the planetary health diet may benefit gastrointestinal health.
Closing the dietary fibre gap - developing a novel dietary fibre screening tool (SCREEN-IT) for the UK population: validity, reproducibility and usability insights.
Norton V, Lovegrove JA, Weech M … +2 more , Kelly EFA, Lignou S
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42400640 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Insufficient dietary fibre intake can increase chronic disease risk with identification of effective strategies considered a public health priority. However, there are no UK-based dietary fibre intake tools to e...
PURPOSE: Insufficient dietary fibre intake can increase chronic disease risk with identification of effective strategies considered a public health priority. However, there are no UK-based dietary fibre intake tools to estimate consumption habits. This study addresses this gap by developing a novel dietary fibre screening tool (SCREEN-IT) for the UK population and explores validity, reproducibility and usability insights. METHODS: SCREEN-IT was developed based on key dietary fibre-rich food categories in the UK diet. The validity of SCREEN-IT (10-item) was tested against a UK-based Food Frequency Questionnaire (eNutri-FFQ; 157-item) seven-days apart (n = 70; 55.1 ± 18.7 years). SCREEN-IT reproducibility (n = 155; 51.7 ± 18.2 years) was evaluated on two occasions (four-weeks apart) and usability (System Usability Scale; SUS) was assessed. Intra-class correlation coefficients, percentage difference, quartile agreement, weighted kappa and Bland-Altman plots were used to quantify agreement and extent of bias. RESULTS: Agreement between methods (SCREEN-IT vs. eNutri-FFQ) was "acceptable to good agreement"; higher dietary fibre estimates from eNutri-FFQ (mean bias: -3.91 g/d). SCREEN-IT was quick to complete (< 5-min) with higher SUS than eNutri-FFQ (83.4 vs. 76.8/100). SCREEN-IT was reproducible on re-test ("acceptable to good agreement"), mean bias close to zero (-0.04 g/d), high usability (84.9/100) and received positive feedback (easy-to-use, functional, thought-provoking, enjoyable). CONCLUSION: SCREEN-IT was successfully developed with favourable validity, reproducibility and usability feedback. It was considered a suitable tool to estimate dietary fibre intake for the UK population. This novel tool could help raise dietary fibre awareness by promoting relevant food sources in a quick and easy way to increase future intake.
Correction: Impact simulation of portion guidance on commonly consumed packaged food to reduce discretionary energy and public health sensitive nutrients in the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
Tsai LT, Debras C, Scuccimarra E … +4 more , Vieux F, Maillot M, Mainardi F, Eldridge AL
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42400639 · Publisher ↗
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Effects of vitamin B9 and B12-fortified corn flour on cognitive function in teenage girls: a randomized controlled trial in Ethiopia.
Tariku EZ, Sorrie MB, Leavitt VM … +9 more , Demuyakor ME, Gutema BT, Kassa M, Yesera GE, Belete NK, Assefa DT, Egata G, De Henauw S, Abbeddou S
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42400612 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Adequate status in vitamins B9 and B12 supports neurological processes, and observational studies consistently associate sufficient intake with enhanced cognitive performance in adolescents. However, causal evid...
PURPOSE: Adequate status in vitamins B9 and B12 supports neurological processes, and observational studies consistently associate sufficient intake with enhanced cognitive performance in adolescents. However, causal evidence on whether food fortification with these vitamins improves cognition in healthy adolescent girls remains scarce. This study evaluated the effect of consuming vitamin B9- and B12-fortified corn flour on the cognitive function of teenage girls in Arba Minch, South Ethiopia. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled community trial from December 2023 to August 2024. A total of 472 teenage girls from schools within the Arba Minch Health and Demographic Surveillance System were randomly allocated to either the intervention (n = 235) or control group (n = 237). The intervention group received bi-weekly distributions of corn flour fortified with vitamin B9 (2 mg/kg) and B12 (0.02 mg/kg) for six months, while the control group received unfortified corn flour. Cognitive function was assessed using a multidomain test battery at baseline and endline. The intervention effects were analyzed using analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Of the 472 participants, 417 (88.35%) completed the trial: 207 in the intervention and 210 in the control group. After six months, no significant effects of fortification with vitamins B9 and B12 were observed on any primary cognitive measures compared to the control. In secondary analysis, however, girls with stunting (height-for-age z-score < -2 standard deviation) who received the intervention showed slower performance in the language subtest of the Language and Memory Test (LMT) than girls without stunting. CONCLUSION: A six-month intervention with vitamin B9- and B12-fortified corn flour did not improve the cognitive function of teenage girls. However, language performance among those who received fortified flour varied by their stunting status. Future randomized controlled trials with longer durations are recommended, with particular attention to adolescence as a critical developmental window. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ; NCT06100146; October 3, 2023.
Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, non-sugar sweetened beverages, and their substitution and risk of type 2 diabetes: the HELIUS study.
Beigrezaei S, Hernández Vargas JA, Raeisi-Dehkordi H … +10 more , Bridge LA, Chatelan A, Muka T, Galenkamp H, De Courten B, van den Born BH, Stronks K, Salehi-Abargouei A, Nicolaou M, Franco OH
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42397572 · Full text
PURPOSE: The association between non-sugar-sweetened beverages (NSSB), as a suitable alternative for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), and the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate...
PURPOSE: The association between non-sugar-sweetened beverages (NSSB), as a suitable alternative for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), and the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the intake of SSB and NSSB, their substitutions with each other, and T2D risk. METHODS: We used a sub-sample of adults aged 18-70 years from the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study. Dietary data was assessed using ethnic-specific food frequency questionnaires. Multivariable-adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for T2D risk for SSB and NSSB and their substitutions of one serving (250 ml)/day were estimated using Poisson models. RESULTS: Among the 2612 participants included, 141 incident cases of T2D were identified. After multivariable adjustment, higher NSSB intake was associated with an increased risk of T2D in the overall population (IRR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.14, 4.46) and among participants with non-Dutch ethnicity (IRR: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.59, 5.81). No overall association was observed between SSB intake and T2D risk, although a positive association was found among Dutch participants. In substitution analyses, replacing one serving/day of SSB with NSSB was associated with a higher T2D risk among younger participants (IRR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.75), although this association was not observed in the overall population. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that replacing SSBs with NSSBs may not confer a metabolic benefit and may be associated with a higher risk of T2D in specific subgroups. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms and subgroup-specific factors underlying these associations.
A carotenoid-rich functional tomato sauce (OsteoCol®) reduces liver fat content in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a randomized clinical trial.
Mare R, Ferro Y, Maurotti S … +10 more , Mazza E, Castagna A, Pujia C, Noto FR, Galluccio A, Mirarchi A, Giampà GA, Moraca M, Montalcini T, Pujia A
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42397564 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a common condition characterized by liver fat accumulation, and it has become a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality world...
BACKGROUND: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is a common condition characterized by liver fat accumulation, and it has become a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Currently, no drugs are approved to prevent or treat this condition. Carotenoids, especially lycopene, a potent antioxidant present in tomatoes, have demonstrated potential benefits for liver health in both preclinical and clinical studies. However, the lycopene content differs between tomatoes according to maturity stage. Ripening is an agronomic technique that enhances lycopene content by allowing tomatoes to fully mature on the plant. This study aimed to assess the effect of a carotenoid-rich tomato sauce made from vine-ripened tomatoes (OsteoCol®, patent N°:102019000000061 on liver fat in adults with MASLD. METHODS: A total of 98 patients were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The protocol was approved by the local Ethics Committee (124/2022/CE). The intervention group consumed the carotenoid-rich tomato sauce (OsteoCol®), while the control group received a commercial tomato sauce as a placebo for a total of 12 weeks. The main outcome was the variation in hepatic fat content (CAP score). CAP score, by transient elastography, serum glucose, lipids, and transaminases were measured at baseline and after treatment. We also investigated the effect of OsteoCol® extract on rat hepatoma cells and human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. RESULTS: A greater reduction in liver fat content was observed in participants consuming OsteoCol® compared to those receiving the placebo (CAP score: - 33 ± 44 dB/m vs. - 12 ± 38 dB/m, p = 0.014). The percentage reduction in the CAP score was even greater in men, individuals aged 60 and older, those with normal weight/overweight, and adults with mild hepatic steatosis at baseline. Additionally, in vitro studies on hepatic cell lines supported the clinical findings by demonstrating that OsteoCol® extract significantly reduced intracellular lipid accumulation through modulation of lipogenesis, β-oxidation, and cholesterol synthesis pathways. CONCLUSIONS: A functional tomato sauce made from vine-ripened tomatoes reduced liver fat content in adults with MASLD. This carotenoid-rich tomato sauce could serve as a novel nutritional strategy for patients with MASLD. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN10483954. Registered 04 June 2025-retrospectively registered, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10483954.
Urinary carnosine links diet quality with one-carbon and lipid metabolism: insights from an interpretive framework for imidazole metabolites.
Tomé-Carneiro J, Cepeda-Vidal T, Valdés A … +5 more , Colás-Ruiz NR, Fernández-Cruz E, Bernal Álvarez M, Matía-Martín P, Martínez JA
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42397563 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Urinary imidazole-containing metabolites can reflect dietary exposure and endogenous metabolism, but their biological meaning in nutritional metabolomics remains challenging to resolve. Using a mechanistically i...
PURPOSE: Urinary imidazole-containing metabolites can reflect dietary exposure and endogenous metabolism, but their biological meaning in nutritional metabolomics remains challenging to resolve. Using a mechanistically informed framework, we evaluated whether urinary carnosine is associated with diet quality and circulating one-carbon and lipid-related markers, beyond a simple meat-related exposure signal. METHODS: In 138 adults, untargeted urine metabolomics was used to annotate imidazole metabolites, which were classified a priori as integrated dietary-metabolic biomarkers or non-integrated exposure or confounding markers. Associations with a dietary quality score aligned with the EAT-Lancet reference diet and with clinical biomarkers were evaluated using hierarchical regression with sequential adjustment for urinary creatinine, age, sex, body mass index, diet score, and outcome-relevant medication indicators. A sensitivity model additionally adjusted for estimated glomerular filtration rate category. Participants reporting folate or cobalamin supplementation were excluded from one-carbon analyses. RESULTS: Higher urinary carnosine was associated with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lower serum folate, and higher homocysteine after multivariable adjustment, including renal-function sensitivity analyses. Integrated metabolites showed higher overall association rates with clinical predictors than non-integrated metabolites. CONCLUSION: Urinary carnosine was associated with one-carbon status and lipid-related markers after multivariable adjustment, supporting its potential as a candidate integrated dietary-metabolic biomarker. A mechanistically informed framework may help distinguish metabolically informative urinary imidazole metabolites from diet-only or exposure-driven signals in nutritional metabolomics and precision nutrition.
Lycopene inhibits airway remodeling in allergic asthma models by suppressing the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in airway epithelial cells.
He H, Wang Z, Zhao Z … +4 more , Wang X, Cao L, Zhang L, Feng S
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42397553 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Asthma is a common and complex heterogeneous disease, and its recurrent episodes are caused mainly by airway remodelling. Dysregulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important mechanism of...
PURPOSE: Asthma is a common and complex heterogeneous disease, and its recurrent episodes are caused mainly by airway remodelling. Dysregulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important mechanism of airway remodelling. Lycopene has been reported to inhibit the Th2 immune response in individuals with allergic asthma. This study investigated the Lycopene effects of Lycopene on airway remodelling through the regulation of the EMT. METHODS: We investigated the effects of lycopene on the proliferation, migration and EMT of airway epithelial 16HBE cells induced by LPS to study the effects of lycopene on the EMT of the airway epithelium and airway remodelling in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. RESULTS: We found that lycopene inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and MMP9 and vimentin expression in LPS-exposed 16HBE cells. Treatment with lycopene effectively relieved airway remodelling, reduced the degree of collagen deposition in the lungs of asthmatic mice, and suppressed MMP9 and vimentin expression in the lung tissue of asthmatic mice. Lycopene also decreased OVA-specific IgE and IL-4 levels in the serum. Furthermore, lycopene also decreased Smad3 and p-AKT levels in 16HBE cells and in the lung tissue of asthmatic mice. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these data indicate that lycopene suppresses airway remodelling by downregulating the Smad3/AKT/MMP9 pathway in the airway epithelium.
Influence of natural variations in eating rate and bolus properties on postprandial glucose and insulin responses in healthy adults.
Liu Z, van Bruinessen M, Heuven LAJ … +3 more , Lasschuijt MP, Stieger M, Forde CG
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42397469 · Full text
PURPOSE: We investigated to what extent natural variations in test-meal oral processing, eating rate and bolus properties influence postprandial glucose responses, while also considering the role of insulin and glucagon....
PURPOSE: We investigated to what extent natural variations in test-meal oral processing, eating rate and bolus properties influence postprandial glucose responses, while also considering the role of insulin and glucagon. METHODS: Healthy participants (n = 33, age: 27.3 ± 5.7 y, BMI: 23.7 ± 2.0 kg/ m) consumed a mixed meal with a fixed carbohydrate load while being video-recorded to assess their eating rate (ER) and oral processing behaviours. Bolus samples at the point of swallowing were collected to determine saliva uptake and particle characteristics. Blood samples were collected before and over a 3-h postprandial period to measure glucose and plasma insulin, glucagon, C-peptide concentrations. Participants were grouped into Slower- or Faster-eaters based on their ER for the test meal. RESULTS: Slower-eaters (n = 17) consumed their meal 53% slower than Faster-eaters (n = 16)(p = 0.001), with 1.4 times more chews/g and 91.2% longer oro-sensory exposure time (OSE time). Slower- and Faster-eaters did not differ in their total postprandial glucose (PPG) responses. Early (0-30 min) and total (0-180 min) glucose iAUC values were higher in Slower-eaters (20.21% and 55.27%, respectively), but not reaching statistical significance. In contrast, Slower-eaters showed significantly higher insulin and C-peptide responses. Higher total insulin iAUC was associated with higher OSE time (R = 0.41) and more chews/bite (R = 0.44). Despite differences in bolus properties between Slower- and Faster-eaters, no significant associations were found between bolus properties and PPG or insulin responses. CONCLUSION: Enhanced chewing and prolonged oro-sensory exposure during slower eating may stimulate postprandial insulin release, contributing to modulating glucose homeostasis.
Interesterified fats rich in palmitic and stearic acids have comparable effects on selected inflammatory related biomarkers.
Ng YT, Voon PT, Ng TKW … +3 more , Lee VKM, Mat Sahri M, Mohd Esa N
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42397442 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Trans fatty acids (TFA), a by-product of partial hydrogenation, have been proven to contribute significant adverse effects on human health. Interesterification has been used as an alternative to har...
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Trans fatty acids (TFA), a by-product of partial hydrogenation, have been proven to contribute significant adverse effects on human health. Interesterification has been used as an alternative to hardening edible oils instead of partial hydrogenation. There are limited reports of the impacts of interesterified fat consumption on inflammatory biomarkers. We compared the effects of chemically interesterified fats rich in palmitic (CIEPO) and stearic acid (CIEBlend) with native palm olein (POo) diets on selected inflammatory related biomarkers of 90 healthy adults. METHODS: We used a double-blind, parallel feeding intervention trial using 50 g of each test fat in the form of margarine, separately incorporated into two servings of snacks for breakfast and afternoon tea daily for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline, zero-, sixth- and eighth-week. RESULTS: POo-, CIEPO- and CIEBlend-diets produce no significant difference in the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), visfatin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). CONCLUSIONS: The finding suggests that the long-term effects of these three fats on these selected inflammatory related biomarkers are similar. Trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ , NCT02192047, 2014-07-15.
A special multifiber dietary mixture ameliorates Crohn's-like colitis in an IL-10/ mouse model by promoting treg differentiation through the ETS1/RUNX1/Foxp3 axis.
Liu Y, Jiang W, Wang J … +7 more , Cheng S, Cheng C, Zhang C, Zhang J, Liu C, Zhao J, Wang H
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jul · PMID 42397430 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by immune dysregulation. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in maintaining mucosal tolerance, and their dysfunction directly c...
BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by immune dysregulation. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in maintaining mucosal tolerance, and their dysfunction directly contributes to CD pathogenesis. METHODS: We used interleukin-10/ mice to evaluate the therapeutic effects of a special multifiber mixture (MF) on colitis. T cell phenotypes, transcriptional profiles, gut microbiota composition, and N-methyl adenosine (m6A) ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation were analyzed using flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, metagenomics, and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: MF significantly reduced intestinal inflammation, restored epithelial barrier function, and promoted Treg differentiation while suppressing Th1/Th17 polarization. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses identified ETS1 as a negative regulator of Treg differentiation, modulated by gut microbiota-derived S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) through methyltransferase-like protein 3-mediated m6A methylation. MF feeding reduced SAM levels and m6A enrichment on ETS1 messenger RNA, leading to decreased ETS1 expression. Silencing of ETS1 enhanced Foxp3 expression and expanded the Treg population. RUNX1 was identified as a functional interactor of ETS1, with reciprocal expression patterns validated in both mouse models and colonic tissues from patients with CD. CONCLUSION: MF alleviates colitis by reshaping the gut microbiota and suppressing SAM-dependent m6A methylation, resulting in ETS1 downregulation and the restoration of Treg homeostasis through the ETS1/RUNX1/Foxp3 axis. These findings reveal a mechanistic link between microbiota, epigenetics, and immunity, highlighting MF feeding as a promising nutritional intervention for CD treatment.
Butyrate ameliorates maternal high-fat-diet-induced placental inflammation and offspring metabolic dysfunction via modulating gut microbiota in mice.
Xu Y, Zhang Q, Lu X … +4 more , Ji P, He Z, Wang Y, Dong Y
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42377574 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Maternal high-fat diet (HFD) increases the risk of metabolic disorders in offspring. Placental inflammation acts as a critical mediator with poorly addressed etiology. Recently HFD-induced gut dysbiosis is de...
BACKGROUND: Maternal high-fat diet (HFD) increases the risk of metabolic disorders in offspring. Placental inflammation acts as a critical mediator with poorly addressed etiology. Recently HFD-induced gut dysbiosis is demonstrated to be a key driver of systemic inflammation. Whether inflammatory signals triggered by HFD-induced gut dysbiosis are transmitted to the placenta via the maternal-fetal axis warrant further investigation. This study aims to elucidate the mechanistic connection between maternal gut dysbiosis and placental inflammation, thereby offering insights into microbiota-mediated developmental origins of metabolic diseases in offspring. METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to high fat diet (HFD) for 5 weeks prior to mating with male mice. Gut microbiota was profiled by using 16 S rRNA sequencing and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were quantified by GC-MS from HFD pregnant mice at gestational day 18.5 (G18.5). Mice were sacrificed at G18.5, and placenta histopathological analysis as well as inflammatory markers and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) level were analyzed. Anti-inflammatory effects of butyrate were evaluated in vitro by using HTR-8/Svneo cells and in vivo through gestational supplementation (0.3 mg/g body weight) in HFD-fed dams. RESULTS: Maternal HFD exposure induced significant placental inflammation as well as hepatic steatosis in the offspring. HFD-fed dams exhibited distinct gut dysbiosis with reduced fecal and serum SCFAs, which was accompanied by elevated placental LPS levels and exacerbated inflammatory responses. Butyrate treatment suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines in vitro through down-regulating the phosphorylation of NF-κB, ERK1/2 signaling pathways via G-protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41). Furthermore, gestational butyrate intervention effectively alleviated placental inflammation and mitigated fetal hepatic lipid deposition in HFD-exposed offspring. CONCLUSION: Placental inflammation caused by maternal HFD is closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. Butyrate supplementation during gestation reduces placental inflammation and ameliorated offspring hepatic steatosis, highlighting the therapeutic potential of butyrate for mitigating the adverse metabolic programming effects upon maternal HFD exposure.
Development of a blueprint for plant-derived hospital meals: a multidisciplinary co-creative study.
van Bree MA, Kruizenga HM, Schouten BC … +1 more , Soeters MR
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42377557 · Full text
PURPOSE: Hospitals increasingly seek to align patient meals with sustainable food policies while ensuring nutritional adequacy and patient acceptance. However, the limited availability of palatable high-protein plant-der...
PURPOSE: Hospitals increasingly seek to align patient meals with sustainable food policies while ensuring nutritional adequacy and patient acceptance. However, the limited availability of palatable high-protein plant-derived meals with complete amino acid profiles hampers implementation. This study aimed to develop and evaluate fully plant-derived hospital meals for nutritional adequacy, palatability, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility within sustainable food policy frameworks. METHODS: A multidisciplinary, co-creative study was conducted between April and December 2025 with hospital staff and industry partners. Meal development criteria were derived from clinical guidelines and hospital policies and prioritized by a multidisciplinary team. Recipes were iteratively developed and evaluated through cooking and tasting sessions, then optimized for nutritional composition, amino acid profile, and palatability. Nutritional values were calculated using the Dutch Food Composition Database, and protein quality estimated through weighted mean digestibility and aggregated amino acid scores across meal protein sources. RESULTS: Thirty meal recipes were developed and combined into seven daily menus providing 90-97 g protein per day, primarily from soy, lentils, grains, and nuts. To increase protein in breakfast and lunch without enlarging portions, pea protein isolate and soy-based drinks were incorporated. Total daily menu costs ranged from €10.50 to €12.30. CONCLUSION: Fully plant-derived meals can provide adequate, palatable, and cost-effective protein, suitable for clinical use, although trade-offs between protein quality, taste, cost, and portion size remain. These meals offer a practical blueprint for hospitals seeking to adjust animal-to-plant protein ratios and support the transition toward sustainable nutrition.
The role of food addiction in the association between sustainable and healthy eating behaviors and obesity indicators.
Aslan Ceylan J, Akçalı Ç, Hatipoğlu A … +2 more , Korkmaz A, Coşkunsu S
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42371208 · Full text
PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the association between sustainable and healthy eating behaviors (SHEB) and obesity indicators, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), and to evaluate the mediating and m...
PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the association between sustainable and healthy eating behaviors (SHEB) and obesity indicators, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), and to evaluate the mediating and moderating roles of food addiction (FA) in these relationships. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2024 and February 2025 with 4234 adults aged ≥ 18 years. Anthropometric measurements were obtained using standardized procedures. SHEB and FA were assessed using validated instruments. All analyses were conducted using the SPSS package program, PROCESS Macro and JASP Statistical Software. RESULTS: In adjusted models, each one-unit increase in FA symptom count was positively associated with BMI (β = 0.103, p < 0.001) and WC (β = 0.030, p = 0.029). Overall SHEB scores showed a small positive association with BMI, whereas no association was observed with WC. SHEB subcomponents related to diet quality, including healthy and balanced diet, preference for local foods, and low-fat choices, were inversely associated with both BMI and WC (p < 0.05), whereas seasonal food consumption and avoidance of food waste were positively associated with obesity indicators. FA showed a statistically significant but very small indirect effect in the association between SHEB and BMI (indirect effect = 0.0004; 95% CI: 0.000-0.001), while no indirect effect was observed for WC. Moderation analyses revealed that FA significantly modified the SHEB-BMI relationship (p for interaction = 0.003), with stronger associations observed at moderate and high FA levels. CONCLUSIONS: Sustainable and healthy eating behaviors are not uniformly associated with lower obesity risk and appear to interact with FA-related behaviors. Accounting for addictive-like eating behaviors may be critical for improving the effectiveness of sustainable nutrition strategies in obesity prevention and public health interventions.
Exploring the associations between dietary nitrate and nitrite intake and markers of self-reported periodontal disease in the UK Biobank cohort.
Alhulaefi SS, Watson A, Brandt K … +11 more , Ramsay SE, Jakubovics NS, Griffiths A, Matu J, Siervo M, Parmenter BH, Zhong L, Hodgson J, Bondonno CP, Bondonno NP, Shannon OM
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42371184 · Full text
PURPOSE: Periodontal disease, an inflammatory condition affecting the tissue surrounding the teeth, has been associated with various systemic health issues. Dietary nitrate and nitrite are found in a range of plant and a...
PURPOSE: Periodontal disease, an inflammatory condition affecting the tissue surrounding the teeth, has been associated with various systemic health issues. Dietary nitrate and nitrite are found in a range of plant and animal foods and, depending upon source, have been linked with both positive and negative health effects, including improved oral health with plant sources. This study aimed to investigate the associations between source-dependent (plant- and animal-sourced) nitrate and nitrite intake and odds of periodontal disease. METHODS: We explored cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between tertiles of source-dependent nitrate and nitrite intake and the odds of periodontal disease using multivariable logistic regression models (cross-sectional analyses) and generalised estimating equations (longitudinal analyses) in 158,778 and 83,026 participants, respectively, from the UK Biobank. Dietary nitrate/nitrite intake was estimated from 24 h dietary assessments and a comprehensive food composition database. RESULTS: Higher intake of plant-derived nitrate was associated with significantly lower odds of periodontal disease in cross-sectional (OR [95%CI]: 0.925 [0.894-0.958]) and longitudinal (OR [95%CI]: 0.880 [0.840-0.921]) analyses compared with lower intakes. A similar pattern of association was observed for plant-derived nitrite. Animal-derived nitrate intake was not associated with odds of periodontal disease. Higher intake of animal-derived nitrite was associated with significantly higher odds of periodontal disease in cross-sectional analyses only (OR [95% CI]: 1.043 [1.009-1.078]). CONCLUSION: Plant-derived nitrate and nitrite were associated with lower odds of self-reported periodontal disease, whilst animal-derived nitrite showed adverse associations in cross-sectional analyses only. Associations between dietary nitrate and nitrite with oral health outcomes may therefore depend on food source. Further mechanistic and intervention research is needed to test causality.
Polyphenols increase circulating lipids but improve LDL particle quality and reduce LDL oxidation in postmenopausal women: metabotype- and age-dependent effects in a randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
García-Nicolás M, Jarrín-Orozco MP, Romo-Vaquero M … +6 more , Carrascosa C, Avilés-Plaza F, Martínez-Villanueva M, Noguera JA, Ávila-Gálvez MÁ, Espín JC
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42371155 · Full text
PURPOSE: Menopause increases cardiometabolic risk via dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress, and low-grade inflammation. Polyphenols may modulate these processes, but human evidence is inconsistent. We investigated the effects...
PURPOSE: Menopause increases cardiometabolic risk via dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress, and low-grade inflammation. Polyphenols may modulate these processes, but human evidence is inconsistent. We investigated the effects of polyphenol supplementation on lipid profile, LDL oxidation, and polyphenol-related gut microbiota metabotypes in postmenopausal women. METHODS: In the PolyPAUSE randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, 90 mildly hypercholesterolemic, non-medicated postmenopausal women received a daily polyphenol mixture providing ellagitannins+ellagic acid (312.0 ± 30.9 mg), resveratrol (133.2 ± 10.1 mg), and isoflavones (166.3 ± 27.3 mg) for 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout and an 8-week placebo period. Serobiochemical and bone-related markers were analysed at hospital laboratories. Apolipoprotein B (ApoB), oxidised LDL (oxLDL), and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) were measured by ELISA, and myeloperoxidase activity by spectrophotometry. Gut microbiota metabotypes were classified as urolithin A/B (UMA/UMB), equol producers/non‑producers (EP/ENP), and lunularin producers/non‑producers (LP/LNP) using UPLC‑ESI‑QTOF‑MS. RESULTS: Polyphenol supplementation did not affect LBP or bone markers. Total cholesterol (Tchol), LDL-cholesterol (LDLc), and triglycerides (TGs) increased by 7%, 9.5%, and 16%, respectively (p < 0.001) in ~ 80% of completers (n = 78), with age‑related increases. ApoB showed a borderline reduction (p = 0.056), and oxLDL decreased (p < 0.001). Ratios indicating LDL particle quality and oxidative burden (LDLc/ApoB, oxLDL/LDLc, oxLDL/ApoB) improved (p < 0.001) despite higher circulating lipid concentrations. Myeloperoxidase activity showed marginal decreases in the full cohort (p = 0.08) and in LNP (p = 0.06). Metabotyping showed that the strongest oxLDL reduction occurred in EP (65%, p < 0.001) and the UMA + EP+LNP cluster (60%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Polyphenol supplementation increased Tchol, LDLc, and TGs age-dependently, yet improved LDL oxidative quality. The extent of oxLDL reduction depended on metabotypes, supporting precision health approaches to better characterise cardiometabolic responses to polyphenol intake in postmenopausal women.
Association between oxidative balance score, genetic susceptibility and nephrolithiasis: a cohort study based on the UK Biobank.
Li Z, Liu Y, Xu K … +6 more , Zhao Y, Yang H, Wang W, Ji C, Li Z, Bai S
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42371152 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) is a tool to evaluate the balance of oxidative and antioxidative factors from diet and lifestyle. We aim to explore the association between OBS and the incidence of nephrolithia...
PURPOSE: The Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) is a tool to evaluate the balance of oxidative and antioxidative factors from diet and lifestyle. We aim to explore the association between OBS and the incidence of nephrolithiasis and investigate whether genetic predisposition exerts a modifying effect on this association. METHODS: A total of 146,055 participants were derived from the UK Biobank without nephrolithiasis at baseline. OBS was calculated based on 13 dietary components and 5 lifestyle components. 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected to generate a polygenic risk score (PRS) for genetic susceptibility. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the associations between OBS and the incidence of nephrolithiasis. The modifying effect of PRS was also investigated. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up period of 9.91 years, a total of 1,076 incident cases of nephrolithiasis were documented. After adjustment for multiple covariates, the risk of nephrolithiasis in the highest OBS quintile group decreased by 23% (HR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.63, 0.95). The negative association between OBS and nephrolithiasis was more pronounced among participants with lower genetic susceptibility. In this subgroup, participants in the highest OBS quintile had a 33% lower risk of incident nephrolithiasis compared with those in the lowest OBS quintile (HR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.91). Multiplicative interaction between OBS and genetic susceptibility was significant (P for interaction = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated a negative association between OBS and the incidence of nephrolithiasis, and the protective effect was more pronounced among individuals with low genetic susceptibility.
Associations of unsweetened and sweetened coffee and tea consumption with incident cardiovascular disease: a large prospective cohort study.
Ding Y, Chen H, He J … +5 more , Duan M, Yuan C, Zhang X, He D, Zhu Y
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42371142 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Previous studies have reported inconsistent associations of coffee and tea consumption with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mixed findings may partly reflect differences in the habitual addition of sweeteners...
PURPOSE: Previous studies have reported inconsistent associations of coffee and tea consumption with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mixed findings may partly reflect differences in the habitual addition of sweeteners to coffee and tea, a factor not considered in most previous studies. We aimed to evaluate the dose-response associations of unsweetened and sweetened coffee and tea consumption with incident CVD. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 167,142 UK Biobank participants without prevalent CVD at baseline. Beverage intake and sweetener use were assessed using repeated web-based 24-h dietary recalls. Incident CVD was defined as the first recorded occurrence of coronary heart disease, stroke, or heart failure. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox regression models. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 11.1 years, 14,395 participants developed incident CVD. Unsweetened coffee showed a U-shaped association with incident CVD (P-nonlinearity < 0.001), with the lowest risk observed at 2.5 units/day. Compared with non-consumers, participants who consumed > 0-5 units/day of unsweetened coffee had a lower CVD risk, with HRs (95% CIs) of 0.89 (0.84-0.94) for > 0-1 unit/day, 0.90 (0.85-0.95) for > 1-2 units/day, 0.81 (0.76-0.86) for > 2-3 units/day, and 0.86 (0.81-0.91) for > 3-5 units/day, respectively. However, no significant association was observed for > 5 units/day unsweetened coffee (HR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.91-1.11). Sweetened coffee consumption was not associated with a lower CVD risk at any intake level. Similarly, unsweetened tea was associated with a lower CVD risk across intake categories, whereas high sweetened tea intake was associated with higher a CVD risk (HR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01-1.26 for > 5 units/day). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate intakes of unsweetened coffee and tea were each associated with a lower risk of incident CVD, whereas sweetened types did not show protective associations. These findings suggest that sweetener use should be considered when evaluating the cardiovascular relevance of coffee and tea consumption.
Effect of two types of time-restricted eating on glycemic, lipid indices, and weight in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
Aminian M, Hajshafiha M, Heidari M … +1 more , Daneghian S
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42371138 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age with significant metabolic impairments. Time-restricted eating (TRE) has emerged as a promising di...
PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age with significant metabolic impairments. Time-restricted eating (TRE) has emerged as a promising dietary strategy for improving metabolic health. Although both early time-restricted eating (eTRE) and mid-day time-restricted eating (mTRE) have shown beneficial metabolic effects, their comparative efficacy in women with PCOS remains unclear. This study aimed to directly compare the effects of eTRE and mTRE on glycemic control, lipid profiles, and anthropometric outcomes in women with PCOS. METHODS: In this 6-week randomized controlled trial, 75 women with PCOS were allocated to one of three groups: eTRE (8:00 AM-6:00 PM), mTRE (11:00 AM-9:00 PM), or a control group with ad libitum eating. The primary outcome was fasting insulin level. Secondary outcomes included FBS, insulin resistance indices, lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, HDL-C, and TG), body weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC), and dietary intake. Metabolic and anthropometric variables were assessed at baseline and post-intervention, while dietary intake was evaluated at baseline, mid-intervention, and study completion. RESULTS: Both eTRE and mTRE significantly reduced FBS, fasting insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), body weight, and WC compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, eTRE significantly improved TC (P < 0.001) and LDL-C levels (P = 0.01), whereas similar changes were not observed in the mTRE group. CONCLUSION: TRE, particularly eTRE, appears to be an effective dietary intervention for women with PCOS, offering significant benefits for glycemic control, metabolic health, and weight management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: IRCT20221122056575N1.
Nutrition interventions in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review.
Akbaş E, Samancı M, Öztürk YE
Eur J Nutr · 2026 Jun · PMID 42371137 · Full text
PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the effects of various dietary interventions on anthropometric, metabolic, hormonal, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters in women with pol...
PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the effects of various dietary interventions on anthropometric, metabolic, hormonal, inflammatory, and oxidative stress parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: The review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025641781). Searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Science Direct, Web of Science, National Thesis Center, Google Scholar, and DergiPark Academic for studies published between February 2015 and February 2025. Experimental and observational studies were included if they evaluated the independent effect of dietary interventions in adult women with PCOS. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. RESULTS: A total of 38 studies were included, covering interventions such as calorie-restricted diets, low-glycemic index/load diets, ketogenic diets, intermittent fasting, dietary approaches to stop hypertension, Mediterranean-style, and other diets. Most dietary interventions demonstrated beneficial effects on body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference, as well as improvements in insulin sensitivity, reproductive hormone regulation, and menstrual regularity. However, findings related to lipid metabolism, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress outcomes were inconsistent. CONCLUSION: Current evidence indicates that dietary interventions are crucial in improving the management of metabolic, anthropometric, hormonal, and clinical outcomes in women with PCOS. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of dietary approaches, study designs, and outcome measures highlights the need for long-term randomized controlled trials to establish more conclusive recommendations.
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