The purpose of this review is to examine the effects of hesperidin and hesperetin on liver disorders. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease is a complicated disorder influenced by many factors, including inflammation, diabetes and obesity. Currently, the most prominent treatment method is lifestyle changes. If left untreated, it can progress to cirrhosis, liver fibrosis and liver cancer. Hesperidin, which is a flavanone glycoside polyphenolic plant compound, belongs to the flavanone class and was first isolated from citrus peel. Hesperidin includes aglycone hesperetin and rutinoside sugar. It is the most dominant form of flavonoid in citrus fruits. In our review, we discuss the effects of these phytochemicals on liver diseases, focusing on their relationship with inflammation, blood sugar regulation and blood lipids. Hesperidin and hesperetin are seen as promising agents for many diseases. Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties support this view. Although their low water solubility limits their potential effects, many studies have demonstrated their benefits. They are thought to play an effective role in inflammatory processes, particularly in liver diseases. More studies are required to find the optimum dosage and to use them as a therapeutic agent for the liver.

Coffee is one of the most known and consumed beverages worldwide. Only three species are used in commercial coffee production, that is, Coffea arabica L. (Arabica coffee), Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner (Robusta coffee) and Coffea liberica Hiern (Excelsa coffee). The world population consumes approximately two billion cups of coffee per day, making it an important commercial resource of bioactive compounds in world markets. High interest in coffee consumption described in the literature is due not only to its organoleptic properties (for example, desirable bitterness, amount of flavours and aromas) but also to its ability to stimulate the central nervous system.

It is now known that there are more than 1000 compounds in coffee beverages, several of which have a bioactive activity. Recent studies show that consuming three to four cups of coffee per day, that is, moderate consumption according to the European Food Safety Authority, may be beneficial for health.

The main objective of the proposed review is to provide a comprehensive overview of bioactive compounds in coffee and other caffeine-containing beverages and their effects on neurodegenerative proteinopathies.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition. Omega-3 fatty acid insufficiency has been linked to ASD. This umbrella meta-analysis was performed to investigate the effects of omega-3 supplementation on clinical manifestations in participants with ASD. Based on the PRISMA statement, databases including Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched for published meta-analyses on the effect of omega-3 supplementation on ASD up to December 2023. To assess the risk of bias, the assessment of multiple systematic reviews (AMSTAR)-2 was utilised. The outcomes were core and non-core symptoms of ASD including social withdrawal/lethargy, cluttering speech, hyperactivity, irritability and stereotypy. Seven meta-analyses eventually remained in the umbrella review. The results revealed that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation caused a significant reduction in cluttering speech in studies conducted on age ≤8 years (effect size (ES) −0·30; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0·55, −0·06; P = 0·02). Omega-3 supplementation caused a significant reduction in hyperactivity in participants ≤8 years (ES −0·30; 95% CI −0·55, −0·06; P = 0·02) and in participants who received the supplements for more than 14 weeks (ES −0·30; 95% CI −0·55, −0·06; P = 0·02). A dosage of ≤1000 mg/d of omega-3 supplementation led to a significant increase in the stereotypy/restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours (ES 0·19; 95% CI 0·03, 0·35; P = 0·02). This umbrella review revealed that omega-3 fatty acid may be a beneficial supplement to control cluttering speech and hyperactivity in children with ASD who are 8 years old or younger.

As the Mediterranean diet (MDi) has demonstrated a powerful preventative effect on various medical conditions, a positive effect on oral health may also be speculated. Tooth loss, pain or tooth mobility may discourage the consumption of specific food types, affecting MDi adherence. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between adherence to MDi and oral health in adult populations. The study protocol was registered in Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/vxbnh/) and adhered to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The principal research questions were: (1) Does better oral health enable adults to better adhere to MDi? and (2) Does better adherence to MDi enable adult individuals to have better oral health? The content of three databases, Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed was searched without language, date or any other restrictions. The search results were imported into the Rayyan environment, and from the initial 1127 studies identified, only 20 remained after the exclusion process. Three articles composed the first group, revealing significant associations between various oral health parameters and adherence to MDi, with large variations in methodology and no safe conclusions. The studies investigating the effect of the level of adherence to MDi on various oral parameters were more numerous and revealed negative associations with the prevalence of periodontal disease and upper aero-digestive tract cancer. Further studies to explore the existence and direction of the association between oral health and MDi are needed, with public health interventions encouraging adherence to the MDi to reduce the burden of oral conditions and other non-communicable diseases.

Lipids play an important role in human nutrition. Although adequate lipid consumption is necessary for an optimal functioning of the human body, overconsumption of saturated fatty acids can lead to postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia, which triggers the development of atherosclerosis. Important parameters that impact postprandial lipaemia and inflammation are related to the matrix structure and the fat-soluble micronutrient profile of ingested foods/lipids, but the specific effect of these parameters should be further studied, as most of the available studies evaluate their effect at fasting state. This review specifically explores the effects of food structure and fat-soluble micronutrients, from either micronutrient-rich foods or supplements, on postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia and inflammation. The review also highlights the potential of emerging biomarkers such as miRNAs or circulating microvesicles, as an alternative to the widely use biomarkers (e.g. low-density lipoproteins or blood concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines), to identify inflammation associated with postprandial hypertriglyceridaemia at early stages.

The incidence of cognitive decline is rising, leading to increased attention on the preventive role of healthy foods on brain function. Previous reviews including primarily observational studies suggested that dietary proteins may improve cognitive performance, but evidence from individual randomised controlled trials (RCT) is less consistent. Therefore, this systematic review examined the long-term effects of dietary proteins from RCT, considering both their amount and type, on cognitive performance (psychomotor speed and attention, executive function, memory and global cognition). Alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) – a validated brain vascular function marker – were also considered. A total of 4747 studies were identified through a systematic search, resulting in twenty-three included papers reporting effects on cognitive performance (n = 23) and CBF (n = 3). Improvements were observed in three out of the nine studies that evaluated psychomotor speed which compared a dietary protein intervention with a non-protein or lower-protein control. Of the six beneficial observations on working memory (n = 12), declarative memory (n = 10) and visuospatial memory (n = 10), five were nut interventions from three different trials. Limited studies focusing on global cognition suggested that specific target populations, namely subacute stroke or dementia, may benefit more than healthy individuals from increased dietary protein intake. From the three studies involving CBF, improvements in regional blood flow were associated with most cognitive performance outcomes. The comparative effects of different protein types warrant further investigation. Overall, this review encourages additional research into protein-rich foods or supplements which could potentially prevent or mitigate cognitive decline.

Community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) relies on a food-based approach. However, a comprehensive assessment of their nutrient composition and its impact on treatment outcomes is currently lacking in the extant literature. This narrative review summarises recent evidence on the efficacy of formulations that contain dairy protein and maintain the density of essential nutrients (type I and type II) in managing uncomplicated acute malnutrition at the community level. The literature used for the evidence synthesis was identified using a two-stage screening process. An electronic search was run on PubMed and Cochrane Library, followed by a backward snowball search to identify efficacy studies. A total of twenty-six efficacy studies involving food formulations used to treat uncomplicated severe and moderate acute malnutrition were identified. The review found that, while more evidence favours the inclusion of dairy in formulations as efficacious in supporting recovery from malnutrition, ambiguity in the conclusive findings between dairy and non-dairy formulations remains due to the varied percentages of dairy protein in different formulations. The type of protein source used in a formulation matters, but other approaches, including fortification, can aid in maintaining the nutrient density of formulations, thereby improving the chances of recovery. However, the inclusion of high amounts of added sugar in therapeutic formulations exceeding the World Health Organization norms is a concern that warrants more attention. Future clinical research should assess outcomes such as lean or fat mass changes to confirm the benefits of using dairy or non-dairy formulations to treat moderate and severe acute malnutrition.

This scoping review addresses gaps in the existing literature on dietary guidelines for pregnant and lactating women globally. The study delves into adherence levels, identifies influencing factors and examines outcomes associated with these guidelines. Analysing food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) from around the world, the review reveals that half of the countries lack FBDG, with only 15% providing tailored advice for pregnant and lactating women. Utilising data extracted from forty-seven articles across MEDLINE and EMBASE, the study highlights a scarcity of adherence studies, particularly in low- or middle-income countries (LMIC), and emphasises the lack of research during lactation. Overall adherence to dietary guidelines is low, with disparities in fruit, vegetable, whole grain and fish consumption. Positive correlations with adherence include age, education, employment, social class and certain medical histories, while negative correlations involve smoking, alcohol consumption, metropolitan residence and elevated BMI. The study documented significant associations between adherence and reduced risks of gestational complications but calls for further exploration of intermediate nutritional outcomes such as micronutrient deficiencies and child growth. Emphasising the urgency for globally standardised guidelines, especially in LMIC, this review provides a foundational call for prioritised studies and strategies to enhance dietary practices for pregnant and lactating women worldwide.

Recent advancements in sensory research have brought to light the intricate relationship between taste perception and the oral microbiota, prompting investigations into their influence on human health, particularly in the context of dietary preferences and obesity. This review aims to update the current understanding of how oral microbiota influence taste perception and dietary choices, elucidating shared metabolic pathways between food processing and oral bacteria. Further, this review outlines the mechanisms underlying taste perception, emphasising the role of taste receptors and taste buds in shaping sensory experiences influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Notably, we explore the bidirectional relationship between oral microbiota and taste sensitivity, highlighting the potential impact of microbial composition on taste perception thresholds and implications for dietary habits and health outcomes, such as obesity and dental caries. However, significant research gaps remain, particularly in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms linking oral microbiota with taste sensitivity, as well as the long-term effects of microbiota-targeted interventions. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and experimental interventions to explore these connections more deeply, offering insights into potential strategies for promoting healthier dietary behaviours and managing diet-related non-communicable diseases.

Coffee drinking has been associated with benefits for various health outcomes, with many attributed to the most prevalent family of polyphenols within coffee, chlorogenic acids (CGA). Whilst reviews of the association between coffee and cognition exist, evidence exploring effects of coffee-specific CGA on cognition has yet to be systematically synthesised. The purpose was to systematically review the current literature investigating the relationship between CGA from coffee and cognitive performance. A further objective was to undertake a meta-analysis of relevant randomised controlled trials (RCT). Observational and intervention studies were included if they considered coffee-based CGA consumption in human participants and applied a standardised measure of cognition. Furthermore, intervention studies were required to define the CGA content and include a control group/placebo. Studies were excluded if they examined CGA alone as an extract or supplement. A search of Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect and PsycINFO resulted in including twenty-three papers, six of which were interventions. The evidence from the broader systematic review suggests that CGA from coffee may need to be consumed chronically over a sustained period to produce cognitive benefits. However, the meta-analysis of RCT showed no benefits of coffee CGA intake on cognitive function (d = 0.00, 95% CI −0.05, 0.05). Overall, this review included a limited number of studies, the sample sizes were small, and a wide range of cognitive measures have been utilised. This indicates that further, good-quality interventions and RCT are required to systematically explore the conditions under which coffee CGA may provide benefits for cognitive outcomes.

The aim of this systematic mixed-studies review is to summarise barriers/facilitators to adherence to and/or consumption of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) among patients with disease-related malnutrition. In March 2022, the Cochrane CENTRAL, PUBMED, PsycINFO (Ovid) and CINAHL were searched for articles with various study designs, published since 2000. Articles were identified on the basis of ‘population’ (patients ≥18 years with malnutrition/at nutritional risk), ‘intervention’ (ONS with ≥2 macronutrients and micronutrients), ‘comparison’ (any comparator/no comparator) and ‘outcome’ (factors affecting adherence or consumption) criteria. A sequential exploratory synthesis was conducted: first, a thematic synthesis was performed identifying barriers/facilitators; and second, the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were used to support these findings. The five WHO dimensions of adherence guided the analysis. Study inclusion, data extraction, analysis and risk-of-bias assessment (MMAT 2018) were carried out independently by two researchers. From 21 835 screened articles, 171 were included with 42% RCTs and 20% qualitative studies. The two major populations were patients with malignancies (34%) and older adults (35%). In total, fifty-nine barriers/facilitators were identified. Patients’ health status, motivation, product tolerance and satisfaction as well as well-functioning healthcare routines and support were factors impacting ONS consumption. Few barriers/facilitators (n = 13) were investigated in RCTs. Two of those were serving a small ONS volume and integrating ONS into ward routines. Given the complexity of ONS adherence, non-adherence to ONS should be addressed using a holistic approach. More studies are needed to investigate the effect of different approaches to increase adherence to ONS.

Vitamin B12, cobalamin, is indispensable for humans owing to its participation in two biochemical reactions: the conversion of l-methylmalonyl coenzyme A to succinyl coenzyme A, and the formation of methionine by methylation of homocysteine. Eukaryotes, encompassing plants, fungi, animals and humans, do not synthesise vitamin B12, in contrast to prokaryotes. Humans must consume it in their diet. The most important sources include meat, milk and dairy products, fish, shellfish and eggs. Due to this, vegetarians are at risk to develop a vitamin B12 deficiency and it is recommended that they consume fortified food. Vitamin B12 behaves differently to most vitamins of the B complex in several aspects, e.g. it is more stable, has a very specific mechanism of absorption and is stored in large amounts in the organism. This review summarises all its biological aspects (including its structure and natural sources as well as its stability in food, pharmacokinetics and physiological function) as well as causes, symptoms, diagnosis (with a summary of analytical methods for its measurement), prevention and treatment of its deficiency, and its pharmacological use and potential toxicity.

Biofortification – the process of increasing the concentrations of essential nutrients in staple crops – is a means of addressing the burden of micronutrient deficiencies at a population level via existing food systems, such as smallholder farms. To realise its potential for global impact, we need to understand the factors that are associated with decisions to adopt biofortified crops and food products. We searched the literature to identify adoption determinants, i.e. barriers to (factors negatively associated) or facilitators of (factors positively associated) adoption, of biofortified crops and food products. We found 41 studies reporting facilitator(s) and/or barrier(s) of adoption. We categorised the factors using the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research 2.0, resulting in a set of factors that enable or constrain adoption of biofortified foods across twenty-four constructs and five domains of this meta-theoretical determinant framework from implementation science. Facilitators of orange sweet potato adoption included knowledge about importance, relative advantage, efficient production and management practices; barriers included lacking timely access to quality vines and market remoteness (28 studies total). Facilitators of vitamin A cassava adoption included awareness of its benefits and access to information; barriers included poor road networks and scarcity of improved technology including inadequate processing/storage facilities (8). Facilitators of high-iron bean adoption included farmers’ networking and high farming experience; barriers included low knowledge of bean biofortification (8). Barriers to vitamin A maize adoption included low awareness and concerns regarding yield, texture and aflatoxin contamination (1). These barriers and facilitators may be a starting point for researchers to move towards testing implementation strategies and/or for policymakers to consider before planning scale-up and continuous optimisation of ongoing projects promoting adoption of biofortified crops and food products.

In recent years, many countries have significantly increased military spending, mainly due to geopolitical instability in several regions and the potential risk of armed conflicts spreading worldwide. In this context, understanding the nutritional needs of soldiers in different climates (warm, cold and high altitude) is important and directly impacts the performance and health of soldiers, especially in extreme environments. The amount of liquids, calories, and macro- and micronutrients contained in military rations must be determined considering the type of exercise, duration and environment. Military rations, in addition to being nutritionally adequate, must be practical, sustainable and easy to consume at any temperature and situation. Given these considerations, this study aimed to review scientific knowledge regarding the convenience, sensory attributes and nutritional components of military rations. Furthermore, this review studied the factors influencing soldiers’ appetite, gut microbiota and nutritional needs during training or combat in extreme environments (warm, cold and high altitude). This exploration further advances our understanding of contemporary nutritional strategies for military personnel, contributing to future research and highlighting areas that must be developed.

Pectin is composed of a group of complex polysaccharides that are naturally found in various plants and are associated with a range of beneficial health effects. Health outcomes from dietary pectin can vary depending on botanical origin, dietary dose and structure of pectin. The objective of this scoping review is to build a comprehensive overview of the current evidence available on intervention studies conducted in humans and to better understand the possible knowledge gaps in terms of structure–function relationships across the different health-related effects. PubMed and Embase databases were searched using PRISMA-ScR guidelines, yielding 141 references (from the initial 3704), representing 134 intervention studies performed between 1961 and 2022 that met inclusion criteria. Studies were divided into six categories, which included gut health, glycaemic response and appetite, fat metabolism, bioavailability of micronutrients, immune response and other topics. Review of these human intervention studies identified a variety of cohort characteristics and populations (life stage, health status, country), sources/types of pectin (i.e. citrus, sugarbeet, apple, other and non-defined), intervention timeframes (from one single intake to 168 d) and doses (0.1–50 g/d) that were tested for health outcomes in people. Gut health, post-prandial glucose regulation and maintenance of blood cholesterol represented the largest categories of studied outcomes. Further research to strengthen the structure–function relationships for pectin with health properties and associated outcomes is warranted and will benefit from a more precise description of physico-chemical characteristics and molecular compositions, such as degree of esterification, weight, degree of branching, viscosity, gel formation and solubility.

Selenium (Se) is a mineral with several biological functions, and studies have shown that its deficiency can be linked to many complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aims to systematically review the effects of Se supplementation in patients with CKD undergoing haemodialysis (HD). This systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA statement. Clinical trials were searched in PubMed, Lilacs, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases from inception to July 2021 and updated in July 2024. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021231444). Two independent reviewers performed the study screening and data extraction, and the risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Thirteen studies were included in this review. Only nine studies showed results on Se levels; in all, reduced Se levels were observed before supplementation. A positive effect of supplementation on plasma Se level was demonstrated. Of the ten studies analysed, six demonstrated positive effects on antioxidant and inflammatory markers. Only one study analysed immunological parameters, showing a positive impact. From two studies that analysed thyroid hormones, only one showed positive results. All studies were classified as high risk of bias. The findings suggest that Se supplementation significantly increases plasma Se levels in these patients; however, there are still not enough studies to clarify the effects of Se supplementation on the antioxidant and inflammatory markers, immune system and thyroid hormones. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of Se supplementation and to provide a recommendation for patients with CKD undergoing HD.

Optimal diet and nutrition is vital for military readiness, performance and recovery. Previous research on military diets has primarily focused on the nutritional composition of field/combat rations and dietary intake during deployment. There is accumulating research exploring the usual free-living dietary intake and nutritional status of defence members in garrison (i.e. military bases on which personnel are stationed). However, no comprehensive review has been conducted to assess the overall dietary quality of defence members internationally. Therefore, this review assessed the diets of military populations against national nutritional guidelines and Military Dietary Reference Intakes (MDRI). A systematic literature review of original research was conducted. CINAHL, Medline (EBSCO), Scopus (Elsevier), PubMed and AMED databases were searched up to the 20/02/2023. A total of thirty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall quality of included studies was high, with a low risk of bias. The diet quality scores indicate poor to fair diet quality among defence members. Defence members display low intakes of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, seafood, plant protein and nuts and high intakes of added sugars, trans fat and processed meat. Results also indicated suboptimal intake of fibre, essential fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, Mg, Zn and iodine. This may lead to reduced performance, increased risk of chronic diseases and mental health disorders. More research is needed to assess the long-term consequences of poor diet quality in defence members. These results require the attention of policymakers to ensure that military education and food environment is supportive of healthy eating.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder that has reached epidemic proportions worldwide, posing a huge treat on people’s health and quality of life. From a pathogenetic prospective, T2DM is driven by insulin resistance defined as a blunted response of tissues to insulin which leads to chronic hyperglycaemia. Mechanistically, lipotoxicity and particularly the intracellular accumulation of ceramides in the skeletal muscle and the liver, is a primary metabolic aberration underpinning insulin resistance. Indeed, intracellular ceramide accumulation can hamper insulin signal transduction pathway thereby promoting insulin resistance. This review will provide an updated overview of the metabolic defects underlaying ceramide buildup and the molecular mechanism by which ceramides imping upon insulin signalling. Additionally, the role of specific ceramide subspecies as potential biomarkers for T2DM and the role of both long- and medium-chain saturated fatty acids as a modulator of ceramide metabolism will be discussed.