Interesterified (IE) fats are widely used to replace partially-hydrogenated fats as hard fats with functional and sensory properties needed for spreads/margarines, baked goods, and confectionary, while avoiding the health hazards of trans fats. Detailed mechanistic work to determine the metabolic effects of interesterification of commonly-consumed hard fats has not yet been done. Earlier studies using fats less commonly consumed have shown either neutral or a lowering effect on postprandial lipaemia. We investigated postprandial lipaemia, lipoprotein remodelling, and triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fraction apolipoprotein concentrations following a common IE blend of palm oil/kernel fractions versus its non-IE counterpart, alongside a reference monounsaturated (MUFA) oil. A 3-armed, double blind, randomized controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03191513) in healthy adults (n = 20; 10 men, 10 women) aged 45–75 y, assessed effects of single meals (897 kcal, 50 g fat, 16 g protein, 88 g carbohydrate) on postprandial plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations, lipoprotein profiles, and TRL fraction apolipoprotein B48 and TAG concentrations. Test fats were IE 80:20 palm stearin/palm kernel fat, the equivalent non-IE fat, and a high-MUFA reference oil (rapeseed oil, RO). Blood was collected at baseline and hourly for 8 h. Linear mixed modelling was performed, adjusting for treatment order and baseline values (ver. 24.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Total 8 h incremental area under the curves (iAUC) for plasma TAG concentrations were lower following IE and non-IE compared with RO (mean difference in iAUC: non-IE vs. RO -1.8 mmol/L.h (95% CI -3.3, -0.2); IE vs. RO -2.6 mmol/L.h (95% CI -5.3, 0.0)), but iAUCs for IE and non-IE were not significantly different. There were no differences between IE and non-IE for chylomicron fraction apoB48 concentrations nor TAG:apoB48 ratio. No differences were observed between IE and non-IE for lipoprotein (VLDL, HDL, LDL) particle size or sub-class particle concentrations. However, LDL particle diameters were reduced at 5 and 6 h following IE vs RO (P < 0.05). XXL- (including chylomicron remnants and VLDL particles), XL- and L-VLDL particle concentrations (average diameters > 75, 64, and 53.6 nm respectively) were higher following IE and non-IE vs. RO at 6 h (P < 0.05) and 8 h postprandially (P < 0.005–0.05). In conclusion, both IE and non-IE palmitic acid-rich fats generated a greater preponderance of pro-atherogenic large TRL remnant particles in the late postprandial phase relative to an oleic acid-rich oil. However, the process of interesterification did not modify postprandial TAG response or lipoprotein metabolism.

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) are lipids which have been shown to yield appetite-suppressing properties compared to long-chain triglycerides (LCT), which are more commonly found in the diet. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has also been shown to increase satiety and decrease subsequent energy intake, although CLA has received much less attention to date. The mechanisms behind the appetite-suppressing properties are yet to be fully elucidated. Furthermore, no study has directly compared these effects or mechanisms in overweight/obese individuals to a group of healthy-weight weight controls.

Fifteen healthy-weight (BMI: 22.7 ± 1.9 kg/m2) and fourteen overweight/obese (BMI: 30.9 ± 3.9 kg/m2) individuals participated in a randomised single-blind cross-over study. Overnight fasted participants were fed smoothie breakfasts containing either 23.06 g vegetable oil (LCT), 25.0 g MCT oil (MCT), or 6.25 g CLA and 16.8 g vegetable oil (CLA) on separate test days. Subjective appetite ratings, peptide YY (PYY), total ghrelin, β-hydroxybutyrate, and gastric emptying (GE) were measured throughout each trial. Energy intake in the laboratory was measured at a buffet meal 3-h after the smoothie breakfast and for the following ~36-h in their free-living environment via food records.

Energy intake and subjective appetite ratings were not affected by weight status, so results are presented as a whole. MCT reduced energy intake compared to LCT over the trial day and whole 48-h period, but not at the ad libitum lunch. There was no difference between CLA and LCT at any time point. There were no differences in postprandial subjective appetite ratings between trials. PYY concentrations were not affected by weight status (P = 0.170), and did not differ between trials (P = 0.743) and total ghrelin was also not affected by weight status (P = 0.306), and concentrations were similar between trials (P = 0.188). β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were higher in the overweight/obese group compared to the lean group (P = 0.009), and MCT led to increased concentrations compared to both LCT (P = 0.005) and CLA (P < 0.001). MCT delayed GE half-time (P < 0.001), lag-phase (P < 0.001), latency phase (P = 0.01), and ascension time (P < 0.001) compared to LCT, with no differences in GE between LCT and CLA (all P > 0.05).

MCT consumption reduces intake over the subsequent 48-h, whereas CLA has no effect compared to LCT. This does not appear to be related to PYY or total ghrelin, but may be mediated by β-hydroxybutyrate or via a delay of gastric emptying.

Prebiotics are considered beneficial to health owing to positive effects upon the gut microbiota (GM). These effects on the GM include stimulating the growth of beneficial species and increasing short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production (1). Accumulating evidence suggests that the putative health benefits associated with seaweed consumption may be, in part, owing to their effects on the GM(2). The red seaweed Palmaria palmata is a source of xylan, a β(1–3) and β(1–4) D-xylose polysaccharide. Given that xylo-oligosaccharides are a recently accepted prebiotic (3), the aim of this investigation was to assess the prebiotic potential of xylan from Palmaria palmata using an in-vitro fermentation gut model. Fibres were subjected to an in-vitro digestion and underwent in-vitro batch culture fermentation (MicroMatrix) over 24 hours. Fermentation vessels were inoculated using a pooled faecal slurry (5% v/v), prepared from six healthy volunteers. Xylan fibre (n = 4) was compared to Cellulose (negative control, n = 8) and Synergy 1 (positive control, n = 8). Changes to GM composition was determined using qPCR (total bacteria, Lactobacilli, and Bifidobacteria), and MiSeq 16S rRNA sequencing. Short chain fatty acid analysis was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The differential abundance of taxa between fermentation substrates was determined using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe). A permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PerMANOVA) was used to determine statistical differences of beta diversity whilst treatment associated differences of short chain fatty acids were determined using an unpaired Mann-Whitney U Test. Xylan altered GM composition at Phylum, Family and Genus taxonomic levels, notably a significant reduction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio (p = 0.004). Both 16S sequencing data and qPCR analysis revealed a significant increase in Bifidobacteria relative to cellulose, where the effect was comparable to Synergy 1. No significant differences in microbiota diversity were noted for either Xylan or Synergy 1 in comparison to the cellulose control. Xylan was shown to significantly modulate GM activity through increased short chain fatty acid production with increased acetate, propionate and butyrate. The evidence gained from this study suggests that Xylan from Palmaria palmata is a fermentable fibre with potential prebiotic characteristics, and therefore warrants further investigation in humans.

This research was funded under the National Development Plan, through the Food Institutional Research Measure, administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland (13/F/511) and a Northern Ireland Department of Education and Learning PhD scholarship to Paul Cherry.

Iodine is an essential micronutrient and an integral part of the thyroid hormones. In women of childbearing age, the estimated average iodine requirement is 95 μg/day and the recommended daily intake is 150 μg/day. While severe iodine deficiency poses reproductive risks, including infertility and abortions, the potential impact of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency on subfecundity is unknown.

We examined whether iodine intake was associated with risk of subfecundity (i.e. > 12 months trying to get pregnant) in a large cohort of mild-to-moderately iodine deficient women.

Women enrolled in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study in gestational week 15 were asked to report whether the pregnancy was planned and how many months the couple had sexual relations without any contraception before getting pregnant. Information about time to pregnancy, maternal characteristics and iodine intake was available for 56,416 planned pregnancies. The median (interquartile range) time to pregnancy was 1.5 (0.5–6.0) months and the prevalence of subfecundity was 10.8%). We used iodine intake assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire administered in pregnancy as a proxy for long-term (pre-pregnancy) iodine intake. We used logistic regression to estimate the association between iodine intake and subfecundity, using flexible modelling with restricted cubic splines, and adjusted for maternal age, BMI, parity, education, smoking status, energy intake and fiber intake. The median calculated iodine intake was 121 μg/day and the median urinary iodine concentration in a subsample of n = 2795 women was 69 μg/L.

The prevalence of subfecundity was lowest for iodine intakes ~100 μg/day and increased at lower intakes (p overall = 0.005). Compared to an intake of 100 μg/day (reference), intakes ~75 μg/day was associated with 5% (95%CI: 1%, 9%) higher prevalence and intakes ~50 μg/day with 14% (95%CI: 4%, 26%) higher prevalence. Use of dietary supplements was recorded only for the last 6 months prior to conception and women were included in the analysis regardless of their reported supplement use. In a sensitivity analysis, we excluding women who reported iodine-containing supplement use in the period 26–9 weeks before conception and the result remained unchanged. We also modelled time to pregnancy by Cox regression, and the result was consistent with the result for subfecundity.

The only good dietary sources of iodine in Norway are milk and white fish, and many women of fertile age have low intakes of these food items. This study shows that low habitual iodine intake may be a risk factor for subfecundity.

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of dietary-lifestyle patterns (DLPs) with adiposity and metabolic abnormalities in young Polish men. The cross-sectional study included 367 men 19–40-year-old. Dietary and lifestyle behaviours were determined with food frequency questionnaire (Jezewska-Zychowicz et al. 2018, http://www.knozc.pan.pl). DPLs were derived with Principal Component Analysis. Body size and composition was assessed using measuring tapes and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method. Adiposity was determined by the assessment of excessive body weight (body mass index, BMI = 25–29.9kg/m2 for overweight and ≥ 30kg/m2 for obesity), body-fat content (percentage body fat, %BF > 25%), central obesity status (waist circumference, WC > 102cm) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM < 31kg/m2). Metabolic abnormalities were determined if parameters exceeded: 100mg/dL for fasting blood glucose (FBG), 150mg/dL for triglycerides (TG), 200mg/dL for total cholesterol (TC) and at least one component of blood pressure (BP) was above the norm (SBP ≥ 130mmHg or/and DBP ≥ 80mmHg). Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and verify the association between variables. Four DLPs were derived, explaining 33% of the variance. Greater adherence (upper vs. bottom tertile) to “Protein food, fried-food and recreational physical activity” (DLP1) and “Healthy diet, activity at work, former smoking” (DLP4) patterns was associated with higher odds of being overweight (odds ratio, OR = 2.12, 95% confidence interval, 95%CI: 1.15–3.89; 3.05,1.69–5.53) but with high SMM (2.62, 1.53–4.49; 3.27, 1.91–5.59) and lower odds of central obesity (0.36, 0.16–0.83; 0.30, 0.12–0.74) and high body-fat content (0.22, 0.11–0.43; 0.37, 0.19–0.72). In addition, men from the upper tertile of DLP1 had lower odds of increased TC (0.43, 0.24–0.75). Greater adherence to “Sandwiches and convenience foods” pattern (DPL2) was associated with higher odds of central obesity (3.36,1.38–8.12), high body-fat content (3.69, 1.88–7.24) and high TC (2.50, 1.47–4.59) and lower odds of high SMM (0.54,0.32–0.90). Greater adherence to “Fast foods and stimulants” pattern (DLP3) was associated with higher odds of general and central obesity (2.56,1.00–6.56; 3.54, 1.53–8.19), high body-fat content (4.47, 2.05–9.73), but not with metabolic abnormalities. No associations between upper tertiles of DLPs and FBG, TG and BP were found. The clustering of dietary and lifestyle behaviours in men revealed that healthy diet attempts combined with active lifestyle, at work or leisure time, reduced risk of adiposity and metabolic abnormalities, despite some unhealthy components, former smoking or fried-food consumption. The study strengthens previous findings that unhealthy dietary behaviours have an adverse effect on adiposity outcomes and metabolic health, potentially through the mechanisms associated with central obesity.

Iodine is an essential micronutrient in thyroid hormone synthesis and physical and mental development. Iodine deficiency has historically been a problem in New Zealand. Two government initiatives were introduced: 1) mandatory fortification of all bread (except organic) with iodised salt (2009); 2) provision of a subsidised iodine supplement for all pregnant and breastfeeding women (2010). Since these initiatives, the majority of adults and children have achieved adequate iodine status. However, iodine status among breastfeeding women and their infants is unknown. This observational follow-up cohort study recruited 87 breastfeeding women, aged 16 years and over, with a healthy term singleton infant, in the Manawatu region, New Zealand. Women were recruited at 3 months postpartum; and followed up at 6 and 12 months postpartum. A maternal questionnaire investigated supplement use before and after delivery, iodine nutritional knowledge, and demographic information. Maternal spot urine, breastmilk, and infant spot urine samples were collected and iodine concentrations determined using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Iodine-containing supplement use was recorded in the 24 hours before biological sample collection. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the normality of the data. Iodine data were analysed using non-parametric Mann Whitney U test (2-tailed).Thirty-five (40%) women used iodine-containing supplements during breastfeeding. Median urine iodine concentration (UIC) was 82 (46, 157) μg/L, below the WHO cut-off value of 100 μg/L for breastfeeding women. Median infant UIC was 115 (69, 182) μg/L, above the WHO cut-off value of 100 μg/L. Median maternal UIC was significantly higher for supplement users than non-users (111(44, 240) vs 62(42, 102) μg/L; p = 0.021]. Median infant UIC was significantly higher for supplement users than non-users (150(97, 193) vs 86(53, 171) μg/L; p = 0.045]. Median breastmilk iodine concentration (BMIC) was 69 (52, 119) μg/L, lower than recommended (75 μg/L). Median BMIC was significantly higher for supplement users than non-users [83(67, 168) vs 62(48, 82) μg/L; p = 0.000]. Overall, iodine status within this sample of breastfeeding women remains inadequate at 3 months postpartum. Users of iodine containing supplements and their infants achieved recommended iodine UIC concentrations; however, non-users and their infants had inadequate status. Despite recommendations that all breastfeeding women use iodine supplements, supplement use was low (only 40%). Further work is require to investigate if current iodine status affects thyroid function. Alternative strategies are also required to ensure breastfeeding women and their infants have adequate iodine.

Dietary protein is critical for normal growth and development through its contribution of essential amino acids. In high-resource settings, protein intakes are generally adequate. Previous studies have suggested that higher protein intakes in infancy and early childhood are associated with higher body mass index in later childhood.

This analysis was performed in a subgroup of 2-year-old children (n = 468) with detailed dietary intake data (2-d weighed food record) participating in an extensively-characterised, prospective birth cohort, the Cork BASELINE Birth Cohort Study (n = 2183). Body weight and height were measured at 2- and 5-years, and indices of body composition (fat mass, fat free mass) were obtained at 5 years in a subgroup of 295 children. Total protein intake was estimated at 2-years and the contribution of animal and plant sources to total protein intake was quantified. Children were split into thirds of protein intake (as % total energy, %TE) and anthropometry and body composition at 5 years was compared across groups. The relationship between protein intake (total and animal sources) and BMI-SDS, fat mass index-SDS and fat free mass index-SDS was explored in multivariate linear regression models, adjusted for common confounders (energy intake, gestational age, duration of breastfeeding, birthweight-SDS, maternal education).

Mean (SD) daily protein intake was 41.3 (11.2) g/d, representing 16.1 %TE (girls: 16.2 %TE; boys: 15.9 %TE, P = 0.202) and all children met EFSA average requirement and population reference intake thresholds. Meat (25%), cows’ milk (22%), breads (7%), yoghurt (6%), breakfast cereals (6%) and cheese (5%) were key sources of protein intake in toddlers. The majority of dietary protein intake was from animal sources (69%).

Girls with high %TE from protein [mean (SD): 19.7 (2.6) %TE] were significantly heavier and taller at 5 years than their counterparts [low: 13.1 (1.4) %TE; medium: 16.0 (0.7) %TE], and had significantly higher fat free mass, fat free mass index and total body bone area (indicative of body size), but not fat mass. When adjusted for confounders in multivariate regression models, no association was observed between total protein intake and BMI-SDS, fat mass index-SDS or fat free mass index-SDS at 5 years.

Children with high animal protein intakes (as %TE) had significantly higher fat free mass than their low and medium group counterparts; however, when adjusted for height and other confounders, no association was observed.

Protein intakes in early childhood were associated with larger body size, but not BMI or body composition at 5-years.

Vitamin K has important physiological functions which relate to blood coagulation (its classical role), bone health, inhibition of arterial calcification, as well as anti-inflammatory effects. National nutrition survey data have shown that over half of all adults in Ireland and the UK have low vitamin K1 intakes (£1 μg/kg body weight/d). Vitamin K biofortification of food may be an important complementary food-based approach for improving vitamin K intakes. Our study aimed to explore the feasibility of producing vitamin K-biofortified eggs via increasing the vitamin K3 content of the hen diet, and to examine any effects on hen performance and egg/eggshell quality parameters. A 12-week hen feeding trial was conducted in the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast, UK. Hyline chickens (n = 128) were randomized into 4 treatment (T) groups (n = 32 hens/group) and fed diets containing 3 (T1-industry standard), 12.9 (T2), 23.7 (T3) and 45.7 (T4) mg vitamin K3/kg of feed. Hens were provided feed ad libitum and feed intake was recorded weekly. Eggs were collected daily and weighed. While egg quality and vitamin K content was assessed at week 0, 4, 6, 8 and 12, the trial endpoint (week 12) data was prioritized for the current analysis. Total vitamin K content (i.e., vitamin K1 plus menaquinone (MK)-4 and MK-7) of composite samples (n = 12 eggs/treatment), measured using a novel, sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method at Teagasc, increased from 22.4 μg/100 g (whole egg) in T1 (control and commercial level of vitamin K3) to 57.8 μg/100 g in T4. MK-4 was the most abundant form of vitamin K found in the eggs. Eggshell weight and eggshell thickness in T2 and T3 (but not T4) were significantly higher than in T1 (by 20–28%, P < 0.05). Likewise, based on colourimetric assessment, yellowness (parameter b*) of the egg yolk in all three biofortified groups was significantly higher compared to T1 (by 27–45%, P < 0.05). Haugh unit of the eggs and hen performance parameters, such as feed intake, feed conversion ratio and egg production, were unaffected by vitamin K-biofortification. In conclusion, increasing the level of addition of vitamin K3 to hen feed significantly increased the total vitamin K content of eggs, and without any evidence of negative effects on egg quality or hen performance. Consumption of an average sized (60 g) vitamin K-biofortified egg could contribute an additional 35 μg total vitamin K. The effects on eggshell parameters could be of importance in terms of revenue loss due to breakages.

Berries are one of the most commonly consumed sources of bioactive polyphenols and these compounds may exert protective effects against initiation of colorectal cancer (CRC) by reducing DNA damage. The inverse correlation between fruit and vegetable consumption and the incidence of CRC is well established, hence the role of berry derived bioactive phytochemicals in promotion of gut health is of interest. Ileostomy studies provide a unique insight into food digestion, allowing identification of physiologically relevant dietary phytochemicals and their metabolites. Here, we hypothesised that physiologically relevant levels of Italian wild strawberry metabolites exiting the ileum would be both bioavailable and would in turn exert positive effects on gut health markers.

Five ileostomists completed a wild strawberry feeding study (11/NI/0112), ileal fluid was collected pre (0 h) and post (8 h) consumption of strawberries (225 g) and assessed for phytochemical composition by LCMSn. We simulated the interaction of the ileal fluids with colonic microbiota over a 24 h period (0, 5,10, 24 hr) using in vitro gut fermenter models. Nutri-kinetic analysis using LCMSn demonstrated significant increases in the concentration of gut microbiota-mediated polyphenolic metabolites over time, including 3-(4hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid, 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid, hydroxybenzoic acid and urolithin A. While changes in the bacterial composition of the gut fermenter model(s) were monitored using fluorescent in situ hybridisation analysis (FISH) with validated probes for Total bacteria, Bifidobacterium genus, Clostridium histolyticum/perfringens group, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium rectale group, Bacteroides, Lactobacilli and Enterobacteria; limited changes were observed.

Bioactivity of the post-berry consumption ileal fermentates was assessed on two colonocyte cell lines (HT29 and CCD841 CON (normal)) using the oxidative challenge COMET assay. Post-berry ileal fermentate (24 h) from all five ileostomists significantly (p < 0.01) decreased DNA damage (expressed as %Tail DNA) in both HT29 cells (~45%) and CCD841 cells (~25%) compared to untreated controls.

To conclude, strawberry phytochemicals were available for colonic fermentation following ileal digestion and human microbiota-mediated fermentation which subsequently increased overall levels of polyphenolic metabolites, the post berry fermentates were demonstrated to reduce DNA damage in colonocytes.

Methods to stimulate appetite in the sick or elderly remains a challenge with few safe therapeutic options. Ghrelin is an orexigenic hormone, increasing appetite and subsequent food intake. It has received considerable attention as a therapeutic target to stimulate food intake in patients with anorexia. The identification of food-grade bioactives with proven orexigenic effects would mark significant progress in the treatment of disease-related malnutrition. This study therefore investigated the effects of two milk-derived ghrelinergic peptides on appetite and energy intake in healthy humans.

A single-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-arm (placebo, casein bioactive MF1145 and whey bioactive UL-2-141) cross-over trial was conducted in healthy male volunteers. Participants received 26 mg/kg of both the bioactives and placebo. The main outcome measures were energy & protein intake from a set breakfast and ad libitum lunch and subjective appetite sensations as assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS). Basal and postprandial levels of active ghrelin (AG) were measured. Dietary intakes were analysed using Nutritics software. Statistical analyses were performed in R.

Overall, 22 male participants (mean age 27 years) were included, average BMI was 24.6 kg/m2, (19.8 to 30.2 kg/m2). Mean energy and protein intakes at lunch when treated with placebo were 1343 kcal (95% CI: 1215–1471 kcal) and 74 g (95% CI: 66–81 g), respectively. Energy and protein intakes were not significantly different from placebo for either treatment (p = 0.918, p = 0.319 for UL-2-141 and p = 0.889, p = 0.959 for MF1145, respectively). Similarly, appetite, hunger and satiety responses on VAS were not significantly different from placebo for either treatment. AG peak post-lunch on placebo was 653 pg/ml (95% CI: 511–794 pg/ml). Treatment with UL-2-141 resulted in 139 pg/ml reduction in post-prandial AG compared to placebo and treatment with MF1145 resulted in 114 pg/ml reduction compared to placebo. This pattern was significant for both treatments (p = 0.021 and p = 0.045, respectively) however when controlling for fasting-AG, the pattern was no longer significant (p = 0.590 and p = 0.877 respectively). Pre-prandial AG peaks were not significantly different across treatments.

While these peptides have previously demonstrated ghrelinergic effects in rats, no effect on appetite or food intake in humans was identified by this study. This may be attributable to the small sample size or low dose. However, since healthy adults are often not in tune with their own physiological hunger, they may not respond strongly to simple physiological modulators and repeating the study in subjects with established anorexia may be prudent.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic diseases with very high morbidity and mortality worldwide; associated with obesity and hypertension and representing at least 90% of all cases of diabetes. It is characterized by insulin resistance in peripheral tissues and a deterioration in its secretion by the pancreatic β-cell. The control and treatment of these patients is a low-carbohydrate diet, for which non-nutritive sweeteners such as sucralose and stevia are being used, maintaining the sweet taste. It is known that these sweeteners are harmless, but the results so far are still controversial. To identify alterations in the secretion of cytokines and adipokines in db/db mice with consumption of sweeteners. We conducted a randomized, controlled study, with 24 eight week-old male db/db mice. They were divided into 4 groups: a) Control (CL), b) Sucrose (SUC), c) Sucralose (SUCL) and c) Stevia (ST). The animals were fed a normal diet and water ad libitum. The sweeteners were administered for 8 weeks diluted in purified water at 41.66 mg/mL of Sucrose and 4.16 mg/mL of Sucralose or Stevia. Blood glucose was quantified daily; water consumption with and without sweetener, food, and BMI, were quantified weekly. The concentration of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, INF-γ, TGF-β and TNF-α, insulin, adiponectin, resistin and peptide-C in plasma were determined by luminometry. Glucose was found increased at the end of 8 weeks in the SUC group, compared to CL. They consumed more food, water with and without sweetener in the SUC group (p < 0.001), compared with the controls. BMI was higher in the SUC group, compared with the ST group (p < 0.019). ST decreased the secretion of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, INF-γ and TNF-α, adiponectin and insulin (p < 0.001), but it increased TGF-β, without modifications in resistin (p < 0.051). On the other hand, SUC decreased the secretion of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, INF-γ, TNF-α, adiponectin, insulin and C-peptide (p < 0.028), but increased IL-6, IL-17 and resistin (p < 0.001), without modifications in TGF-β. Sucralose is a non-nutritive sweetener that caused an increase in the BMI of db/db mice, this because it increased the consumption of food. It also modified the secretion of adipokines; while Stevia decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, INF-γ and TNF-α. Our results suggest that sweetener consumption may alter the inflammatory profile and the production of adipokines in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Coffee is an important source of bioactive compounds, including caffeine, trigonelline, and phenolic compounds. Several studies have highlighted the preventive effects of coffee consumption on major cardiometabolic diseases, but the impact of coffee dosage on markers of cardiometabolic risk is not well understood. Moreover, the pool of coffee-derived circulating metabolites in real-life settings is unknown. This study evaluated the bioavailability and effects on recognised cardiometabolic markers of coffee bioactives, considering different levels of consumption. An innovative experimental design, including both a chronic and an acute sub-study, and a comprehensive analytical approach were used.

A 3-arm, randomised, crossover trial was conducted in 21 healthy volunteers (age, 23 ± 2 y; BMI, 22.3 ± 2.5 kg/m2) (Mena et al., Trials 2017, 18, 527). Volunteers were assigned to consume 3 treatments for 4 weeks, including 1 cup of espresso coffee/day, 3 cups of espresso coffee/day, and 1 cup of espresso coffee plus 2 cocoa-based confectionary products containing-coffee twice per day. The last day of each treatment, blood and urine samples were collected at specific time points for 24 hours. Dietary intake, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, nitric oxide, inflammatory markers (IL-8, TNFα, VEGF), trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), DNA damage, DNA catabolites, and eicosanoids were assessed. The pool of coffee-derived circulating metabolites was also assessed in acute conditions. Untargeted metabolomics was performed.

Energy intake did not change among treatments after 4 weeks, while significant differences were observed in the intake of saturated fatty acids and carbohydrates. The effect of different coffee dosages on the set of cardiometabolic markers assessed was negligible. Plasma and urinary pharmacokinetic profiles were evaluated for 6 caffeine metabolites, 3 trigonelline derivatives, and up to 40 phenolic metabolites. Pharmacokinetics highlighted the different “waves” of circulating metabolites occurring upon repeated coffee consumption. Differences in several pharmacokinetic parameters were observed among treatments, which may support the long-term cardiometabolic benefits of certain patterns of coffee consumption. Multivariate analyses clearly differentiated treatments on the basis of the urinary metabolome.

This work provided a comprehensive picture of the impact of different coffee dosages on the pool of coffee-derived circulating metabolites, the urinary metabolome, and a wide number of cardiometabolic markers. Multivariate analyses focused on inter-individual differences are ongoing to better understand the effect of coffee on cardiometabolic health.

Food cues modulate hunger and dictate nutritional choices. The omnipresent stimulus of palatable food promotes the epidemics of obesity and metabolic diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of visual stimulation with food pictures on appetite-related hormones as well as the functionality of the secreted hormones and its impact on macronutrient uptake and deposition in healthy subjects. Additionally, we sought to identify differences in response to visual food cues of total and active ghrelin to and to a meal followed by the stimulation.

Healthy, non-obese participants were recruited for two two-day studies. During the first study, the subjects were shown random non-food pictures on the first day and pictures of appetizing foods on the second day of the study. The second study followed the same schedule and additionally, following the picture session, the participants were asked to drink a milkshake. The subjects reported subjective hunger. Levels of glucose, triglycerides and hunger-related hormones were measured in blood. In addition, an animal study was performed, during which 4 hours fasted mice were submitted to visual and olfactory stimulation using chow, while not being able to access the food. Following the stimulation, oral glucose tolerance test was performed, gene expression and blood total, as well as acylated ghrelin, were measured.

Exposure to food pictures affected participant's blood glucose and incretin levels. Concentrations of several hormones in the blood were interdependent and in case of ghrelin and GIP as well as ghrelin and GLP-1 this co-occurrence relied on the visual cues. Changes of total ghrelin concentration following food stimulation was highly individual and participants could be grouped as ghrelin responders or non-responders. The responders showed upregulated total ghrelin and their total ghrelin levels correlated with food picture score revealing that in ghrelin non-responders reaction to food pictures was diminished. The concentration of active ghrelin decreased following a meal but was not affected by exposure to the pictures of food. Protein content and color intensity of food pictures correlated reversely with participants’ rating of the pictures. Sensory stimulation of mice resulted in increased blood glucose levels.

We conclude that observation of food pictures significantly influences blood glucose levels and concentration of several appetite-related hormones. The protein content of the observed foods and green color intensity in pictures may serve as a predictor of subjective attractiveness of the presented meal.

Breakfast cereals are widely consumed in Ireland with over 80% of adults choosing ready-to-eat cereals or porridge. In terms of healthy eating, breakfast cereals are considered a nutritious choice and are not expected to contribute significantly to daily salt intakes. Since 2003, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has coordinated a salt reduction programme to achieve voluntary reduction by the food industry in the salt content of processed foods available in Ireland. This study aims to examine whether salt levels of breakfast cereals are decreasing due to reformulation practices.

A random selection of breakfast cereals on the Irish market were sampled using the following categories: rice-based, bran-based, cornflake-type, biscuit-based, multigrain, muesli and no added salt/low salt varieties in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 (muesli and no added salt/low salt varieties were not sampled again in 2015) (n687). Samples were analysed for sodium content using atomic emission spectrophotometry and converted to salt (g) per 100 g of the food product by multiplying by 2.54. Results were analysed using IBM SPSS (version 25). As data was not normally distributed, median values (minimum and maximum) were investigated across breakfast cereal categories at the different time-points. Differences between the time-points were assessed using Krusal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U tests.

In 2003, salt levels were found to be highest in cornflake-type cereals and lowest in no added salt/low salt cereals (2.02 g (0.20–2.31) and 0.01 g (0.0–0.03) per 100 g respectively). The salt content of rice-based, bran-based, cornflake-type, biscuit-based and multigrain varieties significantly decreased (up to 65% in cornflake-type cereals) until 2011. No further reduction was achieved for rice-based, bran-based and cornflake-type varieties in 2015 and a significant increase in salt was observed for biscuit-based (p = 0.001) and multigrain products (p = 0.007). Between 2003 and 2011, no reduction in salt levels was observed for muesli or no added salt/low salt products.

This study revealed there has been a significant reduction in the salt content of breakfast cereals since 2003 – an important finding considering breakfast cereals are recommended for healthy eating. However, this work also shows that continuous salt monitoring is necessary to ensure this reduction in breakfast cereals is maintained. Future FSAI reformulation work will examine a range of nutrients in food products as the food industry have committed to achieve a gradual reduction in fat, saturated fat and sugar, as well as salt, as part of the National Obesity Policy and Action Plan.

The 2017 implementation in France of the front-of-package nutrition label known as Nutri-Score is a major public health strategy to help individuals make healthier food choices at the point of purchase and thus help reduce chronic disease risk on the population level. The algorithm behind the Nutri-Score is intended to reflect the overall nutritional quality of food and is based on the one developed by the British Food Standards Agency Nutrient Profiling System, following a slight modification (FSAm-NPS) in accordance with French dietary guidelines. Prior research has focused on its association with various physical health outcomes (weight gain, metabolic syndrome, cancer incidence, etc.), yet no studies have explored the link with oral health indicators. We analyzed the cross-sectional association of the FSAm-NPS with oral health in a population-based sample of 33,231 men and women enrolled in the NutriNet-Santé cohort. Oral health (main dependent variable) was assessed in 2016 with the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). It consists of 12 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale (maximum score = 60) with lower scores corresponding to poorer oral health with a detrimental impact on quality of life. FSAm-NPS (main independent variable) was calculated on the basis of 3 non-consecutive 24-h dietary records, following established methodology (score range: -15 to + 40, with lower scores corresponding to higher nutritional quality). Age-specific associations (cutoff = 60 y) were explored via multivariable linear regression models. Mean GOHAI score in the sample was 53.8 ± 5.5 (range: 19 to 60) and mean FSAm-NPS was 6.0 ± 2.2 (range: -6.7 to + 15.5). The unadjusted and the age- and sex-adjusted models were significant only in the younger age group (18–59 y). The fully-adjusted model showed modest yet significant associations between overall nutritional quality and oral health in younger and older participants, with the strength of the model being more pronounced in the former compared with the latter age group (F value: 28.5 vs. 6.3, both p < 0.0001). Overall, consuming food with a higher FSAm-NPS score (corresponding to lower nutritional quality) was associated with higher risk of oral health problems. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the observed associations. On the public health policy level, the findings support implementation of the Nutri-Score on pre-packaged food in order to steer consumer choice toward nutritional profiles that are favorable not only for chronic disease prevention but also for oral health.

Frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been linked to a greater risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dental caries and coronary heart disease. SSBs are an ideal target for public health intervention to help control the type 2 diabetes mellitus epidemics since they have absolutely no nutritional value, and do not protect against disease. However, successful implementation of policies to reduce consumption of SSBs depends on public acceptability and support. Therefore, determining the public acceptability of government interventions to reduce sugar-sweetened beverages is critical for effectiveness as well as implementation. The aim of the present study was to conduct an empirical investigation of how different policy-related factors (namely perceived policy effectiveness, perceived policy fairness, policy trust and political ideology) link to public support. Policy options included low, medium and high intensity versions of: imposing a tax (10%, 20% and 30%); adding a warning label (with and without graphic warning label); reducing number of SSB retail outlets (schools only and all public institutions); and regulating SSB advertising (ban advertising aimed at children and ban all SSB advertising). Data were collected from a representative sample of 948 consumers (age range from 18 to 69) through an online survey, which was carried out in February 2019. Sample quotas were set for age, gender and income. The partial least squares approach of the structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) is employed to investigate direct effects of the proposed factors on public acceptance. Importantly, the results indicate that perceived fairness and perceived effectiveness of the political interventions had a significantly positive correlation with public acceptance (β = 0.518, p-value < 0.001 and β = 0.299, p-value < 0.001, respectively). Meanwhile, those who have a greater trust in government are more likely to support (β = 0.049, p-value < 0.05). Also, public acceptance is positively associated with liberal policy strains. This is in line with social cognitive motives such as openness to new experiences and desire for equality in society. Moreover, higher trust in government is positively associated with perceived fairness as well as perceived effectiveness. These findings reflect that those who trust government believe that the government policy is fair in terms of the policy itself, how it is established as well as its specific distributive effects. Therefore, participatory policymaking that involves the public in the decision-making process can enhance citizens’ trust and overall acceptance in policy interventions with regard to SSBs.