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Targeting hallmarks of cancer with a food-system-based approach.
Lachance, JC, Radhakrishnan, S, Madiwale, G, Guerrier, S, Vanamala, JKP
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). 2020;:110563
Abstract
Although extensive resources are dedicated to the development and study of cancer drugs, the cancer burden is expected to rise by about 70% over the next 2 decade. This highlights a critical need to develop effective, evidence-based strategies for countering the global rise in cancer incidence. Except in high-risk populations, cancer drugs are not generally suitable for use in cancer prevention owing to potential side effects and substantial monetary costs (Sporn, 2011). There is overwhelming epidemiological and experimental evidence that the dietary bioactive compounds found in whole plant-based foods have significant anticancer and chemopreventative properties. These bioactive compounds often exert pleiotropic effects and act synergistically to simultaneously target multiple pathways of cancer. Common bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables include carotenoids, glucosinolates, and polyphenols. These compounds have been shown to target multiple hallmarks of cancer in vitro and in vivo and potentially to address the diversity and heterogeneity of certain cancers. Although many studies have been conducted over the past 30 y, the scientific community has still not reached a consensus on exactly how the benefit of bioactive compounds in fruits and vegetables can be best harnessed to help reduce the risk for cancer. Different stages of the food processing system, from "farm-to-fork," can affect the retention of bioactive compounds and thus the chemopreventative properties of whole foods, and there are opportunities to improve handling of foods throughout the stages in order to best retain their chemopreventative properties. Potential target stages include, but are not limited to, pre- and postharvest management, storage, processing, and consumer practices. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive food-system-based approach that not only taking into account the effects of the food system on anticancer activity of whole foods, but also exploring solutions for consumers, policymakers, processors, and producers. Improved knowledge about this area of the food system can help us adjust farm-to-fork operations in order to consistently and predictably deliver desired bioactive compounds, thus better utilizing them as invaluable chemopreventative tools in the fight to reduce the growing burden of cancer worldwide.
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Plant Fortification of the Diet for Anti-Ageing Effects: A Review.
Dhanjal, DS, Bhardwaj, S, Sharma, R, Bhardwaj, K, Kumar, D, Chopra, C, Nepovimova, E, Singh, R, Kuca, K
Nutrients. 2020;(10)
Abstract
Ageing is an enigmatic and progressive biological process which undermines the normal functions of living organisms with time. Ageing has been conspicuously linked to dietary habits, whereby dietary restrictions and antioxidants play a substantial role in slowing the ageing process. Oxygen is an essential molecule that sustains human life on earth and is involved in the synthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that pose certain health complications. The ROS are believed to be a significant factor in the progression of ageing. A robust lifestyle and healthy food, containing dietary antioxidants, are essential for improving the overall livelihood and decelerating the ageing process. Dietary antioxidants such as adaptogens, anthocyanins, vitamins A/D/C/E and isoflavones slow the ageing phenomena by reducing ROS production in the cells, thereby improving the life span of living organisms. This review highlights the manifestations of ageing, theories associated with ageing and the importance of diet management in ageing. It also discusses the available functional foods as well as nutraceuticals with anti-ageing potential.
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Nutrition and swallowing therapy strategies for patients with head and neck cancer.
Kristensen, MB, Isenring, E, Brown, B
Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). 2020;:110548
Abstract
Patients with head and neck cancer experience many problems with eating which make them at high risk of malnutrition. Pre-habilitation swallowing exercises as overseen by a speech pathologist can improve swallowing function. A multidisciplinary approach to care, including effective nutritional screening, assessment and intervention has demonstrated improved outcomes in terms of meet nutritional requirements, improved nutritional status and quality of life. Nutritional recommendations are 1.2-1.5 g protein per kilogram per day and 125kJ/kg body weight per day but as these are guides close monitoring of intake and weight is important. Multidisciplinary teams and telehealth have shown better outcomes for nutrition and swallowing status for head and neck cancer patients and ongoing support is required for best patient care.
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The Role of Food Systems in Shaping Diets and Addressing Malnutrition: Delivering on the Sustainable Development Agenda.
Hemrich, G
World review of nutrition and dietetics. 2020;:116-126
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the role of food systems in improving diets and addressing all forms of malnutrition, drawing on the experience of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its partners. Firstly, it highlights the growing momentum for food systems' contribution to nutrition outcomes, against a recent resurgence in the number of people suffering from hunger, slow progress in stunting among children, and the emergence of an obesity crisis and related health implications. Secondly, it reviews the Global Panel and CFS-HLPE conceptual frameworks linking food systems to diet and nutrition, as these have significant implications for identifying nutrition-oriented food systems policies and actions. Thirdly, the paper illustrates recent initiatives that support global food systems governance and policy coherence. This includes the CFS multi-stakeholder process for the development of Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems for Nutrition and five FAO regional symposia on "Sustainable Food Systems for Healthy Diets and Improved Nutrition." Fourthly, the paper provides examples of how the development of food systems policy options is being supported at country level, and in particular how various policy options are being framed (IFPRI, Nuffield Council, World Bank). Lastly, the need to build the evidence base at global and country levels to inform food systems policy options is put into sharp focus, using examples from IFPRI's development of a research agenda for healthier diets in Ethiopia, the annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, and the FAO/WHO Global Individual Food Consumption Data Tool platform.
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Impact of a nutrition education programme on preschool children's willingness to consume fruits and vegetables.
Melnick, EM, Thomas, K, Farewell, C, Quinlan, J, LaFlamme, D, Brogden, D, Scarbro, S, Puma, JE
Public health nutrition. 2020;(10):1846-1853
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a preschool-based nutrition education programme consisting of twelve 'hands on' nutrition education lessons delivered during the school year on young children's willingness to consume fruits and vegetables. DESIGN Quasi-experimental, pre-post design including the collection of plate waste evaluation data at the start and end of the 2015-2016 school year within two groups: (1) randomly selected classrooms receiving the intervention and (2) within conveniently sampled preschool classrooms not receiving the intervention serving as a comparison group. SETTING Centre-based preschool programmes serving low-income families in the Denver metro area. PARTICIPANTS Three- to five-year-old children in preschool classrooms participating in the intervention during the 2015-2016 school year (n 308) and children enrolled in comparison classrooms (n 215). RESULTS Repeated-measures logit models assessed whether increases in the odds of consuming small samples of fruits and vegetables between Time 1 (pre-intervention) and Time 2 (post-intervention) were different for children within the intervention group compared with the comparison group. Analyses showed that the change over time in consumption of the three vegetable samples varied by intervention status with greater change occurring among children within the intervention group (edamame: P = 0·001; cauliflower: P ≤ 0·0001 and red pepper: P ≤ 0·0001). Unlike vegetables, the change over time in consumption of the two fruit samples was not different between children within the intervention and comparison groups. CONCLUSIONS An experiential-learning nutrition education programme can positively influence eating behaviours of low-income preschoolers in a centre-based setting by increasing willingness to consume vegetables.
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Healthiness or calories? Side biases in food perception and preference.
Manippa, V, Giuliani, F, Brancucci, A
Appetite. 2020;:104552
Abstract
The visual perception of a product and the ability to categorize it play a central role in food choice. People's opinion of the healthiness and caloric content of a food is influenced substantially by its appearance. Despite that, few studies have analyzed i) which one of the two dimensions of caloric content and healthiness is preferred to categorize food, ii) if these dimensions are mapped on the individuals' horizontal space, and iii) if such biases could influence food preferences. Therefore, through 4 experiments, we investigated which dimension, healthiness or caloric content, is more often used to categorize foods. We also evaluated whether a healthiness/caloric content side bias could be able to influence food preferences. We found that foods were mainly categorized as "Healthy" or "High-calorie" and the latter label was used more often when presented on the right of a foodstuff. Also, foods were categorized as healthier when the "Healthy" label was anchored to the left and the "Unhealthy" one to the right side of a visual analogue scale. Then, we found a more positive evaluation of transformed food when the key assigned to the "Pleasant" choice was on the right compared to the left. Lastly, we found that when presented on the left side, low-calorie was preferred compared to high-calorie food. Our findings shed light on both the fields of food categorization and side biases in food perception and preferences, suggesting the possibility to use these biases to promote a healthy diet and emphasizing the importance of considering this potential confounder in experimental setups.
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The Psychology of Desire and Implications for Healthy Hydration.
Papies, EK
Annals of nutrition & metabolism. 2020;:31-36
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Abstract
This article discusses the cognitive mechanisms underlying the motivation to consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and outlines implications for developing healthy hydration habits. While the detrimental health consequences of consuming SSBs are well understood, the psychological processes underlying the motivation to consume them are understudied. To address this gap, the current article applies a grounded cognition theory of desire and motivated behaviour, which can be used as a framework to understand and potentially change the motivation for SSBs and healthier alternatives, such as water. The grounded cognition theory of desire argues that people represent foods and drinks through potentially rewarding simulations, or re-experiences, of consuming them. These simulations, in turn, can increase desire and motivated behaviour. In line with this theory, research on eating behaviour shows that people think about attractive food in terms of what it feels like to eat it and in terms of relevant eating situations and that these simulations predict the desire to eat. Similarly, emerging research on SSBs shows that people represent these beverages in terms of the sensory and rewarding experiences of drinking them, more so than water, and especially if they consume them often. These simulations, in turn, predict the desire for sugary drinks and actual consumption. This has implications for attempts to increase healthy hydration: in order to facilitate healthy choices, the immediate pleasure to be gained from consuming a healthy beverage should be emphasized, rather than its long-term benefits. Repeatedly facilitating healthy drink choices in similar situations can ultimately contribute to the development of healthy hydration habits.
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Nutrient Intake, Diet Quality, and Diet Diversity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the Impact of the Low FODMAP Diet.
Staudacher, HM, Ralph, FSE, Irving, PM, Whelan, K, Lomer, MCE
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2020;(4):535-547
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may modify their diet, which may pose nutritional risk. Further, some dietary approaches, such as a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs), are restrictive and may contribute to nutritional inadequacy. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to evaluate habitual nutrient intake, diet quality, and diversity in IBS and the effect of a 4-week low FODMAP diet on these parameters compared with controls. DESIGN Data from two randomized controlled trials were included for this secondary analysis. Participants were randomized to low FODMAP diet (n=63) or control diet (sham diet n=48, habitual diet n=19). PARTICIPANTS/SETTING Participants included 130 individuals with IBS referred to a tertiary center in London, UK between January 2010 to June 2011 and January 2013 to November 2014. INTERVENTION Participants in one trial were randomized to receive either low FODMAP dietary counseling or sham control dietary counseling. In the other, they were randomized to receive low FODMAP dietary counseling or to continue habitual diet. All advice was provided by a specialist dietitian. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Habitual (usual) dietary intake at baseline (n=130) and after a 4-week intervention period was measured using 7-day food records. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED Analysis of covariance and χ2 tests evaluated differences across groups at 4 weeks. RESULTS When examining habitual intake of individuals with IBS, fiber intake was low, with only 6 (5%) achieving the target (30 g/day). In those receiving low FODMAP advice, there was no difference in intake of most nutrients compared with controls. However, there was lower intake of starch (109 g/day) vs habitual control diet (128 g/day; P=0.030), and higher intake of vitamin B-12 (6.1 μg/day) vs habitual (3.9 μg/day) and sham control diets (4.7 μg/day; P<0.01). Overall scores for diet quality were lower after low FODMAP advice vs habitual control diet (P<0.01). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates many individuals with IBS fail to meet dietary reference values for multiple nutrients. A 4-week low FODMAP diet, when delivered by a specialist dietitian, does not impact on intake of most nutrients or diet diversity but decreases diet quality compared with control diets.
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Influence of Self-Efficacy and Motivation to Follow a Healthy Diet on Life Satisfaction of Patients with Cardiovascular Disease: A Longitudinal Study.
Castillo-Mayén, R, Cano-Espejo, C, Luque, B, Cuadrado, E, Gutiérrez-Domingo, T, Arenas, A, Rubio, SJ, Delgado-Lista, J, Pérez-Martínez, P, Tabernero, C
Nutrients. 2020;(7)
Abstract
Today, cardiovascular disease has a great impact on the global population due to its high prevalence. One challenge that cardiovascular patients face to achieve a better prognosis is to follow a healthy diet. This study focused on psychological factors linked to adaptation to a healthy diet in these patients. The main objective was to analyze the interrelationship between motivation to follow a healthy diet and self-efficacy to adhere to the Mediterranean diet with life satisfaction over time. The sample consisted of cardiovascular patients who were assessed at three measurement moments (NT1 = 755; NT2 = 593; NT3 = 323, average interval time: nine months). Correlation analyses showed that self-efficacy, motivation, and life satisfaction followed a pattern of positive relations across the three measurements. A time effect over the study variables was also observed. The results of path analyses showed that self-efficacy positively predicted autonomous motivation, which in turn was associated with patients' life satisfaction. This interrelation was stable over a period of 18 months. Moreover, life satisfaction predicted self-efficacy nine months later. Psychological interventions might be a positive resource for cardiovascular patients, since psychological variables influence their life satisfaction and their subsequent quality of life in their new health condition.
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Fruit and vegetables intake in adolescents and mental health: a systematic review.
Głąbska, D, Guzek, D, Groele, B, Gutkowska, K
Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny. 2020;(1):15-25
Abstract
BACKGROUND The proper nutrition is indicated as a factor of a potential importance for the mental health early in life span, and among the potential products, which may influence, there are fruit and vegetables. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to conduct a systematic review of the observational studies analyzing the association between the fruit and vegetables intake and the mental health in adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS On the basis of PubMed and Web of Science databases, the papers presenting human studies and published in English until June 2019, analyzing the association between intake of fruit and/ or vegetables, as well as related products (e.g. juices) and the mental health were included to the systematic review, while they analyzed a group of adolescents. RESULTS Based on the conducted systematic review, 17 studies were indicated as those which assess the influence of fruit and vegetables intake on the mental health in adolescents. For the assessment of mental health, diverse variables were taken into account, including positive (happiness, self-esteem), neutral (health-related quality of life, mental health status), and negative ones (loneliness, general difficulties, feeling worried, anxiety, stress and distress, depressive symptoms, depression, suicidal behaviors). CONCLUSIONS Based on the conducted systematic review of observational studies, it may be indicated that in a groups of adolescents there was a positive association between intake of fruit and vegetable products and mental health. Especially beneficial for general mental health in adolescents, were such products as green vegetables, yellow vegetables and fresh fruit.