Whole grain intake compared with cereal fibre intake in association to CVD risk factors: a cross-sectional analysis of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (UK).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how intakes of whole grains and cereal fibre were associated to risk factors for CVD in UK adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analyses examined associations between whole grain and cereal fibre intakes and adiposity measurements, serum lipid concentrations, C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, HbA1c, homocysteine and a combined CVD relative risk score. SETTING: The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) Rolling Programme 2008-2014. PARTICIPANTS: A nationally representative sample of 2689 adults. RESULTS: Participants in the highest quartile (Q4) of whole grain intake had lower waist-hip ratio (Q1 0·872; Q4 0·857; P = 0·04), HbA1c (Q1 5·66 %; Q4 5·47 %; P = 0·01) and homocysteine (Q1 9·95 µmol/l; Q4 8·76 µmol/l; P = 0·01) compared with participants in the lowest quartile (Q1), after adjusting for dietary and lifestyle factors, including cereal fibre intake. Whole grain intake was inversely associated with C-reactive protein using multivariate analysis (P = 0·02), but this was not significant after final adjustment for cereal fibre. Cereal fibre intake was also inversely associated with waist-hip ratio (P = 0·03) and homocysteine (P = 0·002) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Similar inverse associations between whole grain and cereal fibre intakes to CVD risk factors suggest the relevance of cereal fibre in the protective effects of whole grains. However, whole grain associations often remained significant after adjusting for cereal fibre intake, suggesting additional constituents may be relevant. Intervention studies are needed to compare cereal fibre intake from non-whole grain sources to whole grain intake

Assessing performance of contemporary plant-based diets against the UK dietary guidelines: findings from the Feeding the Future (FEED) study

Uncertainty remains about the composition of contemporary plant-based diets and whether they provide recommended nutrient intakes. We established Feeding the Future (FEED), an up-to-date online cohort of UK adults following different plant-based diets and diets containing meat and fish. We recruited 6334 participants aged 18–99 [omnivores (1562), flexitarians (1349), pescatarians (568), vegetarians (1292), and vegans (1571)] between February 2022 and December 2023, and measured diet using a food frequency questionnaire and free text. We compared personal characteristics and dietary intakes between diet groups and assessed compliance with dietary guidelines. Most participants met UK dietary recommendations for fruit and vegetables, sodium, and protein, although protein intakes were lowest among vegetarians and vegans. Omnivores did not meet the fibre recommendation and only vegans met the saturated fat recommendation. All diet groups exceeded the free sugars recommendation. Higher proportions of vegetarians and vegans were below the estimated average requirements (EARs) for zinc, iodine, selenium, and, in vegans, vitamins A and B12, whereas calcium intakes were similar across the diet groups. People following plant-based diets showed good compliance with most dietary targets, and their risk for inadequate intakes of certain nutrients might be mitigated by improved dietary choices and/or food fortification

Sağlıklı Bireylerde Geleneksel Üzüm İçeceği Hardaliyenin Serum Antioksidan ve Biyokimyasal Parametreler Üzerine Etkisi

Hardaliye is a traditional, fermented, and alcohol-free beverage that its own history spans hundred of years. Hardaliye is a grape beverage considered to have antioxidative effects as a potential source of bioactive components. This study is a randomised controlled intervention trial, aimed to investigate the effects of daily dietary supplementation with hardaliye on some antioxidant and biochemical parameters of healthy individuals. Eighty nine healthy adults were participated into the study and participants were randomised and divided into three groups: group 1, group 2 and control. The two groups, except control group were consumed hardaliye (group 1: 500 mL/day, group 2: 250 mL/day) during 6 weeks. Some oxidant, antioxidant and biochemical parameters were analysed in collected blood samples, and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were performed both at baseline and after intervention. At the end of this study, effects of hardaliye on anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, general biochemical parameters and serum minerals were not found statistically important (p>0.05), while non-significant increase was observed for serum total antioxidant capacity and vitamin C (p>0.05). Significant decreases in the level of some oxidative stress indicators [dien conjugate (DC), malodialdehyde (MDA) and homocysteine] were observed in group 1 and group 2 (p<0.001). The effects of hardaliye on DC, MDA and homocysteine might be due to its phenolic compounds. The results of this study indicate a dose response that was only observed for homocysteine and support the antioxidative effects of hardaliye on some oxidative stress parameters. Further studies need to be performed to better assess the antioxidant properties and dose effects of hardaliye.Hardaliye, geçmişi asırlar öncesinde dayanan geleneksel, fermente ve alkolsüz bir içecektir. Bir üzüm içeceği olan hardaliyenin, biyoaktif bileşenlerin potansiyel bir kaynağı olarak antioksidan etki gösterebileceği düşünerek planlanan bu çalışma sağlıklı bireylerde günlük diyete ilave edilen hardaliyenin, bazı antioksidan ve biyokimyasal parametreler üzerindeki etkisini incelemek amacıyla yapılmış randomize kontrollü bir müdahale çalışmasıdır. Toplam 89 sağlıklı yetişkin birey çalışmaya katılmış ve katılımcılar randomizasyona göre grup 1, grup 2 ve kontrol olmak üzere 3 gruba ayrılmıştır. Kontrol grubu hariç olmak üzere her iki grupta yer alan bireyler 6 hafta süreyle (grup 1: 500 mL/gün, grup 2: 250 mL/gün) hardaliye tüketmiştir. Hardaliye uygulamasının başlangıcı ve sonrasında, bireylerden alınan kan örneklerinde bazı oksidan, antioksidan ve biyokimyasal parametreler analiz edilmiş, bireylerin kan basıncı ve antropometrik ölçümleri alınmıştır. Çalışmanın sonunda hardaliyenin, antropometrik ölçümler, kan basıncı, genel biyokimya ve serum mineralleri üzerinde önemli bir etkisi gözlenmezken (p>0.05), toplam serum toplam antioksidan kapasite (TAK) ve C vitamini düzeylerinde istatiksel önemi olmasa da artışlar saptanmıştır (p>0.05). Grup 1 ve grup 2’nin bazı oksidatif stres göstergeleri [dien konjugat (DK), malondialdehit (MDA) ve homosistein] düzeylerinde azalma saptanmıştır (p<0.001). Hardaliye tüketiminin DK, MDA ve homosistein üzerindeki etkisinin, yapısındaki fenolik bileşiklerden kaynaklandığı düşünülmektedir. Doz-yanıt ilişkisinin sadece homosistein için saptandığı bu araştırma sonuçları, hardaliyenin bazı oksidatif stres parametreleri üzerindeki antioksidan etkisini desteklemektedir. Ancak antioksidan özelliğinin ve doz etkinliğinin daha iyi anlaşılabilmesi için ileri araştırmalara ihtiyaç vardır

Evaluation of changes in the dietary methodology in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme from Year 12 (2019 to 2020) Stage 1

This report describes the changes in dietary methodology in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey rolling programme (NDNS RP) implemented from fieldwork year 12 (2019 to 2020), sets out the plan for evaluating the impact of the changes on participation in the survey and the resulting data, and presents findings from the first stage of this evaluation

Free and Added Sugar Consumption and Adherence to Guidelines: The UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2014/15-2015/16).

Monitoring dietary intake of sugars in the population's diet has great importance in evaluating the efficiency of national sugar reduction programmes. The study objective was to provide a comprehensive assessment of dietary sources of added and free sugars to assess adherence to public health recommendations in the UK population and to consider the impact of different sugar definitions on monitoring. The terms "added sugar" and "free sugar" are different sugar definitions which include different sugar components and may result in different sugar intakes depending on the definition. Dietary intake of added sugars, free sugars and seven individual sugar components (sugar from table sugar; other sugars; honey; fruit juice; fruit puree; dried fruit; and stewed fruit) of 2138 males and females (1.5-64 years) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2014-2016, collected using a 4 day estimated food diary, were studied. Added and free sugar intake accounted for 7% to 13% of total energy intake respectively. Major sources of free sugar intake were "cereals and cereal products", "non-alcoholic beverages", and "sugars, preserves, confectionery". Differences between added and free sugar intake were significantly large, and thus use of free sugar versus added sugar definitions need careful consideration for standardised monitoring of sugar intake in relation to public health

Is iron deficiency related with increased body weight? A cross-sectional study

Aim: To investigate the relationship between iron deficiency and obesity through dietary intake and inflammation parameters in overweight and obese women. Material/Methods: A total of 619 women, aged 20-49 years were involved in the study. The biochemical parameters [whole blood count (WBC), anaemia parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)] and bioelectrical impedance analysis were analysed in all participants. Results: Iron deficiency was identified in 23.5% of women with normal weight, and was much common in obese (45.6%) and overweight (41.9%) women. Although dietary iron intake was higher in the overweight and obese women, the WBC, CRP, hsCRP and sTfR levels were lower in women with normal weight than overweight and obese women (p<0.05). Conclusion: Iron deficiency risk can be more likely to occur in obesity due to increased level of inflammation. Therefore, physicians may need to take a greater role in addressing iron deficiency in their obesity patients

Free and Added Sugar Consumption and Adherence to Guidelines: The UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2014/15-2015/16).

Monitoring dietary intake of sugars in the population's diet has great importance in evaluating the efficiency of national sugar reduction programmes. The study objective was to provide a comprehensive assessment of dietary sources of added and free sugars to assess adherence to public health recommendations in the UK population and to consider the impact of different sugar definitions on monitoring. The terms "added sugar" and "free sugar" are different sugar definitions which include different sugar components and may result in different sugar intakes depending on the definition. Dietary intake of added sugars, free sugars and seven individual sugar components (sugar from table sugar; other sugars; honey; fruit juice; fruit puree; dried fruit; and stewed fruit) of 2138 males and females (1.5-64 years) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) 2014-2016, collected using a 4 day estimated food diary, were studied. Added and free sugar intake accounted for 7% to 13% of total energy intake respectively. Major sources of free sugar intake were "cereals and cereal products", "non-alcoholic beverages", and "sugars, preserves, confectionery". Differences between added and free sugar intake were significantly large, and thus use of free sugar versus added sugar definitions need careful consideration for standardised monitoring of sugar intake in relation to public health

Portion size estimation in dietary assessment: a systematic review of existing tools, their strengths and limitations.

Context: Over or under estimation of portion size leads to measurement error during dietary assessment. Objective: To identify portion size estimation elements (PSEEs) and evaluate their relative efficacy in relation to dietary assessment; and assess the quality of studies validating PSEEs. Data selection and extraction: Electronic databases, internet sites and cross-references of published records were searched, generating 16,801 initial records, from which 334 records were reviewed and 542 PSEEs were identified comprising: 5% one- dimensional (e.g. food guides), 46% two- dimensional (e.g. photographic atlases) and 49% three- dimensional tools (e.g. household utensils). Out of 334 studies, 21 validated a PSEE (compared PSEE to actual food amounts) and 13 compared PSEEs against other PSEEs. Conclusion: Quality assessment showed that only a few validation studies were of high quality. According to the findings of validation and comparison studies, food image-based PSEEs were more accurate compared to food models and household utensils. Key factors to consider when selecting a PSEE include efficiency of the PSEE and its applicability to targeted settings and populations.B.A., EAR, P.P. and C.R. were supported by the Medical Research Council programme number U10596038

Dietary intake of (poly)phenols in children and adults: cross-sectional analysis of UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (2008–2014)

Purpose: Current evidence accounts for the role of (poly)phenolic compounds in the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Detailed information on population-level intakes is required to translate these findings into recommendations. This work aimed to estimate (poly)phenol intake in the UK population using data from a nationally representative survey. Methods: Data from 9374 participants (4636 children aged 1.5–18&nbsp;years and 4738 adults aged 19&nbsp;years and over) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme (NDNS RP) 2008–2014 was used. (Poly)phenol content of foods consumed in the NDNS RP was identified using Phenol-Explorer and through literature searches. Data on flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbenes were collected. Total (poly)phenol content was also assessed. Results: Mean total (poly)phenol intake ranged from 266.6 ± 166.1&nbsp;mg/day in children aged 1.5–3&nbsp;years to 1035.1 ± 544.3&nbsp;mg/day in adults aged 65&nbsp;years and over, with flavan-3-ols and hydroxycinnamic acids being the most consumed (poly)phenols across all age groups. (Poly)phenol intake was higher in males in all age groups except for adults aged 19–34 and 50–64 years, where intakes were marginally higher in females. Energy-adjusted intakes accounted for the pattern of increasing (poly)phenol intakes with age and a higher intake was observed in females across all age groups, with the exception of children aged 1.5–3&nbsp;years. The main food sources were non-alcoholic beverages and fruits, being the main compounds flavan-3-ols and caffeoylquinic acids. Conclusions: This analysis provides estimates of (poly)phenol intake from a representative sample of the UK general population, which can help inform the health implications of (poly)phenol intake