Ultra-processed foods consumption as a promoting factor of greenhouse gas emissions, water, energy, and land use: A longitudinal assessment

Background: Dietary patterns can produce an environmental impact. Changes in people's diet, such as the increased consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) can not only influence human health but also environment sustainability. Objectives: Assessment of the impact of 2-year changes in UPF consumption on greenhouse gas emissions and water, energy and land use. Design A 2-year longitudinal study after a dietary intervention including 5879 participants from a Southern European population between the ages of 55-75 years with metabolic syndrome. Methods Food intake was assessed using a validated 143-item food frequency questionnaire, which allowed classifying foods according to the NOVA system. In addition, sociodemographic data, Mediterranean diet adherence, and physical activity were obtained from validated questionnaires. Greenhouse gas emissions, water, energy and land use were calculated by means of the Agribalyse® 3.0.1 database of environmental impact indicators for food items. Changes in UPF consumption during a 2-year period were analyzed. Statistical analyses were conducted using computed General Linear Models. Results: Participants with major reductions in their UPF consumption reduced their impact by −0.6 kg of CO2eq and −5.3 MJ of energy. Water use was the only factor that increased as the percentage of UPF was reduced. Conclusions: Low consumption of ultra-processed foods may contribute to environmental sustainability. The processing level of the consumed food should be considered not only for nutritional advice on health but also for environmental protection

Microbial Phenolic Metabolites Are Associated with Improved Cognitive Health<br />

Scope: Diets rich in polyphenols has been associated with better cognitive performance. The aim of this study is toassess the relationship between microbial phenolic metabolites (MPM) in urine and cognition in the context of an olderpopulation at high cardiovascular risk.Methods and results: A cross-sectional analysis is conducted in 400 individuals of the PREDIMED-Plus study. Liquidchromatography coupled to mass spectrometry is used to identify urinaryMPM.Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherenceis estimated with a 17-item questionnaire and cognitive function is evaluated with a battery of neuropsychological tests.Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models are fitted to assess the relationship of urinary MPM with the MedDietand cognitive tests. Protocatechuic acid and enterolactone glucuronide are associated with higher adherence to theMedDiet. Regarding cognitive function, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid glucuronide, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, enterodiolglucuronide, and enterolactone glucuronide are directly associated with a global composite score of all the cognitive tests.Furthermore, protocatechuic acid and enterolactone glucuronide are associated with higher scores in the Mini-MentalState Examination, whereas enterodiol glucuronide is associated with improved Clock Drawing Test scores.Conclusions: These results suggest that the MedDiet is linked to MPM associated with better cognitive performance inan older population.</p