Current Nutrition Reports最新文献

{"title":"Artificial Sweeteners and Gut Microbiota: Mechanistic Insights and Implications for Metabolic Health.","authors":"Rabie Khattab","doi":"10.1007/s13668-026-00768-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13668-026-00768-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Artificial sweeteners (ASs) are widely used as sugar substitutes to reduce caloric intake. Emerging evidence indicates that these compounds are not metabolically inert and can alter gut microbiota composition and downstream metabolic regulation. This review synthesizes recent mechanistic and clinical evidence on how commonly used ASs-particularly sucralose, saccharin, acesulfame-K, aspartame, and steviol glycosides-modulate intestinal microbiota.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Experimental and human studies show that AS exposure is associated with alterations in microbial diversity, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and gut barrier integrity. These alterations are linked to changes in glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and energy metabolism. Proposed mechanisms include modulation of nutrient-sensing G-protein-coupled receptors, interference with bile acid metabolism, and receptor-independent activation of intracellular signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt and mTORC1. Notably, responses in human studies appear highly individualized and dose-dependent, highlighting substantial interindividual variability. This review integrates microbiome, metabolic, and mechanistic perspectives to identify areas of emerging consensus, conflicting results, and critical research gaps in AS-microbiota-metabolism interactions. Current evidence suggests that ASs can modulate host metabolism through both microbiota-dependent and independent mechanisms. These findings have direct implications for clinical dietary guidance and risk stratification, particularly among individuals with obesity, insulin resistance, or other metabolic disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":10844,"journal":{"name":"Current Nutrition Reports","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147959881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shining Light on Dysautonomia: The Role of Vitamin D in Cardiac Autonomic Regulation.","authors":"Huai Heng Loh, Asri Said, Huai Seng Loh, Norlela Sukor","doi":"10.1007/s13668-026-00769-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13668-026-00769-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Traditionally recognized for its role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, vitamin D is increasingly acknowledged for its broader physiological effects, particularly in cardiovascular health. One area of growing interest is its influence on cardiac autonomic function. Cardiac autonomic dysfunction, characterized by an imbalance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, is a well-established predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. This narrative review aims to synthesize the current literature on the association between vitamin D status and cardiac autonomic function.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Accumulating observational data indicate that individuals with vitamin D deficiency exhibit poorer cardiac autonomic function, reflected by reduced heart rate variability indices, compared to vitamin D-sufficient individuals. Interventional trials, though limited, suggest that vitamin D supplementation may improve autonomic balance, especially in those with baseline deficiency. The relationship appears to be affected by factors such as glycemic control, disease state, and vitamin D binding protein levels. Vitamin D may modulate autonomic regulation largely via the vitamin D receptor, which activation influences multiple downstream pathways, including central nervous system effects, neurotrophic properties, regulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, calcium-parathyroid hormone axis, and immune modulation. However, inconsistencies in study design, population characteristics, and assessment methods limit the strength of current evidence. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are warranted to establish causality and determine whether vitamin D repletion can reduce cardiovascular risk by restoring autonomic balance.</p>","PeriodicalId":10844,"journal":{"name":"Current Nutrition Reports","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147927365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Digital Solutions for the Control of Lifestyle Parameters in Individuals With High Cardiometabolic Risk: a Scoping Review.","authors":"Davide Mayol, Nicola Tecce, Feliciana Amatrudo, Gianluca Russo, Sara Aprano, Vincenzo De Luca, Guido Iaccarino, Maddalena Illario, Annamaria Colao, Fiorenzo Moscatelli, Claudia Vetrani","doi":"10.1007/s13668-026-00764-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13668-026-00764-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Digital technologies are increasingly used to promote healthier behaviors and prevent noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Diet and physical activity are key determinants of cardiometabolic health, where digital tools can support self-monitoring and behavior change.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This scoping review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of digital health technologies in improving diet quality and adherence, assessing body composition, and promoting physical activity among adults at cardiometabolic risk.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A systematic search was performed in Web of Science and PubMed (2000-2025) following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines and the PICo framework. Inclusion criteria focused on digital solutions for diet and exercise in adults with overweight, obesity, or metabolic complications.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>15 studies were included (8 randomized controlled trials, 2 pilot studies, and 5 validation studies). Most intervention studies reported significant improvements in weight reduction, body mass index, or waist circumference, especially when mobile applications or wearable devices were combined with personalized feedback. Validation studies confirmed a high reliability of AI-based image analysis tools for estimating body composition compared with DXA. Improvements in dietary adherence and physical activity levels were also observed in several studies. However, heterogeneity in study design, short follow-up duration, and variability in outcome measures limited comparability across studies. Major gaps included limited long-term evidence, scarce use of AI-driven personalized interventions, insufficient reporting of measurement validity, and underrepresentation of vulnerable populations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Digital health technologies, including mobile apps, wearables, and AI-based systems, show promising potential as a complementary tool to clinician-guided care. They can enhance dietary adherence, promote self-monitoring, and support healthier lifestyles, although their long-term effectiveness remains to be confirmed. Future research should prioritize long-term randomized trials, standardized outcomes measures, validation of AI-based tools in diverse populations, and structured integration of digital interventions into clinical pathways.</p>","PeriodicalId":10844,"journal":{"name":"Current Nutrition Reports","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147873581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iron Deficiency in Vegetarian Athletes: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Fernando Luna, Eugenio Viviani Rossi, Miguel López Moreno, Tomás Heim, Ezequiel Martín Arrieta","doi":"10.1007/s13668-026-00765-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13668-026-00765-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The increasing adoption of vegetarian dietary patterns among athletes (including lacto-ovo, lacto-, ovo-vegetarian, and vegan diets) has prompted growing interest in their potential effects on health and sports performance. Iron status remains one of the key nutritional concerns in this context, given the lower bioavailability of non-heme iron and the higher physiological demands of exercise. This review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate current evidence on the prevalence, consequences, adaptive responses, and management of iron deficiency in vegetarian athletes.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Available studies do not consistently indicate a higher prevalence of iron deficiency among vegetarian athletes compared with omnivores. Despite lower iron bioavailability, total dietary iron intake in vegetarians often equals or exceeds that of omnivores, and several adaptive mechanisms (such as enhanced absorption efficiency and reduced iron losses) may help preserve iron balance. Nevertheless, methodological heterogeneity across studies and the limited inclusion of elite or female athletes constrain firm conclusions. Current data suggest that vegetarian athletes are not inherently at greater risk of iron deficiency. However, in high-performance settings, individualized and evidence-based dietary planning remains essential to ensure optimal iron status and sustain athletic performance. Future research should clarify the interplay between diet composition, adaptive physiology, sex, and training load in determining iron metabolism among vegetarian athletes.</p>","PeriodicalId":10844,"journal":{"name":"Current Nutrition Reports","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147863818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Coffee Consumption and Its Potential Implications for Digestive Tract Carcinogenesis.","authors":"Nevin Sanlier, Ebru Ozler","doi":"10.1007/s13668-026-00760-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13668-026-00760-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10844,"journal":{"name":"Current Nutrition Reports","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13133207/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147765015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Postbiotics in Dairy: A Comprehensive Review of Applications and Health Impacts.","authors":"Yasemin Kaya, Haktan Aktaş, Hacer Meral-Aktaş, Bayram Ürkek, Zeynep Gürbüz-Kaçan, Esengül Çiftçi, Tuba Erkaya-Kotan, Mustafa Şengül, Bülent Çetin","doi":"10.1007/s13668-026-00767-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13668-026-00767-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of postbiotics—defined as non-viable microbial cells, cell components, and microbial metabolites—and their emerging role in dairy products. It focuses on their functional, technological, and health-promoting properties in various dairy matrices, including yoghurt, cheese, kefir, fermented milk, and ice cream. Additionally, the review highlights the potential of postbiotics as stable and safe alternatives to probiotics in the development of functional dairy foods. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent evidence demonstrates that postbiotics such as exopolysaccharides (EPS), bacteriocins, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bioactive peptides, and organic acids significantly enhance both the nutritional value and technological quality of dairy products. These compounds have been shown to improve texture, sensory attributes, shelf life, and microbial safety while exerting biological activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and gut health–promoting effects. Compared with probiotics, postbiotics offer greater stability during processing and storage as well as reduced safety concerns, particularly for vulnerable populations. Postbiotics represent a promising strategy for advancing functional and sustainable dairy products by combining health benefits with technological improvements. Their applications in functional food formulation, biopreservation, and bioactive compound delivery are rapidly expanding. However, challenges remain regarding standardised production processes, accurate quantification of bioactive components, and clinical validation of health claims. Future research should focus on optimising postbiotic production and strengthening evidence for their physiological effects to support their broader incorporation into next-generation dairy products. </p>","PeriodicalId":10844,"journal":{"name":"Current Nutrition Reports","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13132907/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147764976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Resistant Starch as a Functional Nutrient to Control Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Humans: An Integrative Review.","authors":"Isabela Ribeiro Grangeira Tavares, Eduardo Éric Almeida do Carmo, Thiago da Silveira Alvares","doi":"10.1007/s13668-026-00766-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13668-026-00766-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Resistant starch (RS) has been widely investigated as a dietary component with potential metabolic benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, and inflammatory markers. However, clinical findings remain inconsistent, particularly regarding RS type and dosage. This integrative review aimed to synthesize evidence on the effects of RS consumption in dietary interventions on metabolic and cardiovascular parameters in adults and older adults.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>RS intake, particularly RS2 and RS3, was associated with significant reductions in postprandial glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR, as well as improvements in total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides. Additional findings indicated modest decreases in blood pressure and central adiposity, linked to increased short-chain fatty acid production and higher GLP-1 and PYY levels. Despite promising results, methodological heterogeneity and short intervention durations limit the strength of conclusions. RS shows potential as a functional nutrient for cardiometabolic modulation, particularly for glycemic and lipid control. However, longer, standardized clinical trials are required to confirm efficacy and clarify its physiological mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":10844,"journal":{"name":"Current Nutrition Reports","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13133204/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147765047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Role of Folate Metabolism in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Insight from Experimental and Clinical Studies.","authors":"Meenakshi Umar, Karson Franjieh, Amanda Louise White, Elisse Ward-Dones, Saifudeen Ismael, Rose C Roskey, Jacques Courseault, Gregory Jaye Bix","doi":"10.1007/s13668-026-00761-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13668-026-00761-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Folate is a key regulator of one-carbon metabolism (OCM), which supports essential physiological processes, including DNA synthesis, repair, methylation, amino acid homeostasis, and redox balance. It is also crucial for brain health throughout life, from neural tube formation during early development to neurotransmitter synthesis, myelination, neuronal development, synaptic plasticity and cognitive function during later stages of life. Disruption of folate-mediated OCM (FOCM) can adversely affect brain health and contribute to neurodegeneration. In this review, we summarize current evidence linking FOCM dysregulation to neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing disease-specific mechanisms and the therapeutic potential of modulating folate metabolism, as evidenced by experimental and clinical studies. RECENT FINDINGS: Disruption of FOCM can lead to oxidative stress, impaired methylation, excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammation, thereby contributing to neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer’s disease, impaired FOCM promotes amyloid-β accumulation, tau pathology, cognitive decline, and vascular dysfunction, consistent with low folate and elevated homocysteine observed clinically, though supplementation outcomes remain mixed. In Parkinson’s disease, folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia exacerbate motor deficits and dopaminergic neurodegeneration via oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and NLRP3-mediated inflammation and combined folate and vitamin B12 supplementation may reduce levodopa-associated risks. Elevated homocysteine and aberrant FOCM have also been reported in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease and are associated with neuroinflammation, demyelination, neuronal loss, and severe disease phenotypes in these conditions. Overall, maintaining optimal folate levels may be a promising strategy to support brain health and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disorders. </p>","PeriodicalId":10844,"journal":{"name":"Current Nutrition Reports","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13121409/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147765138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zinc Homeostasis and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Complex Role of ZnT8 in Insulin and Glucagon Secretion.","authors":"Fateme Ghafouri-Taleghani, Zahra Bahadoran","doi":"10.1007/s13668-026-00762-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13668-026-00762-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Zinc (Zn) is essential for regulation of the hormones produced by pancreatic islets and for maintaining normal glucose homeostasis. The Zn transporter ZnT8, encoded by the SLC30A8 gene, controls the accumulation of Zn in the insulin secretory granules of β-cells. This review synthesizes findings from human genetic studies and genetically modified animal models to clarify ZnT8’s role in type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. RECENT FINDINGS: ZnT8 loss of function impairs insulin crystallization and secretion and increases hepatic insulin clearance by reducing Zn-mediated inhibition of insulin degradation. Zn affects glucagon secretion from α-cells via paracrine signaling, though its in vivo role is still unclear. Both common risk alleles, such as rs13266634, and rare protective loss-of-function mutations in SLC30A8 alter ZnT8 activity, which may influence T2D risk by affecting insulin dynamics and islet Zn handling. Alterations in Zn homeostasis influence the pathogenesis of T2D primarily through ZnT8-mediated effects on insulin secretion and clearance. These findings suggest that targeted preventive strategies and genotype-guided Zn supplementation may offer novel approaches to reducing T2D risk, especially among high-risk individuals. </p>","PeriodicalId":10844,"journal":{"name":"Current Nutrition Reports","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147765150","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phytochemicals and Obesity: A mini Review from the Dietary Phytochemical Index Perspective.","authors":"Kadriye Toprak, Zeyneb Yildirim, Dilara Nur Kaplan, Gözde Senturk, Nevin Sanlier","doi":"10.1007/s13668-026-00763-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13668-026-00763-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to evaluate the relationship between the Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI) and obesity by synthesizing current evidence. While phytochemicals are recognized for their role in preventing chronic diseases, the specific efficacy of the DPI as a predictive metric for obesity management remains a subject of ongoing investigation. This study explores the potential of DPI to serve as a standardized tool for assessing dietary quality in relation to weight control. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies retrieved from databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ScienceDirect indicate that phytochemicals exert anti-obesity effects through multiple biological pathways. These include the inhibition of key digestive enzymes like lipase and amylase, appetite regulation, modulation of lipid metabolism, and the suppression of adipocyte differentiation. Current evidence suggests that a higher DPI score is generally associated with improved weight management outcomes; however, results across different populations show some variability that requires careful interpretation. Enhancing the dietary intake of phytochemical-rich foods is increasingly recognized as a vital strategy for supporting weight management and promoting overall long-term health. Although the Dietary Phytochemical Index serves as a valuable metric for assessing the quality of phytochemical intake, further comprehensive research is required to establish standardized guidelines and enhance its direct applicability in clinical settings. </p>","PeriodicalId":10844,"journal":{"name":"Current Nutrition Reports","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13102861/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147765013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}