Winnie A Nyonje, Ray-Yu Yang, Dyness Kejo, Anselimo O Makokha, Willis O Owino, Mary O Abukutsa-Onyango
{"title":"Exploring the Status of Preference, Utilization Practices, and Challenges to Consumption of Amaranth in Kenya and Tanzania.","authors":"Winnie A Nyonje, Ray-Yu Yang, Dyness Kejo, Anselimo O Makokha, Willis O Owino, Mary O Abukutsa-Onyango","doi":"10.1155/2022/2240724","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2240724","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>African leafy vegetables such as amaranth have been utilized since time immemorial both as food and as medicine. These vegetables grew naturally in most rural environments, but currently most of them are cultivated both for home consumption and for sale. The aim of this study was to identify the most preferred amaranth species and cooking and utilization practices, as well as the beliefs and attitudes that encourage or discourage use of this vegetable. The study was carried out in seven counties of Kenya and in three regions in Tanzania. Twenty Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with members of the community and twenty Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with agricultural and nutrition officers were conducted in the study areas to obtain information on preferred varieties, sources of amaranth vegetables, common cooking methods, alternative uses, beliefs and taboos surrounding amaranth consumption, and the challenges experienced in production and consumption. The findings of the study showed that amaranth is one of the most commonly consumed indigenous vegetables in Kenya and Tanzania. The preference for varieties and cooking habits differs depending on the community and individuals. <i>Amaranthus dubius</i> and <i>Amaranthus blitum</i> were most common in Kenya, while <i>Amaranthus dubius</i> and <i>Amaranthus hypochondriacus</i> were most common in Tanzania. Most people consumed these vegetables because they were affordable and available or because of circumstance of lacking other foods. Regarding cooking, final taste was mostly considered rather than nutritional attribute. Several alternative uses of amaranth such as uses as medicine and livestock feed were also reported, as well as some beliefs and taboos surrounding the vegetable. Training on nutritional attributes and promotion of food preparation practices that ensure maximum nutrient benefits from amaranth is needed at the community level to realize the nutritional importance of the vegetables. Hands-on training and demonstrations were the most preferred modes of passing information.</p>","PeriodicalId":16587,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism","volume":" ","pages":"2240724"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9233608/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40401354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Azizeh Farshbaf-Khalili, Alireza Ostadrahimi, Mojgan Mirghafourvand, Khatereh Ataei-Almanghadim, Sara Dousti, Amir Mehdi Iranshahi
{"title":"Clinical Efficacy of Curcumin and Vitamin E on Inflammatory-Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Primary Symptoms of Menopause in Healthy Postmenopausal Women: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Azizeh Farshbaf-Khalili, Alireza Ostadrahimi, Mojgan Mirghafourvand, Khatereh Ataei-Almanghadim, Sara Dousti, Amir Mehdi Iranshahi","doi":"10.1155/2022/6339715","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6339715","url":null,"abstract":"Aims of the Study. Reducing estrogen levels due to menopause activates oxidative and inflammatory processes, which causes symptoms of menopause, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. As a suggestion, potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents such as curcumin and vitamin E could be used as an effective alternative treatment due to parsimony, suitable access, and fewer side effects. Therefore, the present study was conducted to find out whether supplementation with curcumin and vitamin E affects inflammatory-oxidative stress biomarkers and primary symptoms of menopause in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods Used to Conduct the Study. The present study is a triple-blind parallel randomized controlled trial. Eighty-four eligible postmenopausal women aged 40 to 60 years old were randomly assigned into three groups using block randomization with an allocation ratio of 1 : 1 : 1. The curcumin group received one capsule containing 500 mg curcumin twice a day, the vitamin E group received one 500 mg capsule of vitamin E twice a day, and the placebo group took two placebo capsules containing 500 mg of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) daily for eight weeks. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics, dietary intake, and early symptoms of menopause were collected at baseline. Serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured at baseline and after the intervention. Intervention safety and satisfaction with the intervention were also evaluated. Results of the Study. Eighty-one participants completed the trial and were finally analyzed. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics and dietary intake of participants (except for vitamin C intake, P=0.023) between the groups at baseline. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) score of total menopause symptoms, depression, anxiety, psychological, vasomotor, and physical domains significantly decreased within all groups (P < 0.05). Between-group analyses indicated that decreasing the mean score of anxiety in the vitamin E group was significantly more than in the placebo group (P=0.026). The mean (SD) serum levels of MDA and hs-CRP significantly decreased only in the curcumin group (P=0.009 and P=0.025, respectively). Serum levels of TAC significantly increased in curcumin and vitamin E groups (P < 0.001 and P=0.006, respectively). Conclusions Drawn from the Study and Clinical Implications. Curcumin could improve the oxidative stress (MDA and TAC) and inflammatory (hs-CRP) biomarkers. Vitamin E may also improve the antioxidant status by increasing the TAC levels. The alleviation of anxiety in the vitamin E group was more than in the placebo group. Clinical Trial Registration. The trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (https://irct.ir/IRCT20131009014957N6).","PeriodicalId":16587,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism","volume":" ","pages":"6339715"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9203212/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40012585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Appropriate Timing and Type of Physical Training in Patients with COVID-19 for Muscle Health and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review","authors":"I. Aryana, S. Setiati, I. Paulus, D. Daniella","doi":"10.1155/2022/6119593","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6119593","url":null,"abstract":"Physical activity is beneficial to modulate immune system function and has inverse relationship to ARDS linked with SARS-CoV-2. Physical activity consists of daily activity and physical training. Studies regarding effect of physical training on patients with COVID-19 are controversial. This systematic review aims to investigate physical training on muscle health and QOL in patients with COVID-19. The literature review was carried out using keywords: (Exercise) AND (COVID) AND (Muscle) AND (Observational Study) in several databases of PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). All references were reviewed using critical appraisal Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) checklist. The studies were subsequently screened for reporting exercise, muscle, and COVID-19. The descriptions of the extracted data are guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) statement with GRADE approach. This study is registered in PROSPERO: ID CRD42021295188. Six studies pooled and entered review synthesis. Studies were reviewed using critical appraisal by NOS and CEBM. Two clinical trial studies and four observational designs were selected. Our result showed physical training improved patients' outcomes in the acute phase, critical phase, and post-COVID-19 phase. Multiple types of physical trainings were suggested by those studies, and most of them showed beneficial effects to patients with COVID-19 in different phases. The level of evidence by GRADE was downgraded, and further investigations are needed to establish guidelines and strong recommendation for a specific stage of COVID-19.","PeriodicalId":16587,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47420871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. Visuthranukul, S. Sriswasdi, Surapun Tepaamorndech, Y. Joyjinda, Puthita Saengpanit, Tanisa Kwanbunbumpen, Ekkarit Panichsillaphakit, Jaraspong Uaariyapanichkul, S. Chomtho
{"title":"Association of Human Intestinal Microbiota with Lifestyle Activity, Adiposity, and Metabolic Profiles in Thai Children with Obesity","authors":"C. Visuthranukul, S. Sriswasdi, Surapun Tepaamorndech, Y. Joyjinda, Puthita Saengpanit, Tanisa Kwanbunbumpen, Ekkarit Panichsillaphakit, Jaraspong Uaariyapanichkul, S. Chomtho","doi":"10.1155/2022/3029582","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3029582","url":null,"abstract":"Background Dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota may be linked to pathogenesis of obesity and metabolic disorders. Objective This study compared the gut microbiome of obese Thai children with that of healthy controls and examined their relationships with host lifestyle, adiposity, and metabolic profiles. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled obese children aged 7–15. Body composition was evaluated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Stool samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Relative abundance and alpha- and beta-diversity were compared with normal-weight Thai children from a previous publication using Wilcoxon rank-sum test and ANOSIM. Relationships of gut microbiota with lifestyle activity, body composition, and metabolic profiles were assessed by canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and Spearman correlation. Results The study enrolled 164 obese children with a male percentage of 59%. Mean age was 10.4 ± 2.2 years with a BMI z-score of 3.2 ± 1. The abundance of Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria were found to be lower in obese children compared to nonobese children. Alpha-diversity indices showed no differences between groups, while beta-diversity revealed significant differences in the family and genus levels. CCA revealed significant correlations of the relative abundance of gut microbial phyla with sedentary lifestyle and certain metabolic markers. Univariate analysis revealed that Actinobacteria and Bifidobacterium were positively correlated with HDL-C and negatively correlated with body weight and screen time. Additionally, Actinobacteria was also negatively associated with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. Lactobacillus showed positive correlation with acanthosis nigricans and adiposity. Cooccurrence analysis revealed 90 significant bacterial copresence and mutual exclusion interactions among 43 genera in obese children, whereas only 2 significant cooccurrences were found in nonobese children. Conclusions The composition and diversity of gut microbiota in obese Thai children were different from those of their normal-weight peers. Specific gut microbiota were associated with lifestyle, adiposity, and metabolic features in obese children. An interventional study is needed to support causality between specific gut microbiota and obesity.","PeriodicalId":16587,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism","volume":"2022 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41423659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Z. Kharaba, Nour Sammani, Samar Ashour, R. Ghemrawi, Ahmad Z. Al Meslamani, Ahmad Al-Azayzih, M. Buabeid, Y. Alfoteih
{"title":"Caffeine Consumption among Various University Students in the UAE, Exploring the Frequencies, Different Sources and Reporting Adverse Effects and Withdrawal Symptoms","authors":"Z. Kharaba, Nour Sammani, Samar Ashour, R. Ghemrawi, Ahmad Z. Al Meslamani, Ahmad Al-Azayzih, M. Buabeid, Y. Alfoteih","doi":"10.1155/2022/5762299","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5762299","url":null,"abstract":"Background Caffeine is widely consumed among students due to its cognitive and physical enhancing effects. However, little is known about the consumption pattern of different caffeinated products among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Aim To investigate the frequency of caffeine consumption among the young population of students, assess types of caffeinated products consumed, and document adverse effects and withdrawal symptoms experienced by university students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the UAE from December 2019 to March 2020. A random sample of 500 university students from different universities in the UAE were approached and asked to complete a self-administered online-based questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. Results Of (n = 500) surveyed students, (n = 467) completed the survey 93.4%. The average level of caffeine consumption was significantly higher in females compared to male students (p < 0.005). Coffee was the highest favored source of caffeine (67.7%) followed by tea (47.3%). The average daily intake of caffeine was found to be 264 mg/day. Surprisingly, almost a third of students reported a high level of daily consumption (>400 mg/day) and more than half of them consumed less than 199 mg/day. Large proportions of students 91.1% have their caffeinated beverage after or while eating meals and 42.8% considered that this habit helped in avoiding acid reflux. Interestingly, around one third of participants have poor knowledge of caffeine-containing medical products, which seemed to affect the level of consumption in the student population (p < 0.05). The highest reported reason for caffeine intake was for studying purposes (59.4%). Conclusion Caffeine consumption is highly prevalent among university students in the UAE. Yet, there is insufficiency in the current knowledge of safe caffeine consumption patterns reflecting the importance of health awareness programs and nutritional lectures to decrease the long-term health issues and unintentional overdose of caffeine.","PeriodicalId":16587,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44157900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Selenium Supplementation in Pregnancy-Maternal and Newborn Outcomes","authors":"K. Biswas, J. McLay, F. Campbell","doi":"10.1155/2022/4715965","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4715965","url":null,"abstract":"Background Several studies have suggested that increased oxidative stress during pregnancy may be associated with adverse maternal and foetal outcomes. As selenium is an essential mineral with an antioxidant role, our aim was to perform a systematic review of the existing literature reporting the effects of selenium supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Materials and Methods Six electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed) were searched for studies reporting the effects of selenium supplementation during pregnancy and the postpartum period on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Only randomised controlled trials on human subjects reported in English and published up to October 2021 were included. Quality assessments were conducted using the modified Downs and Black quality assessment tool. Data were extracted using a narrative synthesis. Results Twenty-two articles were included in our systematic review (seventeen reported on maternal outcomes, two on newborn outcomes, and three on both). Maternal studies reported the effects of selenium supplementation in the prevention of thyroid dysfunction, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension/preeclampsia, oxidative stress, postpartum depression, premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine growth retardation, breastmilk composition, and HIV-positive women. Newborn studies reported the effects of maternal selenium supplementation on foetal oxidation stress, foetal lipid profile, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and newborn outcomes in HIV-positive mothers. The majority of studies were inappropriately designed to establish clinical or scientific utility. Of interest, four studies reported that selenium supplementation reduced the incidence of thyroid dysfunction and permanent hypothyroidism during the postpartum period by reducing thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibody titres. Conclusion The evidence supporting selenium supplementation during pregnancy is poor and there is a need for appropriately designed randomised controlled trials before routine use can be recommended.","PeriodicalId":16587,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43433701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Khanna, J. Wilkins, Hongyan Ning, N. Allen, C. Lewis, J. Carr, D. Lloyd-Jones, L. VanWagner
{"title":"Lipoprotein Levels in Early Adulthood and NAFLD in Midlife: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study","authors":"S. Khanna, J. Wilkins, Hongyan Ning, N. Allen, C. Lewis, J. Carr, D. Lloyd-Jones, L. VanWagner","doi":"10.1155/2022/1727711","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1727711","url":null,"abstract":"Objective We evaluated the association of apolipoprotein B (apoB) with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) in early adulthood with concordant/discordant associations and midlife NAFLD. Methods Participants from the CARDIA study were included (n = 2,655; baseline mean age: 25.0, 59.1% female, and 48.6% black). NAFLD was defined as liver attenuation ≤40 Hounsfield units after excluding other causes of liver fat. Logistic regression models assessed the odds of Y25 NAFLD among tertiles of apoB, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and TG and quartiles of the apoB/TG ratio. Discordance/concordance analyses examined the association of apoB with each lipid marker and Y25 NAFLD. Results The Y25 NAFLD prevalence was 10%. The high-tertile TG group (OR 1.87, 95% CI, and 1.30–2.69) and the low- (OR 1.98, 95% CI, and 1.30–3.01) and middle-apoB/TG ratio groups (OR 1.78, 95% CI, and 1.17–2.72) had the greatest odds of midlife NAFLD. Using discordance/concordance analysis, the high-apoB/high-TG group had the highest odds of NAFLD (OR 1.69, 95% CI, and 1.09–2.61) followed by the low-apoB/high-TG group. The high apoB/low TG group had the lowest odds of NAFLD. Conclusions Among the studied lipid markers in early adulthood, TG levels have the strongest and most consistent association with midlife NAFLD.","PeriodicalId":16587,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44288058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Helena Neudorf, Garett S. Jackson, Jonathan P. Little
{"title":"Examining the Effect of Consuming C8 Medium-Chain Triglyceride Oil for 14 Days on Markers of NLRP3 Activation in Healthy Humans","authors":"Helena Neudorf, Garett S. Jackson, Jonathan P. Little","doi":"10.1155/2022/7672759","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7672759","url":null,"abstract":"Chronic, low-grade inflammation is associated with the development of numerous diseases and is mediated in part by overactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The ketone body beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) suppresses the NLRP3 inflammasome and alters intracellular signalling pathways in vitro and in animal models; however, this effect has not yet been shown in vivo in humans. The purpose of this single-arm pilot trial was to determine if consuming 15 mL of C8 medium-chain triglyceride (trioctanoin; MCT) oil, which induces mild elevation of βHB, twice daily (30 mL total) for 14 days would suppress markers of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in young, healthy humans while following their habitual diet. Consuming a single dose of 15 mL of C8 MCT oil significantly raised blood βHB from fasting at 60 minutes and 120 minutes post ingestion (both P < 0.05). However, consumption of C8 MCT oil for 14 days did not impact markers of monocyte NLRP3 inflammasome activation compared to baseline. Specifically, caspase-1 activation and secretion of its downstream product interleukin (IL)-1β were unchanged following 14 days of C8 MCT oil supplementation when measured in unstimulated and LPS-stimulated whole blood cultures (all P > 0.05). Acetylation of histone H3 on the lysine residue 9 was unchanged (P < 0.05) and acetylation of lysine residue 14 was decreased (P < 0.05) following 14 days of supplementation. Thus, adding twice daily C8 MCT oil supplementation to the habitual diet of young, healthy humans does not appear to suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activation.","PeriodicalId":16587,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42599211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. H. Mohammed, A. Blebil, Amutha Selvaraj, Zoena Jia Xuan Ang, Cui Yee Chong, Veronica Rui Sim Chu, Yi Qi Ku, Bassam Abdul Rasool Hassan, Abdulrasool M. Wayyes, Abdelhaleem Mustafa Madani
{"title":"Knowledge, Consumption Pattern, and Adverse Effects of Energy Drinks among Asian Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from Malaysia","authors":"A. H. Mohammed, A. Blebil, Amutha Selvaraj, Zoena Jia Xuan Ang, Cui Yee Chong, Veronica Rui Sim Chu, Yi Qi Ku, Bassam Abdul Rasool Hassan, Abdulrasool M. Wayyes, Abdelhaleem Mustafa Madani","doi":"10.1155/2022/3928717","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3928717","url":null,"abstract":"Background The frequent expansion of the energy drinks (EDs) market has caused an extensive increase in the consumption of EDs, especially among younger populations. However, the lack of knowledge on EDs and their perceived beneficial effects could lead to excessive EDs consumption, which is strongly associated with serious side effects. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perceived beneficial effects of EDs consumers and determine the consumption patterns and side effects experienced by different EDs consumers among the Malaysian population. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Malaysia from February to April 2021. A structured and validated questionnaire, consisting of 5 sections with 46 items, was distributed online. Only 515 out of 591 invited participants agreed to participate in the study. Descriptive and inferential analysis were done using SPSS. Results The median age of participants was 23 ± 7.3 years. The majority of participants (65%) were unaware of the active ingredients of EDs, and approximately 40% of them had no idea that EDs contain caffeine. The main reason for consuming EDs was to stay awake (43%), and Red Bull was the most preferred brand (57%). Lack of rest (57%), headache (53%), and nervousness (49%) were the most experienced side effects. A significant difference was observed between consumption patterns and knowledge and perceived beneficial effects (p < 0.05). Our data showed a significant association between respondents' demographic data (e.g., coffee intake, smoking, and alcohol status) and their consumption pattern. Conclusion ED consumers in Malaysia were found to have limited knowledge on EDs. Therefore, attention should be drawn to the Ministry of Health regarding the significant side effects such as palpitation and nervousness experienced by ED consumers. Hence, awareness ought to be raised by adopting regulations or policies to regulate the sales and warning labels of EDs in Malaysia.","PeriodicalId":16587,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44299988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Malda Atasi, A. Kammar-García, Rafael Almendra-Pegueros, A. R. Navarro-Cruz
{"title":"Dietary Patterns and Their Association with Metabolic Syndrome and Their Components in Middle-Class Adults from Damascus, Syria: A Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"Malda Atasi, A. Kammar-García, Rafael Almendra-Pegueros, A. R. Navarro-Cruz","doi":"10.1155/2022/5621701","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5621701","url":null,"abstract":"Prior to the 2016 crisis in Syria, a study conducted in Aleppo found the prevalence of metabolic syndrome to be 39.6%, which is known to be favoured by age and poor lifestyle (including physical inactivity and the consumption of hypercaloric foods, rich in saturated fats, concentrated carbohydrates, and salt), so the objective of this study was to identify the association of different dietary patterns with metabolic syndrome and their components. A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in 104 adults aged 40 to 65 years who did not suffer from previous diseases. The sample was chosen from middle-class citizens of the city of Damascus who were contacted by telephone; they were explained about the study, the information that would be collected, and the studies that should be carried out in the clinical analysis laboratory of the Private University of Syria. A nutritional and food study was carried out using previously validated forms containing 62 items in which the food intake of the participants was studied. We apply principal component analysis and factor analysis to detect nutritional components and dietary patterns. Dietary pattern 3 (foods with simple carbohydrates and saturated fat) increased glucose levels, while dietary patterns 1 (high intake of calories, protein, and saturated fat) and 5 (fast food) increased serum triglyceride levels. In addition, pattern 1 (carbonated beverages, grains, chicken, and meat) was associated with elevated LDL cholesterol levels and the presence of the metabolic syndrome. The study findings suggest that the presence of metabolic syndrome and its components are associated with dietary patterns high in calories, protein, simple carbohydrates, and saturated fat.","PeriodicalId":16587,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43170844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}