Bethany Duffy, Helene McNulty, Mary Ward, Kristina Pentieva
{"title":"Anaemia during pregnancy: could riboflavin deficiency be implicated?","authors":"Bethany Duffy, Helene McNulty, Mary Ward, Kristina Pentieva","doi":"10.1017/S0029665124007468","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0029665124007468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anaemia affects more than 36 % of all pregnancies globally and is associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Iron deficiency is widely recognised as the most common nutritional cause of anaemia but other nutrient deficiencies are also implicated, including the B vitamin riboflavin, albeit its role is largely under-investigated and thus typically overlooked. Riboflavin, in its co-factor forms flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN), is required for numerous oxidation-reduction reactions, antioxidant function and in the metabolism of other B vitamins and iron. While clinical deficiency of riboflavin is largely confined to low-income countries, sub-clinical (functional) deficiency is much more widespread, including in high-income countries, and is particularly common among women of reproductive age and during pregnancy. Limited observational evidence from high-income populations suggests that suboptimal riboflavin status contributes to an increased risk of anaemia. Furthermore, randomised controlled trials in pregnant women from low- and middle-income countries have demonstrated beneficial effects of riboflavin on haematological status and anaemia. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain the contribution of riboflavin deficiency to anaemia, with the strongest evidence pointing to an adverse effect on iron metabolism, given that riboflavin co-factors are required for the release of iron from storage ferritin in the production of red blood cells. Overall, this review investigates riboflavin intakes and status during pregnancy in different populations and evaluates the available evidence for the under-recognised role of riboflavin in the maintenance of haemoglobin concentrations together with its potential to protect against the development of anaemia during pregnancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":20751,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Nutrition Society","volume":" ","pages":"74-81"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142626786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pauline Dunne, Deirbhile Sherry, Sharleen L O'Reilly
{"title":"Diabetes prevention after gestational diabetes: challenges and opportunities.","authors":"Pauline Dunne, Deirbhile Sherry, Sharleen L O'Reilly","doi":"10.1017/S0029665124007456","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0029665124007456","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses significant health concerns for women and their offspring, with implications that extend beyond pregnancy. While GDM often resolves postpartum, a diagnosis of GDM confers a greater risk of future type 2 diabetes (T2D) and other chronic illnesses. Furthermore, the intergenerational impact of GDM predisposes offspring to increased chronic disease risk. Despite the awareness of the short- and long-term consequences of GDM, translating this knowledge into prevention strategies remains challenging. Challenges arise from a lack of clarity among health professionals regarding roles and responsibilities in chronic disease prevention and women's lack of awareness of the magnitude of associated health risks. These challenges are compounded by changes in the circumstances of new mothers as they adjust to balance the demands of infant and family care with their own needs. Insights into behaviour change strategies, coupled with advances in technology and digital healthcare delivery options, have presented new opportunities for diabetes prevention among women with a history of GDM. Additionally, there is growing recognition of the benefits of adopting an implementation science approach to intervention delivery, which seeks to enhance the effectiveness and scalability of interventions. Effective prevention of T2D following GDM requires a comprehensive person-centred approach that leverages technology, targeted interventions and implementation science methodologies to address the complex needs of this population. Through a multifaceted approach, it is possible to improve the long-term health outcomes of women with prior GDM.</p>","PeriodicalId":20751,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Nutrition Society","volume":" ","pages":"105-116"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142626790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sinead O'Mahony, Nuala Collins, Eileen R Gibney, Gerardine Doyle
{"title":"Supermarkets, do they make the healthy choice the easy choice? A review of the healthfulness of the supermarket food environment.","authors":"Sinead O'Mahony, Nuala Collins, Eileen R Gibney, Gerardine Doyle","doi":"10.1017/S0029665125000023","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0029665125000023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The over consumption of high fat, sugar, and salt foods increases population risk of overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. The food environment mediates consumer food choices and thus plays an important role in diet quality and related health outcomes. The built food environment, where most people in high-income countries access their food, has been found to be obesogenic. The aim of this review was to investigate the healthfulness of the supermarket food environment. Supermarkets are an important source of healthy foods in the built food environment. However, there are disparities in access to supermarkets, and in several countries, supermarkets located in areas of higher deprivation have an unhealthier consumer food environment. This double burden limits access to healthy foods amongst lower socio-economic groups, contributing to widening disparities in food-related ill health. There is a strong body of evidence supporting improved purchase of healthy foods by increasing the healthfulness of the supermarket consumer food environment. Voluntary measures co-designed with retailers to improve the healthfulness of the supermarket consumer food environment through restriction of product placement and private label reformulation have led to an increase in healthier food purchases. However, evidence also shows that mandatory, structural changes are most effective for improving disparities in the access to healthy food. Future research and policy related to the food environment should consider equitable access to healthy sustainable foods in built and online supermarkets.</p>","PeriodicalId":20751,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Nutrition Society","volume":" ","pages":"82-92"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143028954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impact of intermittent energy restriction on women's health.","authors":"Michelle Harvie, Mai Haiba","doi":"10.1017/S0029665125000059","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0029665125000059","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Intermittent energy-restricted diets are used amongst women with overweight and obesity and a healthy weight. For those with overweight and obesity weight control is typically achieved through daily energy restriction (DER) which has reduced adherence and attenuated metabolic benefits over time. Several intermittent energy restriction (IER) regimens have been developed aiming to promote maintained weight loss and additional weight independent metabolic benefits including the 5:2 diet, alternate day fasting (ADF) and time-restricted eating (TRE). This review summarises the potential benefits or harms of these regimens for managing women’s health. 5:2 and ADF diets have equivalent long term (≥ 6-month) adherence, weight loss and metabolic benefits to DER. Current limited evidence suggests IER is a safe weight loss intervention for women which does not affect reproductive or bone health, increase eating disorders or disturb sleep. Adherence and weight loss with both IER and DER are lower amongst younger women compared to older women and men. Weight loss with ADF and TRE has, respectively, improved symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome and premenstrual syndrome, but there is no evidence of weight-independent effects of IER on these conditions. There is little evidence of the benefits and/or harms of IER amongst healthy weight women in whom there is a greater potential for adverse effects on reproductive and bone health, fat free mass, eating disorders and sleep. Further research benefits of IER for weight control and metabolic health as well as harms are required.</p>","PeriodicalId":20751,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Nutrition Society","volume":" ","pages":"23-32"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7617461/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143391568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Circadian rhythms, feeding patterns and metabolic regulation: implications for critical care.","authors":"Harry A Smith, James A Betts","doi":"10.1017/S002966512400750X","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S002966512400750X","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Endogenous biological rhythms synchronise human physiology with daily cycles of light-dark, wake-sleep and feeding-fasting. Proper circadian alignment is crucial for physiological function, reflected in the rhythmic expression of molecular clock genes in various tissues, especially in skeletal muscle. Circadian disruption, such as misaligned feeding, dysregulates metabolism and increases the risk of metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. Such disturbances are common in critically ill patients, especially those who rely on enteral nutrition. Whilst continuous provision of enteral nutrition is currently the most common practice in critical care, this is largely dictated by convenience rather than evidence. Conversely, some findings indicate that intermittent provision of enteral nutrition aligned with daylight may better support physiological functions and improve clinical/metabolic outcomes. However, there is a critical need for studies of skeletal muscle responses to acutely divergent feeding patterns, in addition to complementary translational research to map tissue-level physiology to whole-body and clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":20751,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Nutrition Society","volume":" ","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142648732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Patrícia Duque-Estrada, Elena Bergamasco, Yueyue Liu, Iben Lykke Petersen
{"title":"Nutritional quality and processing of plant proteins for healthy and sustainable foods.","authors":"Patrícia Duque-Estrada, Elena Bergamasco, Yueyue Liu, Iben Lykke Petersen","doi":"10.1017/S0029665126102213","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0029665126102213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is increasingly acknowledged that the transition from animal- to plant-based proteins confers substantial benefits for both human health and environmental sustainability. This review provides a critical examination of the necessity to consider not only the degree of processing applied to plant protein-based foods, particularly those derived from legume seeds, but also the nutritional quality of the resulting products. While it is well established that plant proteins exhibit a lower environmental footprint compared with their animal-derived counterparts, their digestibility is often reduced, primarily due to the matrix composition of raw ingredients. To improve protein digestibility and reduce the antinutrient content in these raw materials, a variety of processing methods are used, encompassing thermal and biological treatments (e.g. extrusion and fermentation, respectively). However, processing methods may also introduce unintended adverse effects, including protein oxidation and formation of undesirable compounds. Therefore, this review explores the paradox of sustainable processing, where process conditions may simultaneously confer environmental advantages while compromising nutritional quality. In this context, food classification systems such as NOVA are critically examined, highlighting the absence of an evidence-based system that integrates both processing conditions and product formulation in the classification of plant-based foods. Current approaches categorizing plant-based options as ultra-processed foods without accounting for the nutritional quality of their ingredients, and their ultimate digestibility, may mislead consumers and discourage the consumption of nutritionally adequate plant-based alternatives. Finally, the review emphasizes the need for the adoption of processing technologies that address the sustainability challenge and the nutritional quality of plant protein-based foods.</p>","PeriodicalId":20751,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Nutrition Society","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146019469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Feeding the youngest in crises: infant and young child feeding preparedness in high-income setting.","authors":"Aileen Kennedy, Elizabeth J O'Sullivan","doi":"10.1017/S0029665126102171","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0029665126102171","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infant and young child feeding (IYCF) is a critical public health priority during emergencies, yet remains poorly integrated into emergency preparedness planning in many high-income countries (HICs). Despite the availability of international guidance, such as the Operational Guidance on IYCF in Emergencies the implementation of these tools in national systems has been inconsistent within HICs. This review examines recent emergencies in HICs to identify policy and operational gaps affecting breastfeeding support, the management of commercial milk formula (CMF) and the distribution of commercially available complementary foods (CACFs). The present review focuses on the practical translation of Infant and young child feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) guidance into emergency responses across a range of contexts. This review highlights widespread failures to protect breastfeeding during crises, often due to a lack of trained personnel, inadequate shelter infrastructure and limited integration of IYCF into emergency protocols. CMF was frequently distributed without needs assessment or support, undermining breastfeeding and introducing risks related to hygiene and preparation. CACFs were often age-inappropriate, ultra-processed or culturally unsuitable, with potential long-term implications for child health. Even in countries with strong health systems, IYCF-E was often fragmented, under-resourced or absent from preparedness frameworks. To build nutritional resilience, IYCF-E must be embedded within public health and disaster planning, supported by legal protections, trained personnel, regulated product distribution and coordinated communication. This requires a shift in policy and perception, recognising that the right to safe and appropriate feeding in emergencies applies equally in all settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":20751,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Nutrition Society","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145966972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dysregulated gut hormone responses to nutrient ingestion in older adults with low appetite: a mechanism of anorexia of ageing?","authors":"Adrian Holliday, Matthew Barrett, Natalie Cox","doi":"10.1017/S0029665126102183","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0029665126102183","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anorexia of ageing - the age-related reduction in appetite and food intake - is a public health concern for an ageing global population. However, current understanding of the aetiology of the condition is limited. In this review, evidence of gut hormone responses to feeding in older adults is reviewed, and it is proposed that a dysregulation of this process is a mechanism driving low appetite in later life. The evidence is synthesised to critically present this case, spotlighting recent data demonstrating a highly anorexigenic gut hormone profile in older adults exhibiting low appetite, which is not observed in older adults exhibiting a 'healthy' appetite. These findings and this theory are interrogated with an appreciation that appetite control is complex and multifactorial, not least in the context of anorexia of ageing; it is posited that changes in gut hormone secretions are <i>a</i> mechanism rather than <i>the</i> mechanism, but propose that this may explain certain presentations of anorexia of ageing. The current knowledge base is contextualised for practical implications and priorities for future research are highlighted.</p>","PeriodicalId":20751,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Nutrition Society","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145966920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mariarosaria Cuozzo, Claire O'Connor, Ellie Power, Eimear M Gleeson, Siobhain M O'Mahony
{"title":"Gut-brain communication in menopause: insights into neuroendocrine and microbiome interactions.","authors":"Mariarosaria Cuozzo, Claire O'Connor, Ellie Power, Eimear M Gleeson, Siobhain M O'Mahony","doi":"10.1017/S0029665126102201","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0029665126102201","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review synthesizes current evidence linking alterations in the gut microbiome to menopausal transition. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in numerous physiological processes, particularly due to its bidirectional communication with the brain via multiple neural, endocrine and immune pathways. Menopause-associated oestrogen decline disrupts this axis, influencing not only gastrointestinal function and microbial diversity but also mood, cognition and inflammation. The oestrobolome is a community of gut bacteria capable of modulating circulating oestrogen levels. Taken together, research suggests a complex dynamic interplay between the intestinal microbiota and sex hormones, potentially contributing to menopausal symptoms and related comorbidities. Understanding these interactions offers promising avenues for intervention, as dietary strategies (such as isoflavones), lifestyle modifications and targeted probiotic therapies may help restore balance within the gut-brain axis and support brain health during and after the menopausal transition. Here, we highlight the importance of an integrative, microbiome-informed approach to midlife women’s health, emphasizing innovative, non-pharmacological strategies to promote long-term well-being in women.</p>","PeriodicalId":20751,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Nutrition Society","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145966995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Clodagh Scannell, Erin Stella Sullivan, Aoife Ryan
{"title":"Appetite for change - the need to revisit malnutrition screening and assessment in oncology.","authors":"Clodagh Scannell, Erin Stella Sullivan, Aoife Ryan","doi":"10.1017/S0029665126102195","DOIUrl":"10.1017/S0029665126102195","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malnutrition is highly prevalent among oncology patients, with large-scale studies reporting involuntary weight loss in 31-87%, depending on tumour site and disease stage. A combination of nutrition-impact symptoms, reduced oral intake and systemic inflammation lead to poor tolerance to treatment, diminished quality of life and reduced survival. Systemic inflammation is a hallmark of cancer-associated malnutrition and contributes to loss of lean mass and abnormal body composition phenotypes (sarcopenia, cachexia and low muscle density) which may coexist with overweight and obesity. Malnutrition screening tools are widely used to identify patients at risk; however, traditional weight and BMI-based instruments such as the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) frequently misclassify patients with cancer as well-nourished. These tools fail to account for nutrition-impact symptoms, inflammation and muscle wasting. Although obesity is an established cancer risk factor, 40-60% of patients with metastatic disease remain overweight or obese during treatment. When screening tools are BMI-based, high fat stores mask muscle wasting, leading to misclassification of nutritional risk and delayed dietetic referrals. To improve detection, screening tools should incorporate patient-reported symptoms, inflammatory markers and body composition assessment, enabling earlier, proactive nutritional care. Alternatively, it may be time to acknowledge that all cancer patients are inherently 'at-risk' of malnutrition and to prioritise universal access to dietetic support from diagnosis through treatment. This review summarises current malnutrition screening and assessment practices in oncology and outlines key considerations for future research and clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":20751,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Nutrition Society","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145960014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}