This scoping review provides an overview of the impact of fruit and vegetable (FAV) consumption on cognitive function in adolescents and young adults between January 2014 and February 2024. A comprehensive search across six databases, CINAHL, PubMed-MEDLINE, ProQuest, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase, identified 5,181 articles, of which six met the inclusion criteria after deduplication and screening. This scoping review focused on individuals aged 11–35 years in schools, colleges, universities, and communities. Following a descriptive and narrative synthesis of the data, tables and figures were used to present the findings. Across the six included studies, most consistently demonstrated a positive association between higher fruit and vegetable (FAV) intake and improved cognitive performance among adolescents and young adults. This association was evident in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, with stronger effects observed for whole fruits and vegetables high in fibre and polyphenols. Cognitive domains positively impacted included psychomotor speed, memory, attention, and mood. However, findings varied by type of food and cognitive domain; while whole FAVs were generally beneficial, results for fruit juice were mixed—some studies showed acute benefits. Differences in study designs, dietary assessment tools, and cognitive measures contributed to variability. Despite these inconsistencies, the overall trend supports a beneficial role of FAV consumption in promoting cognitive health during adolescence and early adulthood. This review demonstrates that increased fruit and vegetable consumption is consistently linked to improved cognitive function in adolescents and young adults. However, further research is needed to establish its long-term effects on cognitive ageing and disease prevention

The quality of colostrum is essential for the successful transfer of passive immunity and the early development of the immune system in newborns. This research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the agreement between measurements from different equipment: colostrometer, digital Brix refractometer and optical Brix refractometer, using fresh colostrum samples maintained at 21°C. Colostrum samples were collected from two farms (n1 = 31 and n2 = 193). Farm 1 included females from second to ninth lactation, comprising 15 Holstein Friesian (HF), 5 Jersey and 11 Holstein × Jersey crossbreeds. Farm 2 had HF heifers and cows from first to seventh lactation. Immunoglobulin content was assessed indirectly with a colostrometer and both types of Brix refractometers (digital and optical). For the correlation analysis, Pearson's product-moment method was used to assess the linear association between the equipment, followed by a Student's t-test and comparison of the obtained values with specific correlation coefficients (50%, 70%, 90% and 99%). There was a 98% correlation between the refractometers on Farm 1, which was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than the commonly used reference values for weak (50%), moderate (70%) and strong (90%) correlations, and statistically equivalent to a 99% correlation. This indicates a very high, positive linear association between the digital and optical Brix refractometers. On Farm 2, a 97% correlation was found between the refractometers, which was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than the specific reference values of 50%, 70% and 90%, but significantly lower than a 99% correlation.

A significant association between tomato consumption and a lower risk of developing hypertension has been reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between tomato intake and prehypertension risk among Korean adults. Hypertension was defined according to the criteria established by the Korean Society of Hypertension. The study participants were selected from the Health Examinees cohort study. Tomato consumption was measured using an FFQ and categorised into quintiles based on the amount consumed. Higher tomato consumption was associated with a lower risk of prehypertension in men (hazard ratio (HR) 0·86, 95 % CI 0·80, 0·92, Pfor trend 0·0005). Women in the highest quintile also showed a similar trend (HR 0·94, 95 % CI 0·90, 0·99, Pfor trend 0·0091). Stratified analyses revealed a reduced risk of prehypertension across all subgroups, except underweight individuals and those with a history of alcohol consumption (all Pfor interaction < 0·05). These findings indicate that higher tomato intake may offer potential advantages for managing blood pressure levels.

Longer life expectancy and growing income inequality have prompted an increasing interest in understanding the impact of ageing on nutritional requirements in order to optimise intakes, increase the number of years lived in good health and reduce morbidity and associated health and social care costs. Food insecurity reduces access to nutritious and healthy food. Understanding the evidence base on the impacts of food insecurity and the maintenance of food security for older people is crucial to informing policy and intervention. The increase in numbers of older people experiencing food insecurity is a public health emergency and is associated with under and malnutrition. Food insecurity can be experienced at any stage of the life course but has been more widely studied with families and children where poverty is a major driver. Food insecurity in later life has been less well explored by academics, but differs from that experienced in earlier years due to additional complexities, as physical and cognitive health amplify the impact of poverty. Additionally, factors which can appear to be relatively small in impact can act in a cumulative way to push people towards food insecurity. This review will draw on research about older people’s food practices, contexts and experiences in relation to food insecurity in later life and offers a model of food insecurity that has the potential to guide focused public health efforts in order to support the older population to be food secure.

To examine the association between snack characteristics (snack frequency, snack energy density and snack nutritional quality) with diet quality and cardiometabolic risks among US adolescents from the 2009–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Cross-sectional dietary data collected using a 24-h dietary recall from the 2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999 boys and 1897 girls aged 12–19 years) were analysed. Associations between snack characteristics with diet quality, fasting blood glucose, TAG, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, blood pressure, waist circumference and metabolic syndrome risk score using multiple linear regression were analysed stratified by sex. Higher snack nutritional quality (β (95 % CI): boys 0·31 (0·09, 0·52); girls 0·44 (0·30, 0·57)) was linked to better overall diet quality, whereas snack energy density excluding beverages (β (95 % CI): boys –1·82 (–2·52, –1·12); girls –1·75 (–2·69, –0·82)) was linked to poorer overall diet quality. Among girls, higher snack frequency was associated with lower waist circumference and lower fasting blood glucose (–0·67 (–1·28, −0·05)). Additionally, higher snack energy density and nutritional quality were associated with lower waist circumference and TAG, respectively. No associations between snack characteristics and cardiometabolic indicators or metabolic syndrome risk score were observed for boys. Findings suggest that strategies to improve adolescent snack nutritional quality and energy density may enhance overall diet quality. However, limited associations were observed between snack characteristics and cardiometabolic risk indicators among girls only. Prospective studies are needed to further investigate the relationship between snack characteristics and adolescent health outcomes.

The family Kogiidae, comprising the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) and the dwarf sperm whale (K. sima), represents some of the least-known cetaceans worldwide. Their small size, deep-diving behaviour, and elusive surface activity result in very few live sightings, particularly in the North Atlantic Ocean. Here, we report two significant observations from the Azores in July 2025: a group of six K. breviceps, the largest reported group size of this species, and a confirmed sighting of K. sima off Pico Island – representing only the sixth record for the archipelago. Photographic evidence and expert validation confirmed the identification of K. sima based on body proportions. We also review records of both species, including other live encounters and strandings, across the Macaronesian archipelagos (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde). Together, our observations and synthesis document an exceptional group size for K. breviceps, emphasise the rarity of K. sima in the region, and highlight the value of whale-watching platforms and citizen science for monitoring elusive cetaceans.

This research paper describes the effect of fermented substrates comprised of dairy by-products and underutilised cereals on murine faecal enzymes and faecal microbial profiles, and the development of the fermented substrate into a sour-spicy beverage for human consumption. A fermented substrate was made by using dairy by-products and underutilised cereals, whey and skim milk blend (60:40, v/v), germinated pearl millet flour and barley malt extract. The substrate was fermented with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC 13. The growth pattern of the organism in the composite substrate was satisfactorily described by a logistic-type equation. Faecal samples were obtained from 18 Swiss albino male mice that had been fed on either a control diet (n = 6), a diet based on an unfermented substrate, and a diet based on a fermented substrate (six in each group) and analysed. The fermented substrate caused a significant (P < 0.05) increment in faecal lactobacilli with a concomitant reduction in faecal coliform counts. Further, the fermented substrate caused a significant (P < 0.05) and sustainable decline in faecal enzyme β-glucuronidase activity in the mouse model, which is commonly considered a marker of colon cancer. The reductions in the numbers of coliform bacteria in faeces might explain the decline in faecal enzyme activity. Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme produced by faecal bacteria that converts procarcinogens to potential carcinogens from available substrates. Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli generally have lower activities of these harmful enzymes, whereas β-glucuronidase is produced in high amounts by enterobacteria and clostridia spp. The fermented substrate was developed into a sour and spicy beverage for human consumption. The average TS, fat, protein, ash, starch and fibre contents of the beverage were 11%, 0.3%, 2%, 0.61%, 1% and 1.4%, respectively. The sensory score with an overall acceptability of 7.5, revealed that the product was sensory acceptable.

The medicinal significance of Phlomis olivieri Benth. and the unknown diversity among its distinct populations prompted the investigation. The primary objective of the study was to analyse the components of essential oils (EOs) derived from the above-ground parts of 10 wild populations of P. olivieri Benth. (Lamiaceae) originating from different regions of the Iranian plateau. The EOs were subjected to analysis using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In total, 20 compounds were identified in the oils, with a relatively high content variation. The major components of the EO were (E)-caryophyllene (2.51–54.48%), germacrene D (6.25–53.51%), spathulenol (4.38–23.41%), bicyclogermacrene (3.97–16.41%), α-pinene (0.07–11.32%), caryophyllene oxide (0.28–9.57%) and germacrene B (2.21–9.13%). To assess chemical variability, the EO components were categorized using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), which revealed two main clusters. HCA of the EO data revealed two main clusters, and principal component analysis corroborated this grouping. Identifying compounds such as isospathulenol, (2E)-2-dodecen-1-ol and undecanal in this species for the first time adds to its chemical profile. Furthermore, the discovery of a substantial presence of (E)-caryophyllene and germacrene D in select populations underscores the high chemical diversity among these populations.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disorder characterised by insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and increased adipose tissue. The very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet has been suggested to reduce obesity risks in polycystic ovary syndrome. This study aimed to update the evidence on the effects of the very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Searches were conducted in electronic databases for randomised clinical trials addressing the research question. The values for the meta-analysis were presented as weighted mean difference (WMD). Twelve studies were included in the qualitative analysis and eleven in the quantitative analysis. Significant reductions were observed in anthropometric outcomes: weight (WMD: −9·57 kg; P < 0·0001), waist circumference (WMD: −7·75 cm; P < 0·0009), fat body mass (WMD: −7·44 kg; P = 0·0008), BMI (WMD: −3·45 kg/m2; P < 0·0001) and waist-to-hip ratio (WMD: −0·02; P < 0·0034). Hormonal improvements included free testosterone (WMD: −0·31 ng/dl; P < 0·0001), total testosterone (WMD: −7·21 ng/dl; P < 0·0001), sex hormone-binding globulin (WMD: 15·22 nmol/l; P = 0·0035), luteinising hormone (WMD: −3·97 U/L; P = 0·0008) and luteinising hormone:follicle-stimulating hormone ratio (WMD: −1·04; P = 0·0053), but not for follicle-stimulating hormone levels (WMD: 1·23 mUI/ml; P = 0·12). Significant changes in metabolic markers were seen in blood glucose (WMD: −9·65 mg/dl; P = 0·0031), insulin (WMD: −2·41 mg/dl; P = 0·0387), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (WMD: −2·46; P = 0·0123) and TAG (WMD: −29·95 mg/dl; P = 0·0188). The very low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet shows significant benefits in managing body composition, reducing hyperandrogenism, balancing sex hormones and improving glucose metabolism in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Haskap, Lonicera caerulea Linnaeus (Caprifoliceae), is an emerging crop in Nova Scotia, Canada, that relies on cross-pollination for fruit production. In 2016 and 2017, we assessed the activity of honey bees, Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), in haskap orchards and compared this with native bumble bees, Bombus spp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), while also documenting the early season wild bee community and potential of nesting boxes to support cavity-nesting bees. We found that haskap orchards in southern Nova Scotia support a diverse pollinator community. Andrena (Hymenoptera: Adrenidae) spp., A. mellifera, Bombus spp., and Lasioglossum spp. (Hymenoptera: Halictidae) comprised more than 75% of individuals captured in pan traps, but only A. mellifera and Bombus spp. were frequently observed on haskap blossoms. Honey bees and bumble bees deposited equal amounts of pollen on haskap stigmas, but bumble bees visited threefold more flowers per minute and visited both flowers of the haskap inflorescence more than twice as often as honey bees. Uptake of cavity-nesting bees into nesting boxes was relatively poor, and as many parasites (mostly Sapygidae) were collected from nesting boxes as bees. These results suggest honey bees and bumble bees are the best pollinators for haskap production in Nova Scotia.