Previous studies highlighted the health benefits of coffee and tea, but they only focused on the comparisons between different consumptions. Consequently, the association estimate lacked a clear interpretation, as the substitution of beverages and distribution of doses were not explicitly prescribed. We focused on the ‘relative association’ to ascertain the optimal consumption strategy (including total intake and optimal allocation strategy) for coffee, tea and plain water associated with decreased mortality. Self-reported coffee, tea and plain water intake were used from the UK Biobank. Within a compositional data analysis framework, a multivariate Cox model was used to assess the relative associations after adjusting for a range of potential confounders. The lower mortality risk was observed with at least approximately 7–8 drinks/d of total consumption. When the total intake > 4 drinks/d, substituting plain water with coffee or tea was linked to reduced mortality; nevertheless, the benefit was not seen for ≤ 4 drinks/d. Besides, a balanced consumption of coffee and tea (roughly a ratio of 2:3) associated with the lowest hazard ratios of 0·55 (95 % CI 0·47, 0·64) for all-cause mortality, 0·59 (95 % CI 0·48, 0·72) for cancer mortality, 0·69 (95 % CI 0·49, 0·99) for CVD mortality, 0·28 (95 % CI 0·15, 0·52) for respiratory disease mortality and 0·35 (95 % CI 0·15, 0·82) for digestive disease mortality than other combinations. These results highlight the importance of the rational combination of coffee, tea and plain water, with particular emphasis on ensuring adequate total intake, offering more comprehensive and explicit guidance for individuals.

Personalised nutrition aims to deliver targeted advice to promote dietary behaviours that are beneficial to health based on individual characteristics. Given the financial implications (for providers and participants) of characterising, developing, implementing, communicating and supporting individual behaviour change there remains potential for personalised nutrition to widen health inequalities within populations. Some commentators promote a universal approach to achieve wider population-level benefit. Universal approaches attempt to provide a whole systems perspective with individual outcomes, potentially smaller in scale, impacting at the population level. In the UK the national food-based guidance, the Eatwell Guide, is used to communicate advice on diet consistent with UK government dietary recommendations based on robust, independent assessment of the best available evidence by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Effort was taken in ensuring all UK government recommendations in 2016 (when the UK’s national food-based guidance was last reviewed following changes in dietary recommendations on carbohydrates and sugars) could be achieved at a population level based on available and recognised foods. There is evidence that moving towards a diet consistent with national food-based guidelines has positive benefits for health and the environment. There is debate about the cost of a healthy diet and the impact of including elements of sustainability elements. This commentary considers how developments in healthy eating indices may be beneficial as a universal approach could provide opportunities to support individuals move towards healthier diets. It also raises questions about the evidence requirements and timing of any future amendments to the UK’s Eatwell Guide.

Few studies have examined the effects of early-life nutrition interventions on adolescent physical activity (PA). We aimed to examine the long-term effects of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) on adolescent PA and sedentary behaviour (SB) and to describe current adolescent PA and SB levels in this cohort. In the International Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS)-DYAD-Ghana trial, 1320 mothers were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) daily iron and folic acid during pregnancy and placebo (calcium) from birth to 6 months postpartum (IFA), (2) multiple micronutrient supplements during pregnancy to 6 months postpartum (MMN) or (3) SQ-LNS during pregnancy to 6 months postpartum (LNS). Infants from mothers in the LNS group received SQ-LNS designed for children from 6 to 18 months. We recruited 11–13-year-old adolescents of mothers enrolled in the iLiNS-DYAD-G trial for a 7-d PA and SB assessment using accelerometers (n 305) and self-reported PA and SB (n 508). We compared the LNS with non-LNS (IFA+MMN) groups using ANCOVA models for the following outcomes: mean vector magnitude counts per minute, PAQ-C score and percentage of time in SB, light PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). There were no significant differences between the LNS and non-LNS groups in any PA outcome in minimally or fully adjusted models. Only approximately 50 % of adolescents met the PA recommendation of 60 min/d MVPA, with males more active than females; however, there is room for improvement. SQ-LNS in early life does not appear to have a sustained impact on PA or SB.

We aimed to investigate the association between plasma advanced glycation end products (AGE) level and fat, skeletal muscle-related body composition parameters in middle-aged and elderly Chinese participants. A total of 1139 participants aged over 40 years were included in a cross-sectional study. Body composition including BMI, waist:hip ratio (WHR), fat mass index (FMI), percentage of body fat (PBF), the ratio of trunk fat to legs fat (trunk fat/legs fat), fat free mass (FFM), fat free mass index (FFMI) and skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyser. Plasma free and combined AGE were measured by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem MS. Multiple linear regression and weighted quantile sum regression models were used to examine the association between AGE and body composition parameters. Total exposure of plasma advanced glycation end products (AGE) was positively associated with BMI (β (95 % CI): 0·381 (0·037, 0·724), P = 0·030), FMI (β (95 % CI): 0·521 (0·241, 0·800), P = 0·001), PBF (β (95 % CI): 1·996 (1·160, 2·832), P < 0·0001), trunk fat/legs fat (β (95 % CI): 0·058 (0·036, 0·080), P < 0·001); while it was negatively associated with FFM (β (95 % CI): −1·075 (–2·028, –0·122), P = 0·027), FFMI (β (95 % CI): −0·687 (–1·076, –0·297), P = 0·001) and SMI (β (95 % CI): −1·264 (–1·767, –0·761), P < 0·001). The associations between plasma AGE and FFM and FFMI were more pronounced in those aged less than 61 years and female participants. This study provides evidence on the associations between plasma AGE and fat and skeletal muscle parameters, suggesting their potential role in the development of obesity and skeletal muscle loss.

The study aimed to develop and validate a food literacy tool for Tanzanian adults. The Tanzanian nutrition, food and health promotion experts evaluated the initial twenty-three-question food literacy tool for its relevance to the context, where its content validity was determined. The construct validity involved the analysis of food literacy information collected in a cross-sectional study involving 709 adults (484 females and 225 males) sampled from rural and urban Tanzania. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to explore the underlying factor structure and identify the number of latent constructs. A confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modelling verified the measurement model and confirmed the theoretical model’s validity and reliability. The descriptive statistics summarised the essential characteristics of the study sample. The final tool remained with fourteen questions after removing questions with low factor loadings < 0·5 and higher uniqueness above 0·60. The model achieved construct validity through convergent and discriminant validity and construct reliability through the composite reliability exceeding 0·60 and a Cronbach’s α value of 0·83 and above. The fourteen-question food literacy tool has been reviewed and evaluated by experts in food, nutrition and public health; therefore, it is a valid measure of food literacy among adults in Tanzania. It is suitable for designing nutrition education programmes and ensures accurate and reliable measurements for effective interventions and policy actions.

Plant-based diets may improve mental health among older adults by alleviating depression and improving life satisfaction. This study aimed to explore the associations between plant-based dietary pattern trajectories (PDPT), depression and life satisfaction in Chinese older adults. Data of participants from the 2008–2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey were analysed. We utilised group-based trajectory modelling to identify the PDPT. Logistic and linear regression models were used to analyse the associations between PDPT, depression and life satisfaction. In total, 1835 participants were divided into three groups based on plant-based dietary index (PDI), healthy plant-based dietary index (HPDI) or unhealthy plant-based dietary index (UPDI) trajectories, respectively, and the PDPT were maintained at stable levels. PDI trajectory was not significantly associated with depression or life satisfaction. HPDI trajectory had no significant association with depression. However, compared with low HPDI trajectory, participants in the high (β = 0·185, 95 % CI: 0·032, 0·337) HPDI trajectories had higher life satisfaction. Compared with the low UPDI trajectory, participants in the high UPDI trajectory groups were associated with a higher risk of depression (OR = 1·793, 95 % CI: 1·124, 2·861). Further, the medium (β = −0·145, 95 % CI: −0·273, −0·018) and high (β = −0·335, 95 % CI: −0·478, −0·191) UPDI trajectory were associated with poor life satisfaction. Dietary interventions should be prioritised to address the persistent unhealthy dietary habits among Chinese older adults, with particular emphasis on reducing UPDI to enhance mental health by promoting intake of healthy plant-based and animal-based foods while avoiding unhealthy plant-based foods.

This review examines the relationship between diet and functional dyspepsia (FD), a prevalent disorder of gut–brain interaction affecting 8% of the global population and characterised by postprandial fullness, early satiety and epigastric pain or burning. Despite 40–70% of FD patients reporting symptom onset within minutes of eating, standardised dietary recommendations remain limited. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying food-related symptoms in FD involve complex interactions between altered gastric accommodation and emptying, visceral hypersensitivity, duodenal immune activation and small intestinal microbial dysbiosis. Current evidence most strongly supports dietary lipids as potent triggers of dyspeptic symptoms, likely mediated through cholecystokinin pathways and heightened visceral sensitivity. Additionally, emerging research indicates potential benefits of fermentable carbohydrate restriction, with the low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet showing promise particularly for patients with postprandial distress syndrome. Other dietary factors such as alcohol, coffee, food chemicals, bioactive compounds and meal patterns may also influence FD symptoms though current evidence remains insufficient to inform clinical practice. While existing evidence provides a foundation for understanding diet–symptom relationships in FD, significant gaps remain in translating mechanistic insights into personalised dietary recommendations. Future research should focus on developing evidence-based dietary strategies tailored to FD subtypes, ensuring nutritional adequacy while addressing the complex interplay between nutrient sensing, duodenal immune activation and gut microbiota in symptom generation.

The purpose of this study was to confirm reduced training metrics previously associated with a ketogenic low-carbohydrate (CHO) high-fat diet (LCHF) and investigate their attenuation with caffeine supplementation. At baseline, n 21 elite race-walkers followed a high CHO availability (HCHO) diet and performed a tempo hill session (14 km with a 450 m elevation gain). Athletes were then assigned to either the HCHO or LCHF in a parallel groups design for 3 weeks, where the 14 km tempo hill session was repeated each week. On weeks 2 and 3, in a randomised crossover allocation, all participants received 3 mg/kg caffeine or placebo (gum), 20 min before the session. Race-walking speed, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, blood metabolites and Stroop word-colour test metrics were collected. Although LCHF athletes walked faster at baseline compared with HCHO (P = 0·049), the HCHO group improved by week 2 (P = 0·009) and week 3 (P = 0·007), whereas the LCHF group was significantly slower in Week 1 (P < 0·001) and Week 2 (P = 0·026) compared with baseline. During the 14 km hill session, within-group analysis shows that athletes walked significantly faster (P = 0·010) and at a higher percentage of vVO2max (P = 0·007) when using caffeine compared with a placebo. Between-group differences remained present, with HCHO athletes walking at a higher percentage of vVO2max than those adhering to the LCHF diet (P = 0·035). No interaction between supplement treatment and dietary group occurred (P = 0·640). Caffeine supplementation partially reversed the performance impairment associated with an LCHF diet, but training quality remained lower than the combination of caffeine and high CHO availability.

This study examined the associations between cold and hot food and beverage consumption and various health outcomes among Asians and Whites in the USA. Data were drawn from 212 Asian and 203 White adults (aged 18–65 years) in the Healthy Ageing Survey. Participants reported their frequency of cold and hot drink and meal intake, along with symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia and gastrointestinal issues (e.g. gas, abdominal fullness). Multivariable analyses adjusted for confounders were used to assess these associations. Among Asians, higher cold consumption in summer was associated with increased anxiety (β = 0·24, 95 % CI: 0·05, 0·44) and abdominal fullness (β = 0·05, 95 % CI: 0·01, 0·86). In contrast, among Whites, higher winter hot drink intake was linked to lower insomnia (β = –0·23, 95 % CI: –0·42, –0·04) and gas symptoms (β = –0·05, 95 % CI: –0·09, –0·01). Tertile analyses showed that, compared with tertile 1, Asians in the highest tertile of summer cold drink intake had higher insomnia scores (β = 1·26, 95 % CI: 0·19, 2·33), while Whites in the highest tertile of winter hot drink intake had lower depression scores (β = –1·73, 95 % CI: –3·28, –0·18). These associations were stronger among individuals with cold hands but not observed in those without. Findings suggest that the temperature of foods and beverages may influence mental and gut health, underscoring the need to consider temperature-related dietary habits in public health and nutrition strategies, particularly across diverse populations.