Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), defined using frameworks such as NOVA, are increasingly linked to adverse health outcomes, driving interest in ways to identify and monitor their consumption. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential, yet it’s application in classifying UPFs remains underexamined. To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review mapping how AI has been used, focusing on techniques, input data, classification frameworks, accuracy, and application. Studies were eligible if peer-reviewed, published in English (2015–2025), and they applied AI approaches to assess or classify UPFs using recognised or study-specific frameworks. A systematic search in May 2025 across PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and CINAHL identified 954 unique records with eight ultimately meeting the inclusion criteria; one additional study was added in October following an updated search after peer review. Records were independently screened and extracted by two reviewers. Extracted data covered AI methods, input types, frameworks, outputs, validation, and context. Studies used diverse techniques, including random forest classifiers, large language models, and rule-based systems, applied across various contexts. Four studies explored practical settings: two assessed consumption or purchasing behaviours, and two developed substitution tools for healthier options. All relied on NOVA or modified versions to categorise processing. Several studies reported predictive accuracy, with F1 scores from 0.86 to 0.98, while another showed alignment between clusters and NOVA categories. Findings highlight the potential of AI tools to improve dietary monitoring and the need for further development of real-time methods and validation to support public health.

Collagen supplementation (CS) has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach with potential benefits for managing metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related risk factors. This narrative review integrates human evidence with preclinical mechanistic insights into the metabolic actions of collagen. Anti-obesity effects are attributed to increased satiety, gastric distension, GLP-1 secretion, and enhanced fatty acid oxidation mediated by PPAR-α activation and AMPK signalling. In type 2 diabetes, collagen improves glucose homeostasis by enhancing insulin sensitivity, upregulating GLUT-4, and inhibiting DPP-IV, thereby prolonging incretin activity (GLP-1, GIP) and supporting β-cell function. The antihypertensive effect of collagen peptides (CP) is primarily linked to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, which reduces angiotensin II levels while promoting bradykinin-mediated vasodilation and nitric oxide release. Additionally, CP has shown potential in improving lipid profiles by modulating PPAR-γ and AMPK, increasing HDL-C and reducing LDL-C and triglycerides. Emerging evidence also supports a role for collagen in restoring gut microbiota balance, increasing short-chain fatty acid production, and reducing pro-inflammatory and oxidative pathways, contributing to systemic metabolic regulation. Overall, these findings suggest CS exerts multi-targeted benefits on MetS components through modulation of endocrine, inflammatory, and metabolic pathways. Nevertheless, larger, long-term clinical trials are warranted to determine optimal dosing regimens, evaluate long-term efficacy, and further elucidate microbiota-mediated effects.

Individuals with severe mental illness face a significantly reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. Addressing key modifiable risk factors is essential to reduce these alarming rates of mortality in this population. Nutritional psychiatry has emerged as an important field of research, highlighting the important role of nutrition on mental health outcomes. However, individuals with severe mental illness often encounter barriers to healthy eating, including poor diet quality, medication-related side effects such as increased appetite and weight gain, food insecurity, and limited autonomy over food choices.

While nutrition interventions play a key role in improving health outcomes and should be a standard part of care, their implementation remains challenging. Digital technology presents a promising alternative support model, with the potential to address many of the structural and attitudinal barriers experienced by this population. Nonetheless, issues such as digital exclusion and low digital literacy persist. Integrating public and patient involvement, along with behavioural science frameworks, into the design and delivery of digital nutrition interventions can improve their relevance, acceptability, and impact. This review discusses the current and potential role of digital nutrition interventions for individuals with severe mental illness, examining insights, challenges, and future directions to inform research and practice.

Sarcopenia, the age-related decline in muscle mass and strength, is a contributor to frailty and reduced quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests an emerging role of the gut microbiome in modulating skeletal muscle through microbial species and metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), potentially influencing inflammation, nutrient absorption, and glucose and protein metabolism. This review considers the potential of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics as interventions to mitigate sarcopenia based on animal and human studies, while providing a critique of present barriers that need to be addressed. Preclinical models, including germ-free mice and faecal microbiota transplantation, demonstrate that gut microbiota from healthy or young donors may enhance overall muscle health via reductions in inflammatory and muscle atrophy markers. Limited human studies show that probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium could improve branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) bioavailability and potentially sarcopenia indices, although findings have been inconsistent. Particularly, challenges including inconsistent microbial assessments, lack of dietary control and interindividual variability due to diet, age, genetics, comorbidities and medications may hinder progress in this field. Delivery methods (e.g. capsules, fermented foods or fortified products) could further complicate efficacy through probiotic stability and dietary restrictions in older adults. Standardised protocols [e.g. Strengthening The Organisation and Reporting of Microbiome Studies (STORMS) checklist] and multi-omics approaches may be critical to address these limitations and identify microbial signatures linked to sarcopenia outcomes. While preclinical evidence highlights mechanistic pathways pertinent to amino acid metabolism, translating findings to humans requires rigorous experimental trials.

There is substantial international variation in recommended vitamin C intake levels. In the United States, the recommendation is 90 mg/day for men and 75 mg/day for women, while in the United Kingdom (UK), the current recommendation – established in 1991 – is only 40 mg/day for adults. This UK level was based on the 1953 Sheffield study, which found that 10 mg/day prevents scurvy, with 40 mg/day chosen as the recommended level for yielding somewhat higher plasma levels. In this commentary, we argue that the UK recommendation overlooked key evidence available at the time. Specifically, at least six controlled trials published before 1991 reported benefits from vitamin C supplementation in participants whose baseline vitamin C intake was already 40 mg/day or higher. One randomized controlled trial, published in 1993, found benefits from vitamin C supplementation even at a baseline intake of about 500 mg/day; however, this trial involved ultramarathon runners, and the findings should not be broadly generalised. Nonetheless, such results challenge the assumption that 40 mg/day is universally adequate to maintain full health. We also highlight that the UK recommendations were narrowly focused on preventing dermatological symptoms of scurvy, despite strong evidence – even at the time – that vitamin C deficiency can also cause cardiac dysfunction and greater morbidity due to respiratory infections. We conclude that the current UK vitamin C recommendation should be re-evaluated in light of controlled trial evidence and broader clinical outcomes.

Although many online-based dietary surveys have been developed in recent years, systems that easily survey the dietary balance based on the Japanese diet are insufficient. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between dietary balance scores from an online survey system based on the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top, and nutrient/food intake calculated using the weighing method from dietary records (DRs), as well as to assess the system’s utility and applicability. An online dietary balance survey and semi-weighted DR assessment with food photographs were conducted in Japanese participants (n = 34). Registered dietitians entered the balance scores into the system based on the participants’ food photographs, and the scores were calculated using the system. Significant positive correlations (p < 0.001) were found between the online dietary balance scores and nutrient/food intake from DRs; especially for ‘grain dishes’ and carbohydrates (r = 0.704); ‘vegetable dishes’ and the vegetable dish group (sum of potatoes, vegetables, mushrooms, and algae) (r = 0.774); ‘main dishes’ and protein (r = 0.661); ‘milk’ and the milk and milk products group (r = 0.744); and ‘fruits’ and the fruits group (r = 0.748). Bland–Altman analysis showed that the dietary balance scores obtained by this system tended to underestimate the intake compared with the weighing method. Although there are limitations to the accurate estimation of nutrient and food intake, the online dietary balance scores obtained from the online dietary balance survey system were useful for understanding the dietary balance in the Japanese diet.

Kids SIPsmartER is a school-based behavioural intervention for rural Appalachia middle school students with an integrated two-way short message service (SMS) strategy for caregivers. When tested in a cluster randomized controlled trial, the intervention led to significant improvements in sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among students and caregivers. This study explores changes in secondary caregiver outcomes, including changes in caregiver SSB-related theory of planned behaviour constructs (affective attitudes, instrumental attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and intentions), parenting practices, and the home environment. Participants included 220 caregivers (93% female, 88% White, 95% non-Hispanic, mean age 40.6) in Virginia and West Virginia at baseline and 7 months post-intervention. Relative to control caregivers (n = 102), intervention caregivers (n = 118) showed statistically significant improvements in instrumental attitudes (Coef.= 0.53, 95% CI [0.04, 1.01], p = 0.033), behavioural intentions (Coef.=0.46, 95% CI [0.05, 0.88], p = 0.027), parenting practices (Coef. = 0.22, 95% CI [0.11, 0.33], p < 0.001), and total home SSB availability (Coef. = –0.25, 95% CI [–0.39, –0.11], p < 0.001), with specific improvements for sweetened juice drinks (Coef. = –0.18, 95% CI [–0.35, –0.01], p = 0.043) and regular soda/soft drinks (Coef. = –0.31, 95% CI [–0.55, –0.07], p = 0.010). In contrast, there were no significant between group changes for affective attitudes, subjective norms, or perceived behavioural control. Our findings highlight future research areas and fill gaps in intervention literature. This study is among the few to develop and evaluate a scalable, theory-based caregiver SMS component in a rural, school-based intervention. Combined with evidence that Kids SIPsmartER improved SSB behaviours, our results emphasize the potential of theory-guided SMS interventions to impact SSB-related outcomes.

Trial registration: Clincialtrials.gov: NCT03740113.

Despite the multiple advantages of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (calcifediol or 25(OH)D) compared to cholecalciferol, it is used sparingly. This study was planned to assess the safety and efficacy of supplementing daily 25 µg of calcifediol capsules vis-a-vis 100 µg (4000 IU) of cholecalciferol sachets in apparently healthy individuals with vitamin D deficiency in Chandigarh, India (latitude 30.7° North, 76.8° East). It was a prospective, interventional study to evaluate the effects of calcifediol vis-a-vis cholecalciferol. Following initial screening of 70 subjects in each group, 62 were included in the calcifediol and 41 in the cholecalciferol group. Forty-six from calcifediol and 37 from cholecalciferol group completed the 6-month follow up. There was a significant increase in serum 25(OH)D (355% in cholecalciferol & 574% in calcifediol groups, respectively, p < 0.001) and 1,25 (OH)2D (p < 0.001) with a marked decrease in iPTH (p < 0.001) and ALP (p = 0.016) in both groups. Though serum ALP decreased significantly more in the calcifediol group than the cholecalciferol group, no appreciable difference in other biochemical parameters was noted between the groups. No episodes of hypercalcaemia or incidence of new renal stone disease were observed during follow-up. However, hypercalciuria (spot urine calcium creatinine > 0.2 mg/mg) was noted in 8/46 individuals in the calcifediol group and 5/37 individuals in the cholecalciferol group at final visit with no significant difference between two groups. This study establishes the efficacy and safety of correcting vitamin D deficiency with daily 25 µg calcifediol capsules as an alternative to 4000 IU (100 µg) cholecalciferol sachets.

Maintaining appetite in older adults is important for preventing malnutrition. Previous studies have shown seasonal variations in dietary intake, suggesting that appetite itself may vary with the seasons. Nevertheless, few studies have directly examined seasonal changes in appetite in older adults, particularly those living alone, who are at higher risk of malnutrition. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to identify when appetite declines throughout the year in older adults living alone and with others. Of the 60 adults aged 65 and older who participated in the study, 57 completed the longitudinal study over four seasons. Appetite for each season was assessed using the Simple Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) and the visual analogue scale for hunger, satiety, and expectation of food intake. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. The living arrangements of the participants were determined based on whether they were living alone or with others. The stratified analysis revealed seasonal changes in SNAQ scores exclusively among individuals living alone (p = 0.029, effect size = 0.280), who exhibited diminished appetite during summer compared to winter (p = 0.026, 95% CI: 0.076–1.258). No seasonal variation in appetite or nutritional status was observed in those living with others (p > 0.05). These findings highlight the importance of an approach that considers living arrangement and seasonality to ensure that older people maintain adequate appetite status throughout the year.

Diet can affect health directly or by altering the gut microbiota; thus, there are strong interrelationships between the gut immune system, gut microbiota, and diet. This study examined the effects of ingesting AIN-93M purified diet on gut immune function and gut microbiota in DO11.10 mice, in which T cell–dependent and –independent IgA can be analysed separately. Ingestion of the purified diet for 2 weeks reduced both T cell–dependent and –independent secretory IgA in the faeces compared with non-purified diet, whereas the diet did not affect T cell–dependent and –independent serum IgA. Ingestion of the purified diet had no effect on systemic immune system splenocyte responses. Ingestion of the purified diet reduced intestinal tissue expression levels of BAFF and APRIL, cytokines involved in T cell–independent IgA production, and pIgR, which transports IgA into the intestinal lumen. Co-abundance group analysis of the intestinal microbiota was conducted based on correlations between changes in the abundance of bacterial genera, and the correlations between co-abundance groups and IgA were determined. The Allobaculum-dominated co-abundance group expanded following ingestion of the purified diet, accompanied by an inverse correlation with the decrease in faecal IgA, whereas the Lactobacillus-dominated co-abundance group shrank relative to the Allobaculum-dominated co-abundance group. These results suggest that T cell–independent IgA suppresses the expansion of some intestinal bacteria and that ingestion of the purified diet induces dysbiosis via impaired IgA secretion into the intestinal lumen.

The increasing focus on longevity and cellular health has brought into the spotlight two key compounds, urolithin A (UroA) and spermidine, for their promising roles in autophagy and mitophagy. Urolithin A, a natural metabolite derived from ellagitannins, stimulates mitophagy through pathways such as PTEN induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/ Parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (PRKN), leading to improved mitochondrial health and enhanced muscle function. On the other hand, spermidine, a polyamine found in various food sources, induces autophagy by regulating key signaling pathways such as 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and sirtuin 1, thus mitigating age-related cellular decline and promoting cardiovascular and cognitive health. While both UroA and spermidine target cellular maintenance, they affect overlapping as well as distinct signaling pathways. Thus, they do not have completely identical effects, although they overlap in many ways, and offer varying benefits in terms of metabolic function, oxidative stress reduction, and longevity. This review article aims to describe the mechanisms of action of UroA and spermidine not only on the maintenance of cellular health, which is mediated by the induction and maintenance of autophagy and mitophagy, but also on their potential clinical relevance. The analysis presented here suggests that although both compounds are safe and offer substantial health benefits and are involved in both autophagy and mitophagy, the role of UroA in mitophagy places it as a targeted intervention for mitochondrial health, whereas the broader influence of spermidine on autophagy and metabolic regulation may provide more comprehensive anti-aging effects.

Obesity and depression are highly prevalent diseases that are strongly correlated. At the same time, there is a growing gap in care, and treatment options should be improved and extended. Positive effects of a mediterranean diet on mental health have already been shown in various studies. Additionally to physiological effects of nutrients, the way how food is eaten, such as mindful eating, seems to play a role. The present study investigates the effect of a mediterranean diet and mindful eating on depression severity in people with clinically diagnosed major depressive disorder and obesity. Participants will be randomized to one of the four intervention groups (mediterranean diet, mindful eating, their combination and a befriending control group). The factorial design allows investigating individual effects as well as potential synergistic effects of the interventions. The study consists of a 12-week intervention period, where five individual appointments will take place, followed by a 12-week follow up. The primary outcome is depression severity. Secondary outcomes are remission of depression, assessor-rated depression severity, quality of life, self-efficacy, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio and body composition, also adherence to mediterranean diet and mindful eating will be assessed. Alongside, mediator and moderator analysis, a microbiome analysis, a qualitative evaluation and an economic analysis will be conducted. The study investigates an important health issue in a vulnerable target group. It allows to draw valuable conclusions regarding effectiveness of different interventions, and therefore contributes to improving available care options for people suffering from depression and obesity.

Previous studies have shown that low-fat diet (LFD) is associated with various health benefits, and that lipid and fatty acid metabolism are linked to telomere shortening. However, no epidemiological studies have examined the association between LFD and telomere length (TL). Dietary information was collected using 24-hour recalls among 6,981 adults from a nationwide cross-sectional study. Diet quality was assessed using overall LFD, healthful LFD (hLFD), and unhealthful LFD (uLFD). TL was measured using quantitative PCR. Linear regression was employed to evaluate the association between LFDs and log-transformed TL, and ordinal logistic regression was performed to assess the association of LFDs with ordinal quintiles of TL in descending order. In both fully adjusted linear and ordinal regression models, higher overall LFD [Tertile 3 vs. Tertile 1: percentage change = 2.48%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60%, 4.40%, Ptrend = 0.003; odds ratio (OR) = 0.79, 95% CI:0.68, 0.93; Ptrend = 0.001] and hLFD [Tertile 3 vs. Tertile 1: percentage change = 2.71%, 95% CI: 0.87%, 4.58%; Ptrend = 0.002; OR = 0.84, 95% CI:0.72, 0.97; Ptrend = 0.003] scores were significantly associated with longer TL. The positive association between hLFD and TL was observed in other racial/ethnic groups, but not in non-Hispanic whites (Pinteraction < 0.005). There was no significant association between uLFD and TL in all the models. Our results suggest that LFD rich in high-quality carbohydrates, unsaturated fat, and plant protein is associated with longer TL, and underscore the need to consider the quality and dietary sources of the macronutrients.

Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a well-known intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and plays an important role in the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, and valine). While previous study suggested that AKG enhances glucose metabolism, its effect on the adaptation of muscles and adipocytes has not been well studied in diabetic condition. This study aimed to determine whether AKG improves glucose metabolism in the skeletal muscles and adipose tissues in diabetic mice. Male institute of cancer research mice were divided into control, diabetic, and diabetic + AKG groups. Diabetes (DM) was induced by a high fat diet consumption and streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Mice in the DM + AKG group were administered 1% AKG in drinking water for 6 weeks. The non-fasting plasma glucose level was significantly higher in the diabetic group than that in the control and DM + AKG groups (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) protein levels in the muscles between the DM and DM + AKG groups. AKG supplementation attenuated the decrease in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 alpha and GLUT4 protein levels in inguinal and epididymal adipose tissues in diabetic condition. In conclusion, the study findings suggested that AKG supplementation increased protein levels related to mitochondrial biogenesis and glucose transporters in adipocyte tissue accompanied with improved whole-body glucose metabolism in STZ and high-fat diet-induced diabetic mice.

There is a gap in the understanding of meal patterns offered to students targeted by the National School Feeding Programme (PNAE). This study aimed to identify and analyse the menu patterns planned in schools participating in the PNAE. This observational cross-sectional study was carried out from a database consisting of 557 weekly menus from primary schools across Brazilian municipalities. We used factor analysis (FA) with principal components analysis (PCA) to identify menu patterns. Nutritional quality assessment of the menus was based on the Revised School Feeding Menu Quality Index (IQCAE-R). Differences in nutritional quality and associations with sociodemographic factors were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, followed by Wilcoxon post hoc testing with Bonferroni correction. Two menu patterns were identified: (1) ‘Traditional’, predominantly composed of cereals and pasta, roots and tubers, legumes, vegetables, and meats and eggs; and (2) ‘Snack’, with a higher occurrence of bread, cakes, and biscuits, milk and dairy products, chocolate powder, and coffee and tea. The ‘Traditional’ pattern, consisting of food items commonly found in Brazilian food culture, and the ‘Snack’ pattern, characterised by the presence of sweets and highly processed foods, showed significant relationships with sociodemographic variables and nutritional quality of menus. Stimulating schools to provide meals that resemble the ‘Traditional’ pattern may contribute to the adoption of healthier dietary patterns, thus benefiting and strengthening health promotion through PNAE.