This is an overview of interesting nutrition research published from Friday, March 18th, to Friday, March 25th, 2016.
Research Reviews
This week, we reviewed two articles: one from the International Journal of Obesityand the other from the Nutrition Journal.
Review: Gluten Increased Weight Gain in Mice.
Summary: This was a controlled experiment examining the effects of a gluten-rich diet on weight gain in mice.
The study showed that feeding the mice with high amounts of gluten caused them to gain more weight, compared to a gluten-free diet. Whether gluten has similar effects in humans is unknown.
Review: Matured Hop Extract May Reduce Belly Fat.
Summary: This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of supplementing with matured hop extract on body weight and belly fat.
The study found that matured hop extract caused a slight loss of belly fat, compared with a placebo.
New Research From Around the World
Lots of new papers came to our attention this week. Here are summaries of the most interesting or relevant studies, categorized by subject.
- Obesity and Weight Loss
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Blood Sugar Control and Diabetes
- Heart Health
- Cancer
- Brain and Mental Health
- Liver Health
- Kidney and Urinary Health
- Muscles and Physical Performance
- Women’s Health
- Vitamins, Minerals and Other Nutrients
1. Obesity and Weight Loss
Administration of Antibiotics to Children Before Age 2 Years Increases Risk for Childhood Obesity.
For decades, antibiotics have been used to promote weight gain in livestock. It is unclear if they have a similar effect in humans.
This observational study in children showed that three or more courses of antibiotics before the age of two were linked with an increased risk of obesity at age four.
Antibiotic Exposure During the First 6 Months of Life and Weight Gain During Childhood.
Previous animal experiments show that exposure to antibiotics early in life promotes weight gain through its effects on the gut microbiota. Observational studies in humans have provided inconsistent results.
This observational study suggests that taking antibiotics during the first six months of life does not predispose children to weight gain up to age seven.
School breakfast and body mass index: a longitudinal observational study of middle school students.
This observational study in children showed that eating breakfast at school was linked with a lower risk of obesity. The same applied to children who had two breakfasts each weekday.
2. Metabolic Syndrome
The Intestinal Immune System in Obesity and Insulin Resistance.
Growing evidence indicates that the gut microbiota and the intestinal immune system may be involved in the development of metabolic disease, obesity and insulin resistance.
This review discusses the possible links between intestinal immunity, obesity-related insulin resistance and metabolic disease.
3. Blood Sugar Control and Diabetes
This observational study found that adhering to the DASH diet or the Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.
This randomized controlled trial showed that eating whole rye kernel bread late in the evening improved blood sugar control at the following breakfast, compared to eating bread made of white wheat flour.
What’s more, eating whole rye kernel bread reduced subjective appetite ratings, suggesting that it may be useful for those trying to lose weight.
This observational study suggests that eating lots of low-fat and fermented dairy products improves blood sugar metabolism.
Additionally, high total dairy intake was linked with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes, whereas high intake of full-fat dairy was linked with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
This randomized controlled trial in people with type 2 diabetes showed that supplementing with multi-strain probiotics for three months modestly improved fasting insulin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a marker of blood sugar control.
4. Heart Health
Greater flavonoid intake is associated with improved CVD risk factors in US adults.
Flavonoids are a large group of antioxidants found in virtually all plant-derived foods, especially fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains.
This observational study suggests that a high intake of flavonoid-rich foods improves heart disease risk factors in US adults. These associations were moderate in strength.
5. Cancer
Observational and experimental studies suggest that diets high in red or processed meat are linked with an increased risk of colon cancer.
This scientific review discusses the potential mechanisms underlying these associations.
6. Brain and Mental Health
This observational study suggests that drinking a lot sugar-sweetened soft drinks may worsen mental performance in people with type 2 diabetes.
Higher dietary diversity is related to better visual and auditory sustained attention.
This observational study in Iranian women indicates that eating lots of different foods, or a high Dietary Diversity Score (according to FAO), is linked with better attention.
7. Liver Health
This observational study in Japanese adults suggests that high circulating levels of pro-vitamin A carotenoids may help prevent the early development of non-alcoholic liver disease.
This observational study in Chinese adults suggests that high circulating levels of vitamin D may protect against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
8. Kidney and Urinary Health
This randomized controlled trial in patients with diabetic kidney disease showed that supplementing with vitamin E, 1200 IU/day for 3 months, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation, and had positive effects on markers of kidney injury.
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a measure of how much blood is flowing through the kidneys’ filtering system. It is often used to estimate how well the kidneys are working.
This observational study found that drinking coffee was linked to a slightly elevated GFR. However, the study’s authors concluded that moderate coffee consumption is unlikely to be a concern for kidney health.
9. Muscles and Physical Performance
Mate tea is a beverage made by steeping yerba mate leaves in water. Yerba mate is a South American plant that is rich in caffeine and antioxidants.
This small, randomized, crossover trial found that drinking mate tea sped up strength recovery after eccentric strength training. It also increased the amount of antioxidants in the bloodstream.
10. Women’s Health
Dietary supplements for pain during menstruation.
This Cochrane review discusses the effectiveness of supplements for treating period pain. Most of the available studies come from Iran, where researchers have examined a variety of herbal medicines and non-herbal supplements.
Limited evidence suggests that fenugreek, ginger, valerian, zataria, zinc sulfate, fish oil and vitamin B1 may reduce period pain. None of the evidence is strong and most of the studies are small and low-quality.
11. Vitamins, Minerals and Other Nutrients
Beta-palmitate – a natural component of human milk in supplemental milk formulas.
This review discusses the health benefits of beta-palmitate in breast milk, and its importance as a constituent of supplemental milk formulas for infants.
Beta-palmitate is a type of fat that may have benefits for fatty acid metabolism, calcium absorption, bone mineral density and stool consistency. Additionally, it promotes the development of a healthy gut microbiota.
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