Current Nutrition & Food Science - Online First

Obesity is linked to higher risks of metabolic diseases such as dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and it continues to be a significant global health concern. Dietary modification has become one of the management options that may be used to reduce weight and improve metabolic outcomes. The relative efficacy of various fat-modified dietary therapies is still unknown, though. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess how dietary changes affected the body weight and lipid profiles of obese people.

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Crossref, yielding 886 records. After screening, 48 full-text articles were assessed, with 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Randomized Controlled Trial Checklist. Data were synthesized narratively.

Most studies (19/23) reported significant weight loss, and 13 out of 17 studies demonstrated improvements in lipid parameters, particularly in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. High protein, low carbohydrate, high fat, low fat, and nut-enriched diets showed the most consistent metabolic benefits.

Dietary modifications in general have consistently shown benefits for weight reduction and metabolic profile improvement, including lipid parameters, although variations across intervention types highlight the need for more standardized protocols.

Based on the 23 selected studies, dietary modification interventions, particularly those rich in protein and unsaturated fats, appear to be effective and potentially sustainable strategies for obesity management and metabolic improvement.

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) is the most common cause of drug-induced osteoporosis. The impact of PSAE on the GIOP remains uncertain. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the protective effects of PSAE against osteoporosis induced by dexamethasone in glucocorticoid-treated rats.

A total of 50 3-month-old female SD rats were randomly divided into blank, model, low-dose PSAE, high-dose PSAE, and PSAE control groups. Serum phosphorus, calcium, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), and Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) activities were measured by a detection kit, respectively. The femoral bone density, microstructure, tissue pathology, and biomechanical properties changes were measured by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry, Micro-computed tomography, HE staining, and Bone Compression Mechanics Experiment, respectively. Finally, the expression of OPG, RANKL, and RANK mRNA and protein in bone tissue was detected by qPCR and WB.

Compared with the model group, PSAE significantly increased the BMD value (20.5% in LPSAE and 12.1% in HPSAE), increased the maximal stress and maximal loading values of the bone tissues (44.3% in LPSAE), significantly decreased the expression of RANKL gene and protein (52.6%, 54.5% in LPSAE), differentially decreased the expression of RANK gene and protein, and simultaneously increased the expression of OPG protein.

The results indicate that PSAE improved osteoporosis pathology and bone microarchitecture, and suggest that it functions through the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway.

PSAE ameliorated dexamethasone-induced osteoporosis in rats, which may be related to the involvement of PSAE in regulating the homeostasis of bone metabolism and further inhibiting the role of osteoclast differentiation mediated by the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway.

Green tea, a minimally processed Camellia sinensis product, retains abundant polyphenols and catechins; this review synthesizes evidence on its bioactives and their applications in value-added functional food development.

A systematic search of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar identified 78 studies, of which 21 met the inclusion criteria and focused on randomized controlled trials. The review followed PRISMA guidelines, with protocol alignment to PROSPERO. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data using a standardized form, validated findings, and fully documented the process to ensure transparency, accuracy, and methodological credibility.

Green tea bioactives, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities across preclinical and clinical evidence. However, translational application in functional foods and nutraceuticals remains constrained by physicochemical instability, poor bioavailability, sensory limitations (notably bitterness), safety considerations, and regulatory challenges.

Green tea is rich in polyphenols, notably EGCG, plus L-theanine, caffeine, and organic acids, conferring antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, and anticancer effects relevant to functional foods. Wider application is limited by catechin instability, poor bioavailability, bitterness, safety, and regulation. Current research targets improved processing, encapsulation-based delivery systems, and synergistic bioactive formulations to enhance stability, efficacy, sensory acceptance, and translational potential.

Green tea offers strong functional food potential due to its antioxidant-driven anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, but challenges like low bioavailability and inconsistent trial results persist. Evidence suggests benefits for chronic disease and weight management, yet large, well-controlled trials—especially in non-Asian populations—are still needed.

Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, including in Indonesia. Vitamin D deficiency is frequently observed among breast cancer patients. Recent evidence has revealed the potential role of vitamin D in regulating tumor cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased cancer risk and poorer clinical outcomes in breast cancer. This study aims to determine the frequency and prognostic significance of vitamin D deficiency in Indonesian women with breast cancer.

A prospective study was conducted involving 123 women diagnosed with primary, nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured at diagnosis, prior to any treatment, using the Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) method. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum levels below 20 ng/mL.

The median serum vitamin D level was 19.9 ng/mL (range: 5.7–35.1). Vitamin D deficiency was identified in 65 patients (52.8%). It was significantly associated with higher tumor grade (p = 0.037), lymph node involvement (p = 0.012), larger tumor size (p = 0.041), more advanced clinical stage (p = 0.049), and positive expression of estrogen receptor (ER) (p = 0.034) and HER2 (p = 0.014). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with vitamin D deficiency had a significantly shorter time to breast cancer recurrence (20.11 ± 0.91 months; p = 0.048). Multivariate Cox regression confirmed vitamin D deficiency as an independent predictor of shorter time to breast cancer recurrence (HR: 3.19; 95% CI: 1.178–8.660; p = 0.023).

These findings suggest that vitamin D deficiency may serve as a modifiable prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. Its association with aggressive tumor characteristics and shorter time to breast cancer recurrence highlight the potential value of assessing and correcting vitamin D status as part of breast cancer management, especially in Indonesian population.

Vitamin D deficiency is common among Indonesian women with breast cancer and independently associated with multiple poor prognostic indicators and shorter time to reccurence.

Motor and behavioral impairments associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The primary factors underlying the development of Parkinson's disease include mitochondrial impairment, increased oxidative stress, and the production of Lewy bodies due to protein misfolding. Antioxidants could help parkinsonism's symptoms get better and postpone neurodegeneration. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of curcumin, quercetin, and their combination in a rotenone-induced parkinsonism model.

Rats given rotenone 2 mg/kg/day for 14 days developed PD. Doses were selected based on preliminary work. Oral administrations of curcumin (100, 150, and 200 mg/kg), quercetin (30, 40, and 50 mg/kg), or their combination were administered simultaneously with rotenone and continued for a further 14 days. Histological studies as well as tests for assessment of locomotor activity, rota rod test (muscular coordination), Grid test and Open-field test were performed. on the 28^th and 29^th days.

The higher doses of the used drugs; curcumin (200 mg/kg) and quercetin (50 mg/kg) enhanced locomotor activity, motor coordination, and mobility better than the lower doses. Furthermore, theysignicantly raised dopamine levels and helped minimize rotenone's produced neuronal damage.

In this study, against parkinsonism both quercetin and curcumin exhibit neuroprotective properties.

Curcumin and quercetin used together has more positive results than each medicine taken by itself.

Honey is widely known for its health benefits and is used as a remedy for many ailments and diseases. In this study, we aimed to identify phenolic compounds in two types of Algerian honey and to evaluate how these compounds affect the growth of three clinical strains of Candida species isolated from a child suffering from oral candidiasis.

Identification of elements associated with antifungal effects, including the total amounts of phenolics and flavonoids, as well as the phenolic profile of honey samples, was performed using Reversed-Phase High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography equipped with a Photodiode Array Detector (RP-HPLC-PDA) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) methods. Sugar levels were measured using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, the effects of honey samples from Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) and Sidr, also known as jujube tree (Ziziphus spina-christi), on the growth of clinical Candida species isolated from a child were demonstrated for the first time in vitro using agar diffusion. The minimum fungicidal concentrations were also determined.

RP-HPLC-PDA analysis allowed the identification of seven polyphenols. The main phenolic component in Tiaret honey was m-OH benzoic acid (4.596 mg/g honey), while the main component in Bechar honey was chrysin (4.896 mg/g honey). Both types of Algerian honey showed strong antifungal activity, with a Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of 2.5 mg/mL against the major clinical Candida species tested, with the Eucalyptus honey from Tiaret exhibiting the highest antifungal activity.

Variations in the amounts of phenolic compounds are influenced by the floral sources from which bees collect nectar and by the geographic origin of the honey. These compounds are recognized as key contributors to both pharmacological and antimicrobial properties.

Our findings indicate that Algerian honey is a valuable source of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, containing more than 144 GAE mg/100 g and 26 CE mg/100 g of honey, respectively, which may be beneficial in preventing and treating thrush in newborns.

Food allergies have become a global problem with negative clinical results. Food allergy management currently involves avoiding food allergens, which is not always possible and may lead to accidental reactions. Food restrictions may also lead to nutritional deficiencies, which can stunt growth. This study compares two groups to investigate the effects of dietary limitations due to allergies on children's intake, growth, and nutritional status.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 94 children aged 1 to 10 diagnosed with food allergies, accompanied by/without food restrictions. Child characteristics, socioeconomic status, parental history, and allergy status were collected with dietary data using the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ).

Food restriction (limiting ≥3 foods) was observed in 37.2% of participants. Frequently avoided items include: chocolate (30.9%), cow’s milk (29.8%), and egg yolk (25.5%). Energy intake was significantly reduced in the restricted group (p = 0.050). There was a significant difference in mean body weight between groups (p = 0.041). However, Z-scores for BMI, weight-for-age, and height-for-age showed no significant differences. Notable differences in micronutrient intake were observed for vitamin A (p = 0.024), vitamin D (p = 0.026), iron (p < 0.001), and magnesium (p = 0.005).

Dietary restriction was associated with lower body weight, but Z-scores remained within reference standards, suggesting nutritional vulnerability needed continuous monitoring. Children with dietary restrictions exhibited lower overall energy intake while maintaining a comparable macronutrient distribution, notably choosing plant-based alternatives such as tofu and tempeh. This pattern illustrates the problems and adaptive strategies present in the cultural setting of Indonesian households managing with food allergies.

These findings underscore the need for parental education and expert healthcare advice to avert unwarranted limitations, encourage nutrient-rich alternatives, and facilitate supervised reintroduction procedures in accordance with contemporary international norms. Culturally appropriate dietary recommendations for Indonesian children with food allergies are needed to ensure nutritional adequacy and growth.

Deep-fat frying induces oxidative degradation of vegetable oils through hydrolysis, oxidation, and polymerization, producing toxic compounds such as acetaldehyde and malondialdehyde that compromise nutritional quality and food safety. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidative potential of β-Sitosterol in enhancing the thermal and oxidative stability of sesame mustard oil blends (1:1 v/v) during prolonged deep-fat frying.

Oil samples with and without β-Sitosterol were subjected to 12 hours of continuous frying, with samples collected at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours. Key lipid oxidation indicators, including 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), Acid Value, Peroxide Value, Iodine Value, p-Anisidine Value, and Conjugated Diene Values were measured to assess oil quality deterioration. All experiments were performed in triplicate, and statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test (p < 0.05).

The incorporation of β-Sitosterol significantly suppressed oxidative degradation, maintained higher unsaturation levels, and reduced the formation of primary and secondary oxidation products compared to the control oil. Statistical analysis confirmed that the protective effects of β-Sitosterol were significant across all measured parameters.

These findings demonstrate that β-Sitosterol acts as a novel natural antioxidant additive, mitigating the formation of mutagenic oxidation products during deep-fat frying. Its use enhances oil stability, potentially lowering health risks associated with the consumption of fried foods.

β-Sitosterol effectively improves the oxidative stability and safety of mustard sesame blended oil during prolonged frying. Its incorporation at ~0.15% w/v can be considered for household and industrial frying, with further studies recommended to assess sensory impacts and applicability to other oil blends.

Cost-effective and reliable experimental models are essential for studying Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to develop and validate a cost-effective T2DM rat model using a home-made High-Fat Diet (HFD) derived from the AIN-93 diet combined with low-dose Streptozotocin (STZ), and to assess its metabolic and physiological effects.

Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. After one week of acclimatization, 10 rats were sacrificed as a normal baseline group. The remaining 30 were fed a home-made HFD for three weeks, followed by STZ injection (35 mg/kg). Ten rats were sacrificed at week 3 (baseline T2DM group), and 17 at week 5 (progressed T2DM group); three rats died before study completion.

Diabetic groups showed significant increases in body and liver weights, fasting glucose, insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), leptin, glucagon, Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (PEPCK), Glucose-6-Phosphatase (G-6-Pase), and serum lipids, along with reduced Glucagon-Like Peptide-1(GLP-1) levels (P ≤ 0.05). Significant differences between the 3-week and 5-week T2DM groups confirmed disease progression.

The model effectively reproduced key features of early-stage T2DM, including insulin resistance, β-cell dysfunction, dyslipidemia, and increased hepatic gluconeogenesis. Elevated leptin and reduced GLP-1 levels further support the model’s physiological relevance. The results validate the use of a modified AIN-93-based home-made HFD as a low-cost, reliable approach for T2DM research.

A home-made HFD combined with STZ successfully induces T2DM in rats and produces consistent metabolic alterations. This low-cost model offers a practical tool for diabetes research, particularly in resource-limited settings.