Current Nutrition & Food Science - Online First

Reducing global stunting rates is a critical focus of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly under the objectives of zero hunger, good health and well-being. Indonesia has set a target to reduce the prevalence of stunting to 14%. However, as of 2023, the national prevalence remains at 21.5%, with East Java, a densely populated region, reporting a rate of 19.2%. This study aimed to identify risk factors for nutritional problems among infants and toddlers in East Java to guide region-specific interventions and serve as a global model for addressing stunting and nutritional issues.

Data was collected from provincial health registries and analysed for trends and associations using STATA18 and spatial distribution using QGIS3.34. Factors examined included community participation, ferrous supplementation during pregnancy, newborn birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding rates, vitamin A supplementation, and child nutritional status monitoring.

While the prevalence of underweight, stunted, and wasted children showed a decreasing trend, critical factors such as ferrous supplementation in pregnant women, exclusive breastfeeding rates, and vitamin A supplementation also exhibited declines. Early and exclusive breastfeeding and vitamin A supplementation were significantly associated with underweight status.

Improvements in child nutritional status coexist with persistent challenges, including suboptimal breastfeeding practices, declining vitamin A supplementation, and pandemic-related healthcare disruptions, necessitating reinforced health systems and targeted interventions to attain national and SDGs targets.

Strengthening nutritional and health services in high-burden areas could improve outcomes in East Java and offer a replicable framework for addressing stunting and malnutrition globally.

Microplastics (MP) are commonly found in food and water, leading to their ingestion through daily diets. MP particles smaller than 150 µm can cross the intestinal epithelium, posing potential health risks. Rapid excretion of MPs from the intestines may help reduce these risks.

Fermented plant extract (FPE) is a rich source of nutrients and active substances, which promote gut health and relieve constipation. To evaluate the MP-excluding potential of FPE, it was suspended in artificial gastric or intestinal juices, followed by the addition of 100 mg of MP particles, which remained floating in the solution. After shaking for 1 hour at 37°C, the floating MP particles were collected and weighed. The excluded weight was calculated by subtracting the weight of the floating MP particles from the initial 100 mg.

The weights of non-floating MP particles (diameter: 106–125 μm) in artificial gastric juice mixed with 10, 5, 2.5, and 1 g of FPE were 73 ± 0.3, 74 ± 1.7, 63 ± 1.5, and 31 ± 1.5 mg, respectively. In artificial intestinal juice, the values were 45 ± 2.3, 55 ± 1.2, 43 ± 1.2, and 16 ± 2.6 mg, respectively. The weights of non-floating particles with a diameter of 250-300 μm were significantly lower than those with a diameter of 106-125 μm.

FPE exhibited greater effectiveness in acidic gastric juice, suggesting that certain MP-binding components in FPE become ionized under acidic conditions, thereby enhancing ionic interactions with microplastics. Smaller MP particles were bound more effectively than larger ones, likely due to their relatively greater surface area.

FPE facilitates MP exclusion from the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the risk of intestinal absorption.

Moringa oleifera and honey are nutrient-rich local foods with the potential to combat malnutrition. Combining them may enhance their synergistic effects, offering a holistic nutritional solution.

This study assessed the impact of Moringa oleifera plus royal jelly (MRJ) capsules on the weight, height, and nutritional status of toddlers in high-stunting coastal areas of Tojo Una-Una District.

A quasi-experimental design was used, with an intervention group receiving 500 mg of MRJ capsules daily for three months, and a control group with similar baseline characteristics. The study involved six high-stunting villages, with nutrition workers monitoring compliance. Height and weight were measured using standardized tools, while dietary intake was assessed via 24-hour recall. Data were analyzed using WHO Anthro 2006, NutriSurvey 2007, and JASP.

Baseline characteristics and food intake were similar between groups. Post-intervention, significant differences were observed in weight (9.00±1.29 kg vs. 8.45±0.93 kg, p=0.042) and height (76.57±3.43 cm vs. 74.23±5.30 cm, p=0.041). The intervention group also showed greater improvements in weight gain (0.99 ± 1.3 kg vs. 0.26 ± 0.7 kg, p < 0.005) and height increase (5.01 ± 2.8 cm vs. 2.83 ± 4.2 cm, p = 0.019). Additionally, HAZ scores improved significantly in the intervention group (-1.96 ± 1.24 to -1.55 ± 0.96, p = 0.027).

The findings align with previous research highlighting Moringa’s role in combating malnutrition. However, limitations include the non-RCT design, lack of a placebo group, and small sample size.

MRJ supplementation significantly improved weight, height, and HAZ in toddlers, suggesting its potential as a nutritional intervention in areas prone to stunting. Further randomized trials are recommended to validate these results.

Approximately 25% of the global population experiences anemia, with preschool-aged children accounting for nearly 50% of these instances. Cuttlefish (Sepia sp.) is a mollusk species used as a food ingredient due to its high nutritional value and potential nutraceutical effects. The present study examines the hematopoietic effect of cuttlefish ink in anemic rats.

Anemia was induced by administering phenylhydrazine (PHZ) intraperitoneally at a dose of 40mg/kg for two consecutive days. Rats were then divided into three groups (n = 6 each): control, anemia, and Sepia ink treatment (200mg/kg orally for six days).

Sepia ink contains many phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Administration of Sepia ink resulted in a significant improvement in hematological parameters, liver enzymes, serum proteins, iron concentration, kidney biomarkers, antioxidant system, and DNA integrity. Histopathological examination revealed a marked restoration of liver and kidney architecture following Sepia ink administration. Additionally, the Prussian blue stain demonstrated inhibition of hemosiderin expression in liver and kidney tissues. Moreover, immunohistochemistry revealed reduced TNF-α expression in the liver and kidney following Sepia ink treatment.

The hematopoietic mechanisms of Sepia ink encompass the enhancement of iron metabolism, stimulation of the antioxidant system, suppression of inflammation, and inhibition of apoptosis.

Creatine is a semi-essential nutrient involved in cellular bioenergetics. While its effects on energy metabolism are well established, its potential influence on appetite regulation remains unclear. This study examined the association between dietary creatine intake and serum leptin levels in a nationally representative U.S. population.

Data were analyzed from NHANES III (1988–1994), including 6,415 participants who completed a 24-hour dietary recall and had fasting serum leptin levels measured. Creatine intake (g/day) was estimated based on established food composition values. Serum leptin was quantified via radioimmunoassay. Multivariate regression models adjusted for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were used to assess associations.

The mean creatine intake was 0.91 ± 0.87 g/day, and the mean serum leptin concentration was 12.6 ± 11.8 µg/L. A significant inverse association was observed between dietary creatine intake and serum leptin levels (B = -1.586, P < 0.01), independent of age, gender, and BMI.

Higher dietary creatine intake is associated with lower circulating leptin concentrations, suggesting a potential role for creatine in the regulation of long-term energy balance through mechanisms that extend beyond its established effects on muscle metabolism.

Higher dietary creatine intake is associated with lower serum leptin levels, suggesting a potential role for creatine in appetite regulation. Further research is needed to clarify underlying mechanisms and causality.

This study aimed to explore the use of tuna (Thunnus sp.) bone fishmeal to boost the nutritional value of brownies, with a particular focus on the benefits of calcium for pregnant women.

Incorporating tuna bone fishmeal into brownie recipes offered the potential to enhance both the sensory and nutritional qualities of this traditional product. The research investigated the organoleptic quality, proximate composition, and calcium content of brownies with added tuna bone fishmeal.

This study employed an experimental design involving three treatments: treatment A (tuna bone fishmeal 30 g: wheat flour 70 g), treatment B (tuna bone fishmeal 40 g: wheat flour 60 g), and treatment C (tuna bone fishmeal 50 g: wheat flour 50 g). Treatment C was selected for detailed analysis, and a hedonic test was conducted.

Treatment C, consisting of 50 g of tuna bone fishmeal and 50 g of wheat flour, was favored based on hedonic test results. Chemical analysis showed a water content of 11.48%, ash content of 5.21%, protein content of 12.73%, fat content of 8.28%, and calcium content of 32.25 mg/g. However, water and fat content did not meet Indonesia's national standard (SNI) for semi-moist cakes, including brownies.

Incorporating tuna bone fishmeal into brownies enhanced their calcium content, offering potential nutritional benefits, particularly for pregnant women. Sensory evaluations were positive, though further adjustments may be needed to meet SNI standards for semi-moist cakes.

The objective of this study is to identify the prioritization in the purchase of food during the confinement of the Mexican population.

Observational, analytical and cross-sectional study of 1,081 participants living in Mexico; an online, voluntary and anonymous survey was conducted. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were performed, and STATA 16 (Stata Corp LP) was used.

Significant differences were found according to nutritional status for sweets, fried foods, pizzas, sandwiches and sugary drinks. However, when these associations were adjusted for sociodemographic variables, they were no longer significant. It is shown that the high prioritization of tortillas increases the risk of being overweight and obese. When the analysis was conducted, this association was not significant. Nuts were directly associated with overweight or obesity. In contrast, bottled water is not directly linked to weight gain or loss.

Differences were found according to nutritional status in the prioritization of foods high in calories, fats, and sugars. However, this prioritization was different between people who did gain weight versus those who did not.

The habitual consumption of caffeine and soda drinks is very high among the global population and has increased substantially in Pakistan in the last few decades.

The effect of caffeine and soda drink consumption on the levels of various hepatic enzymes (AST, ALT, and ALP) and serum electrolytes (calcium and phosphorus) was estimated in the healthy population of Punjab.

The cross-sectional analysis included 174 healthy caffeine and soda drink consumers, whose caffeine and soda consumption were determined using a food-frequency questionnaire. The serum levels of electrolytes (calcium and phosphorus) and hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) were assessed using kits. Regression analyses were performed to establish the effect of caffeine and sodas on serum parameters.

Serum phosphorus (3.24 mg/dl ± 1.193) and ALP (198.5 U/L ± 67.3) levels decreased with increased caffeine consumption, whereas higher soda intake elevated serum phosphorus (3.26 mg/dL ± 1.149) and ALP (198.9 U/L ± 67.7) levels. Serum calcium, AST and ALT activities were unaffected by the increased consumption of caffeine and sodas. However, the combined intake of soda and caffeine consumption showed a positive correlation (p<0.039) with the serum ALP activity.

The findings of the current study suggest that increased caffeine and soda consumption may impact metabolic pathways and may result in altered serum electrolytes or hepatic enzymes. However, cohort or longitudinal studies with large sample populations must be carried out for more precise conclusion that can be projected to dietary guidelines and can be used as a benchmark for public health policy.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a significant medicinal herb, well-known for its therapeutic properties as well as its role as a spice, flavoring agent, and enhancer of taste. Its majority of medicinal values are due to the presence of a number of S-containing compounds.

This short communication aimed to explore briefly the anticancer properties of garlic.

Based on the literature search, several recent research works were examined to assess and explore the potential of garlic as an anticancer agent.

It was observed that garlic and its constituents have noteworthy potential in the possible treatment of different types of cancer like breast cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, cervical cancer, cancer of the digestive system, prostate cancer, etc.

This short communication explores the anticancer potential of garlic and advocates for the inclusion of garlic, or its various forms, as an essential part of daily diet.

Thai Coconut Pancake (Khanom Ba-bin) is a traditional Thai dessert made from glutinous rice flour, coconut, and sugar. It is gaining popularity, especially as a street food in night markets. However, its nutritional value is limited due to its main ingredients.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate Thai Coconut Pancake using various Thai pigmented rice flours as partial substitutes for white glutinous rice flour to enhance its nutritional value and antioxidant properties and determine consumer acceptance through sensory evaluation.

Four pigmented rice varieties (Sung Yod, Riceberry, Hom Nil, and black glutinous rice) were used to replace white glutinous rice flour at 10%, 20%, and 30% levels. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activities (DPPH and ABTS assays) of the modified Thai Coconut Pancake samples were determined and compared. Sensory evaluation was conducted using a 9-point hedonic scale to assess consumer acceptance.

Incorporating pigmented rice flours significantly increased TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activities compared to the control (100% white glutinous rice flour). Black glutinous rice flour substitution at 30% yielded the highest TPC (65.39 ± 0.32 μg GAE/g dw) and TFC (63.09 ± 0.56 μg QE/g dw). Hom Nil rice flour at 30% substitution exhibited the highest antioxidant activities in both DPPH (31.65 ± 0.43% inhibition) and ABTS (60.83 ± 0.45% inhibition) assays. A clear dose-response relationship was observed between substitution levels and the content in terms of bioactive compounds. Sensory evaluation revealed that a 20% substitution level was optimal, showing no significant differences in overall acceptability compared to the control, indicating the potential for product development.

This study demonstrates the potential of using Thai pigmented rice flours to enhance the nutritional value and antioxidant properties of traditional Thai desserts, with a 20% substitution level providing optimal balance between nutritional enhancement and sensory acceptance, offering a promising approach to developing healthier food products while preserving cultural authenticity.