Current Nutrition & Food Science - Online First

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has left survivors with long-term health consequences, including malnutrition, sleep disorders, and reduced physical activity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of changes in malnutrition risk on sleep quality and physical activity in COVID-19 survivors after hospitalization.

This was a retrospective cohort study with prospective follow-up. Comprehensive screening of 2700 electronic medical records identified eligible participants who were hospitalized with COVID-19 at King Salman Specialist Hospital in Ha’il, Saudi Arabia, between 2021 and 2023. The impact of malnutrition risk on sleep quality and physical activity was evaluated in 103 patients with COVID-19 after hospitalization. Nutritional status was assessed using the malnutrition screening tool, while sleep quality and physical activity were self-reported.

Malnutrition risk increased from 32% at admission to 42.7% at follow-up. Sleep quality was significantly worse among malnourished patients, especially those with comorbidities (P = 0.048), and only 16.9% reported uninterrupted sleep. Physical activity remained low overall, with 46.5% of non-malnourished patients with comorbidities reporting reduced activity. Obesity rates decreased slightly (from 59.2% to 54.4%); however, patients with obesity maintained unhealthy sleep and lifestyle habits. Reduced screen time (0–3 hours/day) correlated with better dietary habits and weight management (P = 0.040).

The findings have emphasized the interrelation of malnutrition risk, sleep disorders, and physical inactivity in COVID-19 recovery. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs should integrate nutritional support, sleep hygiene, and personalized exercise plans, especially for high-risk groups, such as older adults and patients with comorbidities. Combating physical inactivity and promoting a healthier lifestyle can improve long-term recovery prospects. Multidisciplinary care and continuous monitoring are crucial for mitigating the lasting effects of COVID-19.

The relationship between diet, digestive health, and physical performance is increasingly recognized, particularly among athletes. Probiotics and prebiotics have gained attention for their potential to enhance gut health and improve performance outcomes. However, limited research focuses on athletes’ perceptions and experiences with these dietary components.

This study aims to explore athletes' perceptions of probiotics and prebiotics concerning their digestive health and physical performance, addressing the existing gap in the literature regarding their specific impact on athletic populations.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 425 athletes from various sports disciplines in Saudi Arabia. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing their consumption habits, awareness levels, beliefs about the effects of probiotics and prebiotics, and experiences with digestive health.

The findings revealed a mean frequency of consumption of probiotics at 3.93 (SD = 1.62) and prebiotics at 4.22 (SD = 0.95), with awareness levels of 2.89 (SD = 2.23) for probiotics and 2.88 (SD = 2.12) for prebiotics. Males reported significantly higher beliefs in the impact of probiotics (mean: 4.14, p = .0103) and prebiotics (mean: 4.23, p < .0001) on physical performance compared to females. Significant differences in awareness were noted based on competitive level, with professionals exhibiting the highest awareness scores (probiotics: 4.07, prebiotics: 4.44, p < .0001).

The study underscores the importance of personalized nutrition strategies for athletes, highlighting the need for tailored probiotic and prebiotic interventions to optimize digestive health and enhance performance.

Evaluation of the nutritional value of fish is critical because fish contain essential fatty acids. The hydrolysis process of fish oil is necessary to determine the fatty acids located at the sn-2 position on triglycerides. Essential fatty acids occupying the sn-2 position are very important to be identified because they are maximally absorbed in the digestive system. Research on the hydrolysis process of fish oil can be optimally conducted using Design Expert software to achieve a perfect hydrolysis percentage. This study aims to obtain optimal pH, temperature, and incubation time for % hydrolysis using Design Expert software. Furthermore, the marine fish should be evaluated based on the position of fatty acids.

Fish samples from the market included Sardinella pilchardus, Euthynnus affinis, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, and Thunnus sp.. The optimization of % hydrolysis was perfectly carried out using response surface methodology and Design Expert software. After obtaining the optimal pH, hydrolysis time, and temperature, hydrolysis was performed on marine fish samples. Analysis of fatty acid composition was conducted using gas chromatography.

The optimal results of the hydrolysis process were achieved at pH 8, a temperature of 50°C, and a duration of 8 hours and 30 minutes, with a hydrolysis percentage of 65.357 ± 1.047%.

The strong negative correlation between PUFA and both the ω6/ω3 ratio and thrombogenic index (TI) suggests that higher PUFA intake, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, may reduce inflammatory and thrombotic risks. Additionally, the positive association between PUFA and the P/S ratio supports the cardiovascular benefits of diets rich in polyunsaturated fats over saturated fats.

Evaluation of nutritional values based on fatty acids at the sn-2 position indicates that the marine fish with the best dietary levels are Euthynnus affinis, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Rastrelliger kanagurta, Thunnus sp., and Sardinella pilchardus based on the IQN index.

Grape-derived products constitute a significant and affordable source of natural bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols. Regular consumption of these substances is associated with reduced cases of various degenerative and long-term illnesses, largely due to their potent antioxidant properties that combat oxidative stress. This study aimed to explore the phenolic composition of grape-derived products from three Georgian grape varieties and evaluate their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Phenolic compounds were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) and the DCFH-DA assay on WS1 human fibroblasts were used to evaluate antioxidant activity. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed via nitrite quantification in RAW 264.7 macrophages treated with extracts.

Saperavi seeds demonstrated highest value for phenolic composition, as well as antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 18 µg/mL and ORAC of 0.9 µmol TE/mg. Anti-inflam-matory properties were most prominent in seed extracts of Kisi (53% inhibition), Rkatsiteli (41.7%), and Saperavi (39.5%).

Polyphenol profiles varied by grape tissue; Saperavi seeds were rich in flavanols, while skins contained anthocyanins, such as delphinidin-3-O-glucoside. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities also differed by variety; notably, Kisi seeds showed highest NO inhibition. These results highlighted tissue- and variety-dependent polyphenol distribution and bioactivity.

Grape-derived products, particularly seeds and skins, are rich in polyphenols with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This evidence valorizes grape by-products as sustainable sources of natural bioactives suitable for functional food and pharmaceutical applications.

Our study aimed to analyze the expression of the Soy allergen in GM-positive and GM-negative soybeans.

The expression of proteins in genetically modified (GM) crops has been the most prominent concern to allergenic reactions in the field of biotechnology and the concern of regulatory agencies to retain human health. Among allergies, soybean allergy is an imperative category of food allergy. Worldwide in crops, soybean is a highly consumable commercial food, therefore, to achieve this requirement; genetic modifications in crops were introduced.

For this purpose, several primer sets were used for the detection of CaMV 35S and Agrobacterium tumefaciens Nopaline Synthase (NOS) in samples for GM crop screening using PCR. Comparative analysis and quantification Soy allergen protein expression (soy28k) in genetically modified and non-genetically modified soybeans was not previously analyzed using ELISA.

This study confirmed that genetic modification is also one of the causative effects of provoking allergenicity as increasing the level of intrinsic Soy allergen protein analyzed in GM-positive soy sample. The ELISA results have shown a significant difference (***p<0.000) in the expression of soy28k allergen between the GM-positive and GM-negative samples.

In order to increase consumer safety and enable the industry to conduct a meaningful risk assessment, screening, and detection of allergens in various matrices are necessary.

Diabetes mellitus is a significant public health concern as its global prevalence continues to rise. Non-pharmacological treatments may offer promising results for diabetic patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cinnamon-based cookies on blood glucose and antioxidant levels in diabetic rats.

A randomized block design was used, involving five groups: a non-diabetic group, a positive control group receiving 0.6 mg/kg/day of glibenclamide, a negative control group receiving aqua dest, a group receiving cinnamon extract cookies (0.2 g/kg), and a group receiving powdered cinnamon cookies (0.6 g/kg). A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into these groups (n = 8 per group). Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). The intervention lasted for 21 days, during which body weight and blood glucose levels were monitored on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21. At the end of the intervention, the rats were sacrificed, and blood serum was collected via intracardiac puncture. Body weight was measured using a digital scale, while blood glucose levels were determined using a glucometer. The serum was then analyzed for SOD, MDA, and insulin levels using the ELISA method.

The study demonstrated that both types of cinnamon cookies significantly decreased blood glucose levels by day 3, with the cinnamon powder cookies achieving levels comparable to those of non-diabetic rats by day 7. Additionally, both types of cookies significantly improved SOD and insulin levels and reduced MDA levels in the rats. However, the body weight of the diabetic rats was not fully restored.

These findings suggest that cinnamon could be utilized in food product development for blood glucose control, with cinnamon powder potentially offering more favorable results.