The state of the science on the health benefits of blueberries: a perspective.

Mounting evidence indicates that blueberry consumption is associated with a variety of health benefits. It has been suggested that regular consumption of blueberries can support and/or protect against cardiovascular disease and function, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and brain and cognitive function in individuals with health conditions and age-related decline. Further, mechanistic investigations highlight the role of blueberry anthocyanins in mediating these health benefits, in part through interactions with gut microbiota.

The Effect of Berry Consumption on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials in Humans.

Bioactive compounds in berries may scavenge reactive oxygen and nitrogen species by donating electrons to free radicals, thereby protecting DNA, proteins, and lipids from oxidative damage. Evidence shows that berry consumption has beneficial health effects, though it remains unclear whether berries exert a significant impact on oxidative stress in humans. Thus, we performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to examine the effects of non-acute (more than a single dose and ≥7 days) berry consumption on biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Distance Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Education over the Past 30 Years: A Narrative Review.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic necessitated the use of distance education, which sparked a technological transformation that was long overdue in higher education. The purpose of this narrative review is two-fold: to summarize the state of knowledge regarding distance education in nutrition and dietetics education over the past 30 years to inform recommendations for future education/research and implications for practice and to determine the influence that distance education has had on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of both nutrition and dietetics educators and their students. A narrative review of 822 publications yielded 25 that met the search criteria.

Flavan-3-ols and Cardiometabolic Health: First Ever Dietary Bioactive Guideline.

Guideline recommendation for a plant bioactive such as flavan-3-ols is a departure from previous recommendations because it is not based on deficiencies but rather improvement in health outcomes. Nevertheless, there is a rapidly growing body of clinical data reflecting benefits of flavan-3-ol intake that outweigh potential harms. Thus, the objective of the Expert Panel was to develop an intake recommendation for flavan-3-ols and cardiometabolic outcomes to inform multiple stakeholders including clinicians, policymakers, public health entities, and consumers.

The Effects of Berry Polyphenols on the Gut Microbiota and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials in Humans.

Berry consumption has beneficial effects on blood pressure. Intestinal microbiota transform berry phytochemicals into more bioactive forms. Thus, we performed a systematic review of randomized clinical trials to determine whether berry polyphenols in foods, extracts or supplements have effects on both the profile of gut microbiota and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in humans.

Effect of Blueberry Consumption on Cardiometabolic Health Parameters in Men with Type 2 Diabetes: An 8-Week, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Blueberries are dietary sources of polyphenols, specifically anthocyanins. Anthocyanins have been identified as having a strong association with type 2 diabetes risk reduction; however, to date few human clinical trials have evaluated the potential beneficial health effects of blueberries in populations with type 2 diabetes.

Objectives: We investigated the effects of blueberry consumption for 8 wk on cardiometabolic parameters in men with type 2 diabetes.

The My Body Knows When Program Increased Intuitive Eating Characteristics in a Military Population.

Introduction: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of the revised My Body Knows When (MBKW) program to promote intuitive eating behaviors within a sample of a military population through an online or in-person delivery mode.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-six overweight or obese adults (70% female); military service members (20%), retirees (38%) and family (42%) participated in the 10-week MBKW program at two military installations from 2012 to 2014. Body Mass Index, Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2; 23-item) and Motivation for Eating scale (MFES; 43-item) were collected at baseline and 10-weeks.

Postprandial Effects of Blueberry () Consumption on Glucose Metabolism, Gastrointestinal Hormone Response, and Perceived Appetite in Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial.

The consumption of blueberries, as well as the phenolic compounds they contain, may alter metabolic processes related to type 2 diabetes. The study investigated the effects of adding 140 g of blueberries to a higher-carbohydrate breakfast meal on postprandial glucose metabolism, gastrointestinal hormone response, and perceived appetite. As part of a randomized crossover design study, 17 healthy adults consumed a standardized higher-carbohydrate breakfast along with 2 treatments: (1) 140 g (1 cup) of whole blueberries and (2) a placebo gel (matched for calories, sugars, and fiber of the whole blueberries).

Utility of DXA screening for diagnosis of osteoporosis in US veterans aged 70 years and older.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is recommended for osteoporosis screening in men aged 70 years and older but supportive data is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of DXA for the diagnosis of increased fragility in this group of subjects. We retrospectively identified men aged 70 years and older without prior history of fracture and/or conditions predisposing to low bone mineral density (BMD) who attended the VA endocrinology clinic and performed DXA for osteoporosis screening.

The effects of 100% wild blueberry () juice consumption on cardiometablic biomarkers: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in adults with increased risk for type 2 diabetes.

Background: Wild blueberries have a high content of polyphenols, but there is limited data evaluating their health benefits in adults at risk for type 2 diabetes. The objective of the study was to investigate whether consumption of 100% wild blueberry juice improves cardiometabolic biomarkers associated with type 2 diabetes risk.

Methods: A single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design trial was conducted in which adults (women,  = 19, ages 39-64 y) at risk for type 2 diabetes consumed 240 mL of wild blueberry juice or a placebo beverage as part of their free-living diet for 7 days.

Diet Quality Is Lower and Energy Intake Is Higher on Weekends Compared with Weekdays in Midlife Women: A 1-Year Cohort Study.

Background: Differences in energy and macronutrient intakes by weekday and weekend have been reported, but there are few data on differences in food group consumption and indices of diet quality.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe dietary intake by day and on weekends compared with weekdays.

Design: This study utilized a longitudinal cohort design with self-reported dietary intake collected using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool.

Metabolic impact of 100% fruit juice consumption on antioxidant/oxidant status and lipid profiles of adults: An Evidence-Based review.

One hundred percent fruit juice (FJ) contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity. As such, this fruit form has the potential to improve antioxidant status and mediate outcomes influenced by redox status. A systematic review of the literature published between 1995 and 2013 was conducted using PubMed database to evaluate associations between intake of 100% FJ and markers of antioxidant/oxidant status and blood lipid levels in healthy, free-living adults ≥18 years.

Measures of Diet Quality across Calendar and Winter Holiday Seasons among Midlife Women: A 1-Year Longitudinal Study Using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Recall.

Background: Systematic seasonal bias may confound efforts to estimate usual dietary intake and diet quality. Little is known about dietary quality over the winter holiday season.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to test for differences in intakes of energy, percentage of energy from macronutrients, fruits and vegetables, and diet quality measured using the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010) by calendar and winter holiday seasons.

Phosphate homeostasis, parathyroid hormone, and fibroblast growth factor 23 in stages 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease.

Aims: Increased concentrations of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) often coincide with normal serum phosphorus ([P]s) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We hypothesized that the phosphate concentration ([P]f) in the cortical distal nephron (CDN) determines [PTH] and [FGF23] in this circumstance.

Methods: We studied 29 patients with CKD at 4 visits and 28 controls at 1 visit.

The effect of moderate alcohol consumption on biomarkers of inflammation and hemostatic factors in postmenopausal women.

Background/objectives: Inflammation and hemostasis contribute to the etiology of cardiovascular disease. We previously demonstrated that moderate alcohol consumption (1-2 drinks/day) may decrease risk for cardiovascular disease because of an improved lipid profile. In addition to these beneficial changes, the alcohol-mediated reduction in risk may be through its effect on inflammation and hemostasis.

Impact of 100% Fruit Juice Consumption on Diet and Weight Status of Children: An Evidence-based Review.

Consumption of 100% fruit juice remains controversial for its potential adverse impact on weight and displacement of essential foods in the diets of children. A systematic review of the literature published from 1995-2013 was conducted using the PubMed database to evaluate associations between intake of 100% fruit juice and weight/adiposity and nutrient intake/adequacy among children of 1 to 18 years of age. Weight status outcome measures included body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, ponderal index, obesity, weight gain, adiposity measures, and body composition.

Parameters of phosphorus homeostasis at normal and reduced GFR: empiric observations.

Aims: Influx (IP) determines urinary excretion of phosphorus (EP). Contributions of IP and reabsorption (TRP) to serum phosphorus ([P]s) can be depicted by normalization to creatinine clearance (EP/Ccr and TRP/Ccr) or by calculation of fractional excretion and reabsorption (FEP and FTRP). We analyzed these parameters at normal and reduced GFR.

Use of sevelamer to examine the role of intraluminal phosphate in the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Aims: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) promotes calcium reabsorption in the cortical distal nephron (CDN). The phosphate concentration ([P]f) rises in that segment in chronic kidney disease (CKD); in theory, high [P]f could reduce availability of calcium for reabsorption and necessitate a compensatory rise in [PTH]. With assumptions, [P]f is proportional to phosphate excreted/volume of filtrate (EP/GFR).

Tubular calcium reabsorption and other aspects of calcium homeostasis in primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Aims: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) causes hypercalcemia by increasing tubular calcium reabsorption. Because chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with normocalcemia, we inferred that calcium reabsorption is also normal, and hypothesized that normal reabsorption requires excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH) in CKD.

Methods: The following were obtained in controls and patients with CKD or PHPT: estimated GFR (eGFR); concentrations of PTH 1-84, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and ultrafilterable and ionized calcium ([PTH], [1,25(OH)2D], [Ca]uf, [Ca]i); and ratios of calcium excreted or reabsorbed per volume of filtrate (ECa/Ccr, TRCa/Ccr).

Determinants of Variance in the Habitual Physical Activity of Overweight Adults.

Background: The number of days of data and number of subjects necessary to estimate total physical activity (TPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) requires an understanding of within- and between-subject variances, and the influence of sex, body composition, and age.

Methods: Seventy-one adults wore accelerometers for 7-day intervals over 6 consecutive months.

Results: Body fat and sex influenced TPA and MVPA.

The metabolizable energy of dietary resistant maltodextrin is variable and alters fecal microbiota composition in adult men.

Resistant maltodextrin (RM) is a novel soluble, nonviscous dietary fiber. Its metabolizable energy (ME) and net energy (NE) values derived from nutrient balance studies are unknown, as is the effect of RM on fecal microbiota. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study was conducted (n = 14 men) to determine the ME and NE of RM and its influence on fecal excretion of macronutrients and microbiota.

Effect of cocoa and green tea on biomarkers of glucose regulation, oxidative stress, inflammation and hemostasis in obese adults at risk for insulin resistance.

Background/objectives: Flavanols may provide protection against insulin resistance, but little is known about the amounts and types of flavanols that may be efficacious.

Subjects/methods: This study was designed to determine whether cocoa flavanols, over a range of intakes, improve biomarkers of glucose regulation, inflammation and hemostasis in obese adults at risk for insulin resistance. As an adjunct, green tea and cocoa flavanols were compared for their ability to modulate these biomarkers.

Whey protein but not soy protein supplementation alters body weight and composition in free-living overweight and obese adults.

A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted to determine the effect of consumption of supplemental whey protein (WP), soy protein (SP), and an isoenergetic amount of carbohydrate (CHO) on body weight and composition in free-living overweight and obese but otherwise healthy participants. Ninety overweight and obese participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups for 23 wk: 1) WP; 2) SP (each providing ~56 g/d of protein and 1670 kJ/d); or 3) an isoenergetic amount of CHO. Supplements were consumed as a beverage twice daily.

The number of 24 h dietary recalls using the US Department of Agriculture's automated multiple-pass method required to estimate nutrient intake in overweight and obese adults.

Objective: To determine the number of 24 h dietary recalls required to adequately estimate nutrient intake in overweight and obese adults using the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) automated multiple-pass method (AMPM). In addition, the study quantified sources of variation in dietary intake, such as day of the week, season, sequence of diet interviews (training effect), diet interviewer, body weight and within- and between-subject variances in the intake of selected nutrients.

Design: Adults having a BMI of ≥ 28 but <38 kg/m2 were included in the study.

Controlled meal frequency without caloric restriction alters peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytokine production.

Background: Intermittent fasting (IF) improves healthy lifespan in animals by a mechanism involving reduced oxidative damage and increased resistance to stress. However, no studies have evaluated the impact of controlled meal frequency on immune responses in human subjects.

Objective: A study was conducted to establish the effects of controlled diets with different meal frequencies, but similar daily energy intakes, on cytokine production in healthy male and female subjects.