Zinc is an essential trace element with proposed therapeutic effects in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), however, the associations between zinc status and the prospective risks of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and Type 2 DM have not been evaluated. The current systematic review aims to determine the relationships between zinc intake or plasma/serum zinc levels and prospective incidence of CVD and Type 2 DM. Fourteen papers describing prospective cohort studies were included, reporting either CVD (n = 91,708) and/or Type 2 DM (n = 334,387) outcomes. Primary analyses from four out of five studies reported no association between zinc intake and CVD events, when adjusted for multiple variables. Higher serum zinc level was associated with lower risk of CVD in three out of five studies; pronounced effects were observed in vulnerable populations, specifically those with Type 2 DM and patients referred to coronary angiography. The limited evidence available suggests no association between zinc status and Type 2 DM risk. Further investigations into the mechanisms of zinc’s action on the pathogenesis of chronic diseases and additional evidence from observational studies are required to establish a recommendation for dietary zinc in relation to the prevention of CVD and Type 2 DM.

Plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) are increasingly popular and may contribute towards reduction of negative environmental impacts associated with the meat industry. Inferior sensory characteristics of PBMAs, compared to conventional meat products, remain a barrier for uptake of these products. This study aimed to profile a wide range of PBMAs for perceived similarity to meat, consumer liking, emotional response and sensory experience, and to determine consumer drivers of liking for this product category. Twenty-one PBMAs, spanning a broad range of product types (burger patties, sausages, meatball alternatives, chicken/beef pieces, bacon alternative, turkey roast alternative) and main protein ingredients (extruded plant proteins, tofu, or legumes/vegetables) representative of PBMAs available to Aotearoa New Zealand consumers, were tasted and evaluated by 140 Aotearoa New Zealand residents. Samples ranged widely in their perceived similarity to meat (median value range: 1.0-4.0 on a 5-point-scale) and overall liking ratings (mean ± SD, range: 35.1 ± 1.2--77.7 ± 17.4 on a 100-point hedonic scale). Overall liking ratings were driven mostly by liking for flavour, followed by texture, and less so by appearance. Sensorially, sample differentiation was mostly associated with variation in meat-related flavours and textures, or vegetable-related attributes. Notably meat flavour was the main driver of liking, and a very strong relationship (r = 0.92) was observed between perceived similarity to meat and overall sample liking ratings. Meat-like samples were also associated with positive emotional terms, whereas samples made from wholefoods were associated with negative emotional terms. Textural terms ('gluey/slimy', 'pasty/doughy') associated with wholefood products were also negative drivers for liking, and should be avoided in future PBMA products. In conclusion, the general population maintains a strong preference for PBMAs that are similar to meat, validating ongoing efforts to improve the meat-like properties of new and emerging products. PBMAs made from wholefoods require extensive product development to achieve consumer satisfaction across the category.

Pregnant women are vulnerable to a low zinc status due to the additional zinc demands associated with pregnancy and foetal development. The present systematic review explores the relationship between habitual vegetarian diets and dietary zinc intake/status during pregnancy. The association between vegetarian diets and functional pregnancy outcome also is considered. A literature search was conducted of MEDLINE; PubMed; Embase; the Cochrane Library; Web of Science; and Scopus electronic databases up to September 2014. Six English-language observational studies qualified for inclusion in the systematic review. A meta-analysis was conducted that compared the dietary zinc intake of pregnant vegetarian and non-vegetarian (NV) groups; the zinc intake of vegetarians was found to be lower than that of NV (−1.38 ± 0.35 mg/day; p < 0.001); and the exclusion of low meat eaters from the analysis revealed a greater difference (−1.53 ± 0.44 mg/day; p = 0.001). Neither vegetarian nor NV groups met the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for zinc. In a qualitative synthesis; no differences were found between groups in serum/plasma zinc or in functional outcomes associated with pregnancy. In conclusion; pregnant vegetarian women have lower zinc intakes than NV control populations and both groups consume lower than recommended amounts. Further information is needed to determine whether physiologic adaptations in zinc metabolism are sufficient to meet maternal and foetal requirements during pregnancy on a low zinc diet.

The gut-brain axis is one of the proposed interactions between the brain and peripheral intestinal functions; of particular interest is the influence of food components on the gut-brain axis mediated via the gut microbiome. Probiotics and paraprobiotics have been proposed to interact with the intestinal environment and provide health benefits such as improving sleep quality. The aim of this research was to undertake a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate the current evidence regarding the effects of Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 on sleep quality for the general population. A systematic literature search was conducted of peer-reviewed articles published up to 04 November 2022. Randomised controlled trials were identified that investigated the effects of Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 on sleep parameters in adults. Meta-analysis of the change in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score was conducted. Quality assessments of individual studies were conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias and Health Canada tools. Seven studies were included in the systematic literature review; six studies included data for meta-analysis to quantify the effect of L. gasseri CP2305 on sleep quality. The ingestion of L. gasseri CP2305 resulted in significant improvement in the PSQI global score compared to control (-0.77, 95% CI: -1.37 to -0.16, P = 0.01). In the two studies that included electroencephalogram (EEG) data, output was significantly improved for at least half of the measured EEG outcomes after consumption of L. gasseri CP2305. No serious concerns were found in the potential biases of included studies, indirectness of the included evidence, and other methodological issues. The present systematic review and meta-analysis indicates significant improvement in sleep quality of adults with mild to moderate stress as an effect of daily consumption of L. gasseri CP2305. Based on existing evidence, the relationship between L. gasseri CP2305 and enhanced sleep quality is plausible, however further investigations are required to confirm the mechanisms of actions for this effect.

Evidence suggests that consumer perceptions and acceptance of cultivated meat (CM) differ between countries, cultures, and consumer groups. Limited research specific to Aotearoa New Zealand (A-NZ) is available. Survey responses from 592 A-NZ residents were analysed to determine CM awareness, willingness to engage with CM, and perceived CM product attributes relative to conventional meat and plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs). The effects of gender, age, meat/PBMA consumption frequency, CM awareness, and food neophobia on CM perceptions were determined. The statements were rated on a seven-point Likert scale. Half (52%) of the respondents agreed they were aware of CM. The awareness was higher in men compared to women (p = 0.036), higher in Millennials compared to Generation X (p = 0.022), and higher in regular compared to infrequent PBMA consumers (p = 0.0003). The willingness to engage with CM and perceived CM product attributes were consistently more positive in consumers who were aware, compared with consumers not aware of CM (p < 0.05). Being male, Millennial, low neophobic and a low meat, or high PBMA consumer was also associated with higher potential engagement and perceptions of CM to varying extents. Segmentation divided the respondents into three groups. The ‘positive’ cluster (41%) consumed more PBMAs and less meat and was more aware of CM than the ‘neutral’ (50%) and ‘negative’ (9%) clusters. In conclusion, consumers in A-NZ are not a homogenous group with regards to their perceptions and potential engagement with CM. Increasing awareness and familiarity with CM will be an important strategy to increase engagement with CM.

The chemical profiles of kawakawa (Piper excelsum) leaves were analysed through targeted and non-targeted LC-MS/MS. The phytochemical profile was obtained for both aqueous extracts representative of kawakawa tea and methanolic extracts. Sixty-four compounds were identified from eight leaf sources including phenylpropanoids, lignans, flavonoids, alkaloids and amides. Eight of these compounds were absolutely quantified. The chemical content varied significantly by leaf source, with two commercially available sources of dried kawakawa leaves being relatively high in phenylpropanoids and flavonoids compared with field-collected fresh samples that were richer in amides, alkaloids and lignans. The concentrations of pharmacologically active metabolites ingested from the traditional consumption of kawakawa leaf as an aqueous infusion, or from novel use as a seasoning, are well below documented toxicity thresholds.