A perennial wild shrub from the Lamiaceae family and native to the Mediterranean region, thyme is considered an important wild edible plant studied for centuries for its unique importance in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry. Thyme is loaded with phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins. It is pungent in taste, yet rich in moisture, proteins, crude fiber, minerals and vitamins. Its chemical composition may vary with geographical location but is mainly composed of flavonoids and antioxidants. Previous studies have illustrated the therapeutic effects of thyme and its essential oils, especially thymol and carvacrol, against various diseases. This is attributed to its multi-pharmacological properties that include, but are not limited to, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic actions. Moreover, thyme has long been known for its antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic activities, in addition to remarkable disruption of microbial biofilms. In the COVID-19 era, some thyme constituents were investigated for their potential in viral binding. As such, thyme presents a wide range of functional possibilities in food, drugs, and other fields and prominent interest as a nutraceutical. The aims of the current review are to present botanical and nutritive values of this herb, elaborate its major constituents, and review available literature on its dietetic and biological activities.

Background: High academic achievement, an important determinant of future success, is known to be influenced by many factors including dietary behavior, lifestyle and mental health, among others. The objectives of the current study were to explore university students’ nutritive habits, daily lifestyle, and mental status, and to scrutinize the associations between these factors and students’ academic achievement.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of a private Lebanese university, using an electronic survey. Diet, eating habits, physical activity, sleep, and smoking were evaluated, and mental health was assessed using a validated Arabic version of the combined Depression, Anxiety, Stress Score (DASS-8). Academic achievement was measured using the Subjective Academic Achievement Scale (SAAS).Results: A total of 1677 students participated in the questionnaire. The results of a linear regression taking the SAAS score as the dependent variable, showed that students who have a non-scientific versus scientific major (Beta = 0.53), and having breakfast ≥ 4 days per week compared to less than 2 days (Beta = 0.28) were significantly associated with higher SAAS scores. More psychological distress (Beta = − 0.06) and a higher number of days of eating out (Beta = − 0.07) were significantly associated with lower SAAS scores.Conclusions: This is the first investigation on a Lebanese university students’ academic success in relation to lifestyle and mental profiles. Better academic achievement was demonstrated by students having healthier dietary and lifestyle habits, as well as less distressing mental status. Such results, in light of the compounded and unprecedented crises with which Lebanon has been assailed, suggest the need to focus on promoting healthy habits among students in higher education as a possible driver of better academic success.

Sumac Spice is a tangy red-purple powder produced by drying and grinding the hairy clusters of sumac fruit. It is often used in several regions to add a lemony and astringent taste to many dishes. Sumac is considered a valuable plant that governs nutritious elements such as proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fibers, minerals, vitamins and many polyphenols. Its phenolic content contributes to activate its medical and therapeutic role. Traditionally, sumac was effective in treating several health issues for centuries. Recently, many studies proved that it has an antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, cardioprotective, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities. Sumac succeeded to put its mark in the field of the food industry since it was utilized as a natural food additive such as preservative, antioxidant and colorant in various food products. It successfully boosts the quality of different food items such as bread, meat, dairy products, tomato paste, barley soap, peanut oil and shrimps. In total, sumac spice is not only a nutritious spice that adds a distinctive taste to many dishes, but also when incorporated in food industry it meets the consumer concern for the ''natural label'' food products, as well as its valuable role in disease prevention and health promotion.