The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication pathway that modulates cognitive function. A dysfunctional gut-brain axis has been associated with cognitive impairments during aging. Therefore, we propose evaluating whether modulation of the gut microbiota through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from young-trained donors (YT) to middle-aged or aged mice could enhance brain function and cognition in old age. Twelve-month-old male mice received an initial FMT from YT (YT-Tr) or age-matched donors (Auto-Tr) following antibiotic treatment. Three months later, the mice received a second FMT as reinforcement. Additionally, 18-month-old mice received Auto-Tr, YT-Tr, or FMT from young sedentary donors (YS-Tr). Cognitive function was assessed using novel object recognition and object location memory tests. Long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal brain slices was studied, while neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity were analyzed in hippocampal samples via qPCR and immunoblot. Gut permeability was evaluated in ileum and colon sections, serum samples were analyzed for cytokine levels, and fecal samples were used to measure short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels and perform 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We observed that YT-Tr, whether performed in middle age or old age, improved cognitive function in aged mice. Recognition and spatial memory were significantly enhanced in YT-Tr mice compared to Auto-Tr and YS-Tr groups. Intact LTP was observed in YT-Tr mice at 18 months of age, whereas LTP was impaired in the Auto-Tr group. Neuroinflammation was reduced, and synaptic plasticity modulators such as PSD-95 and FNDC5/Irisin were upregulated in the hippocampus of YT-Tr mice compared to both YS-Tr and Auto-Tr groups. A significant reduction in ileal and colon permeability was detected in YT-Tr animals, along with elevated cecal levels of butyrate and valerate compared to Auto-Tr. Moreover, YT-Tr decreased pro-inflammatory factors and increased anti-inflammatory factors in the serum of aged mice. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences in microbial community composition between YT-Tr and Auto-Tr animals, with higher abundances of Akkermansia, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, and Odoribacter in YT-Tr mice. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that FMT from young-trained donors improves cognitive function and synaptic plasticity by modulating gut permeability, inflammation, SCFA levels, and gut microbiota composition in aged mice.

Exclusive breastfeeding is widely recommended at least during the first 6 months of life and breast milk (BM) composition depends on maternal diet. Phytochemicals, including polyphenols and carotenoids, are recognized by their powerful antioxidant activities being present in BM. This review provides an overview of BM composition with respect to polyphenols and carotenoids evaluating its possible benefits for the infant. Polyphenols do not have any body deposit and their content in BM depends on regular dietary intake from mothers and bioavailability of them, while carotenoids content in BM changed depending on factors including stages of breastfeeding, maternal diet and maternal health status. Preeclampsia, overweight or obesity are conditions able to reduce polyphenols and carotenoids in BM by using them as antioxidants. For both polyphenols and carotenoids, the supplementation slightly enhances their BM content. Few studies have shown the presence of phytochemicals in infant plasma and still remains unclear the benefits that polyphenols and carotenoids provide for development of infants. Further studies using long-term, randomized and controlled designs are necessary to determine the relation between carotenoids, polyphenols and its potential benefits for early childhood.

Mental health is a global public concern that contributes raising disability and premature death. Anxiety undertakes around 3.6% of the global population, while psychological stress is a condition associated to anxiety with a prevalence of 36.5%. Treatment for both mental conditions consist mainly of psychological therapy and pharmacotherapy, but the long-term drugs use can trigger adverse effects. Growing evidence shows the effect of specific food compounds on stress and anxiety treatment. The aim of this systematic review is to describe the molecular mechanisms related to dietary polyphenols administration from food matrix (considering food, juices or herbal/food extracts) and their effects on stress and/or anxiety, as well as review the available clinical evidence. Search was based on PRISMA Guidelines using peer-reviewed journal articles sourced from PubMed and Web of Science. A total of 38 articles were considered as eligible. The major effects for anxiety management were: reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation; HPA axis modulation; and regulation of some serotonergic/adrenergic pathways. There is a very limited evidence to conclude about the real effect of dietary polyphenols on stress. Although pharmacological treatment for mood disorders is essential, alternative therapies are necessary using non-pharmacological compounds to improve the long-term treatment effectiveness.

Background: Blueberries are polyphenol-rich fruits with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols from berries act by blocking digestive enzymes, reshaping gastrointestinal microbiota, and affecting the release of gastrointestinal hormones to regulate insulin dynamics and glucose management. However, most studies use fruit extracts instead of fresh fruit. We aimed to evaluate postprandial glucose management and antioxidant capacity of fresh blueberries consumed acutely or as a six-day supplementation in 10 sedentary subjects. Methods: To evaluate the effect of acute blueberry intake, 150 g of blueberries were consumed together with 150 g of white bread by the subject and blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min to measure glucose, insulin, and plasma antioxidant capacity. To evaluate supplementation, 150 g of blueberries were provided daily for six days and sample collection was performed at day 7. Results: Acute consumption of blueberries decreased postprandial glucose area under the curve (AUC) and increased insulin levels at 15 min timepoint. Supplementation did not affect glucose levels but decreased insulin levels at 120 min. No changes in antioxidant capacity were observed. Conclusions: Consumption of fresh blueberries improves postprandial glucose management presumably due to actions on the gastrointestinal tract, while supplementation improves insulin sensitivity, probably due antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE) affects 6–25% of pregnancies and are characterized by an imbalance in natural prooxidant/antioxidant mechanisms. Due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, polyphenols consumption during the pregnancy might exert positive effects by preventing GDM and PE development. However, this association remains inconclusive. This systematic review and metanalysis is aimed to analyze the association between polyphenol-rich food consumption during pregnancy and the risk of GDM and PE. A systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics, London, United Kingdom) for articles dated between 1 January 1980 and July 2022 was undertaken to identify randomized controlled trials and observational studies evaluating polyphenol-rich food consumption and the risk of GDM and PE. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of these included studies. Twelve studies were included, of which eight articles evaluated GDM and four studied PE. A total of 3785 women presented with GDM (2.33%). No association between polyphenol consumption and GDM was found (ES = 0.85, 95% CI 0.71–1.01). When total polyphenol intake was considered, a lower likelihood to develop GDM was noted (ES = 0.78, 95% CI 0.69–0.89). Furthermore, polyphenol consumption was not associated with PE development (ES = 0.90, 95% CI 0.57–1.41). In conclusion, for both outcomes, pooled analyses showed no association with polyphenol-rich food consumption during pregnancy. Therefore, association of polyphenol intake with a decreased risk of GDM and PE remains inconclusive.

Fresh blueberries are prone to softening and dehydration during postharvest, which limits their competitiveness when reaching the final markets. Commercial cultivars ‘Duke’ and ‘Brigitta’ exhibit contrasting softening patterns. Although ‘Duke’ berries usually show higher firmness levels at harvest as compared to ‘Brigitta’, they display higher softening and weight loss rates after cold storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical changes and modifications in cuticle composition of ‘Duke’ and ‘Brigitta’ blueberries across five developmental stages: green (G), 25 and 50% pink (25P, 50P), and 75 and 100% blue (75B, 100B), to determine those characters with the most influence on their postharvest behavior. For each developmental stage, maturity parameters, respiration, and ethylene production rates were assessed, and cuticular wax and cutin were analyzed. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that ‘Duke’ berries were characterized by higher respiration and ethylene production rates, while ‘Brigitta’ showed higher contents of oleanolic acid and α-amyrin over total waxes. The results suggest that larger surface/volume ratios and higher amounts of ursolic acid and lupeol in ripe fruit may underlie higher weight and firmness loss rates of ‘Duke’ berries as compared to ‘Brigitta’.