Information regarding the spread and effect of coffee and caffeine intake by individuals with type II diabetes remains unclear. This study aims to identify the amount and sources of habitual caffeine intake by individuals with type II diabetes and to investigate its association with other health outcomes, especially HbA1c. This is a cross-sectional survey involving 100 people medically defined as having type II diabetes comprising both genders, recruited from a care centre. All participants completed a caffeine semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (C-FFQ) to estimate their caffeine consumption, a two day 24-h recall, and a detailed questionnaire. The average caffeine intake was calculated from all sources and the differences in mean by gender were tested using a regression model (adjusted to important confounders). Regression models were used to verify the association between average caffeine intake on HbA1c and other health outcomes with adjustment for important confounders. A p value < 0.05 represented statistical significance. Arabic coffee (gahwa) and tea were the most common sources of caffeine among Saudi adults living with diabetes. Average caffeine intake for the whole sample was 194 ± 165 mg/day, which is 2.3 ± 2 mg/kg. There was an inverse association between caffeine intake and age: difference in mean −3.26 mg/year (95%CI: −5.34, −1.18; p = 0.003). Males had significantly higher consumption of caffeine compared to females: difference in mean 90.7 mg/day (95%CI: 13.8, 167.6; p = 0.021). No association was found between average caffeine intake and HbA1C or any other cardiovascular risk factors. This information can help public health practitioners and policy makers when assessing the risk of caffeine consumption among this vulnerable group.

Due to global warming, the risk of aflatoxins exposure through the consumption of contaminated food has increased. Aflatoxins pose serious health hazards to humans’ and animals’ health because of their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic properties and their immunosuppressive effects. Aflatoxin contamination in various agricultural commodities has attracted much attention worldwide. Date palm fruits are among these important commodities that are vulnerable to fungal contamination and consequent aflatoxins production. Furthermore, dates are often consumed directly without any further processing, which may result in direct exposure to aflatoxins. Moreover, dates are the second dried fruits traded worldwide, which reflects the widespread consumption of dates due to their nutritive values in addition to religious and cultural values. Accordingly, this review summarizes and discusses the frequency and incidence of aflatoxin contamination in dates worldwide and outlines the analytical procedure for aflatoxin determination in dates for the first time. The susceptibility of date palm fruits to aflatoxins contamination has been documented at various levels in several regions. The findings urged the importance of conducting more comprehensive studies on aflatoxin occurrence and contamination levels in dates as a likely contributor to the dietary exposure to aflatoxins.

Background and Aim: Obesity has reached alarming levels globally and across the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia, approximately one-third of Saudi adults have obesity, representing a major public health concern. Understanding behavioral factors underlying obesity is essential; therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between eating styles and obesity indicators among Saudi adults and to examine gender differences in these associations. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 997 adult (405 males and 592 females) aged ≥ 18 years residing in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measures, health status. Eating behaviors were assessed using the validated Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), which measures restrained, emotional, and external eating styles. Regression models were used to examine gender differences in mean eating style scores and to assess associations between eating styles, categorical BMI, and body fatness. Results: The mean age of participants was 37.05 ± 13.39 years. Significant gender differences were observed in BMI, body fatness, and physical activity levels. Females demonstrated higher restrained eating scores compared with males (β = −0.14; 95% CI: −0.24, −0.04; p = 0.008). Participants with obesity exhibited higher emotional eating scores, while external eating was more prevalent among underweight participants. Body fatness was significantly associated with emotional and external eating but not restrained eating. Conclusions: BMI status appears to be associated with specific eating styles, particularly unhealthy eating behaviors. These findings highlight the importance of behavioral-focused nutritional interventions that support eating regulation rather than emphasizing weight loss alone.

Background: Evaluating potassium intake can be a powerful tool in epidemiologic studies to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). In Saudi Arabia, NCDs are responsible for 35% of deaths in 2023. Monitoring people’s potassium intake can be a powerful tool to reduce the burden of NCDs. There is a significant lack of information on potassium intake. The aim is to assess potassium intake using 24 h urinary excretion; to investigate the urinary sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) excretion ratio among Saudi adults; and to explore other lifestyle factors that influence potassium intake. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among young adults (19–29 years old) residing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data collection included a self-reported questionnaire regarding participants’ general attitudes and practices related to potassium consumption (n = 600) of whom 173 participated in 24 h urine collection. Descriptive analyses and regression models were used to evaluate the associations between urinary potassium excretion (mmol/24 h), daily potassium intake (g/day), and the Na/K ratio (dependent variables), and descriptive variables such as age and gender (predictor variables). A p value < 0.05 indicated statistical significance for all tests. Results: The mean urinary potassium excretion was 48.6 ± 23 mmol/24 h, equivalent to a mean daily potassium intake of 1.9 ± 0.89 g/day, and only 4.1% of participants met the World Health Organization-recommended potassium intake of ≥90 mmol/day (≥3.90 g/day). The average potassium intake was significantly lower in females compared with males by 0.52 g (95% CI: −0.78 to −0.25; p < 0.001). Physical activity was also a significant factor, associated with both urinary potassium excretion (p = 0.039) and intake (p = 0.006). Besides the low potassium intake, the mean Na/K ratio was 3.2 ± 1.4, and the ratio differed significantly by physical activity habits (p = 0.050). Only 13% of participants consumed fruit 5–7 days per week (mean portion intake 1.4/day; 95% CI: 1.3–1.5), and 34.7% consumed vegetables 3–4 days per week (mean portion intake 1.5/day; 95% CI: 1.3–1.5). These findings reflect low adherence to recommended fruit and vegetable intake in the study population. Conclusions: The findings of this study can be used to create evidence-based nutritional strategies to help people achieve the recommended potassium intake. The study underscores the need for more research on potassium intake across Saudi Arabia.