Atherosclerosis, chronic non-communicable diseases, and metabolic syndrome are highly interconnected and collectively contribute to global health concerns that reduce life expectancy and quality of life. These conditions arise from multiple risk factors, including inflammation, insulin resistance, impaired blood lipid profile, endothelial dysfunction, and increased cardiovascular risk. Adopting a plant-based diet has gained popularity as a viable alternative to promote health and mitigate the incidence of, and risk factors associated with, these three health conditions. Understanding the potential benefits of a plant-based diet for human health is crucial, particularly in the face of the rising prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Thus, this review focused on the plausible advantages of consuming a type of food pattern for the prevention and/or treatment of chronic diseases, emphasizing the dietary aspects that contribute to these conditions and the evidence supporting the benefits of a plant-based diet for human health. To facilitate a more in-depth analysis, we present separate evidence for each of these three concepts, acknowledging their intrinsic connection while providing a specific focus on each one. This review underscores the potential of a plant-based diet to target the underlying causes of these chronic diseases and enhance health outcomes for individuals and populations.

(1) Background: The gut microbiota might play a part in affecting athletic performance and is of considerable importance to athletes. The aim of this study was to search the recent knowledge of the protagonist played by high-intensity and high-duration aerobic exercise on gut microbiota composition in athletes and how these effects could provide disadvantages in sports performance. (2) Methods: This systematic review follows the PRISMA guidelines. An exhaustive bibliographic search in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus was conducted considering the articles published in the last 5 years. The selected articles were categorized according to the type of study. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s Critical Appraisal Tool for Systematic Reviews. (3) Results: Thirteen studies had negative effects of aerobic exercise on intestinal microbiota such as an upsurge in I-FABP, intestinal distress, and changes in the gut microbiota, such as an increase in Prevotella, intestinal permeability and zonulin. In contrast, seven studies observed positive effects of endurance exercise, including an increase in the level of bacteria such as increased microbial diversity and increased intestinal metabolites. (4) Conclusions: A large part of the studies found reported adverse effects on the intestinal microbiota when performing endurance exercises. In studies carried out on athletes, more negative effects on the microbiota were found than in those carried out on non-athletic subjects.

This study aimed to determine whether pupils who have breakfast just before a cognitive demand, do not regularly skip breakfast, and consume a high-quality breakfast present higher cognitive performance than those who do not; furthermore, to establish differences according to their nutritional status. In this study, 1181 Chilean adolescents aged 10–14 years participated. A global cognitive score was computed through eight tasks, and the body mass index z-score (BMIz) was calculated using a growth reference for school-aged adolescents. The characteristics of breakfast were self-reported. Analyses of covariance were performed to determine differences in cognitive performance according to BMIz groups adjusted to sex, peak height velocity, physical fitness global score, and their schools. A positive association was found in adolescents’ cognitive performance when they had breakfast just before cognitive tasks, did not regularly skip breakfast, presented at least two breakfast quality components, and included dairy products. No significant differences were found between breakfast components, including cereal/bread and fruits/fruit juice. Finally, pupils who were overweight/obese who declared that they skipped breakfast regularly presented a lower cognitive performance than their normal-BMIz peers. These findings suggest that adolescents who have breakfast just prior to a cognitive demand and regularly have a high quality breakfast have better cognitive performance than those who do not. Educative nutritional strategies should be prioritized, especially in “breakfast skippers” adolescents living with overweight/obesity.

Beta-alanine supplementation (BA) has a positive impact on physical performance. However, evidence showing a benefit of this amino acid in aerobic–anaerobic transition zones is scarce and the results controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to analyze the effects of BA supplementation on physical performance in aerobic–anaerobic transition zones. At the same time, the effect of different dosages and durations of BA supplementation were identified. The search was designed in accordance with the PRISMA^® guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and performed in Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and MEDLINE between 2010 and 2020. The methodological quality and risk of bias were evaluated with the Cochrane Collaboration tool. The main variables were the Time Trial Test (TTT) and Time to Exhaustion (TTE) tests, the latter separated into the Limited Time Test (LTT) and Limited Distance Test (LDT). The analysis was carried out with a pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) through Hedges’ g test (95% CI). Nineteen studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, revealing a small effect for time in the TTT (SMD, −0.36; 95% CI, −0.87–0.16; I² = 59%; p = 0.010), a small effect for LTT (SMD, 0.25; 95% CI, −0.01–0.51; I² = 0%; p = 0.53), and a large effect for LDT (SMD, 4.27; 95% CI, −0.25–8.79; I² = 94%; p = 0.00001). BA supplementation showed small effects on physical performance in aerobic–anaerobic transition zones. Evidence on acute supplementation is scarce (one study); therefore, exploration of acute supplementation with different dosages and formats on physical performance in aerobic–anaerobic transition zones is needed.

The use of creatine monohydrate (Cr) in professional soccer is widely documented. However, the effect of low doses of Cr on the physical performance of young soccer players is unknown. This study determined the effect of a low dose of orally administered Cr on muscle power after acute intra-session fatigue in young soccer players. Twenty-eight young soccer players (mean age = 17.1 ± 0.9 years) were randomly assigned to either a Cr (n = 14, 0.3 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ for 14 days) or placebo group (n = 14), using a two-group matched, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Before and after supplementation, participants performed 21 repetitions of 30 m (fatigue induction), and then, to measure muscle power, they performed four repetitions in half back squat (HBS) at 65% of 1RM. Statistical analysis included a two-factor ANOVA (p ˂ 0.05). Bar velocity at HBS, time: p = 0.0006, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.22; group: p = 0.0431, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.12, time × group p = 0.0744, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.02. Power at HBS, time: p = 0.0006, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.12; group: p = 0.16, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.06, time × group: p = 0.17, ${\mathrm{ŋ}}_{\mathrm{p}}^2$ = 0.009. At the end of the study, it was found that, after the induction of acute intra-session fatigue, a low dose of Cr administered orally increases muscle power in young soccer players.

Background: the present study aimed to investigate the effects of a single nutritional preventive session previous to a critical period linked to fat gain in university students with overweightness and obesity, emulating a nutritional session of a public health system. Methods: In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 23 students met all the criteria to be included (20.91 ± 2.52-year-old; 52.2% women) who were divided into two groups: intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). Fat mass (FM) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), physical activity by accelerometry, feeding evaluation through three questionnaires, and a set of healthy lifestyle recommendations were evaluated before and after the national holidays (NH). Results: Our findings showed that FM increased significantly in the CG, but not in the IG (CG = 428.1 g; IG = 321.9 g; Δ = 106.2 g; p = 0.654 [95% CI = −379.57, 591.92]). However, no differences were found during the NH between them (Hedges’ g effect size = 0.19; p = 0.654). In addition, no statistical differences were observed between groups in feeding evaluations, the set of recommendations performed, and physical activity. Conclusion: a single preventive session before a critical period, using a similar counselling approach as used in the public health system, might not be enough to promote changes in eating and physical activity patterns and preventing fat gain in overweight/obese university students. Long-term interventions are a must.