Objectives: The association between coffee intake and hypertension (HTN) risk is controversial. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at summarizing the current evidence on the association of coffee with hypertension risk in observational studies. Methods: PubMed/Medline and Web of Science were searched for observational studies up to February 2023. Observational studies which assessed the risk of HTN in the highest category of coffee consumption in comparison with the lowest intake were included in the current meta-analysis (registration number: CRD42022371494). The pooled effect of coffee on HTN was evaluated using a random-effects model. Results: Twenty-five studies i.e., thirteen cross-sectional studies and twelve cohorts were identified to be eligible. Combining 13 extracted effect sizes from cohort studies showed that higher coffee consumption was associated with 7% reduction in the risk of HTN (95% CI: 0.88, 0.97; I²: 22.3%), whereas combining 16 effect sizes from cross-sectional studies illustrated a greater reduction in HTN risk (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.87; I² = 63.2%). These results varied by studies characteristics, such as the region of study, participants’ sex, study quality, and sample size. Conclusions: An inverse association was found between coffee consumption and hypertension risk in both cross-sectional and cohort studies. However, this association was dependent on studies characteristics. Further studies considering such factors are required to confirm the results of this study.

Objective: The geographical differences in incidence rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its burden due to modifiable risk factors warrant investigating the CRC burden and its risk factors in different regions. In the current study, we aimed to estimate the burden of CRC and the share of its risk factors in the North Africa and Middle East (NAME), from 1990 to 2019. Study design: Systematic review. Methods: The rates of incidence, prevalence, death, years of life lost (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD), and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) of CRC were estimated through the framework of the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD), Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2019 by age, sex, between 1990 and 2019. The CRC-related DALYs attributable to each lifestyle and metabolic risk factor was also estimated through a comparative risk assessment approach. Results: In NAME region, the trends of incidence, prevalence, death, YLL, YLD, and DALYs of CRC were increasing, with higher rates in males than females over this period. High and high-middle socio-demographic index (SDI) countries had greater CRC DALYs rate compared with middle- and low-SDI countries in 2019, except for Palestine [434.66 (95% UI: 368.82, 503.88)]. In NAME region, like the global, dietary risk (33.18%), low whole grain intake (19.79%), and low intake of milk (15.77%) were the major contributing risk factors to DALYs due to CRC in 2019. Conclusions: Due to increasing trend of CRC burden and the considerable role of lifestyle and metabolic factors in its burden in NAME region, implementing fundamental strategies to minimize CRC burden and its risk factors is imperative.

Research on the effects of gluten on dyspeptic symptoms has shown conflicting results. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials was to assess the effects of gluten on dyspeptic symptoms. A systematic search of the PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and Embase online databases was performed up to May 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs that examined the impact of a gluten-free diet, a low-gluten diet, or a gluten challenge on dyspeptic symptoms, including early satiety, epigastric pain, bloating, and nausea, were selected independently by 2 authors. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) framework was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. Results were pooled using a random-effects model and expressed as weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95%CIs. Of the 7641 citations retrieved, 27 articles (18 RCTs and 9 non-RCTs) were included in the systematic review. Of those, 5 RCTs were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled results indicated that gluten challenge significantly increased the severity of bloating (WMD = 0.67; 95%CI, 0.37–0.97; I² = 81.8%; n = 6), early satiety (WMD = 0.91; 95%CI, 0.58–1.23; I² = 27.2%; n = 5), and epigastric pain (WMD = 0.46; 95%CI, 0.17–0.75; I² = 65.8%; n = 6). However, the effect of gluten challenge on the severity of nausea (WMD = 0.13; 95%CI, −0.17 to 0.43; I² = 0.0%, n = 5) was nonsignificant. Gluten challenge significantly worsened dyspeptic symptoms, including bloating, early satiety, and epigastric pain, but did not affect nausea. These findings suggest that gluten restriction could be efficient in reducing dyspeptic symptoms. Well-designed large RCTs recruiting homogenous groups of patients with functional dyspepsia are needed to clarify the effectiveness of gluten restriction on dyspeptic symptoms.

Dairy products may affect hypertension (HTN) risk. The aim of this study was to examine the association between fermented and nonfermented dairy foods and HTN in a sample of premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) subjects. This cross‐sectional study was performed on 1854 PCAD patients. A 110‐item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intakes. HTN was considered if systolic blood pressure was 140 mmHg and higher and/or diastolic blood pressure was 90 mmHg and higher. The odds ratio of HTN across the quartiles of different types of dairy products was evaluated by binary logistic regression. The mean (SD) of dairy products consumption was 339.8 (223.5) g/day, of which 285.4 g/day was fermented dairy products. In the crude model, participants in the fourth quartile of fermented dairy products had lesser risk of HTN compared to the bottom quartile (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.96; p for trend = .058). However, after considering the possible confounders, the significance disappeared. Subjects in the top quartile of high‐fat fermented dairy products had 34% lower risk for HTN compared to the bottom quartile (95% CI: 0.49, 0.88; p for trend < .001). Adjustment for potential risk factors weakened the association but remained significant (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.53, 1.01; p for trend = .001). Nonsignificant relation was detected between low‐fat fermented, low‐fat nonfermented, and high‐fat nonfermented dairy products and HTN. Moderate consumption of high‐fat fermented dairy products, in a population with low consumption of dairy foods, might relate to reduced likelihood of HTN.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is characterized by restrictive and avoidant feeding and eating behaviors not linked to body weight or shape concerns, potentially exacerbated by disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). This scoping review was conducted to systematically map the literature on ARFID and DGBI to determine the prevalence of ARFID in DGBI, the prevalence of DGBI in ARFID patients, and the association between these disorders. Online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically reviewed from 2013 to April 2025. Studies that reported the prevalence of ARFID in DGBI groups, the prevalence of DGBI in ARFID individuals, and examined the association between ARFID and DGBI were included. Out of 4,085 screened sources, nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of ARFID in patients with DGBI ranged from 13.2% to 40%. Individuals with ARFID showed a higher risk for DGBI and its symptoms compared to controls. This review summarized the prevalence of ARFID in DGBI patients, and the association between these disorders. Limitations include small sample sizes and inconsistencies in diagnostic scales. Larger-scale research is needed to clarify the association, along with improved assessment tools for accurate diagnosis of ARFID and DGBI.