The trend towards organic foods as an alternative has recently increased. Several individual, environmental, and behavioural factors can affect this situation. This study was conducted with 1417 participants to examine the factors affecting attitudes, purchase intention (PI), and actual purchasing behaviour towards organic foods. Consequently, a two-part questionnaire was used to query participants’ sociodemographic information and their attitudes and preferences towards organic foods. Data were analysed using multiple regression analysis, Pearson’s correlation, and structural equation modelling. Our findings confirmed that health consciousness, the knowledge of organic foods, subjective norms, perceived price, values (health and safety), nutritional content, naturalness, availability, monetary barriers, risk barriers, and trust affect attitudes towards organic products. These findings indicate that increasing consumers’ knowledge and awareness about organic foods, encouraging their consumption by society, accessibility them in the food market and making them affordable can affect the attitude towards these products. Furthermore, we determined the direct effect of the attitude on actual buying behaviour with the mediating role of PI. Additionally, we noted that marital status, employment status, disease diagnosis in the last 12 months, and the presence of a baby at home affect actual buying behaviour. In conclusion, they can help food marketers target consumers to their sociodemographic status and develop new sales strategies.

Background/Objectives: The ketogenic diet (KD) is a dietary model that can impact metabolic health and microbiota and has been widely discussed in recent years. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 6-week KD on biochemical parameters, gut microbiota, and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in women with overweight/obesity. Methods: Overall, 15 women aged 26–46 years were included in this study. Blood samples, fecal samples, and anthropometric measurements were evaluated at the beginning and end of this study. Results: After KD, the mean body mass index decreased from 29.81 ± 4.74 to 27.12 ± 4.23 kg/m², and all decreases in anthropometric measurements were significant (p < 0.05). Fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, hemoglobin A1C, urea, and creatinine levels decreased, whereas uric acid levels increased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, increased serum zonulin levels were noted (p = 0.001), whereas fecal butyrate, propionate, acetate, and total SCFA levels decreased (p < 0.05). When the changes in microbiota composition were examined, a decrease in beta diversity (p = 0.001) was observed. After the intervention, a statistically significant increase was noted in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (p = 0.001). Although Oscilibacter, Blautia, and Akkermensia relative abundances increased, Prevotella relative abundance and Bifidobacter abundance, which were the dominant genera before the KD, decreased. Moreover, the abundance of some pathogenic genera, including Escherichia, Klebsilella, and Listeria, increased. Conclusions: In healthy individuals, KD may cause significant changes in microbial composition, leading to dysbiosis and long-term adverse outcomes with changes in serum zonulin and fecal SCFA levels.

In recent years, the trend toward plant-based beverages has continued to grow rapidly. This study aimed to assess the effects of sociodemographic characteristics and knowledge about plant-based beverages, subjective norms, perceived price, environmental protection, animal welfare, availability, and trust on attitudes and buying behavior toward these products. This study was conducted online using a two-part questionnaire prepared by considering the literature. This study included 935 participants, and our findings confirmed that the variable of environmental protection affects the attitude toward these products ($\mathsf{\beta }=$ 0.095; p = 0.007). Furthermore, gender, income level, lactose intolerance, and bloating due to cow’s or sheep’s milk influenced actual buying behavior (p < 0.05; p < 0.001). These findings indicate that people’s increased environmental protection awareness will positively influence attitudes towards plant-based beverages and that individuals who do not experience lactose intolerance and bloating due to cow’s or goat’s milk will have lower actual buying behavior. It was also determined that individuals with lower incomes bought more plant-based beverages. In conclusion, plant-based beverage marketers need to take into account individuals’ sociodemographic characteristics and environmental protection awareness when planning their marketing strategies.

Considering the increasing prevalence of diabetes, we aimed to evaluate the risk of diabetes in our sample and its relationship with sociodemographic and nutrition-related factors. We conducted the study in Afyonkarahisar province of Turkiye with participants aged 18–65 years. In this face-to-face study, we used a questionnaire on sociodemographic information and general dietary habits and the FINDRISC screening tool. We also recorded participants’ 24-hour food recall and assessed anthropometric measurements. We analyzed epidemiological data using binary logistic regression models to assess possible risk factors associated with the presence of diabetes risk. Overall, this study included 3,990 participants, 50.03% (n = 1996) and 49.97% (n = 1994) of whom were males and females, respectively. The FINDRISC score was higher in females (p = 0.001), married individuals (p < 0.001), those with lower education levels (p < 0.001), and participants diagnosed with the disease by a doctor (p < 0.001). Additionally, having a body mass index (BMI) of > 30 kg/m2 increased the risk by 7.33 folds compared with having a BMI of < 25 kg/m2. Significant but very low correlation coefficients were found between main meal consumption, energy, lipid and iron intake and diabetes risk (p < 0.001). Our findings suggest that increasing age, increasing BMI, lower education level, and having a disease diagnosis can be significant risk factors for diabetes. However, more studies are needed to clarify risk factors, especially those related to nutrition.

In the global world, plant-based milk alternatives have taken an important place in the food industry and have attracted great interest from consumers. This study was conducted to determine the main reasons why individuals prefer plant-based milk alternatives and the driving factors affecting their purchasing behavior towards plant-based milk alternatives. For this purpose, the sociodemographic characteristics, and general nutritional habits of 895 participants were questioned. In addition, the status of consuming plant-based milk alternatives of the participants in the last year was questioned and the purchasing decisions of the participants who reported that they consume these products and the factors that drive them to buy these products were evaluated. 796 women (88.9%) and 99 men (11.1%) participated in the study. The mean age of the participants is 31.17±9.62. Most of the participants (36.4% of women and 72.7% of men) reported that they never consumed plant-based milk alternatives. The most consumed plant-based milk alternatives were determined as almond milk (80.9%), coconut milk (60.2%), and soy milk (51.2%). The most frequent reason why consumers choose plant-based milk alternatives is determined as "Non-dairy milk contains good fat". The participants reported that dieticians have the most influence on their choices (x̄=3.35±1.27) and these products were mostly purchased from supermarkets and online channels. In addition, considering that drinking plant-based milk is beneficial for health (OR=1.978) and exercising regularly (OR=1.337) increases the odds of being a regular consumer. In conclusion, it is determined that consumer acceptance of plant-based milk alternatives is affected by the consumer's perception of healthy food, marketing strategies, and consumer expectations.

Brain fog is a condition that is characterized by poor concentration, memory loss, decreased cognitive function, and mental fatigue. Although it is generally known as a long-term COVID-19 symptom, brain fog has also been reported to be caused by many other diseases. Thus, it is necessary to assess this condition in certain populations. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Brain Fog Scale in a Turkish population. We conducted the study in two phases. In a pilot study including 125 participants, we confirmed the suitability of the scale for validity analyses and then conducted exploratory (n = 230) and confirmatory factor analyses (n = 343). The Cronbach’s alpha value of the 23-item Brain Fog Scale was 0.966. In addition, the 23-item and three-factor structure was confirmed as a result of the analyses. These three factors are mental fatigue, impaired cognitive acuity, and confusion. We also found that participants previously diagnosed with COVID-19 had higher brain fog scores. This finding indicates that brain fog is an important condition that can accompany COVID-19. Furthermore, this validated construct has an acceptable fit and is a valid and useful tool for the Turkish population.