Nasturtium officinale R.Br. (Betong watercress) contains high levels of secondary metabolites that offer health benefits. However, fresh-cut watercress has a short shelf life. This study aimed to assess the effect of drying methods on the phytochemical contents, antioxidant activity, and anti-diabetic activity of Betong watercress. The watercress was dried using three methods: roasting (R, 50 °C, 40 min); roasting and drying (RD, 40 min roasting at 50 °C and 1 h drying at 80 °C); and blanching, roasting, and drying (BRD, 30 s blanching at 80 °C, 20 min roasting at 50 °C, and 1 h drying at 80 °C). Aqueous extracts from each drying method were analyzed for total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total glucosinolate content, antioxidant activities (FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays), and α-amylase enzyme inhibition. From the results, the R method provided the highest level of total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total glucosionolate content compared to the RD and BRD methods. Similarly, antioxidant activities and α-amylase enzyme inhibition were highest in the R method, followed by the RD and BRD methods. Our results demonstrate that roasting of Betong watercress without the addition of blanching or drying effectively preserves the phytochemical contents, antioxidant activities, and anti-diabetic activity.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to increased systemic inflammation, particularly in individuals with metabolic syndrome (MS). This study assessed the impact of nutrition and PM2.5 exposure on inflammatory markers in individuals with MS. A total of 50 participants (25 with MS, 25 healthy controls) were monitored during a high-PM2.5 exposure period (HEP) and a low-PM2.5 exposure period (LEP). Dietary intake, health assessments, and inflammatory markers—TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP—were evaluated. The MS group had significantly higher BMI, fasting blood glucose, and triglyceride levels and lower HDL-C than the healthy group (p < 0.01), but these parameters did not change significantly between the HEP and LEP. Notably, dietary fiber intake increased in the MS group during the LEP (p < 0.05). CRP levels were higher in the MS group and significantly decreased in both groups during the LEP (p < 0.05). IL-6 was higher in the MS group during the HEP but did not significantly change across periods. TNF-α showed no differences. Dietary fiber intake was inversely correlated with IL-6 and CRP in the healthy group and strongly correlated with CRP in the MS group (r = −0.403, p < 0.01). Antioxidant vitamins were inversely correlated with inflammation only in healthy participants. These findings suggest that an increased dietary fiber intake may help reduce PM2.5-induced inflammation, particularly in individuals with MS.

Northern Thailand experiences annual haze events with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeding standards, posing risks to schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study (Chiang Mai, 2024) evaluated respiratory impacts among primary school children aged 8–12 years. Daily mean PM2.5 concentrations were obtained from a single fixed-site monitoring station (36T) located within 2 km of the spirometry site. Among 93 children with acceptable spirometry, 52% exhibited restrictive, 18% obstructive, and 30% had normal function. After adjustment for BMI, males had significantly lower odds of any pulmonary abnormality than females (AOR = 0.084; 95% CI 0.017–0.417; p = 0.002). The mean FEV₁/FVC ratio was normal (86.30 ± 13.07%), whereas mean FVC, FEV₁, and PEF were significantly below predicted values, indicating a predominantly restrictive pattern. This predominance likely reflects cumulative exposure to biomass-burning related PM2.5 during the haze season, infiltration of outdoor PM2.5 into indoor environments alongside indoor sources, and the vulnerability of developing lungs in children’s factors that reduce lung volumes while largely preserving the FEV₁/FVC ratio. The exposure assessment provides pragmatic, proximity-based estimates but is limited by reliance on one station and one season, which may not capture spatial or temporal variability. These findings highlight sex-based susceptibility and support stronger air quality protections for children.

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is linked to metabolic dysfunction, yet evidence on its impact on hormonal regulation remains limited. This study examined seasonal changes in insulin, adiponectin, leptin, and HOMA-IR levels among healthy individuals and those with metabolic syndrome (MS) in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Fifty participants (25 healthy, 25 with MS) were assessed during high (February–April)- and low (May–July)-PM_2.5 seasons. Insulin levels increased in healthy individuals (mean: 9.3 to 14.9 µIU/mL; p = 0.051) and decreased in participants with MS (22.0 to 13.7 µIU/mL; p = 0.214), with a significant interaction effect (p = 0.020). Leptin increased significantly in both groups, but more markedly in the MS group (p < 0.001), also with a significant interaction (p < 0.001). HOMA-IR rose significantly in healthy individuals (p = 0.036) but not in participants with MS. Adiponectin remained stable across groups and seasons. At baseline, the MS group had significantly higher rates of diabetes (p = 0.050), hypertension (p = 0.001), and hyperlipidemia (p = 0.049). These findings suggest that PM_2.5 may influence metabolic and hormonal profiles, particularly in individuals with existing metabolic disorders.

Background/Objectives: Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is linked to increased cardiovascular risk, particularly in individuals with hypertension. This study examined the association between dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and vascular inflammation among individuals with hypertension living in rural and peri-urban areas of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted among 47 participants (23 rural, 24 peri-urban). Data on dietary intake, smoking, alcohol use, anthropometry, and blood chemistry were collected. Serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. Partial correlation analysis was used to examine associations with lifestyle factors, adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: Peri-urban participants had significantly higher levels of ICAM-1 [83.0 vs. 50.1 ng/mL], VCAM-1 [639.3 vs. 376.5 ng/mL], and IL-6 [4.80 vs. 1.02 pg/mL] compared to rural participants. Rural individuals reported higher intakes of antioxidant-related nutrients (selenium, β-carotene, niacin, vitamins A, B6, and C), while peri-urban individuals had higher sugar intake. Sugar intake was positively associated with ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, whereas selenium and vitamin C were inversely associated with both ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, while vitamin B6 was inversely associated with VCAM-1 only. Although rural participants had a higher rate of current smoking (34.8% vs. 4.4%), smoking and alcohol use were not significantly associated with inflammatory markers. Conclusion: Rural dietary patterns may be linked to reduced vascular adhesion molecule levels. Further studies with larger samples are warranted to clarify these associations and guide lifestyle strategies for managing vascular inflammation in PM_2.5-exposed individuals with hypertension.

Antioxidant intake from natural sources may enhance defense systems against oxidative stress induced by environmental factors such as cigarette smoke. Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) is an abundant source of antioxidants. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant effects of watercress consumption in people exposed to cigarette smoke in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Forty-five participants (15 non-smokers, 15 non-smokers with self-reported exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), and 15 smokers) aged 20–60 years consumed 60 g of fresh watercress with three meals daily for seven days. Clinical characteristics, lipid profiles, total antioxidant capacity, and oxidative stress markers were evaluated before and after the intervention. After 7 days of watercress consumption, body mass index (BMI) and hip circumference significantly decreased among non-smokers. Watercress consumption reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in smokers and in SHS-exposed non-smokers; however, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) significantly decreased in SHS-exposed non-smokers. Catalase activity increased, and malondialdehyde levels decreased in all groups. One of the measures of plasma total antioxidant capacity significantly improved in non-smokers. These findings suggest that watercress consumption may improve lipid profiles and mitigate oxidative stress, and that these beneficial effects differ across people with different levels of exposure to cigarette smoke. However, further studies are suggested to clarify these results.