Parkinson's Disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by the degeneration of progressive dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra region of the human midbrain. Although just what causes PD remains a mystery, it is known that oxidative stress (OS) as well as mitochondrial dysfunction, neuro-inflammation, and insufficient neurotrophic support play a role in the disease's pathophysiology. Phytochemicals are a diverse small molecule group derived from plants that can be classified into numerous classes on the basis of their biological activities and chemical structure. Of these groups of phytochemicals, the most abundant, which has well-established anti-Parkinson's effects, are polyphenols. Flavonoids, including naringin and naringenin, genistein, kaempferol, anthocyanins, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and baicalein are plant-based biologically active polyphenols, which have been shown to exhibit therapeutic potential when used as treatment for a variety of pathological illnesses, such as neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and PD. Recently, it was reported that flavonoids have beneficial effects on PD, such as the protection of DA neurons, improvement of motor and cognitive abilities, regulation of signaling pathways, and modulation of OS and neuro-inflammation. In addition, by changing the composition of bacteria in gut microbiota, flavonoids reduce pathogenic strains and promote the growth of beneficial strains. In this context, the current paper will provide a literature review on the neurological roles that flavonoids play, as one of the most abundant phytochemical families, in PD.

Purpose of Review: The first stages of human life, which include the fetal period, infancy, and early childhood, are the most critical for human growth and development. This is the most vulnerable phase to health challenges due to the immature immune system and rapid development. Mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, patulin, fumonisins, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol are secondary metabolites secreted by various fungal species, primarily Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria. Aflatoxins are one of the major mycotoxins produced in cereals and cereal-based foods by several species of Aspergillus, mainly Aspergillus flavus. In this context, this review provides a brief overview of the occurrence, exposure, legal regulations, and health effects of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, and M1) in cereal-based baby foods and breast milk. Recent Findings: Human aflatoxin exposure in utero and through breast milk, infant formulas, cereals, and cereal-based foods has been linked to various health consequences, including adverse birth outcomes, impaired growth and development, immune system suppression, and hepatic dysfunction. Recent evidence suggests that especially infants and children are more susceptible to aflatoxins due to their lower body weight, lowered capacity to detoxify harmful substances, more restrictive diet, immature metabolism and elimination, and faster rates of growth and development. Summary: It is essential for both food safety and infant and child health that aflatoxins in cereal and cereal-based products are precisely detected, detoxified, and managed.

Background: Food literacy is associated with sustainable food systems and encourages individuals to adopt healthy eating habits. However, there is no validated method that can be used to measure food literacy related to sustainable food systems of Turkish adults. This research aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Turkish adaptation of the “Food Literacy (FOODLIT) Tool” for Turkish adults. Methods: The study involved 328 people aged 19 to 58 years. The FOODLIT-Tool is a five-point Likert-type scale consisting of 24 items and five factors (“culinary competencies”, “production and quality”, “selection and planning”, “environmentally safe” and “origin”). Results: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was applied to assess internal consistency reliability, showing an excellent scale coefficient of 0.927. The model was evaluated with a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The findings of the CFA suggested that the fit indices were acceptable (χ²/df = 1.257, comparative fit index: 0.991, goodness-of-fit index: 0.977, normed fit index: 0.990 and root mean error of approximation: 0.028). Furthermore, there was a positive relationship between the FOODLIT-Tool score and the “Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors Scale” (SHEB) score (r = 0.518, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study shows that the Turkish version of the FOODLIT-Tool integrated with sustainable food systems is a valid and reliable measurement tool for assessing the food literacy of Turkish adults.

Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics are two concepts in the area of nutritional genomics. Epigenetics is a new discipline with significant potential in the prevention and management of certain carcinomas and diseases. Epigenetics consists of DNA methylation, histone modification, non-coding RNAs, and telomerase activity. Epigenetic-based mechanisms act on the inhibition of cancer cells by modulating enzymes such as DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase, as well as non-coding RNAs. Phytochemicals are natural bioactive components of plant origin that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic effects on various diseases, especially cancer. The epigenetic diet is a nutritional model based on the consumption of various phytochemicals such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate, morin, caffeic acid phenyl ester, apigenin, genistein, curcumin, resveratrol, and sulforaphane. Phytochemicals exert their effects on cancer-based by reducing cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis and increasing cell apoptosis. Simultaneously, it has functions such as reducing oncogenes that have effects on cancer etiology and increasing tumor suppressor genes.

Purpose of the Review: This review aims to provide an overview of the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, and health-promoting properties of Aronia melanocarpa , with a particular focus on its antioxidant capacity and potential therapeutic applications in chronic disease prevention and management. Recent Findings: In vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies indicate that Aronia melanocarpa exerts potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, anti-obesity, and anticancer effects, attributed mainly to its rich anthocyanin and procyanidin content. Human intervention trials have shown improved antioxidant status, lipid and glucose metabolism, vascular function, and inflammatory markers. However, some results remain inconclusive due to differences in cultivar, processing, dosage, and individuals. Supporting evidence from animal and cellular models highlights the regulation of NF-κB and AMPK signaling pathways, modulation of gut microbiota, and protective effects against metabolic and age-related disorders. Furthermore, novel applications in nanotechnology demonstrate that Aronia melanocarpa extracts can serve as eco-friendly agents in synthesizing bioactive nanoparticles with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and biomedical potential. Summary: Aronia melanocarpa is a promising functional food with strong potential for nutraceutical and therapeutic applications. While experimental evidence supports its health benefits, human clinical data remain insufficient to establish standardized dosage and long-term use recommendations. Future research should focus on well-designed clinical trials, bioavailability optimization, and fully elucidating the role of Aronia melanocarpa in health promotion and disease prevention.