Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the intake of solid block dairy products like cheese and serum uric acid levels, along with its potential physiological mechanisms. Methods: Data for our study were obtained from the Chinese Children and Lactating Women Nutrition and Health Surveillance. Generalized linear models and restricted cubic splines were employed to analyze the relationship between the intake of solid block dairy products like cheese and serum uric acid levels. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analysis was conducted to infer causality, based on a large sample size and robust methodology. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was also performed to identify potential biological pathways. Results: Among all types of dairy products, a significant negative association with serum uric acid levels was observed only for the intake of solid block dairy products like cheese, regardless of covariate adjustment (β = −0.182, p < 0.001). TSMR results supported a negative causal relationship between cheese intake and serum uric acid levels (β = −0.103, 95% CI: −0.149 to −0.057; p = 0.002). The JAK-STAT signaling pathway and autophagy regulation were identified as potential physiological mechanisms underlying this relationship. Conclusions: The intake of solid block dairy products like cheese was found to result in decreased levels of serum uric acid, with potential mechanisms involving the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and the regulation of autophagy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between dietary copper intake and incident metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Chinese adults. Methods: Data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) in 2009, 2015, and 2018. A total of 2418 adults aged 18–64 years who were free of MetS at baseline in 2009 were included. Person-period data were constructed, and discrete-time hazard models with a complementary log-log link were used to evaluate the associations of dietary copper intake with incident MetS and its components. Restricted cubic spline analysis (RCS) was used to assess the dose–response relationship. Results: After multivariable adjustment, compared with the lowest quartile (Q1) of dietary copper intake, the Q4 groups had a higher risks of incident MetS, with HR (95% CI) of 1.32 (1.06–1.65) (p = 0.014). When analyzed as a continuous variable, each 1 mg/1000 kcal increase in energy-adjusted dietary copper intake was associated with an approximately 27% higher risk of incident MetS (HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.03–1.53) (p = 0.023). RCS indicated a significant overall association without evidence of nonlinearity. Component analyses suggested that higher dietary copper intake might be associated with increased risks of reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and abdominal obesity. Sensitivity analyses were generally consistent with the main findings. Conclusions: Higher dietary copper intake was associated with an increased risk of incident MetS in Chinese adults. Component analyses suggested a more consistent association for reduced HDL-C, while an additional possible association was observed for abdominal obesity.