Background/Objectives: The increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has been associated in recent years with negative effects on both physical and mental health. Ultra-processed products have been increasingly linked with poorer mental health outcomes, with research suggesting associations with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and cognitive difficulties. The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether and to what extent UPF intake is linked to metal health in children and adolescents. Methods: The methodological approach involved a systematic review of 20 recent epidemiological studies, identified through the PubMed and EBSCO databases using MeSH and TIAB search terms. The selected articles were evaluated in terms of sample characteristics, assessment tools, results and methodological quality. Results: Most findings revealed a positive association between high UPF consumption and mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, irritability or nervousness, sleep disturbances and suicidal ideation. However, variations were observed depending on the country, sex and the assessment tools used. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of this review support the hypothesis that increased consumption of UPFs may be a risk factor for mental health in children and adolescents. Further longitudinal and interventional research is needed, alongside the promotion of healthy dietary policies targeting the pediatric and adolescent populations.

Background/Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests that ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption may be associated with depressive symptoms, yet data in the early postpartum period remain limited. This pilot study aimed to examine the association between UPF intake and postpartum depressive symptoms among women in the early postpartum. Methods: In this cross-sectional pilot study, 137 women within 6–8 weeks postpartum were recruited from hospitals, maternity clinics, and online support networks in Greece. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire and classified according to the NOVA system. UPF consumption was categorized into quartiles. Postpartum depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), with clinically significant symptoms defined as EPDS ≥ 13. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted, adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Results: The prevalence of clinically significant postpartum depressive symptoms was 29.9%. No statistically significant associations were observed in adjusted models. However, a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms was observed among women in the highest UPF intake quartile (40.0%) compared with lower quartiles (25.7–28.1%). Poor sleep quality was independently associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms, whereas breastfeeding was associated with lower odds. Confidence intervals were wide, indicating limited statistical precision due to the small sample size. Conclusions: While no statistically significant association was observed in multivariable analyses, a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms was noted among women in the highest UPF intake quartile. The wide confidence intervals indicate substantial uncertainty, and the findings should be interpreted with caution. Larger, adequately powered studies are required to confirm these findings.

Food insecurity is defined as limited access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food required for normal growth and health maintenance.1,2 In 2024, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported that 309 ...

Background: Over the past few years, there has been an increasing emphasis on comprehending the complex relationship between gut microbiota and mental illnesses, particularly depression. Aims: The objective of this present review was to determine the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation in alleviating depressive symptoms. Methods: A comprehensive examination was conducted through an extensive search of the PubMed and Scopus databases, resulting in a systematic review of the available literature. The MESH terms "Probiotics", "Psychobiotics", "Probiotic Treatment outcomes", and "Probiotic Consumption" were used to describe the intervention, while the MESH terms "Depression", and "Depressive Disorders" were used to describe the outcome. Only papers published in English were included and there was also a restriction in date for all the included studies (2013-2024). Results: Eighteen studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review, with 14 RCTs and 4 CTs. The intervention period ranged from 1 to 12 months. All studies incorporated both males and females, with the exception of four studies that exclusively enrolled women. In terms of age, studies involve people over 16 years of age. Overall, the majority of the studies (N=12) suggest an improvement in depressive symptoms after the administration of probiotics for a certain period of time while the remaining 6 studies did not show any significant effect. Conclusion: While most of the trials indicated improvement, several had no meaningful benefit, presumably because of differences in strains, dosages, intervention durations, participant factors, and end measures. It is important to exercise caution before drawing definitive conclusions, as seen in prior research. This underscores the necessity for further studies to explore the role of probiotics in mental health. Keywords: Probiotics, gut microbiome, depression, depression, depressive symptoms, mental health.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. It arises primarily from complications associated with chronic hyperglycemia and elevated blood pressure ...