The need to increase food safety and improve human health has led to a worldwide increase in interest in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), produced by lactic acid bacteria (LABs). GABA, produced from glutamic acid in a reaction catalyzed by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD), is a four-carbon, non-protein amino acid that is increasingly used in the food industry to improve the safety/quality of foods. In addition to the possible positive effects of GABA, called a postbiotic, on neuroprotection, improving sleep quality, alleviating depression and relieving pain, the various health benefits of GABA-enriched foods such as antidiabetic, antihypertension, and anti-inflammatory effects are also being investigated. For all these reasons, it is not surprising that efforts to identify LAB strains with a high GABA productivity and to increase GABA production from LABs through genetic engineering to increase GABA yield are accelerating. However, GABA’s contributions to food safety/quality and human health have not yet been fully discussed in the literature. Therefore, this current review highlights the synthesis and food applications of GABA produced from LABs, discusses its health benefits such as, for example, alleviating drug withdrawal syndromes and regulating obesity and overeating. Still, other potential food and drug interactions (among others) remain unanswered questions to be elucidated in the future. Hence, this review paves the way toward further studies.

Context: Consuming antioxidant-rich foods has been associated with potential benefits in managing chronic diseases by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of Aronia melanocarpa (aronia berry or chokeberry) on human inflammation biomarkers and antioxidant enzymes. Data Sources: A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science, to identify relevant studies investigating the potential effects of aronia on human inflammation biomarkers and antioxidant enzymes between April 2022 and November 2023. Data Extraction: The selection of studies followed the PRISMA guidelines, data screening was conducted by 4 independent reviewers, and data extraction and risk-of-bias assessments were performed by 2 independent reviewers using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Data Analysis: A total of 1986 studies were screened, and 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in a systematic review that investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of aronia on various health parameters. These studies primarily focused on the effects of aronia on cardiometabolic diseases, performance in sport, and other health parameters. Conclusions: This study examined the effects of Aronia intervention on human health outcomes using aronia juice, extract, or oven-dried powder for a period of 4 to 13 weeks. The primary health parameters considered were C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The results showed that aronia had a beneficial effect on several inflammatory cytokines, including reductions in CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations, as well as elevated IL-10 levels. Moreover, positive changes have been observed in antioxidant enzyme systems, including; elevated SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activity. The findings of the presented studies provide evidence that Aronia melanocarpa may have beneficial effects on inflammatory markers. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration No. CRD42022325633.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and play essential roles in physiological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism. They have emerged as promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). In recent years, exosome-derived miRNAs, known as “xeno-miRNAs”, which are derived from food, as well as circulating miRNAs, have emerged as areas of intense research due to their potential effects on metabolic disorders. miRNAs influence fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance through mechanisms such as β-cell differentiation, insulin gene transcription, and PI3K–AKT pathway activation. Additionally, miRNAs play important roles in regulating MetS components, as follows: obesity through adipogenesis and lipogenesis; hypertension through regulation of the renin–angiotensin system and vascular tone; and dyslipidemia by modulating lipid metabolism. Emerging evidence suggests that nutrients such as polyphenols and specific dietary patterns can alter miRNA expression, potentially impacting metabolic health. Understanding the interactions between diet and miRNA regulation offers novel insights into the prevention and treatment of MetS. This review explores the mechanisms by which miRNAs influence MetS components, and highlights the growing potential of nutrient-regulated miRNAs as therapeutic targets within the framework of precision nutrition and personalized metabolic disease management.

Food neophobia, the fear of trying new foods, may reduce dietary variety, posing risks for nutritional deficiencies. This study examined the links between food neophobia, dietary quality, and diversity among Turkish young adults. A cross-sectional study with 949 participants (470 males, 479 females) aged 18-35 years used the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) and a 24-h dietary recall to assess food intake. Dietary diversity score (DDS), food variety score (FVS), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and healthy eating index (HEI-2015) were calculated. The mean neophobia score was 37.07 ± 12.17, with 13.4% high, 67.9% average, and 18.8% low neophobia. The average neophobia group had higher diet quality scores (MAR, DDS, FVS) than the low and high neophobia groups (p < 0.01). Positive relationships with food neophobia were found for niacin, calcium, zinc, plant protein, and cholesterol (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that food neophobia may affect dietary quality variably, with certain micronutrients positively linked to it.

Poor sleep quality is prevalent among university students and has been linked to unhealthy eating behaviors, including night eating and low mindful eating, which may negatively impact overall health and well-being. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of mindful eating and night eating syndrome on sleep quality among female students in the Faculty of Health Sciences. This cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 360 female university students aged 18 to 24 years. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys, and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ), Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were administered. Among the participants, 40.8% were classified as good sleepers, while 59.2% were poor sleepers. Additionally, MEQscores were not statistically different between the two groups (p > 0.05), while NEQ total scores were significantly higher in participants with poor sleep quality (p = 0.003). Higher total PSQI scores were significantly associated with skipping meals (Beta = 0.101), alcohol consumption (Beta = 0.163), high BMI (Beta = 0.610), and NEQ score (Beta = 0.084). In conclusion, poor sleep quality among female university students is significantly associated with night eating behaviors, higher BMI, meal skipping, and alcohol consumption, highlighting the need for interventions targeting these behaviors to improve sleep quality and overall well-being.

While people starve every day, food is being wasted. Simultaneously a food shortage does not exist on our planet. There is no lack of food. Production and distribution are the two primary causes of this problem. Unbalanced nutrition is the cause of obesity, overweight and hunger. Insufficient food intake causes nutritional problems such as vitamin and Iodine deficiency, Anaemia, Underweight and Stunting, Low birth weight, Protein-Energy Malnutrition, excess intake of food causes. However, nutritional health problems are not only caused by the absense of food but also from excessive food intake causing diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases etc. These all health problems effect societies worldwide. Bringing the global burden of diet-related noncomunicable diseases under control and enhancing public nutrition and health requires a muti-diciplinary approach.