Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious health problem, but the dose-response relationship between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and NAFLD remains uncertain. Methods: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.0 were used to combine trials and analyze data. The dose-response meta-analysis was performed by non-linear trend regression. Results: Twelve studies recruiting a total of 35,705 participants were included. The results showed that the consumption of SSBs was associated with 1.39-fold increased odds of NAFLD (95% CI: 1.29–1.50, p < 0.00001). The risk of NAFLD rose with an increased consumption of SSBs, while the consumptions of low doses (<1 cup/week), middle doses (1–6 cups/week) and high doses (≥7 cups/week) of SSBs increased the relative risk of NAFLD by 14%, 26% and 53%, respectively (p = 0.01, p < 0.00001, p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that consumers of SSBs are at significantly increased risk of NAFLD, and the consumption of SSBs has a dose-dependent effect on the risk of NAFLD. The findings of this study strengthen the evidence base for healthy dietary patterns and are meaningful for the primary prevention of NAFLD.

Background: Growing evidences have advocated the potential benefits of traditional Chinese exercise (TCE) on symptomatic improvement of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, most of them have been derived from cross-sectional studies or case reports; the effectiveness of TCE therapies has not been fully assessed with a randomized control trial (RCT). In order to evaluate the combined clinical effectiveness of TCE for KOA, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the existing RCTs on KOA. Methods: A systematic search was performed in four electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from the time of their inception to February 2020. All eligible RCTs were included in which TCE was utilized for treating KOA as compared to a control group. Two reviewers independently extracted the data and evaluated the risk of bias following the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for RCT. The symptoms of KOA evaluated by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were regarded as the primary outcomes in this study. Each outcome measure was pooled by a standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A meta-analysis was applied with a random or fixed effect model for the collected data to calculate the summary SMD with 95% CI based on different statistical heterogeneity. In addition, subgroup analyses were used to investigate heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis was carried out for the results of the meta-analysis. Egger’s test and the funnel plots were used to examine the potential bias in the RCTs. Results: A total of 14 RCTs involving 815 patients with KOA were included. Compared with a control group; the synthesized data of TCE showed a significant improvement in WOMAC/KOOS pain score (SMD = −0.61; 95% CI: −0.86 to −0.37; p < 0.001), stiffness score (SMD = −0.75; 95% CI: −1.09 to −0.41; p < 0.001), and physical function score (SMD = −0.67; 95% CI: −0.82 to −0.53; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggested that TCE may be effective in alleviating pain; relieving stiffness and improving the physical function for patients with KOA. Yet; given the methodological limitations of included RCTs in this meta-analysis; more high-quality RCTs with large sample size and long-term intervention are required to further confirm the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of TCE for treating KOA.

This review explored the potential of edible insects to address the challenges of malnutrition and food security. Although grain production in China has met the Food and Agriculture Organization standards, the shortage of protein supply is still a big issue. Moreover, expanding livestock farming is considered unsustainable and environmentally unfriendly. Edible insects have become an alternative with higher sustainable and ecological properties. There are 324 species of insects currently consumed in China, and they have high nutritional value, with a rich source of protein and unsaturated fatty acids. Insect farming provides numerous benefits, including green feeds for livestock, poultry, and aquaculture, sustainable organic waste management, as well as industrial and pharmaceutical raw materials. The food toxicological evaluations conducted in China indicated that edible insects are safe for general consumption by the Chinese, but allergies and other related food safety issues should not be ignored. Consumer acceptance is another barrier to overcome, with different schemas between China and Western countries. More research on the potential functions of edible insects and their product development may enhance their acceptance in China. Overall, incorporating edible insects into our diet is a promising solution to address challenges related to protein supply and food security. To ensure safety and sustainability, appropriate legislation, quality regulations, large-scale insect farms, and acceptable processing techniques are necessary. Moreover, more scientific research and social awareness are required to promote the culture and utilization of edible insects in China.

Citrus fruits, renowned for their abundant of phytochemicals and bioactive compounds, hold a prominent position as commercially grown fruits with health-promoting properties. In this context, tangerine peel (Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, CRP) is garnering attention as a byproduct of citrus fruits. Within the framework of the circular economy, CRP has emerged as a focal point due to its potential health benefits. CRP, extracted from Citrus reticulata cv. and aged for over three years, has attracted increasing attention for its diverse health-promoting effects, including its anticancer, cardiovascular-protecting, gastrointestinal-modulating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Moreover, CRP positively impacts skeletal health and various physiological functions. This review delves into the therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of CRP. The substantial therapeutic potential of CRP highlights the need for further research into its applications in both food and medicine. As a value-added functional ingredient, CRP and its constituents are extensively utilized in the development of food and health supplements, such as teas, porridges, and traditional medicinal formulations.

Dark tea has great potential in regulating glycolipid metabolism, and theabrownin (TB) is considered to be the characteristic and bioactive constituent of dark tea. This study evaluated the ability of TB1 (fermented for 7 days) and TB2 (fermented for 14 days) isolated from dark tea to reverse insulin resistance (IR) in HepG2 cells. The results indicated that TB significantly ameliorated oxidative stress by improving mitochondrial function. In addition, TB improved glycogen synthesis and glucose consumption, and inhibited gluconeogenesis and fatty acid synthesis, by regulating GSK3β (Glycogen synthase kinase 3β), G6Pase (Glucose-6-phosphatase), GCK (Glucokinase), PEPCK1 (Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase 1), SREBP-1C (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1C), FASN (fatty acid synthase), and ACC (Acetyl-CoA carboxylase). Additionally, the results of Western blot and real-time PCR experiments demonstrated that TB modulated glucolipid metabolism through the IRS-1 (Insulin receptor substrate 1)/PI3K (phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase)/Akt (protein kinase B) signaling pathway. Treatment with the PI3K inhibitor demonstrated a favorable correlation between PI3K activation and TB action on glycolipid metabolism. Notably, we observed that TB2 had a greater effect on improving insulin resistance compared with TB1, which, due to its prolonged fermentation time, increased the degree of oxidative polymerization of TB.

The fruits of Siraitia grosvenorii (S. grosvenorii) have attracted a lot of scientific interest as part of the current healthy diet. S. grosvenorii has diverse health-promoting effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, respiratory modulation, metabolic modulation, antitumor, and neuroprotective effects, as well as gastrointestinal function modulation. As a plant resource, S. grosvenorii has broad application prospects, which promotes the development of the horticultural industry. Moreover, Mogroside has attracted much attention as an important active ingredient of S. grosvenorii. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the distribution, chemical composition, health benefits, and application of S. grosvenorii, particularly Mogroside. This comprehensive exploration highlights the important therapeutic potential of S. grosvenorii, prompting further research into its applications. As value-added functional ingredients, S. grosvenorii and its constituents have significant potential for disease prevention and are widely used in the development of food and health supplements.