Ana Valente

Prof. Dr. Ana Valente

1. Atlântica - Instituto Universitário, Barcarena, Oeiras, Portugal
+1
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

22Years (2005-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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25 May 2023 in Nutrients
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Journal Article
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SGSofia Reino Gomes
Sofia Reino Gomes
Cátia Beatriz Almeida RamalheteCátia Beatriz Almeida Ramalhete
Cátia Beatriz Almeida Ramalhete
IFIsabel Ferreira
Isabel Ferreira
Manuel BichoManuel Bicho
Manuel Bicho
Ana ValenteAna Valente
Ana Valente
Sleep is extremely important for the homeostasis of the organism. In recent years, various studies have been carried out to address factors related to sleep patterns and their influence on food choices, as well as on the onset of chronic noncommunicable diseases. The aim of this article is to provide a scientific literature review on the possible role of sleep patterns on eating behavior and the risk of noncommunicable diseases. A search was performed on Medline (PubMed interface) using several keywords (e.g., “Factors Influencing Sleep” OR “Sleep and Chronic Diseases”). Articles published between 2000 and the present date that relate sleep to cyclic metabolic processes and changes in eating behavior were selected. Changes in sleep patterns are increasingly detected today, and these modifications are mainly caused by work and lifestyle conditions as well as a growing dependence on electronic devices. Sleep deprivation and the resultant short sleep duration lead to an increased appetite via an increase in the hunger hormone (ghrelin) and a decrease in the satiety hormone (leptin). Nowadays, sleep is undervalued, and thus often impaired, with consequences for the performance of various body systems. Sleep deprivation alters physiological homeostasis and influences eating behavior as well as the onset of chronic diseases.

21 September 2016 in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
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Journal Article
Closed access
ASA P da Silva
A P da Silva
AMAndreia Matos
Andreia Matos
Ricardo Jorge RibeiroRicardo Jorge Ribeiro
Ricardo Jorge Ribeiro
AGAngel Gil
Angel Gil
Ana ValenteAna Valente
Ana Valente
JGJ Gorjão-Clara
J Gorjão-Clara

8 July 2023 in Nutrients
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Journal Article
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ATAndrea Turnes
Andrea Turnes
PPPaula Pereira
Paula Pereira
HCHelena Cid
Helena Cid
Ana ValenteAna Valente
Ana Valente
(1) Background: Excessive meat consumption has raised multiple health and environmental concerns; however, there are no data on the population’s willingness to reduce its intake for these reasons. The current study aims to assess the frequency of meat intake and readiness to limit consumption due to concern about the impact on health and the environment in residents of the Lisbon metropolitan region. (2) Methods: This analytical cross-sectional observational study was carried out in 197 residents in the metropolitan region of Lisbon. The participants were divided into two groups by age (GI: 20–29 years; GII: 40–64 years). Meat consumption and willingness to reduce it were assessed through a questionnaire. (3) Results: Most participants (67%) reported not having knowledge about the ecological footprint of meat. Being a less frequent meat consumer (<1 time per day) is associated with a willingness 3.6 times higher (p < 0.001) to reduce meat consumption due to sensitivity to the impact on health and 4.0 times higher (p < 0.001) due to environmental reasons. (4) Conclusions: Lower meat consumption frequency was associated with reductions in this consumption for environmental and health reasons.

30 December 2024 in Nutrients
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JMJéssica Valente Monteiro
Jéssica Valente Monteiro
Manuel BichoManuel Bicho
Manuel Bicho
Ana ValenteAna Valente
Ana Valente
Background/Aim: Subfertility is characterized by a decrease in reproductive efficiency, which can result in delayed pregnancy, and affects one in six individuals during their lifetime. The present narrative review aims to evaluate the contribution of precision nutrition to changes in fertility in subfertile couples. Methods: The literature review was carried out through bibliographic research in the PubMed, Scopus, SciELO and Google Scholar databases. The following search criteria were applied: (1) original articles and narrative, systematic or meta-analytic reviews, and (2) the individual or combined use of the following keywords: “genetic variation”, “nutrigenetics”, “precision nutrition”, “couple’s subfertility”, and “couple’s infertility”. A preliminary reading of all the articles was carried out, and only those that best fit the themes and subthemes of the narrative review were selected. Results: Scientific evidence suggests that adherence to a healthy diet that follows the Mediterranean pattern is associated with increased fertility in women and improved semen quality in men, better metabolic health and reduced levels of inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as maintaining a healthy body weight. The integration of different tools, such as nutrigenetics, predictive biochemical analyses, intestinal microbiota tests and clinical nutrition software, used in precision nutrition interventions can contribute to providing information on how diet and genetics interact and how they can influence fertility. Conclusions: The adoption of a multidisciplinary and precision approach allows the design of dietary and lifestyle recommendations adapted to the specific characteristics and needs of couples with subfertility, thus optimizing reproductive health outcomes and achieving successful conception.

9 September 2005 in Food Control
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Journal Article
Closed access
ICI. Castanheira
I. Castanheira
EBE. Batista
E. Batista
Ana ValenteAna Valente
Ana Valente
MDM. Graça Dias
M. Graça Dias
MMM. Mora
M. Mora
Helena S. CostaHelena S. Costa
Helena S. Costa

13 January 2023 in Nutrients
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Journal Article
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BOBárbara Oliveira
Bárbara Oliveira
Manuel BichoManuel Bicho
Manuel Bicho
Ana ValenteAna Valente
Ana Valente
(1) Background: Refugees are a population group at imminent risk of death, being forced to migrate to countries with different cultures. Many of the refugees are at great risk of malnutrition, especially adolescent orphans. The aim of the study was to establish a nutritional and food education program to improve the integration process of young orphan refugees newly arrived in Portugal. (2) Methods: A nutrition and food education program with nine sessions of food and nutrition education over 12 weeks was carried out by a nutritionist from March to June 2016, in 15 young residents of the Reception Center for Refugee Children. The program included the application of a nutritional knowledge questionnaire, an anthropometric assessment, and the collection of data on food habits and lifestyle. The evaluation of the program was carried out by comparing the initial and final scores of the nutritional knowledge questionnaire. (3) Results: There was an improvement in nutritional knowledge among the adolescents, and a direct relationship between attendance at the sessions and improvement of this knowledge was found. Non-significant changes were observed in some anthropometric measurements between the beginning and the ending of the program. (4) Conclusions: This food education program contributed to a better understanding by young orphan refugees newly arrived in Portugal of the foods available in Portugal and of the Portuguese gastronomy.