Introduction: There is little research on the nutritional status of older people in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated the factors associated with the nutritional status of older people in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia. We hypothesized that older people who are at risk of malnutrition are at higher risk of different diseases.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 271 people aged ≥60 years from October 2021 to January 2022. We collected data on demographics, body mass index, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index, Mini Nutritional Assessment, Eating Attitudes Test, and Household Dietary Diversity score.Results: Among the 271 participants, 13.3% were malnourished and 53.9% were at risk of malnutrition. The oral health (P < 0.001), depression (P < 0.001), and eating disorder (P < 0.002) scores were significantly associated with malnutrition. Congestive heart failure, asthma, peripheral vascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and hypertension were more prevalent among malnourished participants—this supports our original hypothesis. The HDD score showed no significant differences between men and women.Conclusion: Malnutrition was associated with overweight or obesity, poor oral health, and depression. Older people in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia, had a high risk of malnutrition.

Honey is known for its high nutritional value and is used both as a sweetener and as a medicine. However, owing to high demand and low supply, honey adulteration has become a global concern. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is an important quality indicator that exists in trace amounts but accounts for a significant portion of the sugar content in honey. According to the International Honey Commission and Codex Alimentarius Commission of the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and European Union, HMF levels ≥ 40 mg/kg (≥ 80 mg/kg in tropical countries) are considered harmful to humans. This review investigated the levels of HMF in commercial acacia honey from various countries worldwide. I selected 28 studies reporting on acacia honey, the utilization of HMF as a quality indicator, range and mean values for HMF, mean values for reducing sugar (total fructose and glucose), and acidity and moisture results. Most studies reported that the levels of HMF and other important factors were within the legal limit—only a few samples in four of the 28 studies had HMF levels higher than the legal limit. In conclusion, current evidence indicates that commercial acacia honey undergoes limited adulteration and maintains a high quality, in accordance with regulatory guidelines. It is necessary to maintain honey quality during harvest and storage.

Information regarding the spread and effect of coffee and caffeine intake by individuals with type II diabetes remains unclear. This study aims to identify the amount and sources of habitual caffeine intake by individuals with type II diabetes and to investigate its association with other health outcomes, especially HbA1c. This is a cross-sectional survey involving 100 people medically defined as having type II diabetes comprising both genders, recruited from a care centre. All participants completed a caffeine semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (C-FFQ) to estimate their caffeine consumption, a two day 24-h recall, and a detailed questionnaire. The average caffeine intake was calculated from all sources and the differences in mean by gender were tested using a regression model (adjusted to important confounders). Regression models were used to verify the association between average caffeine intake on HbA1c and other health outcomes with adjustment for important confounders. A p value < 0.05 represented statistical significance. Arabic coffee (gahwa) and tea were the most common sources of caffeine among Saudi adults living with diabetes. Average caffeine intake for the whole sample was 194 ± 165 mg/day, which is 2.3 ± 2 mg/kg. There was an inverse association between caffeine intake and age: difference in mean −3.26 mg/year (95%CI: −5.34, −1.18; p = 0.003). Males had significantly higher consumption of caffeine compared to females: difference in mean 90.7 mg/day (95%CI: 13.8, 167.6; p = 0.021). No association was found between average caffeine intake and HbA1C or any other cardiovascular risk factors. This information can help public health practitioners and policy makers when assessing the risk of caffeine consumption among this vulnerable group.

Demand for gluten-free food products is on the rise, largely due to heightened consumer awareness regarding celiac disease. This study was conducted to develop quality characteristics of gluten-free cookies produced by replacing rice flour with 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% green banana flour. The methodology consisted of evaluating the cookie samples was evaluated in terms of chemical composition, physical properties (diameters, weights, thickness and spread ratio), textural properties (cookies hardness), color characteristics (L* (Lightness), a*(redness), b* (yellowness), hue angle and ΔE (Numerical total color difference), as well as microbiological analysis and sensory properties. The results indicated that the cookie samples showed a gradual reduction in moisture, protein, lipid, and total carbohydrate contents, while there was a gradual increase in both crude fiber and ash content with increasing levels of replacement with green banana flour. The physical properties showed a gradual increase in weight, thickness and hardness of cookie samples, while there was a gradual decline in both diameter and spread ratio with increasing percentage of replacement with green banana flour in comparison to the control sample. The color characteristics of the cookie samples showed that a gradual decline in the L* values and b* values, while the a* value of the gluten-free cookies was gradually increased with increasing levels of substitution with green banana flour compared to the control sample. Microbiological assessments showed that the cookie samples produced exhibited a low microbial count, confirming their microbiological safety. Neither Escherichia coli nor Salmonella spp. were detected in any sample throughout the storage periods of 2, 30, 60, and 90 days at ambient temperature (25 ± 2°C). Sensory evaluations revealed that cookie samples prepared by replacing rice flour with 20% green banana flour, received the highest ratings for color, flavor, texture, crispiness, and overall acceptability.

Food trucks (FTs) are becoming increasingly popular in Saudi Arabia. However, inadequate food safety practices and limited consumer awareness of foodborne pathogens may increase the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with consumption from FTs. Therefore, we assessed consumer knowledge, attitudes, associations with sociodemographic characteristics, and dietary patterns among FT customers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia, between March to October 2025. An online questionnaire was completed by 500 adults covering sociodemographic characteristics, food safety knowledge, attitudes, pathogen awareness, and dietary intake. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression. The mean scores for awareness, knowledge, and attitudes were 16.7 ± 3.8, 14.7 ± 3.3, and 30.8 ± 5.3, respectively. Women had considerably higher knowledge and awareness scores than men (p < 0.0001). Significant correlations were found between food safety knowledge and attitude scores (r = 0.531, p < 0.001), food safety knowledge and awareness scores (r = 0.633, p < 0.001), and attitude and awareness scores (r = 0.429, p < 0.001). A trend toward high fruit consumption was observed among participants with high knowledge and awareness scores. These findings highlight the need for targeted consumer education to improve pathogen awareness among FT customers.