Daily Archives: 13 July 2024

Exploring the Connection Between Refined Carbohydrate Consumption and Perceived Facial Attractiveness

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In a groundbreaking study, Visine and colleagues from the University of Montpellier, France, investigated the relationship between refined carbohydrate consumption and perceived facial attractiveness. Their findings, reported in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on March 6, 2024, shed new light on the potential influence of diet on social perceptions.

The Western diet, characterised by its high intake of refined carbohydrates—such as white flour, table sugar, and ingredients found in many packaged snacks—has been associated in previous research with various adverse health effects, including obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Building upon this knowledge, researchers hypothesised that high consumption of refined carbohydrates might also influence non-medical traits, such as attractiveness. Visine and colleagues conducted a study involving 104 French adults of European descent to explore this further.

Participants were divided into groups, with some receiving a high-glycemic breakfast rich in refined carbohydrates known to increase blood sugar levels rapidly. In contrast, others were given a low-glycemic breakfast. Additionally, participants completed a questionnaire assessing their usual consumption patterns of refined carbohydrates. Subsequently, heterosexual volunteers were asked to rate the attractiveness of opposite-sex participants based on photographs taken two hours after breakfast—this selection criterion aimed to minimise cultural variability by including only individuals with four European-origin grandparents.

Data analysis revealed that consuming a high-glycemic breakfast was associated with lower attractiveness ratings for both male and female participants. Moreover, chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates during breakfast and snacks was similarly linked to diminished attractiveness ratings, whereas consuming high-energy foods at these times correlated with higher attractiveness scores.

The findings revealed sex-specific differences. Among men, increased energy intake during afternoon snacking was associated with reduced attractiveness ratings, whereas higher glycemic intake during this period corresponded to elevated attractiveness ratings. These outcomes persisted even after controlling for potential confounding factors such as age, perceived age, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, and facial hair density.

The researchers emphasized the importance of their findings in understanding social interactions, noting that facial attractiveness, a crucial component of social dynamics, appears to be influenced by both immediate and chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates in men and women. They underscored the need for further investigation with more extensive and more diverse participant samples to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking refined carbohydrate consumption to attractiveness and other social traits, sparking curiosity for future research in the audience.

Visine and colleagues’ study provides compelling evidence suggesting a connection between refined carbohydrate intake and perceived facial attractiveness. These findings not only highlight potential implications for broader social interactions but also underscore the importance of dietary choices for individual health outcomes.

More information: Amandine Visine et al, Chronic and immediate refined carbohydrate consumption and facial attractiveness, PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298984

Journal information: PLoS ONE Provided by PLOS

Understanding the Link Between High-Fat Diets and Alzheimer’s Disease: Researchers Uncover Mechanism

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Researchers at the University Rovira i Virgili (URV) have identified the mechanism connecting a diet rich in saturated fats with Alzheimer’s disease. Led by Mònica Bulló, a professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology and a member of the Metabolic Health and Nutrition unit at URV’s TecnATox, in collaboration with the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV), CIBERobn, and the University of Barcelona, the study focuses on molecules in blood and brain tissues that serve as markers and regulators of Alzheimer’s.

Unlike previous studies, which focused on mouse models predisposed to Alzheimer’s and showed accelerated disease onset after consuming a high-saturated fat diet, this research took a unique approach. It examined 15 miRNAs, small RNA molecules crucial for genetic regulation, in these mice’s plasma and brain tissues, revealing previously unknown underlying mechanisms.

Results indicated metabolic deterioration after six months on the diet, including significant weight gain and reduced response to glucose and insulin, akin to characteristics seen in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, alterations in miRNA expression were observed in blood and brain tissues, correlating with processes such as β-amyloid plaque accumulation, tau protein overproduction, and brain inflammation—hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mònica Bulló highlighted the study’s implications: “These findings not only advance our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and its relationship with obesity and type 2 diabetes but also provide a roadmap for future research. They offer potential targets for disease prevention and treatment, and shed light on how high-fat diets impact brain health, suggesting avenues for future research into dietary strategies for Alzheimer’s treatment. This underscores the role of balanced nutrition in preventing neurodegenerative diseases and identifies miRNAs as potential therapeutic targets.”

More information: Melina Rojas-Criollo et al, Effects of a High-Fat Diet on Insulin-Related miRNAs in Plasma and Brain Tissue in APPSwe/PS1dE9 and Wild-Type C57BL/6J Mice, Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu16070955

Journal information: Nutrients Provided by Universitat Rovira i Virgili

Study Reveals Dangers of Muscle-Building Supplements for Adolescents and Young Adults

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The University of Toronto’s recent study, a comprehensive exploration of the prevalence, influences, and associated risks of muscle-building supplements among adolescents and young adults in Canada, has just been published. This research, with significant implications for healthcare, public health, and policy professionals, sheds light on the widespread use of these supplements.

Based on data from 912 participants in the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors, the study focused on individuals aged 16 to 30. Nearly 60% reported using protein bars; just over half used whey protein powders or shakes, the most popular supplements. Usage rates were higher among boys and men compared to girls, women, and transgender/gender expansive individuals.

Lead author Kyle T. Ganson, PhD, MSW, highlighted that boys and men in the study used an average of three muscle-building supplements in the past year, illustrating a widespread pursuit of the muscular body ideal.

Nearly half of the participants’ primary influencers were social media influencers, while fitness communities and friends also played significant roles. Over two-thirds sought information online, with gender differences in information sources; girls and women tended to consult healthcare professionals, whereas boys and men relied more on online forums like Reddit and YouTube.

Ganson emphasised the importance of healthcare and policy professionals understanding where young people obtain information on muscle-building supplements. Given weak regulations in Canada and minimal content restrictions on social media platforms, this could influence perceptions of safety and effectiveness.

Only 9.8% of participants considered their supplement use problematic, though transgender/gender expansive individuals perceived higher levels of concern compared to cisgender participants. The study also found that nearly two-thirds of users experienced symptoms such as fatigue, digestive issues, and cardiovascular problems, yet a significant majority did not seek medical help.

While the study did not confirm causation between supplement use and symptoms, it highlighted health concerns that young people should be aware of. Ganson stressed the need for healthcare providers to be informed about muscle-building supplements and to routinely discuss their use with adolescents and young adults, mainly focusing on harm reduction and risk awareness.

The findings underscored the necessity for public health initiatives to educate about the potential dangers of muscle-building supplements, especially among transgender/gender expansive and sexual minority individuals who reported higher symptom rates. To mitigate potential harms, the authors recommended stronger regulations on selling and advertising these supplements, particularly on social media platforms.”

More information: Kyle T. Ganson et al, Describing use of muscle-building supplements among adolescents and young adults in Canada, Performance Enhancement & Health. DOI: 10.1016/j.peh.2024.100284

Journal information: Performance Enhancement & Health Provided by University of Toronto

Discrimination: A Catalyst for Accelerated Ageing

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A recent study by NYU School of Global Public Health researchers sheds light on how discrimination may hasten biological ageing processes. Published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity-Health, the research reveals that interpersonal discrimination is linked to molecular-level changes that could exacerbate disparities in aging-related health outcomes.

According to Adolfo Cuevas, assistant professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at NYU’s School of Global Public Health and senior author of the study, experiencing discrimination appears to accelerate ageing, potentially contributing to increased susceptibility to diseases and premature mortality among affected individuals.

The study highlights that individuals who face discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, weight, or disability are at heightened risk of various health issues, including heart disease, hypertension, and depression. While the exact biological mechanisms underlying these health disparities remain incompletely understood, chronic activation of the body’s stress response is thought to play a significant role. Moreover, mounting evidence suggests that persistent exposure to discrimination may impact the biological processes associated with ageing.

To explore this connection further, Cuevas and his team examined three measures of DNA methylation—a marker used to gauge the biological effects of stress and ageing—in nearly 2,000 U.S. adults participating in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, funded by the National Institute on Aging. Participants provided blood samples and completed surveys detailing their experiences of discrimination across everyday interactions, major life events, and workplace settings.

The findings revealed a compelling association between discrimination and accelerated biological ageing. Individuals reporting higher levels of discrimination tended to exhibit faster biological ageing than those reporting lower levels. Specifically, everyday discrimination and major discriminatory events consistently correlate with accelerated ageing. Discrimination in the workplace also showed a link to accelerated ageing, though its impact was somewhat less pronounced.

Further analysis indicated that health behaviours such as smoking and body mass index accounted for approximately half of the observed association between discrimination and accelerated ageing. This suggests that additional stress responses triggered by discrimination—including elevated cortisol levels and disrupted sleep patterns—contribute significantly to accelerated biological ageing.

Cuevas emphasised that while health behaviours play a role in these disparities, a range of psychosocial stressors likely contribute to the accelerated ageing observed among individuals facing discrimination. He highlighted the need for comprehensive approaches to address discrimination to improve health outcomes and promote equity in healthy ageing.

The study also revealed variations in the impact of discrimination on biological ageing across different racial groups. Black participants, who reported higher levels of discrimination, tended to exhibit older biological ages and faster rates of biological ageing. In contrast, White participants, despite reporting lower levels of discrimination overall, showed heightened susceptibility to its effects when they did experience it—potentially due to less frequent exposure and fewer coping mechanisms.

“These findings underscore the critical importance of addressing discrimination in all its forms to support healthy ageing and advance health equity,” Cuevas concluded. The study advocates for broader efforts to mitigate the adverse health effects of discrimination and promote conditions conducive to healthy ageing across diverse populations.

More information: Adolfo G. Cuevas et al, Multi-discrimination exposure and biological aging: Results from the midlife in the United States study, Brain Behavior & Immunity – Health. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100774

Journal information: Brain Behavior & Immunity – Health Provided by New York University