Daily Archives: 27 July 2024

Snack Size Influences Eating Behaviour and Determines Consumption Levels

According to a recent study from Penn State, individual snack pieces’ dimensions significantly impact consumption speed and quantity. With snacks accounting for nearly a quarter of daily calorie intake in the United States, understanding these dynamics could be crucial in managing dietary habits, particularly in calorie and sodium intake.

The research, conducted by a team of food scientists, delved into how different sizes of pretzels affected various aspects of eating behaviour, including the rate of consumption, bite-size, duration of snacking, and overall intake. The findings revealed a trend where larger pretzels were eaten more quickly and in bigger bites. Conversely, more miniature pretzels were consumed slowly and in smaller bites, reducing total intake. However, despite consuming fewer pretzels, the sodium intake was higher with the smaller sizes. This study is set to be featured in the June edition of the journal Appetite and is currently accessible online.

The study involved seventy-five adults participating in three snacking sessions at the Penn State Sensory Evaluation Center. Each session provided an oversized snack portion equating to approximately 2.5 servings of one of three sizes of pretzels: small, medium, or large. Each session was video recorded to gather data on the eating rate and bite-size, allowing the researchers to note the duration and number of bites each participant took. Additionally, total consumption was measured in terms of both weight and calories.

The results showed that when the same amount of food was provided, the total amount consumed varied depending on the size of the pretzel pieces. Participants ate 31% and 22% more of the giant pretzels than the small and medium-sized ones. This indicates that the size of the pretzels not only influenced the rate of eating and the size of the bites but also had a substantial impact on overall intake.

The researchers concluded that the observed eating behaviours driven by the different pretzel sizes were the primary factors influencing total intake rather than the size of the pretzel alone. More enormous pretzels encouraged quicker eating and larger bites. John Hayes, professor of food science and director of the Penn State Sensory Evaluation Center and the study’s corresponding author, explained that the structure of food—its texture, size, and shape—could be strategically utilized to modify eating behaviour and regulate food intake. He highlighted the particular relevance of unit size in snack foods and expressed interest in how the physical properties of foods could be optimized to reduce consumption without diminishing enjoyment.

Madeline Harper, a graduate student in food science and the study’s lead author, pointed out a crucial but previously overlooked connection between pretzel size and sodium intake. While lower in total weight consumed, more miniature pretzels have a greater surface area relative to their weight, potentially leading to higher sodium intake due to more salt on their surface. Harper suggested that choosing more miniature pretzels could benefit those monitoring their calorie intake or seeking to reduce snack consumption. However, larger pretzels might be preferable for individuals concerned about hypertension or sodium levels as they result in lower sodium consumption despite a higher intake of pretzels by weight. This nuanced understanding of snack size effects offers valuable insights for dietary management and health-focused snacking choices.

More information: Madeline M. Harper et al, Unit size influences ad libitum intake in a snacking context via eating rate, Appetite. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107300

Journal information: Appetite Provided by Penn State

Residing at Elevated Elevations in India Associated with Higher Childhood Stunting Risk

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Children residing in rural areas appear particularly vulnerable to stunting, leading researchers to recommend prioritising nutritional programmes in the hilly and mountainous regions of the country. Despite numerous initiatives aimed at combating malnutrition, childhood stunting remains a significant public health concern in India, affecting more than a third of children under five years old. While studies from other countries have identified a correlation between high altitudes and increased stunting, whether this association holds in India, where a substantial portion of the population lives above 2500 metres, is still being determined. To investigate this potential link further, researchers utilised data from the 2015–16 National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), a nationally representative survey of Indian households, including 167,555 children under five from various regions. The majority of these children (98%; 164,874) lived below 1000 metres above sea level; 1.4% (2,346) resided between 1000 and 1999 metres; and a smaller fraction (0.2%; 335) lived at or above 2000 metres. Notably, seven out of ten children lived in rural settings.

Stunting was found to be 36% overall, more prevalent among children aged 18–59 months (41%) than those younger than 18 months (27%). A higher incidence of stunting was observed in children who were third-born or later (44%) compared to firstborns (30%). Additionally, children who were notably small at birth exhibited even higher rates of stunting (45%). The education level of mothers played a significant role, as the prevalence of stunting decreased with increasing educational attainment. Children whose mothers had no schooling showed more than double the prevalence of stunting compared to those whose mothers had higher education (48% vs 21%).

Other protected factors included antenatal care, such as clinic visits, tetanus vaccinations, iron and folic acid supplementation, proximity to health facilities, and not being part of a specific caste or indigenous tribe. This observational study captures a snapshot in time and does not establish causality between altitude and stunting, as acknowledged by the researchers. However, they propose plausible explanations for their findings. For example, chronic exposure to high altitudes can diminish appetite, impair oxygen delivery to tissues, and reduce nutrient absorption.

Additionally, food insecurity is often more severe in higher elevations where agricultural yields are lower, and the climate is more severe. Similarly, delivering healthcare services, including implementing nutritional programmes and healthcare access, poses more significant challenges. The researchers conclude that a comprehensive approach involving various health and nutrition sectors is essential to tackle stunting, especially among children in vulnerable areas.

This approach should integrate reproductive health initiatives, women’s nutrition programmes, infant and young child feeding interventions, and food security measures. Ongoing research, monitoring, and evaluation are crucial to developing evidence-based policies and targeted actions that ensure every child in India has the chance for healthy growth and development. Professor Sumantra Ray, Executive Director of the NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health, which co-owns BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health with BMJ, remarks on the need for further study.

In recent decades, public health interventions in India have effectively addressed some nutritional issues related to high altitudes, such as iodine deficiency. However, this study underscores the complexities of malnutrition in mountainous regions, where a deeper understanding of the interplay between genetics, environment, lifestyle, and socio-economic factors is needed to address malnutrition among children under five fully. The research highlights the urgent need for tailored interventions that consider the unique challenges faced by these communities, ensuring that every child has the opportunity for a healthy start in life.

More information: Santosh Bhagwanrao Phad et al, Geographical altitude and stunting among children aged under 5 years in India, BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health. DOI: 10.1136/bmjnph-2024-000895

Journal information: BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health Provided by BMJ Group

Ketogenic Diet Halts Early Memory Loss in Mice

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A study from the University of California, Davis, highlights that a ketogenic diet significantly delays the onset of Alzheimer’ s-related memory loss in mice. This early stage of memory decline parallels the mild cognitive impairment seen in humans, which often leads to full-blown Alzheimer’s disease. These findings have been published in Communications Biology, a journal of the Nature Group.

The ketogenic diet, characterized by low carbohydrate, high fat, and moderate protein intake, shifts the body’s metabolism from glucose to fat-burning and ketone production for energy. Prior research by UC Davis revealed that mice on this diet lived 13% longer, indicating potential longevity benefits linked to dietary changes.

Building on earlier work, this study identified that the molecule beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) plays a crucial role in preventing early memory decline, with its levels increasing almost seven-fold on a ketogenic diet. Gino Cortopassi, a biochemist and pharmacologist at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, noted, “The data support the idea that the ketogenic diet in general, and BHB specifically, delays mild cognitive impairment and it may delay full blown Alzheimer’s disease, though it clearly doesn’t eliminate the disease entirely.”

In their experiments, scientists administered BHB to mice in amounts equivalent to those experienced after seven months on a ketogenic diet. This led to significant improvements in the function of synapses—the vital structures that connect nerve cells in the brain. Better synaptic connections enhance memory function, which can alleviate the issues related to mild cognitive impairment, as pointed out by Izumi Maezawa, professor of pathology at the UC Davis School of Medicine.

Cortopassi also mentioned that BHB is available as a supplement, potentially supporting memory in mice, although its effects on human memory have yet to be demonstrated. The study also noted significant increases in biochemical pathways related to memory formation in mice following the ketogenic diet, with females showing higher BHB levels than males.

These observations suggest that if such results were to translate to humans, they could be especially significant for women, particularly those with the ApoE4 gene variant, who are at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s. This aspect of the research highlights the potential for gender-specific therapeutic strategies in combating cognitive decline.

More information: Jacopo Di Lucente et al, Ketogenic diet and BHB rescue the fall of long-term potentiation in an Alzheimer’s mouse model and stimulates synaptic plasticity pathway enzymes, Communications Biology. DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05860-z

Journal information: Communications Biology Provided by University of California, Davis

AI Could Soon Enable Early Detection of Cancer

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A recent publication in Biology Methods & Protocols by Oxford University Press presents a promising future where artificial intelligence (AI) may assist physicians in detecting and diagnosing cancer, potentially leading to earlier interventions. Cancer presents a significant challenge annually, with over 19 million new cases and 10 million deaths. The evolutionary complexity of cancer often renders late-stage tumours challenging to manage, but the potential of AI offers a ray of hope.

DNA stores genetic data using sequences of four bases—A, T, G, and C. External environmental factors can lead to alterations in these bases through a process known as “DNA methylation,” where a methyl group is added to the DNA. This modification occurs extensively across the millions of DNA bases in each cell. Notably, early stages of cancer are marked by distinct changes in these methylation patterns, which could be crucial for early cancer detection. The task is to determine the methylation statuses across cancerous DNA and compare these to normal tissue, a daunting task likened to finding a needle in a haystack.

In an exciting development, Cambridge University and Imperial College London researchers have developed an AI model that employs machine learning and deep learning techniques to scrutinize DNA methylation patterns. This model can distinguish between 13 different types of cancer—including breast, liver, lung, and prostate cancer—and non-cancerous tissue with an impressive 98.2% accuracy. However, this model currently analyzes tissue samples rather than DNA fragments in blood, indicating a need for further training on a broader array of biopsy samples to prepare them for clinical application.

This study’s use of an explainable and interpretable AI core is particularly significant. It allows for a deeper understanding of the model’s decision-making processes, enhancing knowledge of the biological mechanisms involved in cancer. This detailed examination of the model’s functioning could significantly contribute to cancer research.

Detecting these aberrant methylation patterns, potentially from biopsies, could enable healthcare providers to identify cancer at its inception. This improves patient prognosis as most cancers are more manageable or curable when caught early.

The lead author of the study, Shamith Samarajiwa, underscored the potential of computational methods to revolutionize early cancer detection and screening. With continued improvement and rigorous clinical testing, AI models could soon become invaluable tools in oncology, significantly enhancing patient outcomes through early detection and providing reassurance about the future of cancer treatment.

More information: Izzy Newsham et al, Early detection and diagnosis of cancer with interpretable machine learning to uncover cancer-specific DNA methylation patterns, Biology Methods and Protocols. DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpae028

Journal information: Biology Methods and Protocols Provided by Oxford University Press USA