A Systematic Review of Metabolomic Biomarkers for the Intake of Sugar-Sweetened and Low-Calorie Sweetened Beverages

Intake of added sugars (AS) is challenging to assess compared with total dietary sugar because of the lack of reliable assessment methods. The reliance on self-reported dietary data in observational studies is often cited as biased, with evidence of AS intake in relation to health outcomes rated as low to moderate quality. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of AS. A regular and high intake of SSBs is associated with an overall poor diet, weight gain, and cardiometabolic risks. An elevated intake of low-calorie sweetened beverages (LCSBs), often regarded as healthier alternatives to SSBs, is also increasingly associated with increased risk for metabolic dysfunction. In this review, we systematically collate evidence and provide perspectives on the use of metabolomics for the discovery of candidate biomarkers associated with the intake of SSBs and LCSBs. We searched the Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases until the end of December 2020. Seventeen articles fulfilled our inclusion criteria. We evaluated specificity and validity of the identified biomarkers following Guidelines for Biomarker of Food Intake Reviews (BFIRev). We report that the 13C:12C carbon isotope ratio (δ13C), particularly, the δ13C of alanine is the most robust, sensitive, and specific biomarker of SSBs intake. Acesulfame-K, saccharin, sucralose, cyclamate, and steviol glucuronide showed moderate validity for predicting the short-term intake of LCSBs. More evidence is required to evaluate the validity of other panels of metabolites associated with the intake of SSBs.

Download Full-text

Short-term changes in added sugar consumption by adolescents reflected in the carbon isotope ratio of fingerstick blood

Nutrition and Health ◽

10.1177/0260106018799522 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (4) ◽

pp. 251-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Sarah V Liu ◽

Lori B Moore ◽

Tanya M Halliday ◽

A Hope Jahren ◽

Jyoti Savla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbon Isotope ◽

Isotope Ratio ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Carbon Isotope Ratio ◽

Population Level ◽

Added Sugars ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Dietary Assessment Methods

Background: Consumption of added sugars (AS) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) may adversely affect adolescents’ weight and cardiovascular disease risk. Reliance on self-reported dietary assessment methods is a common research limitation, which could be overcome by dietary intake biomarkers. Aim: The investigation was a proof-of-concept study to evaluate the proposed carbon isotope ratio (δ13C) biomarker of AS intake in adolescents, using a controlled feeding design. Methods: Participants ( n = 33, age 15.3 years, 53% female) underwent two seven-day controlled feeding periods in a randomly assigned order. Diets were matched in composition except for AS content (5% or 25% of total energy). Fasting fingerstick blood samples were collected daily during each diet period. Results: Fingerstick δ13C values changed from day 1 to 8 by –0.05 ± 0.071‰ on 5% AS, and +0.03 ± 0.083‰ on 25% AS ( p ≤ 0.001). Reliability was demonstrated between day 7 and 8 δ13C values on the 5% (ICC = 0.996 , p ≤ 0.001) and 25% (ICC = 0.997, p ≤ 0.001) AS diets. Conclusions: Larger scale investigations are warranted to determine if this technique could be applied to population-level research in order to help assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing the consumption of AS or SSB intake.

Download Full-text

The Effects of Very-Low-Calorie Diets on HDL: A Review

Cholesterol ◽

10.1155/2011/306278 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Catherine Rolland ◽

Iain Broom

Keyword(s):

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Weight Maintenance ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Maintenance Phase ◽

Research Needs ◽

Short Term ◽

Low Calorie ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Very Low Calorie Diets ◽

Treatment Of Obesity

This paper investigates the effects of very-low-calorie diets (VLCDs) used in the treatment of obesity on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Although the studies varied widely in their intervention format, duration, and baseline HDL levels, it would appear that HDL levels usually decrease during active weight loss using a VLCD, but these either return to pre-VLCD levels or improve overall during the weight-maintenance phase. More research needs to be done to determine optimal weight-maintenance programmes and the effects of VLCDs in the short term as well as on HDL levels in groups at increased risk of coronary heart disease.

Download Full-text

Short-term consumption of sucralose with, but not without, carbohydrate impairs neural and metabolic sensitivity to sugar

10.1101/557801 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jelle R. Dalenberg ◽

Barkha P. Patel ◽

Raphael Denis ◽

Maria G. Veldhuizen ◽

Yuko Nakamura ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bitter Taste ◽

Metabolic Dysfunction ◽

Short Term ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Healthy Humans ◽

Low Calorie Diet ◽

Calorie Diet ◽

Prevalence Of Obesity ◽

Diet Drinks

SummaryThere is a general consensus that overconsumption of sugar sweetened beverages contributes to the prevalence of obesity and related comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes (T2D). Whether a similar relationship exists for no, or low-calorie “diet” drinks is a subject of intensive debate and controversy. Here, we show that metabolic dysfunction, coupled with reduced central sensitivity to sweet, but not sour, salty or bitter taste, occurs when sucralose is repeatedly consumed with, but not without, a carbohydrate over a two-week period in healthy humans. A similar exposure to sucralose, with, but not without, a carbohydrate altered substrate utilization in mice. More specifically, greater energy intake was required for the animals to shift from fatty acid to carbohydrate oxidation, indicating a reduced sensitivity to carbohydrate. These findings demonstrate that consumption of sucralose in the presence of a carbohydrate rapidly impairs glucose metabolism and may contribute to the rise in T2D.

Download Full-text

Influence of PM1 exposure on total and cause-specific respiratory diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-021-16536-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yaoyu Hu ◽

Mengqiu Wu ◽

Yutong Li ◽

Xiangtong Liu

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Short Term ◽

Full Inclusion ◽

Short Term Exposure ◽

Increased Risk

AbstractAn increasing number of studies examined the potential effects of PM1 (submicronic particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 1 μm) on the risk of respiratory diseases; however, the results have been inconclusive. This study aimed to determine the overall association between PM1 with total and cause-specific respiratory diseases. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with 68 related articles retrieved, and six articles met the full inclusion criteria for the final analysis. For a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM1, the pooled odds ratio (OR) was 1.05 (95% CI 0.98–1.12) for total respiratory diseases, 1.25 (95% CI 1.00–1.56) for asthma, and 1.07 (95% CI 1.04–1.10) for pneumonia with the I2 value of 87%, 70%, and 0%, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that long-term exposure to PM1 was associated with increased risk of asthma (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.33–1.63) with an I2 value of 0%, while short-term exposure to PM1 was not associated with asthma (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.89–1.27) with the I2 value of 0%. Egger’s test showed that publication bias existed (P = 0.041); however, the funnel plot was symmetrical with the inclusion of the moderator. In conclusion, elevated levels of PM1 may increase morbidity in total and cause-specific respiratory diseases in the population.

Download Full-text

Faculty Opinions recommendation of Greater consumption of sweetened beverages and added sugars is associated with obesity among US young adults.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.6921961.7111060 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Zecharia Madar

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Added Sugars ◽

Sweetened Beverages

Download Full-text

Long-Term Physical Health Outcomes of Resettled Refugee Populations in the United States: A Scoping Review

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health ◽

10.1007/s10903-021-01146-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Gayathri S. Kumar ◽

Jenna A. Beeler ◽

Emma E. Seagle ◽

Emily S. Jentes

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

Physical Health ◽

Public Health Practice ◽

The United States ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Physical Health Outcomes ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Us ◽

Bhutanese Refugee

AbstractSeveral studies describe the health of recently resettled refugee populations in the US beyond the first 8 months after arrival. This review summarizes the results of these studies. Scientific articles from five databases published from January 2008 to March 2019 were reviewed. Articles were included if study subjects included any of the top five US resettlement populations during 2008–2018 and if data described long-term physical health outcomes beyond the first 8 months after arrival in the US. Thirty-three studies met the inclusion criteria (1.5%). Refugee adults had higher odds of having a chronic disease compared with non-refugee immigrant adults, and an increased risk for diabetes compared with US-born controls. The most commonly reported chronic diseases among Iraqi, Somali, and Bhutanese refugee adults included diabetes and hypertension. Clinicians should consider screening and evaluating for chronic conditions in the early resettlement period. Further evaluations can build a more comprehensive, long-term health profile of resettled refugees to inform public health practice.

Download Full-text

Free Sugars Consumption in Canada

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13051471 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1471

Author(s):

Huma Rana ◽

Marie-Claude Mallet ◽

Alejandro Gonzalez ◽

Marie-France Verreault ◽

Sylvie St-Pierre

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Total Energy ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Free Sugars ◽

Added Sugars ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Baked Products

Free sugars (FS) are associated with a higher risk of dental decay in children and an increased risk of weight gain, overweight and obesity and type 2 diabetes. For this reason, Canada’s Food Guide recommends limiting foods and beverages that contribute to excess free sugars consumption. Estimating FS intakes is needed to inform policies and interventions aimed at reducing Canadians’ consumption of FS. The objective of this study was to estimate FS intake of Canadians using a new method that estimated the free sugars content of foods in the Canadian Nutrient File, the database used in national nutrition surveys. We define FS as sugars present in food products in which the structure has been broken down. We found that 12% of total energy (about 56 g) comes from FS in the diet of Canadians 1 year of age and older (≥1 year). The top four sources were: (1) sugars, syrups, preserves, confectionary, desserts; (2) soft drinks; (3) baked products and (4) juice (without added sugars), and accounted for 60% of total free sugars intake. The results show that efforts need to be sustained to help Canadians, particularly children and adolescents, to reduce their FS intake.

Download Full-text

Transiently increased risk of breast cancer after childbirth: implications for fertility treatments and surrogacy

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deaa102 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 1253-1255

Author(s):

Zeev Blumenfeld ◽

Norbert Gleicher ◽

Eli Y Adashi

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Breast Cancer Risk ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Small Degree ◽

Short Term ◽

Benefit Ratio ◽

Professional Societies ◽

Fertility Treatments ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Whereas longstanding dogma has purported that pregnancies protect women from breast cancer, a recent meta-analysis now mandates reconsideration since it reported an actual higher breast cancer risk for more than two decades after childbirth before the relative risk turns negative. Moreover, the risk of breast cancer appears higher for women having their first birth at an older age and with a family history and it is not reduced by breastfeeding. The process of obtaining informed consent for all fertility treatments, therefore, must make patients aware of the facts that every pregnancy, to a small degree, will increase the short-term breast cancer risk. This observation may be even more relevant in cases of surrogacy where women agree to conceive without deriving benefits of offspring from assuming the risk, thus creating a substantially different risk-benefit ratio. Consequently, it appears prudent for professional societies in the field to update recommendations regarding consent information for all fertility treatments but especially for treatments involving surrogacy.

Download Full-text

Effect of ambient fine particulates (PM2.5) on hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Wuhan, China

Respiratory Research ◽

10.1186/s12931-021-01731-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhan Ren ◽

Xingyuan Liu ◽

Tianyu Liu ◽

Dieyi Chen ◽

Kuizhuang Jiao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Hospital Admission ◽

Hospital Admissions ◽

Conditional Logistic Regression ◽

Warm Season ◽

Central China ◽

Air Pollution Control ◽

Short Term ◽

Short Term Exposure ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background Positive associations between ambient PM2.5 and cardiorespiratory disease have been well demonstrated during the past decade. However, few studies have examined the adverse effects of PM2.5 based on an entire population of a megalopolis. In addition, most studies in China have used averaged data, which results in variations between monitoring and personal exposure values, creating an inherent and unavoidable type of measurement error. Methods This study was conducted in Wuhan, a megacity in central China with about 10.9 million people. Daily hospital admission records, from October 2016 to December 2018, were obtained from the Wuhan Information center of Health and Family Planning, which administrates all hospitals in Wuhan. Daily air pollution concentrations and weather variables in Wuhan during the study period were collected. We developed a land use regression model (LUR) to assess individual PM2.5 exposure. Time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression models were adopted to estimate cardiorespiratory hospitalization risks associated with short-term exposure to PM2.5. We also conducted stratification analyses by age, sex, and season. Results A total of 2,806,115 hospital admissions records were collected during the study period, from which we identified 332,090 cardiovascular disease admissions and 159,365 respiratory disease admissions. Short-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of a cardiorespiratory hospital admission. A 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 (lag0–2 days) was associated with an increase in hospital admissions of 1.23% (95% CI 1.01–1.45%) and 1.95% (95% CI 1.63–2.27%) for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, respectively. The elderly were at higher PM-induced risk. The associations appeared to be more evident in the cold season than in the warm season. Conclusions This study contributes evidence of short-term effects of PM2.5 on cardiorespiratory hospital admissions, which may be helpful for air pollution control and disease prevention in Wuhan.

Download Full-text