Associations of Nutritional Behavior and Gut Microbiota with the Risk of COVID-19 in Healthy Young Adults in Poland

The numerous consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in healthy young people and the lack of clarity as to the long-term disease outcomes have spurred the search for risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed to evaluate the associations of nutritional behaviors, gut microbiota, and physical activity with the risk of COVID-19 in healthy young nonobese people. Data on body composition, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, dietary intake, and gut microbiota were obtained from 95 adults (mean age, 34.66 ± 5.76 years). A balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruit, including nuts, wholegrain cereal products, and legumes, covers the need for vitamins and minerals. Such a diet can be an effective measure to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in nonobese healthy physically active young people with normal immune function. People with balanced diet and an average daily consumption of >500 g of vegetables and fruit and >10 g of nuts had an 86% lower risk of COVID-19 compared with those whose diet was not balanced and who consumed lower amounts of these products. It is well documented that proper nutrition, physical activity, and maintenance of normal weight facilitate good health by ensuring optimal immune function. The beneficial effects of these interventions should be strongly emphasized during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cereal properties of spelt wheat grains depending on the variety

Purpose. To investigate the formation of cereal properties of spelt wheat grain depending on variety and line. Methods. Laboratory, mathematical and statistical, physicochemical. Results. As a result of studies it is found that technological properties of grain significantly vary depending on spelt variety and weather conditions. The protein content in spelt grain ranges from 11.0 to 21.3 % depending on the variety. A very high protein content in spelt grain (over 18.0 %) is in variety Zoria of Ukraine; rather high protein content (16.0–17.9 %) is in varieties Schwabenkorn (17.6 %), NSS 6/01 (17.3 %), Avstraliiska 1 (16.7 %) and LPP 3218 (16.7 %); low protein content (12.0–13.9 %) is in varieties LPP 3435 (13.1 %)and LPP 1224 (13.0 %); very low protein content is in varieties Shvedska 1 (11.0 %) and LPP 3117 (11.5 %); the rest of varieties has this indicator at the level of average – 14.0–15.9 %. Vitreous consistency of the endosperm has corn of varieties Zoria of Ukraine and Avstraliiska 1, semi vitreous consistency has grain of varieties NSS 6/01, Schwabenkorn, Frankenkorn and lines LPP 3218, LPP 3132, LPP 1305, LPP 1197, LPP 3124, LPP 3435, semi floury consistency has Shvedska 1 and LPP 3117. Culinary assessment of rolled spelt grains varies significantly depending on the variety. Total culinary assessment of rolled grain porridge of the spelt ranges from 6,8 to 9,0 points. Origin of spelt variety does not affect this indicator. The highest culinary assessment (8.9–9.0 points) has porridge obtained from grain of the variety Zoria of Ukraine and LPP 3132 line which makes it possible to use its grain to obtain cereal products. The lowest assessment of the porridge has variety Shvedska 1 and lines LPP 1224, LPP 3117 – 6.8–7.7 points. The other varieties have a culinary assessment of the porridge at a level of 8.1–8.8 points. For spelt grain indicator of protein content and grain vitreuesness can be used to evaluate the culinary properties of cereals. Conclusions. As a result of the conducted researches, it is established that Zoria Ukrainy, Schwabenkorn, NSS 6/01, Australian 1 varieties and LPP 3218 line are characterized by high protein content. Hard consistency of endosperm has the grain of Australian 1 and Zoria Ukrainy varieties in which the grain hardness is 73 and 84%, respectively. The origin of spelt wheat variety does not affect the color of cooked porridge. The general culinary evaluation of rolled spelt wheat porridge ranges from 6.8 to 9.0 points. Zoria Ukrainy spelt grain has the highest culinary evaluation which makes it possible to use it to produce cereals. To evaluate the culinary properties of spelt cereals, grain protein content and its hardness can be used.

Bioaccessibility Study of Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A in Bread Enriched with Fermented Milk Whey and/or Pumpkin

The presence of mycotoxins in cereals and cereal products remains a significant issue. The use of natural ingredients such as pumpkin and whey, which contain bioactive compounds, could be a strategy to reduce the use of conventional chemical preservatives. The aim of the present work was to study the bioaccessibility of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin (OTA) in bread, as well as to evaluate the effect of milk whey (with and without lactic acid bacteria fermentation) and pumpkin on reducing mycotoxins bioaccessibility. Different bread typologies were prepared and subjected to an in vitro digestion model. Gastric and intestinal extracts were analyzed by HPLC–MS/qTOF and mycotoxins bioaccessibility was calculated. All the tested ingredients but one significantly reduced mycotoxin intestinal bioaccessibility. Pumpkin powder demonstrated to be the most effective ingredient showing significant reductions of AFB1 and OTA bioaccessibility up to 74% and 34%, respectively. Whey, fermented whey, and the combination of pumpkin-fermented whey showed intestinal bioaccessibility reductions between 57–68% for AFB1, and between 11–20% for OTA. These results pointed to pumpkin and milk whey as potential bioactive ingredients that may have promising applications in the bakery industry.

Evaluation of Nutri-Score in Relation to Dietary Guidelines and Food Reformulation in The Netherlands

An unhealthy dietary pattern is an important risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Front-of-Pack nutritional labels such as Nutri-Score can be used to improve food choices. In addition, products can be improved through reformulation. The current study investigates to what extent Nutri-Score aligns with the Dutch Health Council dietary guidelines and whether it can be used as an incentive for reformulation. Nutri-Score calculations were based on the Dutch Branded Food database (2018). The potential shift in Nutri-Score was calculated with product improvement scenarios. The Nutri-Score classification is in line with these dietary guidelines: increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables, pulses, and unsalted nuts. It is, however, less in line with the recommendations to limit (dairy) drinks with added sugar, reduce the consumption of red meat and replace refined cereal products with whole-grain products. The scenario analyses indicated that a reduction in sodium, saturated fat or sugars resulted in a more favourable Nutri-Score in a large variety of food groups. However, the percentage of products with an improved Nutri-Score varied greatly between the different food groups. Alterations to the algorithm may strengthen Nutri-Score in order to help consumers with their food choices.

FOOD PRODUCTS PLACEMENT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The COVID-19 pandemic has entirely changed the patterns of behavior in the market. Physical distance, quarantine measures, safety and security protocols, and shortages along the entire supply chain, have particularly affected the placement of food products. In this regard, the paper aims to define the impact of various indicators on the placement of food products during the COVID-19 pandemic. An empirical study was conducted on a sample of 248 final consumers. The analysis was performed specifically for four groups of essential food products in a pandemic: meat and meat products, fruit and vegetables, milk and dairy products, cereals, and cereal products. The results showed a statistically significant impact of indicators such as safety and security standards, hygiene, price, product freshness, nutritional composition, chain transparency, and product quality. The impact of these indicators differs significantly depending on the analyzed product group. The obtained results indicate to the supply chain management which negative impacts need to be minimized to ensure timely placement of food products and more efficiently meet the needs of final consumers in a pandemic. Guidelines for future research are listed in the paper.