Latest news with #NUTRITION2025
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Beat disease with food: Shocking new study links this compound in veg diets to lower diabetes and heart risk
While fitness routines and weight management often dominate conversations around disease prevention , new research presented at the American Society for Nutrition's NUTRITION 2025 event shines a spotlight on a largely overlooked dietary component: phytosterols . These naturally occurring compounds, commonly found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, could be more powerful than previously imagined when it comes to protecting against major chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease . Study Connects Plant-Based Diets with Lower Inflammation and Better Insulin Response According yo The Mirror, the research, as outlined by Fenglei Wang, a research associate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health , is based on data drawn from over 200,000 adults across three large-scale studies. Although the findings have yet to undergo peer review, they were shared at the major nutrition event as a promising lead in understanding diet-disease connections. 'Our findings support the dietary recommendation of adhering to healthy plant-based dietary patterns that are rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains,' Wang said in a statement. He added that the results offer practical insights for those looking to make informed choices about their meals. What makes these plant foods especially potent is their phytosterol content. Structurally similar to cholesterol, phytosterols are believed to impact metabolic markers in compelling ways. Researchers found that individuals with higher phytosterol intake showed improved insulin activity, reduced inflammation, and even changes in their gut microbiome—factors intricately tied to better metabolic health . Why it matters? Chronic inflammation and insulin resistance are often invisible until they manifest in serious conditions. Inflammation has long been linked to heart disease, while insulin resistance is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. Poor metabolic health, influenced by factors like high blood sugar and obesity, continues to be a growing global concern. You Might Also Like: Leaving meat is not enough: New study reveals the vegetarian diet your heart really needs 'Our clinical biomarker and metabolomic results suggest the involvement of insulin activity, inflammation and the metabolism of metabolites associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,' Wang explained. 'This suggests that phytosterol might reduce risk by alleviating insulin resistance and inflammation.' Despite the encouraging results, the study has its limitations. The participant group mainly consisted of nurses and healthcare professionals, and nearly 80% were women. This demographic imbalance underscores the need for further, more diverse studies to understand how phytosterols affect different populations. How to Eat Smarter The study suggests, prevention may lie not in trendy diets or expensive supplements but in embracing a more plant-forward plate. As scientists continue to decode the intricate links between food and health, simple daily habits—like swapping out refined snacks for nuts or adding more whole grains to your meals—could quietly reshape your long-term wellbeing. While phytosterols may not yet be a household term, they might soon become a cornerstone in conversations around everyday nutrition and chronic disease prevention. You Might Also Like: Vegan vs. meat: Twin brothers' six-month experiment reveals which diet packs more vitamins
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Beat disease with food: Shocking new study links this compound in veg diets to lower diabetes and heart risk
iStock Researchers highlighted phytosterols—compounds found in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts—as powerful allies in preventing diabetes and heart disease. (Image- iStock) While fitness routines and weight management often dominate conversations around disease prevention, new research presented at the American Society for Nutrition's NUTRITION 2025 event shines a spotlight on a largely overlooked dietary component: phytosterols. These naturally occurring compounds, commonly found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, could be more powerful than previously imagined when it comes to protecting against major chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. According yo The Mirror, the research, as outlined by Fenglei Wang, a research associate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is based on data drawn from over 200,000 adults across three large-scale studies. Although the findings have yet to undergo peer review, they were shared at the major nutrition event as a promising lead in understanding diet-disease connections. 'Our findings support the dietary recommendation of adhering to healthy plant-based dietary patterns that are rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts and whole grains,' Wang said in a statement. He added that the results offer practical insights for those looking to make informed choices about their meals. What makes these plant foods especially potent is their phytosterol content. Structurally similar to cholesterol, phytosterols are believed to impact metabolic markers in compelling ways. Researchers found that individuals with higher phytosterol intake showed improved insulin activity, reduced inflammation, and even changes in their gut microbiome—factors intricately tied to better metabolic health. Chronic inflammation and insulin resistance are often invisible until they manifest in serious conditions. Inflammation has long been linked to heart disease, while insulin resistance is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. Poor metabolic health, influenced by factors like high blood sugar and obesity, continues to be a growing global concern. 'Our clinical biomarker and metabolomic results suggest the involvement of insulin activity, inflammation and the metabolism of metabolites associated with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease,' Wang explained. 'This suggests that phytosterol might reduce risk by alleviating insulin resistance and inflammation.'Despite the encouraging results, the study has its limitations. The participant group mainly consisted of nurses and healthcare professionals, and nearly 80% were women. This demographic imbalance underscores the need for further, more diverse studies to understand how phytosterols affect different populations. The study suggests, prevention may lie not in trendy diets or expensive supplements but in embracing a more plant-forward plate. As scientists continue to decode the intricate links between food and health, simple daily habits—like swapping out refined snacks for nuts or adding more whole grains to your meals—could quietly reshape your long-term wellbeing. While phytosterols may not yet be a household term, they might soon become a cornerstone in conversations around everyday nutrition and chronic disease prevention.
Medscape
19-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Diabetes Plus Asthma Equals Greater Metabolic Risk
People with both diabetes and asthma appear to face greater metabolic risks than those with either condition alone, according to new observational data. In a study of more than 18,000 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2001-2020, individuals with both asthma and diabetes (most presumed to have type 2 diabetes) had significantly greater impairments in glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism compared with those who had only one condition alone or neither. Inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) were also elevated in the comorbid group, 'supporting a hypothesis of a shared inflammatory mechanism,' Sixtus Aguree, PhD, assistant professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington, and colleagues wrote in a poster presented at NUTRITION 2025, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition. The findings 'emphasize the need for integrated clinical strategies that simultaneously target both inflammation and metabolic dysfunction in patients with asthma-diabetes comorbidity,' the authors wrote. 'Routine screening for insulin resistance and inflammatory markers in [these] patients may aid in early intervention and risk reduction.' This points to the need for integrated clinical care, Aguree told Medscape Medical News . 'For managing these comorbid conditions, healthcare professionals need to work together. I think that's a better way to treat the person than working in silos.' Bidirectional Relationship Commenting on the findings, Tianshi David Wu, MD, assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, told Medscape Medical News that these findings align with current evidence. 'Diabetes and asthma have a bidirectional relationship,' Wu explained. 'Population studies have shown that patients with diabetes are at higher risk of developing asthma later on, and vice versa. What's still unknown are the mechanisms that explain this finding.' Wu added that the researchers had put forth a reasonable hypothesis — that systemic inflammation may play a key role in this association. 'The best way to prove this would be with a trial that specifically targets the type of inflammation you think is driving both asthma and diabetes to see how it affects these conditions.' As a possible blueprint, he pointed to cardiology, where patients with heart failure and diabetes are preferentially treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, which are effective at treating both conditions. 'In the asthma world, I don't think the evidence is there yet to recommend any specific diabetes medication, but there is plenty of real-world data suggesting some benefit, and there are two clinical trials ongoing testing semaglutide and metformin to see if they can improve asthma,' Wu said. Surprising Impact on Insulin Resistance The study included 18,370 nationally representative US adults. Among them, 8.2% had diabetes without asthma, 7.4% had asthma without diabetes, 83.3% had neither (controls), and 1.2% had both. BMI was highest in the combined asthma-diabetes group (35.9 kg/m2 vs. 28.2 kg/m2 in controls, P < .001), as was waist circumference (117.6 cm vs. 97.3 cm, P < .001). Insulin resistance, defined as a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) > 2.5, was present in 41% of controls, 46.8% with asthma only, 77.3% with diabetes only, and 85.6% with both conditions. The HOMA-IR score in the asthma-diabetes group was significantly higher than in controls (9.85 vs. 2.96, P < .001). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the odds of insulin resistance were nearly eight times higher in the asthma-diabetes group than in the control group (odds ratio [OR], 7.89, P < .001), even after adjusting for BMI, sex, and medication use. 'We didn't expect insulin resistance to be that much higher in the combination of asthma and diabetes. That shocked us,' Aguree said. Asthma alone was not significantly associated with insulin resistance (OR, 0.76, P = .220), 'underscoring the additive impact of coexisting diabetes,' the authors wrote in their poster. Additional Metabolic Outcomes Absolute values of LDL cholesterol were 115.9 mg/dL and 114.5 mg/dL, respectively, for controls and asthma only, vs 98.9 mg/dL and 104.8 mg/dL for diabetes only and asthma-diabetes groups, respectively. The lower value in those with diabetes is likely due to greater use of statins, Aguree noted. In contrast, compared with controls, those in the asthma-diabetes group had significantly lower levels of HDL cholesterol, while triglycerides and the triglyceride/HDL ratio were higher ( P < .001 for all). Systolic blood pressure was also significantly higher in the comorbid group ( P < .001), as was diastolic blood pressure, although to a lesser extent ( P = .012). A1c levels were 5.41% in controls and 5.46% in the asthma-only group, both significantly lower than levels in the diabetes group (7.34%) and the comorbid group (7.11%), Aguree said. Log-CRP values were 0.530 units higher in the asthma-diabetes group than in controls ( P < .001), as were hs-CRP (1.70 mg/L vs 0.60 mg/L, P < .001). Aguree and colleagues are now expanding their analysis to include longitudinal data and evaluate integrated interventions, such as combined anti-inflammatory and glucose-lowering medications, as a means of reducing the burden of both conditions. Aguree had no disclosures. Wu declared receiving funding from the National Institutes of Health and the American Lung Association.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Eating this Middle Eastern staple daily can lower your cholesterol: study
Give peas a chance! A little legume widely beloved in the Middle Eastern world can offer massive benefits to your heart, a new study has found. And the best part is that this versatile, beige gem is incredibly affordable and probably already in your pantry. The research — recently presented at the NUTRITION 2025 conference — identified chickpeas as the key to significantly lowering cholesterol and inflammation in people with pre-diabetes. More research would be needed to gain a larger sense of the health benefits, particularly in people who are not prediabetic. The study included only 72 participants and lasted just 12 weeks, and the results were similar to eating white rice. However, the findings align with other research indicating chickpeas lead the way in heart-healthy foods. The hummus veg's high fiber content, particularly soluble fiber, is believed to bind with cholesterol in the digestive system and help flush it out of the body. The fiber also promotes healthy gut bacteria and keeps the bowel moving, while chickpeas' low glycemic index can contribute to better blood sugar levels. Legumes in general can mimic the hunger-killing effects of drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, thereby promoting weight loss by keeping you fuller for longer. A cup of chickpeas can deliver over 12.5 grams of fiber and nearly 15 grams of plant-based protein — all for under 270 calories. They're also a rich source of iron, potassium and magnesium — essential nutrients that support overall health. The new study found that black beans had a similar effect on heart health, which is no real surprise. A cup of cooked black beans provides about 15 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber at under 230 calories. They're also rich in antioxidants — particularly anthocyanins, the same compounds that give blueberries their health rap — which help fight inflammation and may reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer. Plus, black beans boast key nutrients like folate, iron, magnesium and potassium, which support everything from brain function to healthy blood pressure. 'The soluble fiber in these legumes helps to lower cholesterol by reducing how much is absorbed into the bloodstream,' registered dietitian Maddie Gallivan, who was not involved with the new study, told Medical News Today. 'When eaten as part of a diverse, plant-rich diet, beans and chickpeas can support a healthy gut microbiome.'
New York Post
11-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Eating this Middle Eastern staple daily can lower your cholesterol: study
Give peas a chance! A little legume widely beloved in the Middle Eastern world can offer massive benefits to your heart, a new study has found. And the best part is that this versatile, beige gem is incredibly affordable and probably already in your pantry. Advertisement 3 A new study has found that a little legume widely beloved in the Middle Eastern world can offer massive benefits to your heart. Lorenzo Dottorini – The research — recently presented at the NUTRITION 2025 conference — identified chickpeas as the key to significantly lowering cholesterol and inflammation in people with pre-diabetes. More research would be needed to gain a larger sense of the health benefits, particularly in people who are not prediabetic. Advertisement The study included only 72 participants and lasted just 12 weeks, and the results were similar to eating white rice. However, the findings align with other research indicating chickpeas lead the way in heart-healthy foods. 3 The research identified chickpeas as the key to significantly lowering cholesterol and inflammation in people with pre-diabetes. – The hummus veg's high fiber content, particularly soluble fiber, is believed to bind with cholesterol in the digestive system and help flush it out of the body. Advertisement The fiber also promotes healthy gut bacteria and keeps the bowel moving, while chickpeas' low glycemic index can contribute to better blood sugar levels. Legumes in general can mimic the hunger-killing effects of drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, thereby promoting weight loss by keeping you fuller for longer. A cup of chickpeas can deliver over 12.5 grams of fiber and nearly 15 grams of plant-based protein — all for under 270 calories. Advertisement They're also a rich source of iron, potassium and magnesium — essential nutrients that support overall health. The new study found that black beans had a similar effect on heart health, which is no real surprise. 3 Black beans are rich in antioxidants that help fight inflammation and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. jitanong714 – A cup of cooked black beans provides about 15 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber at under 230 calories. They're also rich in antioxidants — particularly anthocyanins, the same compounds that give blueberries their health rap — which help fight inflammation and may reduce the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer. Plus, black beans boast key nutrients like folate, iron, magnesium and potassium, which support everything from brain function to healthy blood pressure. 'The soluble fiber in these legumes helps to lower cholesterol by reducing how much is absorbed into the bloodstream,' registered dietitian Maddie Gallivan, who was not involved with the new study, told Medical News Today. 'When eaten as part of a diverse, plant-rich diet, beans and chickpeas can support a healthy gut microbiome.'
