Oxidative DNA damage in humans: comparison between high and low habitual fruit and vegetable consumption

We investigated whether men with a habitual high consumption of vegetables and fruit have a lower excretion of 8 oxo 7,8 dihydro 2 deoxyguanosine 8 oxodG , a urinary marker for oxidative DNA damage, than men with a low consumption of vegetables and fruit. Ten pairs of healthy non smoking males aged between 28 and 59 years, matched for age 10 years and body mass index 2 kg m 2 were selected from a dietary validation study. Habitual food intake was estimated with 12 monthly 24 h recalls. Men in the high vegetable and fruit group consumed an average of 224 g day 1 range 101-330 g day 1 more vegetables and fruit than men in the low vegetable and fruit group. Excretion of 8 oxodG was 95 pmol kg 1 day 1 95 CI-29, 219 higher in the high vegetable and fruit group than in the low vegetable and fruit group paired t test, P = 0.11 . Excretion of 8 oxodG was not correlated with intake of vitamins, energy, fat, nor with blood concentrations of antioxidant pro vitamins, but it was inversely correlated with age. The present findings do not suggest that humans with a habitual high fruit and vegetables consumption have less oxidative DNA damage as measured by 8 oxodG excretion than men with low consumption of fruit and vegetables.     

The Lasting Influences of Early Food-Related Variety Experience: A Longitudinal Study of Vegetable Acceptance from 5 Months to 6 Years in Two Populations

Children’s vegetable consumption falls below current recommendations, highlighting the need to identify strategies that can successfully promote better acceptance of vegetables. Recently, experimental studies have reported promising interventions that increase acceptance of vegetables. The first, offering infants a high variety of vegetables at weaning, increased acceptance of new foods, including vegetables. The second, offering an initially disliked vegetable at 8 subsequent meals markedly increased acceptance for that vegetable. So far, these effects have been shown to persist for at least several weeks. We now present follow-up data at 15 months, 3 and 6 years obtained through questionnaire (15 mo, 3y) and experimental (6y) approaches. At 15 months, participants who had been breast-fed were reported as eating and liking more vegetables than those who had been formula-fed. The initially disliked vegetable that became accepted after repeated exposure was still liked and eaten by 79% of the children. At 3 years, the initially disliked vegetable was still liked and eaten by 73% of the children. At 6 years, observations in an experimental setting showed that children who had been breast-fed and children who had experienced high vegetable variety at the start of weaning ate more of new vegetables and liked them more. They were also more willing to taste vegetables than formula-fed children or the no or low variety groups. The initially disliked vegetable was still liked by 57% of children. This follow-up study suggests that experience with chemosensory variety in the context of breastfeeding or at the onset of complementary feeding can influence chemosensory preferences for vegetables into childhood.     

Oxidative DNA damage in humans: comparison between high and low habitual fruit and vegetable consumption

We investigated whether men with a habitual high consumption of vegetables and fruit have a lower excretion of 8 oxo 7,8 dihydro 2 deoxyguanosine 8 oxodG, a urinary marker for oxidative DNA damage, than men with a low consumption of vegetables and fruit. Ten pairs of healthy non smoking males aged between 28 and 59 years, matched for age 10 years and body mass index 2 kg m 2 were selected from a dietary validation study. Habitual food intake was estimated with 12 monthly 24 h recalls. Men in the high vegetable and fruit group consumed an average of 224 g day 1 range 101-330 g day 1 more vegetables and fruit than men in the low vegetable and fruit group. Excretion of 8 oxodG was 95 pmol kg 1 day 1 95 CI-29, 219 higher in the high vegetable and fruit group than in the low vegetable and fruit group paired t test, P = 0.11 . Excretion of 8 oxodG was not correlated with intake of vitamins, energy, fat, nor with blood concentrations of antioxidant pro vitamins, but it was inversely correlated with age. The present findings do not suggest that humans with a habitual high fruit and vegetables consumption have less oxidative DNA damage as measured by 8 oxodG excretion than men with low consumption of fruit and vegetables.     

Arsenic in vegetables poses a health risk in the vicinity of a mining area in the southern Hunan Province,China

The main objectives of the present study were to investigate the levels of arsenic (As) in 23 vegetable species planted on As-polluted soil and assess the human health risks of contaminated vegetable consumption. The target hazard quotient (THQ) and target cancer risk (TR) methods were employed to evaluate the human health risks posed by exposure to As through vegetable consumption. Our results indicate substantial As contamination of the experimental soil. Significant differences were detected in the concentrations of total and inorganic As in the edible parts of the various vegetables grown on contaminated soil, which were generally in the following order: leafy vegetables > stem vegetables > root vegetables > melon and fruit vegetables. The total THQ value for As due to vegetable consumption for children (4.81) was higher than that for adults (3.66), the TR values for As due to vegetable ingestion for adults (1.65 × 10^?3) and children (2.17 × 10^?3) were significantly beyond the range of acceptable risk (10-6–10-4) recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the maximum acceptable risk value (5.0 × 10^?5) recommended by the International Commission on Radiation Protection, which clearly poses a dangerous health risk for residents consuming vegetables in the long-term in the study area.     

Genetic variation in the hTAS2R38 taste receptor and food consumption among Finnish adults

Genetic variation in bitter taste receptors, such as hTAS2R38, may affect food preferences and intake. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between bitter taste receptor haplotypes and the consumption of vegetables, fruits, berries and sweet foods among an adult Finnish population. A cross-sectional design utilizing data from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns cohort from 2007, which consisted of 1,903 men and women who were 30–45 years of age from five different regions in Finland, was employed. DNA was extracted from blood samples, and hTAS2R38 polymorphisms were determined based on three SNPs (rs713598, rs1726866 and rs10246939). Food consumption was assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. The prevalence of the bitter taste-sensitive (PAV/PAV) haplotype was 11.3 % and that of the insensitive (AVI/AVI) haplotype was 39.5 % among this Finnish population. PAV homozygotic women consumed fewer vegetables than did the AVI homozygotic women, 269 g/day (SD 131) versus 301 g/day (SD 187), respectively, p = 0.03 (multivariate ANOVA). Furthermore, the intake of sweet foods was higher among the PAV homozygotes of both genders. Fruit and berry consumption did not differ significantly between the haplotypes in either gender. Individuals perceive foods differently, and this may influence their patterns of food consumption. This study showed that the hTAS2R38 taste receptor gene variation was associated with vegetable and sweet food consumption among adults in a Finnish population.     

中国野生蔬菜资源研究和开发利用现状

我国野生蔬菜资源极为丰富,共有２１３科１８２２种,分布于全国各地或局部分布于某区域。许多种类的营养价值极高,有的还有良好的药用或特种实用价值,故在科研、食用、饲用、工业及出口创汇方面具有良好的开发前景。我国野菜利用的历史悠久,但多不成规模,其科研和开发仍存在不少问题,资源未能得到充分合理的开发利用和保护。因此,必须广泛宣传,改变传统认识,引起有关部门重视,尽快查清我国野菜资源和建立信息系统,加强野菜引种栽培及开发利用等方面的研究,才能合理地开发利用和保护野菜资源,使其持续地产生最佳经济效益。     

AN OBJECTIVE NUMERICAL METHOD OF ASSESSING THE RELIABILITY OF TIME-INTENSITY PANELISTS

A measure of the reliability (T-IR) of time-intensity measurements was developed based on the concept of standard deviation as a measure of panelist variability. The T-IR measure was applied to time-intensity data collected from 10 panelists evaluating the sweetness of 4 model sweetener solutions on horizontal and vertical time-intensity line orientations. T-IR scores showed that the panelists were similarly reliable across the sweeteners and orientations. As well, independent of scale orientation, responses to sweeteners were similarly reliable. The T-IR measure can be used to maintain a high level of performance by monitoring time-intensity panelists. T-IR also provides an objective method of selecting panelists for time-intensity panels.     

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils and Vegetables from a Typical Greenhouse Vegetable Production System in China

There is growing concern about food safety and environmental contamination due to potential health risks to consumers. The aims of this study are to elucidate the accumulation status, influencing factors, and potential risk of selected heavy metals in soils and vegetables from a typical greenhouse vegetable production system in China. The potential health risks of heavy metals through soil contact and vegetable consumption were evaluated for greenhouse and corresponding open field production. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of Hg, Pb, Cu, and Zn in greenhouse vegetable soils were greater than those in open field soils. Leaf vegetables had relatively higher concentrations and transfer factors of heavy metals than root and fruit vegetables, especially for Cd. The target hazard quotient of heavy metals through vegetable consumption was greater than 1 for leaf vegetables, and was also higher for greenhouse vegetables than those from open field. The risk of exposure to heavy metals through direct contact with soil and vegetable consumption was higher for children than for adults and seniors. Planting patterns with different vegetable types and soil properties can affect bioavailability and crop accumulation of heavy metals.     

Vegetable microbiomes: is there a connection among opportunistic infections,human health and our ‘gut feeling'?

The highly diverse microbiomes of vegetables are reservoirs for opportunistic and emerging pathogens. In recent years, an increased consumption, larger scale production and more efficient distribution of vegetables together with an increased number of immunocompromised individuals resulted in an enhanced number of documented outbreaks of human infections associated with the consumption of vegetables. Here we discuss the occurrence of potential pathogens in vegetable microbiomes, the impact of farming and processing practices, and plant and human health issues. Based on these results, we discuss the question if vegetables can serve as a source of infection for immunocompromised individuals as well as possible solutions to avoid outbreaks. Moreover, the potentially positive aspects of the vegetables microbiome for the gut microbiota and human health are presented.     

Importance and seasonality of vegetable consumption and marketing in Burkina Faso

The use of vegetables in two rural communities in Burkina Faso is quantified through the use of food diaries kept by 13 households during one year. Interviews on preferences, field registration, and a market survey supplement the diaries. The use of wild species is concentrated onParkia biglobosa, Corchorus spp.,Adansonia digitata, andBombax costatum. At least five other wild species are mentioned as important but very rarely occur in the diet, indicating the usefulness of diaries compared to interviews.Capsicum frutescens, Abelmoschus esculentus, Allium cepa, andSolanum lycopersicon are the most commonly used cultivated species. Wild vegetables constitute 35% and 59% of the total vegetable consumption in the two communities. Most products are highly seasonal in supply and prices vary accordingly. Households compensate for the seasonality by drying products, but stocks are often insufficient and vegetable purchases needed. Many of the vegetable species studied should be integrated in agricultural research and extension programs.     

Wild vegetable resources and market survey in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China

The article presents results of a field and market survey on characteristics and use of wild vegetable consumption for local ethnic groups in Xishuangbanna, SW China. A total of 284 wild vascular plant species and varieties were identified as wild vegetables consumed by three distinct native ethnic groups. These wild vegetables account for 6.1% of total vascular plant species in this area. Wild vegetables play an important role in the ethnic groups’ diet and source of cash income. Based on a 10-month market survey, wild vegetables accounted for 20.6% (in weight) of total vegetable sales. The structure of income from total vegetable sales varied among ethnic groups, with high sales for those living close to dense forests. The use of wild-vegetable resources can increase income of local ethnic groups, thus contributing to the conservation of forest resources in the region.     

Gamification of Dietary Decision-Making in an Elementary-School Cafeteria

Despite the known health benefits of doing so, most US children do not consume enough fruits and vegetables (FV). School-based interventions can be effective in increasing FV consumption, but the most effective of these require that schools allocate their time, effort, and financial resources to implementing the program: expenditures that schools may be reluctant to provide in climates of academic accountability and economic austerity. The present demonstration project used a behaviorally based gamification approach to develop an intervention designed to increase FV consumption while minimizing material and labor costs to the school. During the intervention, the school (N = 180 students in grades K-8) played a cooperative game in which school-level goals were met by consuming higher-than-normal amounts of either fruit or vegetables (alternating-treatments experimental design). School-level consumption was quantified using a weight-based waste measure in the cafeteria. Over a period of 13 school days, fruit consumption increased by 66% and vegetable consumption by 44% above baseline levels. Use of an alternating-treatment time-series design with differential levels of FV consumption on days when fruit or vegetable was targeted for improvement supported the role of the intervention in these overall consumption increases. In post-intervention surveys, teachers rated the intervention as practical in the classroom and enjoyed by their students. Parent surveys revealed that children were more willing to try new FV at home and increased their consumption of FV following the intervention. These findings suggest that a behaviorally based gamification approach may prove practically useful in addressing concerns about poor dietary decision-making by children in schools.     

Reductions in entrée energy density increase children's vegetable intake and reduce energy intake

The energy density (ED; kcal/g) of an entrée influences children's energy intake (EI), but the effect of simultaneously changing both ED and portion size of an entrée on preschool children's EI is unknown. In this within-subject crossover study, 3- to 5-year-old children (30 boys, 31 girls) in a daycare facility were served a test lunch once/week for 4 weeks. The amount and type of vegetables and cheeses incorporated into the sauce of a pasta entrée were manipulated to create two versions that varied in ED by 25% (1.6 or 1.2 kcal/g). Across the weeks, each version of the entrée was served to the children in each of two portion sizes (400 or 300 g). Lunch, consumed ad libitum, also included carrots, applesauce, and milk. Decreasing ED of the entrée by 25% significantly (P<0.0001) reduced children's EI of the entrée by 25% (63.1+/-8.3 kcal) and EI at lunch by 17% (60.7+/-8.9 kcal). Increasing the proportion of vegetables in the pasta entrée increased children's vegetable intake at lunch by half of a serving of vegetables (P<0.01). Decreasing portion size of the entrée by 25% did not significantly affect children's total food intake or EI at lunch. Therefore, reducing the ED of a lunch entrée resulted in a reduction in children's EI from the entrée and from the meal in both portion size conditions. Decreasing ED by incorporating more vegetables into recipes is an effective way of reducing children's EI while increasing their vegetable intake.     

汉族和藏族的皮肤反射系数分析

人类的肤色是在遗传和环境因素的共同作用下形成的。最近在人类复杂性状基因定位中,统计学和遗传学研究方法的发展,使得肤色相关基因有可能利用这些方法来甄别。而且,有了Photovolt ColorWalk色度计等便携的新式光谱反射系数测量工具,研究者可以方便准确地测量大量人群的皮肤反射系数作为遗传学研究用的人类表型性状。我们衣物Photovolt ColorWark测试了372人的一个汉族群体和274人的一个藏族群体的上臂内侧不受阳光照射的皮肤反射系数,以建立反射系数测量的基准数据。我们调查了年龄、性别、居住地纬度、种族等不同因素对皮肤反射系数的影响,也调查了皮肤反射系数的正态分布。在这些研究结果的基础上我们设计了皮肤反射系数遗传学研究的策略。     

Growth of Aeromonas hydrophila on fresh vegetables stored under a controlled atmosphere.

The effects of controlled-atmosphere storage (CAS) on the survival and growth of Aeromonas hydrophila on fresh asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower were examined. Two lots of each vegetable were inoculated with A. hydrophila 1653 or K144. A third lot served as an uninoculated control. Following inoculation, vegetables were stored at 4 or 15 degrees C under a CAS system previously shown to extend the shelf life of each commodity or under ambient air. Populations of A. hydrophila were enumerated on the initial day of inoculation and at various intervals for 10 days (15 degrees C) or 21 days (4 degrees C) of storage. Direct plating of samples with selective media was used to enumerate A. hydrophila. The organism was detected on most lots of vegetables as they were received from a commercial produce supplier. Without exception, the CAS system lengthened the time vegetables were subjectively considered acceptable for consumption. However, CAS did not significantly affect populations of A. hydrophila which survived or grew on inoculated vegetables.     

Growth of Aeromonas hydrophila on fresh vegetables stored under a controlled atmosphere

The effects of controlled-atmosphere storage (CAS) on the survival and growth of Aeromonas hydrophila on fresh asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower were examined. Two lots of each vegetable were inoculated with A. hydrophila 1653 or K144. A third lot served as an uninoculated control. Following inoculation, vegetables were stored at 4 or 15 degrees C under a CAS system previously shown to extend the shelf life of each commodity or under ambient air. Populations of A. hydrophila were enumerated on the initial day of inoculation and at various intervals for 10 days (15 degrees C) or 21 days (4 degrees C) of storage. Direct plating of samples with selective media was used to enumerate A. hydrophila. The organism was detected on most lots of vegetables as they were received from a commercial produce supplier. Without exception, the CAS system lengthened the time vegetables were subjectively considered acceptable for consumption. However, CAS did not significantly affect populations of A. hydrophila which survived or grew on inoculated vegetables.     

The accumulation characteristics and potential health risks of heavy metals in vegetables from reclaimed area of China

The reclamation of subsidence area was regarded as a useful pathway to rebuild landscape and ecosystem. However, the elevated concentrations of heavy metals in the reclaimed area may lead to potential environmental and health risks. This study was aimed at investigating the accumulation of heavy metals in the soils and vegetables, and evaluate the potential health risks to human beings via consuming these vegetables. The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) were measured by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The elevated concentrations of heavy metals were found in the soil from the reclaimed area when compared with the background value. The concentrations of heavy metals were various among the different vegetable species. The heavy metal tolerance could be found in all the selected vegetables. The elevated concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn in the edible part of the selected vegetables indicated that the consumption of these vegetables may lead to potential health risk. The intake of soybean, radish, sweet potato, and mugwort may lead to potential health risks due to the elevated target health quotients. Chinese cabbage and pepper were regarded as the suitable vegetables which may help in reducing the potential health risk.     

Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Healthy Greek Children and Their Parents

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a correlation between copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels in children and their parents, considering their nutritional habits. Cu and Zn concentrations were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in the serum of 66 healthy children, aged 3–14 years, and their parents, residing in a region of Greece (Thrace). Cu levels were higher in mothers than those in fathers, but they were lower in both parents than those in children. They also tended to decrease with age in both parents and children, whereas Zn levels significantly increased with age in children. There was a positive correlation between children's and mothers' Zn levels, as well as children's and both parents' Cu levels. Children used to eat meat, fish, vegetables, and legumes as frequently as their parents, but they were consuming more eggs, milk, and fruits than the latest. Regarding parents' diet, higher Zn levels were depended on the consumption of meat and milk, whereas higher Cu levels were depended on the consumption of milk. Consequently, children’s Cu and Zn levels are related to their parents’ levels, which can be influenced by their nutritional habits.     

重庆市蔬菜硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐含量及其与环境的关系

在重庆市的主要蔬菜中,硝酸盐含量依次为根菜类＞叶菜类＞葱蒜类＞瓜类＞豆类＞茄果类,前３类的硝酸盐含量超标,但各种蔬菜的亚硝酸盐含量一般较低,未超过卫生标准。就同一种蔬菜的不同样品而言,硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐含量的差异很大,说明品种或环境条件可显著影响其含量。重庆市多雾少光,冬春低温,土壤含氮量和钠高子含量较高,有效钾含量较低可能是导致蔬菜大量积累硝酸盐的环境因素。蔬菜不同器官硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐含量各异,根＞茎＞叶柄＞叶片。     

Health risk assessment via consumption of Pb and Cd contaminated vegetables collected from fresh markets in the lower north of Thailand

This study aimed to investigate the Pb and Cd contamination and health risk assessment for population via consumption of vegetables sold in fresh markets around the lower north of Thailand. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in various vegetables such as root/tuber, stem, inflorescence, fruit, and leaf vegetables were analyzed using an atomic absorption spec-trophotometer. Human health risks of these metals in vegetables were assessed based on target hazard quotient (THQ). The results indicated that more than 80% of the Pb and Cd in almost all vegetable samples exceeded the maximum allowable concentration by National Food Institute criteria with an average range of 0.96–3.39 and 0.48–1.40 mg/kg, respectively. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) of Pb and Cd via dietary consumption of vegetables were between 0.001–0.010 and 0.002–0.008 mg/kg/d, respectively. All EDIs of Pb contaminated vegetables were higher than the reference dose recommended by the USEPA except for leaf edible vegetables, while all EDIs of Cd contaminated vegetables were higher than the reference dose recommended by the USEPA. THQ indicated that the consumption of Pb contaminated root/tuber, stem, inflorescence, and fruit edible vegetables and Cd contaminated leaf vegetable for the local population in the lower north of Thailand could be a severe health risk problem.