Probiotics in dietary guidelines and clinical recommendations outside the European Union

Fermented foods have been consumed for centuries across many geographical locales and have traditionally been considered healthy foods, partly because of the live microbes contained in them. The concept of “probiotics” further requires that the microbes be defined and their health effects be demonstrated through human intervention studies or other suitable investigations before marketing with corresponding health messages. Here, we review recommendations for fermented foods and probiotics in several countries outside the EU, focusing on food-based dietary guidelines. We emphasize recommendations on yoghurt and probiotics made by expert bodies. We found that dietary guidelines commonly advocate the consumption of yoghurt or similar products, but specific comments on probiotics are rare. Further, we reviewed guidelines from clinical associations. In general, they acknowledge the beneficial effects of probiotics, but often suggest the need for further research. This is true despite good quality evidence supporting the role of probiotics for certain health effects, such as prevention of eczema in infants, management of side effects from antibiotics and alleviation of functional bowel symptoms. Additional research to support future dietary recommendations should focus on determining effect size, identifying responders and non-responders, clarifying strain-specificity of effects and confirming mechanisms.

Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents(2016):comments and comparisons

A high quality diet is believed to play a functional role in promoting the healthy growth of mankind and preventing many kinds of chronic degenerative diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Adherence to a high quality diet has been strongly associated with a lower risk of mortality. To help promote healthy lifestyles and physical strength, the Chinese government has produced a new revised version of the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents （2016） and the Chinese Food Pagoda, as guidance for dietary intake among its population. Similarly, the Japanese government has produced the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top Model, and the US government has recently published revised dietary recommendations in its 2015-2020 eighth edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The evidence from all respective cohort studies involved in producing these guidelines shows a reduced risk of many chronic diseases and mortality if the guidelines are followed. All scientific findings support encouraging the general population to consume a broad variety of food on the basis of nutrient and food intakes in order to prevent deficiency diseases and a surplus of energy and nutrients, and recommend daily physical activity for health promotion.

Health effects of fruit juices and beverages with varying degrees of processing

The degree of processing is rarely considered an independent factor in the health effects of fruit juices and beverages(FJBs)consumption.In fact,the consumption of ultra-processed foods has been shown to pose health risks.In this study,we first integrated 4 systems used to classify the degree of food processing and then classified FJBs into three major categories,low(minimal),moderate and high.Second,we compared the differences in attitudes towards FJBs in dietary guidelines.Third,we integrated the results of existing epidemiological surveys,randomized controlled trials,and animal experiments to explore the health risks associated with consuming FJBs.Deepening the processing of FJBs has been found to lead to an increased risk of diseases.Dietary pattern,nutrients,addition agents and consumer preferences may be influential factors.Finally,we investigated whether there were any changes in the health benefits of 100%fruit juices produced by different processing methods.In conclusion,minimally/moderately processed 100%fruit juices provide more health benefits than highly processed fruit beverages.The results support the need to consider the extent of FJBs processing in future studies to adjust official nutritional recommendations for beverage consumption.

A cross-cultural study of sustainable nutrition and its environmental impact in Asia and Europe:A comparison of China and Germany

Global challenges such as climate change,biodiversity loss,and health crises necessitate a shift towards sustainable diets.Incorporating sustainability into food-based dietary guidelines(FBDGs)is essential for this shift,and cultural considerations also play a vital role,as food culture significantly influences dietary habits.Considering that Asia and Europe exhibit distinct food cultures,tailored approaches are necessary.Additionally,countries face diverse nutritional challenges,ranging from malnutrition to diet-related diseases,and regional variation in environmental impact necessitates context-specific strategies.Achieving sustainable nutrition depends on understanding cultural influences and regional dynamics.This paper compares China’s and Germany’s dietary guidelines and dietary patterns and their impact on sustainability.It shows that Chinese and German FBDGs only slightly differ,despite the different eating cultures and habits of each country.Alone the recommended amounts for eggs and fish are considerably higher in China than in Germany.However,in both China and Germany,actual dietary patterns deviate from the dietary guidelines.In China,concomitant with economic growth and urbanization,a dietary shift towards increased consumption of animal products and decreased consumption of vegetables and cereals has been observed in the last decades,which has led to a decline in nutritional deficiencies but an increase in obesity and overweight.Obesity and overweight are also on the rise in Germany.A dietary shift could therefore also be beneficial for public health.While following the respective national guidelines would benefit the environment,alternative diets such as a plant-based diet offer even lower environmental footprint.Revising guidelines to prioritize sustainability in addition to health aspects while considering regional contexts and cultural preferences is recommended to foster sustainable eating habits globally.This approach is pivotal for promoting dietary shift towards sustainability on a global scale.

Improving Interventions on Cardiovascular Disease and Diet: A Policy Incentive Analysis

Various Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) can be catastrophic and can lead to irreversible outcomes. Despite improved interventions for CVD prevention awareness, there continues to be discussion and research on diet-related CVD and mortality without addressing the problem. Instead of prioritizing public guidelines and policies, policymakers should understand CVD and address population barriers to adhering to a healthy diet that decreases CVD risk. Therefore, this project aims to analyze federal healthy food incentive policies to promote healthy diet behaviors that reduce CVD risk. The method used was existing data for a comparative policy analysis that included a policy proposal process: phases of progression, measures, and a policy model with data collection and requirements. This analysis compared a current federal food incentive program versus the proposed program. Results of the final analysis derived from the literature review and collected data stated consuming foods from the Mediterranean and other low-fat and low-salt diets reduced CVD risks that also reduced other risks secondary to CVD, such as obesity, diabetes, and Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA). Comparatively, combined healthy food incentives and disincentives were more effective for improving healthy behaviors than, in some cases, even after incentives were removed. Therefore, this policy analysis supports the indication for incentive policy change. However, the lack of federal stakeholders’ response to key policy changes upon proposal submission may require other methods of proposal dissemination. Nonetheless, focusing analysis on various Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) programs instead of one, multi-state program, which may have improved analysis outcomes, was the lesson learned.