As with all science, new discoveries are made every day. Nutrition and biology are no different, as research and technology evolve, so too does our understanding of what is good for us and can aid modern ailments. This weekâs Nutrition News looks at three recently published articles exploring health in relation to nutrition, including one that appears to disrupt previously held views around dried fruit and diabetes.
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Link between dried fruit and reduced diabetes risk
A recent study has explored the causal effects of dried fruit intake on type 2 diabetes (T2D). While dried fruits have gained popularity as a healthy snack alternative, their high sugar content has raised concerns about their suitability for individuals with T2D. T2D is a significant public health challenge due to its associations with complications like nerve damage, heart health, and kidney dysfunction. Therefore, the inclusion of dried fruits in the diet of T2D patients is a subject that is still being explored.
Dried fruits are rich in essential nutrients such as fibre, vitamins, and minerals, which can support a balanced diet. However, the sugars in dried fruits are quickly released into the bloodstream, causing spikes in blood glucose levels, which can be problematic for diabetes support. Historically, dried fruits have been discouraged due to their sugar and fat content. However, recent perspectives highlight their benefits, including high fibre content, essential micronutrients, and lower fat levels compared to fresh fruits.
In this study, reported in the article “Study finds dried fruit consumption lowers type 2 diabetes riskâ, researchers investigated the potential causal relationship between dried fruit intake and T2D using a two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) approach. This method utilised genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from over 500,000 UK Biobank participants, who provided data on their dried fruit intake frequency via questionnaires. T2D data were obtained from a GWAS involving over 61,700 cases and 593,952 controls. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with dried fruit intake were identified and used as instrumental variables.
The analysis revealed a significant causal association between higher dried fruit intake and a lower risk of T2D. Specifically, an increase in dried fruit intake was linked to up to a 61% reduction in T2D risk. The study employed multiple statistical methods, including the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, weighted median, and MR-Egger methods, all of which supported the findings. Additionally, tests for heterogeneity and pleiotropy confirmed the robustness of the results.
The study concluded that dried fruit intake is associated with a reduced risk of T2D, possibly due to various bioactive components such as carotenoids and flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties and improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. However, the findings were specific to individuals of European descent, and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Further research is needed to generalise these findings to other populations and elucidate the precise mechanisms involved.
Call for greater attention of malnutrition in sick and elderly
A significant proportion of hospital patients and elderly individuals in healthcare facilities suffer from malnutrition, leading to unnecessary suffering, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. This issue, highlighted by researchers from Uppsala University and the University of Gothenburg, as reported in the article “Greater attention needs to be paid to malnutrition in the sick and elderly, researchers sayâ underscores the need for better nutritional care in healthcare settings.
Tommy Cederholm, a clinical nutrition professor at Uppsala University, emphasises that malnutrition is severely underdiagnosed and undertreated globally. Simple interventions could significantly improve patients' and older adults' well-being. Cederholm, along with Ingvar Bosaeus from Sahlgrenska University Hospital, co-authored a review summarising five decades of global research, stressing the need to utilise existing knowledge more effectively.
In Sweden, 5 to 10 percent of older adults are malnourished, with this figure rising to 50 percent in hospitals and nursing homes. Traditionally, weight loss and malnutrition in the elderly have been seen as inevitable due to disease or ageing. However, it is now understood that underlying diseases often cause decreased food intake, leading to the deterioration of organs and tissues, stressing the importance of weight management in these groups.
Malnutrition leads to weight loss, muscle atrophy, and increased susceptibility to infections, necessitating prolonged hospital stays and raising mortality rates. Recent advancements have established global criteria for diagnosing malnutrition, including weight loss, low body mass index, and reduced muscle mass in individuals with poor appetite, regardless of underlying diseases.
Large-scale clinical studies have demonstrated that malnutrition can be reversed. Counselling, collaboration with dietitians, and nutritional drinks can slow weight loss and reduce mortality. Despite the simplicity and effectiveness of these measures, they are often overlooked.
Bosaeus highlights that most patients, except those with advanced terminal illnesses, can be treated successfully. In Sweden, ongoing efforts have shown positive results, but there is room for improvement. The researchers advocate for early registration of malnutrition risk factors, monitoring weight loss and appetite, and recommending nutrient-dense foods and nutritional therapy in a timely manner. This approach should be integrated into both basic and specialist training for healthcare professionals to better address malnutrition.
Study suggests link between magnesium and cognitive health
A recent study, reported in the article Research reveals optimal magnesium levels could lower dementia risk explored the relationship between magnesium levels and cognitive health in adults. The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and cohort-based studies, examining biomarkers, dietary intake, and supplements to determine their association with cognitive functioning.
Dementia, a leading cause of disability and mortality among older adults, affects memory, behaviour, and cognitive abilities necessary for daily activities. With over 55 million people worldwide suffering from dementia, this number is expected to rise significantly, increasing the economic and social burden. Targeting modifiable risk factors like stress, depression, vascular health, and lifestyle is crucial to reducing dementia incidence and progression. Electrolytes, particularly magnesium, play a vital role in neurological health. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to memory impairments and Alzheimer's disease, although findings from longitudinal cohort studies have been inconsistent.
In this study, researchers reviewed cohort studies and randomised controlled trials on magnesium's role in cognitive health. The meta-analysis assessed how dietary intake, supplements, and biomarkers of magnesium were related to cognitive outcomes. Magnesium supports neuronal health by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage, maintaining the blood-brain barrier's integrity, and inhibiting excitotoxic damage by lowering calcium influx. It also preserves myelinated axons and myelin sheaths on neurons. Animal studies have shown that magnesium deficiency impairs memory, while oral magnesium administration reduces neuroinflammation.
The review included studies with adults over 18, examining magnesium exposure and cognitive outcomes. Data on magnesium exposure, participant descriptions, and cognitive assessments were extracted. The researchers used linear and quadratic meta-regression models to analyse the trends and determine the association between magnesium levels and cognitive outcomes.
Results indicated moderate evidence of a U-shaped association between serum magnesium levels and cognitive impairments, with an optimal serum level of 0.085 millimoles per litre linked to the lowest dementia risk. However, the association between dietary magnesium intake and dementia risk remained unclear due to inconsistent results and lack of a clear dose-response relationship.
The study concluded that existing evidence on the impact of various forms of magnesium on cognitive outcomes is inconclusive. More randomised controlled trials and longitudinal cohort studies are needed to determine magnesium's long-term effects on cognitive health.
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Alison is the Founder of Metabolics who writes about Metabolics updates, events and natural healthcare. Her experience and passion for natural supplements and healthcare comes from her years of experience as a practising osteopath, having founded Metabolics in her search for high quality, natural products in her own work. Alison has been a qualified and practising Osteopath since 1981 and regularly gives seminars on a range of healthcare subjects to the wider practitioner community helping share her knowledge and experience.
