Low-grade metabolic acidosis is a condition characterized by a slight decrease in blood pH, within the range considered normal, and feeding is one of the main factors that may influence the occurrence of such a condition. The excessive consumption of acid precursor foods (sources of phosphorus and proteins), to the detriment of those precursors of bases (sources of potassium, calcium, and magnesium), leads to acid-base balance volubility. If this condition occurs in a prolonged, chronic way, low-grade metabolic acidosis can become significant and predispose to metabolic imbalances such as kidney stone formation, increased bone resorption, reduced bone mineral density, and the loss of muscle mass, as well as the increased risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis. Considering the increase in the number of studies investigating the influence of diet-induced metabolic acidosis on clinical outcomes, this review gathers the available evidence evaluating the association of this disturbance and metabolic imbalances, as well as related mechanisms. It is necessary to look at the western dietary pattern of most countries and the increasing incidence of non-comunicable diseases for the balance between fruit and vegetable intake and the appropriate supply of protein, mainly from animal sources, so that it does not exceed the daily recommendations.

Phytochemical-rich foods consumption may be a valid nutritional strategy to reduce the risk of weight gain and obesity. The phytochemical index (PI) is a simple and nonspecific method to evaluate the phytochemical intake, defined as the percentage of dietary calories derived from foods rich in phytochemicals. We aimed to conduct a systematic review to evaluate whether high consumption of phytochemical-rich foods evaluated by the PI is associated with lower values of anthropometric measurements. The available literature suggests that the PI seems to be inversely associated with body weight and waist circumference. Analyzing the longitudinal changes in anthropometric variables, individuals with high intake of phytochemicals gained less weight and fat mass when compared to those with lower PI. Our findings suggest that higher PI is associated with lower body mass index, waist circumference and adiposity. Whether the results are a reflex of a lower calorie intake or the anti-obesity properties of phytochemicals remains to be elucidated.

The aim of this commentary was to discuss the last studies regarding the effect of antioxidant vitamins supplementation on oxidative stress in exercise in humans. The inclusion criteria encompassed published studies done in adult males and females between 2006 and 2013. The keywords used in the search engine were: endurance athlete, diet, oxidative stress, physical activity, diet, nutrition, antioxidant, antioxidant status, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, β-carotene and combinations. Twelve studies were identified and organized according to the methodology and results of supplementation: ergogenic, ergolytic, partial or no difference between groups. The results of these studies showed no effect on physiological parameters and activity of antioxidant enzymes (n = 07), better response of the placebo treatment (ergolytic effect; n = 02), partial results (n = 01) and ergogenic results of antioxidant supplementation (n = 02). It is concluded that supplementation with antioxidant vitamins has controversial effects to oxidative damage induced by endurance exercise. The discordances among the studies are presented and discussed.

mudanças no comportamento alimentar, que estão associados com o desejo de comer alimentos altamente palatáveis. Embora não haja uma relação causal clara, existe uma associação entre o desejo excessivo de chocolate e as mudanças hormonais do ciclo menstrual. Examinamos o efeito dos consumos de chocolate de leite e chocolate com maior teor de cacau (50%) adicionado de fibras no desejo por doces e sintomas de sí­ndrome de tensão pré-menstrual em 19 participantes. Este estudo experimental aberto durou 2 ciclos menstruais, incluindo fase de controle (fase I) com ingestão de chocolate de leite (50 g/dia) e fase de intervenção (fase II) com o consumo de chocolate 50% cacau com fibras adicionadas (50 g/dia) durante a fase lútea de cada ciclo. Os sintomas de sí­ndrome de tensão pré-menstrual foram classificados por escala validada. A intervenção com de chocolate 50% cacau com fibras adicionadas, comparada com o baseline e controle com chocolate ao leite, mostrou uma redução nos sintomas fí­sicos (p = 0,0206), e tanto os perí­odos de intervenção como os de controle mostraram mudanças nos padrões alimentares (p = 0,0012), como redução do desejo por doces, chocolates entre outros.Palavras-chave: sí­ndrome de tensão pré-menstrual, sí­ndrome pré-menstrual, cacau, chocolate, compulsão alimentar, serotonina.

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