No abstract

Oral nutrition supplements (ONS) are widely recommended for the management of unintentional weight loss in patient populations, long-term care residents, and community-dwelling older adults. Most marketed ONS are ultra-processed, with precision nutrition and aseptic composition, as well as convenience and availability, driving their selection. However, therapeutic effectiveness is mixed and the potential health risks of consuming ultraprocessed ONS long-term in lieu of less-processed foods have received little attention. A diverse and balanced microbiota supporting immunity and wellness is maintained by a diet rich in plant-sourced foods. The implications of ultra-processed ONS displacing plant-sourced foods, and specifically the potential for undesirable impacts on the gut microbiota, require consideration.Most ONS are either devoid of fiber or are supplemented with isolated or purified fibers that may contribute to adverse gastrointestinal symptoms and appetite suppression. In contrast, the diversity of microbial-available, nondigestible carbohydrates, together with the array of phytochemicals found in plant-sourced foods, support microbial diversity and its resiliency. This review outlines the clinical dilemma of recommending commercial ultraprocessed ONS vs nutritionally adequate (eg, high-energy/high-protein) foods and beverages that contribute to diet quality, maintenance of a diverse and stable gut microbiota composition, and support nutrition status and health. Ultra-processed ONS may fall short of expected health benefits, and overreliance may potentially contribute to the risk for patient and older adult populations because of the displacement of a variety of healthful foods.

Oat milk is one of the more recent dairy alternatives to hit the grocery shelves, and several brands are currently available in the United States. Oat milk is made from the cereal grain oats. This new 3-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department describes how oat milk is made, its ingredients and nutrient profile, and the potential health benefits and risks of consumption. Written by Hannah Cooper, Daniela Rivero-Mendoza, and Wendy J. Dahl.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs419

La leche de avena es una de las alternativas lácteas más recientes en llegar a los estantes de los supermercados, y actualmente hay varias marcas disponibles en los Estados Unidos. La leche de avena está hecha de avena en grano. Esta publicación describe cómo se elabora la leche de avena, sus ingredientes y perfil de nutrientes, y los posibles beneficios y riesgos para la salud del consumo.This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department is the Spanish translation of FSHN20-52/FS419, Plant-Based Milks: Oat, written by Hannah Cooper, Daniela Rivero-Mendoza, and Wendy J. Dahl.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs427