Bioactive amygdalin, found in high concentrations in bitter almonds, has been recognized as a symbol of the cyanogenic glycoside chemical organic substance, which was initially developed as a pharmaceutical for treating cancer after being hydrolyzed to hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Regrettably, research has shown that HCN can also damage normal cells, rendering it non-toxic to the human body. Extreme controversy surrounds both in vivo and in vitro studies, making its use risky. This review provides an extensive update on characteristics, antioxidant potential, gastrointestinal microbiota intervention, anticancer therapeutic, mechanisms, toxicity, and encapsulation of amygdalin. Antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-fibrotic, antiatherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and analgesic characteristics, and the ability to improve digestive and reproductive systems, neurodegeneration, and cardiac hypertrophy are just some of the benefits of amygdalin. Studies verified the HCN-produced amygdalin to be harmful orally, but only at very high doses. Although intravenous treatment was less effective than the oral method, the oral route has a dose range of 0.6 to 1 g daily. Amygdalin’s toxicity depends heavily on the variety of bacteria in the digestive tract. Unfortunately, there is currently no foolproof method for determining the microbial consortium and providing a safe oral dosage for every patient. Amygdalin encapsulation in alginate-chitosan nanoparticles (ACNPs) is a relatively new area of research. Amygdalin has an enhanced cytotoxic effect on malignant cells, and ACNPs can be employed as an active drug-delivery system to release this compound in a regulated, sustained manner without causing any harm to healthy cells or tissues. In conclusion, a large area of research for a substance that might be the next step in cancer therapy is opened up due to unverified and conflicting data.

Food delivery applications (FDAs) shined during COVID-19 global lockdown restrictions. Consequently, lifestyle changes imposed a greater use of these applications over this period. These changes may strongly influence the nutritional health of individuals, particularly adult Saudi females. A cross-sectional study was performed to examine the influence of using FDAs during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on attitude behaviours, including dietary habits and preferences among Saudi adult females. Participants voluntarily submitted their answers to a questionnaire administered via the Google Survey platform. Results illustrated that most Saudi female users of FDAs were aged between 18–24 years with 64.9%, 91.5% being single and 37% ordering food online within one to two days a month. There was a significant association between the influence of using FDAs during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions and age, education, and average days of ordering food online (p ˂ 0.05). Another important factor is that higher education was associated with more frequent use of the FDAs, there were direct relationships between education level and using FDAs, 58% of the participants were educated as undergraduate or postgraduate. Although lifestyle changes increased the use of FDAs during COVID-19 global lockdown restrictions, these changes may negatively affect individuals’ dietary habits and preferences, particularly adult Saudi females. These findings can aid in promoting healthy diet management globally and in Saudi Arabia unless the governments lead to significant beneficial changes toward improving food delivery applications.

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued to spread rapidly worldwide, forcing countries to enact lockdowns and strict social-distancing measures that affect individual and population health. This study investigates the changes in dietary habits and lifestyle behaviors among Saudi residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 786 participants, with a mean age of 30 years. The questionnaire was administered online and sent via social media applications. Dietary habits, physical activity, TV-watching time, sleep patterns, stressors, and socio-demographic data were evaluated. Among the survey respondents, there was an increase in weight gain, food consumption, and decreased physical activity. Respondents who gained weight consumed more snacks, ate larger food portions, and engaged in less physical activity. Furthermore, a high fish, water, and supplements intake was noticed. Although respondents’ intake of fruits and vegetables was low, most individuals reported a negatively changed intake. However, most respondents reported increased consumption of lean meat and sweet foods. Observing changes in dietary and lifestyle habits during the lockdown period may help elaborate on the pandemic’s consequences for population health and assist in formulating and implementing policies for future closures, while supporting vulnerable groups.

BackgroundFood delivery applications (FDAs) shined during COVID-19 global lockdown restrictions. As a consequence, lifestyle changes imposed a greater use of these applications over this period. These changes may reflect a strong influence on the nutritional health of individuals, in particular adult Saudi females. This cross-sectional study aims to examine the influence of using FDAs during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on knowledge and attitude lifestyle behaviours, including dietary habits and preferences among adult Saudi females. MethodsA cross-sectional study was designed and conducted to examine the influence of using FDAs during COVID-19 between February and May 2021. Participants voluntarily submitted their answers to a survey questionnaire administered via the Google Survey platform. ResultsA total of 3667 adult Saudi female volunteers were enrolled with ages from 18 to 55 years old, residing in Saudi regions. Result illustrated that the majority of Saudi female users of FDAs were aged between 18-24 years with 64.9% , 91.5% were single and 37% were ordered food online within 1-2 days a month. There were a significant association between the influence of using FDAs during Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and age, education and average days of ordering food online (p ˂0.05)ConclusionsAlthough lifestyle changes imposed a greater use of food delivery applications (FDAs) during COVID-19 global lockdown restrictions, these changes may reflect negatively associated with individuals' dietary habits and preferences, particularly adult Saudi females. These findings can aid to promote healthy diet management globally and in Saudi Arabia unless the governments lead a great changing approach toward improving food delivery applications. Additionally, future research is recommended to maximise the positive and reduce the adverse effects of using FDAs by accessing healthy foods for all populations during and post-pandemics. Thus, to succeed, all partners, healthcare providers and stakeholders, including online food delivery app's creators, providers, policy-makers, users, and academic research and development (R&D), should work together to increase the attention and awareness of healthy eating.