Background The association of plant‐based diets and biomarkers of bone, insulin, and inflammation is still unclear. Objectives We investigated the associations between biomarkers of bone, insulin, and inflammation and three plant‐based diet indices: an overall plant‐based diet index (PDI); a healthy plant‐based diet index (hPDI); and an unhealthy plant‐based diet index (uPDI). Methods We included 178 elderly subjects who referred to health centers in Tehran. Blood and urine samples were collected to measure osteocalcin. The Human C‐telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (u‐CTX‐I), highly sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25(OH) D, and insulin resistance and sensitivity. We created an overall PDI, hPDI, and uPDI from semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data. Results Dietary groups of Vegetables (r = .15, p = .03), nuts (r = .16, p = .03), dairy (r = .25, p = .001), eggs (r = .27, p < .001), red meat, and animal products (r = .25, p = .001) were directly correlated with osteocalcin. Refined grains were also had a positive association with serum insulin concentration (r = .14, p = .04). PTH levels are inversely associated with PDI score (β = −0.18, p = .01). Also, serum insulin concentration was negatively associated with PDI score (β = −0.10, p = .04). Urine CTX‐1 levels were significantly associated with hPDI score (β = −0.06, p = .04). u‐CTX‐1 levels are inversely associated with uPDI score. This significance did not change with the adjustment of the confounders (β = −0.28, p < .001). Conclusions More adherence to PDI and hPDI and less in uPDI may have a beneficial effect on biomarkers of bone, inflammation, and insulin thus preserving chronic diseases.

BackgroundRecent studies have reported an association between dietary caffeine intake (coffee and tea) and the presence of depressive symptoms. However, the findings are not conclusive.PurposeThis study aimed to examine the correlation between the consumption of dietary caffeine (coffee and tea) and the presence of depressive symptoms in adults.MethodsPubMed and Scopus databases were searched until December 2021. Two investigators analyzed data from identified studies and rated the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. Using the random-effects models, we estimated the relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We also modeled the dose-response associations through a one-stage, weighted mixed-effects meta-analysis.ResultsA total of 29 eligible studies included a total of 422,586 participants. On comparing the highest with the lowest category in cohort studies, we identified an inverse association between the intake of coffee and depressive symptoms (RR: 0.89, 95%CI: 0.82–0.95; I2 = 63.7%, GRADE = low). There was a 4% reduction in the risk of depression associated with an increase in coffee intake of 240 ml/day (RR: 0.96, 95%CI: 0.95, 0.98; I2 = 22.7%). By comparing the highest category with the lowest category in cohort studies, we discovered that caffeine intake was inversely associated with depressive symptoms (RR: 0.86, 95%CI: 0.79, 0.93; I2 = 0.0%, GRADE = moderate). Based on our data analysis, no correlation exists between tea consumption and depressive symptoms.ConclusionAccording to our findings, coffee and dietary caffeine may have a protective effect against the development of depression. However, no evidence suggesting a link between tea consumption and reduced depressive symptoms has been found. Therefore, further longitudinal studies are needed to substantiate the causal relationship between coffee, tea, and caffeine and the risk of depression.

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Accumulating evidence regarding the effect of artichoke on lipid profile is equivocal. We updated a previous meta‐analysis on the effect of artichoke extract supplementation on lipid profile and performed dose–response analysis. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to June 2021 using relevant keywords. Papers from identified articles were collected. Two researchers rated the certainty in the estimates using the GRADE approach. Combining 15 effect sizes from 14 studies based on the random‐effects analysis, we found that artichoke significantly reduced TG (weighed mean difference [WMD]: −17.01 mg/dl, 95% CI: −23.88, −10.13, p = .011), TC (WMD: −17.01 mg/dl, 95% CI: −23.88, −10.13, p < .001), and LDL‐C (WMD: −17.48 mg/dl, 95%CI: −25.44, −9.53, p < .001). No significant effect of artichoke on HDL‐C level was detected (WMD: 0.78 mg/dl, 95%CI: −0.93, 2.49, p = .371). Combining the two effect sizes revealed that artichoke juice supplementation significantly reduced TG (WMD: −3.34 mg/dl, 95%CI: −5.51, −1.17, p = .003), TC (WMD: −18.04 mg/dl, 95%CI: −20.30, −15.78, p < .001), LDL‐C (WMD: −1.75 mg/dl, 95%CI: −3.02, −0.48, p = .007), and HDL‐C levels (WMD: −4.21 mg/dl, 95%CI: −5.49, −2.93, p < .001). In conclusion, we found that artichoke supplementation may favor CVD prevention by acting in improving the lipid profile.

BackgroundInflammatory-related chronic diseases are increasing in Iran with high consumption of a diet containing pro-inflammatory potential and a sedentary lifestyle. The empirical dietary inflammatory index (EDII) was developed as a tool to assess dietary effects on systemic inflammation. We examined the hypothesis that specific dietary patterns reflecting systemic inflammation are associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in Tehranian adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out on 270 adults who are residents of Tehran. Dietary intake was assessed using a 168-item valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire. The EDII score was developed according to participant dietary intakes of 21-item pre-defined food groups. CRF was assessed by using a graded exercise treadmill test. Anthropometric measurements were assessed using standard methods. To discover the association between CRF and EDII, we used multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsThose who were in the third tertile of the EDII had 57% lower odds of having better VO2Max (ml/kg/min) than those in the first tertile (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.16, 1.12, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences between tertiles of the EDII score in terms of VO2 (L·min) and VO2 (LBM) before and after adjusting for confounders. There was a significant decrease in VO2Max (ml/kg/min) across tertiles of the EDII after controlling for covariates (p-value = 0.04). There was a significant inverse association between the EDII score and VO2Max (ml/kg/min) (β = −0.35, p = 0.001).ConclusionsOur finding demonstrated that a higher EDII might be associated with lower CRF in Tehranian adults. Prospective studies are needed to shed light on the causal link between the EDII and CRF.