Hasil untuk "Nutrition. Foods and food supply"

Narisa Rueangsri, Uraiporn Booranasuksakul, Natthapaninee Thanomsridetchai et al.

Background/objectivesLow bone mineral density is a major public health concern that negatively affects quality of life. Dairy products fermented with Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus have been suggested to promote gut health, enhance calcium absorption, and suppress inflammatory cytokines related to bone turnover. However, the benefits of these fermented dairy products on bone health remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of consuming dairy products with and without Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus on bone turnover biomarkers and bone mineral density.MethodsA randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted in a total of 40 female participants, who were allocated to either a control group (n = 20) receiving full-fat milk or an intervention group (n = 20) receiving yogurt fermented with Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Both groups consumed products providing an equivalent calcium intake of 400 mg/day for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected, and body composition and bone mineral density were assessed.ResultsAt the endpoint, serum calcium levels in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels were significantly reduced from baseline in both groups (p < 0.05). Bone mineral density at the right arm, right leg, and pelvis was significantly increased from baseline in the intervention group (p < 0.05); however, no significant between-group differences in bone mineral density were observed at the endpoint.ConclusionAlthough within-group improvements in bone mineral density were observed, no significant differences between groups were detected. These findings should be interpreted with caution due to the pilot nature of the study, and larger, adequately powered randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the effects on bone mineral density.Clinical Trial RegistrationIdentifier: TCTR20250807006.

Ting Hu, Jianhong Zhang, Yingmei Wu et al.

Abstracts: The inherent instability and poor bioavailability of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) significantly limit their applications in food systems. In this study, a novel microcapsule through Wgel/O/W2 multiple emulsion template was developed by incorporating VC in a gelatin-based hydrogel inner phase (Wgel), VE in the oil phase (O), and maltodextrin-whey protein isolate (MD-WPI) composite as the outer water phase (W2), followed by freeze-drying. Optimized microcapsules (MD:WPI = 1:4, 0.10 wt% VC and VE) exhibited superior encapsulation efficiency (91.86 % for VC, 88.33 % for VE). Storage stability studies showed that aluminum foil-sealed packaging at 4 °C provided optimal protection, with 3.35-fold and 1.56-fold extended half-lives for VC and VE respectively. The co-loaded microcapsules exhibited enhanced DPPH radical scavenging capacity (98.56 %) and demonstrated controlled release behavior, with bioavailability increased by 2.51-fold and 2.28-fold for VC and VE respectively. This microencapsulation strategy offers promising potential for dual-vitamin delivery in functional food applications.

Qiao-Yun Hong, Yan Huang, Jie Yang et al.

With the global prevalence of obesity and diabetes continuing to rise, metabolic diseases caused by excessive sugar intake have become a significant public health issue. In this context, various sweeteners as sugar substitutes have been widely used in the food industry. Sweeteners are highly favored for their good safety profile, cost-effectiveness, low-calorie properties, and potential blood sugar regulation effects, and their applications have extended to fields such as pharmaceuticals and daily chemicals. However, recent studies indicate that the impact mechanisms of sweeteners on human health are more complex than previously understood, and the long-term safety of their use has sparked widespread concern in both academia and the public. This review systematically examines relevant literature from the past three decades, employing evidence-based medicine methods for screening and meta-analysis, aiming to comprehensively assess the potential effects of sweeteners on human metabolic indicators (including blood glucose homeostasis and body fat composition) and cancer risk. The discussion will unfold in the following four sections: (1) Definition and classification of sweeteners; (2) Application areas of various sweeteners; (3) Beneficial effects of sweetener use on human health; (4) Adverse effects of sweetener use on health issues in different population groups. Current evidence suggests that the rational use of specific types of sweeteners within recommended dosage ranges can effectively improve blood glucose control, promote weight management, and play a positive role in maintaining oral health. However, excessive or long-term use of certain sweeteners may disrupt gut microbiota balance, affect glucose and lipid metabolism homeostasis, increase cardiovascular disease risk, and potentially be associated with the occurrence of certain malignant tumors. Notably, sweetener exposure during pregnancy may affect the fetus through mechanisms such as epigenetic modifications, necessitating special caution in sweetener selection for pregnant women. This review aims to provide clinicians, nutritionists, and food science professionals with the latest evidence-based medical evidence, guiding consumers to make informed sweetener choices by weighing health benefits against potential risks. It also offers scientific basis for formula optimization and product development in the food industry, thereby promoting public health.

Mei Yong, Lili Xu, Chen Xue et al.

IntroductionAgainst the background of China’s modernization, which emphasizes harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, it is highly important to explore whether the grassland ecological compensation policy (GECP) can protect grassland ecosystems while promoting the modernization of grassland animal husbandry and whether it has spillover effects on rural revitalization.MethodsOn the basis of survey data from 475 herding households in Inner Mongolia, this study constructs an index system for the modernization of grassland animal husbandry, measures the level of modernization via factor analysis, and analyzes the impact of the GECP on the modernization of grassland animal husbandry.Results and discussionThe conclusions are as follows: (1) Through ordinary least squares regression (OLS) and moderation effect models, the GECP can significantly promote the modernization level of grassland animal husbandry. For every 1% increase in the compensation amount, the level of modernization increases by 2.355%. The scale of livestock breeding positively moderates this relationship, with larger scales amplifying the policy’s effect. (2) Threshold effect analysis reveals a dual-threshold effect on the basis of the compensation amount and grassland area. The relationship between the policy and modernization changes significantly as the threshold values vary. The dual-threshold values for the compensation amount are 6,450 and 11,517, and those for the grassland area are 279 and 4,900. (3) Heterogeneity analysis reveals that for households that practice captive breeding, a 1% increase in compensation increases the modernization level by 2.927%, whereas no significant impact is observed for households that practice year-round grazing.

Skyler R. St. Pierre, Ethan C. Darwin, Divya Adil et al.

Abstract Eating less meat is associated with a healthier body and planet. Yet, we remain reluctant to switch to a plant-based diet, largely due to the sensory experience of plant-based meat. Food scientists characterize meat using a double compression test, which only probes one-dimensional behavior. Here we use tension, compression, and shear tests–combined with constitutive neural networks–to automatically discover the behavior of eight plant-based and animal meats across the entire three-dimensional spectrum. We find that plant-based sausage and hotdog, with stiffnesses of 95.9 ± 14.1 kPa and 38.7 ± 3.0 kPa, successfully mimic their animal counterparts, with 63.5 ± 45.7 kPa and 44.3 ± 13.2 kPa, while tofurky is twice as stiff, and tofu is twice as soft. Strikingly, a complementary food tasting survey produces in nearly identical stiffness rankings for all eight products (ρ = 0.833, p = 0.015). Probing the fully three-dimensional signature of meats is critical to understand subtle differences in texture that may result in a different perception of taste. Our data and code are freely available at https://github.com/LivingMatterLab/CANN

Sha Yang, Zhenyu Dong, Jiaqi Zhao et al.

BackgroundEarly-onset sarcopenia refers to the progressive loss of muscle mass and function that occurs at an early age. This condition perpetuates the vicious cycle of muscle loss and is associated with adverse outcomes. It is important to identify the contributing factors for early intervention and prevention. While diet is known to impact muscle mass, the association of B vitamins with early-onset sarcopenia remains unexplored.ObjectivesTo investigate the association of B vitamins intake with early-onset sarcopenia risk in a cross-sectional study.MethodsWe conducted data analysis on a total of 8,711 participants aged between 20 and 59 years who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2018. Early-onset sarcopenia was defined as a SMI measured by DXA that was one standard deviation below the sex-specific mean of the reference population. B vitamins intake (B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12) was assessed by 24-h dietary recall. We used weighted multiple logistic regression and RCS models to estimate the OR and 95% CI of sarcopenia by B vitamins intake, adjusting for demographic, physical, lifestyle, comorbidities, and nutritional covariates.ResultsHigher intake of vitamin B1 was associated with a 22% lower sarcopenia risk (OR = 0.78, CI = 0.63–0.97, p = 0.022), and higher intake of vitamin B2 with a 16% lower risk (OR = 0.84, CI = 0.74–0.97, p = 0.012) in both genders. Gender-specific analyses showed a 28% reduction in sarcopenia risk among males with each additional mg of vitamin B1 intake (OR = 0.72, CI = 0.52–0.97, p = 0.038), and a 26% decrease among females with each additional mg of vitamin B2 intake (OR = 0.74, CI = 0.57–0.96, p = 0.021). No significant differences were found between vitamin B2 and males, or between vitamin B1 and females. The RCS model suggested a nonlinear relationship between vitamin B2 intake and sarcopenia risk (POverall = 0.001, PNonlinear = 0.033), with a plateau effect above 3 mg/d.ConclusionHigher intake of vitamin B1 and B2 may lower the risk of early-onset sarcopenia, with gender differences. This suggests the potential of nutritional intervention by increasing these vitamins intake through diet and supplements. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and design targeted interventions.

Ana Rita Soares Mateus, Sílvia Cruz Barros, Sandra Mariño Cortegoso et al.

Sweet cherry pits, date seeds, and grape seeds are abundant fruit by-products in the Mediterranean region. Assessing their antioxidant capacity is crucial for their valorization. Grape and date seeds exhibited higher concentrations of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and significant antioxidant capacity. Epicatechin was the main flavonoid in sweet cherry pits and date seeds (29–85 mg/g), while vanillic acid was the predominant phenolic acid across all by-products (5–23 mg/g). However, some sweet cherry pit varieties exceeded Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) for five pesticides, while grape seeds contained thirteen fungicide residues, all below MRL. Ochratoxin A was detected in one date seed but below the limit of quantification. Additionally, grape seeds showed an Al content of approximately 130 mg/kg, along with levels of As, Cd, and Pb. Date seeds exhibited high potential for food and pharmaceutical applications, pending evaluation for chemical contaminants.

Emily V. Merchant, James E. Simon

Zhao Yang, Shi-Jun Yue, Huan Gao et al.

IntroductionIn China and other Asian nations, Geum japonicum (GJ) is used as functional vegetables or as a type of folk medicine. Ellagic acid (EA) is one of the main active ingredients in GJ and has been utilized in food, cosmetics, and medicinal goods worldwide. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) have gradually replaced organic solvents for efficient extraction of plant-derived active compounds due to its environmental protection, low toxicity, low solubility, reusability, etc.MethodsNADES with the highest EA yield was selected and the extraction conditions were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM), the antioxidant activity of NADES extract was determined, and finally Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to explain the mechanism for the increase of EA yield in GJ.ResultsIn this work, several NADESs were tailored for the ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) of EA from GJ, among which choline chloride-oxalic acid (ChCl:Oa) was the most effective. In optimal conditions, ChCl:Oa extract produced higher EA yields than common organic solvents including methanol, ethanol, and acetone. In vitro antioxidant experiments showed that ChCl:Oa extract had stronger DPPH radical scavenging ability than other solvent extracts. Mechanically, FT-IR results indicated that ChCl:Oa could form a hydrogen bonding with EA, which enhanced the stability of EA. Meanwhile, ChCl:Oa-UAE treatment could destroy the tissue structure of GJ, thereby improving EA yield.DiscussionIn conclusion, these results imply that the ChCl:Oa-UAE method might be an environmentally friendly approach for extracting EA from GJ.

Lin Tan, Qian Li, Chao Sun et al.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) was commonly found in grains and feedstuffs, which can cause human chronic diseases. In this study, a quick and reliable method was developed for the determination of DON in grains and feedstuffs in Jiangxi Province market. The sample was extracted with acetonitrile–water (84:16, v/v), then purified by Supel™ Tox DON SPE column, and detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the calibration curve of DON showed good linearity in the range of 0.01–10.0 μg/mL, and the correlation coefficient R2 = 0.9999. The recovery of DON in the spiked maize sample was 94.8–98.5% by spiking with DON at 0.2 µg/g, 1.0 µg/g, and 2.0 µg/g. The RSD was between 2.5 and 3.3%. This method was used to analyze 120 samples, including 90 grains and 30 feedstuffs, collected from the Jiangxi Province market. The results showed that 81 samples of grains were positive with 90.0% positive rates, and 30 samples of feedstuff were positive with 100% positive rates. Maximum concentration of DON was 0.7 μg/g in oat and 6.9 μg/g in wheat feedstuffs, respectively. Fortunately, the positive samples of grains were safe levels in comparison with National standards for food safety limits of mycotoxins in food (1.0 μg/g), while, the feedstuff of oats was over the Maximum Guideline Level of 16.7% (the Maximum Residue Limit, MRL is 5.0 μg/g). The results of this study about current DON pollution in the grains and feedstuffs on the Jiangxi Province market have not been previously reported.

Marian Socoliuc, Veronica Grosu, Marius-Sorin Ciubotariu et al.

Today, food quality and safety, on the one hand, as well as increasing the level of information of consumers with direct implications on their food preferences, on the other hand, are highly debated topics in both national and international literature. The lack of consumers’ knowledge of information on food safety could make consumers purchase unsafe food. In the event of the existence of this kind of information, the consumption would be a safer one. Our research aimed to understand the means of adjusting the food offered to the request manifested by young and educated people and the impact of the information asymmetry on the consumers’ behavior. The main objectives of the study focus on exploring the nature of the informational asymmetry and the extent to which it usually affects the consumers’ perception and on identifying the prevalent socioeconomic factors that influence the consumers’ behavior regarding their perception of the quality of the food products and quantifying the impact of the information asymmetry on consumers’ behavior. In this study, a questionnaire survey among 529 young and educated people was used to design a cumulative analysis in order to allow the forecast based on a future trend of the food policies in relation to the change in the consumers’ behavior induced by the informational asymmetry. This analysis was segmented into impact sections that delineate the weight of the generating asymmetry factors from the weight of the factors with resistance to this phenomenon. The results of the survey led both to the identification of a quantification model of the information asymmetry that manifests itself within the relationship between the producer and the consumer and to the identification of a typology of informational asymmetry which manifests itself differently depending on the features of the food products. The study can be useful for those entities that want to identify the changes in the typology of consumption according to certain criteria in order to correlate their offer with the consumers’ requirements, as well as for the national or regional institutional bodies with a role in developing food policies adapted to these requirements.

André Magnan, Mengistu Wendimu, Annette Desmarais et al.

This research builds on the emerging body of literature investigating the implications of changing land tenure relations in the Prairie Provinces, where over 70% of Canada’s farmland is located. Through an analysis of survey data collected in 2019 from 400 grain farmers, we address the following research questions:  How are farmers experiencing changing patterns of land tenure and control at the local level? What challenges and opportunities do farmers face in these changing farmland markets? And, how has the entry of new actors (farmland investors) changed relationships between landlords and tenants? Our findings suggest that those farmers who are witnessing the financialization of farmland in their regions view this phenomenon with alarm. Furthermore, we show that those who rent from corporate investors are more often subject to landlord influence over production practices and pay higher rental rates than those who rent from other landlord types. Concern about farmland concentration is widespread among Prairie farmers, with a variety of negative effects identified, including increased competition over land and the decline of local communities. We recommend that future research probe how different investor types (individual vs. corporate and/or institutional) engage in land markets, examine the gender dimensions of landlord-tenant relations, and engage in analyses that challenge the current iteration of the private property regime.

Vicente Ortiz-Gómez, Alejandro Fernández-Quintero, Diego Fernando Roa-Acosta et al.

In recent years, great interest has been shown in pseudocereals for their high nutritional value. Wet milling has been used to obtain macromolecules such as proteins and starches. However, the co-products obtained from this food industry have been studied little. A factorial design Box-benhken was used to study the effect of surfactant concentration (SDS), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration and maceration temperature on structural and colorimetric properties. Structural properties were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and color changes by the CIElab tristimulus method (L*, a*, b*). A decrease in temperature and NaOH causes a decrease in lightness (L*), resulting in lower starch content and higher protein content in the co-product. This behavior was correlated with the infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) spectra. The spectra show a possible structural change in the amylose/amylopectin ratio of the starch granule at 1,012 cm−1, 1,077 cm−1, and 1,150 cm−1 bands, which are associated with glycosidic bonds, these bonds were sensitive to NaOH concentration. While those bands assigned to Amide II (1,563 cm−1) and Amide I (1,633 cm−1), were sensitive to the effect of NaOH and maceration temperature, evidencing that protein content in the co-products is variable and depends significantly on the extraction conditions. The co-products obtained by wet milling could be used in the development of functional foods, such as bread, snacks, pasta and other products.

Frédérique Reverchon, Silvia M. Contreras-Ramos, Akif Eskalen et al.

Ambrosia beetles and their symbiotic fungi are causing severe damage in natural and agro-ecosystems worldwide, threatening the productivity of several important tree crops such as avocado. Strategies aiming at mitigating their impact include the application of broad-spectrum agrochemicals and the incineration of diseased trees, but the increasing demand for environment-friendly strategies call for exploring biological control for the management of ambrosia beetles and their phytopathogenic fungal symbionts. The aim of this review is to examine the existing knowledge on biocontrol approaches using beneficial microorganisms and microbial natural products with entomopathogenic and antifungal activity against ambrosia beetles and fungi. We show that biocontrol has been mainly focused on the insect, using entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) such as Beauveria spp. or Metarhizium spp. However, recent studies have been integrating EPF with mycoparasitic fungi such as Trichoderma spp. to simultaneously challenge the vector and its fungal symbionts. Novel approaches also include the use of microbial natural products as insect lures or antifungal agents. Contrastingly, the potential of bacteria, including actinobacteria (actinomycetes), as biocontrol agents of ambrosia fungi has been little investigated. We thus suggest that future research should further examine the antifungal activity of bacterial strains, with an emphasis on harsh environments. We also suggest pursuing the isolation of more effective microbial strains with dual biocontrol effect, i.e., exhibiting fungicidal/insecticidal activities. Moreover, additional efforts should aim at determining the best application methods of biocontrol agents in the field to ensure that the positive effects detected in vitro are sustained. Finally, we propose the integration of microbiome studies in pest and disease management strategies as they could provide us with tools to steer the beneficial host plant microbiome and to manipulate the beetle microbiome in order to reduce insect fitness.

Xiaoqiang Wang, Desiree Ha, Ryohei Yoshitake et al.

Abstract White button mushroom (WBM) is a common edible mushroom consumed in the United States and many European and Asia-Pacific countries. We previously reported that dietary WBM antagonized dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced androgen receptor (AR) activation and reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in prostate cancer animal models and patients. Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), an androgen-induced protease in prostate cancer, has been implicated in influenza and coronavirus entry into the host cell, triggering host immune response. The present study on C57BL/6 mice revealed that WBM is a unique functional food that (A) interrupts AR-mediated TMPRSS2 expression in prostate, lungs, small intestine, and kidneys through its AR antagonistic activity and (B) attenuates serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduces MDSC counts through its immunoregulatory activity. These findings provide a scientific basis for translational studies toward clinical applications of WBM in diseases related to TMPRSS2 expression and immune dysregulation.

Colin R. Anderson, Chris Maughan

As the gravity of the global social and ecological crises become more apparent, there is a growing recognition of the need for social transformation. In this article, we use a combination of narrative case study and discourse analysis to better understand how transformative concepts, such as agroecology, are shaped as they as they enter mainstream discursive arenas. We probe the different characteristics of the “innovation frame” and how they qualify and give meaning to agroecology. Our case study narrates the recent emergence of agroecology in the UN space and its relationship to the discursive frame of innovation. We then undertake a systematic discourse analysis of comments provided in an online consultation process on the “Agroecology and Other Innovations” report by the 2019 High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) in the World Committee on Food Security. We examine how different actors positioned themselves vis-a-vis the innovation frame and we analyse the discursive strategies used to advance particular political agendas. Our analysis reveals three primary sub-frames within the innovation frame (Evidence; Technology; Rights) which were deployed by both proponents and detractors of agroecology. We focus on the notion of social agency, and its different presentations, within the three sub-frames which raises a number of problematics of the innovation frame, not only for agroecology, but for sustainability transformations more widely.

Michael J. Hart, Susan J. Torres, Sarah A. McNaughton et al.

Abstract Background Evidence indicates that low-grade inflammation is involved in manychronic diseases of ageing. Modifiable lifestyle factors including dietcan affect low-grade inflammation. Dietary patterns allow assessment of the complex interactions of food nutrients and health and may be associated with inflammatory status. This systematic review aimed to summarises current evidence from observational studies for associations between dietary patterns and inflammatory biomarkers in the general adult population. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Methods We conducted a systematic search in Embase, CINAHL Complete, Global Health and MEDLINE complete databases. Search terms included terms for diet (“dietary patterns”, “diet scores”) and inflammation (“inflammation“, “c-reactive protein“, “interleukin“). Results The search produced 7161 records. Duplicates were removed leaving 3164 for screening. There were 69 studies included (60 cross-sectional, 9 longitudinal). Papers included studies that were: 1) observational studies; 2) conducted in community-dwelling adults over 18 years of age; 3) assessed dietary patterns; 4) measured specified biomarkers of inflammation and 5) published in English. Dietary patterns were assessed using diet scores (n = 45), data-driven approaches (n = 22), both a data-driven approach and diet score (n = 2). The most frequently assessed biomarkers were CRP (n = 64) and/or IL-6 (n = 22). Cross-sectionally the majority of analyses reported an association between higher diet scores (mostly Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory diet scores) and lower inflammatory markers with 82 significant associations from 133 analyses. Only 22 of 145 cross-sectional analyses using data-driven approaches reported an association between a dietary patterns and lower inflammatory markers; the majority reported no association. Evidence of an association between dietary patterns and inflammatory markers longitudinally is limited, with the majority reporting no association. Conclusions Adherence to healthy, Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory dietary scores, appear to be associated with lower inflammatory status cross-sectionally. Future research could focus on longitudinal studies using a potential outcomes approach in the data analysis. Trial registration PROSPERO Registration Number CRD42019114501 .

TIAN Tian, PEI Xin-li, LIU Hai-ying

The effect of diets containing different proportions of buckwheat on intestinal function of cholesterol absorption and excretion and intestinal microbiota in hypercholesterolemic mice were studied.The mice were divided into four groups where they were fed with AIN-93M standard diet (control group), a high-cholesterol diet (model group), a high-cholesterol diet + low-dose of buckwheat diet, and a high-cholesterol diet + high-dose of buckwheat diet, respectively. The results showed that diets containing different proportions of buckwheat can all repaired the damaged structure of small intestine to certain extent.Compared with the model group, diets containing different proportions of buckwheat increased the mRNA expression levels of ATP binding cassette transporter subfamily G members 5/8 (ABCG5/ABCG8), and reduced the mRNA expression level of Niemann-Pick type C 1, such as 1 (NPC1L1) protein, in the small intestine, which in turn reduced the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. Diets containing different proportions of buckwheat significantly increased the expression of mouse intestinal ABCA1 and SR-B1 genes expression level, which promoted reverse cholesterol transport in the intestine. Compared to the model group, the diet containing a high proportion of buckwheat greatly promoted the abundance of the intestinal microbiota. On the contrary, the diet containing a low proportion of buckwheat had a negative effect on the abundance of the intestinal microbiota.

Swati Jain, Sobhana Ranjan

COVID-19 is a viral infectious disease caused by SARS-COV2. Its clinical signs and symptoms are on a broad spectrum ranging from asymptomatic to severe complications like multi-organ failure, thromboembolism, and severe pneumonia with respiratory failure. Worse outcomes and higher mortality rates have been reported in the elderly, people with co-morbidities, and malnourished individuals. Nutrition is fundamental to good health and immune function. It forms an integral component of treatment modalities for various acute and chronic diseases, especially where a causative treatment is not yet recognized. Taking into consideration the magnitude of demands this pandemic has posed on hospital resources, an orderly assessment of nutritional status and body composition may not be possible for critically ill and/or for patients with mild-moderate symptoms who are managing their illness at home. Adequate intake of various macro and micro-nutrients--energy, protein, fat, vitamins--A, B, C, D, E and minerals--iron, selenium, zinc, and copper, along with supportive health practices like hydration, meal consistency, frequency of meal consumption and physical activity, often ameliorate respiratory infections, in part by modulating the immune response. Though at present there is a lack of well-defined nutrition-based guidelines for COVID-19 patient care, this paper brings forward the existing relevant evidence base for caregivers and patients to use as a reference/guide.