TY - JOUR AU - Horváth, Adrienn AU - Tamási, Kitti AU - Pap, Ramóna AU - Jánosa, Gergely AU - Pandur, Edina TI - Iron, the Essential Micronutrient: A Comprehensive Review of Regulatory Pathways of Iron Metabolism JF - NUTRIENTS J2 - NUTRIENTS VL - 18 PY - 2026 PG - 27 SN - 2072-6643 DO - 10.3390/nu18010109 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/36710206 ID - 36710206 N1 - Export Date: 03 June 2026; Cited By: 0; Correspondence Address: E. Pandur; Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Pécs, H-7624, Hungary; email: pandur.edina@gytk.pte.hu AB - Iron constitutes an essential micronutrient in living organisms. All iron is absorbed into the body through dietary intake, except for exogenous therapeutic sources. Dietary iron is typically categorized as either heme or nonheme iron. Nonheme iron is essential for regulating iron in the body, as it exists in various forms, including soluble iron, storage iron within ferritin, and iron found in the catalytic centers of a wide range of proteins. Iron homeostasis is carefully managed to ensure that sufficient iron is available for critical biological processes while preventing the harmful effects that can arise from excess iron. The small peptide hormone hepcidin is the main regulator of iron homeostasis. Hepcidin and other iron regulatory molecules are regulated by various signaling pathways, such as IL-6/JAK-STAT, BMP/SMAD, and MAPK. Alterations in regulatory pathways may occur in response to iron accumulation or deficiency. Iron overload in the body can activate JAK/STAT, BMP/SMAD and MAPK pathways, leading to the initiation hepcidin synthesis. Conversely, in iron deficiency, as in hypoxic conditions or EPO-mediated signaling pathways, HAMP synthesis in the nucleus is reduced. Thus, this review provides an update on the possible regulatory pathways that play a role in iron regulation and may be potential therapeutic targets. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Elandia, Aparecida AU - dos, Santos AU - Jacqueline, Isaura Alvarez-Leite TI - Dietary Bioactive Compounds: Cellular Sensory Pathways, Microbial Partners, and Clinical Realities JF - NUTRIENTS J2 - NUTRIENTS PY - 2026 SN - 2072-6643 DO - 10.3390/nu18183001 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/37521433 ID - 37521433 LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Awlqadr, Farhang AU - Qadir, Syamand Ahmed AU - Laftah, Abdulrahman H. AU - Mohammed, Othman Abdulrahman AU - Salih, Tablo H. AU - Saeed, Mohammed N. AU - Al Abdulmonem, Waleed AU - Alriyahi, Noor AU - Ramddan, Ammar Badran AU - Raza, Hassan TI - Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba Mate): A Narrative Review of Bioactive Compounds, Biological Activities, and Green Extraction Technologies JF - NUTRIENTS J2 - NUTRIENTS VL - 18 PY - 2026 SN - 2072-6643 DO - 10.3390/nu18152535 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/37562170 ID - 37562170 N1 - Cited by: 0; All Open Access, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access AB - Background: Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) is a widely consumed botanical beverage rich in caffeoylquinic acids, methylxanthines, flavonoids, and saponins. However, the large number of biological effects attributed to yerba mate has made it difficult to distinguish mechanistic promise from clinically relevant evidence. Methods: This structured narrative review searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, ScienceDirect, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar for literature published from January 2015 through June 2026. Predefined thematic search blocks, eligibility criteria, staged screening, data extraction, and design-appropriate methodological appraisal were applied. Results: The most coherent evidence concerns antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms and possible metabolic effects, including lipid, glycemic, and body-weight-related outcomes. However, much of the evidence remains preclinical, while human studies are limited, heterogeneous in dose and formulation, and generally of short duration. Safety depends on total caffeine exposure, preparation temperature, processing-related contaminants, individual susceptibility, and concurrent medication use. Very-hot consumption and smoke-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons represent avoidable risks. Conclusions: Yerba mate may represent a functional beverage and source of bioactive ingredients, but therapeutic claims remain unsupported. Responsible use requires control of caffeine dose, beverage temperature, processing contaminants, and exposure in vulnerable populations. Future research should prioritize standardized preparations, long-term safety assessment, dose–response characterization, and adequately powered clinical trials. © 2026 by the authors. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Paulik, Edit AU - Sisák, Anita AU - Szolnoki, Anna AU - Polanek, Evelin AU - Gajdács, Márió AU - Molnár, Regina AU - Szabó, Andrea AU - Németh, Gábor László AU - Orvos, Hajnalka TI - Maternal Diet, Lifestyle Factors, and Gestational Weight Gain: A Single-Center Case–Control Study in Hungary JF - NUTRIENTS J2 - NUTRIENTS VL - 18 PY - 2026 IS - 9 PG - 21 SN - 2072-6643 DO - 10.3390/nu18091403 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/37102039 ID - 37102039 AB - Background/Objectives: Preterm birth (PTB) is a major public health concern worldwide, which may lead to detrimental maternal and neonatal outcomes. Maternal nutritional status, gestational weight gain (GWG), and lifestyle factors are potentially modifiable determinants of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study examined the association between PTB and maternal GWG and assessed whether maternal dietary habits and lifestyle factors were related to GWG in women delivering preterm versus at term. Methods: A retrospective case–control study was conducted at a tertiary center in Hungary (MANOR Study, 2019). The case group included n = 100 women with PTB, while n = 200 matched term deliveries served as controls (1:2 ratio). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and medical records. Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) was categorized using standard definitions, while GWG was classified as inadequate, recommended, or excessive according to the US 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines. A 7-item dietary index score was calculated based on gestational dietary habits. Results: Pre-pregnancy BMI distribution did not considerably differ between groups (p > 0.05); over one-third of women in both groups were overweight or had obesity (38.7% vs. 36.7%). Previous PTB (p < 0.001) and gestational hypertension (GHT) (p = 0.003) were more common among current PTB cases, while smoking, alcohol consumption, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) showed negligible differences (p > 0.05)—28.0% of cases, and 34.5% of controls were classified as having healthy dietary habits, based on the dietary index score calculated. Inadequate GWG was more prevalent among PTB cases (49.0% vs. 26.8%), whereas excessive GWG was less frequent among cases (21.9% vs. 38.4%). Being within the recommended GWG range and the manifestation of gestational hypertension were associated with lower (aOR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.18–0.87; p = 0.020) and higher (aOR: 3.43; 95% CI: 1.44–8.19; p = 0.005) odds of PTB, respectively. Conclusions: Inadequate GWG was more common in PTB, while excessive GWG was more frequent in term pregnancies. Fast-food consumption was associated with excessive GWG among term births. Optimizing GWG and improving maternal diet quality should be included as key, cross-cutting interventions targeting the improvement of antenatal care. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Jarecsny, Tamás AU - Al-Muhanna, Nadim AU - Fábián, Dóra Rebeka AU - Kosik, Roland AU - Schwab, Richard AU - Szőllősi, Gergő József AU - Schandl, László AU - Tomasics, Gyula AU - Pázmándi, Eszter Melinda AU - Folyovich, András AU - Fazekas, Ferenc AU - Fekete, Mónika TI - Optimizing Public Health Screening: Population-Specific BMI Thresholds for Targeted Body Composition Assessment in Hungary JF - NUTRIENTS J2 - NUTRIENTS VL - 18 PY - 2026 IS - 9 PG - 15 SN - 2072-6643 DO - 10.3390/nu18091410 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/37102317 ID - 37102317 N1 - Department of Neurology and Stroke, Saint John’s Central Hospital of North Buda, Budapest, 1125, Hungary Doctoral School, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1085, Hungary National Public Health and Pharmaceutical Center, Budapest, 1097, Hungary MiND Brain-Gut Center, Budapest, 1125, Hungary Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, 4032, Hungary Department of Internal Medicine-Diabetology, Saint John’s Central Hospital of North Buda, Budapest, 1125, Hungary András Pető Faculty, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1125, Hungary Kútvölgyi Outpatient Clinic, Saint John’s Central Hospital of North Buda, Budapest, 1125, Hungary Cardiovascular Medicine Research Division, Doctoral College, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1085, Hungary Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1125, Hungary Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1085, Hungary Fodor Center for Prevention and Healthy Aging, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1085, Hungary Health Sciences Division, Doctoral College, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1085, Hungary Export Date: 25 June 2026; Cited By: 0; Correspondence Address: M. Fekete; Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1085, Hungary; email: fekete.monika@semmelweis.hu AB - Background: Body mass index (BMI) is widely used as a proxy of nutritional status and related lifestyle risk patterns in public health, yet it does not capture body composition–related heterogeneity in cardiometabolic risk. Evidence on whether a more detailed body composition assessment improves population-level screening efficiency remains inconsistent, particularly in Central European populations. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 868 Hungarian adults participating in a nationwide mobile screening program. Locally weighted regression identified sex-specific BMI inflection points for cardiometabolic risk. Stratified receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses compared BMI with bioelectrical impedance-derived parameters across five outcomes. Cost- and time-effectiveness of scalable screening strategies were modeled at the population level. Results: Cardiometabolic risk increased at BMI levels below current WHO thresholds (females: 21.8–22.3 kg/m2; males: 23.8–24.3 kg/m2). Overall, body composition parameters did not outperform BMI in the full population. Subgroup-specific differences were observed, particularly among men with BMI 24–36 kg/m2 for atherosclerosis risk, suggesting limited and outcome-specific added value rather than broad superiority over BMI. Together, non-linear risk patterns, stratified performance, and population-level modeling converged on mid-range BMI intervals (females: 22–30 kg/m2; males: 24–30 kg/m2) as likely screening windows of phenotypic heterogeneity. Within these ranges, targeted InBody assessment may help refine risk assessment for selected individuals. A mixed screening strategy covering 52% of the population would cost 178.4% of BMI-only screening, while reducing throughput by 24.3%. Conclusions: Population-specific BMI thresholds may more accurately reflect early deviations in nutritional and cardiometabolic risk than current universal cutoffs. BMI remains a useful first-line marker, and body composition assessment may add complementary information in selected BMI ranges. Overall, these findings support a potentially useful, subgroup-specific screening approach, but the modeled cost and time trade-offs should be considered hypothesis-generating and require further validation. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Zugravu, Corina-Aurelia AU - Petre, Marta AU - Constantin, Ciprian TI - Traditional Food Systems as Nutrient Optimization Architectures: Mechanisms of Bioavailability and Dietary Resilience JF - NUTRIENTS J2 - NUTRIENTS VL - 18 PY - 2026 IS - 9 PG - 21 SN - 2072-6643 DO - 10.3390/nu18091448 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/37107126 ID - 37107126 N1 - Department of Hygiene and Nutrition, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, 050463, Romania National Institute of Public Health, Dr. Leonte Street 1-3, Bucharest, 050463, Romania Research Metabolism Center, Faculty of Medicine, Titu Maiorescu University, 1, 76 Al I Cuza Blvd, Bucharest, 011053, Romania “Carol Davila” Emergency Hospital, 1, 88 M. Vulcanescu Street, Bucharest, 010825, Romania Export Date: 08 July 2026; Cited By: 0; Correspondence Address: C.-A. Zugravu; Department of Hygiene and Nutrition, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, 050463, Romania; email: corina.zugravu@umfcd.ro AB - Traditional food systems have historically sustained nutrient adequacy under conditions of environmental variability and limited food diversity, yet their underlying nutritional mechanisms remain insufficiently integrated into contemporary nutrition science. This article attempts to provide a conceptual synthesis of how traditional dietary practices may function as informal nutrient optimization strategies. Drawing on evidence from nutrition science, food chemistry, and human physiology, it examines how food processing techniques (e.g., fermentation, soaking, germination, and thermal treatment), food pairing, and structural properties of foods influence nutrient bioavailability, absorption, and metabolic responses. Across diverse dietary contexts—including Mediterranean, agrarian cereal–legume, and East Asian-type patterns—recurring mechanisms emerge that can boost mineral solubility, improve protein digestibility and amino acid balance, facilitate vitamin absorption, and modulate glycemic responses. These effects are mediated not only by nutrient content but by interactions within the food structure and at the meal level. The synthesis supports a reframing of traditional diets as functional nutritional architectures in which processing and dietary configuration may enhance nutrient utilization efficiency. From this perspective, nutrient adequacy arises from coordinated structural features rather than from maximal nutrient density alone. The findings can be influential in contemporary nutrition research and policy, highlighting the need to move beyond reductionist intake-based models toward integrated approaches that account for bioavailability, metabolic handling, and dietary context. Several transferable principles of nutrient optimization are proposed, offering a framework for designing nutritionally efficient and resilient diets in modern settings. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Mózes, Noémi AU - Varga, János Tamás AU - Szwajgier, D. AU - Kryczyk-Poprawa, A. AU - Zábó, Virág AU - Lehoczki, Andrea Marianna AU - Lipécz, Ágnes AU - Csípő, Tamás AU - Fazekas-Pongor, Vince AU - Major, Dávid AU - Varga, Péter AU - Matiscsák, Attila AU - Fekete, Mónika TI - Dietary Polyphenols in Brain Aging: Molecular Mechanisms and Implications for Neurodegeneration JF - NUTRIENTS J2 - NUTRIENTS VL - 18 PY - 2026 IS - 9 PG - 26 SN - 2072-6643 DO - 10.3390/nu18091470 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/37109056 ID - 37109056 N1 - Mozes N and Varga JT authors contributed equally to this work. LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Bae, Ji Hyun AU - Kang, Hyunju TI - Exploratory Genome-Wide Association Study of Grapefruit Intake and Its Potential Link to Obesity Risk in US Cohorts JF - NUTRIENTS J2 - NUTRIENTS VL - 18 PY - 2026 IS - 9 PG - 15 SN - 2072-6643 DO - 10.3390/nu18091319 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/37223210 ID - 37223210 LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Feng, Qiqi AU - Wang, Tao AU - Wang, Qing AU - Pan, Hongyu AU - Zhong, Yujie AU - Zhuang, Yongliang TI - Mogrosides as Dual-Function Sweeteners: A Comprehensive Review of Extraction, Metabolism, Antidiabetic Mechanisms, and Food Applications JF - NUTRIENTS J2 - NUTRIENTS VL - 18 PY - 2026 IS - 9 PG - 24 SN - 2072-6643 DO - 10.3390/nu18091342 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/37226504 ID - 37226504 LA - English DB - MTMT ER - TY - JOUR AU - Felicio, Joao Soares AU - Ruivo, Licia Oliveira AU - Bezerra, Inessa Silveira AU - do Carmo, Maria Eduarda Nunes Avelar AU - Fernandes, Isabel Jacob AU - Lobo, Beatriz Dias AU - Silva, Lilian de Souza D'Albuquerque AU - de Melo, Franciane Trindade Cunha AU - de Souza, Ana Carolina Contente Braga AU - De Queiroz, Natercia Neves Marques AU - dos Santos, Marcia Costa AU - De Moraes, Lorena Vilhena AU - Barros, Mayana Batista AU - Fernandes, Alan Pinheiro AU - da Penha, Paula Gabriella Costa AU - Rodrigues, Ana Clara Fleury da Fonseca AU - Piani, Pedro Paulo Freire AU - Motta, Ana Regina Bastos AU - Leal, Valeria Suenya Galvao AU - dos Reis, Melissa de Sa Oliveira AU - Lobato, Alyne Maciel AU - Felicio, Karem Mileo AU - De Figueiredo, Priscila Boaventura Barbosa TI - Vitamin D in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus According to Diabetic Kidney Disease Stage: What Is the Target in Clinical Practice? JF - NUTRIENTS J2 - NUTRIENTS VL - 18 PY - 2026 IS - 9 PG - 14 SN - 2072-6643 DO - 10.3390/nu18091408 UR - https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/37228046 ID - 37228046 LA - English DB - MTMT ER -