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Background: Due to the spread of COVID-19 infections around the world, in early 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a global pandemic, i.e. an epidemic of particularly large dimensions affecting countries and entire continents. Long-term stay at home and self-isolation may have significantly impacted lifestyle, diet, food choices and access to food, as well as physical activity in the entire population, including students., Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the impact of social isolation caused by the coronavirus pandemic on changes in diet, lifestyle and body mass index in a group of students, so that we would be better prepared for future new viral infections with characteristics similar to Covid-19., Material and Methods: The study was conducted in 2021 using a cross-sectional online survey (using the CAWI technique). The survey was addressed to students of universities in Poland who were over 18 years of age. After excluding forms completed incorrectly or with incorrect data, the final analysis of the results included the responses of 196 respondents. Statistical analyzes were performed in STATISTICA 13.3. Statistical significance was assumed at the level of p ≤ 0.05., Results: The study involved 136 women and 60 men with an average age of 23. The majority of respondents were residents of cities with over 500,000 inhabitants (50%), were students of 1st degree (45%) in medical/natural sciences (36%). The largest percentage of respondents (above 70%), before the pandemic and during isolation, had normal body weight, according to the BMI. There were significant statistical differences between gender and changes during COVID-19 pandemic in sleeping (p=0.013), physical activity (p=0.028), as well as the consumption of tea (p=0.047), milk and dairy products (p=0.041), alcohol (p=0.001) and red meat (p=0.003), vegetables (p=0.049), sweets (p=0.029) and fast food (p=0.004)., Conclusions: Due to the fact that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the diet and lifestyle has been demonstrated, it is very important that the recommendations of public health organizations spread the message about rational nutrition and physical activity in the event of new viral infections among young people, including students., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: Meat and fish contain easily digestible whole protein, B vitamins and numerous minerals, such as zinc, phosphorus and iron, thanks to which these products have a high nutritional value., Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of consumption of meat and fish in young adults depending on gender., Material and Methods: Data was collected from 200 respondents aged 19-30 using online survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into three parts. The first part contained questions about sociodemographic and anthropometric data, the second part contained a question regarding the self-assessment of the diet. Whereas, the third part of the questionnaire concerned the frequency of consumption of meat and fish. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using Statistica 13.3 software and statistical significance was assumed at the p≤0.05 level., Results: Meat consumption was declared by 86.5% of the respondents (83% of women and 90% of men), usually 5-6 times a week (20%). Gender statistically significantly differentiated the frequency of meat consumption. Men significantly more often consumed total meat (p=0.002), red meat (p=0.001) and poultry (p=0.004) compared to women. Fish was eaten by 85% of the respondents, and 39% only 1-3 times a month. Respondents preferred oily fish. There were no statistically significant differences in the consumption of fish by men and women., Conclusions: Considering the complexity of the relationship between men and women's meat and fish consumption and health, research is needed to clarify the amounts of meat and fish consumed, the degrees and how they are processed, and the reasons for eating or not eating them. This can be helpful in directions for nutritional education., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Introduction: Coffee and tea are some of the most popular beverages in the world. Herbal infusions are also growing in popularity. Much attention is being paid to the effects of these beverages on the body and human health., Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the consumption of coffee, tea and herbal infusions in terms of selected socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, as well as the frequency of beverages consumption in the study group., Materials and Methods: The study involved 508 adult respondents, including 404 females and 104 males aged over 18 years. An online survey questionnaire was used, consisting of questions on socioeconomic data, lifestyle, height and weight, and frequency of consumption of coffee, tea and herbal infusions. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using Statistica 13.3 software, and statistical significance was assumed at the p≤0.05 level., Results: The beverages most often consumed by the adults was tea (90.2% of the respondents), followed by coffee (81.5%), the least frequently chosen beverage was herbal infusion (48%). The largest percentage of adults consuming coffee were: persons aged 18-29 (p=0.012), with higher education (p=0.010), living in cities over 500,000 inhabitants (p=0.048) or having permanent employment (p<0.001). In the case of tea consumption, significantly the largest percentage of adults concerned: women (p<0.001), persons with low physical activity (p=0.003) or good/very good self-dietary assessment (p<0.001). Significantly the largest percentage of adults consuming herbal infusions were: women (p<0.001), persons aged 18-29 (p=0.031) or with higher education (p<0.001). Gender was not a factor differentiating the frequency of consumption of the analyzed beverages in study group., Conclusions: The consumption of coffee, tea and herbal infusions is determined by several socio-demographic factors. Coffee was chosen more often by young people with an active professional life in large cities, which is probably related to the availability of this beverage in offices as well as in takeaway cafes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Background: Vitamin C is one of the most important water-soluble vitamins. It is responsible for many important functions in the body, including: it has a positive effect on maintaining immunity, protects the body against free radicals, and also participates in the synthesis of hormones. Juices can be a good source of this vitamin. Most of the juices available on the market are processed products. Untreated juices, which do not contain added preservatives, sugar and are not pasteurized, constitute a smaller group on the market. Therefore, this group of juices can be a valuable product in human nutrition., Objective: The aim of the study was t o analyze the content of ascorbic acid (AA), dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) and vitamin C (TAA) in non-preserved juices, depending on their type and storage time., Material and Methods: The analysis of T AA, AA and DHAA content in juices was carried out in ten types of nonpreserved juices from two companies (A and B), purchased in a chain of retail outlets. The analyzed juices in company A were: sauerkraut and carrot, grapefruit, orange, apple and mandarin, while in company B: orange, apple, apple and quince, grapefruit and mandarin. In test 1, the first ten juices were analyzed, in test 2 - another ten juices after one month, in test 3 - juices from test 2 were used, and three days after opening the package and storing the juices in standard refrigeration conditions, the stability test of AA was analyzed. The AA and TAA contents were determined using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The DHAA content was calculated by subtracting the AA content from the TAA content., Results: The highest TAA content was found in citrus juices, i.e. grapefruit, orange and mandarin, and the lowest in sauerkraut and carrot juices and apple juice. Moreover, ascorbic acid in apple juice was characterized by the lowest durability., Conclusions: In the production of non-preserved apple juice, consideration should be given to the natural protection of ascorbic acid by the addition of citrus or other fruit juice, vegetable juice or by using a mild technology in the production process., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interests, (© Copyright by the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute.)

Recent studies have shown that naturally occurring substances found in the food of the daily human diet are important for preventing chronic non-communicable diseases. One of them is beta-glucan, which is a natural polysaccharide, occurring in plant cell walls, mainly oats, barley and wheat. It is also present in baker’s yeast cells, fungal cell walls, and some microorganisms. Beta-glucan belongs to one of the dietary fiber fractions, which are attributed a number of beneficial health properties, including the prevention and treatment of certain digestive diseases and supporting the immune system. This compound has biological activity that depends on the size, molecular weight, conformation, frequency of bonds, solubility and changes in structure. Beta-glucan reduces cholesterol and glucose concentrations in the blood, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In addition to its effects on lipid levels and glucose metabolism, beta-glucan also exhibits antioxidant properties by scavenging reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing the risk of diseases, including atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Immunostimulatory and antitumor effects have also been reported. The immunostimulatory activity of beta-glucan occurs as a result of its attachment to specific receptors present on the immune cell surface. Beta-glucan belongs to the group of prebiotics which stimulate the growth and activity of the desired natural intestinal microbiota, while inhibiting the growth of pathogens. It plays an important role in the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and preventing inflammation as well as colon cancer. Such a number of health benefits resulting from the properties of beta-glucan may play a key role in improving health and preventing chronic non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer., (National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene)

Background: Given the range of natural mineral waters, natural spring waters and table waters, and their degree of mineralization (from low to the high), it can be assumed that they will become increasingly important as a source of minerals in everyday diet., Objective: The aim of the study was the assessment of the amount of bottled waters consumption as well as contained selected minerals in waters among female students., Material and Method: Study was conducted among 18-26 years old students from Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) and Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw (UKSW) (50 female from each), from May to October 2010 year. The study was performed by using the questionnaire concerned habitual consumption of bottled waters. Intake of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, silicon, chlorine and fluorine, as the major components of water declared on the label packaging, was also estimated., Results: Almost 40% of respondents consumed four glasses of water a day, about 24% - 2 glasses, about 24% - 3 glasses, 11% - 1 glass, but it was mainly low- and medium-mineralized water. The average daily intake of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine and fluorine in the study population was respectively: 64.1, 26.5, 14.3, 1.9, 5.4, and 0.1 mg per person. Intake of silicon was 14, 4 mg/person/day. Among minerals only calcium and magnesium intake with waters was comparatively significant (6% and 8% of reference values, respectively)., Conclusions: Bottled waters were not a significant source of minerals, but they can be a valuable addition to daily diet. There is a need to promote the drinking of natural mineral waters, spring waters and table waters, especially highly-mineralized and low-sodium waters as a source of well-absorbed minerals.