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Obesity is a major health problem in the developed and developing world. Many “functional” foods and ingredients are advocated for their effects on body composition but few have consistent scientific support for their efficacy. However, an increasing amount of mechanistic and clinical evidence is building for green tea (GT). This experiment was therefore undertaken to study the effects of a high-catechin GT on body composition in a moderately overweight Chinese population. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, 182 moderately overweight Chinese subjects, consumed either two servings of a control drink (C; 30 mg catechins, 10 mg caffeine/day), one serving of the control drink and one serving of an extra high-catechin GT1 (458 mg catechins, 104 mg caffeine/day), two servings of a high-catechin GT2 (468 mg catechins, 126 mg caffeine/day) or two servings of the extra high-catechin GT3 (886 mg catechins, 198 mg caffeine/day) for 90 days. Data were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days. We observed a decrease in estimated intra-abdominal fat (IAF) area of 5.6 cm2 in the GT3 group. In addition, we found decreases of 1.9 cm in waist circumference and 1.2 kg body weight in the GT3 group vs. C (P < 0.05). We also observed reductions in total body fat (GT2, 0.7 kg, P < 0.05) and body fat % (GT1, 0.6%, P < 0.05). We conclude that consumption of two servings of an extra high-catechin GT leads to improvements in body composition and reduces abdominal fatness in moderately overweight Chinese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT. Relationships between fat content and perceived oiliness were investigated in a dry, cornmeal-based snack food. Paired comparisons suggested that substantial differences in fat content (about 15 g/100 g) are required before consistent differences in perceived oiliness are found. Using magnitude estimation, judgments of oiliness intensity were made when stimuli were (1) ingested under normal conditions, (2) ingested with olfactory, visual, and manual tactile inputs eliminated, and (3) simply rubbed between the fingers. The similarity of the oiliness function under these different conditions suggest that perceptions of oiliness are principally derived from oral textural sensations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicotine and smoking may modify gustatory function or preferences and are associated with altered energy balance; however, there is no information on whether smokeless tobacco (ST) has similar effects. Evaluations of gustatory function (threshold sensitivity, perceived intensity of suprathreshold stimuli, preferences) were conducted on 28 chronic ST users and 30 nonusers after both abstaining and using ST. Subjects also maintained 7-d dietary records that included descriptions of the predominant taste qualities of foods. There were few user vs nonuser differences in gustatory measures. Among nonusers, use of ST reduced perceived intensity of salty, sour, and bitter stimuli. Users reported greater alcohol intakes and lower consumption of carbohydrates, sweet foods, fruits, and grains. Chronic use of ST does not appear to have substantial effects on gustatory function but may be associated with decreased carbohydrate intakes, perhaps related to increased alcohol use and possibly because of reduced consumption of sweet-tasting foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early career researchers (ECRs) in nutrition and related fields often wish to approach commercial organisations for possible funding or collaboration in scientific projects and other activities. However, ECRs may experience challenges from their limited experience, lack of understanding of the food industry and concerns about working practices and research integrity. This commentary is oriented toward providing some basic, practical guidance for nutritionist scientists, to help in developing credible, principled and effective working relationships with the food industry. Based on the author's experience as an academic and industry researcher, and an advisor to academic-industry collaborative projects, the text addresses a range of related aspects including: understanding and approaching the food industry; the industry environment and drivers; contracts, confidentiality and communication; potential challenges; and ensuring scientific integrity., (© 2025 The Author(s). Nutrition Bulletin published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Nutrition Foundation.)

Background/objectives: Several studies have assessed relationships of self-reported appetite (eating motivations, mainly by Visual Analogue Scales, VAS) with subsequent energy intake (EI), though usually in small data sets with limited power and variable designs. The objectives were therefore to better quantify the relationships of self-reports (incorporating subject characteristics) to subsequent EI, and to estimate the quantitative differences in VAS corresponding to consistent, significant differences in EI., Subjects/methods: Data were derived from an opportunity sample of 23 randomized controlled studies involving 549 subjects, testing the effects of various food ingredients in meal replacers or 100-150 ml mini-drinks. In all studies, scores on several VAS were recorded for 30 min to 5 h post-meal, when EI was assessed by ad libitum meal consumption. The relationships between pre-meal VAS scores and EI were examined using correlation, linear models (including subject characteristics) and a cross-validation procedure., Results: VAS correlations with subsequent EI were statistically significant, but of low magnitude, up to r = 0.26. Hunger, age, gender, body weight and estimated basal metabolic rate explained 25% of the total variance in EI. Without hunger the prediction of EI was modestly but significantly lower (19%, P < 0.001). A change of ≥15-25 mm on a 100 mm VAS was the minimum effect consistently corresponding to a significant change in subsequent EI, depending on the starting VAS level., Conclusions: Eating motivations add in a small but consistently significant way to other known predictors of acute EI. Differences of about 15 mm on a 100 mm VAS appear to be the minimum effect expected to result in consistent, significant differences in subsequent EI., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Green tea catechins have been hypothesized to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation by inhibiting catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and thus promoting more sustained adrenergic stimulation. Metabolomics may help to clarify the mechanisms underlying their putative physiological effects., Objective: The study investigated the effects of 7-day ingestion of green tea extract (GTE) on the plasma metabolite profile at rest and during exercise., Methods: In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, parallel study, 27 healthy physically active males consumed either GTE (n=13, 1200 mg catechins, 240 mg caffeine/day) or placebo (n=14, PLA) drinks for 7 days. After consuming a final drink (day 8), they rested for 2 h and then completed 60 min of moderate-intensity cycling exercise (56% ± 4% VO(2)max). Blood samples were collected before and during exercise. Plasma was analyzed using untargeted four-phase metabolite profiling and targeted profiling of catecholamines., Results: Using the metabolomic approach, we observed that GTE did not enhance adrenergic stimulation (adrenaline and noradrenaline) during rest or exercise. At rest, GTE led to changes in metabolite concentrations related to fat metabolism (3-β-hydroxybutyrate), lipolysis (glycerol) and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle intermediates (citrate) when compared to PLA. GTE during exercise caused reductions in 3-β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations as well as increases in pyruvate, lactate and alanine concentrations when compared to PLA., Conclusions: GTE supplementation resulted in marked metabolic differences during rest and exercise. Yet these metabolic differences were not related to the adrenergic system, which questions the in vivo relevance of the COMT inhibition mechanism of action for GTE., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes especially when the fat is accumulated to central depots. Novel biomarkers are crucial to develop diagnostics for obesity and related metabolic disorders. We evaluated the associations between metabolite profiles (136 lipid components, 12 lipoprotein subclasses, 17 low-molecular-weight metabolites, 12 clinical markers) and 28 phenotype parameters (including different body fat distribution parameters such as android (A), gynoid (G), abdominal visceral (VAT), subcutaneous (SAT) fat) in 215 plasma/serum samples from healthy overweight men (n=32) and women (n=83) with central obesity. (Partial) correlation analysis and partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis showed that only specific metabolites were associated to A:G ratio, VAT, and SAT, respectively. These association patterns were gender dependent. For example, insulin, cholesterol, VLDL, and certain triacylglycerols (TG 54:1-3) correlated to VAT in women, while in men VAT was associated with TG 50:1-5, TG 55:1, phosphatidylcholine (PC 32:0), and VLDL ((X)L). Moreover, multiple regression analysis revealed that waist circumference and total fat were sufficient to predict VAT and SAT in women. In contrast, only VAT but not SAT could be predicted in men and only when plasma metabolites were included, with PC 32:0 being most strongly associated with VAT. These findings collectively highlight the potential of metabolomics in obesity and that gender differences need to be taken into account for novel biomarker and diagnostic discovery for obesity and metabolic disorders.

The aim of this study was to explore (a) whether and how consumers may (over-) interpret satiety claims, and (b) whether and to what extent consumers recognize that personal efforts are required to realize possible satiety-related or weight loss benefits. Following means-end chain theory, we explored for a number of satiety claims the extent of inference-making to higher-level benefits than actually stated in the claim, using internet-based questions and tasks. Respondents (N=1504) in U.K., France, Italy and Germany participated in the study. The majority of these respondents correctly interpret satiety-related claims; i.e. they largely limit their interpretation to what was actually stated. They do not expect a "magic bullet" effect, but understand that personal efforts are required to translate product attributes into potential weight control benefits. Less-restrained eaters were at lower risk for over-interpreting satiety-related claims, whilst respondents with a stronger belief that their weight is something that they can control accept more personal responsibility, and better understand that personal efforts are required to be effective in weight control. Overall, these results indicate there is likely to be a relatively low level of consumer misinterpretation of satiety-related claims on food products., (Copyright © 2012 International Life Sciences Institute. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Current methods of analyzing appetite-related self-report data do not allow for representation or statistical comparison of results in terms of common units or response durations. Using data from 13 previous studies, we assessed the suitability of several alternative approaches (interpolation, linear regression, non-linear models) for quantitatively estimating and comparing time to return to baseline pre-prandial levels (TTRTB, min). Curve modeling using the Weibull distribution gave the best fit and ability to determine mean TTRTB values with 95% confidence intervals. We then applied this in a study comparing liquid meal replacers (MR, 190 kcal) to 3 'meals' of similar weight and equal or greater energy content (yogurt, 190 kcal; bagel with cream cheese and juice, 400 kcal; hamburger with bun and soft drink, 400 kcal). While area under the curve data did not significantly differ amongst these, TTRTB was significantly longer for MR than yogurt. When corrected for energy content, TTRTB (min/kcal) was greater for MR than all other treatments. While further method development and validation are needed, the Weibull modeling procedure appears most suitable for estimating and quantitatively comparing durations of appetite-related responses to foods, providing an absolute response measure that can be expressed in commonly understood units., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Extracts from Hoodia gordonii have been shown to decrease food intakes and body weights in animals and were proposed as a food supplement or ingredient for weight management., Objective: We assessed the safety and efficacy of a 15-d repeated consumption of H. gordonii purified extract (HgPE) relative to a placebo in humans., Design: Healthy, overweight women, who were stratified by percentage body fat, received either HgPE (n = 25) or a placebo (n = 24) for 15 d. Subjects were resident in a clinic for a 4-d run-in period and a 15-d treatment period in which they received 2 servings/d of 1110 mg HgPE or a placebo formulated in a yogurt drink 1 h before breakfast and dinner. Subjects were otherwise allowed to eat ad libitum from standardized menus., Results: There were no serious adverse events, but HgPE was less well tolerated than was the placebo because of episodes of nausea, emesis, and disturbances of skin sensation. Blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase showed significant (P < 0.05) increases in the HgPE group. Mean effects on ad libitum energy intakes and body weights did not differ significantly between the HgPE- and placebo-treatment groups (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: In comparison with a matched placebo, the consumption of HgPE for 15 d appeared to be associated with significant adverse changes in some vital signs and laboratory parameters. HgPE was less well tolerated than was the placebo and did not show any significant effects on energy intakes or body weights relative to the placebo. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01306422.

Obesity is a major health problem in the developed and developing world. Many "functional" foods and ingredients are advocated for their effects on body composition but few have consistent scientific support for their efficacy. However, an increasing amount of mechanistic and clinical evidence is building for green tea (GT). This experiment was therefore undertaken to study the effects of a high-catechin GT on body composition in a moderately overweight Chinese population. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, 182 moderately overweight Chinese subjects, consumed either two servings of a control drink (C; 30 mg catechins, 10 mg caffeine/day), one serving of the control drink and one serving of an extra high-catechin GT1 (458 mg catechins, 104 mg caffeine/day), two servings of a high-catechin GT2 (468 mg catechins, 126 mg caffeine/day) or two servings of the extra high-catechin GT3 (886 mg catechins, 198 mg caffeine/day) for 90 days. Data were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days. We observed a decrease in estimated intra-abdominal fat (IAF) area of 5.6 cm(2) in the GT3 group. In addition, we found decreases of 1.9 cm in waist circumference and 1.2 kg body weight in the GT3 group vs. C (P < 0.05). We also observed reductions in total body fat (GT2, 0.7 kg, P < 0.05) and body fat % (GT1, 0.6%, P < 0.05). We conclude that consumption of two servings of an extra high-catechin GT leads to improvements in body composition and reduces abdominal fatness in moderately overweight Chinese subjects.