It has long been conventional wisdom that women must not put on too much weight in pregnancy. Today, however, undernutrition and underweight during pregnancy in particular are posing a problem, because nutritional status in the womb could potentially have a major impact on the child’s future risk of developing lifestyle diseases. There are even reports that lack of protein at the fetal stage could place the child at risk of impaired blood pressure regulation later in life. Scientists believe that this is because the mother’s diet during pregnancy affects epigenetics, which controls gene function. It has also become apparent that the mother’s nutritional status can even affect her grandchildren.

The fact that gut microbes are closely related to biological activity is common knowledge, and scientists are bringing to light the effects of the gut microbiome on human health, an ecosystem composed of around 1,000 intestinal microbial species. As athletes and other people who exercise regularly are known to have a more diverse range of gut microbes than individuals who do not engage in regular physical activity, scientists have indicated a link between exercise and the gut microbiome. Although the precise mechanism is yet to be identified, there are hopes that in the future, regulating and improving the gut microbiome will help to improve performance and maintain health.

Nutrition management is a key topic for athletes, as it is directly linked to their performance. For female athletes in particular, a common problem caused by the failure to achieve a dietary intake commensurate with their level of exercise is low energy availability, with consequent hypothalamic amenorrhea and osteoporosis, which are together referred to as the “female athlete triad.” Scientists say one factor behind this is the preference for lightness —— the belief that a lighter body will perform better. However, caution is required because, in fact, this commonly results in insufficient energy intake. Appropriate nutrition management is crucial.

An optimal diet based on nutritional science is an essential element for athletes to achieve high performance. However, this does not apply solely to top athletes. Today, amid growing health consciousness and awareness of the importance of physical exercise, the number of people engaging in sport is rising across a wide range of age groups. They enjoy a diverse array of sports in a variety of ways. But at the same time, a sound understanding of diet is required. This article highlights the key points regarding nutritional intake for each of three categories of sporting disciplines: endurance sports, explosive power/strength sports, and mixed sports (ball sports).

Sport is essential to our lifestyle today, to maintain our health and enrich our daily lives. All sports require regular training and efforts to make the body stronger, with effective nutrition being crucial. However, many people these days have adopted inappropriate diets as a result of their unquestioning acceptance of incorrect information from social media and the like. The key rule is virtually the same as for one's ordinary diet: one needs the right balance of the three energy-producing nutrients, carbohydrates, protein, and fat —— also known as macronutrients. One must also be diligent about staying hydrated.

Catechins are a type of polyphenol found in abundance in green tea and are also the principal component of its astringent taste. Green tea has been regarded as good for one's health for centuries. Recent studies have scientifically demonstrated the powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties of catechins, and they have come to be used in a diverse array of medical treatments. Various other efficacies have also been reported, such as demonstrating anti-arteriosclerotic properties, improving lipid abnormalities, reducing visceral fat, and inhibiting rises in blood glucose levels and blood pressure. As such, they seem likely to be effective in preventing lifestyle diseases. One cannot help but say that green tea is a genuine superfood.

Less than 10% of polyphenols are absorbed in the small intestine, with the vast majority moving into the colon. The potential for polyphenols to have a direct effect on metabolism is therefore low; scientists think that gut bacterial activity changes the structure of polyphenols, turning them into potent active substances with new functions. At the same time, scientists have discovered that polyphenols also have an effect on gut bacteria. Phenols produced by gut bacteria are the root cause of diseases including uremia, diabetes, and diabetic kidney disease, but scientists say polyphenols can regulate them. Attention is now focusing on the interaction between polyphenols and gut microbes.

Polyphenols have been attracting attention in recent years due to their beneficial effects in such areas as lowering blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance. In fact, however, virtually all the polyphenols we consume are excreted without being absorbed into the body. In other words, unlike micronutrients and pharmaceutical products, the bioavailability of any polyphenols consumed is extremely low. So, why have so many health benefits from their consumption been reported? Scientists say that, activated by polyphenols, the nervous system reduces the risk of chronic disease and sensory function loss. This effect is a completely new mechanism that cannot be explained via pharmaceutical analysis.

Polyphenols are chemical substances that plants produce in order to survive in their surrounding environment, from which they cannot move. Although polyphenols are known to have beneficial physiological effects for humans, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, their mechanisms of action are, for the most part, a mystery. Their most reliably established property is their protective effect on blood vessels. Scientists say polyphenols act to prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease by curbing arteriosclerosis. If efforts to shed light on their effects progress, polyphenols might one day be classed as the “seventh nutrient,” alongside protein, fat, carbohydrates (also known as the three major nutrients), vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

Food is a very important part of ensuring that pets lead healthy lives. However, their feeding behaviors vary, with dogs being omnivores or carnivorous omnivores, whereas cats are obligate carnivores, so meticulous attention must be paid to what they are fed. Today, one can get by without worrying about it too much, because optimized pet foods are readily available at supermarkets and convenience stores. However, fresh concerns have surfaced, as cases of metabolic syndrome are even being seen among cats and dogs. Just as with humans, we need the correct dietary knowledge to ensure that our precious pets can live long, healthy lives.