Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a type of herb belonging to ginger family, which is widely grown in southern and south western tropical Asia region. Turmeric, which has an importance place in the cuisines of Iran, Malesia, India, China, Polynesia, and Thailand, is often used as spice and has an effect on the nature, color, and taste of foods. Turmeric is also known to have been used for centuries in India and China for the medical treatments of illnesses such as dermatologic diseases, infection, stress, and depression. Turmeric's effects on health are generally centered upon an orange-yellow colored, lipophilic polyphenol substance called "curcumin," which is acquired from the rhizomes of the herb. Curcumin is known recently to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer effects and, thanks to these effects, to have an important role in prevention and treatment of various illnesses ranging notably from cancer to autoimmune, neurological, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetic. Furthermore, it is aimed to increase the biological activity and physiological effects of the curcumin on the body by synthesizing curcumin analogues. This article reviews the history, chemical and physical features, analogues, metabolites, mechanisms of its physiological activities, and effects on health of curcumin.

The aim of this study was to determine the consumption frequency of caffeinated foods and beverages and daily caffeine consumption amounts, and examine relation between caffeine and blood pressure (BP). A cross sectional door-to-door interview was conducted with 1329 volunteers between the ages of 20 and 60 (mean ages 29.9 ± 10.8 years) and based in Ankara/Turkey. The rate of individuals whose BPs were above 140/90 mmHg was 13.5%. The median caffeine consumption was 150.0 ± 122.06 mg. Although no significant correlation was found between total caffeine intake and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of individuals, a positive correlation was observed between daily total caffeine and systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < .05). Also, when analyzed factors that could be associated with DBP and SBP, BMI had effect in the model formed for both types of BP (p < .05). While smoking status associated with SBP (p = .002), gender and waist circumference related to DBP (p < .05) As a result relationship between caffeine intake and BP was affected other factors.

A growing body of research has investigated the association between inositol and diabetes. The purpose of this review is to report through a systematic way the current scientific evidence relating potential benefits of inositol isomers on diabetes/gestational diabetes. The screening of the studies published last decade was performed in 4 databases (Pubmed-Web of Science-The Cochrane Library-Lilacs). Among the 1640 studies identified in the search, only 26 studies had sufficient data to be included in the systematic review. The available literature suggests that inositol seems to be provide improvements in fasting blood glucose and other biochemical results, which are among the most important parameters in diabetic individuals. Although there are some studies demonstrating that inositol may be effective in prevention and treatment of diabetes/ gestational diabetes, conduction of studies with larger sample and longer follow-up duration is required for it to be represented as an effective strategy in management of diabetes.

Adiponectin and leptin are involved in appetite control and body weight regulation. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between breast milk adipokine levels and short-term growth of preterm and term infants. Thirty-one preterm (median=35.3 weeks) and 34 term (median=38.7 weeks) infants were enrolled. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect adipokines in mature milk. Infant growth was followed during the first 3 months. Although weight gain in the first month was insufficient, positive linear growth was observed in the following months for preterm infants, while term infants had positive steady linear growth. The median level of adipokines was found to be higher in preterm infants (P>0.05). Adiponectin showed significant negative correlations with some anthropometric measurements of term infants. However, in preterm infants, adiponectin was negatively correlated with length increment and positively correlated with body mass index (BMI) increment in the second-third month. In addition, leptin was negatively associated with the head circumference at birth in preterm infants and the triceps skinfold thickness increment in the first-second month term infants (P<0.05). In linear regression models, while gestational age, adiponectin and leptin were not related, maternal age and pre-pregnancy BMI had effects on body weight increment in 0-1 months (P<0.05). In conclusion, adiponectin may affect short-term growth, while leptin has no important effect. It would be beneficial to carry out longitudinal studies to evaluate the effects of these adipokines on the growth of infants.

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Background Maternal diet and gestational age of infant may affect the composition of breast milk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between breast milk adiponectin and leptin levels of mothers delivering preterm and term infants and maternal diet. Methods Sixty-five mothers (31 preterm, 34 term) were included in the study. General information about parents and infants and food consumption of mothers were determined through a questionnaire. Milk samples were taken from mothers during the period between the 15th and 30th day after birth (mature milk). For the evaluation of maternal diet, the nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) were used. Results According to MAR, 71.0% of preterm mothers' and 79.4% of term mothers' dietary adequacy was categorized as "good", and none of the mothers fell into the "insufficient" category (p>0.05). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) level of adipokines was found to be higher in preterm than in term mothers (24.6 [14.3] ng/mL; 22.9 [9.7] ng/mL for adiponectin and 2.0 [2.5] ng/mL; 0.0 [2.3] ng/mL for leptin, respectively) (p>0.05). A negative correlation was found between the leptin level and intake of unsaturated fatty acids, protein NAR and meat, poultry and fish consumption in preterm mothers (p<0.05). A positive correlation was found between leptin concentration and MAR, protein, calcium, potassium NAR and consumption of dairy products in term mothers (p<0.05). In the regression model, gestational age and MAR are important predictors of leptin. Conclusions These results show that maternal diet is related to the leptin content in breast milk.

The mean contribution of beverages to total daily energy intake of participants was found to be at the suggestion level. This result is rewarding when the relationship of sugar-sweetened beverages scores with the scores of HEI and empty calories is considered.

Objective To determine intuitive eating in young adults and the effects of factors such as gender, Body Mass Index and dietary intake, and dietary adequacy on intuitive eating. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted with students at Gazi University in Ankara (N=665; 17.6% men; 82.4% women). The questionnaire, including the general characteristics, anthropometric measurements, Intuitive Eating Scale-2, and 24-H Dietary Recall sections, were applied to all participants. For the evaluation of the diet, Nutrient Adequacy Ratio and Mean Adequacy Ratio were used. Results The mean Intuitive Eating Scale-2 score was 3.2±0.33; men’s and women’s scores were 3.3±0.37 and 3.2±0.32, respectively (p<0.05). According to linear regression analysis, gender, age and mean adequacy ratio had an effect on the model for the score (p<0.05). In addition, there was a negative correlation between Intuitive Eating Scale-2 scores and Body Mass Index values in women (rp=-0.095, p=0.026). Conclusion The intuitive eating scores varied according to gender, dietary adequacy and age. Intuitive eating may be effective in the formation of long-term behavioral changes, which is beneficial for the treatment of obesity. The result of this study may encourage the development of this behavior in groups (may vary according to gender), that is thought to be effective by considering the changes of intuitive eating behavior.