Many populations use medicinal plants as a therapeutic treatment, due to their lower cost and greater access. Among the plant species used for medicinal purposes are those of the genus Morus. The most known species are Morus alba, rubra, and nigra. This review aims to collect data from the literature, predominantly from cell and animal studies, which presents a possible nutraceutical and medicinal potential of the species Morus for use in metabolic dysfunctions. The fruits and leaves of mulberry are used for therapeutic purposes. For scientific confirmation of these effects, they were studied for laxative properties, antibacterial activity, anti-atherogenic activity, and hepatoprotective function. Furthermore, the genus Morus is recognized for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus, through its hypoglycemic action. It may also provide health benefits through immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive effects. It has been found that the Morus species have phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins that act as important antioxidants and promote beneficial effects on human health. These phytochemical compounds differ among species. Blackberry (Morus nigra) are rich in flavonoids, while the white mulberry (Morus alba) has low concentrations of flavonoids and anthocyanins. In addition, another important factor is to ensure a complete exemption of toxic risks in the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases. Studies have shown no toxic effects by the administration of extracts of Morus species. Thus, the mulberry tree presents nutraceutical potential. It is therefore a promising alternative for medicinal products based on medicinal plants.

Objective: To verify the prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image and its association with socio-demographic, economic, and anthropometric variables, as well as levels of physical activity among undergraduate students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 348 undergraduate students at the dining hall of a public Brazilian university located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Body image perception was evaluated using the Silhouette Matching Task. The other variables assessed were sex, age, marital status, housing conditions, socioeconomic class, weight, height, waist circumference and physical activity levels. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to verify the association between the dependent and independent variables. Results: Of the interviewees, 55.7% were men. The prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image was 59.8% among men and 55.2% among women. Dissatisfaction for being overweight, between men and women, was higher in overweight individuals when compared to normal weight individuals, according to the body mass index, and also higher in those at risk for cardiovascular disease when compared to those who were not at risk. The dissatisfaction for being thin was higher among women with low weight when compared to normal weight women, according to body mass index. There was no association between dissatisfaction for being thin and the variables analyzed among men. Conclusion: The prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image was observed in more than half of the individuals evaluated and is associated with nutritional status. Knowing the consequences of dissatisfaction with body image helps highlight the need for intervention strategies to avoid the practice of unhealthy behaviors.

Infancy and adolescence are crucial periods for bone health, since they are characterized by intense physical growth and bone development. The unsatisfactory acquisition of bone mass in this phase has consequences in adult life and increases the risk of developing bone diseases at more advanced ages. Nutrient deficiencies, especially calcium and vitamin D, associated with a sedentary lifestyle; lack of sun exposure; and epigenetic aspects represent some of the main risk factors for poor bone quality. In addition, recent studies relate childhood obesity to impaired bone health; however, studies on the adiposity effects on bone health are scarce and inconclusive. Another gap concerns the implications of obesity on child sexual maturity, which can jeopardize their genetic potential bone mass and increase fracture risk. Therefore, we reviewed the analyzed factors related to bone health and their association with obesity and metabolic syndrome in adolescents. We concluded that obesity (specifically, accumulated visceral fat) harms bones in the infant–juvenile phase, thereby increasing osteopenia/osteoporosis in adults and the elderly. Thus, it becomes evident that forming and maintaining healthy eating habits is necessary during infancy and adolescence to reduce the risk of fractures caused by bone-metabolic diseases in adulthood and to promote healthy ageing.

This study aimed to obtain physicochemical characteristics and the fatty acid profile of bocaiuva nut oil and to evaluate the impact of its daily consumption on glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism in mice. The acidity content in the bocaiuva nut oil exceeded the maximum limit for crude oils (5.68 mg KOH g -1 ). However, the peroxide value is within the standard considered adequate for crude oils (3.33 mEq O 2 kg -1 ). In the fatty acid profile, lauric (42.25%) and oleic (23.96%), saturated and monounsaturated, respectively, stand out. After 90 days of in vivo experimentation, the administered oil doses had not influenced the animals' food intake and body weight. Regarding the biochemical parameters, only the non-HDL fraction showed a significant difference, considering that this parameter represents the sum of atherogenic lipoproteins directly linked to atherogenic cholesterol. However, there was no statistical difference between the groups regarding histological changes in the liver, showing that the bocaiuva oil does not cause considerable damage to the liver, even though it is saturated oil. Results show that daily consumption of bocaiuva nut oil did not produce metabolic changes in mice.

Maternal food habits and gut microbiota composition have potential effects on fetal neurodevelopment, impacting Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our research aims to outline the relationship that ingestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the composition of maternal gut microbiota have with the possible development of ASD in offspring. We suggest that genetic factors could be related to the different conversions between unsaturated fatty acids according to sex and, mainly, the impact of the pregnancy diet on the higher or lower risk of neurological impairments. The proportion of the phyla Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes is high with an increased consumption of linoleic acid (LA, n-6 PUFA), which is associated with maternal intestinal dysbiosis and consequently starts the inflammatory process, harming myelinization. In contrast, the consumption of α-linolenic acid (ALA, n-3 PUFA) tends to re-establish the balance of the maternal microbiota with anti-inflammatory action. Moreover, human observational studies showed a strong correlation between the consumption of n-3 PUFA, mainly above 340 g of fish per week, with beneficial effects on infant neurodevelopment. Therefore, we suggest that the proper intake of foods rich in n-3 PUFAs and their supplementation during pregnancy until lactation has an impact on reducing the development of ASD. Controlled studies with n-3 PUFA supplementation are still necessary to verify the ideal dose and the best form of administration.