Nenad Naumovski

University of Canberra · Faculty of Health

Food security is an immensely complex issue connected to global food production and supply systems. One of the key challenges is to provide sufficient, safe, and nutritionally balanced food for everyone on the planet. It is closely linked to many factors including population growth, poverty, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. Cur...

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in women and risk of development is greatly increased following menopause. Menopause occurs over several years and is associated with hormonal changes, including a reduction in estradiol and an increase in follicle-stimulating hormone. This hormonal shift may result in an increased risk of de...

Rooibos tea, traditionally consumed by Indigenous populations, is naturally caffeine-free and contains unique polyphenols with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycaemic properties. As such, a systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023467829) to evaluate the potential association betwe...

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and microvascular endothelial disruptions occur with natural ageing, but often transpire before the detection of cardiometabolic conditions including hypertension. Age‐related increases in blood pressure are driven by complex systemic changes with poorly understood integrated mechanisms. The decond...

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a combined L-arginine and L-citrulline beverage can enhance total nitric oxide (NOx), as well as physiological (cardiopulmonary metrics) and perceptual (rate of perceived exertion) responses to a repeated bout of high-intensity exercise among university soccer players. Thirty male soccer players we...

Native plants are adaptable in various environmental conditions in part through the production of unique phytochemicals which may have beneficial effects on human health. Native Australian fruits contain higher phytochemical and antioxidant levels than most Western fruits, suggesting potential for greater health benefits arising from their consumpt...

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces are inextricably linked to intestinal homeostasis and can be used as potential markers for metabolic diseases. In this study, an efficient and simple method was developed for the purification of SCFAs without the need for derivatization of the samples. The SCFAs (acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isova...

Purpose of Review Global food production leads to substantial amounts of agricultural and food waste that contribute to climate change and hinder international efforts to end food insecurity and poverty. Food waste is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, fibers, phenolic compounds, lipids, and bioactive peptides. These compounds can be used to crea...

Age-associated decline of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity and DNA repair efficiency leads to the accumulation of DNA damage and increased risk of cancer. Understanding the mechanisms behind increased levels of damaged DNA is crucial for developing interventions to mitigate age-related cancer risk. Associated with various...

Aim: Picky eating is a common appetitive trait reported among children and adolescents and may have detrimental effects on their weight, vegetable, and fruit intake, impacting health status. However, an updated systematic review of the literature and summary of effect estimates is required. This study aims to explore the association between picky e...

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV), an index of the functional status of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), provides an opportunity for early detection of ANS dysfunction. Lower resting, vagally related HRV parameters are associated with increased risk of physical and mental illness. External factors influencing the ANS, such as the testing...

Medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) is considered as underutilized fruit, it is nutritionally valuable rich in both primary and secondary metabolites. In this work the physicochemical composition and antioxidant properties of medlar fruits originated from different locations in Serbia were examined. The moisture and protein contents of the fruits were i...

Objectives: Social isolation is recognised as a risk factor in the inflammatory process. This study explored the association between social isolation and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) in community-dwelling older persons. Methods: This cross-sectional pilot study recruited 107 community-dwelling people aged over 55 years living in the Austral...

Background The Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) and Japanese dietary pattern (JDP) have received increasing attention from the scientific community and media because of their contribution to longevity and health. Although similarities between the two dietary patterns are evident, a detailed comparison between the MDP and the JDP has yet to be ex...

Tisane is a fruit or herbal infusion, commonly referred to as herbal tea. These products are consumed as part of a balanced diet, which is closely related to the trend of a healthier lifestyle. In this work, tisanes prepared from rosehip (R), and herbal mixtures containing rosehip/hibiscus flowers (R/H) and rosehip/hibiscus flowers/saffron (R/H/S)...

Epigenetics regulates gene expression and play significant roles across diverse disease states. Epigenetics mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs/lncRNA, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation, elicit heritable but reversible modifications in gene expression without modifying the DNA sequence. Recent research...

Functional foods and beverages are becoming one of the leading food products on the global market today. This is predominately due to the consumer, industry and research-related interests in the use of food-derived products for the management of several chronic conditions. The diversity of currently available functional food products also provides...

Whey is a spin-off by-product from the paneer, cheese, and casein firms and is regarded as a dairy squander. The production of whey ranges from 180 million tons to 1900 million tons yearly. Whey is a significant contaminant due to the number of raw materials it contains. Due to its high biological and chemical oxygen requirements, it presents a con...

The diverse class of antimicrobial proteins/peptides known as bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has the potential to be employed as bio-preservatives. They exhibit a variety of antibacterial actions across the antibacterial spectrum at low doses, in addition to heat and pH constancy in food. Eminent bacteriocin synthesis is expected in a...

The use of food products and functional foods to manage and treat several health conditions is expanding globally. Garlic (Allium sativum) consumption is commonly used for its potential therapeutic functions in numerous cardiometabolic disorders, including hypertension. The proposed blood pressure–reducing effects of garlic after its consumption in...

As a natural sweetener produced by honey bees, honey was recognized as being healthier for consumption than table sugar. Our previous study also indicated thatmetaboliteprofiles in mice fed honey and mixedsugardiets aredifferent. However, it is still noteworthy about the batch-to-batch consistency of the metabolic differences between two diet types...

Childhood obesity has been escalating in Asian countries in recent decades resulting in the younger age groups being diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Brassicaceae vegetables that contain high bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties might be beneficial in preventing MetS. This narrative review presents; (a)...

Dairy products are the most predominant food carriers for probiotics, providing adequate therapeutic and functional benefits to the host when sufficient probiotics are maintained. Bovine milk currently dominates the global probiotic food market, but there is an increasing trend of applying nonbovine milk from other dairy animals as probiotic carrie...

Aims: To evaluate the association between metabolically healthy overweight/obesity (MHO) status and longitudinal cognitive function while also considering the stability of the condition. Methods: In total, 2892 participants (mean age 60.7 (9.4) years) from Framingham Offspring Study completed health assessments every four years since 1971. Neuro...

Obesity is one of the most important factors responsible for the marked increase in both the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in recent decades. Addressing the lifestyle factors associated with the progression to T2DM would present a potential rational early prevention strategy. The current evidence suggests that excessiv...

Objectives Access to assistive technologies (ATs) is a human right for people with disabilities, but there are a range of barriers, including lack of adequate information. This review aimed to explore the implications of information asymmetry on the delivery of AT and to investigate if there are effective and equitable ways of providing AT brokerag...

Background: The ingestion of dietary supplements and beverages is prevalent in soccer, at the amateur and professional level. The absence of professional advice at non-professional level makes amateur soccer players susceptible to ingesting unsafe supplements. Objectives: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of ABC Motsepe League...

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) thrives in a wide range of climates and is high in fibre, vitamins and minerals. There is increasing evidence that sweet potato consumption can positively affect human health. This systematic review aimed to summarise nutritional-related health outcomes of sweet potato intake among healthy people and people with chron...

Fruit waste contains several bioactive components such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, and numerous other phytochemicals including pigments. Furthermore, new financial opportunities are created by using fruit ‘leftovers’ as a basis for bioactivities that may serve as new foods or food ingredients, strengthening the circular economy's properties. F...

Background Feeding practices exert a definite influence over children’s experiences. This article aims to explore parental feeding practices and investigate the prediction domain of food preference from parent–child perspectives. Methods Two individual studies were conducted on Malay families with children aged 7–12 years. In Study 1, mothers (n =...

Honey is proposed to be the oldest natural sweetener and it is a standard component of several dietary patterns. Recent evidence suggests that replacing sugars, such as fructose, with honey has potential health benefits. In this study, we determined the effects of honey supplementation in mice on cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers and changes...

Consumption of amino acids L-arginine (L-Arg) and L-citrulline (L-Cit) are purported to increase nitric oxide (NO) production and improve physical performance. Clinical trials have shown relatively more favorable outcomes than not after supplementing with L-Cit and combined L-Arg and L-Cit. However, in most studies, other active ingredients such as...

The non-proteinous amino acid L-theanine (L-THE) is associated with a range of health benefits including improvements in immune function, cardiovascular outcomes and cognition. The aims of this study were to develop a food product (mango sorbet; ms-L-THE) containing physiologically relevant doses of L-THE (0.2/100 g w/w) and determine its antioxida...

Background & Aims Plant-based diets have recently risen in popularity due to their proposed health benefits. We evaluated the association of plant-based diet quality with non alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) prevalence and their interaction on risk for developing type 2 diabetes ten years later. Ethods A post-hoc analysis of data collected in the ATTI...

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are plant polyphenols that have received increased attention recently mainly due to their potential health benefits and applications as functional food ingredients. This has also created an interest in the development and validation of several non-destructive techniques of ACN assessments in several food samples. Non-destructive...

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progressive form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is increasing in parallel with the rising rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Approximately one in four adults are diagnosed with liver steatosis globally. NAFLD is associated with insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity,...

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are glycated proteins or lipids formed endogenously in the human body or consumed through diet. Ultra-processed foods and some culinary techniques, such as dry cooking methods, represent the main sources and drivers of dietary AGEs. Tissue accumulation of AGEs has been associated with cellular aging and implic...

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit peel has been renowned for containing high amounts of bioactive phenolic and flavonoid compounds; however, it has been commonly deemed as an agricultural waste product. The present study comprehensively reviews the impact of pomegranate peel extract as an active addition to different edible packaging mater...

Background: Identifying dietary patterns that promote healthy aging has become increasingly important due to changes in food processing and consumption of processed foods. Recently, the effects of these foods and unhealthy dietary patterns on cognitive function have become more widely recognized. Aim: The aim of this review is to discuss the associ...

Background: While Molnupiravir and Paxlovid have recently been approved for use in some countries, there are no widely available treatments for COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herbal extracts have been used to treat respiratory clinical indications by Ayurvedic medicine practitioners with minimal adverse reactions and intense...

Introduction Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication of cancer. Pancreatic and gastro-oesophageal cancers are among malignancies that have the highest rates of VTE occurrence. VTE can increase cancer-related morbidity and mortality and disrupt cancer treatment. The risk of VTE can be managed with measures such as using anticoagulant d...

Opuntia is a plant that grows in wild, arid, and semi-arid regions, and it is a renowned food source that is presently undervalued. The chemical composition and properties of the Opuntia genus have attracted research and commercial interest as its species are rich in phytochemicals, nutrients, and bioactive compounds. Several of these constituents...

Limited literature has examined parents’ perceptions of children’s pickiness in relation to all the five core food groups (vegetables, legumes/beans; fruits; dairy and alternatives; meat and alternatives; cereals), which is representative of a nutritionally balanced diet and critical for optimal growth and development in children. This study aimed...

The worldwide prevalence of obesity is increasing along with its comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). From a pathophysiological perspective, T2DM arises as a consequence of insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, which together induce chronic hyperglycemia. The pharmacological treatment of T2DM specifically focuse...

The aim of this review was to examine: (1) the ability of cholecystokinin (CCK) or analogues of CCK to influence satiation and changes in body weight generally and (2) the efficacy of CCK in influencing satiation and eating behaviour specifically at physiological levels of dosing. A systematic review of the literature was performed following the PR...

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancers are overall still identified as the two most prevalent non-communicable diseases globally. Their prevention and potential reversal (in particular CVD risk) was seen effective with the modification of dietary intake that was applied in several different populations. Although the findings from epidemiological...

Background: This narrative review presents the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS), along with its components, and cognition-related disorders, as well as the potential reversal role of diet against cognitive impairment by modulating MetS. Methods: An electronic research in Medline (Pubmed) and Scopus was conducted. Results: MetS and...

Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) is associated with overweight and obesity in adults. However, little is known about this relationship in early childhood. We investigated the relationship between resting vagally-mediated HRV and body mass index (BMI) in Australian preschool children. Children were recruited from 13 non-government early learning...

Objectives Oral mucositis is a debilitating oncology treatment side effect, with honey identified as a viable management option due to established wound-healing abilities. However, effects of saliva on properties attributed to honey’s wound-healing abilities is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to identify interactions between saliva, and antiox...

Heart rate variability (HRV) measurement provides non-invasive assessment of autonomic stability and cardiometabolic disease risk. Insufficient physical activity in early childhood may contribute to negative cardiometabolic health. The Active Early Learning (AEL) study was a 6-month randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of a physica...

Honey is a supersaturated sugar solution produced from plant nectar, with its composition influenced by geographic and floral origins, and with several properties contributing to its health-related abilities. This study aimed to determine the bioactive composition, antioxidant characteristics, antibacterial activity, and physicochemical properties...

Honey's composition and appearance is largely influenced by floral and geographic origins. Australian honeys are frequently sourced from supermarkets; however, properties associated with consumer preference and likeability remain relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to complete sensory and compositional analyses on a selection of commercia...

Background Hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases and premature death. Despite widespread use of antihypertensive medication, it remains a concern, therefore determining factors that contribute to such a high burden of disease is critically important. This study examined anthropometric and physical measurements, as well as b...

Objectives There are a growing number of people aged over 55 years living in retirement communities in Australia. These communities typically consist of accommodation, services and community facilities which cater to older people and the desire to maintain independence. The Nutrition and Healthy Ageing Trajectories in Retirement Living (NutriHAT-RL...

Functional beverages can be a valuable component of the human diet with the ability to not only provide essential hydration but to deliver important bioactive compounds that can contribute to chronic disease treatment and prevention. One area of the functional beverage market that has seen an increase in demand in recent years are beverages that pr...

The chain length of saturated fatty acids may dictate their impact on inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, two pivotal players in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. However, these paradigms have only been investigated in animal models and cell lines so far. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of palmitic (PA) (16:0) an...

The increases in consumer awareness of the potential health benefits of green tea have driven global demand for green tea products. This study investigated the effect of post-harvest processing and storage of Japanese-styled green tea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis) grown in NSW, Australia. Harvested material underwent a processing delay of 6, 12...

The taste and food preferences in children can affect their food intake and body weight. Bitter and sweet taste sensitivities were identified as primary taste contributors to children’s preference for consuming various foods. This pilot study aimed to determine the taste sensitivity and preference for bitter and sweet tastes in a sample of Malaysia...

Modern society is currently (and probably more than ever) immersed in the changing concept of food, seeking the beneficial functions of foods rather than only as a mean to quench hunger and support basic nutritional needs [...]

Background: Sustained fuel excess triggers low-grade inflammation that can drive mitochondrial dysfunction, a pivotal defect in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether inflammation in skeletal muscle can be prevented by EPA, and if this is associated with an improvement in mi...

Novel food packaging techniques are an important area of research to promote food quality and safety. There is a trend towards environmentally sustainable and edible forms of packaging. Edible packaging typically uses sustainable, biodegradable material that is applied as a consumable wrapping or coating around the food, which generates no waste. N...

The search for, and development of beverages that could be a panacea is one which is several millennia old [...]

Lactose intolerance can be the result of, or aggravated by, deficiency of β-galactosidase in the gastrointestinal tract, and is characterised by, e.g., diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and nausea. This review examines the response to lactose-free milk and dairy products and health-related outcomes and consolidates a total of 23 stud...