This study analyzed online food consumption behaviors by segmenting consumers based on their dietary lifestyles using the Consumer Behavior Survey for Food in 2024 of the Korea Rural Economic Institute. Factor analysis and cluster analysis classfied the dietary lifestyles of the respondents into the ‘convenience and experience-seeking group’, ‘low involvement group’, ‘health-seeking group’, and ‘plan-seeking group’. The highest frequency of online food purchases by respondents was ‘once every two weeks’, and the most common reason for purchasing food online was ‘because it is delivered’. The most frequently used channel for online food purchase was ‘online shopping malls’, with price, quality, and overall satisfaction remaining above average. The analysis of perceptions and behavioral patterns revealed that consumers primarily utilized online food services for their convenience and place significant importance on others’ experiences and verified brands. Among the dietary lifestyle groups, the ‘convenience and experience-seeking group’ showed the highest mean scores across most perceptions and behavioral items. These results confirm that online food consumption varied significantly depending on dietary lifestyle groups, highlighting that dietary lifestyle is a crucial factor for market segmentation and the development of targeted marketing strategies.
This study presents an approach to estimate the measurement uncertainty in food moisture and vitamin C analyses by applying the top-down factor to the bottom-up method, following the GUM (Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement) and the EURACHEM guide. Uncertainty sources were identified as measurement repeatability, weight of dish, and pre- and post-drying weight for moisture analysis; and measurement repeatability, weight of sample, final volume of sample, standard solution preparation, and calibration curve for vitamin C analysis. Each source was evaluated as type A or type B, and the combined uncertainty was calculated. The applicability across diverse food matrices was confirmed by assessing the measurement uncertainty using three representative samples, each from a different food group. For the moisture content, the measurement results and expanded uncertainty were 11.76±0.17% for whole wheat, 63.57±0.45% for peeled chestnut, and 91.44±0.15% for green onion. The vitamin C content was 8.56±0.35 mg/100 g for peach, 10.51±1.65 mg/100 g for seaweed fusiforme, and 104.72±3.31 mg/100 g for bell pepper. The proposed approach simplifies the calculations and is applicable across diverse food matrices, facilitating a cost-effective and efficient estimation of the measurement uncertainty in food nutrient analyses and enhancing the reliability of the analytical results.
This study investigated the applicability of a metabolomics approach based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography to quadrupole time-of-flight spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) combined with multivariate statistical analysis for the discrimination of gamma-irradiated soybeans. Domestically produced, non-irradiated organic soybeans were used as the control, while soybeans irradiated at absorbed doses of 1, 3, and 5 kGy were used as the experimental groups. A total of 51 metabolites were identified through UPLC-QTOF/MS analysis of soybean extracts. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) revealed that the metabolic profiles of non-irradiated and irradiated soybeans were significantly separated in both positive and negative ion modes (p<0.05). To identify the metabolites contributing to group discrimination, compounds satisfying both statistical significance (p<0.05) and variable importance in projection (VIP>0.5). Among these, histidine, fumaric acid, malonic acid, uric acid, adenosine, cis-aconitic acid, xanthine, dihydrodaidzein, genistein, kaempferol, and soyasaponin Be showed significant dose-dependent differences. They were therefore proposed as potential biomarkers for discrimination gamma-irradiated soybeans. These results indicate that UPLC-QTOF/MS-based metabolomic profiling combined with multivariate analysis is an effective analytical tool for the identification and authentication of gamma-irradiated soybeans.
Bavachinin (BVC), a prenylated flavonoid from Psoralea corylifolia seeds, is a reported natural PPAR agonist, but its metabolic efficacy and potential skeletal effects are unclear. This study examined the functional actions of BVC across various metabolic, inflammatory, and skeletal systems. BVC moderately activated PPAR, enhanced aP2 expression, and promoted adipogenic differentiation in hMSCs and in a de novo fat pad model. In high-fat diet-induced obese mice, BVC improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, restored Ser273-dependent PPAR target gene expression, and inhibited PPAR phosphorylation at Ser273 without inducing TZD-like side effects such as fluid retention, cardiac hypertrophy, or ENaC upregulation. BVC also suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and nitric oxide production in adipocytes, macrophages, and adipose tissue. In contrast to its metabolic benefits, BVC inhibited the osteoblast differentiation of hMSCs and impaired bone regeneration in a rat calvarial defect model. Hence, BVC acts as a selective PPAR modulator with metabolic and anti-inflammatory benefits but has adverse skeletal effects, highlighting its therapeutic potential benefits but noting important safety considerations regarding its use.
This review summarizes recent insights into the effects of foods and natural products on brain function, focusing on neuron-glia interactions and the Gut-Brain Axis. Bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, and ginsenosides exert neuroprotective effects by attenuating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation through activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and suppression of NF-?B-mediated inflammatory cascades. They also enhance synaptic plasticity via the CREB-BDNF pathway, improving learning and memory function. Fermented foods and microbiota-related metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), modulate the Gut-Brain Axis, leading to increased hippocampal BDNF expression and emotional stability. Traditional Korean fermented foods and marine-based dietary components further contribute to the regulation of neuron-glia networks, providing a scientific rationale for the neurofunctional benefits embedded in Korean dietary culture. This review highlights that food-derived bioactive components act not only as nutrients but also as neuromodulatory agents maintaining brain homeostasis. Future perspectives emphasize integrating molecular neuroscience with food culture research to advance the emerging field of food neuroscience and promote functional food innovation grounded in traditional dietary wisdom.
This pilot study aimed to develop a novel type of functional dietary management food for individuals with diabetes, utilizing a soup and bread format, and to evaluate its postprandial glycemic response and consumer acceptability. Two types of soup and bread meals—tomato vegetable soup and curry chicken soup—were formulated using chickpeas and low-fat meat and were compared with a commercially available diabetic management meal. In a randomized crossover design, 15 participants consumed one of three meals (experimental or commercial diabetic meal) on separate days. Blood glucose levels were measured at 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes post-meal. Experimental meals showed stable glycemic responses evidenced by decreased Area Under the Curve (AUC) (Tomato 12839.0±1432.8, Curry 12683.0±1408.4) compared to commercial meals (15485.0±1870.5, p<0.05). Sensory evaluation revealed moderate acceptability, and subjective hunger, satiety, and food cravings were also assessed, but showed no significant differences among three types of meal. Although limited by the small sample size and short intervention duration, these findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility of tailored meal solutions for metabolic conditions. Further large-scale, long-term studies are warranted to validate these outcomes and optimize product development for diverse populations.