Chronic inflammation underlies many major diseases, yet the biological effects of anti-inflammatory foods remain poorly understood. Recently, researchers from Japan investigated how combinations of plant-derived compounds act together in cultured immune cells. They found that pairing capsaicin from chili peppers with menthol from mint or 1,8-cineole from eucalyptus produced a dramatically enhanced anti-inflammatory effect through distinct cellular pathways than each compound alone, providing strong evidence of synergistic interactions between molecules found in foods.

Post hoc analysis of a multicenter cluster-RCT (NEED; 97 ICUs, China) validated the NOFI feeding intolerance prediction model in 1,545 ICU patients started on early enteral nutrition within 48 h and fed ≥ 3 days. NOFI uses primary diagnosis, APACHE II, and AGI grade. Performance was assessed by discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility (DCA/CIC). Risk strata: > 0.85 high, 0.30–0.85 middle, < 0.30 low. High-risk patients had higher 28-day mortality.

Artificial intelligence becomes a predictive tool that can provide assistance in defining a nutritional plan for preterm infants. This is the concept of an innovative study recently published in the Journal of Perinatology, part of the Nature portfolio. It is the joint work of researchers from the IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori Foundation (FSGT) and the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering (DEIB) of the Politecnico di Milano.