Future of Food: Journal on Food

Association between Metals Found in Hair and the Consumption of Candies in a Children Population

Ruth Marín- Martínez
Department of Applied Biology-Nutrition and Institute of Bioengineering. Miguel Hernandez University, 03202-Elche (Alicante), Spain.
Roberto Ruiz
Department of Applied Biology-Nutrition and Institute of Bioengineering. Miguel Hernandez University, 03202-Elche (Alicante), Spain.
Xavier Barber
Center of Operational Research. Miguel Hernandez University, 03202-Elche (Alicante), Spain. STATSALUT: Joint Research Unit for Statistical Methods in Health Sciences UMH-FISABIO, 03202-Elche (Alicante), Spain.
Angel Carbonell-Barrachina
Grupo de investigación “Calidad y Seguridad Alimentaria”, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH). Miguel Hernández University. 03312-Orihuela (Alicante) Spain.
Marina Cano-Lamadrid
Grupo de investigación “Calidad y Seguridad Alimentaria”, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH). Miguel Hernández University. 03312-Orihuela (Alicante) Spain.
Enrique Roche
Department of Applied Biology-Nutrition and Institute of Bioengineering. Miguel Hernandez University, 03202-Elche (Alicante), Spain. Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL). Alicante, Spain. CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029-Madrid, Spain. Research Group “Nutrition and Physical Activity”, Spanish Nutrition Society “SEÑ”, 28010-Madrid, Spain.
Elena Garcia-Garcia
Department of Applied Biology-Nutrition and Institute of Bioengineering. Miguel Hernandez University, 03202-Elche (Alicante), Spain.

T he presence of heavy metals in food is a significant contamination concern. This issue is compounded by inadequate dietary practices, especially in early childhood. Contaminant metals have been previously documented in candy goods. Furthermore, these products possess elevated sugar levels, facilitating the onset of common ailments, including obesity and dental disorders. Candy consumption among children is notably prevalent. This study analysed the presence of Ag, Al, Au, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sr, Tl, and V in hair samples from 215 youngsters using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. The examined population often ingested one or two units of specific candy goods daily. Following a Kruskal-Wallis test on non-normally distributed data, we detected significant variability in the metal content of hair samples. A statistically significant (p<0.05) albeit modest association (0.01-0.40) was detected for the concentrations of Ag, Au, Ba, Be, Bi, Pb, Sr, and Tl in the hair of participants who ingested two or more units daily of specific candy types. The findings indicate that the metals identified in children’s hair predominantly derive from the routine consumption of daily foods. Nonetheless, specific confectionery items may serve as an additional source of contaminating metals. Due to their elevated calorie density, absence of vital nutrients, and presence of harmful metals, regular consumption of confectionery items is inadvisable.

Keywords : Candy Products, Confectionary Products, Contaminants, Heavy Metals, Toxic Metals .
Mark Speckien
Louisiana Tech University
Mark Speckien
Louisiana Tech University
International students are more likely to experience mental health issues and increased stress. Mental health is often surrounded by negative societal stigmas that act as barriers to seeking support and tend to lead to greater mental health concerns. International students tend to seek socioemotional support from other international student peers rather than seeking out counseling services. However, this study shows that LGBTQIA+ international students were less likely to seek socioemotional support from other international student peers due to fear of their sexual orientation being discovered and their families finding out about their identity. This study examines how LGBTQIA+ international students talk about their experiences on and off campus in relations to their socioemotional well-being. Specifically, this study sought to better understand the complexities of LGBTQIA+ students’ identities, and the challenges they faced in terms of their socioemotional well-being. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Keywords : international students, socioemotional well-being, mental health, identity development, intersectionality, LGBTQIA