Nutritional approaches to modulate food choice: effects of ascorbic acid supplementation and gradual withdrawal on the response to re-exposure to an obesogenic free-choice diet.

• Grant number: 25/08387-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutrition Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Pellegrini Pisani
• Grantee: Breno Picin Casagrande
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Obesity is a multifactorial condition associated with metabolic, inflammatory, and behavioural alterations, and is also driven by the consumption of obesogenic diets. The literature acknowledges the systemic and cerebral impacts of these diets; however, there is still a shortage of non-pharmacological strategies capable of facilitating the transition to healthier dietary patterns. Previous studies from our group demonstrated that the abrupt withdrawal from an obesogenic diet triggers effects similar to withdrawal syndromes, while supplementation with ascorbic acid (AA) combined with gradual withdrawal mitigates these adverse effects. This project aims to evaluate whether these interventions promote healthier food choices during re-exposure to a free-choice obesogenic diet. An experimental model using Wistar rats will be used, integrating behavioural, metabolic, inflammatory, and molecular assessments. Body composition, glycolipid metabolism, expression of inflammation-related proteins, energy homeostasis pathways, intestinal barrier integrity, microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acid production will be analysed. We hypothesize that ascorbic acid supplementation and gradual withdrawal are going to favour healthier food choices upon re-exposure. These findings could underpin the development of novel nutritional strategies for obesity management and for enhancing adherence to dietary re-education.