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Overall diet quality key to heart health

The American College of Cardiology emphasizes a plant-forward diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease. Consensus recommendations include a focus on overall dietary quality and sustainability over individual nutrients or trends.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateSep 30, 2026

First-ever healthy checkout policy shows promise for reducing soda sales, increasing healthy snack purchases

A new study implemented in Berkeley, Calif. supermarkets, drug stores, and mass-market retailers in 2021 found a link between a healthy checkout ordinance and a notable decrease in soda sales overall and small-package candy in supermarkets. The study also found that greater enforcement of the policy is essential for sustained public he...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2026

South and Southeast Asia lead the world on taxing sugary drinks

A new analysis tracks global sugar-sweetened beverage tax adoption across 183 countries, revealing South Asia's significant lead in tax implementation. The study found that countries with higher burdens of type 2 diabetes and obesity are more likely to adopt taxes, but not necessarily those with high rates of sugary drink consumption.

SourceTufts University·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·DateJun 8, 2026

Updated alcohol warning labels may prompt people to cut back: Study

A new study found that updated alcohol warning labels, including those highlighting cancer risk, can better motivate consumers to cut back on drinking. The study used a nationally representative sample of adults and found that the new labels outperformed the current U.S. warning label in encouraging participants to drink less.

SourceJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·JournalJournal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs·TypeSurvey·DateMay 5, 2026

Sugary drink taxes may not be effective in fast-food settings

A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that sugary drink taxes had no effect on beverage calorie purchases from Taco Bell locations with and without such taxes. The analysis of nearly 7 billion transactions suggests that these policies may not be effective in reducing sugar consumption in fast-food restaurants.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateApr 2, 2026

Study confirms food fortification is highly cost-effective in fighting hidden hunger across 63 countries

A comprehensive systematic review found that large-scale food fortification is a highly cost-effective intervention for reducing global malnutrition, with benefits far outweighing costs. The study analyzed 56 studies from 63 countries and found that fortification programs deliver substantial health benefits relative to costs.

SourceCochrane·JournalJournal of Nutrition·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 5, 2026

FAU study links ultra-processed foods to greater heart attack, stroke risk

A study by Florida Atlantic University found that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are associated with a 47% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that those consuming high amounts of UPFs had a significant increase in heart attack and stroke ...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 5, 2026

Heavy energy drink intake may pose serious stroke risk, doctors warn

A case report warns that heavy energy drink consumption may pose a serious stroke risk due to high caffeine and sugar content. The study highlights the potential cardiovascular risks associated with energy drinks and proposes increased regulation of sales and advertising campaigns to protect public health.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Case Reports·TypeCase study·DateDec 9, 2025

Fermentation method transforms unripe fruits into specialty coffees

Researchers developed a fermentation method using unripe fruit beans, producing high-quality beverages comparable to those made from ripe fruits. The process, known as self-induced anaerobic fermentation, adds value to the product while minimizing its defects, making it attractive to domestic and foreign markets.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalFood and Bioprocess Technology·DateAug 13, 2025

Women more susceptible to certain subjective effects of alcohol during binge drinking episodes

A clinical trial found that women experience stronger subjective effects of acute alcohol intake, such as drunkenness and sedation, compared to men. The study adjusted doses to achieve identical blood alcohol concentrations for both sexes, revealing that women's effects were more intense.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalFrontiers in Pharmacology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 9, 2025

One in five packaged foods and drinks sold in the United States contains synthetic dyes, study shows

A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that 19% of packaged foods and beverages sold in the US contain synthetic food dyes. Synthetic dyes are particularly prevalent in products marketed to children, with confectionery and sugar-sweetened beverages being the top categories.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 25, 2025

For a better cup of coffee, look to physics

A team of physicists at the University of Pennsylvania has discovered that pouring water from a height creates a stronger mixing effect, increasing extraction efficiency in pour-over coffee. By optimizing flow rates and pour heights, they found that more coffee grounds can be used without diminishing overall quality.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 11, 2025

Food and non-alcoholic drink products in Mexico were substantially reformulated to be healthier following the 2020 introduction of warning labels identifying products with excessive content of calories, fat, salt, sugar, sweetener and caffeine

Following the introduction of warning labels in 2020, Mexico substantially reformed food and non-alcoholic drink products to be healthier. The reformulation resulted in a significant reduction of excessive calories, fats, salts, sugars, sweeteners, and caffeine content in these products.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 18, 2025

Brewing tea removes lead from water

Researchers found that brewing tea can adsorb significant amounts of toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium from drinking water. The study revealed that steeping time played the most significant role in removing metal ions, with longer steeping times resulting in more effective filtering.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalACS Food Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2025

What brings richness to sparkling wines?

Researchers have discovered 11 probable kokumi compounds in sparkling wines, which may contribute to their rich, full-bodied taste. The study identified these compounds through a combination of computer simulations and wine tastings, paving the way for further investigation into the molecular basis of kokumi sensation in wines.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateDec 12, 2024

The harmful frequency and reach of unhealthy foods on social media

A study analyzing social media posts found fast food restaurants and sugar sweetened beverages are the most common, with millions of mentions reaching billions of users. The research argues that normalizing unhealthy eating in the digital environment contributes to obesity challenges worldwide.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Digital Health·TypeObservational study·DateOct 31, 2024

Sweetened beverage taxes decrease consumption in lower-income households by nearly 50%, UW study finds

A new study from the University of Washington found that lower-income households decreased their purchases of sweetened beverages by nearly 50%, while higher-income households reduced purchases by 18%. The tax was implemented in four U.S. cities and resulted in a significant decline in consumption among lower-income households.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalHealth Economics·DateOct 21, 2024

Women more likely to choose wine with feminine labels

A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that women are more inclined to purchase wine with labels featuring feminine gender cues. The study's lead author noted that winemakers may want to pay attention to the perceptions of this understudied group, which represents 59% of U.S. wine consumers.

SourceWashington State University·JournalInternational Journal of Hospitality Management·DateOct 1, 2024

Fruit juice offers a fresh take on kombucha

Researchers have successfully fermented fruit juices, including apple and passion fruit, using a SCOBY to create kombucha-like beverages with boosted antioxidant levels. The resulting drinks showed promise as an alternative to traditional kombucha, with the apple juice variant ranking high in taste testing.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Agricultural Science & Technology·DateSep 27, 2024