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Free food provided to US households at school and work is relatively unhealthy, though food for families in the supplemental nutrition assistance program appears to be of better nutritional quality

A study published in PLOS ONE found that free food provided to US households at school and work is of poor nutritional quality. In contrast, food for families receiving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) appears to be of better nutritional value.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 13, 2021

Artificial sweeteners disrupt bacterial communication and may influence gut microbiota, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev scientists find

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have discovered that artificial sweeteners can significantly impair bacterial communication. Three out of six tested FDA-approved sweeteners were found to inhibit quorum sensing, a key process for bacteria to communicate with each other.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 7, 2021

Are there DBPs in that cup of tea?

A recent study measured 60 DBPs in three types of tea and found that brewed tea contained significantly lower levels of DBPs than tap water. However, the researchers also identified 15 previously uncharacterized compounds that likely form from chlorine reactions with natural precursors in tea leaves.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateSep 15, 2021

Soft drink ads target 'vulnerable'

A Flinders University study found participants with an automatic bias towards soft drinks were more responsive to TV ads than those without these tendencies. The researchers suggest targeting people who show cognitive vulnerabilities to reduce consumption of sugary drinks.

SourceFlinders University·JournalAppetite·DateMay 27, 2021

Nutritional quality of foods, beverages in movies

A study analyzed 250 top-grossing US movies from 1994-2018, comparing the nutritional quality of food and beverage depictions to dietary guidelines. The findings indicate that movie foods often exceed recommended levels of calories, added sugars, and saturated fats.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateNov 23, 2020

Healthy food labels that work and don't work

Researchers found that displaying PAE labels alongside the Healthier Choice Symbol reduced its effectiveness in encouraging consumers to buy healthier options. The Healthier Choice Symbol alone led to a 5% increase in purchasing healthier products, but combining it with PAE labels had little impact.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalAppetite·DateNov 17, 2020

Artificially sweetened drinks may not be heart healthier than sugary drinks

Research from the American College of Cardiology found that high consumption of both sugary and artificially sweetened drinks is associated with a higher risk of heart disease. The study analyzed data from over 104,000 participants and found that consuming either type of beverage increased the risk of cardiovascular disease.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 26, 2020

The Lancet Planetary Health: Restricting supermarket promotions of high-sugar food and drinks reduces sales without reducing store profits

A randomized controlled trial found that restricting merchandising of unhealthy products in stores reduced the purchase of sugar sweetened drinks and confectionery by 2.8%, resulting in a reduction of free sugar purchased from food and drinks by 2.8%. Despite these reductions, business performance was unaffected.

SourceThe Lancet·JournalThe Lancet Planetary Health·DateOct 7, 2020

Sugary drinks a sour choice for adults trying to maintain normal cholesterol levels

A new study found that middle-aged and older adults who consumed sugary beverages daily had a higher risk of developing abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to those who rarely drank them. The study suggests that limiting sugary drink intake may help maintain healthier blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

SourceTufts University, Health Sciences Campus·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·DateFeb 26, 2020

Studies gauge effect of soft drink taxation, advertising and labeling laws

Two studies found that soft drink taxation and labeling laws led to a decrease in beverage purchases high in sugar, sodium and saturated fat. In Chile, front-of-packaging warning labels reduced consumption by 22.8mL per capita per day, while the UK Soft Drinks Industry Levy increased prices by 31% and resulted in significant reductions...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateFeb 11, 2020

Four Loko continues to wreak havoc among young drinkers

New studies from George Mason University found that young drinkers underestimates alcohol content in Four Loko, even with new labels, and experienced dangerous effects such as blacking out or vomiting. The studies suggest that limiting the alcohol content of these beverages could help reduce their harmful effects on young people.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalThe American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse·DateOct 8, 2019

BU study: Youth empowerment program can prevent childhood obesity

A new pilot study led by Boston University School of Public Health found that a youth empowerment program targeting one dietary behavior - replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with water - could prevent obesity risk among youths. The program, which had Worchester youths create their own narratives about reducing sugary drink consumption...

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity·DateAug 1, 2019

Ancient ritual bundle contained multiple psychotropic plants

An international team of anthropologists discovered a ancient ritual bundle in southwestern Bolivia containing multiple psychoactive substances, including cocaine, DMT, and ayahuasca. The researchers believe the shaman who owned this pouch consumed multiple plants simultaneously to produce different effects or extend their hallucinations.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2019