Research on food, its safety, and its effects. Covers nutrition advice and industry ties, meal timing, flavor chemistry, and plant-based diets.
A study by Stephanie Borgland found that rats eating a 'cafeteria-diet' of high-fat and high-sugar foods developed brain changes in the orbitofrontal cortex, leading to increased motivation to eat despite satiety. Obesity was also observed, highlighting the complex mechanisms behind food attraction.
A new study shows that centenarians outperform younger individuals in recognizing natural foods, indicating the role of experience in shaping semantic memory. The research reveals a decline in semantic memory function only after age 90, making it a potential early indicator for neurodegenerative diseases.
A new emoji-based face scale was developed by Kansas State University researchers, showing it to be just as accurate as traditional scales in measuring kids' emotional responses to food and products. The study found that the emoji scale was used universally across different cultures.
Researchers found that mice lacking NAMPT in fat tissue gained no weight on high-fat diet and maintained better blood glucose control compared to normal mice. This study challenges the general view of NAMPT as an enzyme that should be boosted, and may pave the way for new treatments for obesity and metabolic disease.
A study by researchers at the University of Adelaide found that women who eat less fruit and more fast food take longer to get pregnant. The study also showed that a diet rich in fruits can improve fertility and reduce the time it takes for women to conceive.
A recent study published in Human Reproduction found that women who consume more fast food and less fruit take longer to become pregnant. The research, which analyzed data from over 5,500 women, suggests that a diet rich in fruits and low in fast food can improve fertility and reduce the time it takes to get pregnant.
Researchers found that increasing urban agriculture, switching to renewable energy, reducing retail and consumer food waste, and adopting plant-based diets can significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions. By implementing these measures, cities can achieve a substantial reduction in their carbon footprint.
A new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that introducing pureed pork as a complementary food to formula-fed infants can support early growth and development. The research suggests that meat-based diets may be beneficial for linear growth, with no increased risk of overweight at 12 months of age.
A diet rich in fish and legumes is associated with a delay of over 3 years in natural menopause, while a high intake of refined carbs like pasta and rice speeds up the process. The study also found that vegetarians and those who eat more fruits and poultry may experience later menopause.
New research suggests that reducing food product portion sizes can recalibrate perceptions of normal food intake, leading to decreased consumption. The study found that participants who were served smaller portions chose to eat less in future experiments.
A large UK cohort study found that eating oily fish and legumes was associated with a later onset of menopause, while consuming refined pasta and rice was linked to an earlier start. The study's findings could have implications for women's health and wellbeing.
A new study finds that Americans waste nearly a pound of food per person each day, with the amount of wasted food corresponding to harvests produced using 780 million pounds of pesticide and 1.8 billion pounds of nitrogen fertilizer annually. The study also found that higher quality diets were associated with higher levels of food waste.
A US study found that approximately one pound of food per person was wasted daily from 2007-2014, resulting in significant environmental impacts. The research also showed a paradoxical relationship between diet quality and food waste, highlighting the need for simultaneous efforts to improve diet quality and reduce waste.
A new study found that children are exposed to over 800 junk food ads per year, with unhealthy food ads being 2.3 times more frequent than healthy food ads during peak viewing times. The research, led by the University of Adelaide, used a bespoke TV monitoring system to capture an entire year's worth of television and ads.
Adolescents with strong cooking skills tend to eat more vegetables, have family meals, and prepare healthy meals at home. A new study found that these skills are linked to better nutrition outcomes in adulthood. Developing cooking skills early may provide long-term benefits for health and nutrition.
A new study found that specific bacteria in the small intestine play a key role in fat absorption and digestion, with certain microbes multiplying in response to high-fat foods. The findings suggest that these microbes facilitate the production and secretion of digestive enzymes, enabling rapid absorption of calorie-dense foods.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that children are often the primary decision maker for school lunches and packed lunches, prioritizing their own enjoyment and food preferences. The study's findings suggest that parents' anxieties and reassurances play a significant role in accommodating ch...
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital suggests that pasta can be part of a healthy diet due to its low glycemic index, which causes smaller increases in blood sugar levels. Researchers found that consuming pasta as part of a low-glycemic index diet resulted in small weight loss.
A study of 5293 US adults found that smokers consumed around 200 more calories a day than non-smokers or former smokers, despite eating smaller portions. Smokers' diets were also high in energy density, meaning they consumed food with fewer nutrients and potentially increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A recent study found that consuming food at restaurants, fast-food outlets, or cafeterias is associated with increased levels of phthalates in the body. The study suggests that eating at home may be less likely to contain high levels of these chemicals, which are linked to fertility problems and other health issues.
A study by Ron Milo and colleagues reveals that plant-based diets offer a significant reduction in food loss and an increase in food production. Replacing animal-based products with plant-based alternatives could produce up to 20-fold more protein per acre, enough to feed approximately 350 million additional people.
A new study suggests that adopting plant-based diets could increase global food production by 50-200 times, making it a game-changer for addressing hunger and food waste. By replacing animal-based foods with edible crops, researchers estimate that 350 million more people could be fed with the same land resources.
A study by Montana State University researchers found lower fruit and vegetable desirability in more rural areas of Montana, affecting daily food choices. This can lead to long-term health implications due to the quality of available fruits and vegetables.
A recent study found that grilling and well-done meat consumption may raise the risk of developing high blood pressure. Researchers analyzed data from three long-term studies involving over 103,000 women and men, finding a significant association between high-temperature cooking methods and increased blood pressure risk.
Researchers at University of Toronto found that women with food insecurity are less able to sustain breastfeeding than those who are food-secure. By the age of two months, half of the food-insecure women had stopped breastfeeding exclusively, compared to most food-secure women who continued for four months or longer.
Researchers have identified useful commercial applications for grape waste, such as prolonging the shelf life of fatty foods. Grape pomace is rich in natural antioxidants like proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and ellagic acid, which can be used to substitute artificial antioxidants in food products.
Research at the Ii Hamina cemetery found that the diet of medieval residents consisted mainly of fish, with 70% of protein consumption attributed to fish-based food. This suggests a strong reliance on waterways and an underemphasis on farming and dairying in the region.
New research shows that banded mongooses living in large groups adopt specialized diets to avoid fighting over food. This adaptation allows them to reduce competition and maintain group harmony.
A high-fiber diet promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that improve blood glucose control and reduce inflammation in people with type 2 diabetes. The study found that only 15 strains of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria are driven by a fiber-rich diet, leading to better insulin production and weight loss.
Researchers found that pets consuming parabens through their diet have increased exposure to diseases, such as diabetes and kidney disease. The study analyzed commercial pet food and urine samples from dogs and cats, revealing high concentrations of methyl paraben and its metabolite in both food and urine.
Researchers found that high school students preferred seasoned vegetables, except for sweet potatoes, and the seasonings were developed specifically with school dietary guidelines in mind. This simple recipe modification could result in more students eating vegetables and less food waste in schools.
A new study from the University of Maryland School of Public Health found that kids who easily identified international food logos preferred them over local options. The research team gathered data from 2422 children in six countries, showing a strong association between logo recognition and junk food preferences.
A new study found that low-income mothers, especially black and Latina mothers, are subject to greater scrutiny over their children's weight. The mothers worry about losing custody of their kids if they can't meet the health standards.
Scientists have found fossilized starch granules on ancient plant megaspores, suggesting they were used as a spore-dispersal device. This discovery provides early evidence for mutualism between plants and animals in the Permian period.
A study published in Journal of Consumer Research reveals that Restaurant Day's success lies in its democratic approach, where every participant was essential. The event attracted diverse people and transformed into a global phenomenon, celebrating restaurant culture and gastronomy without bureaucratic red tape.
A new study suggests that intermittent dietary energy restriction during daily moderate aerobic exercise training enhances endurance performance in mice. This finding implies that shifting the muscle fuel source from carbohydrates to fats and ketones may improve endurance.
A Cochrane Review found that nutritional labelling on menus and next to food in restaurants, coffee shops, and cafeterias could reduce calorie consumption by about 8% per meal. The review combined results from three studies where calorie labels were added to menus or put next to food, showing a reduction in calories consumed.
A food insecurity screening at pediatrician's offices was found to be effective but struggled with referrals due to fear of Child Protective Services and complicated processes. The study recommends better communication and connecting families with immediate resources to alleviate social stigma and improve outcomes.
A University of Guelph study found that genetic variants in taste receptors influence the snacks chosen by preschoolers. Nearly 80% of kids carried at-risk genotypes, leading to a high intake of calories from sugar and fat.
A University of Texas at Dallas psychologist found that children aged 4.5-9 years prefer chocolate over goldfish crackers in response to both happiness and sadness. The study suggests that emotional eating habits develop during the preschool period, influenced by social environment and parental feeding practices.
A new study by Ohio State University found that adults waste significantly less food when preparing their own meals versus consuming pre-packaged, boxed lunches. In the study, participants who cooked their own meals averaged only 3.5% of plate waste compared to 40% in a lab setting.
The low FODMAP diet shows promise in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by avoiding common trigger foods like wheat, onions, and apples. Clinical trials indicate that 50-80% of subjects respond positively to the diet.
A recent study by the University of Exeter found that 86% of teenagers have traces of Bisphenol A (BPA) in their bodies. Despite a BPA-free diet, participants saw no significant drop in exposure levels, highlighting the need for better labelling of products containing the chemical.
Researchers at Drexel University found that telling people weight loss is difficult can actually motivate them to shed more weight in the short-term. However, this approach did not lead to long-term changes in unhealthy foods at home. The study suggests that modifying the home food environment, rather than just providing diet advice, i...
Researchers found that women following a Mediterranean-style diet before IVF had a 65-68% greater likelihood of achieving a successful pregnancy and birth compared to those with the lowest adherence. The study suggests that a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, may help increase chances of fertility.
A new study from the University of Illinois explains what it takes to get a cat to slim down, targeting a safe level of weight loss and maintaining lean mass. The researchers found that reducing food intake by 20% compared to a maintenance diet was necessary to achieve this goal.
A new study from Ohio State University found that nearly a third of households in Columbus struggled with food insecurity, exceeding previous estimates. The research highlighted disparities in access to healthful foods, particularly in low-income and racially diverse neighborhoods.
Researchers at Oregon State University developed a new 'Buck' naked barley variety with high yields and nutrition, making it suitable for human consumption, animal feed and brewing. The barley's unique characteristics enable it to thrive with less fertilizer and water.
A study by Cancer Research UK found that teens who watch TV with adverts are more likely to eat unhealthy foods like crisps, biscuits, and fizzy drinks, consuming up to 500 extra snacks a year. The report suggests that reducing junk food TV marketing could help halt the obesity crisis.
A recent study by the University of Bonn found that fast food can make the immune system more aggressive in the long term. Even after switching to a healthy diet, inflammation remains higher, potentially leading to diseases like arteriosclerosis and diabetes.
Researchers at NYU College of Global Public Health and Tufts' Friedman School examine options for categorizing and taxing junk food. A federal excise tax on manufacturers appears feasible, with potential benefits in reducing disease burden from unhealthy food consumption.
The American Heart Association funded a three-year study to investigate the effect of a low energy dense diet on preschoolers. The researchers provided nutrition education to over 230 children at seven local preschools, aiming to improve their dietary choices.
A new study suggests that providing healthy food and regular support is crucial for helping people with Type 2 diabetes control their condition. The research found that three specific behaviour change techniques - problem solving, feedback on behavior, and social comparison - can be effective in supporting individuals.
A new study from the University of Illinois reveals that people who are juggling bills and using financial coping strategies may be at risk for food insecurity. The researchers used data from the Hunger in America 2014 survey to show that these strategies can help identify individuals who are very food insecure or at risk.
A clinical trial found that combining an antibody drug with food desensitization treatment improved allergy relief for children with multiple food allergies. The treatment, omalizumab, showed promising results in reducing allergic reactions when introducing small amounts of trigger foods into their diet.
A study found that young adults rely on food increasing neurotransmitter precursors like meat for a mood boost, while mature adults require antioxidant-rich foods and avoidance of stress-activating foods to maintain good mental health. Regular consumption of these specific foods can help prevent mental distress.
Scientists discovered an anorexigenic neural circuit involving medial septal complex and paraventricular hypothalamus projections, associated with reduced nighttime and daytime food intake in mice. The study suggests a potential new approach to treating eating disorders without inducing maladaptive behaviors.
Researchers developed an automatized strategy to separate circular molecules from their linear counterparts using microfluidic channels decorated with attractive spots. This separation technology is crucial for analyzing topology in biological systems and developing new materials.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that nutrients regulate the brain's hunger alarm system. By associating unfamiliar foods with low calorie content, mice can temporarily turn off the neurons responsible for hunger, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for reducing overeating and obesity.
The report highlights the need for Europe to change its diet to improve consumer health and mitigate climate change. Scientists recommend decreasing animal protein consumption, introducing new incentives for affordable nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.