Research on food, its safety, and its effects. Covers nutrition advice and industry ties, meal timing, flavor chemistry, and plant-based diets.
Research from the University of Cambridge found that neighborhoods saturated with fast food outlets exacerbate social inequalities in diet and obesity. Individuals with lower education levels consumed more unhealthy takeaway food and were more likely to be obese in areas with higher takeaway outlet densities.
A study on mountain gorillas reveals that their dietary habits contribute to dental wear, which adapts to the available food in their habitat. The analysis of tooth morphology provides valuable information for identifying and age-estimating gorillas, highlighting the importance of conserving their habitat.
A study published in Psychological Science found that people tend to prefer options that are most similar to what they can't have, but often choose less-similar alternatives that are actually more satisfying. This bias occurs when mental comparisons between wanted and available options lead to dissatisfaction with the chosen substitute.
A CSU-led team has identified strategies to improve global food accessibility while reducing agriculture's environmental impacts. The study highlights the importance of integrated food system approaches, such as increasing legumes in crop production practices and improving women's access to resources.
A University of Liverpool study found that people who believed they were food addicts ate fewer calories and spent less time tasting unhealthy foods. This perception reduced their concern about eating behavior, leading to decreased consumption.
A study by MIT professor David Atkin found that migrants who hold onto their native cuisines often face a caloric tax, resulting in reduced calorie intake. In India, this phenomenon affects poor migrants on tight budgets, with a 7.2% reduction in calories.
A study by the University of Adelaide found that 45% of children's daily energy intake came from discretionary foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. The research also revealed inadequate fiber and dairy intakes, as well as excessive salt consumption among boys and girls.
Researchers at Cornell University found that consumers who have poor eating habits benefit most from long-term reward incentives for healthy food choices. In contrast, healthy eaters are more likely to purchase less healthy items when offered price breaks.
New research by Dr Sandi Mann at the British Psychological Society Annual Conference reveals that people tend to choose unhealthy foods when feeling bored. The study found that participants ate more unhealthy snacks after watching a boring video or completing a boring task.
New research from Cornell Food & Brand Lab highlights the importance of leveraging inside sources for real consumer insights. By utilizing experts such as sales associates or food service workers, researchers can gain unexpected and notable observations about target population behavior.
Carrot pulp is being used to create puffed snack foods with increased fiber and nutritional quality. The research found that adding the pulp increases puffiness without affecting taste or texture.
A study of 759 infants found that eating rice and rice products increased their exposure to arsenic. The highest levels were detected in babies consuming baby rice cereal or rice snacks.
A Mediterranean diet high in fruit, vegetables, and unrefined foods is associated with a lower risk of heart attack and stroke in people with existing heart disease. The study found that eating more healthy foods was more important than avoiding unhealthy foods.
One third of global food is lost or wasted, causing environmental harm and contributing to global warming. Individual actions, such as checking fridge contents before shopping and adjusting consumer choices, can significantly impact sustainability.
Researchers found that an age-related decline in a brain circuit impairs mice's ability to adjust to environmental changes, causing interference between old and new learning. This decline leads to motivation problems and potentially cognitive decline and dementia.
A new study suggests that improving the nutritional facts panel on food packages could lead to better consumer choices and reduced obesity rates. The research found that adding key nutrients and using a traffic light system improved consumers' ability to make informed decisions.
A recent study published in eNeuro found that overweight individuals are more prone to choosing unhealthy foods when presented with real options, unlike their lean counterparts. The researchers also discovered an association between impulsivity and consumption of unhealthy foods in overweight participants.
A new study provides science-based recommendations for setback distances between animal agriculture practices and fresh produce, aiming to improve food safety. The research found that produce fields should be set back at least 160 meters from areas of manure application to lower the risk of foodborne illness.
The Royal Society of Public Health advocates for introducing activity equivalent calorie labelling on food packaging to prompt people to be more mindful of their energy consumption and encourage physical activity. Public polling shows that almost half of people find current front-of-pack information confusing, but 53% would positively ...
A new study found that 85% of Scandinavian adolescents' Instagram accounts share at least one food image, with high-calorie foods like candy and ice cream being the most common. Positive descriptions and festive environments, such as birthday parties, were also strongly linked to these types of posts.
A new study published in Diabetologia found that the GLP-1 analog drug liraglutide decreases activation in the brain's cortex when individuals are shown images of desirable foods, making these foods less appealing. This suggests that liraglutide may be an effective weight loss therapy for people who tend to eat as a reward.
The Walnuts and Healthy Aging (WAHA) study found that daily walnut consumption reduces LDL cholesterol levels and has no adverse effects on body weight among older adults. This research suggests walnuts may benefit the nutritional well-being of aging adults, particularly in terms of cardiovascular health.
New research from South Korea suggests that higher dietary calcium intake may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in older people, but not stroke and fracture risk. In a population with low calcium intake, higher dietary calcium was significantly associated with decreased risk of CVD.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a set of neurons in the fly brain that are activated only when flies eat sweet solutions, especially when hungry. These neurons connect to taste neurons in the pharynx, allowing flies to directly taste and monitor food while swallowing it.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials suggests that incorporating pulses into one's diet can lead to a modest weight loss of 0.34 kilograms over six weeks. Additionally, eating pulses may also reduce 'bad cholesterol' by five percent, thereby lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that depictions of frosted cake on cake mix boxes result in consumers overestimating the appropriate serving size by nearly 135% more calories. This is especially true for women in the food service industry, who overestimated serving sizes by 122 calories.
A new study found that parents who experience emotional distress when their child is angry or upset are more likely to engage in binge eating and restrict their child's food intake. This can lead to unhealthy eating habits and weight problems in children, as well as difficulties for parents in regulating their own emotions.
Researchers at Aarhus University found that adding lime to fruit juice with stevia and β-glucans increases its nutritional value while promoting a sensory experience. The study's results show that the combination of ingredients can balance out the bitter aftertaste of stevia and improve the overall taste.
Researchers found that neural circuits in the striatum, a subcortical part of the forebrain, are involved in both pleasure and caloric value perception. The brain prioritizes energy storage over palatability, suggesting a link between sweetness and calorie craving.
Researchers developed a wearable device that tracks caloric intake by recording sounds made while eating. The AutoDietary necklace accurately identifies foods 85% of the time, holding promise for managing conditions like diabetes and obesity.
Researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a method to quickly evaluate specific food compounds in human urine. The new tool looks for isothiocyanates found in cruciferous vegetables and could help scientists identify the most beneficial anticancer foods.
A study of 6,885 adults found that tooth loss and untreated caries are associated with limited food intake, affecting quality of life. Researchers used NHANES data to examine the relationship between dentate status and number of teeth with untreated decay on reported limited food intake.
Researchers found that a poor diet and lack of exercise accelerate cellular senescence and age-related conditions in mice. Exercise was shown to prevent premature senescent cell accumulation and protect against unhealthy diet-induced damage.
Researchers found that consuming loud noises while eating can mask sound cues that naturally limit food intake, leading to increased consumption. The 'Crunch Effect' suggests being more aware of food sounds can help individuals eat less.
Research reveals that spiders consume a wide variety of plant types, including nectar, sap, and leaves. These findings suggest that spiders may incorporate plants into their diets as a survival mechanism during periods when insects are scarce.
Canada's nutrition label regulations are set to undergo a significant overhaul, with added sugars to be included in the new design. The move aims to help Canadians better manage their sugar intake and align with US standards.
Ultra-processed foods contribute nearly 90% of all dietary added sugar intake, making up over half of the US calorie consumption. Research found a strong linear association between ultra-processed food intake and overall added sugar consumption.
A new study suggests that mindful eating can improve glucose levels and heart health, even beyond weight loss. Researchers found greater improvements in cardiometabolic outcomes tied to Type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular disease with a mindfulness-based weight-loss intervention.
A new Harvard University study suggests that early humans processed meat with stone tools to reduce chewing effort, allowing for a higher-quality diet and eventual emergence of hunting and gathering. By slicing meat and pounding vegetables, researchers found a significant reduction in the number of chews required per day.
A study of fossilized molars reveals that many ancient primates went extinct due to reasons unrelated to food competition with rodents. Most stem primates ate different types of food than the rodents, casting doubt on the theory that rodent competition was the main reason for their decline.
Scientists discovered the chemical circuits and mechanisms in the brain that separate food consumption from cravings. The study found that dopamine is involved in the approach or craving phase, while orexin-A is linked to consumption. These findings could lead to more specific and effective treatments for overeating and drug addiction
A new study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that higher protein consumption is associated with increased feelings of fullness after meals. Researchers conducted a systematic review of evidence on protein intake and perceived fullness, confirming that protein does make us feel fuller.
A study of over 18,300 U.S. adults found that increasing plain water intake by 1% daily led to significant reductions in calorie intake, saturated fat, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol consumption. The study suggests universal nutrition interventions promoting plain water consumption may be effective across diverse population subgroups.
A study published in SLEEP found that sleep deprivation amplifies the joy of eating, particularly sweet and salty high-fat snack foods. Sleep-restricted participants ate nearly twice as much fat as those with normal sleep, despite minimal energy needs.
Researchers analyzed Instagram posts from over 3 million users in food deserts and non-food deserts, finding that foods high in fat, cholesterol, and sugars were more common in the former. Regional staples like steak and okra were also prevalent in their respective communities.
Researchers used X-ray micro-computed tomography to study the microstructure of fried potato disks and observed how oil content and pathway networks change with frying time. The findings can be applied to other fried foods, revealing a correlation between pore size and oil uptake.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that adult male gorillas call more frequently than females and juveniles during feeding, especially when consuming aquatic vegetation, flowers, and seeds. This food-associated calling may help express well-being and aid group coordination and social cohesion.
A study by San Diego State University researchers found that only a small percentage of the Silver River macaque population's diet comes from human-provided food, with most relying on environmental sources. Human-monkey interactions were also largely benign, with concerns about disease transmission appearing to be overblown.
Researchers found significant balancing behavior across product categories and consumer health segments. Consumers made tradeoffs on healthy/unhealthy mixes based on priorities, contradicting stated behaviors. Retailers can use this research to promote healthier foods through targeted marketing strategies.
The Global Healthy Weight Registry found that 96% of participants ate breakfast daily and 50% weighed themselves weekly to maintain a healthy weight. Simple habits like not skipping breakfast and listening to inner cues were key to successful weight control.
A Michigan State University study found that relocating a farmers' market to downtown Flint has increased customers from low-income neighborhoods, who now have better access to fresh produce. The market's move also boosted local economic activity and attracted more bus riders.
A new meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology found that consuming 1-1.5 avocados per day significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides when replaced with solid fats. Avocado consumption did not impact HDL levels.
A recent study in JAMA found that all provinces in China exceeded the recommended daily maximum intake of salt (5 g/d) and sodium (2 g/d), highlighting a persistent public health concern. The study suggests that total diet studies underestimate sodium consumption due to increased use of processed foods and seasonings.
A human pilot trial investigated the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of mango galloyl derivatives. Seven metabolites were identified in healthy volunteers, with two microbial metabolites significantly more excreted after 10 days of mango consumption.
Research from the University of Bath found that eating breakfast was associated with more physical activity and reduced food intake later in the day among obese individuals. The study, which compared a fasting group with a breakfasting group, built on previous research into the effects of breakfast on health.
Researchers found that when people see something associated with a past reward, their brain releases dopamine even if they're not expecting it. This could explain why breaking bad habits or sticking to resolutions is hard. The study's results suggest potential benefits for addicts and dieters.
Researchers found that mindlessly slim individuals prioritize quality over quantity in their diet and engage in enjoyment-based eating habits.
A recent study published in Nature Communications reveals that Australopithecus sediba, a possible early human ancestor, had a significant limitation in its ability to bite powerfully. The team used biomechanical testing and computer modeling to demonstrate that biting too hard would have dislocated the jaw of this species.
A new study reveals that Australopithecus sediba did not have a jaw structure suitable for eating hard foods, contradicting earlier research. The discovery suggests that dietary changes played a significant role in shaping the evolution of early humans.
Research finds that growing up poor promotes overeating when not hungry in adulthood, with childhood environment influencing food intake regulation. Studies replicate findings across different populations, suggesting early environmental experiences shape energy needs, even after socioeconomic status improves.