Research on food, its safety, and its effects. Covers nutrition advice and industry ties, meal timing, flavor chemistry, and plant-based diets.
A U of T study found that a combination of viscous fibres, soy protein, almonds, and plant sterol margarine can significantly lower cholesterol levels. After 12 months, over 30% of participants successfully adhered to the diet and lowered their cholesterol by more than 20%.
Researchers found that home availability of healthy foods has a limited impact on adolescents' eating habits, especially compared to restaurants. The American Dietetic Association emphasizes the need for improved food preparation skills and awareness of accessible healthy options in various settings.
Researchers found that early lunch periods lead to higher a la carte sales, which often feature lower-nutritional-value foods. Soft drink machines also contribute to vending machine proliferation, decreasing hot lunch participation. Parents' involvement in prohibiting fast food in cafeterias increases school meal program participation.
Researchers uncover first molecular insight into eosinophilic esophagitis by identifying genetic program distinguishing it from other forms of esophagitis. The study reveals eotaxin-3 as a key gene contributing to the disease, offering new potential for diagnosis and therapy.
A study found that people tend to choose more varied snacks for their partners than for themselves, even when justifying choices. The authors attribute this tendency to a desire for conformity and a focus on consumptions rather than activities, but a 'de-focusing' task reduced variety in snack selection.
A new study has found that people's eating habits are influenced by their previous meals, with breakfast having the strongest effect. The study suggests that instead of setting daily nutritional goals, focusing on multi-day goals can help individuals approach dinner with a different set of habits and improve overall clarity.
Researchers at Cornell University found that people who served themselves from large bowls ate 56% more than those who used smaller serving bowls. This led to an extra 142 calories consumed. The study suggests using smaller serving bowls for party foods, while larger bowls can encourage healthy eating.
Researchers found that marbled murrelets in the past fed on more nutritious prey, such as sardines and squid, while modern-day birds rely on lower-value food sources like krill. This shift in diet affects the birds' energy levels, reproductive success, and nesting patterns.
Researchers found that parents of 3-year-olds worry about their sons' and daughters' body size and eating habits, perpetuating gender stereotypes. This study suggests that parents may be buying into media ideals of thinness for girls and physical strength for boys as early as 36 months.
A study found that employed mothers' kids consumed fewer calories and less nutritious foods at home but increased consumption of fruits and vegetables at school. The researchers noted a lack of correlation between maternal employment time and nutritional intake, suggesting individual balance is necessary.
A nine-month study found that consuming biofortified, iron-rich rice improved the iron status of women, increasing it by 20% compared to traditional rice. Non-anemic women with low body iron reserves and those who consumed more rice showed the greatest improvements.
The study finds that unit bias affects how people perceive and consume food, with smaller portions being just as satisfying. The researchers believe this bias is culturally derived and plays a significant role in the French eating less than Americans.
Researchers found that intuitive eaters had a significantly lower body mass index and higher levels of high-density lipoproteins compared to restrictive dieters. Intuitive eating was also correlated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, suggesting a healthier relationship with food and weight management.
A study found that diets rich in meat, refined starches, and sodium are associated with an increased risk of persistent coughs with phlegm. The 'meat-dim sum pattern' was positively linked to new onset symptoms, while the 'vegetable-fruit-soy pattern' showed a protective effect.
A recent study found that 37% of health service costs in the UK are attributable to food-related diseases, with cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes accounting for most of this burden. The estimated annual cost is £6 billion, double that of road traffic accidents and significantly higher than the cost of smoking.
A new Cornell University study reveals that serving stale popcorn in large buckets leads to a 34% increase in consumption compared to medium-sized containers. Fresh popcorn in large tubs also results in a significant appetite boost, with participants eating 45% more than those given fresh popcorn in medium containers.
A study of rats reveals that protein-enriched diets induce glucose synthesis in the small intestine, which is sensed by the liver and brain, ultimately leading to a decline in food consumption. This finding suggests that glucose metabolism in the small intestine may be a new target for treating food intake disorders.
Studies on laboratory rats reveal that mixing stress, deprivation, and tempting foods leads to overeating. The brain's opioid system plays a key role in regulating food intake, especially when food is highly palatable. This knowledge may help non-stressed individuals avoid overeating and improve their health.
Researchers have discovered that eating fatty foods can dampen inflammation in the gut by stimulating the production of cholecystokinin, a hormone that sends signals to the brain and immune cells. This process may provide a way to reduce inflammatory complications after surgery.
A study of 14,355 children aged 9-14 found that eating fried foods away from home led to higher body mass index and dietary patterns associated with excessive weight gain and chronic diseases. The researchers recommend limiting fried food consumption and promoting family dinners for healthier eating habits.
Despite nationwide efforts, only two-thirds of women ages 18-45 are taking folic acid supplements daily. The March of Dimes calls for increased grain fortification and multivitamin use to reduce neural tube defects.
A large US population study found that eating foods with phytoestrogens, such as soy and fruits, may lower lung cancer risk. The study, involving over 3,500 participants, discovered a 46% reduced risk of developing lung cancer among those who consumed the highest amount of phytoestrogen-rich foods.
A UCL study has found that a natural compound in beans can inhibit the growth of tumors and enhance the effect of existing anti-cancer drugs. The compound, inositol pentakisphosphate, is non-toxic and water-soluble, making it a promising therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.
A new study published in Psychopharmacology suggests repeated nicotine exposure can increase motivation for food weeks after the last exposure, counteracting its appetite-suppressant effect. This finding has significant implications for smoking cessation and weight gain concerns.
Researchers used a novel technique to study the diets of ancient humans, Australopithecus africanus and Paranthropus robustus. The analysis revealed significant overlap in their diets, with P. robustus consuming both hard and tough foods.
Researcher Elizabeth Loftus found that people can be led to believe they got sick as children from specific unhealthy foods, resulting in reduced appeal as adults. Participants showed a similar tendency to avoid the food after believing they had a negative experience.
A study published in PLoS Genetics found that domestic cats have a defective gene coding for the T1R2 protein, which is responsible for detecting sweet tastes. This defect leads to an unavailability of the T1R3 protein, resulting in a non-functional sweet receptor and explaining cats' indifference to sweets.
A study found that South Asian diabetics in Britain face challenges such as language barriers, cultural identity issues, and limited physical activity due to societal norms. The project aims to provide guidance on the use of interpreters in consultations to improve diabetes services for this community.
A recent study published in Appetite found that preschool children aged 4-6 consume more food when served larger portions, regardless of their previous meal size. The researchers monitored the food intake of 16 children over five days and discovered that increased snack offerings also contributed to higher total daily calorie consumption.
Researchers found that subjects following a frozen-entree diet lost more weight and experienced greater satiety due to automatic portion control. In contrast, those following the food pyramid diet struggled with estimating daily calorie intake, leading to less effective weight loss.
A recent study found that housing subsidies can protect low-income families' food budgets and improve their children's nutritional status. Children from food-insecure families receiving housing subsidies had better weight for age compared to those without subsidies.
A new study by UC Davis researchers suggests that learning to recognize and follow internal hunger cues can significantly improve overall health regardless of weight loss. Non-dieters who adopted the Health at Every Size approach showed significant improvements in metabolic and psychological health, including lower cholesterol levels a...
A Stanford study compared two low-fat diets: one focused on avoiding saturated fat and cholesterol, the other including plenty of plant-based foods. The plant-based diet resulted in a significant 9.4% decrease in LDL cholesterol, while the conventional diet lowered it by 4.6%.
A study found that an ancient enzyme, GCN2 kinase, plays a crucial role in guiding healthy eating behavior in mammals. The enzyme detects changes in blood amino acid levels and triggers a behavioral response to limit consumption of imbalanced food.
Participants who ate from refilling bowls consumed 73% more soup than those in normal bowls, despite rating themselves as full. The study highlights the dangers of relying on visual cues to gauge food intake and suggests repackaging snacks into small plastic bags to promote healthier eating habits.
The symposium discussed the potential of individualized dietary recommendations to optimize health and reduce chronic disease risk. Experts emphasized the need for tailored food choices, new definitions of health, and the application of technology to determine individual nutritional needs.
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that mothers who consumed more fruits and vegetables were less likely to pressure their daughters into eating, resulting in less picky eating habits. The researchers also discovered that girls' consumption of fiber was significantly lower among picky eaters.
Researchers studied mountain gorillas' diets to understand early human food adaptations, finding increased meat consumption led to genetic changes allowing for fatty foods without heart disease. The study suggests that humans have evolved to eat a 'mushy' diet and are not equipped to cope with substantial foods.
McGill researchers identified a link between heat-induced breakdown of amino acids and sugars in food, producing the potential carcinogen furan. Traces of furan have been found in processed and cooked products, particularly canned and bottled foods, but quantities are below considered dangerous thresholds.
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that preschoolers who consumed more fiber had more nutrient-rich diets. Experts suggest increasing fiber consumption through whole-grain products and high-fiber cereals to support healthy growth and development.
Research reveals that consumers prioritize product categories over brands when making purchasing decisions. The study finds that subjective knowledge drives consumer behavior, leading them to seek out specific areas of stores that align with their values.
Researchers found that distractions while eating chocolate increased enjoyment and subsequent choice of a good-tasting food sample. This study suggests that marketers should use distraction as a protocol to improve consumer choice at sampling stations.
A study of 2,609 participants found that drinking outside of meals significantly increases the risk of hypertension. The research also showed that the volume of alcohol consumed played a more important role in the relationship between drinking and high blood pressure than how often a person drank.
A Princeton University study shows that galanin triggers desires for fatty foods and alcohol, perpetuating a cycle of positive feedback. The finding suggests the possibility of creating a drug to block galanin in fighting alcoholism.
New research suggests a link between galanin and alcohol consumption, as well as its effects on food intake. Galanin was found to increase voluntary alcohol intake in rodents, but not food intake. A galanin receptor antagonist also reduced alcohol drinking, suggesting a potential role for these compounds in treating alcohol dependence.
Researchers found that people who believed they had become sick from eating hard-boiled eggs or pickles were more likely to avoid these foods in the future. However, the effect was limited to novel food items, with no change in behavior towards commonly consumed foods like potato chips.
Researchers from Penn State found that eating more water-rich foods and choosing reduced-fat options can lead to significant weight loss. In two studies, obese women who followed low-energy-density diets lost an average of 21 pounds compared to those on restricted fat intake diets.
Researchers found that reducing food energy density by 30% led to a 23% decrease in daily calorie intake, while reducing portion size by 25% resulted in a 12% decrease. Women experienced no significant differences in hunger or fullness ratings despite these changes.
A study by Brian Wansink found that vegetable enthusiasts eat more spicy foods, drink wine with dinner, and cook elaborate meals. Fruit lovers prefer sweets, are less adventurous in the kitchen, and eat desserts after dinner. Tailoring healthy eating recommendations to these groups can be more effective.
A study found that brain regions activated by food craving are also involved in drug craving, suggesting a common neural basis for both. The hippocampus, insula, and caudate were identified as key areas of activation during food cravings.
A new study suggests that the DASH diet's numerous fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contribute significantly to its health benefits. The diet's high intake of phytochemicals may help protect against various chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and other health conditions.
Researchers found that Brazilian communities in coastal areas and the Amazon region have taboos on consuming certain fish species, especially predatory ones. These prohibitions are likely biologically adaptive, suggesting a link to toxic accumulation and health concerns.
Research highlights the importance of traditional Asian diets and physical activity patterns in preventing chronic illnesses like cancer and diabetes. Experts call for targeted campaigns to promote healthy eating and exercise among low-income immigrant communities.
Researchers found that volunteers who consumed larger portions weighed an average of 39% more food and 273 calories per person compared to the previous week. The study suggests that larger portion sizes may be a major factor behind the rise in obesity rates among young adults.
The Illinois initiative aims to examine the biological effects of isoflavones on various bodily systems, including breast, brain and adipose tissues. Researchers will investigate the mechanisms at work between isoflavones and estrogen receptors to ensure safety and effectiveness in dietary supplements.
A new study suggests that most people's diets get healthier from childhood to young adulthood. Adults tend to consume more fruit and vegetables and less fat and sugar compared to their child years. However, many people perceive barriers to healthy eating, such as lack of time and work patterns.
The Lewis and Clark expedition successfully traversed the new frontier due to a favorable climatic window that allowed for abundant food sources. If they had traveled during an intense drought, their journey might have been significantly impacted, potentially altering the course of U.S. expansion into the West.
A survey of 10th-grade students reveals that many teens have made conscious efforts to lose weight, with girls more likely to diet than boys. The study also explores the impact of calcium-rich diets on girls' weight, finding no significant increase in body weight or BMI.
A study by Cornell University researchers found that more than 85% of African Americans will use food stamps, compared to 37% of white Americans. Food stamp use is also linked to lower education levels, with 64% of adults with less than 12 years of education using them.
A new study reveals that cowbird chicks survive and even grow faster when raised in noisy nests with host siblings, rather than alone. By joining their nestmates in a chirping chorus, the cowbirds are able to monopolize food attempts from parents and reap the benefits of shared parental care.