Dietetics
Articles tagged with Dietetics
Limit ultra processed foods to lower risk of heart disease, say experts
A European Society of Cardiology consensus report suggests that ultra processed food consumption is linked to cardiovascular disease and death. The report calls for doctors to advise patients on limiting UPF intake to prevent cardiovascular risks.
UK restaurant chains falling short on healthy nutrition targets, study finds
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that only 43% of menu items at the UK's highest-grossing restaurant chains met all voluntary targets for sugar, salt, and calorie reduction. This suggests that stricter regulation may be needed to improve the nutritional quality of out-of-home food.
Helping ensure science is at the heart of mindful eating technology design
Lancaster University researchers created a new toolset to guide developers in designing digital technologies that support mindful eating. The toolset, MEDEC cards, provides practical guidelines for designers and health practitioners, aligning with evidence-based health research and ensuring safe and effective solutions.
Ultra-processed foods damage your focus even if you eat healthy
A study of over 2,100 Australian adults found that a daily increase in ultra-processed foods can significantly impact attention span and cognitive function. Even among those who consume a healthy Mediterranean diet, the degree of food processing plays a critical role in damaging brain health.
FDA ‘healthy’ label boosts sales of healthier snacks and commands price premium, study finds
A new study found that FDA 'healthy' labels increase consumer selections of healthier snacks and command a price premium. The study, led by researchers at Oregon State University, examined consumer purchasing preferences for snack products with and without healthy labels.
Covid snacking habits and their consequences
A Japanese study examines the long-term effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on individuals with glucose intolerance, revealing a clear divergence in clinical trajectories among those who worsened and improved. Flexible lifestyle adaptation is crucial for restoring metabolic health, suggesting personalized support may improve glycemic control.
Eating more ultra-processed foods linked with greater risk of being overweight or obese in adolescents
A recent study found that adolescents consuming more ultra-processed foods have significantly higher odds of being overweight or obese. The study, which analyzed data from 155,000 adolescents across multiple countries, suggests that public health strategies should prioritize reducing UPF consumption among adolescents.
Being physically fit helps prevent diseases
A new study confirms a direct link between good physical fitness and reduced risk of suffering from over 30 diseases. Individuals with high genetic predisposition to be physically fit exhibit lower risks of cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and asthma, while also showing better health in metabolic and inflammatory aspects.
Plant-based dietary patterns linked to slower epigenetic aging
A new study published in Aging-US found that plant-based dietary patterns are associated with slower epigenetic aging. The research analyzed data from two large cohorts and found that higher intake of plant foods was linked to decelerated biological aging.
Placing fruit and veg near store entrances can improve sales and diet quality
Researchers discovered that placing fruit and vegetable sections near supermarket entrances increases purchased portions by 2,525 per week. This led to improved women's diets and potential long-term health benefits.
Following 9 key steps for a lifetime of eating well can support heart health
The updated guidance offers nine key features of a heart-healthy dietary pattern, emphasizing the importance of making sustainable and personalized choices throughout life. The American Heart Association aims to encourage lifelong adherence to healthy eating patterns to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
Lifestyle can also influence the severity of endometriosis symptoms
A review of international studies found that regular physical activity, a Mediterranean-style diet, and stress management can help reduce endometriosis-related pain and improve quality of life. The study also introduces the fasting-mimicking diet as a potential approach for managing gynecological conditions.
Lifestyle factors and cardiometabolic risk
A review highlights the importance of healthy lifestyles in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Adhering to optimal lifestyle factors, such as a heart-healthy diet, regular physical activity, and adequate sleep, can dramatically lower disease incidence.
New tool spots and evaluates nutrition misinformation’s potential for harm
A new tool developed by UCL researchers can identify diet and nutrition misinformation, as well as its risk for potential harm. The tool assesses the content's risk based on factors like inaccuracy, hazardous omissions, and manipulative framing.
Want to lose weight? Try eating the same meals on repeat
Researchers found that adults who followed routine eating patterns lost more weight than those with varied diets. Those who repeated many of the same foods lost an average of 5.9% of their body weight, compared to 4.3%. Greater calorie consistency was also linked to better results.
Mediterranean diet may boost mitochondrial signals linked to heart and brain health
Researchers found that people following a Mediterranean-style diet have higher levels of humanin and SHMOOSE, which are linked to protection against cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration. The study suggests that specific components of the Mediterranean diet may directly influence mitochondrial biology.
Can spending time in nature improve your diet?
A new study from Drexel University found that individuals who spent more time in nature reported better dietary behaviors, such as eating more fruits and vegetables. Participants who spent more time in nature also experienced improved mental health, including reduced depression, anxiety, and stress.
$3.4 million grant to improve weight-management programs
A $3.4 million NIH grant will fund a semi-automated feedback system to support people tracking diet, exercise, and weight in weight-management programs. The system aims to provide personalized feedback to increase tracking and weight loss success.
Emotions drive our eating choices
A study found that individuals trying to diet are more likely to choose unhealthy snacks when feeling negative emotions, but emotional awareness is the key to maintaining healthier eating habits. Practicable strategies like mindfulness exercises and checking in with feelings can help dieters stay on track.
New research finds peanut butter consumption builds muscle power in older adults
A six-month study found that consuming 43 grams of peanut butter daily significantly increased muscle power in older adults. This improvement enables them to perform daily activities like stair climbing and rising from a chair more efficiently.
Study finds link between sugary drinks and anxiety in young people
A recent study published in Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics has identified a link between high sugary drink consumption and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. The research team found consistent associations between energy-dense but nutrient-poor drinks and increased anxiety rates.
Low-carb and low-fat diets associated with lower heart disease risk if rich in high-quality, plant-based foods, low in animal products
A new study finds that the quality of macronutrients matters more than their quantity for heart health, with diets rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease. The study also found improved cardiovascular biomarkers in healthy versions of low-carb and low-fat diets.
Strength training delivers the best and healthiest dieting results for both sexes
A new study found that strength training is the most effective tool for achieving 'high-quality' weight loss, reducing body fat while preserving and even increasing muscle mass. This type of exercise also reduces waist circumference, a key indicator of abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk.
Psychosocial and community factors are strongly linked to diet quality among rural adults, study finds
A study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that psychosocial factors like motivation, confidence, and social support are strongly linked to diet quality among rural adults. Participants with higher scores in these areas consumed more fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and fewer ultraprocessed foods.
Eating a plant-forward diet is good for your kidneys
A large-scale study found that adhering to the EAT–Lancet planetary health diet was significantly associated with a reduced risk of incident CKD. The diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes, and limited consumption of added sugars and fats.
A new diet option for mild-to-moderate Crohn’s disease
A new diet option has been shown to improve both physical symptoms and biological indicators of mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease. Participants in the fasting mimicking group experienced significant declines in fecal calprotectin, a protein indicating gut inflammation, and showed clinical benefits even after just one cycle.
New dietary guidelines underscore importance of healthy eating
The new 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlight the importance of a balanced diet in preventing chronic diseases. The guidelines encourage increasing consumption of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while limiting sugary drinks and processed foods.
Are you ready to swap salmon for sprats and sardines?
A UK study found that over 40% of consumers are willing to try new fish species, including sardines and anchovies. The research highlights the potential for improving national health and local economies by embracing home-caught seafood. It also reveals a generational divide in seafood consumption habits.
How changing your diet could help save the world
A recent UBC study found that half of the global population needs to change their diets to prevent severe planetary warming. The study suggests that individuals can make simple dietary changes, such as eating only what they need and reducing beef consumption, to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions.
MIT study: High-fat diets make liver cells more likely to become cancerous
A new MIT study shows that high-fat diets cause liver cells to revert to an immature state, making them more susceptible to cancer-causing mutations. This reversion is driven by genes that help the cells survive stressful conditions, but ultimately increases their likelihood of becoming cancerous.
School meals could unlock major gains for human and planetary health
A new study suggests that well-designed school meal programmes can simultaneously improve child nutrition, reduce long-term diet-related illness, lessen climate pressures, and stimulate resilient food systems. Providing a healthy, sustainable meal to every child by 2030 could generate substantial health and environmental gains worldwide.
For Black women with breast cancer, ultra-processed foods may worsen health outcomes
A study from Rutgers Cancer Institute researchers found that Black women with breast cancer who ate the most ultra-processed foods before diagnosis were 36-40% more likely to die from their cancers or other causes of death. The researchers followed 1,733 Black women diagnosed with breast cancer in New Jersey between 2005 and 2019.
Largest study of its kind highlights benefits – and risks – of plant-based diets in children
A large meta-analysis of over 48,000 children found that well-planned plant-based diets can support healthy growth and even offer additional health benefits for children. However, the study also highlights risks of deficiencies in key nutrients such as vitamin B12 and zinc if not obtained through fortified foods or supplements.
COPLANT study module kids/family – participants wanted
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is launching a new study module to investigate the influence of parental nutrition on children's eating habits. The study aims to provide insights into how plant-based diets of parents affect the eating habits and food consumption of children.
Home-delivered groceries improve blood sugar control for people with diabetes facing food insecurity
A recent study found that home-delivered groceries can significantly improve blood sugar control among adults with type 2 diabetes who experience food insecurity. The program provided culturally relevant, medically tailored groceries and education materials, leading to a clinically meaningful reduction in hemoglobin A1c levels.
Prehab can improve recovery after surgery, but barriers remain
A large clinical trial published in JAMA Surgery shows that prehabilitation can reduce disability after surgery in older adults with frailty, provided they fully participate in the program. Participants who completed at least 75% of exercises had significantly lower levels of disability after surgery.
Supplement trio shows promise in reversing autism-linked behaviors in mice
Researchers discovered a low-dose mixture of zinc, serine, and branch-chain amino acids can alleviate behavioral deficits in mouse models of autism by promoting neuronal communication and improving social behaviors. The combination was found to be effective at low doses, whereas individual supplements had no effect.
Popular pre-workout supplements linked to shorter sleep among Canadian adolescents
A recent study from the University of Toronto found that use of pre-workout dietary supplements is associated with five or fewer hours of sleep per night. The study analyzed data from over 16-30 year-old participants and found that those who used pre-workout supplements were more than twice as likely to report short sleep durations.
Changing the sweet taste of someone’s diet has no impact on their sweet tooth or health, study suggests
A new trial found that increasing or decreasing sugar intake in a person's diet has no effect on their preference for sweet foods. Researchers suggest that public health advice may need to focus on reducing sugar and energy-dense foods, rather than eliminating all sweet options.
Metabolism, not just weight, improved when older adults reduced ultra-processed food intake
A controlled feeding study out of South Dakota State University shows that older adults who reduced ultra-processed foods naturally consumed fewer calories, lost weight and abdominal fat, and showed improvements in insulin sensitivity and inflammation. This study provides evidence that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans can deliver s...
UC awarded $985K NIH grant to prevent infant obesity
The University of Cincinnati has received a $985,000 grant to test Healthy Eating for My Infant (HEMI), a community-based intervention promoting healthy eating and feeding practices for children 0-12 months. HEMI aims to address specific risk factors and barriers faced by low-income families. The NIH-funded study will enroll 60 infants...
Eating alone linked to poorer nutrition in older adults
Regularly eating meals alone is associated with poorer diet quality and increased risk of weight loss and frailty among community-living adults aged 65 years and over. Social connections at mealtimes can influence appetite, dietary variety, and overall wellbeing.
Low-glutamate diet linked to brain changes and migraine relief in veterans with Gulf War Illness
A new study found that a low-glutamate diet significantly improved migraine symptoms in veterans with Gulf War Illness, with measurable brain changes detected. Cortical thickness decreased in patients on the diet, suggesting a potential treatment for chronic neurological symptoms.
Putting less meat and fish and more legumes and diversified cereals in school menus reduces the environmental impact by up to 50%
A new study shows that incorporating more plant-based proteins, less meat and fish, and a more diverse cereal intake into school menus can decrease the environmental footprint of meal plans. By making these changes, schools can reduce their environmental impact by up to 50%.
Time of eating changes lipid profile during intermittent fasting
A study found that eating earlier in the day leads to significant changes in fat metabolism, whereas late eating has no measurable effect. The researchers used lipidomics and analyzed gene activity in fat tissue to understand the origin of these effects.
Ultraprocessed food consumption and risk of early-onset colorectal cancer precursors among women
A study found that higher consumption of ultraprocessed foods is associated with an increased risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer precursors. The research highlights the importance of improving dietary quality to mitigate the rising burden of early-onset colorectal cancer.
Study: Plant-based diet can prevent, reverse form of heart disease in animals with hypertension
Researchers found that a plant-based diet prevented the development of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and reversed established CMD in hypertensive rats. The diet improved function of blood vessel cells, counteracting the damaging effects of hypertension.
Omega-3 deficit linked to ADHD symptoms in Palestinian adolescents
A new study found a significant link between omega-3 intake and ADHD symptoms among Palestinian adolescents. Lower omega-3 consumption was associated with higher ADHD symptom scores, highlighting the importance of balanced nutrition in supporting cognitive health.
Vegan diet can halve your carbon footprint, study shows
A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that a vegan diet can halve the carbon footprint of an individual, with reductions of 46% in CO2 emissions and 33% in land use. The study also showed that a plant-based diet delivers nearly all essential nutrients.
NIH grant will help probe ‘nutritional memory’ to increase understanding of food choices
A researcher is exploring how maternal diet influences offspring food choices later in life, using cells called neuropods that send signals from the intestine to the brain. The goal is to create personalized diets that are more palatable and promote healthier eating habits.
Diet alone doesn’t explain divergent health of California Sea Lions in US and Mexico
Researchers found that regional differences in environmental conditions, rather than diet quality, drive divergent health trends in California Sea Lions. Despite similar diets, populations in Mexico are declining while those in the US are thriving.
USC study links ultra-processed food intake to prediabetes in young adults
A recent USC study tracked 85 young adults over four years and found that increased ultra-processed food consumption was linked to elevated blood sugar and early signs of diabetes risk. The researchers also discovered that limiting UPF intake can help prevent disease.
New research finds dietary intervention of peanuts improves brain vascular function and memory
A study of 31 healthy older adults found that consuming 60 grams of peanuts daily for 16 weeks increased global cerebral blood flow by 3.6% and verbal memory by 5.8%. Peanut consumption also improved systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure.
Flavanols in cocoa can protect blood vessel function following uninterrupted sitting - study
A new study from the University of Birmingham found that consuming flavanols can preserve blood vessel function in young healthy men during periods of uninterrupted sitting. The researchers tested whether high-flavanol cocoa could prevent FMD declines, and found significant protection against vascular dysfunction.
Exercise counteracts junk food's depression-like effects through gut-brain metabolic signaling
Researchers found that voluntary running exercise mitigates cafeteria diet-induced behavioral changes via hormonal and microbial pathways. The study revealed specific metabolites, such as anserine and indole-3-carboxylate, were decreased by the cafeteria diet but partially restored by exercise.
New national standard to boost trust in edible bird’s nest industry
The new Singapore Standard (SS) 718 leverages Near-Infrared spectroscopy to authenticate edible bird’s nest, providing a fast and non-destructive on-site method. This standard strengthens consumer trust and levels the playing field for producers in the industry.
New study reveals that canned beans significantly improve nutrient intake and diet quality in U.S. adults
A recent study published in Medical Research Archives found that incorporating canned beans into a diet reduces shortfalls in essential nutrients and improves overall diet quality among U.S. adults. The research also highlighted the impact of replacing high-protein foods with canned beans on achieving optimal nutrient intake.
Brassica vegetables: nature’s hidden nutritional treasure
Brassica vegetables are rich in health-promoting compounds like glucosinolates, vitamins, carotenoids, and essential minerals that can reduce risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. The review highlights strategies to boost their value through breeding, biofortification, and advanced biotechnologies.
Think your BMI reflects your health? Think again, study warns
A University of Waterloo study cautions against using BMI as a measure of health, citing its limitations in distinguishing between muscle and fat, and overlooking important factors such as age, sex, and race. The researchers advocate for more nuanced measures of body size or rejecting BMI altogether.