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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.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2026

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.

SourceDrexel University·JournalSocial Science & Medicine·DateMar 16, 2026

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.

SourceFlinders University·JournalFood Quality and Preference·TypeSurvey·DateMar 3, 2026

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.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 11, 2026

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.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 5, 2026

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.

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 13, 2026

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.

SourceRutgers University·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 18, 2025

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.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalCritical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 12, 2025

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.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 10, 2025

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.

SourceThe Ottawa Hospital·JournalJAMA Surgery·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 3, 2025

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.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 2, 2025

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.

SourceBournemouth University·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 1, 2025

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...

SourceSouth Dakota State University·JournalClinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 24, 2025

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%.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateNov 13, 2025

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.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalInternational Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health·TypeObservational study·DateNov 12, 2025

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.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 11, 2025

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Journal of Physiology·TypeObservational study·DateOct 29, 2025

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.

SourceThe Ginger Network·JournalMedical Research Archives·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 9, 2025

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.

MIT study suggests a cysteine-rich diet may promote regeneration of the intestinal lining

A diet rich in cysteine has been shown to activate immune cells that help regenerate intestinal tissue, potentially offering a new way to heal tissue damage from radiation or chemotherapy treatment. The researchers found that cysteine initiates a chain of events leading to the activation of CD8 T cells, which produce cytokines like IL-...

Can a healthy gut microbiome help prevent childhood stunting?

Researchers found that children with stable gut microbiomes tend to have better growth outcomes. The study created the first-ever pediatric undernutrition microbial genome catalog, which can predict and prevent malnutrition. This discovery opens the door to new diagnostics and therapeutics for addressing global child stunting issues.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCell·DateSep 9, 2025

Eating for two

A study of 344 Japanese women found that a diet rich in fermented foods, soy products, mushrooms, and seaweed was associated with improved gut microbiota and reduced depressive symptoms. Traditional Japanese cuisine may hold the key to preventing postpartum depression.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeObservational study·DateSep 7, 2025

Mediterranean diet combined with calorie reduction and exercise may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes by nearly one-third

A Mediterranean-style diet, along with reduced caloric intake and moderate physical activity, has been shown to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 31%. The study found that participants in the intervention group lost an average of 3.3 kilograms and reduced their waist circumference by 3.6 centimeters.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 25, 2025