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The declining diet of Japan’s youth

Researchers found a negative association between highly processed food consumption and healthy eating among Japanese children and adolescents, with confectioneries positively correlated. The study suggests that reducing processed food intake could be beneficial for public health.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeObservational study·DateJun 17, 2024

Planetary Health Diet associated with lower risk of premature death, lower environmental impact

A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was associated with a 30% lower risk of premature death and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The diet emphasizes minimally processed plant foods and modest consumption of meat and dairy foods.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateJun 10, 2024

Can big cats sing parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme?

A study by Kyoto University found that snow leopards consume the plant genus Myricaria in their feces when hungry. This suggests a link between prey and plant intake in these large alpine cat carnivores. The research provides insight into improved captive environments and suitable conservation plans for snow leopards.

SourceKyoto University·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 6, 2024

Poor quality diet makes our brains sad

A study of 30 volunteers found that a poor diet can lead to changes in neurotransmitters and grey matter volume, commonly associated with depression and anxiety. Adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet was shown to prevent these changes.

SourceUniversity of Reading·JournalNutritional Neuroscience·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 5, 2024

Pro-inflammatory diets are associated with higher levels of the heart failure biomarker NT-proBNP, with potential implications for cardiovascular risk, per study of more than 10,000 US adults

A study of over 10,000 US adults found a strong association between pro-inflammatory diets and elevated NT-proBNP levels, indicating potential increased cardiovascular risk. The research suggests that dietary inflammatory index may be an important factor in heart failure biomarker levels.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 5, 2024

Intermittent fasting shows promise in improving gut health, weight management

A new study highlights the benefits of intermittent fasting and protein-pacing on gut health, weight loss, and metabolic responses. Participants showed improved diversity of the gut microbiota, decreased symptoms of gastrointestinal problems, and increased beneficial microbes linked to a lean body type.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 28, 2024

Simple food swaps could cut greenhouse gas emissions from household groceries by a quarter

A new study reveals that switching to environmentally friendly food alternatives can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from household groceries. The analysis found that making like-for-like product swaps within sub-categories of foods could lead to emission reductions of up to 26% or 71%.

SourceGeorge Institute for Global Health·JournalNature Food·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 28, 2024

Can diet help with advanced breast cancer? All indications are positive, researchers say

A small study at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that women with stage 4 breast cancer who followed a whole-foods plant-based diet experienced significant weight loss, improved cholesterol levels, and reduced fatigue. The diet also showed promise in reducing inflammation and changes in blood levels of amino acids.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalBreast Cancer Research and Treatment·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 22, 2024

Future climate impacts put whale diet at risk

A new study predicts that future climate change will disrupt humpback whales' krill-heavy diet, as their primary prey item Antarctic krill becomes less abundant. The research found that all tested whale populations relied on Antarctic krill, which is essential for their migratory lifestyle.

SourceGriffith University·JournalScience of The Total Environment·DateMay 22, 2024

What pottery reveals about prehistoric Central European culinary traditions

A groundbreaking study in PLOS ONE analyzed fat residues trapped in pottery vessels to uncover the prehistoric culinary traditions of central Germany. The results show a diverse range of food sources, including dairy products, meat, and plant-based foods, with significant changes occurring between the Early Neolithic and Late Bronze Age.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2024

A long-term ketogenic diet accumulates aged cells in normal tissues, a UT Health San Antonio-led study shows

A new study led by UT Health San Antonio found that long-term ketogenic diets can induce senescence, or aged cells, in normal tissues, affecting heart and kidney function. However, an intermittent ketogenic diet regimen eliminated these pro-inflammatory effects.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2024

Celiac disease: New findings on the effects of gluten

Researchers at Bielefeld University discovered that certain gluten-derived molecules, including the 33-mer deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP), form nanosized structures that accumulate in gut epithelial cells and lead to leaky gut syndrome. This triggers chronic inflammation and autoimmune responses in celiac disease patients.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2024

Healthy diets for people and the planet

Researchers analyzed diets of 856 schoolchildren in Germany, finding potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by changing eating habits. However, nutrient adequacy was not optimized, highlighting the need for context-related nutritional recommendations.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateMay 16, 2024

Better nutrition can help firefighters fight cancer

A recent study found that American firefighters recognize the link between diet and cancer risk and are interested in acquiring knowledge and support to change their dietary habits. The study suggests that targeted interventions focusing on individualized support and evidence-based interventions can help mitigate cancer risks among fir...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateMay 13, 2024

How aging clocks tick

Scientists have discovered that aging clocks measure stochastic changes in cells, rather than damage accumulation. This finding suggests that aging can be predicted using the variation in cellular processes.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Aging·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 9, 2024

Keto diet boosts lifesaving antifungal drug in mice

A study by Duke University researchers found that combining a low-carb, high-fat keto diet with fluconazole significantly improved treatment outcomes against fungal meningitis. The keto diet increased the effectiveness of fluconazole by reducing fungal levels by up to ten thousandfold.

SourceDuke University·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2024

New study shows liver patients see benefits after going meatless for one meal

Researchers from VCU School of Medicine and Richmond VA Medical Center discover that replacing meat with plant-based proteins for one meal reduces harmful ammonia levels in people with advanced liver disease. The study found significant differences in blood and urine samples, revealing lower amino acids associated with ammonia production.

SourceVirginia Commonwealth University·JournalClinical and Translational Gastroenterology·DateMay 2, 2024

Fixin’ to be flexitarian: Scrap fish and invasive species can liven up vegetables

A new study suggests that incorporating seafood rich in umami, such as fish and shellfish, into vegetable dishes can boost their flavor and make them more appealing. The research uses a mathematical equation to calculate the umami content of various seafood options, finding that even small amounts can greatly enhance the taste.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalInternational Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science·DateApr 29, 2024

NTU Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic scientists replace fishmeal in aquaculture with microbial protein derived from soybean processing wastewater

Researchers at NTU Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic develop a new, sustainable feed alternative for farmed Asian seabass, reducing reliance on wild-caught fishmeal. The single cell protein is cultivated from soybean processing wastewater, offering a promising solution to the aquaculture industry's environmental challenges.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2024

Aston University research finds that social media can be used to increase fruit and vegetable intake in young people

Researchers found that participants who followed healthy eating Instagram accounts ate an extra 1.4 portions of fruit and vegetables per day, compared to those in the control group. The study suggests that exposure to positive social norms on social media can encourage higher consumption of fruit and vegetables.

SourceAston University·JournalDigital Health·TypeObservational study·DateApr 24, 2024

Dietary treatment more effective than medicines in IBS

A study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology found that dietary adjustments, such as a low FODMAP diet and low-carbohydrate diets, resulted in significantly reduced IBS symptoms for over seven out of ten patients. In contrast, medication-based treatment showed fewer symptom improvements.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 18, 2024

Pennington Biomedical’s Dr. Steven Heymsfield and colleague publish guidance on energy and macronutrients across the lifespan

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine provides recommendations for protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and water intake at various stages of life to support overall health. The guidance, developed by Dr. Steven Heymsfield and Dr. Sue Shapses, aims to promote personalized diets with key macronutrients.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateApr 17, 2024

Flexibility can support healthy eating behaviors among women

A recent study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that women with restrained eating habits who practiced flexible responses to food cues showed increased positivity towards high-calorie foods. This suggests that a balanced approach to responding and inhibiting food cues can foster more positive emotional reactions to food.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalJournal of Eating Disorders·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 17, 2024

PFAS exposure from high seafood diets may be underestimated

A Dartmouth-led study found that people in New England, particularly those who frequently consume seafood, face an increased risk of PFAS exposure. The researchers recommend setting safety standards to limit seafood consumption and highlight the need for more stringent public health guidelines.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalExposure and Health·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2024

Biofortified rice to combat deficiencies

Researchers at UNIGE and ETH Zurich have created biofortified rice lines with enhanced vitamin B1 content, targeting the nourishing tissue of the grain. The modified lines multiplied vitamin B1 levels by 3-4 without compromising agronomic yield, providing a significant advance in combating deficiency.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPlant Biotechnology Journal·TypeNews article·DateApr 11, 2024