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Healthy versions of low-carb and low-fat diets linked to better cardiovascular and metabolic health

A new study found that versions of both diet patterns emphasizing healthy foods are associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease. The study suggests that focusing on overall diet quality may offer flexibility for individuals to choose eating patterns that align with their preferences while still supporting heart health.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateFeb 11, 2026

Too many saturated fats may be more harmful than too many refined carbohydrates

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that higher fat diets were more harmful than high-carbohydrate diets, even when fiber supplementation was added. Mice on high-fat and ketogenic diets experienced weight gain, liver damage, and other negative health effects, while those on a high-carbohydrate diet did not.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 10, 2026

Does a vegetarian upbringing stunt growth?

A landmark study of nearly 1.2 million infants suggests that a vegan or vegetarian diet does not compromise infant growth by age two. The research found that infants from plant-based households follow growth trajectories nearly identical to their omnivorous peers, providing reassuring evidence for parents and pediatricians.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 9, 2026

FAU study links ultra-processed foods to greater heart attack, stroke risk

A study by Florida Atlantic University found that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are associated with a 47% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers analyzed data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that those consuming high amounts of UPFs had a significant increase in heart attack and stroke ...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 5, 2026

Eating habits revealed by wearable cameras and AI

A new review highlights the limitations of traditional self-reported dietary tools and proposes an integrated framework combining emerging technologies to improve accuracy in dietary assessment. This approach may help build a clearer picture of what people truly eat and support healthier lives and food systems.

SourceAberystwyth·JournalNature Food·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 4, 2026

New clinical trial demonstrates that eating beef each day does not affect risk factors for type 2 diabetes

A randomized controlled trial with 24 adults found that consuming 6-7 ounces of beef per day did not impact risk factors for type 2 diabetes or other cardiometabolic health markers. The study suggests that regular beef intake supports heart health and does not adversely affect blood sugar regulation or inflammation.

SourceIndiana University School of Public Health·JournalCurrent Developments in Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 28, 2026

How does TikTok shape young peoples' dietary preferences?

A study found that TikTok influences dietary habits by leveraging algorithmic mechanisms, entertainment content, and users' emotional connections. The platform affects food preferences, dining choices, and recipe evaluations among young people.

SourceWiley·JournalInternational Journal of Consumer Studies·DateJan 28, 2026

Pre-school health programme does not improve children’s diet or physical activity, prompting call for policy changes, study finds

A new study found that a pre-school health programme did not improve children's calorie intake or overall physical activity levels in nursery settings. The research suggests that policy-level and statutory changes are more effective in improving young children's diet and physical activity, highlighting the need for policy changes.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 17, 2025

Healthy Nordic diet good for both type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Researchers found that the healthy Nordic diet was more effective in reducing blood glucose levels and improving body weight, inflammation, and lipid profile compared to other diets. The study also showed that participants lost weight despite being allowed to eat as much as they wanted from recommended foods.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 16, 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

The odds of iron deficiency in adolescent girls are almost 14 times higher among those who experience heavy menstruation and follow a meat-restricted diet, compared to girls with normal menstruation who eat an omnivorous diet

A cross-sectional study found that adolescent girls experiencing heavy menstruation and following a meat-restricted diet have nearly 14 times higher odds of iron deficiency. This risk is significantly higher than those with normal menstruation who consume an omnivorous diet.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·DateDec 3, 2025

Long-term benefits of daily multivitamin use may vary by diet quality and baseline blood pressure

A daily multivitamin may be beneficial for reducing the risk of hypertension in people with poorer nutritional intake. Multivitamins lowered risk of hypertension in participants with comparatively lower diet quality, as measured by Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) scores.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAmerican Journal of Hypertension·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 3, 2025

Nation's first state-level SNAP fresh produce incentive program shows promise and room to grow

A Brown-led study of Rhode Island's Eat Well, Be Well Incentive Program found modest increases in fruit and vegetable consumption among participants, but highlights the need for better awareness and access to the program. The program aims to encourage healthy eating by giving SNAP recipients $0.50 back for every $1 spent on fresh produce.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateNov 25, 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

Community program boosts diet, fitness, and disease prevention for rural Latino families

A University of California, Riverside-led study found a community-based health program improving lifestyle changes in low-income, rural Latinas. The program, ¡Coma, Muévase y Viva!, combined health education, cooking demos, and exercise, resulting in increased healthy habits, weight loss, and improved chronic disease management.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalBMC Public Health·TypeSurvey·DateNov 20, 2025

Smoking cannabis and eating highly processed foods raises cardiac health risks, USF study finds

A recent USF study found that smoking cannabis and consuming omega-6 enriched processed foods compromises the immune system, leading to weakened heart function and increased inflammation. The combination can weaken the body's defense mechanism, making it harder for the heart to repair damage caused by inhaling cannabis.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalLife Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2025

Evaluation of a state-level incentive program to improve diet

A state-level incentive program aimed at improving diet in SNAP participants showed no significant increase in fruit and vegetable intake. However, the study found benefits among existing high-fruit-and-vegetable consumers. Enhanced implementation strategies may be needed to maximize public health outcomes.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 18, 2025

Eating lean beef as part of a healthy diet may not increase heart disease risk

Researchers found that eating a Mediterranean diet with moderate portions of lean beef did not increase blood levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), an emerging indicator of cardiovascular disease risk. This suggests that dietary quality is more important than the amount of beef eaten in relation to heart health.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Heart Association·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 18, 2025

Study finds adults who consumed more ultra-processed foods had higher rates of precursors of early-onset colorectal cancer

A study of nearly 30,000 female nurses found that consuming more ultra-processed foods was associated with a 45% higher risk of developing adenomas, precursors to early-onset colorectal cancer. The study's findings support the importance of reducing ultra-processed food intake as a strategy to mitigate the rising burden of early-onset ...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 13, 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

It’s not just diet: where a child lives also raises type 2 diabetes risk

A recent study published in Pediatric Research highlights the impact of neighborhood environments on childhood type 2 diabetes risk. The research found associations between library presence, neighborhood walkability, and caregiver health, suggesting that social and environmental factors play a significant role in T2D development.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalPediatric Research·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 21, 2025

Combination of pre- and probiotics offers superior anti-inflammatory benefits compared with omega-3 or prebiotic alone

A new study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine found that combining certain types of dietary supplements is more effective than single prebiotics or omega-3 in supporting immune and metabolic health. The synbiotic combination of fermented kefir and a diverse prebiotic fibre mix produced the most powerful anti-inflammato...

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalJournal of Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 15, 2025

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-...

Mix insect, plant, and cultivated proteins for healthier, greener, tastier food, say experts

Researchers reveal how hybrid foods combining proteins from different sources could be part of the solution to reduce industrial animal use. By using combinations of different proteins, they found that hybrids can overcome many limitations of individual protein sources and create products that are more than the sum of their parts.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Science·TypeSystematic review·DateSep 30, 2025

BMJ Group retracts trial on apple cider vinegar and weight loss

A study on apple cider vinegar's effectiveness in weight loss was retracted by BMJ Group due to significant methodological flaws, including implausible statistical values and inadequate reporting. The retraction was prompted by concerns raised by statisticians and experts who were unable to replicate the results.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 23, 2025