Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Global poverty and the cost of a healthy diet

A new poverty metric assesses global well-being by incorporating the cost of a healthy diet, revealing significant regional differences and shifting the focus from sub-Saharan Africa to South Asia. The study highlights the long-term health consequences of malnutrition and calls for a revised approach to resource allocation.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalFood Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2025

New Cedars-Sinai study shows how specialized diet can improve gut disorders

A new study from Cedars-Sinai examined the effectiveness of a specialized diet in improving symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders linked to an imbalance in gut microbiota. The research found that most participants reported tolerating the diet well and experienced significant relief from common symptoms like bloating and discomfort.

SourceCedars-Sinai Medical Center·JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 1, 2025

Nutrition security beyond food access: Understanding the impact of environmental and psychosocial factors on diet quality

Researchers identified key constructs shaping diet and health outcomes, including access to healthy foods, social dynamics, and coping mechanisms. The study highlights the importance of addressing barriers such as affordability, accessibility, and chronic stress to promote nutrition security and health outcomes.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 31, 2025

Hunger shifts attention towards less healthy food options

A new study reveals how hunger influences dietary decisions by prioritizing tastiness over healthiness, leading to poorer nutritional choices. Researchers used eye-tracking technology and computational modeling to demonstrate that hungry individuals focus more on the visual appeal of food options and ignore nutritional information.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateMar 25, 2025

Study shows almost all people claiming Universal Credit struggle to afford to eat properly

A new study found that 85% of Universal Credit recipients experience food insecurity, with many going whole days without food or consuming limited diets lacking essential nutrients. The loss of a £20 weekly uplift added during COVID exacerbated the issue, leading to increased reliance on food banks.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalEuropean Journal of Nutrition·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 24, 2025

Do lifetime body weight patterns affect kidney cancer risk?

New research suggests that maintaining a healthy weight throughout life and losing weight later in life may reduce the risk of kidney cancer. Higher BMI at various ages across adulthood was associated with increased risks of developing different types of kidney cancer, including renal cell carcinoma, papillary RCC, and chromophobe RCC.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateMar 24, 2025

Scientists call for targeted fibre diets to boost health

A new classification system classifies dietary fibres into five key features, providing a more nuanced understanding of their health impacts. The researchers argue that current classifications are simplistic and do not capture the diverse structures and complex mechanisms through which dietary fibres influence human physiology.

SourceRMIT University·JournalFood Research International·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 19, 2025

Replacing other snacks with pecans may improve cholesterol, diet quality

A new study by Penn State researchers found that consuming pecans instead of usual snacks improved cholesterol levels and enhanced overall diet quality. Participants who ate pecans demonstrated reductions in cholesterol measurements linked to poorer heart health and higher adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 17, 2025

Illinois researchers spearhead efforts to establish guidelines for personalized nutrition approaches

Researchers developed guiding principles for personalized nutrition approaches addressing users and beneficiaries, data collection and handling, methodology, and purpose. They also addressed the opportunities and challenges around data and regulatory issues in the field of personalized nutrition.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalCritical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition·DateMar 7, 2025

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and obesity-linked cancer risk

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has found that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a modest reduction in the risk of obesity-related cancers. The findings suggest that further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms by which the Mediterranean diet may contribute to cancer prevention.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateFeb 25, 2025

Unexpected discoveries in study of giraffe gut flora

Researchers have discovered that giraffes maintain species-specific gut flora, even when eating different sets of plants. This finding has significant implications for the conservation of endangered giraffe species, highlighting the importance of understanding their diets and habitats to ensure their survival.

SourceUppsala University·JournalGlobal Ecology and Conservation·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 24, 2025

Fitness apps fuelling disordered eating

A systematic review of 38 studies found that frequent use of health and fitness apps is associated with problematic habits related to food and exercise. The research highlights the need for app developers to consider the psychological impacts of these tools on users' mental health.

SourceFlinders University·JournalBody Image·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 19, 2025

We are no longer living longer, UEA study shows

A new study from the University of East Anglia finds that European life expectancy has slowed down since 2011 due to factors such as poor diets, lack of physical activity, and obesity. The research suggests that prioritizing healthier lifestyles in younger years is crucial for extending old age.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 18, 2025

Research shows blood test may provide personalized dietary therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome

A blood test has been found to identify personalized dietary triggers for patients with irritable bowel syndrome, resulting in improved abdominal pain relief. The study showed that 59.6% of participants who removed trigger foods experienced significant reduction in abdominal pain compared to 42.2% in the control group.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalGastroenterology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 13, 2025

Disordered eating and certain foods linked to higher risk for urinary incontinence in middle-aged women

A recent study found that disordered eating is associated with a higher risk of symptoms of pelvic floor disorders in middle-aged women. The research revealed that consuming highly processed ready-made foods and fast food increases the risk for stress urinary incontinence, while a higher quality diet decreases the risk.

Is this the new 5:2 diet?

Researchers at the University of Sydney recommend adopting a primarily plant-centric fibre-rich diet to enhance overall health and longevity. The plan involves incorporating more plant-based meals into one's diet, starting with two days a week and increasing to five days as recommended by Professor Luigi Fontana.