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Myths about intermittent fasting, debunked

Research debunks four common myths about intermittent fasting: it does not lead to a poor diet, cause eating disorders, excessive lean muscle mass loss, or affect sex hormones. Studies show both types of intermittent fasting (alternate-day and time-restricted) are safe despite popular misconceptions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalNature Reviews Endocrinology·DateJun 24, 2024

Inclusive care: Strategies to support infant feeding for parents with disabilities through WIC

A new study by Johns Hopkins School of Nursing found that WIC staff need additional accommodations to provide inclusive care for parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The research highlights the importance of accessible teaching materials and respectful communication to improve access and quality of services for the...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateJun 19, 2024

Does a beet a day keep heart disease away?

A new study led by Penn State researchers found that daily consumption of beetroot juice may improve blood vessel function and reduce future heart disease risk in postmenopausal women. Beetroot juice contains high levels of nitrate, which helps blood vessels expand and improves circulation.

SourcePenn State·JournalFrontiers in Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 10, 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

Virginia Tech researcher helps reach nutrition security goals

A Virginia Tech researcher is helping implement the Food is Medicine concept across the US. Her studies found that electronic medical record functionality, provider support, and leadership alignment are key factors for successful implementation of these programs. The research team developed an implementation checklist to support health...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalBMJ Open·DateJun 5, 2024

Fewer than 1 in 4 patients receive dietary counseling after a heart attack

A study by the University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center found that only 23% of heart attack patients received dietary counseling within 90 days of hospitalization. Nutrition counseling, often provided by registered dietitian nutritionists, may reduce cardiovascular risk for patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·TypeObservational study·DateJun 3, 2024

CHOP researchers develop easy-to-use screening tool to help improve family access to federal nutrition programs

A new screener tool helped families enroll in WIC and SNAP programs, leading to better health outcomes. The tool was successful in connecting 21 out of 56 families who requested benefits application support, highlighting its potential to improve access to nutrition resources.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 30, 2024

Physical and chemical properties of boiled oil: A traditional method of extracting oil from boiled olive fruits

Researchers found that bubbling olive products before oil extraction decreases oil quality. The study measured absolute phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, and acidity levels in bubbled oil (BO) compared to virgin olive oil (VOO). BO had lower antioxidant properties and higher acidity levels than VOO.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Agriculture Journal·DateMay 30, 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

Global life expectancy to increase by nearly 5 years by 2050 despite geopolitical, metabolic, and environmental threats, reports new global study

Global life expectancy is forecasted to increase from 73.6 years in 2022 to 78.1 years in 2050, with a convergence of increased life expectancy across geographies. The trend is largely driven by public health measures that have prevented and improved survival rates from cardiovascular diseases, COVID-19, and other communicable diseases.

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

New regulator of eating behaviour identified

Researchers have identified a new regulator of eating behavior, the latrophilin 1 receptor, which is linked to obesity. The receptor, primarily studied for its role in synapse formation, was found to be present in brain regions controlling food intake and adipose tissue.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalSignal Transduction and Targeted Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2024

American College of Lifestyle Medicine announces unique screening tool for clinicians to efficiently assess patient dietary patterns

The ACLM Diet Screener is a 27-item assessment tool that captures a picture of overall diet and includes simple measures understandable for patients. The screener features food categories and pictures to ensure easy understanding by all patients, with nearly 90% of clinicians reporting it's brief enough for clinical use.

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

Older adults with diabetes experienced functional decline during the COVID-19 pandemic

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes found that approximately 1 in 5 older Canadian adults with diabetes developed functional limitations for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with lower incomes faced a significantly higher risk of developing functional limitations compared to their peers.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalCanadian Journal of Diabetes·TypeObservational study·DateApr 17, 2024

Parent perceptions of school meals influence student participation in school meal programs

A recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that parents' perceptions of school meals have a significant influence on their children's participation in meal programs. Parents who viewed school meals positively were more likely to see benefits for their families, such as saving time and money, which...

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateApr 15, 2024

Four-part nutrition intervention program reduced adolescent malnutrition in Tanzania

A four-component school-based nutritional intervention package improved diet quality among adolescents and their household members, reducing undernutrition and obesity. The study found promising spillover effects into households and communities, highlighting the transformative potential of schools in combating adolescent malnutrition.

SourceGeorge Mason University·JournalJournal of Adolescent Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 9, 2024

Do sweeteners increase your appetite? New evidence from randomised controlled trial says no

A new study has found that replacing sugar with artificial and natural sweeteners in foods does not make people hungrier, but may help reduce blood sugar levels. The trial involved 53 adult men and women with overweight or obesity and found no differences in appetite or endocrine responses compared to sugar.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 28, 2024

Milk on ice: Antarctic time capsule of whole milk powder sheds light on the enduring qualities—and evolution—of dairy products past and present

A new study compares ancient and modern whole milk powders, revealing surprisingly similar compositions despite advancements in dairy production. The analysis of a 100-year-old Antarctic sample shows that key nutrients and protein structures remain largely unchanged.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Dairy Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2024

An avocado a day may improve overall diet quality, researchers report

A team led by Kristina Petersen and Penny Kris-Etherton found that eating avocados daily significantly increased participants' adherence to dietary guidelines. The study suggested that using avocados as a substitute for refined grains and sodium may play a role in achieving improved diet quality.

SourcePenn State·JournalCurrent Developments in Nutrition·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 22, 2024

Study: How home food availability affects young children’s nutrient intake

A new study from the University of Illinois found that changes in home food availability between 2 to 4 years old are associated with changes in nutrient intake. The researchers used the Home Food Inventory (HFI) to measure food availability and found significant changes in several food categories over time.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalPublic Health Nutrition·TypeObservational study·DateMar 14, 2024

Analysis reveals long-term impact of calcium and vitamin D supplements on health in postmenopausal women

A 20-year analysis found that calcium and vitamin D supplements reduced cancer mortality by 7%, but increased cardiovascular disease mortality by 6% in postmenopausal women. The study suggested that cancer incidence depends on pre-supplementation status, while CVD mortality is higher among supplement users.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateMar 11, 2024

Unhealthy food environments may play a role in increasing rates of childhood obesity in low- and middle-income countries

A study published in Public Health Nutrition found that unhealthy food retailers and advertisements dominate urban school neighborhoods in Greater Tunis, contributing to high rates of childhood obesity. The researchers analyzed over 3600 retailers and nearly 2100 advertisements, revealing that two-thirds were classified as unhealthy, w...

SourceArnold School of Public Health·JournalPublic Health Nutrition·DateMar 5, 2024