Research on diet and how food affects the body. Covers the microbiome, meal timing, cardiovascular risk, and nutrition in illness.
A new study published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health found that eating well is associated with better mental wellbeing in children. Children who consumed five or more portions of fruit and veg a day had the highest scores for mental wellbeing.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened food insecurity, particularly among families with children, with nearly 18% of households reporting low or very low food security. NYU researchers are developing a technological solution to reduce food insecurity and waste, including a mobile app called Food2Share.
A recent study published in Nature found that a high-fat diet or genetic obesity can deplete hair follicle stem cells, leading to hair thinning and loss. The researchers discovered that inflammation signals block hair follicle regeneration, ultimately resulting in loss of hair follicles.
A Cleveland Clinic-led research team found that statistically overweight children who followed a healthy eating pattern significantly improved weight and reduced various cardiovascular disease risks. The study also showed improvements in blood pressure, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels.
A new study suggests that failing to meet sleep recommendations can lead to higher intake of non-meal calories, including carbohydrates, added sugar, fats, and caffeine. Adults who don't get enough sleep tend to make poorer snacking choices, such as reaching for salty snacks and sweets.
A systematic review of 80 health industry studies found that pressuring children to eat negatively influences fussy eating, while a more relaxed parenting style and family meals reduce the likelihood. Researchers recommend positive parenting and involving kids in meal preparation to help them overcome picky eating habits.
A study by the University of the Basque Country analyzed the nutritional profile and level of processing of food products sold in vending machines. The results show that 48.6% of the products were classified as low-quality, while 73.8% were ultra-processed.
A study by New York University researchers found that infant formula websites predominantly discourage breastfeeding and instead tout the benefits of formula feeding. The analysis of five major formula brands' websites revealed that substantial messaging focused on challenges associated with breastfeeding, such as low milk supply or la...
The energy balance model fails to explain the biological causes of weight gain, whereas the carbohydrate-insulin model identifies excessive consumption of rapidly digestible carbohydrates as a key contributor to obesity. This perspective argues for a shift in focus from calorie restriction to dietary pattern change.
A 12-week study showed that a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet managed by pharmacists can eliminate Type 2 diabetes medications and improve glucose control for over one-third of participants. This approach promotes Type 2 diabetes remission and highlights the potential role of community pharmacists in overall diabetes care.
Top-performing diet and nutrition apps often track dietary intake, anthropometrics, and physical activity but lack behavior change features. A new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that premium versions offered more features than free ones, but these did not significantly impact app ratings or user engagement.
A study of Finnish adults with overweight found that higher sleep-time parasympathetic activity is associated with healthier diets and lower alcohol consumption. Those with a good stress balance reported better diet quality, fibre intake, and self-control.
A new study found that rearranging supermarket layouts to prioritize fruit and vegetables over candy leads to healthier food choices. The research, conducted in partnership with Iceland Foods Ltd, showed a decrease in confectionery sales and an increase in fruit and vegetable sales after the changes were made.
The study found that store-wide confectionery sales decreased and fruit and vegetable sales increased when unhealthy products were removed from checkouts and aisles, resulting in nearly 10,000 extra portions of fruit and vegetables being sold weekly.
A controlled trial found that consuming an avocado daily for 12 weeks reduced visceral abdominal fat and the ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat in female participants. The benefits were primarily seen in females, with no impact on glucose tolerance or male participants.
A new analysis platform developed by Ohio State University scientists combines genetics and phytochemical data to improve the health benefits of apples. The platform has potential to reduce breeding time and enable data-driven assessments of how to boost apple nutrition.
A new NIH grant will fund research on how beneficial microbes in infant gut use nitrogen from human milk to support pediatric nutrition and development. The study aims to understand the interactions between mother's diet, breast milk, and infant needs, as well as the role of probiotics and maternal lifestyle.
A two-year randomized controlled trial found that eating about ½ cup of walnuts daily modestly lowered LDL-cholesterol levels and reduced small LDL particles in healthy, older adults. The study suggests that walnuts can improve cardiovascular health by improving the quality of LDL particles.
A University of California, Davis study found that consuming sucrose and high fructose corn syrup can increase liver fat and decrease insulin sensitivity, highlighting the need for consumers to read labels carefully. The study also found no significant differences between the effects of sucrose and high fructose corn syrup.
A University of Kentucky study found that higher intake of specific nutrients is associated with lower brain iron concentration and better cognitive performance in older adults. The research team evaluated the relationship between nutritional intake, brain iron, and cognitive performance in a group of healthy, older adults.
A recent study suggests that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in mental health, with disruptions in beneficial microorganisms linked to depressive disorders. The researchers propose a multifaceted approach to manage depression through rebalancing and maintaining the gut microbiome using diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes.
Researchers at Osaka University have successfully created a 3D-bioprinted structured Wagyu beef-like meat alternative using stem cells isolated from Wagyu cows. The new technology mimics the complex texture of real Wagyu beef, allowing for customizable fat and muscle components in cultured meat.
A team of scientists led by Assistant Professor Lae-Hyeon Cho identified a single mutation in the gene that codes for cytidine triphosphate synthase (CTPS), an enzyme crucial for early endosperm development. The study showed that overexpressing CTPS in genetically modified rice plants results in a larger endosperm, opening up opportuni...
A novel approach to improve fitness for surgery, known as 'prehabilitation', has been shown to reduce cancer patients' hospital stay by 1.8 days compared to standard care. This study suggests that prehabilitation can benefit patient outcomes and potentially confer a survival advantage.
A University of Michigan study found that substituting 10% of daily caloric intake from beef and processed meats for fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and select seafood could reduce carbon footprint by one-third and gain 48 minutes of healthy life. The study developed an epidemiology-based nutritional index, the Health Nutritional Ind...
A study of 1800 Japanese citizens aged 65 found that low weight and insufficient exercise are significant risk factors for sarcopenia. Those with possible sarcopenia exhibited higher degrees of frailty despite normal Specific Health Checkup results, highlighting the need for a test to identify sarcopenia early on.
Researchers discovered that Neuropeptide F (NPF) in fruit flies controls sugar and fat metabolism through glucagon-like and insulin-like hormones. The study reveals similarities between insect and mammalian metabolic processes.
A comprehensive analysis of data on nearly two million adults found that high-glycemic foods are neither more nor less likely to lead to weight gain than low-glycemic foods. The study suggests that carbohydrate quality, rather than glycemic index, is a more important factor in determining body weight.
A new study found that ultraprocessed foods have become a major source of calories for children and teens, increasing from 61% to 67% between 1999 and 2018. This shift is concerning due to the negative health effects associated with these foods, such as obesity and diabetes.
A University of Delaware study found that diversifying nutritional strategies is key to improving diets for India's smallholder farmers. The researchers suggest individual-level and community-level approaches, such as growing diverse crops or sharing produce at local markets.
A comprehensive review of keto diets found potential health risks, including increased heart disease risk, cancer risk, and adverse effects on pregnant women and kidney patients. For most people, the possible long-term benefits of a keto diet are outweighed by its potential drawbacks.
Scientists propose integrated strategy combining climate action with policies for development, food access, equity, and environmental sustainability. The Sustainable Development Pathway aims to reconcile decent living with ecological boundaries.
The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior has announced the 2021 Best Article and GEM awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to nutrition education. The winners include Stacy Gleason et al. for their article on breastfeeding duration and Josephine Umoren et al. for their GEM on food pantries integrating nutrition programs.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that consuming millet as part of a daily diet can reduce blood glucose levels by 12-15% and help manage diabetes. The research, which analyzed data from over 1,000 human subjects across 11 countries, also found that millets have a lower glycemic index compared to other grains.
A new study from the University of Sheffield reveals that vitamin D supplements do not reduce the severity of IBS symptoms or improve quality of life. Despite correcting deficiencies in those with poor vitamin D status, high-dose vitamin D supplementation did not alleviate symptoms.
The study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to nutrition support for children in family child care settings, with a focus on rural-urban disparities. Researchers aim to understand the drivers of these inequities and inform policymaking in a post-pandemic world.
The American College of Cardiology has issued clinical guidance on reducing ASCVD risk in patients with persistent hypertriglyceridemia, recommending lifestyle intervention and non-statin therapies. The guidance emphasizes the importance of individualized nutrition guidance for these patients.
A new study from the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition found that women's nutritional intake declined during the COVID-19 pandemic in India. The decline was particularly pronounced among underdeveloped regions, with significant decreases in food expenditures and consumption of micronutrient-rich foods.
Research from the University of Illinois found that children eat more fruits and vegetables with longer seated lunch times. The study suggests that policies requiring at least 20 minutes of seated lunch time can help achieve this goal, particularly for children from low-income families who may not have resources to bring their own lunch.
Ingegerd Johansson, a senior professor at Umeå University Medical School, was awarded the William H. Bowen Research in Dental Caries Award for her pioneering work on nutrition and dental caries. She has published over 300 scientific papers and mentored numerous students.
A new perspective piece highlights the need for a more complex approach to defining carbohydrate quality, considering nutrient intakes, balanced diets, and environmental impact. The authors propose several potential quality indices, including whole-grain, fiber, and protein content, to establish a standardized metric.
A recent study on tsetse flies found that a mother's age and diet influence the health of her offspring. Female tsetse flies produce weaker offspring as they get older or feed on poor-quality blood. The study also revealed that nutritional stress affects female fertility, but not the rate of reproductive ageing.
A new study by researchers at the International Food Policy Research Institute found that women who received free meals in primary school have children with improved linear growth. The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, the largest school feeding program in the world, has been shown to have long-term benefits on nutrition.
Research by Tanja Oosthuyse and colleagues found that protein hydrolysate supplements improved training intensity in women, but not in men, during carbohydrate-restricted exercise. In contrast, the supplements made exercise feel harder for men due to increased breakdown of the supplement.
A study found that over half of university students in the Midwest have tried plant-based meat alternatives, with key motivators including trying new foods and environmental concern. Students who were more environmentally conscious and had a positive attitude towards plant-based options were more likely to try them.
A Duke University research team used metabolomics to compare the nutritional content of plant-based meat alternatives and grass-fed beef, finding large differences despite comparable nutrition facts labels. The study highlights the need for consumers to understand that these products are not nutritionally interchangeable.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious consequences for education, nutrition, and food security in sub-Saharan Africa, with widespread disruptions to healthcare services and increased prices for staple foods. Policymakers must address these indirect risks to mitigate the health impacts of future disease outbreaks.
Research found that eating starchy snacks high in white potato or starches after any meal was associated with a 50% increased risk of mortality. On the other hand, consuming fruits, vegetables, or dairy at specific meals was linked to reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, or any cause. The study analyzed data from ...
A new study suggests that skipping breakfast leads to a nutritional gap, with adults who skip morning meals likely missing out on calcium, vitamin C, and fiber. The research analyzed data from over 30,000 American adults and found that those who skipped breakfast had lower intakes of essential nutrients for the entire day.
A new study found that online shoppers spent more per transaction and purchased more items than in-store shoppers, but reduced spending on certain unhealthy foods like candy and desserts. Researchers suggest this may be due to online marketing strategies being less effective for impulse-sensitive purchases.
The pandemic led to increased consumption of unhealthy snacks, desserts, and sugary drinks. Many Americans worried about food availability and safety, with lower-income households more concerned. Online grocery shopping became a key trend during the pandemic.
A large-scale study analyzing dietary patterns in over 350,000 women found that consuming pro-inflammatory foods increases breast cancer risk, with the strongest associations seen among premenopausal women. The study suggests that adopting an anti-inflammatory diet may help lower this risk.
A new study found that consuming mangos can help lower chronic disease risk by improving fasting glucose levels and reducing inflammation. Researchers also discovered that adding herbs and spices to the diet may help lower blood pressure, while ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric supplements were linked with improved cholesterol benefits.
A study of over 53,000 Korean adolescents found that moderate smartphone use is associated with unhealthy eating behaviors, including a higher intake of junk food and fewer fruits and vegetables. Teens who spent more than 3 hours per day on their phone were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese.
Only 5% of men and 9% of women meet daily fiber recommendations, associated with higher risks of heart disease and diabetes. Higher dietary fiber intake is strongly linked to reduced markers for heart and kidney disease in adults with diabetes.
A six-country study found that plant-based and/or fish diets were associated with lower odds of moderate to severe COVID-19 infection, with 73% and 59% reductions, respectively. These findings suggest a potential protective effect of nutrient-dense foods on immune system function.
A recent study published by the American Society for Nutrition compared the effects of low-fat and plant-centered diets on cardiovascular health. The research found that a plant-centered diet was associated with a lower long-term risk for cardiovascular disease, although both diets were linked with lower LDL levels.
A new study using a computational model found that cutting food waste would provide enough protein and energy to feed the growing population but fall short in terms of micronutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin E. Researchers emphasize the need for attention to essential vitamins and minerals to address global nutritional needs.
Studies show that families report increased concerns about child weight gain during COVID-19, with snacking being a key contributor to nutrient-poor calories. Additionally, young people worldwide face barriers to healthy eating due to various factors.
A new study by the American Society for Nutrition found that people who eat faster or take larger bites tend to consume more food. The researchers suggest that being aware of portion sizes, slowing down while eating, and taking smaller bites can help avoid overconsumption.