Junk Food News and Research

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New insights show why dopamine detox trend is overly simplistic

Dopamine is the brain's motivational spark, driving us to chase what feels good, say scrolling another reel on social media, and steer clear of what doesn't, like touching a hot stove.

22 Apr 2025

Discovery provides crucial molecular targets for future obesity treatments

The pleasure we get from eating junk food - the dopamine rush from crunching down on salty, greasy French fries and a luscious burger - is often blamed as the cause of overeating and rising obesity rates in our society.

26 Mar 2025

How the FDA lets chemicals pour into America’s food supply

Joseph Shea, who sells athletic wear in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, wonders and worries about the food he eats.

10 Mar 2025

Putting away phones during meals cuts junk food intake among teens

Adolescents distracted by phones or social media during meals consume significantly more ultra-processed foods and have lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Promoting mindful eating may help adolescents improve diet quality and overall health.

6 Mar 2025

Obesity rates among children and adolescents predicted to soar by 2050

Obesity rates are set to skyrocket, with one in six children and adolescents worldwide forecast to be obese by 2050, according to a new study.

3 Mar 2025

Junk food turns public villain as power shifts in Washington

The new Trump administration could be coming for your snacks. For years, the federal government has steered clear of regulating junk food, fast food, and ultra-processed food.

17 Jan 2025

Ultra-processed foods dominate American home diets

A new analysis led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that more than half of calories consumed at home by adults in the U.S. come from ultraprocessed foods.

11 Dec 2024

Obesity crisis in the U.S. expected to worsen by 2050

Over the past three decades, there has been a startling increase in the prevalence of obesity across the USA, at least doubling in adult men and women (aged 25 and older) and older female and male adolescents (aged 15-24 years) since 1990, with the number of people living with overweight and obesity reaching over 208 million in 2021 - a trend set to continue in the coming decades without significant reform, according to a major new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study Collaborator Network, published in The Lancet.

15 Nov 2024

Social media normalizes unhealthy food choices, shaping youth habits and brand loyalty

Social media posts from food and beverage brands targeting youth reached billions, with fast food and sugary drinks dominating impressions and engagement.

3 Nov 2024

Children’s screen time linked to poorer diet adherence in new study

Study explored how media usage among children affects their adherence to the Mediterranean diet, finding that increased screen time, particularly watching videos and playing games, is linked to poorer eating habits.

20 Oct 2024

Everyday products ranked for health impact: Which ones are harming you and which are making you healthier?

The Building H Index 2024 rates 75+ non-healthcare products on their impact on human health, identifying how daily-use items influence eating, sleep, physical activity, social interaction, and outdoor behaviors. The report pushes for company accountability in improving health outcomes through small product modifications.

16 Oct 2024

Routine lipoprotein(a) testing recommended for all adults

Heart experts say that everyone should have their levels of lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a) measured routinely at least once in life, following research from one of the most populous EU countries, Poland, that shows how common high levels of Lp(a) are in the general population.

29 Aug 2024

Research finds link between fatty foods and anxiety

When stressed out, many of us turn to junk food for solace. But new University of Colorado Boulder research suggests this strategy may backfire.

17 Jun 2024

Food marketing on Twitch influences adolescent food preferences and purchases

Food and drink advertisements on videogame livestreaming platforms (VGLSPs) like Twitch are associated with more positive attitudes towards, and purchases and intake of, unhealthy foods that are high in fat, salt and/or sugar (HFSS) like energy drinks among adolescents aged 18 or younger, according to new research being presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Venice, Italy (12-15 May).

13 May 2024

Case study: Cannabis might dampen the pain, but amplify the psychosis!

Case study details a 27-year-old woman with schizoaffective disorder and fibromyalgia who used high-potency cannabis to alleviate pain but experienced adverse psychiatric effects. A month-long diet lowering free glutamate improved her pain, mental health, and allowed her to quit cannabis, highlighting the risks of cannabis self-medication for pain management.

7 May 2024