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Study reveals metabolic benefits of reducing ultra-processed foods in older adults

A controlled feeding study out of South Dakota State University shows that older adults who ate fewer ultra-processed foods naturally consumed fewer calories, lost weight and abdominal fat, and showed improvements in insulin, nutrient-sensing hormones, and inflammation.

24 Nov 2025

New approach revives DNA from historic medical tissues

Research institutions around the world house valuable genetic information that could help unlock countless medical mysteries. However, because DNA degrades over time, it is difficult for researchers to analyze DNA samples older than 20 years using conventional analytical approaches.

13 Nov 2025

Study finds high intake of ultra-processed foods tied to reduced DNA methylation

Women who consumed more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) showed distinct DNA methylation patterns, mostly reduced across key gene regions. These exploratory findings suggest that high UPF intake may influence gene regulation through epigenetic mechanisms.

4 Nov 2025

Common food additives may trigger childhood asthma

Researchers utilize metabolomics to investigate the mechanisms underlying the association between food additives and childhood asthma.

6 Oct 2025

New study suggests a connection between soft drinks and depression via the microbiome

A new study involving the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) provides strong evidence that sugary drinks affect not only metabolic but also mental health – especially in women. This effect is probably mediated by the sensitive microbiome of the intestine.

25 Sep 2025

AI-guided platform improves design and efficiency of therapeutic nanoparticles

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have developed a platform that combines automated wet lab techniques with artificial intelligence (AI) to design nanoparticles for drug delivery.

24 Sep 2025

Consumption of ultra-processed foods may exacerbate disease activity in early multiple sclerosis

Higher intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) may exacerbate disease activity in early multiple sclerosis (MS), according to new research presented at the 41st Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS 2025).

24 Sep 2025

How food choices and cooking methods drive brain inflammation and disease

Researchers reviewing evidence in NeuroSci show how dietary AGEs and their interaction with RAGE drive oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. They highlight how cooking methods and diet choices could lower AGE burden and protect brain health, while calling for rigorous clinical trials.

24 Sep 2025

Edible packaging offers a biodegradable alternative to plastic waste

Innovative edible packaging from food byproducts presents a sustainable alternative to plastics, enhancing food preservation and reducing environmental impact.

16 Sep 2025

How ‘free from’ and ‘organic’ claims dominate baby food marketing in NZ

A New Zealand study found that all commercial toddler and infant foods carried multiple on-pack claims, often including misleading health, nutrition, or composition messages. Researchers call for tighter regulations to protect caregivers from deceptive marketing.

27 Aug 2025

Weight loss doubles when eating minimally processed foods over ultra-processed alternatives

When given nutritionally matched diets, participants lost twice as much weight eating minimally processed foods compared to ultra-processed foods, suggesting that cutting down on processing could help to sustain a healthy weight long term, finds a new clinical trial led by researchers at UCL and UCLH.

4 Aug 2025

New study connects ultra-processed foods to lung cancer

A higher intake of ultra processed food (UPF) is linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, suggests research published online in the respiratory journal Thorax.

30 Jul 2025

Adding nut extract helps keep pork burgers healthier and safer

Researchers found that adding hazelnut skin green extract to pork burgers significantly reduced harmful lipid oxidation during cooking and digestion. This natural by-product may help extend shelf life and offer a clean-label alternative to synthetic preservatives in meat products.

14 Jul 2025

Study finds no metabolic danger from ultra-processed foods

Research shows ultra-processed foods contribute to poor diet quality without a significant association to metabolic syndrome among European children and adults.

9 Jul 2025

Are food labels failing Australians? Ultra-processed foods spark confusion

Most Australian adults are confused about what ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are and often misidentify them based on packaging cues. The study highlights strong support for better labelling and public education to help consumers make healthier choices.

8 Jul 2025

Global effort enters an active growth phase to preserve the Earth's microbial heritage

A global effort to create a "microbial Noah's Ark" to preserve the world's diverse collection of healthy microbes before they disappear is now entering an active growth phase.

27 Jun 2025

Investigating the role of ultra-processed foods in the inheritance of autism and ADHD

In a recent publication released by PubMed, American scientist Dr. Renee Dufault at the Food Ingredient and Health Research Institute, provides a peer-reviewed protocol for determining the role ultra-processed foods play in prenatal heavy metal exposures and changes in the expression of the zinc dependent MT-1 (metallothionein) gene that impact child neurodevelopment.

27 Jun 2025

Supermarket ads push junk food for toddlers and infants

A study reveals Australian supermarkets' catalogs push junk food for infants, raising concerns about marketing practices and the need for stricter regulations.

17 Jun 2025

Kids notice sugar warnings but still reach for flavored milk

Findings reveal that sugary drink labels lead to minor changes in children's beverage selections, pointing to the necessity for effective labeling strategies.

8 Jun 2025

Can AI solve tomorrow’s global food crisis?

Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize global food systems by enabling faster, more sustainable innovation, from plant-based alternatives to new product development. However, realizing this potential depends on open data, interdisciplinary collaboration, and realistic expectations about AI’s capabilities.

25 May 2025