Vegetables News and Research

RSS

New project documents vanishing heritage diets for future health benefits

The world's 'heritage' diets could hold vital clues to better health. Writing in Nature Medicine, researchers from 12 countries have launched the World Diet Initiative, a global effort to document and study these diets before this knowledge is lost.

15 Jul 2026

Fear of new foods may affect more than dietary variety

Higher food neophobia was associated with poorer self-reported physical and mental health among 4,537 adults in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The relationship remained after accounting for age, gender, education, and country, although the cross-sectional study could not establish causation.

14 Jul 2026

Tufts study shows global intake of healthy plant-based foods remains low among youth

Healthy plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, and legumes are the foundation of a healthy diet for anyone, no matter how old they are.

9 Jul 2026

Gut microbiome changes can signal future type 2 diabetes risk

The presence of certain bacteria in the gut microbiota, and fluctuations in a person's metabolism, can be seen in people who go on to develop type 2 diabetes years later.

7 Jul 2026

Breaking up long periods of sitting is linked to lower cancer risk

The study highlights that how sedentary time is accumulated affects cancer risk, with prolonged sitting linked to higher risk and activity offering protection.

7 Jul 2026

Meat and dairy cuts may improve health without raising food costs

A Scottish microsimulation study found that reducing meat and dairy intake, especially red meat among high consumers, could improve modeled health and environmental outcomes without increasing diet costs. However, some nutrient intakes, particularly calcium and iodine, declined, highlighting the need for carefully planned substitutions and fortified alternatives.

6 Jul 2026

Modest changes to diet could deliver environmental and health benefits

Modest changes to meat and dairy consumption could help Scotland meet climate goals while improving health and nutrition, research shows.

3 Jul 2026

Dutch study shows why plant-based eating can miss key nutrients

A Dutch dietary modeling study found that replacing major animal-based protein sources with plant-based substitutes reduced protein, EAA, vitamin, and mineral intake across age groups. Older adults, adolescents, children, and women were especially vulnerable to shortfalls, highlighting the need for planned substitutions, fortified foods, and age-specific dietary guidance.

3 Jul 2026

Plant-based diets offer heart benefits but may require supplements

A study reveals unsupplemented vegan diets in Northeast China lead to micronutrient deficiencies, despite benefits for body composition and cholesterol levels.

2 Jul 2026

Fiber blend relieves constipation and improves stool consistency

A recent study found that a combination of dietary fibers effectively alleviated chronic constipation, enhancing bowel function and stool quality in adults.

30 Jun 2026

Children and adults who eat more live microbe-rich foods have healthier diets

French children and adults widely consumed foods likely to contain live microbes, mainly yogurt, unpasteurised cheese, fruits, and vegetables. Higher intake was associated with more nutrient-rich diets and better diet quality scores, but the cross-sectional study cannot prove health benefits.

29 Jun 2026

Plant-based Mediterranean-style diet cuts heart disease risk by 26%

A 20-year study links plant-based Mediterranean diets to lower heart disease risk, highlighting the importance of sustainable eating for cardiovascular health.

24 Jun 2026

Sugary chewing gum may temporarily enhance beetroot's blood pressure benefits

For the first time, researchers at King's College London have discovered a link between chewing sugary gum after consuming vegetables high in nitrate, such as beetroot, spinach and kale, on lowering blood pressure.

18 Jun 2026

Study links menopause and hormone therapy status to modifiable health behaviors

Menopause is associated with a number of adverse health effects, some of which can be mitigated by an array of modifiable health behaviors (MHBs), including diet, exercise, and sleep duration.

18 Jun 2026

Onion-loving gene linked to lower diabetes and blood pressure risk

Imagine if a doctor could look at your DNA and predict not just your disease risk, but also which foods you're drawn to – and whether those cravings are quietly protecting you.

17 Jun 2026

Online grocery shopping improves healthy food access for SNAP families

A high cost of fresh fruits and vegetables and the need to restock them frequently can be barriers to healthy eating for low-income families.

17 Jun 2026

Trial finds prunes do not outperform calcium and vitamin D for male bone density

A one-year randomized trial found that daily prune supplementation did not improve total or lumbar spine bone mineral density in older men susceptible to, or with, osteopenia. Although some bone turnover biomarkers differed between prune and control groups, these changes did not translate into measurable bone density benefits beyond calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation.

11 Jun 2026