Nutrition News and Research

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Blue states that sued kept most CDC grants, while red states feel brunt of Trump clawbacks

The Trump administration's cuts to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding for state and local health departments had vastly uneven effects depending on the political leanings of a state, according to a KFF Health News analysis.

26 Aug 2025

Genetics and diet work together to shape daily rhythms of fat metabolism

Our bodies follow a natural 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm that influences everything from sleep to metabolism.

25 Aug 2025

Mediterranean diet with lifestyle changes lowers diabetes risk by 31%

A Mediterranean-style diet, in combination with reduced caloric intake, moderate physical activity, and professional support for weight loss, may cut the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by 31%, according to a new study co-authored by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

25 Aug 2025

Can diet alone slow brain aging? Scientists say evidence is still too weak

Researchers reviewing evidence in the Annual Review of Nutrition find that healthy dietary patterns may support brain aging, but caution that scientific enthusiasm currently outpaces solid proof. Multidomain strategies combining diet with exercise, cognitive training, and vascular health show greater promise.

25 Aug 2025

Autism study shows vitamin D and iron deficiencies affect up to 40% of children

Researchers in Singapore found that 30–40% of children with autism spectrum disorder have vitamin D or iron deficiencies, regardless of eating habits. Age and ethnicity increased vitamin D risk, while picky eating was not a reliable predictor.

25 Aug 2025

Food choices may depend more on blood sugar than body weight

Maybe you shouldn't always listen to your gut. Researchers at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC recently studied flavor-nutrient learning - how people come to prefer certain food based on how it makes them feel.

25 Aug 2025

As measles exploded, officials in Texas looked to CDC scientists. Under Trump, no one answered.

As measles surged in Texas early this year, the Trump administration's actions sowed fear and confusion among CDC scientists that kept them from performing the agency's most critical function — emergency response — when it mattered most, an investigation from KFF Health News shows.

25 Aug 2025

The challenges of shift work on diet, sleep, and well-being

Healthcare shift workers face dietary and sleep challenges, leading to burnout and health issues. Effective interventions are crucial for their well-being.

25 Aug 2025

Sugary drinks increase hair loss risk, scientists warn

A systematic review of 17 studies involving 61,332 participants reveals that vitamin D, iron, and certain foods and supplements play critical roles in hair health. Conversely, sugary drinks, alcohol, and excess vitamin A may worsen hair loss and hair quality.

25 Aug 2025

Most Americans drink less juice than guidelines allow, study finds

A new study of NHANES 2017–2023 data shows that most Americans drink far less 100% fruit juice than the Dietary Guidelines allow. Juice consumption was linked to better diet quality, higher nutrient intake, and did not displace whole fruit.

24 Aug 2025

New 3D bioprinting method can customize protein-based emulsion gels for dysphagia diets

In rapidly aging societies like Japan, the simple act of swallowing meals can be challenging for many. This condition, known as dysphagia, affects millions of people worldwide and can significantly deteriorate a person's quality of life.

22 Aug 2025

Study finds no increased risk of death associated with higher intake of animal protein

Eating animal-sourced protein foods is not linked to a higher risk of death and may even offer protective benefits against cancer-related mortality, new research finds.

22 Aug 2025

Yogurt intake and hot spring bathing together improve gut health

Researchers at Kyushu University have demonstrated that yogurt intake increases the diversity of gut microbiota and alters its composition.

22 Aug 2025

Hypothalamic neurons help maintain blood sugar during daily activities

The brain controls the release of glucose in a wide range of stressful circumstances, including fasting and low blood sugar levels.

21 Aug 2025

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Happy 60th, Medicare and Medicaid!

On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed landmark legislation creating Medicare and Medicaid. Sixty years later, the programs represent a fifth of the federal budget and provide coverage to nearly 1 in 4 Americans.

21 Aug 2025

Can AI help you eat healthier?

Researchers developed and validated an AI-based nutrition recommendation system (AINR) that generates weekly Mediterranean meal plans tailored to individual needs and dietary restrictions. Tested on 4,000 simulated users, the system achieved high accuracy in calorie and nutrient targets but struggled with profiles involving milk and nut allergies.

21 Aug 2025

Less education associated with faster aging and health inequality

A new study by USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology researchers shows that Americans with less education are aging faster than their peers with more schooling, and the gap has grown over the last 30 years.

21 Aug 2025

Nutrition professionals in Spain and Portugal support plant-based dairy alternatives

The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) has released the final research reports of its survey exploring how nutrition professionals in Spain and Portugal view plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs) such as soy, oat, almond, rice, and coconut-based drinks and yoghurts.

21 Aug 2025

Scientists rank the healthiest grains using new nutrition scores

Two new scoring systems reveal that Americans who eat more nutrient-dense grains, whether whole or fortified, have better diets, lower obesity rates, and improved metabolic health. The cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data shows that these “healthy grains” are also affordable and widely available.

20 Aug 2025

How dietary formaldehyde links to worsening diabetes and memory loss

A new review reveals how everyday foods and hidden exposures to formaldehyde may fuel insulin resistance and chip away at memory, but also points to dietary patterns and emerging therapies that could help reduce the risk.

20 Aug 2025