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Study links ultra-processed foods to poorer dietary quality

A higher proportion of ultra-processed food in the diet is generally associated with poorer dietary quality and, among adults, a somewhat higher prevalence of overweight and obesity.

2 Nov 2026

Discarded fruit and vegetable parts offer overlooked fiber benefits

Most of us routinely discard the peels, skins, stalks, and seeds of fruits and vegetables at mealtime. But new research from King's College London suggests these scraps could be a valuable – and overlooked – source of dietary fiber, offering potential benefits for both public health and the environment.

29 Oct 2026

Children's brain reward responses may explain ultra-processed food-related weight gain

Children who eat more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) show stronger responses in the brain's reward network when viewing images of appetizing foods-and these brain responses are linked to increases in body fat one year later.

23 Oct 2026

Nearly three in four popular comfort foods have something in common, researchers find

A US study examining 300 distinct comfort foods identified chips, ice cream, pizza, chocolate, and cookies as the most frequently nominated choices among adults. Researchers found that nearly three-quarters of the foods met hyperpalatability criteria, while approximately 43% were entirely ultra-processed under a strict classification, with relatively small nutritional differences across demographic groups.

22 Oct 2026

Eating four to six wholegrain servings daily protects heart health

Eating four to six servings of wholegrain each day reduces several major risk factors for cardiovascular disease, according to a new study published in the European Heart Journal today (Wednesday).

16 Sep 2026

A study of more than 21,000 adults found an unusual link between psilocybin and diet

Using data from more than 21,800 adults in two UK birth cohorts, researchers found that lifetime psilocybin and LSD use was associated with stronger pro-environmental attitudes and a greater likelihood of following a vegetarian diet, with psilocybin showing the clearer dietary pattern. Mediation analyses suggested that environmental attitudes statistically accounted for the psilocybin-vegetarianism association and part of the association with lower red meat consumption, but the observational design cannot establish causation.

15 Sep 2026

Kissing bug hitchhikes 5,000 miles from America to Portugal

On an August morning last year, an American couple soon to embark on a European river cruise awoke in a luxury hotel in Lisbon.

9 Sep 2026

What four pregnancy eating patterns revealed about mothers and newborns

Researchers analyzing 1,404 pregnant women in Germany identified four distinct dietary patterns that differed substantially in maternal BMI, socioeconomic status, age, and gestational weight gain. A vegetable-rich pattern was also associated with selected neonatal measures, including greater birth length, but most newborn associations were modest or nonsignificant, and the observational study cannot establish causality.

6 Sep 2026

A Mediterranean ingredient gave gluten-free pasta an unexpected upgrade

Researchers developed carob-enriched gluten-free tagliatelle that increased dietary fiber and antioxidant activity while reducing starch digestibility and improving pasta structure. A 20% carob substitution provided the best overall balance of functional properties, texture, and consumer acceptance, although clinical health benefits remain to be established.

17 Aug 2026

Carbohydrate foods needing clearer nutrition guidance

Research identifies misalignments in perceptions of carbohydrate food healthfulness, suggesting priorities for nutrition education and public health messaging.

30 Jul 2026

Nutritional quality matters more than processing level for long-term health

What makes a diet healthy-or not? According to a new study, nutritional quality matters more than processing level when it comes to long-term health.

28 Jul 2026

This edible flower could do more than brighten a plate

A review of 76 publications finds that pot marigold contains more than 500 reported secondary metabolites, along with natural pigments, antioxidants, and substantial dietary fiber. Early food studies report promising results in yogurt, bread, pasta, and edible oils, but limited product trials and no clinical evidence currently prevent human health claims.

28 Jul 2026

FDA-issued sodium targets appear to have minimal impact

In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Phase I voluntary sodium reduction targets to encourage manufacturers to lower the amount of sodium in packaged food products by 2024.

25 Jul 2026

New genome editing tool unlocks fungi's hidden drug-producing potential

Researchers have spent decades-and billions of dollars-sequencing animal and crop genomes, but fungi have historically been the forgotten middle child of genomics, only noticed when they're ruining bread or colonizing toes.

2 Jul 2026

Tiny cellular structure found crucial for brain development processes

A largely overlooked structure inside our cells may play a crucial role in how the brain forms, offering new insight into developmental disorders and potential therapies.

8 May 2026

Celiac disease weakens gut microbes that digest fiber

Findings suggest that impaired fiber metabolism in celiac disease is due to microbial deficits, not just diet, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

2 Apr 2026

How swapping unhealthy foods can significantly reduce your heart risk

More than half of adults and about 60% of children in the U.S. have unhealthy diets, which can contribute to higher rates of health factors such as high blood pressure and obesity, and lead directly to poor health outcomes including deaths from cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions, according to the American Heart Association.

31 Mar 2026

UPFs before conception may shape fertility and embryo growth

Findings show ultraprocessed food consumption before conception influences fertility and embryonic development, urging further research in this area.

26 Mar 2026

Dragon fruit peel extract enhances bread nutrition and reduces food waste

A research team led by Professor ZHOU Weibiao from the Department of Food Science and Technology at the NUS Faculty of Science has shown that compounds extracted from red dragon fruit peel can be incorporated into bread to increase antioxidant activity and slow starch digestion, offering a potential pathway to healthier staple foods and reduced food waste.

17 Mar 2026

Yogurt, cheese, and chocolate consumption is tied to reduced mortality risk, researchers report

A large meta-analysis of 50 cohort studies involving over three million adults found that higher consumption of certain fermented foods is associated with lower risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Fermented milk products also showed inverse associations with cancer mortality, while other foods like miso and bread showed no consistent effects.

17 Mar 2026