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Tea, berries and dark chocolate featured in a diet linked to lower Parkinson’s risk

A prospective UK Biobank study of 123,655 adults found that a dietary pattern richer in flavonoid-containing foods was modestly associated with a lower incidence of hospital-recorded Parkinson’s disease. The association was strongest among those with the highest flavonoid diet scores, while exploratory proteomic and transcriptomic analyses pointed to possible neuroimmune and cell-adhesion pathways but did not establish causality or mechanism.

26 Aug 2026

BMJ investigation exposes unhealthy food products at major UK school catering exhibition

As the government prepares to introduce updated school food standards, an investigation by The BMJ finds that more than a third of the firms exhibiting at the UK's biggest school food show sell products high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS).

19 Aug 2026

Cocoa looks promising for mood, but the brain benefits come with a catch

A review of clinical and preclinical studies suggests cocoa polyphenols may support mood, neuroplasticity, cerebral blood flow, and gut-brain signaling through pathways involving BDNF/CREB, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

17 Aug 2026

Swiss flagship project harnesses AI and sensors for diabetes prevention

Type 2 diabetes generates high healthcare costs in Switzerland and causes significant suffering for those affected.

6 Aug 2026

Some caffeinated drinks are linked to poorer memory

A study on caffeine's impact reveals product-specific effects on anxiety, memory, and stress among university students, highlighting mental health implications.

28 Jul 2026

High doses of caffeine from energy drinks cause cardiovascular harm

Previous studies have found that caffeine is the world's most popular stimulant and psychoactive substance, and coffee is the most common way people consume caffeine.

20 Jul 2026

Smelling dark chocolate before training may improve workout performance

Chocolate odors influence resistance exercise performance in fasted men, highlighting the potential of sensory cues to enhance training and appetite control.

13 Jul 2026

Sniffing chocolate scent boosts leg workout performance without extra effort

When was the last time you went to the gym and found working out a bit harder than expected? Leg day in particular can be tough, but a new Frontiers in Physiology study found a promising trick that might make it easier: sniffing chocolate.

9 Jul 2026

Sniffing chocolate could make your leg day workout easier, even on an empty stomach

3 Jul 2026

Flavonoid-rich foods may blunt breast cancer risk tied to genetics

Higher flavodiet scores were associated with lower breast cancer risk among 93,271 UK Biobank females followed for a median of 11.8 years. The inverse association was particularly evident in women with high genetic risk, but the observational study cannot prove causation.

1 Jul 2026

Impact of climate change on pollen levels is already being felt - Nutritionist shares simple kitchen remedies to ease symptoms

Hay fever sufferers across the UK are facing longer and more intense allergy seasons, as new research reveals the impact of climate change on pollen levels is already being felt.

26 Jun 2026

Sugary drinks from childhood linked to adult hypertension risk

Drinking fruit juice and sugar-sweetened beverages from childhood through adulthood may be linked to an increased risk of developing high blood pressure as an adult, according to new research published today in the American Heart Association's flagship journal Circulation.

22 Jun 2026

Study shows branding on cannabis products appeals to youth

Unlike cigarettes or alcohol, cannabis products often come packaged as colorful gummies, chocolates, candies and snacks that can look remarkably similar to items found in a grocery store aisle.

16 Jun 2026

Tobacco giants helped push ultra-processed foods into global markets

New research reveals how major tobacco companies used cigarette-era business tactics to expand packaged food empires, raising fresh questions about the global spread of ultra-processed and hyper-palatable foods.

4 Jun 2026

Blood carotenoids offer the clearest signal of fruit and vegetable eating habits

The review finds that several candidate biomarkers may help estimate fruit and vegetable intake more objectively than self-reported dietary tools, but most remain limited by specificity, sampling burden, supplement use, or incomplete validation. Blood and skin carotenoids appear strongest for habitual intake, while vitamin C, folate, urinary flavonoids, hippuric acid, and potassium may be more useful for short-term intake or intervention adherence.

24 May 2026

Drinking coffee alters your microbiome, mood, and memory

Coffee consumption influences the microbiota-gut-brain axis, affecting cognitive performance and emotional regulation through complex biological pathways.

24 Apr 2026

“Natural” and “healthy” labels may confuse shoppers more than help

Study reveals that front-of-pack labels alone can't ensure healthy choices, as perceptions of naturalness and processing shape consumer behavior.

15 Apr 2026

Rural Nebraska dialysis unit closes despite the state’s $219M in rural health funding

The sun was just warming the horizon as Mark Pieper left his house near his cattle ranch on a crisp February morning.

15 Apr 2026

Sugar intake may reduce effectiveness of relaxation exercises

How does sugar affect relaxation exercises? A new study carried out by researchers from the University of Konstanz provides revealing insights into the connection between blood glucose and the autonomic nervous system: The intake of sugar counteracts relaxation.

7 Apr 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