Diet & Nutrition News and Research

Latest Diet & Nutrition News and Research

Synthetic food dyes still common in US packaged foods

As many as 19% of packaged foods and beverages contain synthetic food dyes, according to new research evaluating the content of 39,763 US grocery store products. The findings were published today in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

27 Jun 2025

Study explores how a familiar spice tackles the toughest cancer cells

Researchers found that clinically achievable doses of curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, target and suppress colorectal cancer stem-like cells, especially in early adenomas. Curcumin shifts these cells toward differentiation, delays tumor growth in mice, and may offer a safe preventive strategy.

27 Jun 2025

Do spicy foods help or hurt your gut health?

Capsaicin, the spicy compound in chili peppers, not only influences inflammation, metabolism, and cancer risk but also shapes the gut microbiome in complex, context-dependent ways. This comprehensive review highlights both the therapeutic promise and potential risks of capsaicin, calling for deeper research into its microbiome-mediated effects.

26 Jun 2025

Eating more leafy vegetables may reduce atherosclerotic vascular disease risk

A cup and a half of leafy green vegetables could go a long way to addressing atherosclerotic vascular diseases (ASVD's), new research from Edith Cowan University (ECU), the University of Western Australia and the Danish Cancer Institute has found.

26 Jun 2025

Tummy tuck patients continue losing weight years after surgery

Most patients undergoing "tummy tuck" surgery (abdominoplasty) to remove excess skin and tissue after weight loss continue to lose weight in the months and years after surgery, suggests a follow-up study in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

26 Jun 2025

Poor diet quality weakens resilience and mental health in food insecure populations

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 13.5% of American households experienced food insecurity at some time during 2023. That means 18 million families didn't have enough to meet their needs and often didn't know where the next meal would come from.

26 Jun 2025

Study shows polar winter challenges men’s muscle mass but not hormone levels

Researchers tracked testosterone, cortisol, and body composition in 23 men overwintering at Concordia Station, Antarctica. Despite extreme polar conditions, hormone levels remained stable, though nearly half the crew experienced significant muscle loss.

26 Jun 2025

Do omega-3 supplements boost athletic performance?

Combining omega-3 supplementation with resistance training significantly improved lipid profiles, inflammation markers, antioxidant capacity, and neuromuscular performance in healthy men. While group × time effects weren’t significant, within-group gains suggest real physiological benefits.

25 Jun 2025

New insights into the role of diet and microbiome in gastric cancer

Gastric cancer (GC), once primarily seen in older adults, is on the rise among younger individuals in developed countries.

25 Jun 2025

$Men face silent threat of weak bones and fractures$

Men face silent threat of weak bones and fractures

Weak bones can have deadly consequences. Women often get bone density tests to screen for osteoporosis, yet many men don't even realize they are at risk until they suffer a major fracture.

25 Jun 2025

Omega-3 fatty acids linked to increased inflammation markers

Omega-3 fatty acids, popularly believed to reduce inflammation in the body, appear to increase certain inflammatory markers, researchers have found.

25 Jun 2025

Plant-based diets may help prevent erectile dysfunction

A narrative review in The Journal of Nutrition suggests that whole-food plant diets may help prevent or improve erectile dysfunction (ED) by supporting vascular health and reducing risk factors such as LDL cholesterol and inflammation. However, most evidence is observational, and more clinical trials are needed.

25 Jun 2025

Is aspartame safe for blood sugar? Study answers the big question

A major systematic review and meta-analysis found that aspartame has little to no effect on blood glucose, insulin, or appetite-regulating hormones in humans. Evidence certainty is very low, with no significant long-term metabolic impact identified.

25 Jun 2025

Louisiana and Texas test new laws to shield teens from junk food ads on social media

Researchers are studying how new laws in Louisiana and Texas that restrict adolescent social media use and targeted food advertising impact teens’ exposure to junk food marketing. The protocol uses real-time screen recording and surveys to measure the effects on health equity.

24 Jun 2025

Unhealthy teen diets reshape the brain and drive lifelong eating habits, study finds

Adolescent diets high in fat and sugar disrupt the development of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, impacting cognition, memory, and impulse control. These brain changes can promote unhealthy eating behaviors and obesity risk that persist into adulthood.

24 Jun 2025

Caloric restriction may help delay decline in reproductive function associated with aging

A new research paper was published in Aging (Aging-US) Volume 17, Issue 5, on May 20, 2025, titled "Short-term moderate caloric restriction in the rhesus macaque attenuates markers of ovarian aging in select populations."

24 Jun 2025

Stress-activated gene damages insulin-producing cells in type 2 diabetes

Stress does no one - not even your insulin-producing cells - any good.

24 Jun 2025

Excess trace metal levels may trigger gestational diabetes

Excess micronutrients in early pregnancy may raise gestational diabetes risks. Study links essential metal levels to GDM onset, urging a rethink on supplements.

24 Jun 2025

Experimental drug promotes weight loss by heating fat instead of suppressing appetite

An article published in the journal Nature Metabolism presents an experimental drug that stimulates adipose tissue cells to produce heat through a process known as thermogenesis, thereby promoting weight loss.

24 Jun 2025

Mediterranean diet boosts sperm health while ultra-processed foods lower fertility, study finds

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is linked to improved sperm parameters in men, while high intake of ultra-processed foods is associated with poorer semen quality. These associations are strongest in men with normal FSH levels, suggesting dietary patterns may influence male fertility.

23 Jun 2025