Diet News and Research

Latest Diet News and Research

Fast food’s grip on American diets weakens as younger adults cut back

About one-third of U.S. adults consumed fast food on a given day between 2021 and 2023, with an average of 11.7% of daily calories coming from it. Intake has declined from 14.1% in 2013–14, driven mainly by reduced consumption among younger adults.

11 Sep 2025

Scientists uncover brain circuit that turns cravings into eating behavior

Researchers found that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis integrates pleasure signals from central amygdala prodynorphin neurons and hunger signals from agouti-related peptide neurons to drive consumption. Manipulating this bed nucleus of the stria terminalis circuit bidirectionally altered food intake and body weight in mice.

11 Sep 2025

Genes play an active role in shaping the gut bacteria, study finds

New research from the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre has found that genes play an active role in shaping the bacteria found in our gut, questioning the idea that gut health is influenced only by diet.

10 Sep 2025

Green tea extract reduces weight and improves glucose control in obese mice

Green tea is an ancient beverage recognized for its medicinal and antioxidant properties. It has been widely studied for its beneficial effects on metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

10 Sep 2025

Early parent-focused programs fail to reduce childhood obesity by age two

Existing approaches to parent-focused behavioral programs delivered up to 12 months of age which aim to combat childhood obesity are insufficient to improve body mass index (BMI) at approximately two years of age, according to the largest study to date on the topic published in The Lancet.

10 Sep 2025

Mediterranean-style diet benefits maternal health during pregnancy and breastfeeding

A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fiber, vegetable proteins and healthy fats, benefits maternal health during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

10 Sep 2025

Specific microbial changes linked to poor growth in children

Malnutrition is responsible for more than half of all deaths in children under the age of five worldwide.

10 Sep 2025

Precision nutrition offers new pathways to slow biological aging

Diet doesn't just fuel the body, it sends molecular signals that can slow down or speed up biological aging, according to a new perspective in npj Aging (Nature Portfolio).

10 Sep 2025

Healthier diets and diverse oral microbiomes lower frailty risk

This study links diet and oral microbiome diversity to frailty risk, emphasizing their potential in strategies for healthier aging and improved health outcomes.

10 Sep 2025

Study uncovers new associations between gut microbiome and aging process

A new research paper was published in Volume 17, Issue 8 of Aging-US on August 1, 2025, titled "Causal relationships between gut microbiome and hundreds of age-related traits: evidence of a replicable effect on ApoM protein levels."

10 Sep 2025

Kids with fluctuating gut microbiome show poorer growth

Malnutrition is a leading cause of death in children under age 5, and nearly 150 million children globally under this age have stunted growth from lack of nutrition.

9 Sep 2025

Healthy diet found to reduce chronic pain beyond weight loss

We all know the benefits of a healthy diet. But new research from the University of South Australia shows that eating nutritious food is about far more than ticking off the five food groups – it can also significantly reduce chronic pain.

9 Sep 2025

Why pregnant women struggle to follow healthy diets despite knowing what to eat

A UK study found that women trying to conceive, pregnant, or new mothers face major barriers to eating healthily, from fatigue and nausea to high food costs and generic advice. Support from family, personalized dietetic guidance, and co-created resources were highlighted as key facilitators.

9 Sep 2025

Ketogenic diet shows promise in reducing depression symptoms in college students

A new study shows an association between at least 10 weeks of following a well-formulated ketogenic diet and a roughly 70% decrease in depression symptoms among a small group of college students.

9 Sep 2025

Experts review the evidence on coenzyme Q10 and cognitive decline

Researchers reviewed evidence on coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and cognition, finding strong biological support and positive results in animal models but mixed outcomes in human trials. Larger, high-quality studies are needed to clarify whether CoQ10 can protect against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.

9 Sep 2025

Planetary health diet links to longer life and lower emissions

Greater adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was linked to lower all-cause, cancer, and respiratory mortality across large US and UK cohorts, supported by a meta-analysis of 37 studies. Diets higher in PHD foods also had smaller greenhouse gas footprints, reinforcing health and environmental benefits.

9 Sep 2025