Diet News and Research

Latest Diet News and Research

Carotid artery procedures do not improve cognitive performance

Improving blood flow to the brain by opening a narrowed neck artery may not improve patients' cognitive skills, according to a preliminary late-breaking science presentation at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

4 Feb 2026

Metformin linked to lower odds of intermediate macular degeneration in people with diabetes

A five-year image-based study in people with type 2 diabetes found metformin use was associated with lower odds of developing intermediate age-related macular degeneration. The observational findings suggest a potential protective link but do not establish causation and warrant prospective clinical trials.

4 Feb 2026

Mediterranean diet may protect women against all stroke types

Following a Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of all types of stroke among women, according to a study published on February 4, 2026, in Neurology Open Access, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

4 Feb 2026

High intake of ultraprocessed foods increases risk of both all-cause and cancer-specific death

Cancer survivors who consumed higher amounts of ultraprocessed foods as part of their diet had a significantly increased risk of both all-cause and cancer-specific death.

4 Feb 2026

Normal BMI hides nutritional gaps in alcohol use disorder

Researchers compare dietary intake, diet quality, and dietary assessment methods among individuals with alcohol use disorder.

4 Feb 2026

Financial incentives improve glycemic control in low-income diabetes patients

A new study examined whether providing financial vouchers to offset medication costs, conditional on improved blood sugar levels, could enhance glycemic control.

3 Feb 2026

Hopeful climate engagement may reduce mental health distress

Climate worry is associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among Finns of all ages. However, these symptoms are less common among individuals whose climate-related hope is combined with various forms of action, such as volunteering, following a plant‑based diet or avoiding air travel.

2 Feb 2026

Men develop premature heart disease earlier than women

The study uncovers critical insights into sex-based heart disease risks, highlighting young adulthood as key for effective cardiovascular health interventions.

2 Feb 2026

Unprocessed beef does not worsen metabolic health in prediabetes

Short-term unprocessed beef intake shows no adverse effects on glucose regulation or metabolic health compared to poultry in individuals with prediabetes.

2 Feb 2026

Why the carnivore diet’s claimed benefits don’t outweigh its health risks

Researchers determine the nutritional adequacy and health effects of the carnivore diet.

2 Feb 2026

Most Americans would consider swapping classic Super Bowl party fare for plant-based options, poll finds

It is estimated that Americans will consume 1.48 billion chicken wings during the Super Bowl, but a new Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine/Morning Consult poll finds that most Americans, 56%, would consider trying a plant-based alternative such as Baked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites while watching the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks on Feb. 8.

31 Jan 2026

WHO collaborating center established to assess food risks and benefits

WHO has designated the DTU National Food Institute to host a new collaborating center, named "WHO Collaborating center for Risks and Benefits of Foods and Diets".

30 Jan 2026

Gut microbiome may be a central player in the body's response to cancer

A new study reveals how bacteria in the gut can help determine whether the amino acid asparagine from the diet will feed tumor growth or activate immune cells against the cancer, according to researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.

29 Jan 2026

Ischemic stroke increases expectant mother's risk for another stroke during or soon after pregnancy

Having had a stroke caused by blocked blood vessels (ischemic stroke) more than doubled an expectant mother's odds of having another stroke during pregnancy and within six weeks of childbirth, according to a preliminary study to be presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2026.

29 Jan 2026

Produce prescriptions help Medicaid patients overcome nutrition insecurity

The LA produce prescription program significantly improved nutrition security among Medicaid patients with diabetes, revealing ongoing affordability barriers.

29 Jan 2026

Nitrate source matters more than nitrate amount

Findings suggest that plant-sourced nitrates may reduce dementia risk, while animal and water sources are linked to increased risk, emphasizing diet quality.

29 Jan 2026

Eating melatonin-rich foods is linked to lower obesity and depression rates

This cross-sectional analysis of 8,320 Brazilian adults quantified melatonin intake from habitual diets and examined associations with multiple chronic health outcomes. Higher dietary melatonin intake was inversely associated with obesity and depression in a non-linear pattern, with no significant associations observed for other conditions.

28 Jan 2026

Air pollution, not diet, shows the strongest link to poorer concentration in schoolgirls

This cross-sectional study of 300 school-aged girls in Tehran found that higher air pollution exposure was consistently associated with poorer concentration, while dietary antioxidant capacity showed weaker, model-dependent links to attention. No significant associations or interactions were observed for short-term memory, highlighting pollution exposure as the dominant factor influencing attentional performance.

28 Jan 2026

Mapping the early onset of coronary heart disease in men

Men begin developing coronary heart disease - which can lead to heart attacks - years earlier than women, with differences emerging as early as the mid-30s, according to a large, long-term study led by Northwestern Medicine.

28 Jan 2026

'Evening people' more likely to have poor cardiovascular health

Middle-aged and older adults who were more active in the evenings had poorer cardiovascular health compared to their peers who were more active during the day.

28 Jan 2026