Diet News and Research

Latest Diet News and Research

Why do some people respond better to GLP-1 drugs? Gut microbiome may hold clues

A review in the Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology examines emerging evidence linking glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), the gut microbiome, and obesity treatment outcomes. The authors conclude that microbiome changes seen during therapy are most likely driven by diet, behavior, and weight loss, although microbial profiling may eventually help predict patient responses.

15 Mar 2026

Scientists show gut bacteria can reach the brain in mice and reveal a potential vagus nerve pathway

Researchers found that very small numbers of gut bacteria can translocate to the brain in mice, particularly when gut barrier permeability increases due to a Paigen diet. Evidence suggests the vagus nerve may serve as a partial route for this gut-to-brain microbial movement.

15 Mar 2026

Vitamin B2 metabolism helps cancer cells resist ferroptosis

A lack of vitamin B2 makes tumour cells more susceptible to a unique form of cell death. This was discovered by researchers at the Rudolf Virchow Centre at the University of Würzburg.

13 Mar 2026

New RNA therapy enhances the heart's ability to repair itself after injury

After a heart attack, cardiologists can reopen blocked vessels and restore blood flow, but the muscle cells that died will never be replaced.

13 Mar 2026

BSO mimics anti-obesity effects without causing bone loss in mice

A new research paper was published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on March 2, 2026, titled "D, L-Buthionine-(S, R)-sulfoximine recapitulates the anti-obesity effects of sulfur amino acid restriction without the associated deleterious effects on bone in male mice."

13 Mar 2026

New aeroponic technology delivers essential Vitamin B12 through salad crops

A pioneering research-industry partnership has used advances in indoor farming technology to grow pea shoots fortified with Vitamin B12, opening an exciting route to market for farmers and addressing a major public health need.

13 Mar 2026

Swapping red meat for plant-based meat rapidly lowers a key heart risk metabolite, trial finds

A randomized crossover trial found that replacing red meat patties with processed plant-based meat alternatives for six days significantly lowered circulating trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut-derived metabolite linked to cardiovascular risk. The plant-based phase also produced modest reductions in cholesterol markers but slightly increased weight and NT-proBNP, possibly due to higher sodium intake.

12 Mar 2026

UVA researcher receives $3.4 million grant to improve weight-management programs

A University of Virginia School of Medicine researcher has received $3.4 million from the National Institutes of Health to increase the availability of weight-management programs that offer beneficial personalized feedback.

12 Mar 2026

Lifelong tracking of fish reveals early behavioral signals of aging

Scientists tracking the entire life of the African turquoise killifish have discovered that behavior alone can predict whether an animal will live a long or short life.

12 Mar 2026

High fat diets allow gut bacteria to enter the brain via the vagus nerve

With more than 100 million neurons in the digestive tract, the gut is commonly known as the "second brain" in numerous cultures, including ancient Greece, Japan, China and India, linking digestion with physical and mental well-being.

12 Mar 2026

AI-generated meal plans for teens often lack essential nutrients and calories

Many teens dealing with weight issues are turning to AI models to help them create meal plans with the aim of losing weight.

12 Mar 2026

Adding three simple amino acids boosts mRNA and CRISPR delivery

Lipid nanoparticles, or LNPs, best known as the delivery vehicle for the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines received by billions of people, are now at the center of a much larger medical revolution.

12 Mar 2026

Prebiotic fiber supplement lowers pain sensitivity in people with knee osteoarthritis

A new study has found that a prebiotic fiber supplement reduced pain, improved grip strength, and lowered pain sensitivity in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) - with far fewer dropouts than a digital physiotherapy programme.

12 Mar 2026

Can eating almonds reduce inflammation in obesity?

Adding almonds to the diet of adults with obesity enhances inflammatory cytokine profiles and diet quality, highlighting a simple anti-inflammatory strategy.

12 Mar 2026

New digital shield against metabolic disease in youth psychosis

A new clinic-ready web-based risk prediction tool called PsyMetRiC is now available to forecast the risk of young people with psychosis developing cardiometabolic disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

12 Mar 2026

Study finds keto diet strengthens the brain against epilepsy

Published in The Lancet Neurology, a new review from the University of Colorado Anschutz in collaboration with UT Southwestern Medical Center, offers the latest scientific explanations for why ketogenic diets reduce seizures in people with epilepsy.

12 Mar 2026

Eating earlier in the day is linked to lower nighttime glucose in gestational diabetes

A secondary analysis of a randomized trial examined whether the timing of the first daily meal affects 24-hour glucose patterns in pregnancies with gestational diabetes. Earlier first meals were associated with lower nocturnal glucose levels and an earlier daily glucose rhythm, although overall glycaemic control metrics were similar between groups.

11 Mar 2026

Low testosterone and high fructose intake can worsen fatty liver disease

Low testosterone in itself can cause a variety of health problems, but the addition of a poor diet can exacerbate certain conditions. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is one example that approximately 40% of adult men worldwide currently suffer from and has become a global problem.

11 Mar 2026

How social and environmental exposures across life influence mental health risk

Researchers outline how the exposome framework, which captures the totality of environmental exposures across the lifespan, can help explain how non-genetic factors shape mental health risk and resilience. The perspective highlights how integrating environmental, biological, and social data could improve prevention strategies, research models, and personalized mental health care.

10 Mar 2026

Postbiotics may help treat PCOS by restoring microbiome balance

Emerging studies suggest postbiotics could aid PCOS management by restoring gut microbiome balance and enhancing insulin sensitivity and hormonal regulation.

10 Mar 2026