Diet News and Research

Latest Diet News and Research

Study: 71% of US grocery store baby food products are ultra-processed

An alarming 71 percent of grocery store baby food products in the United States are classified as ultra-processed foods (UPFs), according to new research published today in the scientific journal Nutrients.

13 Feb 2026

Breastfeeding and healthy infant diets may help lower obesity risk by age nine

nationwide Icelandic cohort study found that better alignment with infant nutrition guidelines was associated with lower odds of obesity at ages 6 and 9 years. Associations were inconsistent at younger ages, highlighting the complex and multifactorial nature of childhood weight outcomes.

11 Feb 2026

Early heart disease risk factors identified in South Asian adults in the U.S.

South Asian adults in the U. S. were more likely to have risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) by age 45 when compared to white, Black, Chinese or Hispanic adults in the same age group, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

11 Feb 2026

Healthy low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets may improve cardiovascular health

The quality of a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet may matter more than the amount of carbohydrates or fat consumed when it comes to reducing heart disease risk, according to a new study published in JACC, the flagship journal of the American College of Cardiology.

11 Feb 2026

South Asian adults in the U.S. have higher prevalence of risk factors for heart disease

South Asian adults in the U.S. report doing many of the right things for heart health, yet they show significantly higher rates of prediabetes, diabetes and hypertension than white and Chinese adults, and higher than or roughly similar rates to Black and Hispanic patients, according to a new study led by Northwestern Medicine.

11 Feb 2026

High-fat diets cause more damage to metabolic health than carbohydrates

In recent years, many media reports and social media influencers have emphasized the dangers of eating too many carbohydrates.

10 Feb 2026

Eating fewer foods of concern may protect the heart beyond pills

A prospective cohort study in adults with hypertension and or hypercholesterolemia found that lower intake of ultra processed foods or foods flagged by front of pack nutrition warnings was associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk. These associations persisted regardless of cardioprotective medication use, suggesting dietary quality contributes independently to cardiovascular prevention.

10 Feb 2026

Stress hormones rewire immune system during periods of food scarcity

When food is scarce, stress hormones direct the immune system to operate in "low power" mode to preserve immune function while conserving energy, according to researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine.

10 Feb 2026

First wearable device measures human flatulence

Scientists at the University of Maryland have created Smart Underwear, the first wearable device designed to measure human flatulence.

10 Feb 2026

Brief oxidative stress promotes brain repair after injury

Oxidative stress is a direct consequence of an excess in the body of so-called "free radicals" – reactive, unstable molecules that contain oxygen.

10 Feb 2026

Low-grade inflammation connects aging, obesity and cognitive impairment

Obesity and older age are strongly associated with low-grade inflammation in the body, a condition that appears closely linked to cognitive decline and dementia.

9 Feb 2026

Study reveals DNA methylation score that better detects alcohol intake than standard biomarkers

A Mediterranean cohort study evaluated a DNA methylation biomarker of alcohol intake and compared it with conventional indicators such as GGT. The epigenomic score correlated with alcohol exposure, linked to telomere shortening and epigenetic aging markers, but findings remain observational and population-specific.

9 Feb 2026

New analysis asks if alcohol guidance needs stronger trials to settle the health debate

The viewpoint reviews conflicting evidence on alcohol consumption, highlighting discrepancies between observational studies, genetic analyses, and public health guidance. It concludes that large randomized trials comparing alcohol moderation versus cessation are needed to clarify long-term health effects.

9 Feb 2026

Early life factors crucial for childhood food allergy development

A new study from McMaster University involving 2.8 million children around the world has revealed the most important early-life factors that influence whether a child becomes allergic to food.

9 Feb 2026

Time-restricted feeding reduces disease activity and inflammation in Crohn's patients

A new randomized controlled study funded by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation found that time-restricted feeding-a form of intermittent fasting-significantly reduced symptomatic disease activity and systematic inflammation in adults with Crohn's disease and overweight or obesity.

9 Feb 2026

Study identifies link between gut bacteria and deterioration of the brain in ALS, dementia

A significant discovery by Case Western Reserve University researchers could change how doctors treat two of the most devastating neurodegenerative diseases.

9 Feb 2026

Groundbreaking trial aims for precise dietary data collection

Scientists are recruiting adults from across the UK to take part in a groundbreaking trial to accurately track what they eat and drink in their daily lives.

9 Feb 2026

Late sleepers have higher heart risk, and it's mostly preventable

Researchers explore the association between an individual’s chronotype and cardiovascular risk.

9 Feb 2026

Skin-delivered estrogen improves bone health in amenorrhoa

Hormone replacement therapy applied via the skin is the best way of protecting bone density in women whose periods have stopped due to anorexia or intense exercise, according to new research from Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

6 Feb 2026

Psychosocial factors strongly influence diet quality in rural adults

A large cross-sectional study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), published by Elsevier, examined how psychosocial and environmental factors relate to diet quality among 2,420 adults living in rural and micropolitan communities in New York and Texas.

5 Feb 2026