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Can processed meats fit into a healthy diet?

This perspective-style review argues that processed meats remain valuable sources of high-quality protein, essential amino acids, and bioavailable micronutrients despite concerns about sodium, fat, and chronic disease links. It also contends that much of the evidence tying processed meat to adverse health outcomes is observational and potentially confounded, while emphasizing the role of processing in safety, shelf life, and food security.

15 Apr 2026

Are healthy foods really healthy? Nutrition researchers say context matters

This Clinical Nutrition opinion paper argues that nutrition research should stop asking whether a food is simply “healthy” and instead ask what it is being compared with. Because diets are compositional, the health effects of foods depend on the specific substitution, and the authors argue that causal inference and network meta-analysis can improve how evidence is interpreted.

15 Apr 2026

Lower-protein toddler formula does not reduce BMI at age 2, trial finds

A large randomized trial in Germany and Spain found that lowering milk protein intake during the second year of life did not reduce BMI z-score at 24 months, though it did produce a temporary BMI reduction at 18 months. Lower protein intake also led to more stable weight and length trajectories, while higher protein intake pushed growth upward relative to WHO standards.

15 Apr 2026

Older adults show high willingness for Alzheimer’s blood tests

Northwestern University psychologist Andrea Russell sees older adults with early cognitive impairment riddled with anxiety. Some worry a missed word or forgotten appointment could signal Alzheimer's disease.

15 Apr 2026

Migraine genes linked to worse headaches after concussion in children

A University of Calgary-led study has found evidence that children with genes predisposing to migraine might have an increased risk of having more headaches after a concussion, which are known to be linked to prolonged symptoms up to six-months after the injury.

15 Apr 2026

New flu vaccine approach targets multiple virus strains

Doctors recommend getting your flu shot annually, since the specific influenza strain it targets varies from year to year. But what if the shot could be more effective while protecting against more strains?

15 Apr 2026

New RNA sequencing method improves rare disease diagnosis

Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) developed a new RNA sequencing strategy that can reveal how genetic variants disrupt gene function and improve the diagnosis of rare diseases.

15 Apr 2026

Ultra-processed foods linked to higher obesity risk in adolescents

Adolescents who consume more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have significantly higher odds of being overweight or obese, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis published in the open-access journal PLOS One by Mekuriaw Nibret Aweke of the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, and colleagues.

15 Apr 2026

Study explains failure of cellular cleanup in neurodegenerative diseases

Inside every cell, a cleanup operation runs around the clock. Proteins are constantly damaged by wear and tear. Some can be repaired, while others must be dismantled and recycled.

15 Apr 2026

Gut-liver changes drive foodborne infection severity in fatty liver disease

A research team led by the University of California, Irvine's Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health has uncovered a critical biological link explaining why individuals with metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), or fatty liver disease, face significantly worse outcomes from certain foodborne infections.

15 Apr 2026

Middle-aged Americans face rising loneliness and mental health challenges

Frank Infurna first started thinking about the plight of middle-aged adults 10 years ago. He conducted a monthly survey, asking about their health, well-being, relationships, and life events.

15 Apr 2026

Mitochondrial activity keeps dendritic cells ready to fight disease

Researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC) show that active mitochondria maintain dendritic cells, the immune system's sentinels, in a "ready-to-respond" state, linking cellular metabolism to gene regulation and T-cell activation.

15 Apr 2026

Popular chatbots often provide inaccurate and incomplete medical information

A substantial amount of medical information provided by 5 popular chatbots is inaccurate and incomplete, with half of the answers to clear evidence based questions "somewhat" or "highly" problematic, show the results of a study published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

15 Apr 2026

Aston University bioscientist receives £125,000 to investigate genetic reasons for neurodegeneration

Aston University bioscientist Dr John Reynolds has won a £125,000 Springboard grant from the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) for research into neurodegeneration caused by a rare genetic disease.

15 Apr 2026

Matching exercise timing to body clock chronotype improves heart health

Timing exercise to match body clock chronotype-the natural predisposition to morning or evening alertness-may lower cardiovascular disease risk among those who are already vulnerable, suggests research published in the open access journal Open Heart.

15 Apr 2026

Semaglutide improves liver function independently of weight loss

Researchers at Toronto's Sinai Health have found that semaglutide – the active ingredient in popular weight loss drugs that mimic the gut hormone GLP-1 – acts directly on a subset of liver cells to improve organ function and does so independently of weight loss.

15 Apr 2026

New model advances study of cardiac fibroblasts and fibrosis

Fibroblasts are an essential component of the heart, as they play key roles in its structure, development and response to cardiac damage.

15 Apr 2026

Left bundle branch area pacing improves cardiac resynchronization outcomes

Left bundle branch area pacing was found to be an effective and practical strategy for cardiac resynchronization, according to a Late-Breaking Science presentation at EHRA 2026, the annual congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

15 Apr 2026

Study finds AI can match clinicians in interview assessment

Clinical interviewing is one of the most important skills physicians develop during their training. It forms the foundation for accurate diagnosis and effective patient care.

15 Apr 2026