https://medicalxpress.com/nutrition-healthy-eating-news/ en-us Latest health news and information about Nutrition & Healthy Eating Around 40% of adults worldwide are affected by osteopenia: a loss of bone mineral density. This condition is extremely common, particularly in postmenopausal women and elderly adults. It's estimated that more than 500,000 fractures occur annually in the UK due to low bone density. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-osteopenia-loss-bone-mineral-density.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 16:30:01 EDT news695564792 A new report, published in Nature Metabolism, is shedding light on the distinct and underappreciated role of fructose in driving disease, separate from its role as a simple source of calories. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-fructose-emerges-key-driver-metabolic.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:00:03 EDT news695568601 For individuals at risk for knee osteoarthritis, high ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption is associated with higher muscle fat content, according to a study published online April 14 in Radiology. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-ultraprocessed-food-linked-thigh-muscle.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:20:03 EDT news695488982 Replacing just one meat dish with a vegetarian option in workplace cafeterias can significantly shift what people eat, cutting both calories and carbon emissions, according to a new study from researchers at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford. In the new study published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, researchers tested the change in six English worksite cafeterias, asking managers to swap one meat-based lunch option for a vegetarian dish while keeping prices, choice and all other menu features the same. Customers were not told about the change, and meat options remained available. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-simple-menu-tweak-boost-vegetarian.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:00:01 EDT news695484721 The way in which the body processes cholesterol affects the risk of cardiovascular diseases. LDL cholesterol is obtained from saturated fats in food and from hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Its accumulation in the arterial walls can obstruct blood flow. In a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine, long-term monitoring has revealed that high cholesterol absorption predicted myocardial infarctions and cardiac mortality in patients who had previously had an acute coronary artery event. The worst prognosis was seen in patients with the highest cholesterol absorption, while low cholesterol absorption was associated with a better prognosis. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-effective-cholesterol-absorption-intestine-cardiac.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:20:09 EDT news695482441 A new study examines the role of palmitic acid and oleic acid—among the main fatty acids in the diet—in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, a chronic condition associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The research, published in Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism, is led by teams from the CIBER Area for Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM) at the University of Barcelona. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-quality-quantity-fat-diet-affects.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:20:10 EDT news695481661 While scientific studies about obesity and general health are on the rise, a new analysis has determined that more studies are using animal modeling research than human modeling. Dr. Sarah Purcell, an assistant professor with UBC's Southern Medical Program and UBC Okanagan's School of Health and Exercise Sciences, researches energy metabolism, dietary energy requirements, body composition and obesity. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-obesity-reveals.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:20:01 EDT news695474401 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. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-ultra-food-intake-sharply-higher.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:00:11 EDT news695466061 When you have a baby, mealtimes can be messy and stressful. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-baby-solid-foods.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:00:04 EDT news695472841 New research from the University of Toronto suggests that children who drink whole-fat milk in early childhood may have lower odds of obesity in middle childhood than those who drink reduced-fat milk. The study adds to emerging evidence that lower-fat milk does not reduce child obesity, even though many dietary guidelines in the last three decades have encouraged low-fat dairy, including Canada's dietary guidelines from 2019. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-fat-lowers-child-obesity.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:40:01 EDT news695469482 New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found that higher sodium intake may negatively affect episodic memory, the type of memory used to recall personal experiences and specific events from one's past such as where you parked your car or your first day of school. The findings suggest that diets high in salt could have broader cognitive impacts than previously understood, highlighting the importance of dietary choices in supporting brain health. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-high-salt-diet-linked-faster.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:20:02 EDT news695469361 Bread is a staple that has sustained civilizations over centuries and is intrinsically etched into the very grains of society. However, as obesity rates continue to rise, it may now be time to retire this dependency in modern diets. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-carb-heavy-foods-drove-weight.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:00:07 EDT news695384808 A new survey from two food industry groups shows growing interest in meat as a "healthy" food choice, even as doctors warn that too much red meat can raise health risks. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-meat-consumption-protein-trend-experts.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:00:03 EDT news695394030 Our industrialized, modern lifestyles may be increasing how much estrogen (the female sex hormone) gets recycled in our bodies, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. And it appears to be down to the increased abundance and diversity of specific bacteria in our gut. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-modern-lifestyles-affecting-bodies-recycle.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:40:01 EDT news695384340 Researchers found that a diet high in ultra-processed foods is associated with higher amounts of fat stored inside thigh muscles, regardless of calorie or fat intake, physical activity or sociodemographic factors in a population at risk for knee osteoarthritis. Results of the study were published in Radiology. Higher amounts of intramuscular fat in the thigh could potentially increase the risk for knee osteoarthritis. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-people-consume-ultra-foods-worse.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:00:01 EDT news695293502 Walk into any grocery store and you'll see it: aisles filled with brightly colored packages containing ready-to-eat meals, quick snacks and flavored drinks—often billed as "healthy." They save time. They're affordable. And they taste great. But they also fall into a category of foods that research consistently links to overeating and weight gain: ultra-processed foods. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-ultra-minimally-foods-difference.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:00:05 EDT news695295352 A clinical trial led by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers demonstrates that providing healthy food directly to patients recovering from heart failure is feasible and well accepted—and could improve quality of life—helping build a foundation for larger studies exploring food as a component of medical care. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-food-delivery-heart-failure-patients.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:00:02 EDT news694876385 Your morning cup of coffee may be more than just a pick-me-up. It may also be a simple boost for your mental well-being. In a recent study, researchers from Fudan University, China, wanted to find out whether the amount of coffee a person drinks each day and the type they choose have any bearing on their risk of developing stress and mood disorders over time. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-coffee-sweet-mental-health.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:00:01 EDT news695033124 A majority of people with advanced cancers endure cachexia, a muscle-, fat-, and organ-wasting condition that is currently incurable and can be life-threatening. Detecting and intervening early can slow progression, but poor understanding of how cachexia first arises in the body makes it difficult for doctors to identify the warning signs of impending wasting other than an overall loss of appetite (anorexia). https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-protein-early-herald-cancer-cachexia.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:40:04 EDT news695033108 Health organizations are starting to raise concerns about the potential long-term impacts of artificial sweeteners, which taste sweet but—unlike sugar—contain no calories, suggesting they could interfere with energy metabolism and increase the eventual risk of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-negative-effects-artificial-sweeteners-generation.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:01 EDT news694973521 They're oily. They're bony. They have a strong fishy smell, salty taste and soft texture that doesn't appeal to many. Yet, canned sardines appear to be having a moment. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-sardinemaxxing.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:40:01 EDT news694944141 Adults with overweight or obesity taking the new generation of weight loss drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide tend to eat significantly less, leaving them vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, according to one of the first real-world studies to examine dietary behavior in people using glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) dual agonists RAs (collectively referred to as GLP-1 RAs) with the help of an AI-powered nutritional tracking app. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-ai-based-reveals-protein-deficiencies.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:10:01 EDT news694973461 A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior examined the impact of a Food is Medicine (FIM) and food literacy education program on rural, uninsured adults with type 2 diabetes. Findings suggest that even when educational programs are effective overall, additional cultural tailoring may be needed to ensure that all participants benefit equally. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-food-literacy-rural-uninsured-patients.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:30:02 EDT news694870543 Eating a higher quality plant-based diet is associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias compared to eating a lower quality plant-based diet, according to a study published in Neurology. While the study shows an association based on observations, it does not prove that a higher-quality plant-based diet causes a lower risk of dementia. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-healthier-based-diet-alzheimer-dementias.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:00:06 EDT news694856341 A first-of-its-kind study led by the Medical University of South Carolina raises questions about the value of fish oil supplements for people with repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries. In work published in Cell Reports, researchers say the supplements, often seen as neuroprotective, may actually impair the healing process after brain injury. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-widespread-belief-fish-oil-effects.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:20:05 EDT news694798501 Love French fries but not the extra fat? Scientists say they may have found a way to make them healthier without losing their crunch. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-method-french-fries-fat.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:20:03 EDT news694783644 First it was protein, now it's fiber: the "maxxing" mindset has permeated social media, as wellness influencers insist that loading up on certain nutrients is the key to vitality and a life-changing gut glow-up. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-online-maxxing-era-fiber-protein.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:00:02 EDT news694589630 Taxes on sugary drinks had no effect on beverage calorie purchases from fast-food chain restaurants in the U.S., according to a new study by Brian Elbel and Pasquale Rummo from NYU Grossman School of Medicine and colleagues published in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-sugary-taxes-effective-fast-food.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:05 EDT news694281361 Salt has been used as a seasoning and food preservative for thousands of years, but having too much of it can lead to various diseases, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney disease. Salt overconsumption is also known to accelerate cognitive decline. To avoid an increased likelihood of developing such diseases due to salt overconsumption, the WHO recommends adults consume no more than five grams of salt per day. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-older-men-saltshakers-women-salt.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:01 EDT news694192921 Lifestyle-behavioral factors and socioeconomic status play an important role in shaping healthy aging, but their effects may differ depending on the individual's DNA, according to a new international study led by Adelaide University researchers. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-genes-dictate-lifestyle-choices-impact.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:40:01 EDT news694250165