Behavior & Psychology

Could Caffeine Affect More Than Children's Sleep?

Researchers found small differences in brain structure among children who consumed more caffeine, but it's unclear whether caffeine itself was responsible.

Sauce Placement Can Make the Same Dish Look Healthier

In a small restaurant study, diners rated the same dish as healthier when its sauces were served separately instead of drizzled across the plate.

Alcohol Recovery May Also Bring Struggles with Food

A review of 44 studies found that disordered eating often overlaps with alcohol use disorder, suggesting some people in recovery may need support with both.

Food Processing May Matter Beyond the Nutrition Label

A small controlled study found different insulin and metabolic responses after people ate two meals matched for calories and nutrients but prepared very differently.

Comparing Your Body with Your Past Self May Affect How You Feel Now

A new study found that people who often compared their current appearance with a past version they preferred also reported more body shame and more signs of disordered eating.

Keto for Mental Health Is Getting Attention, but the Evidence Is Still Emerging

New research found that training helped health care professionals feel more prepared to discuss ketogenic diets with patients, but the study did not test whether keto treats mental illness.

A Shorter Shelf Life Can Make Food Seem Healthier

Consumers may assume foods that don't last as long are more natural and healthier, even when the difference comes down to packaging rather than what's inside.

Healthier School Meals Require More Than Changing the Menu

School food directors say reducing ultraprocessed foods can mean rethinking staffing, kitchens, purchasing and even how schools get students excited about lunch.

Eating Less Ultraprocessed Food Linked to Improved Depression Symptoms

In a small study of 20 adults with depression, symptoms improved when participants ate much less ultraprocessed food, but researchers say larger studies are needed.

Food Package Claims Don't Tell the Whole Nutrition Story

An analysis of nearly 150,000 new U.S. products found that claims such as “low sodium” or “high protein” may highlight one benefit without showing the full nutritional picture.

Eating Together May Change the Body’s Blood Sugar Response

People had smaller blood sugar spikes after the same meal when a close social partner was nearby, suggesting who we eat with could influence how our bodies respond to food.

Childhood Trauma Was Linked to Later Eating Habits

Behavior problems in adolescence appeared to explain part of the connection between childhood trauma and higher ultraprocessed food intake at age 18.

Food and Drink Branding Was Everywhere During the World Cup

Researchers counted more than 65,000 appearances of food and beverage brands they classified as unhealthy during live World Cup play, though the study did not test whether those ads changed what viewers ate.

Poor Sleep in One Partner May Make Healthy Eating Harder for Both

A study of couples found that when one partner slept poorly, both people were more likely to report less healthy eating habits.

College Students May Get Enough Protein While Still Struggling to Eat Well

A University of Maine study found that students generally did well on protein intake, even as overall diet quality was low and everyday barriers made healthier eating harder.

Liking Fast Food Brands Was Linked to Higher Fat and Sugar Intake

Adults who felt more positively about familiar fast food and sugary drink brands also reported eating high fat and high sugar foods more often, even when they did not view those brands as particularly healthy.

Berkeley’s Checkout Rule Was Linked to Lower Soda Sales

A California policy that changed what stores could display near the register was linked to fewer soda and small candy purchases, though the effects varied by product and store.

Popular ‘Clean Eating’ Posts Often Promote Restrictive Food Rules

TikTok and Instagram posts often mixed nutrition advice with rigid food rules and appearance-focused messages.

Eating Disorder Risk Is Not Limited to Affluent Teens

A new review suggests lower-income and less-educated families may face equal or greater risk, challenging a stereotype that can leave some teens overlooked.

Gut Bacteria May Be Linked to Brain Chemistry in Humans

A small human study found connections between the gut microbiome and chemicals measured in different parts of the brain, offering new clues about the gut-brain connection.

Teachers Reported More Student Hunger After Free School Meals Ended

A small qualitative study in Anchorage, Alaska, found teachers noticed less participation in school meals, more hunger and more worry about meal costs after a federal universal free meal policy expired.

Some Men Say Traditional Diet Programs Don’t Feel Designed for Them

In focus groups with 24 UK men, dieting was often described as restrictive and female-focused, while simple goals, accountability and personal challenges sounded more appealing.

Busy Mornings Make a Balanced Breakfast Harder for Many Families

Most school-age children eat breakfast, but a national parent poll found that picky eating, limited time and morning moods often shape what ends up on the plate.

TikTok Food Videos May Shape What Teens Want to Eat

Teens said food videos could trigger cravings and interest in trying something new, but money, access, timing and family life often determined what happened next.

Eating Disorder Genetics Extend Beyond Body Weight

A large international study finds that anorexia nervosa and binge eating have genetic links that cannot simply be explained by a person’s weight.