Healthy Aging

Plant-Forward Diets with Different Proteins Supported Strength in Older Adults, Small Trial Finds

In a short, controlled feeding study funded by the National Pork Board, older adults maintained physical function on plant-forward diets that included either lean pork or legumes, with modest differences in metabolic markers.

Why the Body May Defend a Weight Range, Not a Single 'Set Point'

A major review examines competing theories of weight regulation and why bodies respond differently to weight loss and gain.

Mercury Exposure and Nutrition Can Coexist in Traditional Diets

New research links waterfowl consumption to both omega-3 benefits and mercury exposure in northern Indigenous communities, underscoring the need for balanced monitoring rather than avoidance.

Weight Loss Can Help Restore the Health of Fat Tissue

New human research shows that both modest and substantial weight loss can improve the biology of fat tissue, though through different pathways.

Breastfeeding Linked to Lower Depression, Anxiety Risk Years Later

A long-term observational study suggests breastfeeding may be associated with better maternal mental health up to a decade after pregnancy.

Weight Gain May Not Fully Restore Muscle After Anorexia, Animal Study Finds

Research in rats suggests skeletal muscle strength and quality may lag behind weight recovery, raising questions about how recovery is measured.

Researchers Push Back on Claims That Blue Zones Longevity Data Are Flawed

A new peer-reviewed analysis finds that age records from the world’s longest-lived regions meet rigorous scientific standards, reinforcing their value for aging and nutrition research.

New Dietary Guidelines Spark Debate Among Health Experts

As the federal government releases updated nutrition guidance, major medical groups agree on core principles but diverge on protein, dairy and ultraprocessed foods.

Heavy Periods and Diet Combine to Raise Iron Deficiency Risk in Teen Girls

A study of Swedish teens found iron deficiency was far more common among girls with heavy menstrual bleeding, especially when paired with meat-restricted diets.

Certain Full-Fat Dairy Foods Stand Apart in Dementia Research

A long-term Swedish study found people who ate more high-fat cheese and cream had lower rates of dementia, though researchers caution the findings do not prove cause and effect.

Lower-Glycemic Carbohydrate Choices Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

In a large U.K. cohort, diets emphasizing lower–glycemic index foods were associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias over more than a decade of follow-up.

Heart-Healthy Eating Linked to Longer Survival After Cancer

An Italian study suggests cancer survivors who follow healthier eating patterns and other heart-protective habits may live longer than those who do not.

Many Parents Struggle to Guide Teens’ Eating, Poll Finds

A national survey suggests parents notice concerning eating patterns but often lack practical tools, especially during food-focused celebrations.

What a Major Review Reveals About Plant-Based Diets for Kids

A new analysis of nearly 50,000 children finds vegetarian and vegan diets can support healthy growth when well planned, but certain nutrient shortfalls remain a concern.

School Meals Linked to Small but Real Gains in Kids’ Health and Learning

A new Cochrane review finds that free or subsidized school meals modestly improve math scores, enrollment and growth for children in low- and middle-income countries.

What Coffee and Tea Really Mean for Bone Health as You Age

A decade-long study of nearly 10,000 older women finds tea may slightly support bone density, while very high coffee intake could work against it.

Dark Chocolate Compound Linked to Signs of Slower Biological Aging

A large human study finds that higher blood levels of theobromine, a compound from cocoa, are associated with younger biological age.

Grocery Deliveries Help Improve Blood Sugar for People with Diabetes

A 12-week program providing medically tailored foods led to meaningful improvements in HbA1c.

Can Polyphenol-Rich Foods Help Lower Inflammation as We Age?

A clinical trial in adults 60 and older suggests certain plant foods may support healthier aging by influencing inflammation and gut microbes.

Can Vitamin C from Food Help Support Skin Renewal?

Researchers found that eating more vitamin C–rich foods increased skin vitamin C levels and supported measurable changes linked to collagen and cell renewal.

A Month Without Alcohol May Improve Sleep, Mood & Energy

A look at Dry January research shows even a temporary break can help some people reset their habits.

Why Your Gut May Unlock Different Benefits from the Same Healthy Foods

A new global analysis shows that people vary widely in the enzymes their gut bacteria use to break down plant compounds.

Daily Multivitamins Show Small Benefits for Some Older Adults

New findings from the COSMOS study show no overall effect on blood pressure, but small improvements in people with lower-quality diets or normal baseline readings.

Early Humans Ate More Processed Plants Than Paleo Myths Suggest

New archaeological research shows our ancestors ground, cooked and transformed plant foods long before farming began.

How Your Neighborhood Shapes What You Eat and Even Your Weight

A 14-year Australian study finds that people gradually take on the eating habits of their new community, offering fresh insight into how place influences health.