Nutrition Science

Supplements Have Moved Beyond the Daily Multivitamin

A new national analysis finds U.S. adults are using more supplements, with growing interest in products marketed for immune, gut, skin, joint and inflammation-related health.

A Short Fasting-Style Diet May Affect Gum Inflammation

A small pilot trial found lower inflammation markers among people who followed a calorie-restricted diet alongside standard gum disease treatment, but it did not show that fasting improved their clinical outcomes.

Chile’s Food Policies Linked to Modest Drop in Excess Weight Among Young Children

A large study suggests that coordinated changes to food labels, school rules and advertising may help shape healthier food environments for children.

Vitamin C Levels Were Linked to Differences in the Aging Brain

A study of more than 2,000 older adults found associations involving gray matter volume and brain connectivity, but it does not show that vitamin C prevents cognitive decline.

Weight Regain May Not Erase Every Metabolic Benefit

A long-term follow-up of two lifestyle trials found that reductions in fat stored around the organs were associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes years later, even as average body weight returned to baseline.

More Plant Protein May Support Weight Management After Menopause

A small secondary analysis found that postmenopausal women maintained their overall protein intake while shifting toward plant-based sources and losing weight.

Sugary Drinks Were Linked to Higher Risk of Two Liver Cancer Types

A pooled analysis of more than 1.5 million adults found that each additional sugar-sweetened drink per day was associated with higher risks of two liver cancer subtypes, although the study does not prove cause and effect.

Moderate Drinking May Carry More Risk Than Many People Realize

A new modeling study found no overall health benefit from drinking, even at low levels, and estimated that the risk of alcohol-related harm increases as consumption rises.

Many Women Still Miss a Key Nutrient Before Pregnancy

A large U.S. study found that women without health insurance were less likely to report taking folic acid supplements, highlighting gaps in access to a proven birth-defect prevention strategy.

What Americans Get Wrong About Diet and Cholesterol

A new survey suggests many people remain confused about how familiar foods affect blood cholesterol. The most useful advice is less dramatic than the debate often makes it sound.

Earlier Egg Introduction Linked to Lower Allergy Rates in Babies

An Australian study found egg allergy prevalence declined after infant feeding guidance changed, adding real-world support to recommendations that parents should not unnecessarily delay common allergens.

Eating More Fruits and Vegetables Matters. Variety May Matter Too.

A new study found that many people who meet fruit-and-vegetable goals still consume relatively low levels of flavanols, plant compounds found in tea, apples, berries, beans and other foods.

Does a Healthy Grocery Budget Depend on Where You Live?

A study found that location explained nearly 90% of the variation in the modeled cost of USDA's Thrifty Food Plan, which helps set maximum SNAP benefits.

Protein Claims Are Everywhere. The Science Is More Complicated.

A critical review of common protein beliefs found promising evidence for some ideas, but major gaps remain behind many confident recommendations.

Early Eating Patterns May Matter for Learning Years Later

A systematic review suggests that nutrition in the first years of life may be linked to cognitive performance in adolescence, while evidence for teen-focused interventions remains mixed.

Fathers Help Shape Children’s Long-Term Health

A new review highlights the many ways dads can influence children’s eating habits and obesity risk, from family meals to the routines modeled at home.

Processing Alone May Not Explain the Health Effects of Ultraprocessed Foods

A new Science Perspective argues that current clinical trials cannot isolate the effects of processing from other factors that often make certain foods easier to overeat.

Summer Sunlight May Not Correct Low Vitamin D Levels for Everyone

A small study from northern Britain found that low vitamin D levels remained common among older adults and adults with darker skin, including during the summer months.

Clearer Menu Warnings May Help Diners Choose Less Added Sugar

A large online study found that people selected restaurant meals with less added sugar when high-sugar items carried noticeable warning labels.

Healthy Eating Can Be Harder When Nutritious Food Is Harder to Find

A new study found that food swamps became more common across the United States over a 20-year period, while access to grocery stores improved only slightly in areas classified as food deserts.

How Tobacco Companies Helped Shape the Modern Food Aisle

Major tobacco corporations once owned large food businesses, and a historical analysis found that they brought familiar strategies for expanding sales and appealing to consumers into grocery markets around the world.

Hunger May Make Food Easier to Imagine

A small experimental study found that people could picture the flavor of food more vividly when they were hungry, offering a possible explanation for why eating decisions can feel different on an empty stomach.

Plant-Based Protein Prices Are More Complicated Than They Look

A study of grocery purchases found that shoppers responded differently to price changes depending on the protein source, but beans and packaged meat alternatives should not be treated as interchangeable.

Researchers Are Studying Ketogenic Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa

A small pilot trial found encouraging changes in symptom scores, but the findings do not show that people with eating disorders should try a keto diet on their own.

Clean Water Access Is Closely Tied to Food Security

A survey of more than 124,000 people across 121 countries found that people who lacked clean drinking water were also more likely to lack food and report food safety concerns.