Nutrition Science

A Breast Milk Nutrient May Help Shape Early Immune Development

A new study found that trans-vaccenic acid affected immune development in mice, while human samples showed related links that need more research.

Fish Oil Supplements May Not Deliver on Brain Health Promise

A two-year clinical trial found that high-dose DHA supplements raised omega-3 levels in the brain but did not improve memory, cognition or Alzheimer’s-related brain shrinkage.

Exercise and Protein May Help Support Recovery After Hospitalization

A small pilot study found that a combined movement and protein program was feasible and well tolerated among frail older adults in skilled nursing facilities.

Your Mouth May Help Unlock Beetroot’s Blood Pressure Effects

A short-term study found that sugary gum increased nitrite production after beetroot juice, but researchers say it is not a blood pressure strategy.

Probiotic Labels May Be Ahead of the Science

A new analysis of more than 350 over-the-counter probiotic supplements found little consistency between the bacteria inside the products and the health claims used to market them.

A Small Study Links Prebiotic Fiber to Changes in Liver Fat

A four-month human study suggests a specific prebiotic fiber may influence gut metabolites tied to fatty liver, but researchers say larger studies are needed before it can be considered a treatment.

Cow’s Milk and Plant-Based Milks Are Not Nutritional Twins

A dairy-funded narrative review argues that cow’s milk has nutritional advantages tied to its natural structure, but the bigger takeaway may be that milk choices vary widely and labels do not tell the whole story.

Weight Loss Drugs Are Not All the Same, a New Review Suggests

A review of clinical trials found tirzepatide was linked with greater average weight loss than semaglutide or liraglutide in adults without diabetes, but the findings do not mean one medication is right for everyone.

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.