Diet

Older women who drank tea had slightly higher hip bone density than those who did not, according to a Flinders University study reported by ScienceDaily in September 2026. The research, published in the journal Nutrients, drew on the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures, following nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older for 10 years with repeated measures of beverage intake and bone mineral density at the total hip and femoral neck. The difference for tea drinkers was small but statistically significant, and appeared somewhat more pronounced among women with obesity. Moderate coffee intake, about two to three cups a day, was not associated with harm to bone health. The researchers stressed that the differences were modest and not large enough to justify major changes to daily habits. As an ...

A nine-week pilot at King's College London found that diners were willing to order dishes made with parts of fruit and vegetables usually thrown away in the kitchen, according to a study in the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science. Chefs designed 32 "root-to-tip" dishes, using items such as watermelon rind and unpeeled butternut squash with its seeds, for five campus outlets, where they made up 36.6% of hot-menu sales. The researchers estimated that preparing dishes this way cut food waste by about 6.5% per serving and raised fibre by about 5.1%. Survey respondents rated the dishes higher for healthiness and similar for taste. The authors caution that this was a pilot using convenience sampling and self-reported plate waste, and that few diners noticed the labelling, so ...

Eating 60 to 100 grams of whole grains a day, roughly four to six servings, was linked to improvements in several heart-health risk factors in a new analysis published in the European Heart Journal, according to the European Society of Cardiology. The research, led by Dr. Helda Tutunchi of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran, pooled 87 clinical trials involving more than 6,500 people across Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and Brazil. Whole-grain intake was associated with lower body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose, as well as reduced insulin resistance and a marker of inflammation. Benefits began at 30 to 40 grams a day. A bowl of oatmeal, a wholegrain bread sandwich, or a serving of brown rice ...

A 12-week University of Toronto study found that adults who added three daily servings of full-fat dairy to a whole-food diet showed no meaningful increase in weight, body fat, or cholesterol, along with modest improvements in blood pressure, according to ScienceDaily. The 74-participant trial, published in The Journal of Nutrition, also found the dairy servings increased participants' intake of calcium, protein, and vitamin D. Lead researcher Harvey Anderson, a professor of nutritional sciences, said those who had three daily dairy servings showed no adverse cholesterol, lipid, or insulin resistance markers.

A new Harvard study is challenging the blanket rule that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) should be avoided. Presented at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting, the research tracked over 200,000 people and found that overall diet quality matters more than processing level alone. Some UPFs—like fortified cereals, canned beans, and plant-based milks—were linked to lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, while minimally processed foods like red meat, coconut oil, and white rice fared worse. Nutritionists say the findings reflect what many have long argued: the UPF conversation is too black-and-white. A diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can still include some processed foods without harm. Read the full report from The Times.

Rather than relying on supplements, nutrition experts suggest that everyday foods can naturally support collagen production in the body. Collagen, a key protein responsible for skin elasticity and structure, declines with age due to factors like diet, stress, and environmental exposure. According to a recent report by MSN, vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits and berries play a critical role in collagen synthesis. Protein sources like eggs, fish, and legumes provide essential amino acids, while bone broth offers collagen peptides. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or flaxseeds help maintain skin hydration, and minerals like zinc and copper—found in seeds and nuts—support skin repair and regeneration.

Eliminating all sugar from your diet might sound like the ultimate “clean eating” move, but new research suggests it could quietly damage your health instead of improving it. In a small rodent study, mice on a strict zero-sugar, low-fat diet stayed slim, yet their metabolic health collapsed, with hormones signalling gut distress and a reduced ability to clear glucose from the blood. The key appears to be the gut microbiome. Helpful bacteria rely on simple sugars from natural foods to produce compounds that protect the gut lining, support nutrient absorption and regulate appetite and insulin response. When sugar disappears completely, beneficial microbes die off, the gut barrier weakens and “leaky gut” inflammation can follow. Experts emphasise this is not a green light for processed suga...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is moving to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes, urging manufacturers to adopt natural alternatives such as beet juice and turmeric. Major companies including Nestlé and PepsiCo aim to complete the transition by 2027, according to a recent report by Yahoo News. While the shift has been welcomed by health advocates, experts caution that natural dyes are not inherently safer. Some lack extensive toxicological data, and scaling production may prove difficult. Studies have also linked certain natural additives, including beta-carotene and carmine, to health risks ranging from allergies to increased disease rates. Regulators maintain that all additives, natural or synthetic, must meet the same safety standards before approval.

Forget the one-size-fits-all approach to gut health — researchers say your personal food habits are the key. University of Minnesota scientists are developing an AI-powered algorithm to decode how individual eating patterns shape the gut microbiome, moving away from blanket dietary advice. Detailed in a new study published in Gut Microbes Reports, the research introduces a "house" framework: core foods act as the stable foundation of your diet, while secondary foods are the variable "furniture" that shift over time — both influencing gut bacteria in distinct ways. "There is no single miracle food for gut health," said co-lead author Levi Teigen. "Behavioral patterns and daily food choices have critical influence on the gut microbiome." By using mobile health technology and nutrition soc...