Nutrition Research News

August 30, 2024

Imbalances in Gut Bacteria Linked to Low Self-Esteem

The ecosystem within our digestive tract, also known as the gut microbiome, is home to many species of tiny organisms. When an infection or stress disrupts the microbiome, the imbalance can affect not only our gut, but our entire body, and possibly even our mental health.

June 25, 2024

Xylitol May Affect Cardiovascular Health

An NIH-funded study by a team of researchers suggested that an artificial sweetener called erythritol might exacerbate heart disease.

June 11, 2024

Providing Lasting Protection from Peanut Allergy

Almost two decades ago, an NIH-funded study called Learning Early About Peanut Allergy (LEAP) began testing whether introducing peanut products early in life could reduce kids’ risk of developing peanut allergy. LEAP-Trio followed 508 of the original study participants to an average age of 13. The LEAP-Trio results were published on May 28, 2024, in NEJM Evidence.

February 1, 2024

Dejunking Your Diet: The Drawbacks of Ultra-Processed Foods

Scientists are starting to learn that highly processed foods can have certain effects on your body that may make sticking to your healthy eating goals even harder. Eating too much of them may lead to weight gain and increase your risk for certain diseases, like cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

February 1, 2024

Mindfulness Training Can Promote Healthy Choices

An eating plan called the DASH diet can lead to heart-healthy changes, like lower blood pressure. The diet encourages eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and avoiding saturated fats. But despite its known benefits, many people have trouble sticking to this eating plan. A new study tested whether mindfulness training might help people follow the DASH diet.

August 1, 2023

Breaking Down Food: A Closer Look at What You Eat

Food provides energy and nutrients that are essential for your health. These include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats (called macronutrients), and vitamins and minerals (called micronutrients). Having a balanced diet helps ensure you get all the nutrients your body needs.