Nutrition News

February 21, 2026

Top Headlines

Scientists Discover Why High Altitude Protects Against Diabetes

Feb. 21, 2026 Living at high altitude appears to protect against diabetes, and scientists have finally discovered the reason. When oxygen levels drop, red blood cells switch into a new metabolic mode and absorb large amounts of glucose from the blood. This helps ...

Ultramarathons May Damage Red Blood Cells and Accelerate Aging

Feb. 21, 2026 Running extreme distances may strain more than just muscles and joints. New research suggests ultramarathons can alter red blood cells in ways that make them less flexible and more prone to breakdown, potentially interfering with how they deliver ...

Intermittent Fasting Fails to Beat Standard Dieting for Weight Loss

Feb. 18, 2026 Intermittent fasting has become one of the most talked-about weight loss trends in recent years, promising dramatic results with simple changes to when you eat. But a major Cochrane review suggests the reality may be far less exciting. After ...

People Who Switched to Cannabis Drinks Cut Their Alcohol Use Nearly in Half

Feb. 17, 2026 A new University at Buffalo study suggests cannabis-infused beverages could help some people cut back on alcohol. In a survey of cannabis users, those who drank cannabis beverages reported cutting their weekly alcohol intake roughly in half and ...

Nearly 200,000 People Reveal the Real Key to Heart Health

Feb. 17, 2026 A decades-long study of nearly 200,000 adults challenges the low-carb versus low-fat debate. Both eating patterns were tied to lower heart disease risk when they emphasized whole grains, plant-based foods, and healthy fats. Versions filled with ...

This Planet Friendly Diet Could Cut Your Risk of Early Death by 23%

Feb. 15, 2026 A major new study suggests that eating the Nordic way could help you live significantly longer—while also helping the planet. Researchers from Aarhus University found that people who closely followed the 2023 Nordic dietary guidelines had a 23% ...

Stop Eating 3 Hours Before Bed to Improve Heart Health

Feb. 15, 2026 A simple shift in your evening routine may give your heart a measurable boost. In a new study, adults who stopped eating and dimmed the lights three hours before bed and extended their overnight fast by about two hours saw improvements in blood ...

Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements Could Backfire Without This Key Enzyme

Feb. 13, 2026 Fish oil’s cancer-fighting reputation may hinge on a little-known gene. Researchers discovered that omega-3s like EPA and DHA help curb colorectal cancer only when the enzyme ALOX15 is present. Without it, fish oil sometimes increased tumor growth ...

This Vegan Diet Cut Insulin Use by Nearly 30% in Type 1 Diabetes

Feb. 13, 2026 A low-fat vegan diet—without cutting calories or carbs—may help people with type 1 diabetes significantly reduce how much insulin they need, and how much they spend on it. In a new analysis published in BMC Nutrition, participants following the ...

This Kefir and Fiber Combo Beat Omega-3 in Slashing Inflammation

Feb. 11, 2026 A six-week study from the University of Nottingham suggests that pairing fermented kefir with a diverse prebiotic fiber mix may deliver a powerful anti-inflammatory boost. This “synbiotic” combination outperformed omega-3 supplements and fiber ...

Changing When You Eat Dramatically Reduced Crohn’s Disease Symptoms

Feb. 11, 2026 A new clinical trial suggests that changing when you eat could make a meaningful difference for people living with Crohn’s disease. Researchers found that time-restricted feeding, a form of intermittent fasting that limits meals to an 8-hour daily ...

Blockbuster Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic Deliver Big Results but Face Big Questions

Feb. 11, 2026 Three major reviews commissioned by the World Health Organization find that GLP-1 drugs including tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound), semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), and liraglutide ...

Latest Headlines

updated 10:09am EST

Sugary Drinks Linked to Rising Anxiety in Teens

Feb. 18, 2026 Sugary drinks may be linked to more than just physical health problems in teens. A new review of multiple studies found a consistent association between high consumption of beverages like soda, ...

Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to 47% Higher Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

Feb. 10, 2026 Ultra-processed foods are everywhere in the American diet, and researchers are finding alarming consequences. Using national health data, scientists found that adults with the highest intake of these ...

Feb. 9, 2026 A long-term study found that women who closely followed a Mediterranean diet had a much lower risk of stroke. The strongest benefits were seen in women who ate more plant-based foods, fish, and olive ...

Scientists Turn Sunflower Oil Waste Into a Powerful Bread Upgrade

Feb. 8, 2026 Researchers have found a surprising way to turn sunflower oil waste into a powerful bread upgrade. By replacing part of wheat flour with partially defatted sunflower seed flour, breads became ...

Scientists Found a Gut Compound That Helps Protect the Liver

Feb. 8, 2026 What a mother eats during pregnancy may quietly shape her child’s liver health years down the road—but new research suggests there may be a way to tip the odds back in a healthier direction. ...

That Dry, Bitter Taste May Be Waking Up Your Brain

Feb. 7, 2026 New research suggests the astringent sensation caused by flavanols could act as a direct signal to the brain, triggering effects similar to a mild workout for the nervous system. In mouse ...

Scientists Found a Hidden Fat Switch and Turned It Off

Feb. 6, 2026 Researchers have discovered a previously unknown enzyme that plays a crucial role in fat production. By blocking it, they stopped weight gain, reduced liver damage, and lowered harmful cholesterol ...

A Hidden Brain Effect of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Feb. 6, 2026 New research using rhesus monkeys suggests that the brain’s relationship with alcohol may begin forming long before a person ever takes a drink. Scientists found that exposure to alcohol before ...

This Simple Diet Shift Cut 330 Calories a Day Without Smaller Meals

Feb. 5, 2026 People who switch to a fully unprocessed diet don’t just eat differently—they eat smarter. Research from the University of Bristol shows that when people avoid ultra-processed foods, they ...

The Overlooked Nutrition Risk of Ozempic and Wegovy

Feb. 4, 2026 Popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy can dramatically curb appetite, but experts warn many users are flying blind when it comes to nutrition. New research suggests people taking these ...

The Fat You Can’t See Could Be Shrinking Your Brain

Jan. 28, 2026 Where your body stores fat may matter just as much as how much you carry—especially for your brain. Using advanced MRI scans and data from nearly 26,000 people, researchers identified two ...

New Review Finds Wild Blueberries Support Heart and Gut Health

Jan. 27, 2026 A sweeping scientific review highlights wild blueberries as a standout food for cardiometabolic health. The strongest evidence shows improvements in blood vessel function, with encouraging signs for ...

A Quiet Change in Everyday Foods Could Save Thousands of Lives

Jan. 31, 2026 Lowering salt in everyday foods could quietly save lives. Researchers found that modest sodium reductions in bread, packaged foods, and takeout meals could significantly reduce heart disease and ...

Long-Term Alcohol Use Linked to a Sharp Rise in Rectal Cancer

Jan. 29, 2026 Drinking heavily over many years is linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer, especially rectal cancer, according to new research tracking U.S. adults for two decades. People who drank heavily ...

A Common Vitamin Could Influence Bathroom Frequency

Jan. 22, 2026 Scientists studying genetic data from over a quarter million people have uncovered new clues about what controls how fast the gut moves. They identified multiple DNA regions linked to bowel movement ...

An Endocrinologist Tried a New Weight Loss Approach and It Worked

Jan. 17, 2026 A simple change in how primary care clinics approach weight management is delivering big public health wins. PATHWEIGH lets patients openly request help and gives doctors the tools to focus entire ...

Scientists Are Rethinking Bamboo as a Powerful New Superfood

Jan. 16, 2026 Bamboo shoots may be far more than a crunchy side dish. A comprehensive review found they can help control blood sugar, support heart and gut health, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. ...

Researchers Found a Tipping Point for Video Gaming and Health

Jan. 16, 2026 Moderate video gaming appears harmless, but heavy gaming may take a toll on young people’s health. Researchers found that students gaming more than 10 hours a week had worse diets, higher body ...

This Sweet Fruit Is Packed With Hidden Health Compounds

Jan. 14, 2026 Scientists are taking a closer look at monk fruit and discovering it’s more than just a sugar substitute. New research shows its peel and pulp contain a rich mix of antioxidants and bioactive ...

This New Sugar Tastes Like the Real Thing Without the Usual Downsides

Jan. 13, 2026 Scientists at Tufts have found a way to turn common glucose into a rare sugar that tastes almost exactly like table sugar—but with far fewer downsides. Using engineered bacteria as microscopic ...

How Type 2 Diabetes Quietly Damages Blood Vessels

Jan. 22, 2026 Type 2 diabetes becomes more dangerous to the heart the longer a person has it. Researchers found that after several years, red blood cells can begin interfering with healthy blood vessel function. ...

This Natural Amino Acid Could Help Stop Cavities Before They Start

Jan. 9, 2026 Sugar-loving mouth bacteria create acids that damage teeth, but arginine can help fight back. In a clinical trial, arginine-treated dental plaque stayed less acidic, became structurally less harmful, ...

These Common Food Preservatives May Be Linked to Cancer

Jan. 27, 2026 A large French study tracking more than 100,000 people over a decade has found that higher consumption of certain food preservatives—commonly found in processed foods and drinks—is linked to a ...

Common Food Preservatives Linked to Higher Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Jan. 9, 2026 Foods that rely heavily on preservatives may be doing more than extending shelf life. In a large study spanning more than a decade, people with the highest intake of preservative additives were far ...

A 25-Year Study Found an Unexpected Link Between Cheese and Dementia

Feb. 4, 2026 A massive Swedish study tracking nearly 28,000 people for 25 years found an unexpected link between full-fat dairy and brain health. Among adults without a genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, eating more ...

Vitamin A May Be Helping Cancer Hide from the Immune System

Jan. 16, 2026 A vitamin A byproduct has been found to quietly disarm the immune system, allowing tumors to evade attack and weakening cancer vaccines. Scientists have now developed a drug that shuts down this ...

Scientists Find a Safer Way to Make Cells Burn More Calories

Jan. 5, 2026 Researchers have developed experimental compounds that make cells burn more calories by subtly tweaking how mitochondria produce energy. Older versions of these chemicals were once used for weight ...

Even One Drink a Day May Raise Mouth Cancer Risk

Dec. 30, 2025 New research suggests that even light alcohol use may carry serious risks. A large study in India found that drinking just one standard drink a day is linked to a roughly 50% higher risk of mouth ...

How Ozempic and Wegovy Are Quietly Cutting America’s Food Bills

Jan. 12, 2026 Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are changing how Americans spend money on food. A large Cornell study found households cut grocery spending by over 5% within six months, with even bigger ...

MIT Study Shows High-Fat Diets Give Liver Cancer a Dangerous Head Start

Dec. 31, 2025 A high-fat diet does more than overload the liver with fat. New research from MIT shows that prolonged exposure to fatty foods can push liver cells into a survival mode that quietly raises the risk ...