Researchers analyzed the food intake of nearly 1,500 babies in the United States and found that about 16% of parents fed their child complementary foods before the age of four months, and about 38% provided their son or daughter solids or other drinks by five months of age. Lead investigator Dr. Chloe Barrera warns, “Introducing…

Japanese researchers evaluated the teeth of over 6,500 elderly men and women and found an association between greater fruit and vegetable consumption and better oral health. Nutrients, December 2017

Children are more likely to develop asthma if their moms consumed sugary drinks during their pregnancy. An analysis of data on 1,068 mother-child pairs from a long-term study revealed that expectant mothers who drink two or more sugary beverages per day are up to 63% more likely to have a son or daughter with asthma…

In a new study, researchers monitored the eating habits and health of more than 1,900 children and found that those who regularly consumed takeout food typically had higher levels of body fat and blood cholesterol than those who usually ate meals prepared at home. Archives of Disease in Childhood, December 2017

Compared to individuals with healthy blood sugar levels, the average patient with prediabetes consumes fewer servings of fruits and vegetables in their diet. This finding suggests that eating a produce-rich diet can help individuals better control their blood sugar. European Journal of Nutrition, December 2017

Korean researchers surveyed 65,212 students and found that those with a greater intake of soft drinks, sugary drinks, and fast food were more likely to report lower scores in regards to sleep quality, happiness, and overall health. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, November 2017

In a recent study involving rodents, researchers observed that a high-fat diet could cause blood vessel damage and increased blood pressure—symptoms common in diabetics—within a short period of time. Researcher Dr. Maria Alicia Carrillo Sepulveda writes, “Our findings suggest that short-term exposure to the western diet can put individuals at risk for developing vascular damage…

Since the implementation of regulations and laws requiring many restaurants around the United States to include caloric information next to menu items, researchers have found that calorie counts per menu item have dropped an average of 15 calories and diners have consumed an average of 27 fewer calories per meal—with overweight restaurant goers cutting 83…

In this study, researchers advised over 46,000 overweight and obese women, aged 50 to 79, who normally consumed a high-fat diet to either eat less fat and more fruits, vegetables, and grains or continue their normal diet. Fifteen years later, they found the women who received education about eating a healthier diet had a 17%…

According to a new report in the Frontiers of Nutrition, foods such as pomegranates, dried plums, whole grains, ginger, turmeric, and olive oil appear to reduce inflammation, which may benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Frontiers in Nutrition, November 2017