Among a group of 200 overweight, middle-aged adults, researchers observed that those who adopted the Nordic diet—an eating pattern rich in berries, veggies, fish, whole grains, and rapeseed oil—experienced greater improvements in their cholesterol levels and glucose regulation than participants who maintained their usual diet. Clinical Nutrition, December 2021

Healthline reports the following benefits for remaining hydrated: helps maximize physical performance, significantly affects energy levels and brain function, may prevent headaches, may help relieve constipation, may help treat kidney stones, helps prevent hangovers, and can aid weight loss. Healthline, February 2022

Harvard Health notes that the following foods can help reduce one’s low-density lipoprotein (the “bad” cholesterol) levels: oats; barley and other whole grains; beans; eggplant and okra; nuts; vegetable oils; apples, grapes, strawberries, and citrus fruits; foods fortified with sterols and stanols; soy; fatty fish; and fiber supplements. Harvard Health, February 2022

A study involving 26,000 adults found that those who took a daily supplement of 2,000 IU of vitamin D reduced their risk of developing an autoimmune disease by 22%. British Medical Journal, January 2022

Based on data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study and Medical Birth Registry of Norway, researchers report that daily maternal intake of sweetened carbonated beverages during pregnancy is linked to a small increase in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in offspring at eight years of age. European Journal of Nutrition, January 2022

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affect an estimated 3.1 million adults in the United States. An analysis of 14 years of data concerning over 125,000 adults found that a high intake of snacks and prepared meals combined with a low intake of fruit and vegetables is linked to an…

New research suggests that microbes in the digestive tract convert carnitine—an ammonium compound found in red meat—into trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), which is a molecule known to promote atherosclerosis and blood clot formation. Nature Microbiology, December 2021

New research suggests that individuals who prefer their coffee black and chocolate dark carry genes that are associated with more efficient metabolization of caffeine, which speeds up the time it takes to provide an increase in mental alertness. Scientific Reports, December 2021

A review of data from 11 studies found that intermittent fasting (restricting eating to a limited window each day or not eating one or two days a week, for example) is not only effective for weight loss but it can also improve cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose readings. JAMA Network Open, December 2021

Assessments of 845 older adults revealed that a high intake of fruit, vegetables, and plant-based foods may protect the brain against cognitive impairment and dementia. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, October 2021