Food & Nutrition

As long as we don't run out of chemicals, we will never run out of chemical scares. Most are unfounded, especially the current one – that the use of methylene chloride to decaffeinate coffee will somehow harm you. The numbers say otherwise. There is nothing to worry about here.
Americans seem to have quite a positive view of dietary supplements. According to a 2023 survey, 74% of U.S. adults take vitamins, prebiotics and the like. The business of supplements is booming, and with all the hype around them, it’s easy to forget what they actually are: substances that can powerfully affect the body and your health, yet aren’t regulated like drugs are. They’re regulated more like food.
Discovering the truth about the impact of ultra-processed foods on our brains can be like navigating a maze of conflicting information. In a recent article published by The Wall Street Journal, the spotlight was once again cast on this controversial topic.
William "Bill" Post, who recently passed away at age 96, may not ring a lot of bells, but his invention sure does. Post is credited with the invention of Pop-Tarts. The little devils were first marketed in 1964 but even after 60 years, they remain wildly popular – to the tune of three billion sold annually. Here's a non-serious look at Post and his breakfast-changing innovation.
Picture this: a farm where the phrase "the other white meat" takes on a whole new meaning. It’s where farmers swap their pitchforks for snake tongs and hooks, where the scales are tipped in favor of protein, and fewer greenhouse gases are released.
A recent study published in Nature suggests that the key to a longer, healthier life is not achieved by stuffing our faces around the clock. Instead, starving ourselves for a bit might be the ticket to turning back the clock on aging. What is the science behind this hunger game? Is fasting the ultimate cheat code for defying time?
As is widely known, March 14 is also called Pi Day. That's because the mathematical figure, which is used, among other things, to calculate the area of a circle, is termed "irrational," in that it cannot be converted to a fraction – with decimals that go on infinitely. However, it begins with 3.14, hence the association with the calendar. With that, shall we share the recipe for the world's best Key Lime Pi(e)? Absolutely.
In a surprising twist to the urban farming narrative, a study challenges the widely-held belief that urban agriculture (UA) is a beacon of sustainability. Despite its celebrated diversity and perceived lower environmental impact, those charming community gardens and small-scale farms emit six times more carbon dioxide equivalents than their conventional counterparts.
Whenever I encounter a supposed practice or supplement that will save or ruin my brain, my first reaction is to roll my eyes – a modus operandi that I, unfortunately, developed in graduate school.
A coalition of public health groups has released an "Obesity Bill of Rights" meant to challenge "outdated thinking" about unhealthy weight gain, and to expand access to health care. It's a well-meaning effort built on faulty assumptions and aimed at the wrong audience.
The discourse about the link between diet and cancer can often be as convoluted as a tangled mess of spaghetti. If you were expecting definitive answers in the realm of nutritional science, the TH Chan School of Public Health discussion on "Reducing Cancer Risk Through Nutrition" will disappoint.
The Glucose Goddess is a prominent Instagram health influencer. Her real name is Jessie Inchauspe, and she has a master’s degree in biochemistry. She’s made her fame on social media by preaching about blood sugar and health. She’s the quintessential social media influencer: she sells books, courses, and recipes. Basically, everything except supplements … until now!