Nutrition

Newsbites: Body mass index data; healthy eating and sleep; MIND diet for cognitive health

Sep 25, 2023 · Judith C. Thalhaimer, RD, LDN · Nutrition

New Data on Body Mass Index (BMI) Body Mass Index (BMI) is a ratio of weight to height. It has been used to group people as underweight, “normal” weight, overweight, or obese. While it is a useful public health tool, BMI’s ability to predict health risks on an individual level … Read More

Should You Try “Intermittent Fasting?”

Sep 25, 2023 · Judith C. Thalhaimer, RD, LDN · Nutrition

Carrying excess body fat (particularly belly fat) increases risk for metabolic syndrome (see page 4) and diseases that include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Intermittent fasting is currently a popular weight loss method. Evidence suggests it can be as effective as traditional calorie cutting, although it is not … Read More

Ask Tufts Experts: Food Choices When Tired; Eating During Chemotherapy

Sep 25, 2023 · UHN Staff · Nutrition

I tend to make less healthful food choices when I’m tired. Is this a real thing, or is it just me? José Ordovás, PhD, leader of the Nutrition and Genomics Team at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging answers: “You are not alone in noticing a tendency to make … Read More

Balance Salt and Potassium for Better Heart Health

Sep 25, 2023 · Kate Brophy · Nutrition

Too much salt can harm your cardiovascular health because salt contains sodium, a mineral that may increase blood pressure. Yet, if you’re like many other older Americans, you may well still be consuming too much salt. “The American diet tends to be high in processed foods that contain a lot … Read More

Ask The Experts: Monday Morning Heart Attacks; New Weight-Loss Drug; Smartwatches and Pacemakers

Sep 25, 2023 · UHN Staff · Nutrition

Is it true that serious heart attacks are more likely to happen on a Monday? If so, why? Studies do indeed suggest that heart attacks are more likely to occur on a Monday than any other day of the week. Scientists think it may have something to do with circadian … Read More

Research Roundup October 2023

Sep 25, 2023 · UHN Staff · Nutrition

Strawberries Help Brain, Heart. Two servings of strawberries a day may help improve cognitive function, lower blood pressure, and increase antioxidant capacity, researchers say. A group of 35 healthy men and women, ages 66 to 78, ate 26 grams of freeze-dried strawberry powder (equivalent of two servings of fresh strawberries) … Read More

6 Health and Wellness Tips from a Nutrition Expert

Sep 25, 2023 · UHN Staff · Nutrition

As a registered dietitian with a Ph.D. in nutrition/biochemistry, I’m often asked for the best ways to eat healthfully and to stay healthy. While there is no single, sure-fire formula for staying healthy, I can share a few of my thoughts on what you can do to tilt the odds … Read More

Drinking Tap Water May Be Harmful

Sep 25, 2023 · UHN Staff · Nutrition

Drinking water from nearly half of faucets in the U.S. likely contain “forever chemicals,” or per-and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), which remain in the human body for years, don’t degrade in the environment, and may cause cancer and other health problems, according to a government study. Water samples from 716 locations … Read More

What are Polyphenols?

Sep 25, 2023 · Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD · Nutrition

Q: What are polyphenols and how can I get them in my diet? A: Polyphenols are compounds found in plant foods, including fruits and veggies, herbs, spices, dark chocolate, tea, and wine. Polyphenols (of which more than 8,000 types have been identified) can be broken down into four main groups: … Read More

What is Food Insecurity?

Sep 25, 2023 · Denise Webb · Nutrition

Q: What is food insecurity? A: Food insecurity, which affected 13.8 million households in 2020, is a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life. It can be the result of low income, unemployment, and/or disability. It can be … Read More