• Med Diet and COVID. High adherence to a healthy diet, such as a Mediterranean (Med) style pattern, may lower risk of COVID-19 infection, researchers say. Study data included the review of six studies published between 2020 and 2023 with more than 55,000 participants from five countries. Three studies reported significant impacts of the Med diet and COVID risk and one study linked the Med diet to fewer COVID symptoms. More research is necessary to understand this association.
(PLOS ONE, August 2024)

• Apps Help Support Health. Digital health tools, such as mobile apps and website, can help people improve their health via diet, activity, and sleep, researchers say. The study reviewed 47 meta-analyses with more than 200,000 participants. Digital health tool use resulted in improvements in steps per day, total and higher intensity physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, energy intake, saturated fat consumption, bodyweight, sleep quality, and insomnia severity. Effectiveness spanned across diverse ages and health populations.
(npj Digital Medicine, July 2024)

• Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods. High intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke, researchers say. Thirty-year data was tracked in more than 75,000 participants. The highest intake of UPFs was linked with greater risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke versus persons with the lowest intake of UPFs. Removal of sugar-sweetened beverages and processed meats significantly reduced the risk. Nearly 60 percent of energy intake by U.S. adults is UPFs, defined as foods with ingredients to enhance flavor, profit, and shelf-life and/or foods that contain stabilizers, colorants, flavor enhancers, emulsifiers, or sweeteners.
(The Lancet Regional Health-Americas, September 2024)