In the latest edition of “Food as Medicine,” we delve into various compelling topics spanning research, volunteer opportunities, dietary insights, and the profound connection between food and health.
Original Center News
This week, we bring you the latest insights and opportunities from the Center for Food as Medicine. For a simpler, easy-to-read summary of this week’s news and research digest, check it out here. Last week’s digest can be reviewed here. Empower your health journey with the NIH’s Guide to Dietary Supplements on foodmedcenter.org. Discover Chef Dr. Mike’s take on the link between ultra-processed food and Type II Diabetes in this week’s study spotlight here.
Don’t forget to visit and subscribe to CFAM’s YouTube channel. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter starting August 15 for daily updates on the latest studies. The Center also offers numerous volunteer opportunities in writing, research, editorial assistance, community projects, and youth engagement, which can be found here. We are also seeking social media experts for volunteer positions to enhance our online presence and outreach efforts, details available here. Additionally, a paid postdoctoral researcher position is available, focusing on advancing food-as-medicine research and its applications.
Treatment (Maybe) & Causation of Disease
Emerging research highlights that nearly half of all cancer cases in the U.S. are linked to controllable risk factors (Health). A study in Ophthalmology shows that oral antioxidant and lutein/zeaxanthin supplements can slow the progression of geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration (Peer-Reviewed Research). Medscape discusses how two specific diets are linked to improved cognition and slowed brain aging (Medscape). Meanwhile, FoodNavigator raises concerns about high-protein diets potentially damaging brain health (FoodNavigator).
The DASH diet shows promise in reducing liver fat in individuals with type 2 diabetes, as highlighted by Medscape (Medscape). Additionally, Paxlovid and vitamin supplements have shown promise in managing long COVID (Medscape). A ScienceAlert article suggests that a cheap daily supplement could boost brain function in older individuals (ScienceAlert).
Food inequity and insecurity and MASLD present significant burdens and challenges, according to a study in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Peer-Reviewed Research). Vitamin A intake may improve depressive symptoms in people with heart failure, as reported by Healio (Healio). The Western diet’s impact on the gut and its potential to heighten IBD and colon cancer risk is highlighted by Medical News Today (Medical News Today). A Mediterranean diet may help in avoiding gestational diabetes, according to News-Medical (News-Medical). Discover Magazine discusses how diet and lifestyle can help manage Graves’ disease (Discover Magazine).
Thrive / Healthspan / Longevity
The Twins Nutrition Study reveals that vegan diets may have a beneficial epigenetic impact on aging compared to omnivorous diets (BBC Medicine). Frontiers in Nutrition explores how diet can mitigate oxidative stress (Peer-Reviewed Research). A bold new study claims that certain diets can reverse biological age in as little as eight weeks (Science Focus).
Chef Jung Eun Chae shares the cultural and culinary importance of kimchi, likening its significance to air (The Guardian). Research published in Cell discusses the complex metabolic effects of diet on the host and microbiome (Peer-Reviewed Research). UC San Francisco highlights that a healthy diet with less sugar is linked to a younger biological age (UC San Francisco).
The MIND diet continues to garner attention for its potential to slow aging, as experts weigh in on its benefits (Popsugar). Frontiers discusses the causal effects of dietary habits on type 2 diabetes (Peer-Reviewed Research). A randomized crossover trial in the Journal of the American Heart Association examines the cardiometabolic effects of extra virgin olive oil within a vegan diet (Peer-Reviewed Research). Finally, Business Insider explores why whole foods like salad greens are better for brain health and aging than supplements (Business Insider).
Ingredients
The New York Times investigates why ultraprocessed foods are so hard to resist, highlighting a study that seeks to uncover the reasons behind their addictive nature (The New York Times). Food Politics by Marion Nestle critiques an industry-funded study that claims meat protein is better than plant protein (Food Politics by Marion Nestle). The Guardian exposes the high rates of fraud and mislabeling in the EU’s olive oil market (The Guardian).
EatingWell discusses the health benefits of consuming grapes daily (EatingWell). BBC highlights the innovative farming techniques of Welsh vertical farmers growing food in garages (BBC). Athletech News reports on Zoe, an at-home nutrition testing startup that recently secured $15M in funding (Athletech News).
MSN shares a nutritionist’s top 14 foods that every Australian should include in their diet for a healthier lifestyle (MSN). The National Review offers policy suggestions on how Congress can improve the food stamps program (National Review). EurekAlert! discusses the public’s uncertainty about the correct temperatures to heat food to prevent illness (EurekAlert).
Business Insider reveals how companies make ultraprocessed foods irresistible (Business Insider). The Telegraph argues that four specific foods should come with health warnings similar to those on cigarette packages (The Telegraph). Well + Good discusses why glass food storage containers are a cleaner option than plastic (Well + Good).
MSU covers the issue of microplastics and nanoplastics in foods (MSU). CNN reports on a study that found toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in pesticides used on food, in homes, and on pets (CNN). Food Safety News announces that “Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food” has been nominated for an Emmy (Food Safety News).
A study in JACC presents a paradigm shift in preventing obesity and cardiometabolic disease through interventions in school-aged children (Peer-Reviewed Research). BBC explores the complexities of ultra-processed foods and why we might never fully understand their impacts (BBC). The Conversation discusses how health star labels on food are moving closer to being mandatory, despite potential loopholes for companies (The Conversation).
The Guardian highlights how Australia’s health star rating system is exploited by companies making ultra-processed foods (The Guardian). The Conversation reports on the spread of drone food delivery in Australia and its potential to increase junk food consumption (The Conversation).
The New York Times opines that food as we know it is about to change due to the climate crisis and rising prices (The New York Times). Business Insider covers Olympians’ complaints about the food in Paris, calling it a ‘disaster’ and highlighting the need for more eggs and meat (Business Insider). The Guardian discusses why it is difficult to eliminate ultra-processed foods from our diets, pointing to a lack of time as a major factor (The Guardian).
The World Economic Forum examines the risks associated with PFAS in food packaging and the need for testing (The World Economic Forum).
Food As Medicine
The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior discusses the implementation of culinary medicine in a teaching kitchen at Marshall University (Peer-Reviewed Research). Health Affairs highlights the role of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in achieving Medicaid goals (Peer-Reviewed Research). The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine announces the finalists for the Healthy Hospital Chef Challenge at the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine).
Tufts University discusses the concept of ‘wellness as an economic asset’ and the need for a better food system to promote health and nutrition (foodnavigator-usa). The Times-Tribune covers the ‘Food is Medicine’ campaign starting by the Agriculture Department in Kentucky (Times-Tribune).
Dietary and Herbal Supplements
Harvard Health explores the ongoing debate over whether fish oil is a friend or foe to health (Harvard Health). UNICEF highlights the success of nutritional supplements in saving children from malnutrition in the province of Huíla (UNICEF). The Guardian reports on the resignation of the head of a Japanese drugmaker over a dietary supplement potentially linked to 80 deaths (The Guardian).
Glamour discusses the trend of ‘Cortisol Face’ on TikTok and what experts say about it (Glamour). Vogue lists seven signs that might indicate a need for a magnesium supplement (Vogue). The Print warns about the risks of vitamin toxicity from taking too many supplements and advises focusing on diet instead (The Print).
The Independent discusses whether hyaluronic acid supplements could be the key to skin health (The Independent).
