What’s the buzz? Getting “enough” vitamin D is a challenge for many. What does the science say? Vitamin D (aka the sunshine vitamin) has been in the spotlight in recent years due to controversy among the scientific community over the benefits of its intake. While it’s known for its role in bone and teeth health…Read More

What’s the buzz? Natural sugars like honey, maple syrup, agave, and coconut sugar are better for you than table sugar. Or are they? What does the science say? We have some not-so-sweet news: most Americans consume too much added sugar — an average of 22 teaspoons per day! That’s more than double the recommended maximum…Read More

What’s the buzz? You’ll now get a side of calorie information with your burger and fries in many restaurants. What do the law and the science say? Not so fast. Although the food industry is abuzz with the news that providing calories on (some) restaurant menus is now mandatory, not every location must comply and…Read More

What’s the buzz? Food-sensitivity blood tests can save you from exposure to harmful ingredients. But could they be needlessly limiting your food choices? What does the science say? Awareness around food allergies and intolerances has increased exponentially in the last decade. This is great news for someone with a food allergy — doctors are more…Read More

What’s the buzz? Eating like people in the globe’s “Blue Zones” could be the secret to a long, happy, and healthy life. What does the science say? The Blue Zones® refers to five regions around the world that are home to some of the world’s healthiest and oldest people — Loma Linda, CA, in the…Read More

What’s the buzz? Carb cycling is the latest go-to diet to boost athletic performance and burn fat. What does the science say? As the primary fuel for our muscles and brain, carbohydrates are the limiting factor when it comes to endurance exercise and have also been shown to play an important role in short-duration, high-intensity…Read More

What’s the buzz? The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay — a.k.a. the MIND Diet —  will help your brain stay younger for longer. What does the science say? It’s well established by now that what we eat affects our long-term health — from warding off chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes to aging “gracefully.”…Read More

What’s the buzz? Choosing whole foods instead of focusing on numbers could be your ticket to weight loss, says new study What does the science say? Last month a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) finally put to rest the debate about whether a low-fat or low-carbohydrate diet is better…Read More

What’s the buzz? Dairy is mooooving over for plant-based milks in many people’s diets. What does the science say? The days of soy milk as the only cow’s milk alternative are gone — today’s grocery store shelves are filled with a myriad of plant-based milk options such as almond, cashew, coconut, hemp, flax, oat, rice,…Read More

What’s the buzz? Bee pollen may relieve a variety of health problems, including seasonal allergies and low energy. What does the science say? Bee pollen is a nutrition supplement touted as a natural seasonal-allergy reliever and immunity booster (now that’s an idea worth buzzing about!). It is made up of pollen that is collected by…Read More

What’s the buzz? The food additive carrageenan may cause a variety of health problems. What does the science say? Carrageenan is an food additive made from seaweed that is commonly used as a thickener in plant-based milks, cottage cheese, ice cream, deli meats, and vegan dairy alternatives. Critics of carrageenan claim it can cause inflammation,…Read More

What’s the buzz? Choosing sugar-, gluten-, dairy-free, or other free-from foods is a fast track to healthy eating What does the science say? Sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and you-name-it-free are everywhere on package labels and restaurant menus these days. For some, the surge of new products made without specific ingredients can be very helpful…Read More

What’s the buzz? Your food choices can help or hinder you in reaching your genetic potential. What does the science say? An emerging form of nutrition science called nutrigenomics may help health professionals create personalized nutrition plans based on your specific genome (a.k.a. your complete set of genes). The Human Genome Project found that for…Read More

What’s the buzz? Hot pink is the new green (smoothie). What does the science say? The vivid pink smoothie bowls that have taken over your Instagram feed get their eye-popping color from dragon fruit (a.k.a. pitaya), which is native to Mexico, Central and South America, and grown in some parts of Asia as well as…Read More

What’s the buzz? New blood pressure guidelines mean nearly half of Americans now have high blood pressure. What does the science say? Last month, the American College of Cardiology (ACC), along with the American Heart Association (AHA), released new guidelines that lower the number at which you are considered to have high blood pressure. A…Read More

What’s the buzz? New “light” avocados could mean indulging in #avocadotoast more often What does the science say? There are more than 6 million photos tagged #avocado on Instagram. Whether it’s an avocado rose–adorned grain bowl, an avocado-based chocolate mousse, or baked avocado “fries,” this nutritious fruit is getting all the love. Can there be…Read More

What’s the buzz? Jackfruit tastes like meat but is way better for you. What does the science say? Jackfruit is a plant relative of the fig — though with a very different taste and texture — that is native to Southeast Asia. The fruit is commonly found in regional cuisines of India, Bangladesh, and Thailand,…Read More

What’s the buzz? Everyone’s talking about getting funky with your food. Is it really that good for you — and is it safe? What does the science say? Lots of people are experimenting in their kitchens these days (and not just in Berkeley and Brooklyn). From feeding a sourdough starter for freshly baked bread to…Read More

What’s the buzz? Adaptogens might be the mystical medicinal tonics that can bust your stress naturally. What does the science say? High levels of daily stress have become normal for many Americans — we’re working longer hours, tasked with doing more, and, thanks to technology, more connected than ever before. The link between stress and…Read More

What’s the buzz? Is eating “clean” the golden ticket to health and happiness? What does the science say? Search for #cleaneating on Instagram or Twitter and you’ll get several million posts, with the top ones garnering over 10,000 likes. (Not to mention the 60 million results you get with just a quick Internet search.) To…Read More

What’s the buzz? Nightshades are vegetables with a shady reputation that some say you should avoid. What does the science say? Just when you thought everyone agreed that vegetables are good for you, many online “health experts” have put nightshade vegetables on their “do not eat” list. And when celebrities like New England Patriots quarterback…Read More

What’s the buzz? Bugs with benefits: Are crickets the new perfect protein? What does the science say? While insects are a regular part of many people’s diets around the world, in the U.S. the idea of eating bugs probably sounds, shall we say, a little foreign. In recent years, insects — and crickets in particular…Read More

What’s the Buzz? Açai is a deep-purple wonder food that’s the coolest new food trend (literally). What Does the Science Say? Açai (ah-sigh-ee) is a dark purple tropical fruit native to South American rainforests that is most known for its use in smoothie bowls, one of the latest healthy (and often spend-y!) breakfast trends. (What’s…Read More

What’s the buzz? Kombucha, the slightly tart, slightly sweet, and sometimes fizzy beverage that’s increasingly available in beverage cases nationwide has a big fan following. Many claim it can support immunity and provide a wide range of other health benefits. What does the science say? Kombucha is a fermented tea and sugar-based drink to which…Read More

What’s the buzz? Monk fruit sugar is the newest zero-calorie sweetener to have dieters salivating. What does the science say? Monk fruit, also referred to as “lo han guo,” is a small green gourd that grows in Southeast Asia. While this sweetener is newly on the radar for many Westerners, its use dates back to…Read More