Nutrition

From Spanish paella to West African jollof rice, rice is a staple in dishes across the world. This colorful animated video dives into the global expansion of rice, which contributes more than 20% of the calories consumed by humans each year. Learn about rice’s beginnings thousands of years ago, the environmental consequences of its popularity, and the potential for positive changes in the future.

A groundbreaking business called Ovipost is attempting to revolutionize cricket farming for a more sustainable food system. The entrepreneurs are using automation to streamline the management of cricket egg laying and counting, with the goal of reducing production costs and making insect farming economically feasible. As it stands now, the cost of producing crickets can not be compared with the low cost of raising industrial chickens. Read this article to learn more about the emerging industry of insect agriculture, as well as its potential for nutritional and environmental benefits.

Why do certain substances trigger an immune response while others don't? Listen to researchers explain the science in this five-minute video. Food allergies affect around 8% of children and 2% of adults in the US, and—unlike sensitivity or intolerance—they involve the immune system mistaking certain harmless proteins in foods as dangerous invaders, triggering a rapid and sometimes severe defense response.

Vitamins are molecular tools the body needs to carry out regular cellular processes, such as wound healing. This 45-minute video dives into the science behind vitamins and their role in the body. There are 13 essential vitamins that must be...

In recent years, many critics have voiced their concerns about the food industry and how ultra-processed foods affect our health. Despite our awareness of these issues, processed foods are still incredibly hard to remove from our diet. In this podcast by The Guardian, Dr. Chris van Tulleken explains how “junk food” is created to get us hooked, how it negatively affects us, and what we can do to improve our eating habits.

Those who remember growing up with the age-old food pyramid may be resistant to dietary guidelines changing, but experts agree that the food pyramid recommendations held serious flaws. It suggested, for instance, that meat and junk food were meant...

Eating a balanced diet—which includes a variety of foods from all food groups—is important for optimal health. It is also recommended to avoid ultra-processed foods, such as frozen meals, fast foods, soda, and flavored yogurt. The simplest way...

The world is trending toward weight gain, a development that comes with a corresponding rise in risk for health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. This article explores how meal timing has become a factor in nutrition and weight maintenance.

While aging affects every system in the body, there are important steps adults can take to make sure they age as well as possible. For instance: The skeletal system’s bones shrink in size and density as people age, but weight-bearing exercises can help slow this bone loss. And while changes in the cardiovascular system can cause stiffening of arteries, making sure to get enough sleep can give them time to repair. This article not only explains what to expect as you age, but also provides tips for promoting health.

Some claim seed oils—oils extracted from seeds, such as sunflower or canola—increase inflammation and disease risk, advising consumers reach for saturated fats instead. Saturated fats, typically solid at room temperature, are found in animal products and some vegetable oils, including coconut. When adjusting for lifestyle risk factors, research shows seed oils are, on average, good for one's heart and considered healthy alternatives to saturated fat.