Nutrition

Amid the severe conditions of World War II, researchers were eager to learn the effects of starvation in a controlled study. This podcast dives into a yearlong study of 36 men at a Minneapolis college who endured a six-month period of semi-starvation, where their caloric intake was halved. Results from the experiment became a landmark study in human starvation.

In 1912, biochemist Kazimierz Funk, often anglicized as Casimir Funk, proposed that there existed an essential nutrient in food that could prevent deficiency diseases, such as scurvy or rickets. This article explores the origin of the multivitamin, an invention that has garnished...

A natural diet, typically high in plant-based foods and low in processed foods, appears to be the main contributor to a healthy, diverse gut microbiome.

What if you found out that weight loss is actually much more complex than “calories in, calories out” and that the 2,000 calorie-a-day recommendation may not actually be accurate?

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.

Fruit bats eat up to twice their body weight in sugary fruit daily. Yet, they don't develop Type 2 diabetes, a condition not caused by sugar but influenced by the byproducts of high sugar consumption, such as weight gain and insulin resistance. Researchers have found that Jamaican fruit bats have more cells that produce insulin and glucagon—insulin's counterpart that keeps blood sugar from falling too low—than their bug-eating peers, so they are better able to regulate blood sugar.

During the Paleolithic era, which lasted from about 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago, ancient humans and their relatives were hunters and gatherers. Some have taken this to mean that these people must've survived off a diet heavy in meat and low in carbs. This article details how research on modern hunter-gatherer populations shows that's not true. Historically, hunter-gatherers ate what was around, meaning their diets varied by region and season and often featured carbohydrates like honey and root vegetables. This approach holds true for similar communities today.

MyPlate, a visual representation of nutrition guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is designed to help Americans understand what to eat each day—but it remains important for individuals to also understand the basic principals of healthy eating. MyPlate is a simple visual model that divides a plate into four sections that represent the recommended portions of different food groups. It emphasizes the importance of fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy in a balanced diet. Read this article to learn more about the MyPlate guidelines, as well as some criticisms and important points to keep in mind when following these national guidelines.

Pistachios—which are actually a seed, not a nut—are a superfood with lots of great fat, fiber, antioxidants, and more, and is listed as a complete protein. Originally from the Middle East, the seed was imported to the US where California has become the leading grower in the world. Harvested once a year around October, the flavor is having a bit of a moment both for its taste and nutrition. Watch more here.

In 2013, several researchers declared multivitamins dead, stating that so-called supplements had no clear benefits and might be harmful. But the science isn't so clear-cut. This article explores the question of who would benefit from...