Nutrition

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...

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...

While news reports may claim cheese is addictive, the facts behind the research show cheese and crack have little in common. It appears that highly processed foods with high levels of sugars and fat, rather than cheese specifically, are most closely associated with addictive-like behaviors. In fact, cheese ranked lower than foods like pizza, chocolate, and fries in terms of its addictiveness.

The carnivore diet is reportedly a way of eating inherited from human ancestors, a tale that has roots in anthropology's early days. This article explores the all-meat diet's ancestral claims and what happens if you cut vegetables and fruits from...

Nutrition labels list daily values based on a 2,000-calorie diet, but how did this become the gold standard of calorie intake? The FDA used food consumption surveys to determine that men consume 2,000 to 3,000 calories, women consume 1,600 to 2,200 calories, and children consume 1,800 to 2,500 calories per day. To allow consumers to compare food products easily, the FDA chose 2,000 calories as the basis for nutritional labels, which show the amounts of fat, sodium, vitamins, and minerals in relation to recommended daily intake. Read this article to learn why this number is controversial.

B12 is both the world’s most expensive vitamin and one of the most important for the human body, playing a role in critical bodily functions like DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and nerve function. It is also the only vitamin produced by a bacteria—humans can't produce it. It isn't found in plants, and (aside from supplements) it can only be obtained through a diet that includes meat, fish, or animal products like eggs and milk. In this six-minute video, hear researchers discuss the science and importance of B12.

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.

While overconsumption certainly has its drawbacks—hello, not sleeping until the sun rises—on the whole, coffee is fine, even beneficial, for your health. It can even help prevent serious health conditions, like heart attacks and liver cancer.

Fifty-eight percent of Americans take dietary supplements with the intention of improving their health, fitness level, or immunity but there is limited evidence to actually support their benefits. Read this article to learn more about why supplements should not be used as a substitute for a healthy diet and lifestyle. While there are a few exceptions (such as evidence that folic acid prevents birth defects), there is little research to prove that most nutritional supplements from this $30 billion industry do anything to improve health for an already-healthy person. In fact, some supplement use can do more harm than good, especially when high doses are taken.

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...