Nutrition

The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program collects, analyzes, and disseminates data on population, health, HIV, and nutrition. The site compiles data through more than 400 surveys in over 90 countries around the world. Explore demographic...

The public interest in fasting diets has outpaced the science behind related health claims. This article details how the science of fasting diets is mainly exploratory and focused on longevity and disease prevention. Current findings suggest fasting kick-starts regenerative processes in the body, decreases inflammation, and improves health outcomes overall. However, much of this research focuses on the short-term impact of fasting.

Sugar is likely found in more foods and beverages than you think, which could be silently and negatively affecting your health. While it's easy to spot sugars in soft drinks, candy, and ice cream, its varied names (like evaporated cane juice, for example) can make it difficult to identify on food labels. The USDA doesn't currently have a daily recommendation for sugar, but the World Health Organization advises limiting sugar to 25 grams a day. Watch this four-minute video to learn more about where sugar is hiding and how it can affect your body.

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.

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.

A joint investigation by The Examiner and The Washington Post found that food, beverage, and supplement corporations and groups have paid registered dietitians on social media to promote content that goes against decades of scientific evidence on...

Roughly 20% of food items in the US are thrown out because consumers don't understand how to interpret expiration labels. Over time, when supermarkets began carrying processed foods, grocers use packaging codes to track how long foods had been on...

Contrary to past dietary advice promoting low-fat diets, newer research shows that certain types of fats are both necessary and healthy. It all comes down to the type of fat you eat. Focus on getting "good" unsaturated fats from sources like nuts,...

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.

You can find the macronutrient in snack bars and pretzels, shakes, and more, even though most normal diets in the West are already protein-heavy with meat and milk. A mix of increased exercise culture and influencer sway has led to a market hungry for it.