The Facts about Gluten-Free Eating

Gluten-free diets are popular, but it is unclear how helpful they may be for most people.

The gluten-free foods market has exploded in the past decade. It is important for people following or considering a gluten-free diet to know the facts.

Exercising for LIFE

Exercising regularly can help prevent age-related decline in physical functioning and decrease risk of falls, osteoporosis, and frailty, but the recommended 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity may seem daunting, especially for inactive older adults. While meeting these recommendations is best, a recent analysis by Tufts researchers suggests that even increasing physical activity by less than one hour a week can provide clinically significant benefits.

Supplements and Older Adults

New data suggest supplement use is very common in older adults, but some scientists question the value of this practice.

A recent study, published in The Journal of Nutrition, looked at nutrient and herbal supplement use in U.S. adults. The study surveyed over 3,400 people ages 60 and older between 2011 and 2014.

The Pros and Cons of Nutrient Density

Choosing nutrient-dense foods can increase intake of health-promoting nutrients, but rankings of foods can be misleading.

Research shows that overall dietary patterns have a big impact on health. But people don’t buy dietary patterns, they buy foods. That’s why the idea of quantifying the healthfulness of individual foods is so appealing.

Can Junk Food Taxes Improve Health?

Tufts researchers tackle tough questions on junk food taxes.

There is currently a lot of interest in whether adjusting food prices could encourage more healthful food choices, and ultimately improve health. Would taxes change buying behavior in meaningful and impactful ways? Would they lead to improved public health? And is it viable (and fair) to implement such policies on a national level? Tufts experts have examined these important issues in several recently published studies.

Avoiding Dehydration

Summer heat increases risk for this potentially dangerous condition.

The hot summer months are upon us, but sweating in the sun is not the only factor that raises risk for dehydration. This potentially dangerous drop in body fluid affects everything from blood pressure to the brain, so knowing the causes, signs, and symptoms of dehydration—as well as how to avoid it—is critical.

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