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. For packaged foods, Nutrition Facts labels are designed to help, but, more recently, the concept of nutrient density (the number of nutrients per calorie) has been gaining ground as a potential way to help consumers identify the most health-promoting foods.

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.

The Latest on Calcium and Vitamin D for Bone Health

An expert panel recommends against most healthy older adults taking calcium and vitamin D supplements to prevent fractures.

A federal advisory panel, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), has released updated recommendations on calcium and vitamin D supplementation for bone health.

Is Extra Protein Enough to Preserve Muscle With Aging?

A new clinical trial finds that RDA for protein may be sufficient.

Protein is essential to good health. You need it to make hair, blood, enzymes and antibodies—and, of course, muscle. The problem: With aging we tend to gradually lose muscle size, strength and function—a relatively common condition called sarcopenia.

Fatigue in Older Adults? It’s Probably Not Low Iron

Decades ago, TV commercials for Geritol cautioned viewers about “iron-poor, tired blood,” helping to create a misconception that if you feel worn-out and fatigued, you could reverse it by taking an iron supplement.

Quinoa Tabbouleh with Broccoli