Q. I do my best to keep up with the latest nutrition advice, but...
A. Judith C. Thalheimer, RD, LDN, managing editor of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, answers: “There are several factors that lead to confusion around nutrition advice. One is that nutrition science, like any other scientific disciplines, is always evolving. A more significant cause of confusion is the way this evolving research is conveyed to the […]
Q. I have heard that cherries are good for arthritis. Can drinking cherry juice...
A. Judith C. Thalheimer, RD, LDN, managing editor of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, answers: “Anecdotal evidence suggests eating cherries or drinking cherry juice may help with inflammatory conditions like gout and osteoarthritis. [For more on gout, see page 3.] So far, results of research have been mixed. “Like other dark red fruits and vegetables, […]
Q. I’ve noticed that a lot of food packages boast the product has extra...
A. Nicola McKeown, PhD, an associate professor at the Friedman School, answers: “Dietary fiber has a role in helping to lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, reduce calorie intake, and increase the frequency of bowel movements. It also supports a healthy gut microbiome. It is recommended that adults consume between 25 and 30 grams of […]
COVID-19, Nutrition, and You: Lessons from a Pandemic
The COVID-19 epidemic laid bare some stark realities about nutrition in the United States: our food system is fractured, and the resulting poor nutrition and inequities are major contributors to the devastation caused by this disease. The fact is, the overall severity of COVID-19 cases might have been reduced had there been nationwide access to […]
Q. I’ve heard bone broth is good for weight loss. Is this true? If...
A. Judith C. Thalheimer, RD, LDN, managing editor of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, answers: “Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones in water and a small amount of an acid like vinegar. The acid helps dissolve the bone, releasing collagen and minerals into the water. The protein collagen is a key component of […]
Don’t Ignore the Snore
Sleep apnea affects an estimated 22 million Americans, and an estimated 80 percent of cases are undiagnosed. When left untreated, the chronic lack of sleep and abnormal breathing pressure in the chest caused by this condition can lead to fatigue, concentration problems, reduced quality of life, weight gain, and potentially serious cardiovascular problems, including high […]
DASH Diet Plus Sodium Reduction Best for Protecting the Heart
The heart can show signs of damage before a heart attack or other heart problem occurs. Scientists can measure things like inflammation, cardiac injury, and cardiac strain by looking at biomarkers in the blood.Researchers looked at data from the original DASH-Sodium trial and compared the effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, […]
Five Servings of Fruits and Vegetables a Day Associated with Longer Life
In an attempt to identify the optimal intake of fruits and vegetables associated with maintaining long-term health, researchers collected information on the typical dietary intake of over 100,000 healthy men and women in the U.S. over a 30 year period. That data was analyzed along with data from 24 other studies. In general, the more […]
Q. I’m recovering from illness and need to put on a few pounds. Any...
A. Judith C. Thalheimer, RD, LDN, managing editor of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, answers: “Gaining weight is all about adding calories, but that...
Q. You often use the terms heart health, cardiovascular health, and cardiometabolic health. What...
A. Dariush Mozaffarian, MD, DrPH, dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science & Policy and editor-in-chief of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter answers:...