Daily Walnut Intake Improves Cholesterol Makeup
A new randomized controlled trial increases our understanding of why regular nut consumption is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease and deaths. The Walnuts and Healthy Aging study, with study groups in both Spain and the U.S., randomized 708 healthy adults ages 63 go 79 to either eat a walnut-free diet or consume 30 […]
COVID-19 Vaccine Does Not Increase Risk of Non-COVID Deaths
Data are overwhelming that vaccination reduces risk of death from COVID-19. Now new research provides clear evidence to combat rumors vaccines themselves could be dangerous or even deadly. Researchers compared medical records from 6.4 million U.S. adults who received either the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccines to those of 4.6 million unvaccinated […]
Q. I know a healthy diet can help prevent some chronic diseases. Can good...
A. Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, Stanley N. Gershoff Professor of Nutrition Science and Policy at the Friedman School and executive editor of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, answers: “As of this writing, COVID-19 has already killed one in 500 Americans. The best way to protect yourself and everyone you come in contact with from this […]
Vitamin E and Beta-Carotene Supplements Not Recommended
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released a draft report stating that the risks of beta-carotene supplementation outweigh the benefits for prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Beta-carotene supplements have previously been linked to increased risk of lung cancer in smokers and may increase risk of dying from heart disease or stroke. Additionally, the […]
Switch from Refined Grains to Whole to Improve Cardiometabolic Health
Greater whole grain consumption is known to be associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. A recent study by Tufts researchers looked at the impact of refined and whole grain intake on specific intermediate risk factors that might be responsible for that association. These factors include fasting blood glucose levels, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, […]
Step Counters and Fitness Trackers May Boost Activity Levels
A study that analyzed data from 38 randomized clinical trials involving over 4,200 participants concluded that activity trackers do improve physical activity levels among adults with cardiometabolic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Over approximately 15 weeks of follow-up, wearing a pedometer (step counter), fitness tracker, or accelerometer (which records movement) significantly increased the amount […]
Fermented Foods Can Support Health
The microbes that live in our intestines help break down food, and they create byproducts that can impact the immune system and inflammation. A study recently published in the journal Cell looked at how including dietary fiber and fermented foods in one’s dietary pattern may impact this gut microbiome. The small randomized controlled trial fed […]
Food Choices May Increase Inflammatory Gut Microbes
The bacteria that live in our gut have a critical role in helping or hurting our health. A new study found intake of some...
Blood metabolites could predict your risk for cardiovascular disease
It turns out the old saying is true: you are what you eat. Foods we consume are digested and absorbed, and then broken down...
Coffee Consumption Associated with Lower Risk for Kidney Disease
A European study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases provides evidence that drinking coffee is associated with healthy kidney function. Data on...