Nutrition

  1. Health & Medicine

    Watermelon red means lycopene rich

    Watermelon is a far better source of the carotenoid lycopene than tomatoes are and at least as well absorbed by the body.

    By Janet Raloff
  2. Health & Medicine

    Enough Isn’t Enough: An epidemic of vitamin D deficiency

    Many U.S. women of childbearing age, particularly those of African descent, lack sufficient vitamin D even though they consume the recommended amount.

    By Ben Harder
  3. Health & Medicine

    Look Ma, Too Much Soy: Hormone in infant food reduces immunity in mice

    Large doses of the estrogenlike hormones that occur naturally in soybeans weaken the immune systems of mice.

    By Ben Harder
  4. Health & Medicine

    Wholesome Grains: Insulin effects may explain healthful diet

    Overweight people who eat whole grains rather than refined ones appear better equipped to manage their blood-sugar concentrations with minimal production of the hormone insulin, which could help explain why a diet rich in whole grains appears to guard against type II diabetes and heart disease.

    By Ben Harder
  5. Health & Medicine

    Cancer Link Cooks Up Doubt: Heating may form potential carcinogen in food

    Foods cooked at high temperatures contain large concentrations of acrylamide, a compound suspected to cause cancer in people, but researchers are cautious about acting on preliminary, unpublished data.

    By Ben Harder
  6. Health & Medicine

    Folate cuts family risk of colon cancer

    According to a 16-year study of nearly 90,000 women, the vitamin folate has a protective effect against colon cancer among women whose families have been affected by the disease.

    By Ben Harder
  7. Health & Medicine

    X rays tell stirring tale about fat

    X rays reveal how food processing shapes microscopic crystals of edible fats.

    By Peter Weiss
  8. Health & Medicine

    Lack of nutrient turns flu nasty

    A dietary deficiency in selenium, an essential trace mineral, may cause a usually harmless strain of the flu to mutate into a virulent pathogen.

    By Ben Harder
  9. Health & Medicine

    More good news about chocolate

    The Kuna people of Central America appear to keep their blood pressure down by drinking cocoa rich in chemicals called flavanols.

    By Jessica Gorman
  10. Health & Medicine

    Vitamin Void: Heart disease may lurk in B12 deficiency

    Meatless eating typically improves cardiovascular health, but a dietary shortage of vitamin B12 may lead to an overabundance of the amino acid homocysteine in some vegetarians, which could pose a risk to their hearts.

    By Ben Harder
  11. Health & Medicine

    The right fats: Omega-3 fatty acids soothe inflamed colons

    A diet containing fish oil, which is rich in healthful omega-3 fatty acids, reduces symptoms of a colitis-like condition in rats.

    By Ben Harder
  12. Health & Medicine

    Garlic interferes with HIV drug

    Garlic supplements interact negatively with a protease inhibitor medication taken by people infected with HIV.

    By Ben Harder