WHO releases updated guidelines on defining healthy diets

Harvard experts say most recommendations are well-supported, but guidance on total fat intake omits decades of evidence The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated guidelines for defining healthy diets, with particular attention to carbohydrates, total fat, and specific types of fat such as saturated and trans fats. The guidelines are an addition to their … Continue reading “WHO releases updated guidelines on defining healthy diets”

New “guidelines” say continue red meat consumption habits, but recommendations contradict evidence

A controversial “dietary guidelines recommendation” published in Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that adults can continue to consume red meat and processed meat at current levels of intake. [1] This recommendation runs contradictory to the large body of evidence indicating higher consumption of red meat—especially processed red meat—is associated with higher risk of type 2 … Continue reading “New “guidelines” say continue red meat consumption habits, but recommendations contradict evidence”

Incidence of obesity-related cancers is rising in younger adults

In the past few decades, great progress has been made in the fight against cancer. However a disturbing new pattern is emerging in younger adults: the younger the generation, the greater the risk of developing certain cancers—especially obesity-related cancers such as of the colon and pancreas. Several cancers are linked with carrying excess body weight, … Continue reading “Incidence of obesity-related cancers is rising in younger adults”

Precision Nutrition and Type 2 Diabetes Management: Is It Ready for Prime Time?

When it comes to the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, a combination of regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and following evidenced-based dietary recommendations remains sound guidance for the general population. However, in combination with recent technological advances, the emerging field of precision nutrition offers a novel approach to tailor prevention and treatment … Continue reading “Precision Nutrition and Type 2 Diabetes Management: Is It Ready for Prime Time?”

Mediterranean and DASH Tie for Top Spot in Recent Ranking

Each year, U.S. News & World Report releases a ranking of popular diets—assessed by a panel of health experts based on seven categories, including weight loss, nutrition, safety, and ease of compliance. Topping 2018’s list of “best diets overall” is a tie between the Mediterranean and DASH Diets, which received high marks for being healthy … Continue reading “Mediterranean and DASH Tie for Top Spot in Recent Ranking”

Meta-analyses in nutrition research: sources of insight or confusion?

Nutrition is a complex field regularly cursed with provocative media headlines that often preface an oversimplified summary. If you’re a savvy consumer of nutrition news, you may have become wise to look past the catchy headlines to assess the quality of the study being reported—sizing-up the latest finding in context of existing evidence on the … Continue reading “Meta-analyses in nutrition research: sources of insight or confusion?”

FDA takes major step forward targeting excess sodium in processed foods

The average American consumes 3,400 milligrams of sodium, roughly 1.5 teaspoons of salt, per day. However most of our dietary sodium comes not from the salt shaker at the dinner table, but from processed and prepared foods such as breads, crackers, cheese, and even products that don’t taste “salty,” like breakfast cereals. This week, the … Continue reading “FDA takes major step forward targeting excess sodium in processed foods”

The Healthy Eating Plate, now in Greek

The Healthy Eating Plate is now available in Greek, providing another example of how to create a Mediterranean diet. There isn’t one specific Mediterranean diet, as there are multiple countries that border the Mediterranean Sea — each with its own foods, eating patterns, and lifestyles — but there are some similarities that help define a Mediterranean eating … Continue reading “The Healthy Eating Plate, now in Greek”

WEBCAST: Scientific Report of the 2015 DGAC

The on-demand webcast can be viewed here. On Wednesday February 25, The Harvard/T.H. Chan School of Public Health hosted a symposium on the Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC):  Evidence Basis and Key Recommendations. The event was moderated by Dr. Howard Koh, with Dr. J. Michael McGinnis as the Keynote Speaker. Presenters included Dr. … Continue reading “WEBCAST: Scientific Report of the 2015 DGAC”