Don’t fear fats; be cautious with carbs
An oversimplification of diet advice that began in the 1970s—that people should steer clear of saturated fats to avoid heart disease and stroke—led to an unhealthy “fat phobia” in the U.S., according to nutrition expert Frank Hu of…
Frank Hu, Sudhir Anand elected to National Academy of Medicine
Formerly known as the Institute of Medicine, NAM honors outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology, and Sudhir Anand, adjunct professor of global health, at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public…
Daily sugary drink habit increases risk of type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke
Drinking one or two daily sugar-sweetened beverages can lead to excess weight gain and a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to a new study by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of…
Drink up: Health benefits of coffee are numerous
Your morning cup of coffee provides more than a jolt of caffeine—it can also have significant health benefits.
Butter is not back: Limiting saturated fat still best for heart health
For immediate release: September 28, 2015 Boston, MA ─ People who replace saturated fat (mainly found in meats and dairy foods) in their diets with refined carbohydrates do not lower their risk of heart disease, according to a…
Smoking linked with higher risk of type 2 diabetes
For immediate release: September 17, 2015 Boston, MA ─ Current smokers and people regularly exposed to second-hand smoke have a significantly increased risk for type 2 diabetes compared with people who have never smoked, according to a new meta-analysis…
Fish oil supplements may not improve memory
For brain health, it’s better to eat a nutritious diet and be physically active than to take omega-3 fatty acid supplements or fish oil pills, Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard T.H. Chan School of…
Low birth weight combined with unhealthy adult lifestyle may increase type 2 diabetes risk
For immediate release: July 21, 2015 Boston, MA — People who are a low weight at birth and have unhealthy habits as adults, such as eating nutritionally poor diets or smoking, may have a greater risk of developing…
FDA axes trans fats
Partially hydrogenated oils — the primary source of artificial trans fats in processed foods — are no longer “generally recognized as safe” for use in human food, according to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration decision announced June…
Blacks may not receive same health benefits from moderate alcohol drinking as whites
Study finds risks, benefits of alcohol consumption differ by gender as well For immediate release: April 23, 2015 Boston, MA ─ Although moderate alcohol consumption appears to lower mortality risk among whites, it may not have the same…
