Food

Excess “Good Fat” May Spur Fat Cell Growth, Study Finds

Image Credits: PixabayA fatty acid commonly found in olive oil and other plant oils has been shown to stimulate the body’s creation of new fat cells, potentially increasing fat storage and leading to weight gain over time. Previously, this weight gain was thought to result mainly from the high calorie content of foods containing...

A Pharmacist Breaks Down How Coffee Could Influence Your Medications

Image Credits: PixabayFor many people, the day doesn’t truly begin until that first cup of coffee. It’s familiar, energizing, and ranks among the most popular drinks worldwide.However, despite its comforting appeal, your morning coffee may not be as harmless as it seems—especially when combined with certain medications. It can alter how some drugs work,...

Your Morning Coffee Might Not Need Caffeine to Perk You Up

Credit: DepositphotosMany of us rely on a warm cup of coffee to kickstart our day, assuming it's the caffeine that does the trick. But for regular coffee drinkers, a decaffeinated version might be just as effective.A Surprising DiscoveryIt might sound surprising, but that's exactly what researchers from institutions in Slovenia and the Netherlands discovered...

Probiotics vs Prebiotics: How Do They Differ and Do You Need Both?

Credit: PixabayIf you visit your local pharmacy or supermarket, you'll likely encounter probiotics and prebiotics. They're found in certain foods, available as drinks or pill supplements, and also occur naturally in common foods.You may have a general sense that probiotics and prebiotics are beneficial for health, or that they're good for your "microbiome. "But...

Caffeine In The Blood Could Influence Body Fat And Diabetes Risk

Credit: PixabayThe amount of caffeine in your blood may influence your body fat, which can impact your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.These findings come from a 2023 study that utilized genetic markers to establish a clearer connection between caffeine levels, BMI, and the risk of type 2 diabetes.Experts Explore Calorie-Free...

Potatoes and Weight Loss

Credit: DepositphotosPotatoes are among the most widely consumed yet frequently misunderstood foods. Despite their negative reputation, recent studies suggest they may aid in weight loss and enhance insulin sensitivity, particularly in people with glucose metabolism issues.In this Q&A, we talk with Candida J. Rebello, assistant professor and director of the Nutrition and Chronic Disease...

A Reliable, Science-Backed Method For Making Flawless Cacio E Pepe

Credit: PixabayThe cherished Italian dish, cacio e pepe, is famous for two things: its amazing taste and its notoriously tricky preparation. On the surface, it appears to be a straightforward recipe, with just three ingredients: pasta, pecorino romano cheese, and black pepper. However, as anyone who has attempted to cook it can attest, the...

Only 9 Ounces a Week: How Much Meat You Can Eat Sustainably

Credit: PixabayWe can sustainably consume up to 255 grams (9 ounces) of meat per week—specifically poultry and pork. Beef, however, poses a bigger problem: even small amounts exceed environmental limits, according to a study published in Nature Food by researchers at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).Lead author Caroline H. Gebara, a postdoc at...

Brown Rice Has More Arsenic – But It’s Still Worth Eating

Credit: DepositphotosA recent study in the US confirms that brown rice has higher levels of arsenic compared to white rice.Understandably, this might raise some eyebrows — arsenic is a well-known toxic element. However, the concentrations found in brown rice are far below any threshold that would pose a danger to human health. And just...

Swallowing May Trigger a Feel-Good Response in the Brain that Promotes Eating

Credit: PixabayIn a study on fruit fly larvae, researchers uncovered how swallowing triggers the release of serotonin in the brain, shedding light on the connection between eating and pleasure in animals.If similar mechanisms exist in humans, this could offer valuable insights into our own drive to eat and drink. By mapping the fruit fly's...