Nutrition

A new study finds strokes in young adults have nearly doubled over the past three decades, challenging the assumption that cardiovascular disease is only a concern later in life. The findings are prompting calls for younger people to pay closer attention to cardiovascular risk factors such as diet, blood pressure and lifestyle habits earlier in life.

A new Norwegian science study reports that users aged 9 to 18 increasingly turn to AI tools instead of traditional Google searches for information online. Researchers caution that the consequences of this shift remain unknown, raising concerns about how young people evaluate sources, verify facts, and develop search skills as AI-generated answers replace conventional search results.

A newly published review suggests that reducing protein intake could be beneficial for some people, particularly in relation to heart health. The findings challenge the common assumption that more protein is always better, indicating that certain groups may gain cardiovascular advantages from eating less of it. Details on which populations would benefit and by how much remain limited in the available reporting.

A survey reported by Plant Based News suggests most health professionals believe key plant foods are underrepresented in official dietary guidelines. The finding adds to ongoing debate among nutrition experts about whether national recommendations reflect current evidence on legumes, nuts, whole grains and other plant-based staples. Advocates for plant-forward diets are citing the result to push for updated guidance.

Minnesota has agreed to an $18.5 million settlement with a nonprofit over claims of child nutrition program fraud. The agreement resolves allegations tied to improper use of federal child meal funding in the state. The case adds to ongoing scrutiny of oversight failures in Minnesota's pandemic-era nutrition programs, which have drawn federal attention and criminal investigations.

Gluten-free food is under the spotlight as consumer demand for such products continues to grow alongside regulatory changes affecting labeling and standards. Industry coverage highlights how manufacturers must balance rising consumer interest in gluten-free diets with evolving rules on what can be labeled gluten-free. The discussion centers on nutrition trends and compliance challenges for food producers.

A new study finds that health claims printed on food packaging can obscure important nutritional trade-offs. Products marketed as healthy in one respect may be worse in others, such as higher sugar or lower protein, leading shoppers to overestimate their overall nutritional value. Researchers say the findings raise questions about labelling rules and how consumers interpret front-of-pack claims.