Diet and nutrition Archive

Foods are an important source of dietary fluids. For example, eating the recommended two servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables each day might provide about two cups of fluid. Dairy products, smoothies, and soups also contribute to fluid intake. The amount of fluid to consume each day from food and drink depends on a person's body size and health needs. The National Academy of Medicine recommends about 11 cups (88 ounces) per day for women and 15 cups (120 ounces) per day for men.

Intermittent fasting may help people lose weight and improve their cholesterol levels and other heart-related risks. One form of intermittent fasting is time-restricted eating, during which people eat only during a certain time window (usually eight hours) each day. Another approach, alternate-day fasting, involves fasting or significantly limiting calories for one or two days per week. But it's hard to maintain over the long run due to the challenges of following a strict eating schedule while juggling various work, family, and social commitments.

There are many varieties of low-carb diets. Each has its unique approach and some may help jump-start a weight-loss program, But long-term use of very low-carb diets can lack essential micronutrients and may raise the risk of health problems.

A 2023 study suggests habitually adding salt to food may raise the odds of developing chronic kidney disease, which increases the risks of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

Women and men require different nutritional approaches to promote muscle recovery after exercise. Optimally, women should refuel within 45 minutes, while men have up to three hours. Hormone differences drive women's faster post-workout muscle breakdown. During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, women may also crave more carbohydrates and want to eat more. Women should consume about 20 grams of protein within 45 minutes of working out. If fat loss is desired, women should cut calories at other times of the day, not after exercise.

Brain iron deficiency should be one of the first considerations when treating restless legs syndrome (RLS). But many doctors don't know that iron deficiency is one cause of RLS and don't test for it, particularly in men, in whom iron deficiency is uncommon.

It's well known that ultra-processed foods are unhealthy. But what if you follow a healthy diet yet also eat some ultra-processed foods? A new study found that this still poses a risk for brain health.