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13 October 2018 - The Guardian - Food for thought: the smart way to better brain health

The human brain is made of food, so what we eat and drink affects our ability to keep a healthy, alert and active mind.

13 October 2018 - MedicalXpress - The long-term effects of maternal high-fat diets

If a mother eats a high-fat diet, this can have a negative effect on the health of her offspring - right down to her great-grandchildren. This is the conclusion drawn by researchers at ETH Zurich from a study with mice.

13 October 2018 - Psych Central - Mouse Study: Gum Disease May Kick-Start Alzheimer’s

A new study finds that long-term exposure to periodontal bacteria leads to inflammation and degeneration in brain neurons in mice similar to the effects of Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

12 October 2018 - MedicalXpress - Study: Ketogenic diet appears to prevent cognitive decline in mice

We've all experienced a "gut feeling" - when we know deep down inside that something is true. That phenomenon aptly describes what scientists have now demonstrated: that the gut and the brain are more closely connected than we once thought, and in fact the health of one can affect the other.

11 October 2018 - Neuroscience News - Link Between Gut Flora and Multiple Sclerosis Discovered

A new study reports T cells are activated in the intestines and migrate to the brain, causing an inflammatory cascade that may lead to multiple sclerosis. Researchers say the gut microbiome may play a more significant role in the development and progression of MS than previously believed.

10 October 2018 - MedicalXpress - Study firms up diet and depression link

Although they strike a note of caution pending further study, researchers find compelling evidence for the links between what we eat and our state of mind.

10 October 2018 - MedicalXpress - The ideal weight makes for a healthier pregnancy

Being overweight during pregnancy increases the risk of high blood pressure and gestational diabetes, miscarriage, preterm birth and certain birth defects. There is also a higher risk of complications during labour.

10 October 2018 - MedicalXpress - Babies of overweight mothers may risk developing self-regulation problems

A mother's weight during early pregnancy may affect how well her baby is able to self-regulate during its first months and years of life. A new study says there is a one in five chance that overweight or obese women will have babies who suffer from multiple regulatory problems, and these babies may also show a delay in some developmental milestones when they reach childhood.

9 October 2018 - The Conversation - Five lifestyle changes to enhance your mood and mental health

When someone is diagnosed with a mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety, first line treatments usually include psychological therapies and medication. What’s not always discussed are the changeable lifestyle factors that influence our mental health.

9 October 2018 - ITV.com - ITV and Veg Power teaming up on new advertising initiative to get the nation eating veg

ITV and Veg Power are joining forces to launch a major new national campaign to change the way people think and feel about vegetables, with the aim of inspiring us all to eat more veg.

7 October 2018 - Science Daily - Diet and weight may affect response to bipolar disorder treatment

Data from a clinical trial has shown that how people respond to treatment for Bipolar Disorder may be influenced by their weight and the overall quality of their diet, including whether they are eating a diet high in foods thought to contribute to general inflammation. These are early results, but if replicated may mean that treatment of some mental health problems could benefit from the inclusion of dietary advice.

7 October 2018 - MedicalXpress - Moving location of fruit and vegetables in shops can lead to 15% sales increase

Simply moving where fresh fruit and vegetables are placed in a shop can increase their sales. This is what is known as 'choice architecture intervention', and has implications for encouraging healthier diets.

5 October 2018 - MedicalXpress - Digital marketing exposure increases energy drink usage among young adults

Energy drinks represent a new category of nonalcoholic beverage with global sales of over USD 50 billion. Containing caffeine as a main ingredient, energy drinks are a central part of partying and sporting culture. A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that digital marketing of energy drinks was more persuasive with young adults than other marketing methods.

5 October 2018 - The Conversation - The best foods to eat for a good night’s sleep

Not sleeping for long enough or poor quality sleep are associated with increased food intake, a less healthy diet and weight gain. Lack of sleep also leads to increased snacking and overeating. And it causes us to want to eat foods high in fat and carbohydrates – with increased chemical rewards to the brain when we do eat these foods.

3 October 2018 - Nutraingredients - Review identifies potential modes of action for omega-3s and anxiety

A review conducted by researchers in New York uncovered six potential modes of action for how omega-3s might alleviate symptoms of anxiety. But the researchers found lots of nits to pick with the research, too, and made recommendations for future studies in this area.

3 October 2018 - Science Daily - Newly discovered compounds shed fresh light on whole grain health benefits

Scientists have discovered new compounds that may explain whole grain health benefits. A high intake of whole grains increased the levels of betaine compounds in the body which, in turn, was associated with improved glucose metabolism, among other things. The findings shed new light on the cell level effects of a whole grain-rich diet, and can help in development of increasingly healthy food products.

3 October 2018 - Science Daily - Teen cannabis use is not without risk to cognitive development

A new study confirms that cannabis use is related to impaired and lasting effects on adolescent cognitive development.

3 October 2018 - MedicalXpress - Could beetroot juice alleviate obesity-related health implications?

Beetroot juice is believed to help with cognitive function, lower blood pressure and improve stamina during exercise because of the nitrates in the vegetable that aid the body in better utilizing oxygen. A new study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is recruiting participants for a study that looks at beetroot juice components, dietary nitrate and antioxidants, and their independent effects on exercise tolerance and health benefits in individuals with obesity.

2 October 2018 - Nutraingredients - Regular omega-3 intake during pregnancy could boost baby brain and vision: Study

Women could enhance the development of their unborn child's eyesight and brain function by regularly eating omega-3 rich fatty fish during pregnancy, say researchers from Finland.