Please read below health news we selected for our readers that highlight the importance of healthy diet and lifestyle

Experts Push to Expand Role of Nutrition in Medicine.

At the Tufts University Food Is Medicine conference, experts highlighted the potential of incorporating food as a central element of medical treatment, advocating for its prescription in the same way as medications. Dr. Sean Hashmi emphasized the importance of integrating dietary guidance with conventional medical care, noting that combining nutrition-based interventions with medications can significantly improve patient outcomes.

Full text: MedPage Today.  

Both Diet And Sugary Drinks Increase Fatty Liver Disease Risk, Study Says.

A study presented at a United European Gastroenterology conference found that both sugar-sweetened and diet soft drinks were linked to a higher risk of fatty liver disease, with diet beverages potentially posing an even greater threat. Tracking nearly 124,000 participants over a median period of 10 years, researchers observed a 60% increased risk among those who consumed just over one cup of diet drinks daily, compared with a 50% higher risk for those consuming sugar-sweetened beverages.

Full text: Health Day. 

Landmark Study Recommends 'Planetary Health Diet' for Saving Lives and the Planet.

A report from the EAT-Lancet Commission estimated that adopting the Planetary Health Diet—which emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes while limiting animal protein—could prevent up to 15 million premature deaths each year and reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50%. According to commission co-chair Walter Willett, the diet “accommodates cultural diversity and personal preferences, offering flexibility within clear guidelines to promote optimal health and global sustainability.”

Full text: ABC News. 

AHA Scientific Statement advocates for ‘Food Is Medicine’ as intervention for chronic cardiometabolic diseases.

The American Heart Association has released a statement endorsing Food Is Medicine programs for individuals with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other cardiometabolic conditions. Published in the journal Circulation, the statement is backed by evidence showing that nearly 45% of deaths from cardiometabolic diseases are associated with poor diets. It also highlights that adopting a healthy diet can improve health outcomes and may be more cost-effective than traditional medications.

Full text: Medscape. 

To Keep the Brain Young, Safeguard Your Sleep, Study Suggests.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institute analyzed data from more than 27,000 adults and found that inadequate sleep may hasten brain aging. MRI scans revealed that individuals with sleep difficulties had brains appearing about one year older than their chronological age. The effect was stronger in men, and researchers noted that inflammation explained roughly 10% of the link between poor sleep and accelerated brain aging.

Full text: Medical News Today.