Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it was banning Red Dye No. 3, a bright, cherry-red dye used in everything from bubble gum to ice pops to fruity cocktails. The reason? Some experts believe the vivid food dye actually has a very dark side. In fact, some are concerned it might increase the risk of cancer. But the evidence on the link between Red Dye No. 3 and cancer isn’t actually clearcut. In the 1990s, one study on rats suggested there might be a link....

Serotonin is vital for our mental health. If we don’t have enough of this particular hormone, we may feel depressed, fatigued, anxious, and have trouble sleeping, which can seriously impact our quality of life. Right now, in the US, around 21 million Americans are facing depression; for many, this is associated with low serotonin. Of course, one of the most common methods to increase serotonin is to take a type of antidepressant medication called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor...

Preeclampsia—a serious pregnancy complication—affects between five and eight percent of expectant mothers in the US, putting both mom and baby at risk. While age, genetics, and overall health play a role, research suggests that what a mother eats could be just as important. Could nutrition be a secret weapon in lowering the risk? We turned to food scientist and nutrition expert Jennifer Pallian, RD, to find out. What is preeclampsia? Preeclampsia often develops around the 20-week mark of...

Oprah Winfrey’s relationship with food and diet culture has been well-documented. For years, she was an ambassador for Weight Watchers and even a member of the weight loss program’s board. Once in the 1980s, after depriving herself of food for months, she dragged a wagon of animal fat out on to the stage of her talk show to represent how much weight she’d lost. Winfrey has long been a champion of diet culture, but she is also a victim of widespread body shaming, like many in the public eye....

Every day in the US, 6,000 people reach menopause. In general, most will be aged between 45 and 55, but for some, it can happen earlier, at around 40 years old. In fact, research suggests about five percent of American women will go through menopause early. Symptoms vary from individual to individual, but they can include everything from insomnia to hot flashes, muscle aches, and low mood. All of this, of course, can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, but research suggests some things can be...