EurekAlert! In the Spotlight

Welcome to In the Spotlight, where each month we shine a light on something exciting, timely, or simply fascinating from the world of science.

This month, we’re focusing on nutrition and the powerful role it plays in our lives. Here, we’ll share the latest research on how nutrients affect the body and brain, how scientists investigate diet and health, what these findings may mean for building healthier habits, and more.

Latest News Releases

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 27-Jan-2026 14:11 ET (27-Jan-2026 19:11 GMT/UTC)

15-Jan-2026

Parental concerns about child disordered eating common among youth with high weights in behavioral intervention

Elsevier
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), published by Elsevier, examined parental concerns about child disordered eating among families participating in a long-term, motivational interviewing (MI)-based behavioral intervention. Disordered eating refers to a range of unhealthy eating-related thoughts and behaviors, such as loss of control eating, excessive concern about weight or shape, or restrictive eating, that may not meet the criteria for a diagnosed eating disorder. Researchers found that nearly half (44.9%) of parents reported at least one concern related to disordered eating at the start of the intervention.

Journal: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior

15-Jan-2026

More resources and collaboration needed to support prevention and treatment of obesity

American Heart Association
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Obstacles to preventing and treating obesity, including limited access to healthy foods, limited time to prepare meals and exercise, neighborhood factors, weight stigma and financial constraints, are more likely to affect people in lower-income communities, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in the Association’s flagship journal Circulation.

Journal: Circulation

14-Jan-2026

Study reveals how many hours of video games per week might be too many

Curtin University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Playing video games for more than 10 hours a week could have a significant impact on young people’s diet, sleep and body weight, according to a new Curtin University-led study published in Nutrition.

Journal: Nutrition

14-Jan-2026

Study suggests bamboo has ‘superfood’ potential

Anglia Ruskin University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The world’s first academic review into bamboo consumption has identified a surprising range of health benefits, including helping control blood sugar, fighting inflammation, improving gut health and acting as an antioxidant.

The review, which involved researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in England, is the first to collate and analyse all published research into the consumption of bamboo, which is the fastest growing plant on earth.

Journal: Advances in Bamboo Science

13-Jan-2026

Female athlete health, well-being focus of updated report

Penn State
Peer-Reviewed Publication

An updated consensus statement on the Female Athlete Triad, steered by researchers at Penn State, highlights new guidance for clinicians and coaches for the care of female athletes, including a first-of-its-kind adolescent model of the condition.

Journal: Sports Medicine

13-Jan-2026

Insects, algae or cell-cultured meat: What do the protein sources of the future look like?

BfR Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
Reports and Proceedings

From 16 to 25 January 2026, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) will once again be participating in the Grüne Woche fair. The exhibition stand will be dedicated to the topic of alternative protein sources – a domain that is becoming increasingly important for nutrition, the environment and health. The focus will be on plant proteins, insects, algae, fermented products and cell-cultured meat, among other things. “Alternative protein sources are being discussed in the media, some are already in use, but further research is also being conducted. At the same time, there are many questions – for example, regarding food safety, health assessment, labelling and public acceptance,” says BfR President Professor Andreas Hensel. “The BfR offers scientifically sound guidance in this area and makes it transparent as well as understandable at Grüne Woche.” The BfR stand (No. 307) can be found in Hall 3.2, “ErlebnisBauernhof”.

12-Jan-2026

Researchers develop way to make healthier sugar substitute

Tufts University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Researchers have developed a way to biosynthetically produce an otherwise rare sugar called tagatose, which can provide the sweetness and natural taste of sucrose -- table sugar -- without its potential harms. Tagatose is as sweet as sucrose with 60% fewer calories. It's metabolism limits effects on blood sugar levels, and it inhibits growth of dental cavity-causing bacteria.

Journal: Cell Reports Physical Science
Funder: NIH/National Institutes of Health, NIH/National Institutes of Health