EurekAlert! In the Spotlight

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.

Prebiotic sodas typically contain as much sugar as fiber

American Society for Nutrition
Reports and Proceedings

Prebiotic sodas have become more popular in recent years, with a wave of new products promising gut health benefits and low-calorie enjoyment. According to a new analysis, however, many of these beverages contain relatively little prebiotic fiber content and more sugar than marketing claims might imply.

Meeting: NUTRITION 2026

25-Jul-2026

Plant-forward planetary health diet linked to lower heart disease risk

American Society for Nutrition
Reports and Proceedings

A 20-year study of more than 65,000 postmenopausal women found that higher adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was associated with a lower risk of overall cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure.

Meeting: NUTRITION 2026

25-Jul-2026

Study finds teens who start the day with breakfast eat better overall

American Society for Nutrition
Reports and Proceedings

A new study of teens around age 18 who tended to skip breakfast showed that consuming breakfast increased their overall intake of important nutrients such as fiber, iron, zinc and choline.

Meeting: NUTRITION 2026

25-Jul-2026

FDA-issued sodium targets yield no apparent impact

American Society for Nutrition
Reports and Proceedings

In 2021, the FDA issued Phase I voluntary sodium reduction targets to encourage manufacturers to lower the sodium in packaged food products by 2024. The targets appear to have had minimal impact, according to a study comparing sodium content of new products introduced before and after the guidance was issued.

Meeting: NUTRITION 2026

24-Jul-2026

New wearable ring tracks glucose, ketone and other biomarkers in sweat simultaneously

University of California - San Diego
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Engineers created a smart ring that simultaneously and continuously monitors up to four different chemical biomarkers — a combination of glucose, ketones, vitamin C, uric acid, lactate or alcohol — from finger sweat. The technology could aid in diabetes management, nutrition tracking and more.

Journal: Nature Communications
Funder: UC San Diego Center for Wearable Sensors, UC San Diego Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

24-Jul-2026

New perspective in the Journal of Nutrition reviews protein recommendations in the 2025-2030 dietary guidelines

American Society for Nutrition
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new Perspective published today in The Journal of Nutrition, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Society for Nutrition (ASN), reviews the evidence supporting protein recommendations in the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and identifies areas where additional research could strengthen future dietary guidance.

Journal: Journal of Nutrition

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

Latest News Releases

Prebiotic sodas typically contain as much sugar as fiber

Plant-forward planetary health diet linked to lower heart disease risk

Study finds teens who start the day with breakfast eat better overall

FDA-issued sodium targets yield no apparent impact

New wearable ring tracks glucose, ketone and other biomarkers in sweat simultaneously

New perspective in the Journal of Nutrition reviews protein recommendations in the 2025-2030 dietary guidelines

Pennington Biomedical researchers to present, receive honors at NUTRITION 2026