6 popular sugar substitutes linked to faster brain aging: study

6 popular sugar substitutes linked to faster brain aging: study

Sugar-free foods and beverages may help your waistline, but they could come at a cost to your brain. A study from the University of São Paulo in Brazil suggests that artificial sweeteners may speed up cognitive decline — with two groups appearing to face the greatest risk, including people with a disease affecting more than … Read more

Low-cal sweeteners can change gut bacteria — especially if you’re on a popular antidepressant

Low-cal sweeteners can change gut bacteria — especially if you’re on a popular antidepressant

That guilt-free treat may not be as innocent as it seems.  A new study suggests that alternative sweeteners commonly found in sugar-free and low-calorie foods and beverages may interfere with the growth of bacteria that help keep the gut healthy. But the effects aren’t always straightforward. Researchers found more than 100 cases where these ingredients … Read more

Good news for sweet tooths: Going sugar-free can mess with your gut and metabolism: study

Good news for sweet tooths: Going sugar-free can mess with your gut and metabolism: study

Here’s some surprisingly sweet science. Americans consume far more sugar than experts recommend — a habit linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and a host of other health problems. But while many people could benefit from scaling back their intake, a new study found that cutting sugar out entirely may backfire in unexpected ways. Cutting … Read more

Dirty soda drinks might be doing you dirty as doctors warn of health risks: ‘Metabolic disaster’

Dirty soda drinks might be doing you dirty as doctors warn of health risks: ‘Metabolic disaster’

The latest beverage trend is far from clean – and it’s raising red flags with doctors. Known as a “dirty soda,” it’s a soft drink that also includes a combination of added ingredients, such as flavored syrups, creamers, fruit juices, and other garnishes. The result is a sweet beverage that’s a combination of a soda, … Read more

How to eat carbs like a biohacker — without gaining weight

How to eat carbs like a biohacker — without gaining weight

They’re one of the most demonized food groups in America. For decades, carbohydrates have been blamed for everything from expanding waistlines and diabetes to heart disease and digestive problems. But according to Dave Asprey, the founder of the biohacking movement, carbs shouldn’t be public enemy No. 1. In fact, the longevity enthusiast eats plenty of … Read more

Exclusive | I never drink but still get drunk — even a cookie crumb puts me over the legal limit

Exclusive | I never drink but still get drunk — even a cookie crumb puts me over the legal limit

Mark Mongiardo can get drunk really easily — and it’s not because he’s a lightweight. In fact, the 43-year-old dad gave up alcohol entirely in 2018, but he can still get buzzed, tipsy and even fully inebriated without a sip of booze. And while that might seem like it makes for a cheap night out … Read more

Popular diet soda ingredient tied to gut bacteria changes passed down across generations: study

Popular diet soda ingredient tied to gut bacteria changes passed down across generations: study

Artificial sweeteners, present in everything from sugar-free snacks to diet sodas, are a staple for many trying to lose weight. But new research suggests the substances could have multigenerational effects, potentially altering metabolism in future generations even without direct consumption. The findings raise questions about the long-term biological effects of widely used sugar substitutes, particularly as consumption … Read more

KitKat enlists ‘presidential-level protection’ on shipping trucks following pre-Easter heist

KitKat enlists ‘presidential-level protection’ on shipping trucks following pre-Easter heist

Talk about a break-in gone wrong. After a brazen chocolate caper saw hundreds of thousands of Kit Kat bars vanish in Europe, the candy giant is beefing up security — and not just a little. Think less “sweet treat delivery,” more Secret Service stakeout. Ahead of the Easter rush, Kit Kat’s Canadian arm rolled out … Read more

Can you really treat hemorrhoids with sugar? Docs weigh in on viral ‘natural’ hack

Can you really treat hemorrhoids with sugar? Docs weigh in on viral ‘natural’ hack

It gives new meaning to the phrase “sweet cheeks.” It’s certainly no fun to have hemorrhoids, swollen veins that grow in or around the anus and cause pain, itching and bleeding — so it’s not terribly surprising that people might be desperate to find a quick way to banish the uncomfortable bulge. But is a … Read more

How eating sugar can ‘caramelize’ the inside of your body — and speed up aging

How eating sugar can ‘caramelize’ the inside of your body — and speed up aging

AGE before beauty.  The latest hyperfixation among longevity experts appears to be Advanced Glycation End products (conveniently abbreviated as AGEs), the result of a chemical reaction between proteins and sugars.  Just as a chef caramelizes onions in a pan, new science shows that sugars are “caramelizing” our insides, prematurely aging us and potentially contributing to … Read more

You’re 9 simple steps away from a heart-healthy diet that will help you live longer

You’re 9 simple steps away from a heart-healthy diet that will help you live longer

Fewer steps to a healthier heart than many skincare routines. The American Heart Association (AHA) recently updated the dietary guidelines for heart-healthy eating patterns at a time when cardiovascular deaths are on the rise. And the new features don’t just focus on what foods to consume, but place firmer emphasis on what should be avoided, … Read more

Jif debuts long-awaited peanut butter combo — and it’s made with 50% less sugar than a popular competitor

Jif debuts long-awaited peanut butter combo — and it’s made with 50% less sugar than a popular competitor

You butter believe it. Jif, the iconic peanut butter brand that’s a staple to many homes, is adding to its product lineup with a brand-new, first-of-its-kind flavor, AllRecipes reported. A new crunchy version of their fan-favorite Peanut Butter & Chocolate Spread, complete with roasted peanut chunks, is set to hit shelves. Jif Chunky Peanut Butter … Read more

RFK Jr. has declared war on Dunkin’ and Starbucks — here’s how much sugar their drinks really have

RFK Jr. has declared war on Dunkin’ and Starbucks — here’s how much sugar their drinks really have

Health and Human Service Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken aim at Starbucks and Dunkin’ over sugar-loaded coffee drinks — but how much sugar do those drinks actually contain? During an “Eat Real Food” rally in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 26, Kennedy referenced plans to challenge the two brands on the amount of sugar their iced coffee drinks … Read more

Popular diet staple may speed up brain aging by a year and a half

Popular diet staple may speed up brain aging by a year and a half

That “fridge cigarette” might be accelerating your cognitive decline. A new study out of Brazil determined that popular sweetening agents in items like Diet Coke could cause the brain to age 62% faster than brains with less exposure. And the numbers are even more startling for younger people and those with diabetes. Over eight years, … Read more

This sweetener tastes just like sugar — but has fewer calories and is better for teeth and diabetes

This sweetener tastes just like sugar — but has fewer calories and is better for teeth and diabetes

Sweet salvation? Scientists at Tufts University have discovered a way to produce a safe dupe for sucrose, AKA table sugar. Better yet, the sweet stuff has significantly fewer calories, minimal impact on blood sugar, and may even have potential benefits for oral and gut health. Unlike artificial sweeteners, tagatose is a naturally occurring sugar found … Read more

What doctors and dietitians like best — and worst — in the new food pyramid

What doctors and dietitians like best — and worst — in the new food pyramid

The food pyramid has been razed and reimagined. In support of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign to “Make America Healthy Again,” the Department of Agriculture has released a new set of dietary guidelines. Announced January 7, these recommendations prioritize proteins and healthy fats while reducing the role of grains. Visually speaking, the guidelines are … Read more

Beloved winter drink may weaken bones and pack concerning levels of sugar

Beloved winter drink may weaken bones and pack concerning levels of sugar

’Tis the season for holiday comfort foods and drinks — but this winter, experts warn that one cozy beverage may be doing more damage to your bones than many revelers realize. Sugary hot chocolate, while often made with milk, can actually weaken the bones because of its high sugar content, orthopedic surgeons say.  While a cup of … Read more

Sappy days: Whisky, bacon and live music collide in Canada’s maple-soaked sugar shacks

Sappy days: Whisky, bacon and live music collide in Canada’s maple-soaked sugar shacks

Forget Jimmy Gilmer’s groaner, these crazy little shacks really are sweet — and they’re also Québec’s hottest clubs. They call them “cabanes à sucres,” but if you “ne parles pas Français,” you can just call them sugar shacks.  Located deep in the woods, “beyond the tracks” — or sometimes just up a random city street — these … Read more

Oreo ripped after announcing sugar-free cookie: ‘Why not just put asbestos in them?’

Oreo ripped after announcing sugar-free cookie: ‘Why not just put asbestos in them?’

A brand-new sugar-free Oreo variety is set to hit grocery shelves across the country in January 2026 — and social media users are skeptical. The Oreo website was updated Tuesday to introduce the brand’s new zero-sugar chocolate sandwich cookies, marketed to calorie-conscious consumers. Instead of sugar, the cookies feature sucralose and acesulfame potassium, which are artificial sweeteners. … Read more

New diabetes drug burns fat, controls blood sugar and retains muscle mass: study

New diabetes drug burns fat, controls blood sugar and retains muscle mass: study

Scientists in Sweden have created a new pill designed to help the body burn fat and control blood sugar in a different way than popular GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic. While injectable GLP-1s work by suppressing appetite, this new treatment boosts metabolism in the muscles. A study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University included both … Read more