New Atlas

Biology Audio available

Fascinating study uncovers how we evolved to benefit from eating fermented food

Rich Haridy May 23, 2019

For thousand of years humans have been using fermentation as a way of preserving foods and engendering good gut health. A new study has discovered that a specific immune function receptor, evolved in humans and apes, is triggered by a metabolite from lactic acid bacteria found in fermented foods.

It is hypothesized that about 10 million years ago we evolved the ability to safely eat ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Meta-study suggests anxiety can be reduced by altering gut bacteria, but not with probiotics

Rich Haridy May 20, 2019

Can anxiety disorders be treated by simply altering a person’s microbiome? And if so, what is the best way to change one’s gut bacteria – simply altering a daily diet or consuming probiotics?

An examination of 21 different studies revealed non-probiotic dietary changes may be more effective than probiotics ...

Science Audio available

First-of-its-kind trial finds processed food causes overeating, but researchers not sure why

Rich Haridy May 16, 2019

Researchers have discovered diets composed of ultra-processed foods lead to overeating and weight gain when compared to diets composed of unprocessed foods. As both diets contained the same amounts of sugars and fats, it is unclear why the ultra-processed food engenders overeating and weight gain.

This image shows one of the study's unprocessed lunches, consisting of a spinach salad with chicken ...

Medical Audio available

Striking study reveals how dietary fats enter the brain and cause depression

Rich Haridy May 12, 2019

An intriguing study suggests there is a direct causative link between a high-fat diet and the development of depression. The research demonstrates how certain dietary fats can enter the brain, disrupt specific signaling pathways in the hypothalamus, and subsequently induce signs of depression.

A new study demonstrates how fatty acids can enter the brain and disrupt signaling pathways that ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Eating walnuts may reduce heart disease risk, by lowering blood pressure

Ben Coxworth May 2, 2019

We've already heard that eating walnuts may assist people in losing weight. Well, that's not all that they're potentially good for. A new study suggests that consuming the nuts might also help people at risk of heart disease to lower their blood pressure.

Walnuts contain an omega-3 that could lower blood pressure, although that's apparently not the whole story

Environment Audio available

Fancy some grubs in your grub? You might if you can't see them

Matt Kennedy May 2, 2019

Researchers in Australia are looking into maggot sausages as meat alternative. This is seen as a first step in conditioning Westerners to accept insects and grubs as normal, everyday food sources.

Australian researchers have begun looking into insect-based pre-prepared food – such as sausages – as a ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Stress eating causes more weight gain than eating when calm

Rich Haridy April 25, 2019

A striking study has discovered that eating while stressed may lead to greater weight gain than if the same caloric load was consumed in a stress-free environment. The study reveals a molecular pathway activated by stress can alter the body’s metabolic processes and lead to increased weight gain.

Stressed mice were found to gain more weight from a high-calorie diet than mice eating the ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Eating plenty of mushrooms may protect seniors' brains

Ben Coxworth March 12, 2019

We've already heard how the psilocybin from so-called "magic" mushrooms may help to alleviate depression. Well, a new study now suggests that a compound found in all mushrooms could also assist in warding off mild cognitive impairment.

The study was led by Asst. Prof. Feng Lei (left) and Dr. Irwin Cheah

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Cheap supplement helps produce bigger babies

Ben Coxworth February 11, 2019

Low birth weight is one of the leading causes of infant mortality, and it's more common in impoverished regions where pregnant women may not receive enough nutrition. A recent study, however, suggests that an inexpensive dietary supplement could be used to address the problem.

Each daily dose of the Women First supplement weighs less than an ounce

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

New discoveries into the effects of fasting on metabolism and aging

Rich Haridy January 31, 2019

A compelling new study by a team of Japanese researchers has offered an incredibly thorough examination into the metabolic alterations that occur in human blood during fasting, revealing a fascinating array of changes that could point to a variety of health benefits.

A new study uncovered 30 previously undiscovered metabolic markers that were found to increase in the ...