The theme of this year’s Earth Day (2026) is “Our Power, Our Planet.” (1) Earth Day organizers across the globe are mobilizing to take action to protect our planet. As an individual in your community, you have power to make a difference on Earth Day (April 22nd) – and every day of the year (1,2).Continue reading “Earth Day 2026: Our Power, Our Planet: How to Take Action at the Community Level”
Author Archives: greengrass50
Only half of calories produced on croplands are available for human consumption, new study finds
“To ensure food security while minimizing agriculture’s adverse impacts, it’s essential to produce enough food using as little land as possible. A new study in Environmental Research: Food Systems from Project Drawdown and the University of Minnesota shows substantial opportunity for improvement in this regard, finding that just half of the calories produced on croplands globally are directly availableContinue reading “Only half of calories produced on croplands are available for human consumption, new study finds”
Ultra-processed foods are linked to reduced fertility and embryonic development: New research
New research published in Human Reproduction (March 24, 2026) has found that “eating large amounts of ultra-processed food (UPF) is linked not only to reduced fertility in men, but also to slower growth in early embryos, and smaller yolk sacs, which are essential for early embryonic development, according to new research.” (Lin et al., 2026;Continue reading “Ultra-processed foods are linked to reduced fertility and embryonic development: New research”
Pesticides have become more harmful globally, new study finds
The toxicity of pesticides increased worldwide between 2013 to 2019, with Brazil among the countries leading the way. This conclusion was made in a study published in the journal Science (Wolfram et al., 2026) and contradicts the goal of reducing pesticide risks by 2030, established at the 15th United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP15). In theirContinue reading “Pesticides have become more harmful globally, new study finds”
Which type of chocolate has the lowest impact on climate change? New research
If you want to eat chocolate and do better for the planet, dark chocolate is by far your best bet. This is the conclusion and takeaway message of a new study published in Science of the Total Environment (2026) that compared different types of chocolate for their environmental impacts. The study authors found that, “the majorContinue reading “Which type of chocolate has the lowest impact on climate change? New research”
Takeaway coffee cups may contain thousands of microplastic fragments, study warns
New Research published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials: Plastics (2026) reveals that heat is a primary driver of microplastic release and the material of your coffee cup matters more than you think. “To most of us, that cup feels harmless – just a convenient tool for caffeine delivery. However, if that cup is made of plasticContinue reading “Takeaway coffee cups may contain thousands of microplastic fragments, study warns”
Amaranth: An ancient grain with functional and health-promoting properties: New review
As described in a new review by Tiombayeva et al. (2025), “Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is frequently regarded as a promising alternative to traditional cereal crops [1]. Unlike most traditional cereal crops, amaranth is characterized by a balanced amino acid composition, including all essential amino acids, the absence of gluten in its grain and high levels ofContinue reading “Amaranth: An ancient grain with functional and health-promoting properties: New review”
Antidiabetic potential of underutilized crops: Nutritional, phytochemical insights, and prospects for diabetes management: New review
A new review published in Applied Food Research (December 2025) “discusses the antidiabetic potential of five underutilized crops: Buckwheat, Quinoa, Amaranth, Moringa, and Teff. These crops are rich in bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins, which are known to play significant roles in the prevention and management of diabetes. By improving insulin sensitivity, inhibitingContinue reading “Antidiabetic potential of underutilized crops: Nutritional, phytochemical insights, and prospects for diabetes management: New review”
The New Food Guide for Colombia: Biodiversity, identity, and health at the table
In 2025, the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) and the University of Antioquia presented the Dietary Guide for the Colombian Population based on Biodiversity and Real Food. This document is not a single recipe or just another technical manual: it is the result of a participatory process with communities from the country’s 13 food-relatedContinue reading “The New Food Guide for Colombia: Biodiversity, identity, and health at the table”
Impact of new octagonal front-of-package labeling on the purchasing probability of processed and ultra-processed foods in Colombia: New research
New research published in Food Quality and Preference evaluated the impact of front-of-package warning labels (FOPL) on the purchasing probability of processed and ultra-processed foods in Colombia. More specifically, the study evaluated the impact of black octagonal front-of-package warning labels (FOPL), introduced by Resolution 254 of 2023 (RESOLUCIÓN No. 254), on consumer purchasing intentions forContinue reading “Impact of new octagonal front-of-package labeling on the purchasing probability of processed and ultra-processed foods in Colombia: New research”
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