The story of açaí begins in the depths of the Amazon rainforest, where local tribes regarded it as a precious source of energy and vitality. It’s no coincidence that the name “açaí” means “fruit that cries” in the Tupi language, referring to how the pulp flows from the fruit. For generations, Amazonian communities have harvested these smallContinue reading “The açaí berry: The journey from the Amazon rainforest to your table”
Category Archives: Sustainability
A new approach to nutrition science is needed to address current food systems challenges
An informative and timely new editorial has been published in Nutrition & Dietetics (February 2025). The editorial is titled “A new approach to nutrition science is needed to address current food systems challenges” (Machado, 2025). Here, the author notes that: “Promoting healthy and sustainable food systems for current and future generations is central in realisingContinue reading “A new approach to nutrition science is needed to address current food systems challenges”
New study highlights freezer’s potential to reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions
“A national survey found that discarded frozen items make up about 6% of wasted household food in the United States. Based on frozen food’s relatively small contribution to food waste and other findings in the study, researchers say urging consumers to stock their freezers might be one way to prevent premature disposal of food. Results showedContinue reading “New study highlights freezer’s potential to reduce food waste and greenhouse gas emissions”
Sorghum, a sustainable grain, may have anti-diabetes and anti-inflammatory properties: New research
A recent study conducted by researchers at Hokkaido University and the University of Sydney has unveiled the health benefits of sorghum. “The team identified unique lipids that were known to have anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties” named fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) and characterized the diverse lipid profiles among six sorghum cultivars. ThisContinue reading “Sorghum, a sustainable grain, may have anti-diabetes and anti-inflammatory properties: New research”
Exploring consumers’ willingness to adopt climate-friendly diets: A collection of research studies
An informative editorial was published in the journal Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems on August 16, 2024. The editorial, written by Isabel Simoes Miguel, from Portugal, summarizes a collection of studies published as part of the research topic, “Exploring Consumers’ Willingness to Adopt Climate-Friendly Diets.” “The urgency to mitigate climate change has propelled dietary shiftsContinue reading “Exploring consumers’ willingness to adopt climate-friendly diets: A collection of research studies”
May 22, 2024: International Day of Biodiversity (IDB): Be a Part of the Plan
“Be part of the Plan”, the theme of IDB 2024, is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the The Biodiversity Plan. International Day of Biodiversity (IDB) 2024: https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day The Biodiversity Plan offers opportunitiesContinue reading “May 22, 2024: International Day of Biodiversity (IDB): Be a Part of the Plan”
New research finds nearly 90% of proteins tested, even vegan alternatives, contain microplastics
Using less plastic and purchasing and consuming fewer pre-packaged highly processed foods should be on everyone’s sustainability list for 2024. Why is this the case? A new study by researchers at the University of Toronto and Ocean Conservancy published in the journal Environmental Pollution (2024) evaluated microplastics in different types of protein-containing foods in theContinue reading “New research finds nearly 90% of proteins tested, even vegan alternatives, contain microplastics”
More than half of consumers are ‘climatarians’ and show concern for environment, new market research suggests
“Consumers are adapting their attitudes about food to a changing climate and aiming for more sustainable eating habits, research in Tetra Pak’s 2023 Index suggests.” The research also indicates that consumers are gravitating towards healthier products, a trend that is hampered little by economic concerns. “According to Tetra Pak’s Index 2023, based on research conductedContinue reading “More than half of consumers are ‘climatarians’ and show concern for environment, new market research suggests”
September 29: International Day of Awareness of Food Loss Awareness and Waste
The 2023 report of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (FAO et al., 2023) highlights that up to 783 million people across the globe faced hunger in 2022, while more than 3.1 billion people were unable to afford a healthy diet in 2021. While hunger and food security continue, an estimatedContinue reading “September 29: International Day of Awareness of Food Loss Awareness and Waste”
Plant-based food alternatives could support a shift to global sustainability: New research
According to a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, “Replacing 50% of meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forest and natural land.” (Kozicka et al., 2023) The authors note that, “additional climate andContinue reading “Plant-based food alternatives could support a shift to global sustainability: New research”
Sustainable RDN 