The Most-Read Food Science and Health Stories of 2025

Your Favorite Herb Could Soon Become a Key Treatment for Alzheimer’s

It turns out two simple herbs could hold the promise of a better future for those living with Alzheimer’s. In 2025, researchers at The Scripps Research Institute synthesized a form of carnosic acid, a compound found in rosemary and sage that, in preclinical mouse models, reduced brain inflammation, boosted synaptic density, and improved memory markers linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The best news? The ingredient is already on the FDA’s Generally Recognized as Safe list, which may make it easier to actualize human trials as soon as possible.

Scientists Discovered a Huge Health Benefit of Coffee

The past 12 months have brought plenty of good news for coffee drinkers. That includes a study published in the journal Nature Microbiology, which found that regular coffee drinkers tended to have higher levels of certain beneficial gut bacteria than those who didn’t consume coffee. 

As the researchers noted, these benefits likely didn’t come from caffeine. Rather, the polyphenols in coffee may act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial microbes linked to better digestion, immune support, and reduced inflammation. The scientists underscored that there’s still a lot of work to be done to fully understand these findings, but that their research adds to the growing body of evidence that it’s more than fine to enjoy your morning cup of Joe.

Bananas Could Be Wrecking Your Smoothie’s Superpowers, Study Suggests

Unlike coffee drinkers, people who love banana smoothies got a bit of harsh news this year. A new study published in the journal Food & Function found that smoothies made with bananas had up to 84% lower “flavanol absorption” — absorption of antioxidant compounds linked to heart and brain health — compared with smoothies made with a berry base. 

This unfortunate effect is caused by an enzyme in bananas called polyphenol oxidase, which degrades flavanols before the body has a chance to absorb them. So, next time, maybe enjoy that berry smoothie for breakfast and have a banana as an afternoon snack instead.

Meet the Ancient, Drought-Resistant Grain Poised to Be the Next Superfood

Every year needs an “it” ingredient, and in 2025, that award went to sorghum. The naturally gluten-free grain was the star of new research published in the Journal of Food Science, with experts touting its high amounts of fiber, protein, vitamins, and antioxidants, along with potential benefits for blood sugar regulation and gut health. Best of all, its low water requirement makes it more drought-resistant and climate-friendly than other grains, too.

Your Best Defense Against Microplastics Might Already Be in Your Produce Drawer

The blue in blueberries, red in raspberries, and bright orange in carrots do a lot more than make your plate look pretty. According to research published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis, the pigments that produce those colors, known as anthocyanins, could help your body fight microplastics. 

As the study outlines, these plant compounds are potent antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress and inflammation throughout your body. The researchers explained that, thanks to their high fiber counts, these fruits and veggies can bind to the digestive tract, allowing your body to more easily rid itself of those nearly invisible plastics. The study noted that more research is needed to translate these learnings into practical dietary guidance.

These 12 Fruits and Vegetables Are Most Likely to Have Pesticide Contamination

The “Dirty Dozen” is a perennial favorite announcement with Food & Wine readers. Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases its report ranking the fruits and vegetables that are most likely to carry pesticide residues. 

After testing 47 common fruits and vegetables, the EWG named spinach, strawberries, kale, grapes, peaches, cherries, nectarines, pears, apples, blackberries, blueberries, and potatoes as its “dirty dozen” in 2025. The group emphasized that these produce items remain a cornerstone of healthful eating and encouraged readers to wash produce thoroughly.

This Nut May Help Lower Cholesterol and Boost Heart Health, According to a New Study

Need an afternoon snack? According to a 2025 study, pecans would be an excellent choice. Research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating 57 grams of pecans per day may help lower your cholesterol. 

The study revealed that eating pecans was associated with improved cholesterol levels, including lower LDL cholesterol (also known as “bad” cholesterol). However, to reap these benefits, you do need to consume unsalted pecans. But if you enjoy the plain variety, this research suggests that their unsaturated fats, fiber, and micronutrients may help with cholesterol levels.

These Are the Most and Least Processed Foods at Your Grocery Store

Ultra-processed foods made plenty of headlines this year, with readers seeking out all the information they could about how these foods may affect their health. But consumers also wanted to understand which foods are considered “ultra-processed” in the first place. 

In 2025, a research team at Mass General Brigham in Boston created a platform called TrueFood, which analyzed the most and least processed grocery foods commonly found at Whole Foods, Target, and Walmart, even breaking down the products by grocery departments like “soups,” “pasta,” “meat,” and “cheese.” 

Within certain grocery categories, their data revealed which options are most and least processed. For example, in the yogurt aisle, Wallaby Organic Lowfat Plain Kefir ranked as the least processed option, while Chobani’s Flip S’mores Sweet Vanilla Low-Fat Greek Yogurt qualified as the most processed.

Turns Out, This Everyday Drink Could Be Nature’s Mood Booster — Minus the Side Effects

The health and science community has long known that green tea offers many benefits, and a new study revealed yet another: regularly drinking green tea could improve both your mood and overall cognitive wellness, especially for men of a certain age. 

According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health, green tea’s anti-inflammatory effects may help lower body mass index and boost testosterone levels in middle-aged and older men, while also lowering their risk of depression by reducing inflammation and improving sleep quality. So go ahead and have a second cup.

Why Scientists Are Turning to Oysters to Fight Drug-Resistant Superbugs

Drug-resistant bacteria are a major concern for the scientific and medical communities — and one group of Australian researchers believes they may have found the solution within oysters. Their 2025 study observed that antimicrobial proteins in the blood (hemolymph) of Sydney rock oysters can eliminate specific bacteria and slightly enhance the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics.

“What I find particularly exciting about this study is how it represents a shift in our approach to fighting superbugs, because rather than simply developing new versions of existing antibiotics — a strategy bacteria quickly adapt to — we’re exploring entirely different mechanisms of action inspired by nature,” Angelo Falcone, MD, an integrative medicine physician and founder of Dignity Integrative Health and Wellness, who was not involved in this study, shared with Food & Wine. 

Per Falcone, “We shouldn’t expect oyster-derived antibiotics on pharmacy shelves tomorrow, but this research opens promising new avenues in our ongoing battle against antibiotic resistance, which is a crisis that demands exactly this kind of innovative thinking.”