Each year, researchers look into countless connections between our diet and our health. Some of the findings they uncover lead to changes in dietary guidelines or may highlight links between what we eat and how healthy we are. Others may spur diet fads that are short-lived, ineffective or even dangerous.

With so much information at our fingertips about how food affects our health, it can be hard to figure out what it all means. That’s why it’s important to look at scientific information from trusted sources and to avoid marketing hype from companies trying to sell you some “good-for-you” product.

Of the many nutrition discoveries recently uncovered by scientists, here are a few interesting—and possibly surprising—ones that may affect your health (although more research needs to be done to confirm these findings):

• Fiber from whole grain breads and cereals may be superior in reducing heart disease risk. Although all types of dietary fiber are important in a healthy eating plan, a recent study published in the JAMA Network shows that eating more fiber from whole grain breads, bran, oats and other whole grain cereals may improve heart health more than increasing fiber from fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that some processed fiber-rich cereals also contain sugar and/or artificial ingredients, so choose wisely. Also, don’t skimp on those fruits and veggies—they still have loads of nutrients that support your health in many ways!
• Eating a wide variety of protein may lower your risk of high blood pressure. A study published in the journal Hypertension found that people who eat four or more types of protein were 66% less likely to develop high blood pressure than people who only ate one or two types of protein. Good sources of healthy protein include beans, seafood, poultry and lean meat. Try to include more plant-based proteins in your diet while limiting animal proteins with a high saturated fat content, such as red and processed meats.
• Red wine drinkers may have less belly fat than people who drink other types of alcohol. Thinking of having an adult beverage with dinner? Make it a glass of red wine. A recent study published in the journal Obesity Science and Practice suggests that drinking red wine may be linked to less accumulation of fat in your abdomen and around your internal organs compared to drinking white wine, beer or hard liquor. This type of fat has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. If you don’t already drink, don’t use these findings as a reason to start (or as an excuse to drink more) because drinking any type of alcohol may have negative health effects, too.

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